The true and vvonderfull history of Perkin VVarbeck, proclaiming himselfe Richard the fourth

The true and vvonderfull history of Perkin VVarbeck, proclaiming himselfe Richard the fourth

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Title page

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TO THE RIGHT HOnourable THOMAS Earle of Arundel, primer Earle of England, and one of his Maiesties most honourable Councell, &c.

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A PREFACE. Nec adulatori, Ne que detractori,

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THE TRVE AND wonderfull History of PERKIN VVARBECK.

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THE TRVE AND wonderfull History of PERKIN VVARBECK.

THE contentions betweene the houses of Yorke and Lancaster, are the subiects of many discourses, and therefore I will insist the lesse either vpon Genealogies, Titles, Vsurpations, Warres, Factions, Encounters, Reuenges, Battails, Slaughters, or other accidentall outrages, which for 90. yeares filled the wrinckles of the face of our Common-wealth of England, with the blood and sweat of tenne Kings and Princes of the race roiall: 60 Dukes and Earles: 1000 Lords and Knights: and 150000 Soldiers and people. Only I must make a little commorance and abiding in the wretched and ragged house of enuie and malice, gouerned and ouerseene by a woman, who was so opposite and aduerse to the Lancastrian family, that for all King Henry the seuenth had obtained the Crowne by a strong hand; and as we say, diuinitùs praemunitus: yea, debarred all Titles, or fuming shadowes of Titles, by consummating that mariage with the Lady Elizabeth eldest daughter of Edward the fourth: she yet contriued all the waies of his ouerthrow, and inuit â fortunâ entertained euery occasion, which might adde fuell to the fier of her inueterate [Page] hate, and blood-thirstie humor of reuenge, as if she had beene borne like certaine Antipathies in nature, which cannot endure any neighbour-hood or commixture: such as the Eugh and Palme: the Figge and Vine: the strings of Wolues and Sheep, which makes me remember the story of Eteocles and Pollinices the sonnes of Oedipus, whose hate was so great in their liues, that after death, the bones being burnt togeather, the flame of the sacrifice deuided asunder.

This was Margaret Dutches of Burgundy, Margaret Duches of Burgundy chiefest enemy of Henry the seuenth. sister of Edward the fourth, and a sworne aduersary to cast the red Rose of England, into the black pit of confusion; who perceiuing her first hopes frustrated, and annihilated concerning the progression of Lamberts enterprises, studied night and day vpon further and further instigations; yea, houered ouer opportunitie like a hawke for her pray, to torment and trouble the peace of England: embracing euery strange and prestigious illusion, and not caring with what pullies of ridiculous and impossible actions her malice and reuenges were woond vp, so they might be hurried downe againe vpon the head of the King, whom she cursed on her knees, and hated, euen beyond the tendernesse of her sex, many of her owne friends for his sake. Therefore to weary his patience a little more, she set vp another puppet like the former, one Peter Warbeck a Fleming, to act a part of wonder on the Stage of dangerous Innouation, and take vpon him the Title of Richard the fourth Prince of England, and white Rose of the same: But before I play the Midwife, or (if you will) Phisitian with her, to deliuer her wombe of this monstrous birth of Peter Warbeck, whom she taught the cunning and audacious impudency of personating Richard Duke of Yorke murthered with his brother in the Tower by Richard the third some eight yeare before. I thinke it not impertinent to our purpose in hand, to tell you, what this Lambert was, and wherein he seemed cosened with the whorish smiles of an adulterate fortune by the only meanes, and coadiutement of this Dutches of Burgundy.

The first and second yeares of Henry the seuenth swelled [Page] to so great a height of ioy, blessednesse, and contentment from the rivulets of King Richards slaughter, the corroboration of his estate, the amity of the Nobles, the mariage with the eldest daughter of Yorke, the birth of Prince Arthur, the league and amitie of forraine Princes, and the applause of all his subiects, that the diuine prouidence thought it meet to temper and allay the excesse of the same with some mixtures of feares and displeasure, lest mortalitie might presume too farre, and man triumph, that his owne arme of flesh had contriued his establishment. So that the Lord Louel; The Lord Louel and Stafford rebell against Henry the seuenth. Humphrey, and Thomas Stafford, with Sir Thomas Broughton and diuers others, attempted a dangerous rebellion, and drew into the field a great Army against the King; whom to preuent, the Duke of Bedford with such forces as could be raised on a soddain, made hast to an encounter; but his fortune was so good, that with a successefull Oratory, not striking a stroake, he preuailed to dissipate those threatning and thickning clouds of disturbance. For after he had intimated the hainousnes of their transgression, & nature of their offences, which were capital Treasons, & with al inferred the Kings great mercy, which was willing to pardon their rashnesse and pitiful ouersights, so they would desist, and retire peaceably into their Countries: the whole company surceased, and quietly deposed their Armes; whereupon, the Lord Louel fled, and the Staffords tooke Sanctuary in a Village called Culnaham two miles from Abington: but because the Iudges of the law alledged that the Townes of refuge among the Iewes were ordained for other purposes;No Sa [...]ct [...]ary for Traitors. and that Ioab was killed holding by the hornes of the Altar, and the places of priuiledges in England were neuer meant to suborne Traitors: Humphrey Stafford was taken by force from the Towne and sent to the Tower, from whence they brought him to Tyborne, and there put him to execution: His yonger Brother Thomas was notwithstanding remitted, as a man, whom consanguinitie and brother-hood had rather deceiued, then wilfulnesse and malice against the King abused. O blessed [Page] wisedome! that can so temper Iustice with the consideration of mens frailties, and other maleuolent circumstances to keep her a while from contracting a brow of reuenge vpon euery offender, and had rather draw some men to a sweet obedience from their penetencie and newnesse of life, then cut off other-some by the strong hand of execution: and thus in other cases of State it many times chanceth, that euen accessaries are condemned, when the principals go free; yea, in the highest degree of Treason, which is displaying of colours, and taking vp Armes against a Prince; it is sometimes better taken in action, then in cōsultation: yet is there no presuming on fauor in any of these cases, nor taking hands with example to trace in the by paths of any indirect courses.

But as mischiefes according to Euripides seldome come alone, and vnd [...] vndam sequitur: so presently vpon the neck of this followed a strange and wonderfull trouble, through the insurrection of one Lambert Siminel taking vpon him the person of Edward Earle of Warwicke, [...] new Earle of Warwick. sonne of George Duke of Clarence, newly come into the hands of the King, and committed to the Tower. This Lambert was induced (or if ye wil seduced) to this enterprise by the diuel himpostures of Richard Simond a Priest, who was so hasty in his accounts, and forward in his reckoning [...], that he presently proiected, that if Lambert could be King, he should be an Arch-bishop at least: O manifest a phrenesis! whereby the way you may obserue, that neuer enterprise was atchieued to the dissipation of Monarchies and translation of Kingdomes; neuer mischiefe set on foot, nor wickednesse put on the wings of preuailing: but from the contriuance and coadiutement of a Priest, & such men as professed the Religion of tho [...]e times, as in Histories may appeare. But if you descend into Europe, and come lower amongst our selues, I dare say, that from the conquest to this hower, all exorbitant actions, dangerous attempts, terrible enforcements, neuer heard of Projects, and monstrous commotions to the effusion of Christian blood, and weakning the glory of our kingdome, haue beene atchieved, and furthered by the meanes of Popish [Page] Priests and Iesuites, and the damnable Doctrines and instructions of their associates, meere hypocrites both in life and Doctrine: yea, that monstrous terror of Christendome, the family of Ottaman, and religion of Mahomet was blowne so big, as you see it in the furnace of Sergius a counterfeit Monke, and now set on the Throne of imperiousnesse through his supportation and assistance in composing the Alcaron.

When this our Priest Richard Simond, or Versepelles Sinon, well perceiued and vnderstood the gentle condition and pregnancy of this Lambert, he wrought most cunningly vpon him, and thought him a fit instrument to hammer out the diuelish plots he proiected, whereby questionlesse you may apprehend the cunning and malice of Sathan who can entangle men with such strange illusions,The end of diuelish deuices our destruction. and all in the end to destroy them, and bring them to confusion: How else can any reasonable man apprehend, that a Scholler and Priest should be so infatuated as to make a silly fellow take vpon him the person of a Prince, laid long before in his graue, and murthered by the tyrannie of an vnnaturall Vncle. Yet did this nouice goe forward with these strange disguises, like a ceeled doue flying into the hawkes feisure by her own wilfulnesse and blindnesse, and as if the Poet should cry out, ‘Medeae faciunt ad scelus omne manus:’ So was he led by the hands of this Priest, who was now set vpon nothing but wickednesse, and at the last plunged into the Sea of turmoiles.

But the chiefe originall of this disturbance arose from a certaine fame, and report, that King Edwards children were not dead, but secretly conueied into some other Country, as Edward surnamed the Outlaw had in former times beene into Hungary, and that Edward Earle of Warwicks should be shortly put to death: O simple men! and oh vaine multitude! that are caried away with euery winde, belieue vnconstant reports, rely on foolish prophesies, and runne along with vncertaine rumors, which makes me remember one of [Page] and so changed Lamberts name into Edward Earle of Warwicke, Lambert Earle of W [...]rwicke sa [...]eth into Ireland. all things seruing as well to this as the other: the ioy whereof brought him into such an extasie, that he quite forgot the vnion of the houses, and how the King had married the eldest brothers daughter, which must needs be a bar to Warwicks claime, when wise men came to discusse of the matter: but resolued in the errour of his illusion, he strongly coni [...]ctured, that any of the house of Yorke were of sufficiency to pull downe the strength of the Lancastrian Fa [...]ily. Besides, he knew that actio nulla laudata nisi peracta, and therfore some thing must bee done to set the people on worke, though it were with throwing firebrands of diuision and falsity amongst them, euen to the dazling of their eyes with smoake, and casting the sparks about their eares: wherupon both craftily and audaciously he put his businesse to the triall and sailed with his pupill ouer into Ireland, where his Grand-father and Ancestors had gotten such loue and respect, that euen the name of Mortimer and Yorke was sanctified and religious amongst them: For barbarous nations are strong obseruers of ceremonies & customes, and whatsoeuer hath taken root and impression amongst them, will hardly be remoued or extinguished, as it is too lamentably apparant at this houre, where the imposturing of Priests hath got the vpper hand of all religion and piety, and to sweare by Oneales hand, is of more efficacy, then to call God and Heauen to witnesse.

Heere he smoothly made relation of his owne, and the Princes fortunes, and escape to certaine of the Nobility, especially of Geraldines, whom hee knew euery way transpo [...]ted against the present gouernment, enlarging his discourse with his miraculous preseruation, when without law, or other enforcement, he should haue been cruelly put to death by the Vsurper, and brought in question for neuer- [...]eard-of treason, all which, by Gods prouidence and his assistance, was iudiciously preuented, and hee had from a meere commiseration of a Princes estate, aduentured himselfe in that manner, and to such a place, where he supposed true-hearted [Page] honour was resident, and care of religion and humanity maintained.

Whereupon Th. Geral [...]ine Lord Chancellour of the Kingdome defrauded by this illusion,The Earle of Kildare a sauorer of this counterfet. vnder colour of succouring the distressed, and performing a worke of charity, receiued him into his castle, and adding all the ceremonies of reuerence and honor to his very person, assured him of ayd, comfort, and supportation. To this you must suppose was an answer ready, and such an one deliuered with so smooth and attractiue a demeanour, that though hee had not beene such as hee protested: yet hee would haue sworne him of [...]igh birth and extraordinary bringing vp, which caused him to assemble together all his affinity, and friends, to whom he related the matter, as it chanced, with intimation of the glory of the enterprize, and the good seruice to God and the Church, for establishing a Prince deiected in his throne, who was the [...]rue and onely Plantaginet, left to spring vp into a spredding tree of royalty, and therefore hee requested their loyalty and resolued courages to take his part, that the right heire of the crowne might bee restored to England, and themselues eternized to heereafter memory, for so meritorious a worke. Little needed a spur (saith our Prouerb) to a forward horse, all that saw him beleeued it, and such as heard onely the report, according to the Poet, ‘—& errorem vocis, vt omen, amo,’ Clapt their hands for ioy, that they should bee employed in an enterprize of such wonder and important greatnesse: whereupon money, horse, armour, men, and all things else were promised, which might be aduantagious to such a businesse. But alas, Ireland was too weake, and of themselues they did onely discouer their malice, curbed yet with insufficiency, giuing the King notice, how their wills exceeded their power, and that they were ready to entertaine euerie opportunitie to doe any mischeefe. Therefore they sent ouer into England, acquainting many discontented persons with the businesse: but most principally, as to the life of their actions, they submitted to Margaret Duches of Burgundy, [Page] sister of King Edward the fourth, for her directions. This was a woman of a wonderfull composure, so adorned with princely qualities,Margaret Duches of Burgundy entertaineth this quarrell. and setled in Maiesticall authoritie, as you shall heare heereafter, that she was admired of all Europe, and beloued in her owne countrey. Onely as stinking flies lying secretly in boxes of sweet oyntments, putrifie the same, did an innated malice, and virulent hatred to the Lancastrian Family, corrupt her other vertues, and (as it were) thrust vp her princely enduments into a meere bog & poole of dirt and filthinesse: For although shee knew the bloud of Yorke extinguished, and that the Earle of Warwicke was in King Henries possession, as taken forth together with the Lady Elizabeth now his wife, out of the castle of Sherrington in Yorke-shire, vnder the custodie of Sr. Robert Willoughby: Yet insatiate in her hate and so consequently in her reuenge: ‘Nam ingentes parturit ira minas:’ She admitted of euerie motion of disturbance, and inuented meanes of her owne, to set in combustion the whole s [...]ate of England, vnder a hopefull pretence to see the King ouerthrowne and supplanted.

Thus did she pile vp together the fire of this disturbance, and countenanced the matter more with her greatnesse and power, then all the other complices besides: but if you aske me, how she continued in this authority, being a widow, amongst strangers, and enemie to so great a Prince as the King of England: I will answer in a word, and measure out the cheefe and principall cord that bound her royaltie together. Charles Duke of Burgoine, hauing married this Lady Margaret, daughter to Richard Duke of Yorke, and sister to Edward the fourth, had yet no issue by her, but left one sole daughter behinde him named Mary, which hee had by his first wife the daughter of the Duke of Bourbon: this was married to Maximilian sonne to Frederick the Emperour, by whom he had two Princes, Philip and Margaret, which children after the death of the Lady Mary their mother, this Lady Margaret Duches Dowager so entirely beloued, so tenderly brought vp, so motherly nourished, and so carefully [Page] preserued, that she was highly reputed of, and esteemed for the same: To which, when she added a politique ordring her affaires, both for the maintenance of their honour, and administration of Iustice in the Common-wealth: so that I may say with the ancient Poet,Eurip. M [...]d [...]. Saepenumero iam per subtiliores sermones iui, & ad contentiones veni maiores, quam conueniat genus foemineum perscrutari, &c. The whole bodie of the gouerment willingly consented to be apparrelled and adorned after her fashion, so that like an absolute Prince indeed, she proceeded both in the gouernment for their benefit, and the illustration of her owne greatnesse.

In this Orb of reputation thus moouing herselfe, she still shined like a full planet, from whose influence could proceede nothing but sweet presages, till stepping aside into a contrary motion of despight and rankor against the King, as an enemie to knowledge and her owne conscience, she countenanced this ridiculous & yet vnhappy coniuration, which by her meanes grew apace, like broad and stinking burs, vnprofitable in themselues, and spoiling all the grasse about them, vntill at last they were by a politique hand of preuention pull'd vp by the roots, and cast vnder foot into the dirt. For when King Henry was certefied of all these tumults and comminations, and knew the deepnesse and fulnesse of the channell, in which the tottered barke of this rebellion steered, he verily supposed the best point of wisdome was principi [...]s obstare, and so attempted with all care and vigilancy to turne the rage of those troubles another way, or else to preuent them from flowing ouer the banks of his enclosures, and although the collusion & fraud of the inuention, vexed him more then the matter or substance of such a rebellion: yet hee moderated his anger, and with Ianus looked both waies, smiling with one face at the ridiculousnesse and deceit of the proiect: and marking warily with another, all the meanes to redact the confused Chaos of this molestation to better order and vniformity, desiring onely at Gods hands to preuent effusion of bloud, which must needes bee spilt in any settled warre and contracted army. Besides, in well ordred [Page] battells, the euent was disputable, and many times punishments were ordained, as well to reduce good men ad correctionem and amendment, as to bring bad men to ruinam and destruction. And therfore if it were possible, he would rebate the insolency by other meanes, and diuert it from handy blowes and bloudy contentions: whereupon he called his Councell together at the Charter-house besides his royal mannour of Richmond and there consulted, how to pacifie this sudden tumult and conspiracy, without any further disturbance or open defiance. This motion of the Kings so tempered with grauity, mercy, and commiseration, was so well accepted of the whole company, that they presently applauded his high wisdome, and religious care, and put in practise, whatsoeuer seemed conuenient for their intended affaires.

They first began with a generall pardon, published to all offenders that were content to receiue the same,Articles agreed vpon by the Councell, to pr [...] uent the warre. and remain obedient to the Maiestie of England. For although at this very instant Sr. Th. Broughton, who had obscured the Lord Louell a great season from the King, was in a manner ready to giue him battell, with many friendly coadiutors and a well-settled army: yet did the King thinke it policie to desist from a forcible ouerrunning them; because, as desperate of life or pardon, considering their former treasons and abuses, they would hardly be reclaimed in their rages, but now fight for their liues and liberties. Againe, in shewing exemplarie Iustice vpon them, once subiect to accusation or condemnation, he must needes proceed against many, yea such whose offences in standing out, could admit of no pardon: and therefore (as I sayd) he gently proclaimed the same, which was much auailable to his purpose. For euen those, which fauoured the Lord Louell most, began to stagger in their resolutions, when they perceiued the Kings benignitie, and knew with what lenitie and commiseration he was willing to proceede.

Secondly, they thought it necessary and pertinent to their peace, to shew the sonne of Clarence personally abroad [Page] in the Citie, and other publike places, whereby the rumor might be dashed out of countenance, and the purblinde eies of false opinion extinguished. For such an impression this [...]ictiue relation of his escape had made, that though they beheld him present, yet durst some of them sweare, it was but a deuise of the Kings: whereby you may obserue the danger and inconueniences of idle reports, which if they be not strangled in the cradle with Hercules Serpents, and smothered betimes, ere they come to stronger groth and life, will viper like after they haue receiued warmth in ones bosome, fly in his face: Nay, such is the nature of deuices in a tottering Common-wealth, that prohibitions to restraine them, augment them the more, and they who would haue spoken nothing but truth, left to their owne liberty; being prohibi [...]ed, diuulge more then they meant.

Thirdly, It was determined, that Queene Elizabeth wife to Edward the fourth should loose her lands, and be deposed from all manner of sway in the gouernment, because she had voluntarily submitted her selfe and daughters to the hands of King Richard, whereby all former contract [...] and pretences of establishment might haue beene frustrated, through the inconstancie of a woman: or as the State pretended a priuate ambition, or couetousnesse to set any loome on worke to weaue the web of her owne pleasure and contentment, which although was a heinous crime, and very dangerous to the present Kings peace and tranquillitie: yet, questionlesse the doome and iudgement seemed ouer rigorous: Durus fuit hic sermo, and if euer [...] ius proued summa iniuria, it was verified in this verdict. For questionlesse they forgot the turbulency of those times, the rage of the tyrant, the fearefulnesse of many accidents, the seducing [...] of a King, and the flattering promises of a whole Common-wealth, wherein stronger iudgements might haue falled then a womans: But it should seeme that God hath a speciall hand in the punishment of sinnes, and disposing of Kingdomes. For without controuersie, if she consented to the murthering of King Richards wife for her owne ease and emolument, [Page] if she seemed an aduersary to the good pretended, to England by vniting the [...]amilies: or if she proiected her owne aduancement in the present glory of the Kingdome, forgetting the losse of her husband, the murther of her kindred, the slaughter of her children, the odiousnesse of the incest, and the curse of Heauen vpon crying sins: God would neuer suffer such horrible faults vnreuenged, but as you heare inflicted her wauering and inconsiderate timerousnesse with this punishment: For, she was presently confined to the Abbey of Barmondsey in Southwarke, and there deceased after she had liued a while in some calamitous distresse, and excruciation both of soule and body: such are all humane instabilities, wordly chances, and the condition of Princes themselues. Otherwise, she that being a poore widow had resisted the Kings importunity, & by her chast and modest behauiour attracted his good will to marry her: she that had founded a Colledge in Cambridge, bearing her name at this hower of Queenes Colledge, for the propagation of learning, and education of Children and Students: she, that had loued her husband, and the glory of England, endeauouring all things to the augmentation of the honor of them both: she, that seemed proud in workes of charity, and to help forward the petitions of honest complainants and distressed suiters: she, that kneeled on her knees for Clarences liberty, and importuned the King to remember his brother, by the example of Richard the first, who remitted his brother Iohn a farre greater delinquent; had neuer fallen so low into the dangerous pit of a sonne in lawes displeasure, and seene her selfe generally maligned through the kingdome: or else, as I said, the reuealed things belong to vs, the secret to God, who questionlesse blew the coales of this displeasure, to purge the contagion and infection of hi [...] heart, which was only knowne to himselfe.

Fourthly, because they knew that reward and hope of gaine might doe much with corrupted persons, and irresolute men (as all Rebels were) they proclaimed a gratuity of a [...]housand pounds sterling to any one which would present [Page] the State with the body of this counterfeit Lambert, to which they were the rather induced, because not long before, the Tyrant Richard the third had preuailed with the like against the Duke of Buckingham, whom his owne seruant Banister betraied in hope of recompence from the State, which is also a custome in Italy, where the heads of the Banditi are vallued at so many checkinos or peeces of gold, and so the Zaffi, or other desperate Ruffiani obtaine many preies and booties.

Last of all, it was concluded to haue forces in readinesse, and an Army prepared, whatsoeuer should chance, with all prouision and furniture belonging to the setting forth of the same, and honour of such a Kingdome, that neither security or presumption one way of their owne greatnesse and establishment, might make them too confident of themselues, nor vilipending and slight regard of the contrary, another way too negligent against their enemies.

When all things were thus befitted to the disposing and ordering their affaires: On a Sunday ensuing, Edward the yong Earle of Warwick was brought frō the Tower through the publike streetes of London to the Cathedrall Church of Pauls, The Earle of Warwicke shewne in publike. where he remained all Procession time and high Masse, hauing open conference with many of the Nobilitie, especially such, whom the King suspected might haue been induced to the commotion vpon the full assurance of his escape. But if he had asked them why he was imprisoned, or what transgression the King could impute vnto him, to detaine him in dures in that manner, and after put him to death being an infant innocent, without law or reason, I meruaill what they would haue answered, or how the Councell themselues would haue satisfied a iudicious questioner in that kinde: yet by this occasion the imaginations of diuers were setled, and the better sort belieued, that these Irish newes were simulatory, and represented Ixions boasting that he had laien with Iuno, when it was but a cloude, as by the monstrous birth of the Centaures did appeare.

But it was not so with all: For, as it often happens in the [Page] stopping of a violent inundation of water, that it causeth it the more to rage and make a terrible noice, whereas running in a deep channell it would goe quietly away: So fell it out in the suppressing of these rumors, and mens hatred and malice: many were the more exasperated, and by this gentle and saire course to reduce them, thought all but trickes of policie to deceiue them; proouing like certaine kinds of burs and nettles, which soughtly handled sting the more violently, but hardly crushed together lose their force and energie. Of this sort was the Earle of Lincolne, Iohn de la Pooles sonne Duke of Sus [...] folke by a sister of Edward the fourth. sonne to Iohn de la Poole Duke of Suffolke; Now Earle of Lincolne taketh part with Lambert. and Elizabeth another sister to Edward the fourth: who much maligning the aduancement of this Earle of Richmond farre his inferiour (as he supposed) tooke hold of this open Rebellion as a meet opportunitie to beate out his own ends on such a pestilent anuile, and therefore determined to vphold, fortifie, & support this Irish expedition, and take part with his new cozen, who as he made him selfe belieue, was escaped indeed, for all the prety conueiances of the State. This Earle of Lincolne besides his blood, experience, & wisedome in & great important affaire [...], had a priuacy of humor, which many men excepted against, as fantasticall, and precise: For he was so cautelous in his words, and singular in his phrases and actions, that he would neither sweare nor tell a lie, by reason his communication was still seasoned with sauorie Parenthesis and breakings off, or if you will Apos [...]opesis: As I will not confidently auerre it, but it is so, and so, if men may be credited in their mortalitie.

The number amounts to so many, if men faile not in their computations: I dare not iustifie it further then one my credit another, with such like. Yea, in his enterprises he was both curious and Roman like for stricknesse of discipline, yet valiant enough: To conclude in a word, had not the mantle of greatnesse ouer-couered his gesture and actions, the same garbe and fashion in an inferior might haue beene thought ridiculous: but to our purpose in han [...].

When he apprehended a kind of feare and iealosie in King [Page] Henry through this false rumor, he determined with the same water that draue the Mil to drowne it, and out of this fiction to raise a matter of consequence, whereupon he presently repaired to Sir Thomas Broughton and others, who like the Theeues of Aegypt lying in the reedes by the Riuer Nilus, breaking out vpon any hope of aduantage vpon the silly passengers, watched all occasions to be reuenged on the King, and yet could render no iust account of their discontentments, and after diuers consultations, concluded to saile into Flaeunders to his Aunt the Duches, being his Mothers owne sister, and so without further commorance, after the King had dissolued the Parliament at London, put the same in practise, whither he was well commed with all worthy and kind embraces. Not long after Francis Lord Louel repaired vnto him well accompanied, where for the time secured, and assembling themselues with this Position, that omnia efficit consilium, quod & ferrum hostile efficere potest, lest the World should laugh them to scorne, for prosecuting idle and vaine attempts,The Earle of Lincol [...]e and Lord Louel goe into Ireland to Lambert. they resolue, that the Earle of Liucolne and Lord Louel should repaire into Ireland, and adde a better countenance to the businesse by their presence, in attending and honouring their new King with all gracefull ceremonies and markes of maiestie: Then, with the power of the Irish-men to bring him into England, by which time the Duches forces would be ready to ioine with them. Last of all to giue King [...] battaile wheresoeuer: in which if they preuailed, they might at their pleasures depose this counterfeit Lambert, and deliuer the true Earle of Warwicke out of prison, in all which they proceeded accordingly and with expedition.

But King Henry supposing he had setled and appeased the minds and vnstable humours of his Nobilitie, by the personall presence of Edward Earle of Warwicke, began to be lesse moued and disturbed, yea, as it were secure and carelesse of any further malice and dangerous attempt against his estate and dignitie, mistrusting nothing lesse, then any man to be so foolish and mad, as to belieue that Lambert could be the Earle: so that he coniectured nothing, but the suppressing [Page] of those barbarous Irish, and the sedation of that trouble, vntill he heard how the Earle of Lincolne was fled out of the Realme, vntill he heard how the Lord Louel was confederate with him, vntil he heard how diuers were vnited vnto them, vntill he heard how the Duches of Burgoine coadiuted the enterprise, vntill he heard they had raised a strong party, and were resolued to giue him battaile; this somewhat moued him, and exasperated his displeasure: For when he saw no other cataplasme could serue the turne, but that he must cauterise the sore, and sere and cut away the putrified flesh of this corrupted and rebellious body, he determined with strong hand and martiall power to doe the same.

Whereupon he commanded his Musters to goe forward,The King rai [...]eth an Armie. and appointed the seuerall Captaines a Rendezvous, where the whole Armie might meet, as occasion and his aduersaries should incite him, and lest others might pretend discontentments, wants, debts, deuotion, pilgrimages, and such like, and so goe out of the Realme after the rest, he gaue order to all Lieutenants of Shires, Sherifes, Maiors, Bailifes, and officers, to search and watch the Ports & Hauens for the going out, and recourse of strangers, or passengers vnlicensed and vnlimitited.

Thus what he could not with the Foxes, he was faine to compas with the Lions skin, & yet knowing, that Victoria est tota [...]ita in bona consultation [...], he did not cast away the other, but when he saw no Councell nor policie could either l [...]niat their obduratnesse, nor diuert their inficious intents against him, he resolued with an equall strength, to remoue the blocks of his peace and quietnesse, cast thus in his way by flagitious contumacy and ridiculous innouation. But some fires are not so easily quenched, as raised or maintained: for though all his aduises, and good order consorted with successe, yet were they not sufficient to stop the mouth, or hinder the passage of the present disturbance with deputies or Commissioners: therefore he set forward in person, supposing they would arriue from Flanders side on some of those Coasts, and so came to Saint Edmonds Bury: where he was [Page] certified, that the Lord Thomas Marquesse Dorcet was comming to him to excuse and purge himselfe of those crimes enforced against him, or at least such ouersights, in which he perfunctorily performed his duty while he was in France. To him was sent the Earle of Oxford by way of anticipation to intercept at this time his iourney: For the King was too full of troubles and cogitations about the suppressing his enemies and new raised tumults, and so could not attend his businesse:The Lord Mar [...] quesse Dorce [...] sent to the Tower. The Earle had only Commission to conuey him to the Tower, which when some of the Councell supposed a hard doome, he answered them plainly, What need further words? If he be my friend, as I am confident thereof, he will be contented a while to suffer a little reproach and rebuke for my sake: yea, peraduenture pleasure, and contentment. If he be otherwise, it is a place of security, and would I had my aduersaries as safe there, as they would me in the like either mislike, or contention.

From thence the King went to Norwich, where he solemnised the feast of Christmas, and so departed to Walsingham vnder pretence of deuotion, as the superstition of those times coacted. For according to that ancient Poet: Ritus ver [...] extra Iusticiam sunt, Eurip. Bacch [...]. reijcientes cultus deorum: It was an instinct of Nature to confesse a Deity, and maintaine the Sacrifices and offrings to the same. Now, because the most part of the World knew not the true God, they inuented seuerall Idols to represent their seuerall Deities, to whom they brought their praiers and oblations, nor durst they enterprise any businesse without offertories and deuotion, that their true intents might be acceptable to the God which commanded them: yea, such as professed Religion, and abused their knowledge, inuented Images & deuises to please the naturall man; because, with the reason of Idolater, they would not kneele to the aire in va [...]ne, which was, and is the errors of Christians both of the Greeke and Latine Church. Now because our Lady was in these times the mediator of the Papists, and the Lady of Walsingham the most famous shrine of our Country, as that of Loretto is at this hower for [Page] Italy. The King went thither for the impetration of prosperity, in his affaires, and ouerthrow and dissipation of his enemies: which finished, he retourned to Cambridge, and so to London.

In the meane while, the fire-brand and fuell of this contention, Lady Margaret Duches of Burgundy, had blowne the coales to such a heat, that there were two thousand Almaines in a readinesse,M [...]rtinus Swart. vnder the conduct of Martin Swart a noble man of Germanie, and a martiall man by profession, bold, expert, and daring, whom after great rewards, and secret directions from a well contracted Oratory, she sent into Ireland with al his company, where they ariued a [...] Dublin, and were ioyfully welcomed by the Prince and the other Lords the coufederates, especially the Earle of Lincolne, who well knew, that no enterprise was to be entertained without men and money, and good beginnings were the drawers on of successe in the end. Thus they made no more adoe, but in the pride and strength of their conspiracy, they proclaimed yong Lambert King of England, withall the glorious titles, and glorious manner appropriat, as the time and Countrie afforded, which ended, with other ceremonies and some circumstances, to set as vpright their businesse as they could, they protracted no time, but knowing the secret of expedition, which as their case stood, must be their best friend, prepared for England: the Army consisting (as yet principally) of high Almaines, and a multitude of beggerly Irish, which according to the Roman saying, were many men, and few Soldiers. For their best defences were Scains and Mantles, and heere and there a slender dart, more fitter for a maigame and to moue wonderment, then to oppose against good defences, and well ordred troopes.Lambert with his Armie commeth into England. Of these the Lord Thomas Gerardine was Captaine, and with these and the rest, they landed for a speciall purpose (or if you will to vni [...]e themselues with Sir Thomas Broughton, one of the chiefe commanders in this vnhappy conspiracy) at the Pile of Foudray within a little of Lancaster.

These affaires so notorious, and so publike, could not [Page] haue so secret a passage and contriuance, but the worthy and wise King must needes be made acquainted with the same: whereupon he dispatched certaine horse and scout-masters, through the West parts of the Realme, to attend the arriuall of his enemies abroad: yea, peraduenture to ouerwatch the actions of his friends at home, as much troubled with the vnconstancy of these, as perturbed with the rebellion of them. Presently after he raised a sufficient Armie, ouer which the Duke of Bedford, and Earle of Oxford were principall commanders, whom he sent forward before him, then he came in person to Couentrey, where the principall rendezuous was appointed, and where he first heard of the landing of his enemies. Within a while he could fill vp a scedule with the chiefe Traitors names, and the manner of their troopes and proceedings: Last of all, he called a Councell, proposing only two principall matters vnto them: First, whether it were better to encounter with his enemies out of hand, as Achitophel perswaded Absalom to do against Dauid, and so to dissipate them by maine force and expedition, according to the Poet: ‘Tolle moras:Lucan. lib. 1. semper nocuit differre paratis.’ Secondly, or weary them out by delaies and detracting of time, as Quintus Fabius surnamed after Maximus did by Hannibal, and so sent him far enough from Rome into Brutia and Apuleia, whereupon he was eternized with, ‘Vnus homo nobis cunctando restituit rem.’

The conclusion was, that though many times great Armies, whose fury at the first rushes could not be rebated, were at last spent with time, expectation, and many inconueniences; as want of pay, commotions, mutinies, encombrances in a strange Country, feare of forraine people, mortalitie, famine, and such like: yet as the affaires of the Kingdome stood, all speed and an orderly festination was to be put in practise, lest (like a ball of snow in a moist, cold, and misty Country, which by often rowling groweth greater and greater) they might augment their numbers with their rage and madnesse, being so neere the Scots open enemies, and [Page] in the north parts dissembling friends: Whereupon the King remooued to Nottingham, and tooke a field neere vnto a wood called Bowers, whither came vnto him the Lord George Talbot Earle of Shrewsbury, The King with his army is ready to the encounter. the Lord S [...]range, Sr. Iohn Cheny, and many other Commanders, with sufficient forces and furniture, to encounter better men then heauy Almaines and vnarmed Irish, and so the Kings army wonderfully encreased, & had the fulnesse of his subiects obedience, to his great satisfaction, and the comfort of all the rest. For a Prince can in nothing bee so well pleased, as in the loyalty, loue, and obseruation of the subiect: nor the souldier contented, as in the amity and full assurance of one another, especially being all of a nation and language, to vnderstand the wants of such as would be supplied, and be releeued with the willingnesse of those which are ready to performe the same.

In this space, the Earle of Lincolne entred Yorke-shire by easie iournies, for not ouerwearying his princely Nephew vnaccustomed to trauell, and after his precize manner, hee both commanded, that no violence should be offered to any of the Inhabitants, & commended all those, which repaired vnto him, vsing such humility and affable demeanour, that it wan the hearts of many as yet vnsettled, vnto him, and strengthened the loue of such, as had already submitted themselues. Notwithstanding, being much frustrated in his expectation of many coadiutors, and failing in that sufficiency which hee presumed vpon, hee began a little to entertaine an ill companion to all noble designes, feare and mistrust; casting vp an vntoward reckoning of his proceedings in this manner: To retire backe againe, were to meet death and destruction by a way which he looked not for: To goe forward, hee was yet too weake, the King being so strong and enabled, which irresolution made the Poet cry out:

Non satis est muris latebras quaesisse pauori?

Lucan lib. 2.

And againe:—facilis sed vertere mentes

Terror erat, dubiam (que) fidem fortuna ferebat:

At last remembring, that audaces fortun [...] iuuat, and the aduentures [Page] of warre are not alwaies bound to numbers and multitude. For King Henry himselfe had, not two yeeres before (with a small power) vanquished King Richard and his mightie armie, he absolutely determined to trie the fortune of a battell,The Earle of Lincolne commeth forward to Newarck to meet the King. and encounter with his aduersaries, who not onely expected the like, as being in the same forwardnesse and resolution, but determined to rou [...]e them, in despight of anie protraction, in what den or place soeuer, they meant to obscure themselues: whereupon he marched from Yorke to Newarck vpon Trent, presuming the King to bee two or three daies iourney from him, and so he was sure not to lose by the bargaine. But before hee came thither, King Henry was in his bosome, as vnderstanding his egresse, regresse, and progresses, which he vndertooke, and when he came there, was ready to flie in his face. For hee settled himselfe the night before the battell, approaching within three miles of the contrary.

The valiant and ouer-hardy Earle of Lincolne, nothing terrified at the matter, but rather ‘—duro ad [...]isit gaudia v [...]ltu,’ And came forward apace: yet not in anie ouer-daring manner; but vnstartled in his resolutions, retained his accustomed grauity, and verie neere the Kings armie, at a village called Stoke, quartred his forces, and tooke vp the field, with resolution the next day,Stoke field. to call Fortune to the deciding of the controuersie. The King likewise prepared himselfe, and only acquainting the companie with matters of necessity, in an equall and plaine field diuided the troops, and darraigned the battalions.

To tell you of any signes, wonders, prodegies, prophesies, dreames, deuises, forewarnings, or portentous accidents, making sometimes a cause either good or bad, would spend time to lose time, and procure small thankes in the paines: For the superstitious and ignorant would bee angrie, at the opposition and repugnancy: and the truely religious offended at the vanity and superfluity, as abhorring the participation of diuine power to Men, Deuills, or Angells. To enlarge [Page] my discourse concerning militarie proceedings, of entrenchings, fortifications, encounters, diuisions of squadrons, ordring the companies, & setting forward the forces, would preuent me from a fitter and more opportune occasion heereafter. To discourse of the Captaines, the Souldiers encouragements, the Earle of Lincolnes orations, the Kings forcible and gracious speech, the intimation of the imposture, and discouery of the treasons at large, were to prolong the history without further profit, then a poore inuention, which would questionlesse extenuate the worthinesse of the businesse: therefore I desist from all extraneall and superfluous discourses, and apply my selfe to a more succinct enarration of the matter.

When the field was fully and orderly agreed vpon,The armies ioyne. the precize Earle, as if hee would amate the King with a kinde of precedency, set forth the Vau [...]tguard of his armie, and with a manly courage, onely animated the Souldiers, that day to remember his honour, the Kings safety, and their owne liues and liberties, and so gaue a signe to the battell, whereat the Irish began their accustomed cry, or if you will Lullal lullo, which neither affrighted nor troubled the English on the contrary side, but ministred occasion rather to laugh at. The Germanes perceiuing the skirmishes and violent meetings of these warlike bodies, contrary to their vsuall keeping of their stands and close fights, set vpon the Kings Vauntguard, and as they were approoued and expert men in many encounters, so did they for the time in all things, as well as strength and policy could execute, equalling and answering the English man to man, or battell to battell and for the Generalls, had the Earle of Lincolne beene as nimble and deliuer, as he was vigilant, valiant, and wary, he might well haue paralleld the best of his aduersaries. But to decipher, and truely to speake of Martin Swart, I shall much disable his worthinesse and merit. For he was heroike in spirit, strong in heart, and of great ability in body, expert, experienced, and failing in nothing but his fortune: Eor when the Irish, being most of them (as I sayd) vnarmed, were put by [Page] their light manner of skirmishing a farre off, and charged with strong horses on the Flancks, and as strong bodies of pikes in the Front, to which you may adde the cunning of the Kings artillery, and violence of the arrowes, which fell downe like haile vpon these poore and naked soules, they knew no way of resisting or retiring, but were subiect to a terrible encounter and slaughter. And although they held out a while, as long as an equall met man-hood protracted the victory: yet were they so pressed and oppressed, that they quickly yeelded, and shrunke vnder the stroakes of a mightier arme. Againe, the Kings Foreward being full of companie and well furnished, continually supplied with Wings and Archers, & wonderfully encouraged with the high deseruing of the Commanders, at last brake the bodie of the Almaines, and scattered their company with a lamentable discomfiture: yet I must needes say, they were first more terrified to see the Irish killed so confusedly, then exanimated with their owne disasters.The King obtaineth the victory against the Rebells. What should I report? it is with staggering troops and dispersed companies, as with a man falling downe a paire of staires, who neuer leaues tumbling till he come to the bottome: so these yeelded to the fortune of a defeat without recouery, and onely met honor in the way to a glorious death. Therfore I will stand the lesse on descriptions. For neuer was a victorie so soon gotten, nor a busines more quickly ended, many being slain, many taken prisoners, many hurt, and few or none escaped: the cheefest reason because the Lord Louell, the Earle of Lincolne, & other Commanders, desperate of mercy or reconciliation, & wondring at the valiant Germans man-hood and exploits, ioyned with him in a new aduenture, & cried alowd, We will die with thee noble hart, for thou art worthy to liue with Kings & die with Princes, yea to be buried in the fields of euerlasting renowne, & so they were as good as their words. For after men and manhood had acted their parts on this blo [...]dy stage of fury and slaughter, they were all found dead in the field, that is to say, the Lord Martin Swart, or if you will Sward, the Earle of Lincolne, the Lord Geraldi [...]e, the Lord Louell, Sr. Th: Broughton, [Page] with the most part of the Commanders, and fiue thousand Souldiers.

The report was, that the Lord Louell tooke his horse, and would haue fled ouer Trent, but not able to recouer the highnesse o [...] the bancks, he was drowned in the riuer: some also maintaine, that the King out of the generosity of his spirit commanded, that none should kill or hurt the Earle of Lincolne, that being brought vnto him, hee might discouer the secrets of this mischeefe, and the viperous brood of false-hearted subiects: but the souldiers would not permit it, lest the sauing of his life might, by such detection endanger diuers others, as good as himselfe, and so killed him by way of anticipation.

After this victory, the King would needes solemnize a thanksgiuing to God in the open field, as well to a [...]cyd ingratitude, as to giue good example, and when it was vrged, he might better defer it till he came to some religious place, or house of deuotion, he more religious assured them, that God was euery where, and neither the place, nor the manner graced the sacrifice, and the intentiuenesse of the heart, and true meaning of the soule, which he had learned of the Poet, and so alledged these verses out of Lucan:

Est (que) Deisedes, vbiterra,

Lucan lib. 9.

& pontus, & aer,

Et coelum, & virtus: superos quid quaerimus vltra,

Iupiter est, quodcun (que) vides, quodcun (que) moueris?

This the Bishops present durst neither deny, nor would willingly approoue for feare of any diminution in their settled ceremonies and glorious Cathedralls: but at this time the Kings ardency preuailed, and he kneeled downe on the bare ground in the open fields, and rendred thankes and praises to God. Afterward, hee gaue order for the funeralls of the dead, shedding teares himselfe in commiseration of so many worthy men slaine for such an vniustifiable businesse, the people yet vnmooued, and the souldiers not so much as daunted, though they saw the bleeding carkasses and wounded bodies, according to the saying, [Page]

Exemplo (que) carens, & nulli cognitus aeuo

Luctus erat, mortem populos deflere potentis.

Then he proceeded to the casting vp a new accounts of mercy and forgiuenesse, proclaiming pardon to all, that would penitently admit of the same, and to his eternall fame, not onely gaue Lambert and the Priest their liues, but commanded, that no man should abuse them with contumely and reproach, as perceiuing the one (for his yeeres) vncapable of the apprehension of treason, or flagicious circumstances concerning the same: the other (for his orders & profession) to be a priuiledged person: yet most heroikly and wisely he told him, that he which rolleth a stone vp a hill, may peraduenture haue it fall vpon his own head, and he that looketh too high in a dangerous entrenched ground, may fall into the ditch. Notwithstanding, for his pennance he was committed to perpetuall imprisonment: but Lambert admitted into the palace, and from place to place, came at last to bee one of his Maiesties Faulkoners. Last of all, he looked ioyfully on his owne company, and in remuneration of their loyalty and noble seruices, spred the mantle of honour ouer diuers, and imparted seuerall rewards to the rest, according to their places of eminency.

This battell was fought on a Saturday the sixteenth of Iune, 1489. and in the end of the second yeere of Henry the seuenth. And thus was all this high enterprize of Lady Margaret, The Duches of Burgundy is rather enraged, then da [...]n [...]ed with the newes. represented to a ball blown out of a box of sope and water, which when it comes to a swelling fulnesse, at last hursts in peeces of it selfe, of which when she was aduertized, and had cause sufficient of exclamation and repining against her misfortune and disastrous preuention of her malice: yet was she so farre from relaxation or pacifying her hate, that it rather exasperated the same and made her more forward to contriue more [...]ellish proiects, as we shall see by and by: so that I may well exclaime

—Orabiosamulier!

Quàm sit manisesta phrenesis!—

Yea, she set vp such a loome out of her pestilent inuention, [Page] that a man would thinke it impossible for a woman to contriue, or prosecute: but that the old Poet hath so long agoe told vs,

Praeterea nos sumus mulieres,

Euri [...]. Medea.

Ad bona quidem ineptissimae,

Malorum vero omnium effectrices sapientiss [...]mae.

Yet for the time she deplored the miscarrying of the matter, but was not ashamed to confesse, that she cared not by what meanes King Henry might be debased.

After this great mischeefe (like a peece of Ordnance ouercharged) was thus broken in the fulnesse, and that with little trouble, tumult, and expences, compared to many other warres. The King (as you heard) returned thankes to the Decider of all controuersies, and presently sent word to London of his prosperity and aduenture, seeming sorry for nothing, but the death of the Earle of Lincolne, assuring the Duke of Bedford and Earle of Shrewsbury, that he delighted in his humours, and had a determination to haue saued his life, adding yet this by the way, that hee was amazed at nothing more, then the audaciousnes of the man, that durst (so meanly accompanied) set vpon such a great & puiss [...]nt an army. Therfore it must needs be, that he presumed on further suppliment, or some breakings out amongst themselues. But seeing it hath pleased God, that we haue not onely escaped this threatning storme of commotion and disturbance, but also choaked with the dust of their owne dissention, the interiour diuisions and conspiracies of the Kingdome: Let vs (my Lords) I pray you, be somewhat considerate, touching tumultuous and discontented persons, that they may be orderly satisfied in their honest demands, and discre [...]tly preuented from vnlawfull [...]onuenticles, or associated as [...]emblies of vnquiemesse, and murmuring against our gouernment, vnder colour of hunting faires, markets, hor [...]-races, weddings, and such like. Let vs also haue a care of our ports, harbours, and hauens, to preuent wanderers and trauellers, who from the excuses of deuotion to visit Rome, and curiosity to explore forren countries, doe many time deceiue [Page] our trust with indirect and preposterous businesse.

In this triumphant prosperity he returned to London, and was as well welcommed to the people, as contented in himselfe, and so ran forward in the race of all mundane felicitie and maiesticall happinesse. But neither his owne wisdome, the vigilancy of the Officers, the fidelity of his Nobles, the policy of his Councellours, the loyalty of his subiects, nor the whole regard of the Common wealth, could turne the frame of heauen about, nor preuent his destiny, concerning following mischeefes: ‘Nam fato prudentia minor:’ That is to say, could put a scarlet cloth ouer the sting of that serpent Enuy, to pull it out of the heart, no not out of the mouth,The Duches of Burgundy raiseth new troubles. no not out of the hands of the Duches of Burgundy: but she must be tampering with the edge tooles of diuellish despight, and beating on the annile of malicious calumniation, or (if you will) conspiracy, hoping at one time or other, to hammer out such a worke of disturbance, that neither the King should be able to quench the flames, nor the Subiect daring to disable the enterprize. Whereupon to preuent all claimes, exceptions, and meanes of distrust, Some foure yeeres after, she set vp another I doll of defiance, personating Richard Plantaginet second sonne to King Edward the fourth and Duke of Yorke, Another Richard the fourth supposed to be murthered with his brother Prince Edward in the Tower, who (as it were) resuscitated from death to life, or rather reserued by miracle, must be at last a scourge to the vsurping house of Lan [...]aster, which as it began with the bloud of that innocent Richard the second, must now bee reuenged with the destruction of the Conqueror himselfe. Nor was this barely alledged to her friends and followers, but exornated with certaine illustrations of example and precept. First, concerniug the wonder and deliuerance of the Prince, shee alledged the example of Ioas, kept from the rage of Athalia, and after aduanced to the throne of Iud [...]. Then for the businesse of the warre and reueng, shee proclaimed her selfe another Tomyris, who ouercame the Persians, and in recompence of her sonnes death, [Page] and craf [...]ie: in education pregnant, in languages skilfull: of behauiour extraordinary, and of manners audatious, called Peter Warbeck a Fleming, and yet in scorne nicknamed both by his Country men, and English Perkin, according to the Dutch phrase, who character cowardly and timerous yonglings in that manner. His linnage and bringing vp, he shall show you heereafter in his publike confession. His actions and proceedings till then, or if you will, fatall ruine, I will vndertake, and (as farre as my abilitie may extend, or the dangerous businesse in hand requier) delineat vnto you: desiring all estates whatsoeuer to behold the attributes of God in this History, as his power, wisedome, prouidence, iustice, mercy, and what else belongeth to the humbling of mortall men, or pulling on their knees the proudest presumption, and security: but especially confounding the inuentions of men, and pollicies of Sathan, as laughing all to scorne, that submit not to his greatnesse and vnmatchable power, according to our Lucan lib. 2

Iam (que) irae patuere d [...]ûm, manifesta (que) bell [...]

Signa dedit mundus: leges (que) & fadera rerum

Praescia monstrifero vertit natura tumultu,

Indixit (que) nefas:—

First, a mighty Prince was not only terrified with an Idol and puppet, as it were, made of straw and painted cloth: but threatned to be shouldred aside, out of his firmnesse and throne of Maiestie; secondly, when the wheele was [...]urned about, God derided the Deuill, and brought this mountaine of pride downe with a vengeance, seeing the noble Kings innocency, patience and humility: Thirdly, he taught all abominable and diabolicall practises a new lesson, condemning both the actors and contriuers, as freneticall, and foolish: Fourthly, he enstructed the best of men, to consider they were but men subiect to the inconueniences of life, mutabilitie of the World, counterchangeablenesse of times, and inconstancy of people: Last of all, to make vs know that all actions grounded on irreligious foundation [...], and wicked conuentions must needs faile in the end; for, rather [Page] then punishments shall not follow sinnes, God will scourge one wicked man with another, as you saw, how all the Monarches of the Earth were dissolued, and the Kingdomes of the Gentiles brought to ruine and desolation. But now to our Story.

After the Duches of Burgundy had fastned on this An [...]hor hold for her reuenges,Peter Warb [...]ck instructed by the Duches h [...]w to demeane himselfe. she caused the yong man to trauell into many Countries to learne as many languages, whereby he was so perfect in the English, that she reioiced to thinke in what a well manured ground she had sowed the feeds of her hopes: by which occasion the basenesse of his stock and birth was so obscured, that few or none discoue. red the same, or durst detect the secrecie: Thus she kept him a certaine space priuily with her selfe, and vsed such diligencie and instruction concerning the house of Yorke, the affaires of England, and the lignage, descent, and order of her family, that by that time he came to repeat his lesson, she ve [...]ily belieued he was the same she had supposedly contriued: & he quite forgot, that euer his first originall came out of the D [...]nghill: For without any difficulty, or signe of subornation (such a [...]orcible impression ha [...]h the hope of honour and preferment, according to that common, Honores mutant moves) he kept such a princely countenance, and counterfeted a maiesticall roialty, that all others firmely approued he was extracted out of the blood of Plantaginet, and obserued him accordingly: she againe grew proud of nothing so much, as the wonderment of her owne handyworke, and that out of so little [...] cloud, she should raise such a tempest of trouble, and distraction? but ou [...] Ouid endoctrined her, ‘Flumina magna vides paruis de fontibu [...] orta,’ and she knew she was a woman fit to be such a workemistris.

Whereupon taking an opportunity of the Kings warres [...] France, she sent for her yongling out of Portugall and priuatly conueid him into Ireland with sure and forcible instructions how to inueigle and incite this rusticall people to admit of him, who besides their naturall inclination to rebellion, and disorder, would now be glad of this new occasion [Page] and businesse to reuenge the slaughter of their Countrymen: And although it might seeme to reasonable men, and vnderstanding apprehensions, that the vnhappy proceedings of Lambert and his counterfet assoicat (the Priest I meane) might haue beene a sufficient warning vnto them for euer being taken againe in the net of such abuses, or entangled with the snare of collusion: yet did he so demeane himselfe, that he made these doubts the very ground of his acceptation: For once againe insinuating with the houses of the Geraldines and Butlers, he plaied the Orator with them, and as we say, captare beneuolentiam, thus perswaded them to giue credit and affiance to his false and wonderfull demonstrations, as though he had beene the very sonne of King Edward indeed.

MY worthy Lords,Perkins Oration to the Irish Lords. and gratious freends (said he) For the generality of my businesse, I hope you are not vnacquainted with many instances of distressed Princes, flying to one another for refuge and succor, when an ouerdaring hand of a more mightier enemy hath suppressed them, or cunning insinnuation spred abroad a mantell of more forcible reasons to admit of his title in preuailing, rather then to looke after the weakned estate of his wronged, and abused Competitor. For so Ieroboam, and Hadad the Edomite were entertained in the Court of Pharao, meerely from charitable commiseration against Salomon, who had yet formerly married a daughter of Pharao: and amongst our selues the sonnes of that valiant Edmond Ironside, fled from [...] into Hungary, and were there protected, yea, aduanced in marriage for the further and better recouering their inheri [...]ances: But what need I goe further, then the vsurper now regnant, who in despight of my Father and Vncle of Glocester, was entertained by the Duke of Brittaine, and the French King, and as it were secured from all Treasons and corruption or (if you will) pollecy of searchers to bring him to destruction: wherein questionlesse those Princes, as they obtained a perpetuall renowne, for so noble and glorious a [Page] charity: so did they repute nothing so meritoriou [...], [...] the extention of fauor, and a helping-hand to the perfecting such a worke from princely compassion: Therefore I will say the lesse in this point vnto you, because you haue euer beene faithful to my progenitors, and willing to be counted a Nation for the defence of vertue, and propulsing of iniuries. As for the ill successe of Lambert in personating my cozen the Earle of Warwicke, and setting a foot that title, whereby you may be terrified in heereafter prosecutions: Alas, I confesse it was for my sake, and a meere deuise to sound the foord of the troublesome streames of those times & proceedings: wherein, if my Vncle of Lincolne had any way thriued; you must be assured, thogh they would not hazzard my person so yong; yet it was only to make way to my fortunes. For smal recompēce should haue stopped his mouth, & vt maior [...]nx extinguit minorem, my presence quickly haue turned the streame, and with the sonne exhaled the strength of his me [...]eor. This tricke my Grand-father put vpon the State when he was Gouernor amongst you, by lack Cade of Kent, who proclaimed himselfe Mortimer, to see how the people affected the Title, or could remember the Genealogie in the truth of his precedencie, as marrying the daughter of Lionel Duke of Clarence third son of our great Edward the third of England and Heroos of his time: so that I hope this shall be no barre or interception either to my interest, or your good will, considering I am now come in person to offer vp my selfe a sacrifice if need be for you all, and promise you by the secrets of my birth-right to make you a glorious and free Nation vnder me, if I preuaile by your meanes.

These words were vttered so audaciously, and yet with simulatory maiesty, that they conceiued euery thing in his be halfe, and not once disputed on the craft or cunning conueiance of the businesse: but exalted and applauded him with all reuerence and due honor combining themselues with affectionate obedience to his aide and assistance: wherein [...]hat they might be the better induced iust at the same instant, as [Page] if honour made hast to welcome him, according to our Poet: ‘Nunc festmatos nimium sibi s [...]nsit honores.’ and fortune determined to smile on them all. Charles the French King in some di [...]pleasure with King Henry of England, The French King sendeth for Perkin. sent for Perkin out of Ireland, with resolution to make him the roiall head of an Army against England: which although it much animared the Irish to belieue the former seduction: yet it was but a deuise of the French Kings to di [...]ert the warre, which the King of England pretended out of France, and so to enforce him backe againe to looke home to his owne affaires, Howsoeuer, this our Counterfet was not a little reuiued with such a message, and supposed himselfe exalted to heauen in being thus called to the familiarity and acquaintance of Kings and Princes: so that comming into France accordingly, he was roially accepted, and after a Princely manner entertained, hauing a guard assigned him, whereof the Lord of Congreshall was gouernour. Hither also repaired vnto him, especially while he lay in Paris Sir George Neuil the Bastard: Sir Iohn Tailer: Rowland Robinson, and a hundred English Rebels: But alas all these were but smoaking illusions: For on a soddain,

—Ingem [...]it rector,

Lucan. Lib. 7.

sensit (que) deorum

Esse dolos, & fata suae contraria menti:

And when a peace was to be determined and concluded betweene England and France, the French King quickly dismissed the yong man and all his associats, vnder colour of excuse, that he durst no longer protect him against his new confederat and brother of England; but some others attending vpon him, yeelded a more forcible reason for his departure, that he himselfe suspected how King Charles would deliuer him into the hands of the King of England: and therefore he beguiled the Lord Congreshall, and fled from Paris by night. But howsoeuer this may be disputed, and whether he departed without the Kings consent, or no; he was questionlesse deceiued in his expectation, and in a manne [...] desperate of successe: so that loth to remaine amongst such [Page] distrustfull enemies, hee quietly returned to his most assured friend the Lady Margaret of Flanders, the master builder of this worke.

The Duches before he came,Perkin welcommed to Lady Margaret. thought euery hower from his departure, a whole yeare, till his retorne: For to heare how he proceeded, was a quiet to her thoughts, and to know how fortune would deale with him a ioy to her heart, but to see him a very rauishment: Yet when she vnderstood how he was abiected and repudiated in the French Court, it could not choose but be a great agony and amasement vnto her. Notwithstanding, to preuent all suspition, she seemed at his arriuall no lesse reuiued, then a mother is glad for the retourne of her long absented sonne, or a person condemned, for a pardon and restauration to his life and dignity: At his first approach she receiued him with large embraces, and hanging ouer his neck, seeming to shed teares of ioy and comfort for his escape from many dangers and aduentures: O dissembling and deceiuable hypocrisie! that euer a woman should be the author of such diuellish deuises and hellish proiects, and yet ouer-daube her mischieuous imaginations with the sugred showes of loue, and regard of pitty toward a Prince in distresse: but this made Hippolitus long a goe cry out,

O Iupiter! quodnam adulterinum hominibus malum

Mulieres, ad solis lucem habit are fec [...]sti, &c.

and this she had learned of her owne Phisitians,Eurip. Hippolitus Coronatus. who in administring of bitter pils, had shewed her to roule them ouer in some candide powder: and this we haue taught our selues out of Gods one mouth, who in seuerall places of Scripture hath puplished wherein a bad woman doth exceed all the creatures of the World.

After this extacy was past, she proceeded with a cunning desire to haue him relate his first miraculous preseruation, his after trauails and exploration of Countries, his next entertainement in Ireland and France, and finally his resolution to goe forward in his noble and necessary intendment for his inheritance, and recouery of the Crowne of England: [Page] wherein he proceeded so effectually, and orderly without stammering or stuttering, that the whole company verily belieued it, and such as were not present, the rather, induced by the report of others, sorrowing for nothing, but that they heard him not Vina Voce, and endeauouring what they could to present their personall obedience vnto him: Whereupon when she perceiued, how euery thing consorted to her owne wishes, she assigned him a Guard of 50 persons in Murry and Blue, and honoured him with a cloth of Estate, and denomination of the White Rose and Prince of England.

From thence forward the Nobilitie of Flaunders, and diuers of England with all obsequious diligence attended him, and from a reuerent estimation of his auncestors, performed all the good offices, which belonged to the exornation of his maiestie, and extention of their owne loues and dut [...]es: so that in a word, this Sinons horse entred the broken wals of Troy, and feined inuention shadowed with the pretence of verity and truth, preuailed with their credulitie, that they adhibited the more faith and indubitate trust vnto it, supposing verily he had been preserued by the wil and prouidence of God, and so committed to the trust and custody of some faithfull friend, either by King Edward or his mother, when she was in Sanctuary: relying also on this impossibility, that any Tyrant would so rebell against God, as infring the orders of holy Church, and take him perforce from thence, as yet the story manifesteth was to be done euen by the Cardinall himselfe.

By this time the same of this iuggled miracle was not only blowne ouer Flanders and the Territories adiacent, but so rumored in England, England strangely possessed with the humor of Perkin. by reason the present gouernment suppressed all publique reports, libels, and writings, that in the very whispering ‘Nam fraudibus euentum deder at fortuna.’ It was more forcible, then if it had been published by l [...]cence and authority. Thus haue I seene a fire smoothered, and enclosed in some secret place ne [...]er to bee quiet, till it were vented out, and when it came to eruption, made the more [Page] forcible and outragious noyse. For it was heere receiued, as an infallible truth, and not onely beleeued of the better sort, but entertained of the common people, who being more liberall of audacious behauiour, and lesse fearefull to offend God, began to confirme it with oathes, as a matter of truth, which others but barely affirmed, as a report of vncertainty.

Thus began trouble vpon trouble, and as the Spring putteth forth the buds and blossomes like the messenger of Summer, and pleasant times to ensue: So did this fantasticall fable thus diuulged, prognosticate following calamity [...]nd consequent desolation. For after it was knowne, with what honour he had beene entertained in Flanders, and reuerenced in other places of Europe: there began sedition on euery side in England, and no man was sure of his friend, the times grew to such distraction. Some, that were fled to Sanctuaries for great and hainous offences perpetrated, discharged themselues, and went beyond the seas vnto him. Some, that had confined themselues to priuiledged places for debts and accounts, began to shew themselues vnder his support and combination, then being safest, when the State is vnsafest. Some, euen of the better sort, through rashnesse and [...]emerity, because they would bee counted factious and stirring, drew apace vnto him. Some out of the nature of inconstancy, or rather impression of melancholy, neuer to be remooued from the opinion they haue once entertained, beleeued verily, that this Perkin was the indubitate sonne of Edward the fourth. Some, through simplicity and easinesse of apprehension, without examining the probability and likelihood of the matter, yeelded to any thing which was told them. Some temporizers, to curry fauor in the change of Princes, perswaded and solicited other to their opinions, that so bringing many coadiutors, they might not onely be reputed of strength and reputation in their countries, but the better welcommed and entertained with the preuailer. Some, through indignation and enuy, murmuring at their slender aduancement, or grudging they were not more condignely rewarded, for their former paines and aduentures in [Page] his Maiesties businesse, resorted to this new Prince, in hope of better acceptation. And some ouerwearied with e [...]se and placability of idlenesse, greeuing to see the world stand at a stay, with desire of change, ran headlong into this fury, madnesse [...] and seditious conspiracy: ‘O tempora! ô mores! ô flagitiosa voluntas!’

But for all this rumour of this twice borne Duke Richard of Yorke, and that England was diuided, and drawne into parts taking, and seuerall factions: so that the minds of men were vexed, either with the hope of gaine, or preferment: or feare of losse and confusion: Yet was the King and his Councell not much disturbed or affrighted, more then their maruell and modest anger at so many persons, seeming in their right wits to be seduced, either in the contriuing such a manifest and notorious lie, or assenting and preparing themselues to countenance the same without feare of God or men, not once forecasting the dangerous penalty of treasons, contempts, conspiracies, and practises against their naturall Prince, and so sufficient a Gouernour. For it was not onely a pernicious fable and fiction, strange and maruellous; but prodigious and vnnaturall to resussitate a ma [...] from the dead, and with impudent asseueration to set it forth, and palliate it with the vesture and garment of a professed verity. But in such cases, be Kings ueuer so wise, nor matters so triuiall and vnlikely, there is no sitting still, nor giuing way to the businesse, especially there is no rebating an enemy with proclamations, writings, and prohibitions, who commeth forward with the clamors of war, & well settled prep [...]ration of offence. Therfore his Maiesty thought it the best course, to looke about him, and both by force and policy to preuent the mischeefe impending and threatned. For hee perceiued, how already the fire of rebellion had taken hold of some of the principall houses of England, whom hee knew had vnderhand already sent messengers vnto Lady Margaret, to vnderstand when Richard Duke of Yorke would come conueniently into England, that they might be ready to help and succour him, euen at his first arriuall.

[Page]This businesse encreased to a fulnesse and ripenesse,Sr. Robert Clifford sent to Perkin. about the eighth yeere of his Maiesties raigne, insomuch that the confederates (by common assent & agreement) posted ouer Sr. Robert Clifford Knight, and William Barley into Flanders, to be the better assured of all particulars: who were not only gladly accepted, and louingly welcommed of the Duches, with full intimation of the truth, and wonderfull deliuery of strangenesse of the story. ‘Nec grauide lachrymas continuere genae:’ But brought to the sight, and sweet, entertainment of Perkin, who played the counterfet so exactly, that his words resembled for cible incantations according to that of the Poet:

Vna per at hereos exit voxilla recelsus,

V [...]rba (que) ad inu [...]tum praefert cogentia numen. [...]

For all men praised his vertues and qualities,Lucan lib 6. with a resolued belee [...]e of his princelinesse, and Sr. Robert Clifford swore directly that he was extracted of the bloud royall, and the very sonne of King Edward the fourth. Whereupon hee wrote letters of confidence & credit to his associates in England, that as the Queene of Saba told Salomon, she did not beleeue the halfe of that which was reported, till shee had seene it with her eyes: So he could not bee perswaded to so much, as rumour had preferred, till he had ouerveiwed him in person: But when these letters were receiued in England, the conspiratours caused them to be openly published and diuulged in many places, with full credence, that it was true and not fained, which was spoken by the Duke of Yorke, and therefore they neede not be afraid to be drawne to such a commotion, and parts taking: all yet was carried so orderly and couertly, that the King more then vncertaine suspition, could not as yet detect any person of name or quality, which troubled him so much the more.

But when hee perceiued indeede, that this misty vapour was not qui [...]e vani [...]hed, nor the impression put out of the mad braines of the common people; and vnderstood, how Sr. Robert Cl [...]fford was priuily fled into Flanders, he resolued on a conspiracy against him, and thought it expedient, both [Page] for the saueguard of himselfe and his Realme, whose reciprocall good or hurt were dependants one vpon another,The King prepareth for Pe [...]kin. to prouide some remedy for the repressing of this abusing fraud and deceit, and suppressing the insolency, if it should extend to force and rebellion. Wherefore hee disper [...]ed seuerall companies both of horse and foot to defend the sea coasts, that no man might passe or repasse vnapprehended, who had not license or safe conduct for his iourny, busines, and affaires: Then hee sent downe the Lieutenants and lustices into their seuerall countries to detaine the people in obedience, and muster the forces of the same, as occasion should serue. Which order obserued, he vnderhand authorized wise and discreet Espi [...]lls into all the cities of the Low-Countries, to discouer of what Prouince, progeny, parentage and estate, this misnamed Richard was descended and propagated, promising princely rewards to such persons, as could relate the truth, and (as a man may say) enucleate the secret. Besides, hee wrote louing letters to certaine trusty friends, concerning the same; who to doe their Prince and Countrey seruice, dispersed themselues into seuerall townes and cities both of France and Burgundy, where they were certified and assured by the testimony of many honest persons (amongst whom some of especiall wit and behauiour repaired to the towne of Tourney) that this fained Duke was of meane parentage, and truly named Peter Warbeck, which was principally confirmed by one Nathani [...]l Osbeck of his owne kinred, who as it should seeme in hope of reward, tooke vpon him more then the rest, and exprobrated him for so countersetting, with this taunt out of the Poet:

Sed malè dissimulat,

Pa [...] Hel [...].

quis enim celauerit ignem

Lumine qui semper proditur ipse suo?

And alas, howeuer he is now transhaped into a princely garb and fashion, we of Peter named him Perkin, for his effeminatenesse and childisnnesse.

With this newes and man, the inquisitours returned into England, and made a true report vnto his Maiesty of all that euer they knew and heard, both concerning the assumpted [Page] presumption and impudency of the counterfet, as also the proceedings and purposes of all the conspiratours, which was seconded by the faithful letters of especial persons, who had larger commission to make their commorance the longer out of England: when the King was thus satisfied, and (as he supposed) to all seeming reasonable vnderstanding, had openly and apparantly manifested it, heresolued to haue it further published and declared, by open proclamations and sound of trumpet, both in the Realmes of England and Ireland, and in the courts of forraine Princes: for which purpose he sent ouer diuers Embassadours to many Countries, especially to Philip Arch-Duke of Burgoine, Embasie to the Arch-Duke. and his Councellours, as a place which neerest concerned him. This Embasie was the charge and commission of Sr. Ed. Poinings, a most valiant Gentleman; and William Warrham Doctor of the lawes, a man of great modesty, learning and grauity. The generall poynts of their commission had large fields to walke in, but the principall matters to be enforced had these limitations.

FIrst, to declare that the young man resident amongst them with the Lady Margaret, was descended of a base and obscure parentage, hauing falsly and vntruly vsurped the name of Richard Duke of Yorke, who long before was murthered in the Tower with his brother the Prince, by the commandement of King Richard their vncle, as many men liuing can testifie.

Secondly, that from the probability of the matter and enforcement of reason, there was no likelihood, that King Richard dispossessing the Prince both of his life and Kingdom, would leaue the other brother stil to affright him, and trouble him in his gouernment.

Thirdly, that Queene Elizabeth their mother, was therefore attainted in Parliament, for surrendring her daughters into the Tyrants custody, and committing them into his hands, who, she knew, had already murthered their brethren.

Fourthly, to desire the Arch-Duke, and the principall [Page] Lords of his Councell, not to giue any credit to such illusions, nor suffer themselues to bee any more blinded or seduced with impostures, or shadowing appearances of truth.

Last of all, to remember how King Henry had (some few yeeres since) succoured and releeued Maximilian their principall Lord, almost oppressed and ouercome with the forraine hostility of the French King, and intestine rebellion of his owne subiects, and therefore it must be vnprincely, and a poynt of great ingratitude, either directly or indirectly, to abett or maintaine any traytour, or trayterous practises against him, or the peace and tranquility of his Kingdome.

With these instructions the Embassadours failed into Flanders, and were gently receiued, and honourably welcommed by the Arch-Duke and his Councell, as appeared by the solemnity of their audience, and quicke dispatch of their businesse: wherein Doctor William Warrham in a well penned oration declared the Kings minde, as before you heard, and by the way touched the malice of Lady Margaret, saying with the Poet, ‘—Tantaenè animis coele stibus irae:’ And vnder a kinde of reprehension, rebuked her inficious disposition against a Prince of so great worth and deseruing, that neuer wronged her, nor entertained a preiudiciall motiue, to inflict either her or hers with any malignant iniury; wherin she only might be compared to a weak breath, which spitting against a forcible winde, had it returned b [...]cke againe into her face, adding withall somewhat vehemently, that in her olde age, contrary to the nature of all births, shee had brought forth two such detestable monsters, that is to say, Lambert before disputed vpon, and now this Peter, that the like was neuer heard of. And whereas, in the conception of children, women were commonly deliuered in eight or nine moneths, as nature did require, she could not be released in eight or nine yeeres; nay, the youngest was fifteen yeeres old, before her threnes were passed, and they iustified to be shewed openly, and this was not sufficient neither, [Page] but they must bee at least extracted of Princes, and able to giue Kings battell in the open field: whereupon hee might well conclude with that ancient Poet:

Sedres excellens est,

Eurip. Andromache.

contra reptiles bestias

Remedia mortalibus deorum prebuisse aliquem,

Quae viperas & ignem superant:

Sed nullus contra mulierem remedia inuenit adhuc

Malam: huiusmodi sumus hominibus malum.

This oration so effectually deliuered, and in the publique assembly audaciously maintained, did not so much trouble and vex the Duches, as aff [...]ight and dishearten poore Perkin, who in a manner exanimated, lest his fraud and pestilentiall enterprizes should not onely bee discouered, but discouraged, began to be somewhat appaled, and by a fearefull countenance seemed to discountenance both his honor and the action, had not the Duches taken the cause in hand with a more vndaunted courage, and like a true Virago raised her spirits to a higher pitch of reuenge, thus resuscitating her darling, and answering the Doctor.

MY Lords Embassadors of England: The Duches answer to Doctor Warrham oran [...]tion. For the dignity of princelines commandeth no lesse, & awfull regard of Maiesty combineth me to such obseruation: Besides, I am no way offended with your persons, but your message, wherin I know the Oratour hath much transcended his bounds, but speaking for his fee, and doing another mans errand, he is the more pardonable, and therefore as neere as I can re [...]ember, I will answer succinctly to euery point deliuered.

First, whereas you impeach the miraculous and wonderfull preseruation of this Prince. In which yet my credit and knowledge of the truth, shall be of sufficiency to answer all other obiections and intercedings, I cannot blame you, nor him that set you on worke; For he well knowes that sonnes [...]re to bee preferred before daughters, and ashamed of the [...]reachery of his ancestours, he would put off the blame by a tricke of policy in laying as great faults on the shoulders of his aduersary, I meane my brother Richard, whose tyranny [Page] and obdurate heart hath onely wrought this relenting in me, that say & do what England can, I will be now the Protectrix of this euery way distressed Prince, and so to conclude this poynt, assure your King, ‘Permanet in voto mens mea firma suo.’

Secondly, whereas you inferre the improbability and vnlikelihood of sauing the Prince, being in a Tyrants custody, and determining to murther the King himselfe, I answer in a word: I am of your minde, if euer he had come into his hands: But it is well knowne, that the Cardinall himselfe was deceiued, and the childe conuayed away, in despight of the maleuolent practises of so cruell an Homicide. Yet say it had not beene so, I hope eldest brothers daughters are preferred before a yonger brothers claime; and hee had fiue Princesses, besides my Nephew Warwicke, to wrastle wi [...]hall, before he could goe out of the lists with his owne triumphs. Therefore it was not the feare of him, that did accelerate his murther, as you suppose; but his resolution to bee King, in despight of Heauen and Hell.

Thirdly, concerning the dispossessing of the Queene their mother by your Parliament, I am ashamed of your asseueration, that euer man, and such a man, whom (as you say) the Heauens protected, should bee attainted of inhumanity, to thinke a woman might not bee affrighted with a Tyrant, when hee himselfe ranne into euery corner from his reaches. But say there had beene a fault perpetrated (through the timidity of her sex and tendernesse of her widdow-hood) would any man marry the daughter, and hate or distresse the poore mother, in whose behalfe I may well say with Ariadne to Theseus,

—Sinon ego causasalutis:

O [...]id. Epist.

No [...] tamen est, cur tu fis mihi causa necis?

And therefore if there were no more then to reuenge her quarrell, I will bee an enemy to Lancaster, while I liue, and am no further mooued with your vnseasonable oratory then afraid of his menaces.

Fourthly, whereas you would insinuate with our Nobles [Page] and trusty friends to desist from my allegiance, and a [...] sting my Nephew in his lawfull claime: you thinke belike we are as perfidious as your selues, that seeme glad of Treason and turmoiles vpon the very sound of innouation: yea, the least aduantage or disaduantage will cause you leaue your Prince in the midst of his enemies.

Fiftly, concerning your exprobration of Maximilian for ingratitude, and not coadiuting your King in his petty reuenges vpon France: First, his great dessignes are not to be compared to your triuiall businesse, and hauing matters of high consequence else-where, he could not leaue them to attend your weaker importunities: Secondly, he well knew it was but a folly to assist you in any businesse of France; for as fas [...] as you got it one way, you would loose it another, so that you cannot now show any Town or Fort, either of King Edwards conquests, or Henry the fifts enterprises except Calice, which lying so neere you, you cannot for shame but defend: And thirdly, in my conscience he tooke pitty of you, knowing you had a warre at home to attend, and so were not able to prosecute both encounters at once: goe back therefore and tell your politike Prince, that whereas words are but womens weapons to his imagination, we determine to arme our selues, and this Prince by Gods assistance: and my power shall bid him base in his owne Kingdome with speare and shield, and make an equall combat the decider of both their Titles.

Last of all concerning your inuectiue against women; alas, I smile at your schollership, and am ashamed at your poore discretion in adapting some poeticall inuention out of fury or despight, to your present purposes, when both the same man, and all others of the same condition are as forward to commend as dispraise vs: For to answere your worne out and threed bare Tragedian, hearke what our Diuine Petrarch affirmeth:

Huius mens terrenar [...]m nescia curarum:Petr [...]rck d [...] contemptu mu ndi dial. 3. Coelestibus desider [...]s ardet: in cuius aspectu si quid vnquam veri est diuini spec [...] [...]en decoris effulget: cuius mores consummata honestatis exemp [...] [Page] sunt: cuius nec vox, necoculorum vigor mortale aliquid: nec incessu [...]minem represent at.

With which words she arose, and carried away Perkin with such state and maiestie, that Sir Edward Poinings, though he were euery way inuincible for his courage, and a knowne man for wonderfull and seuerall exploits, yet seemed amazed at her Heroicall speech, and delicat manner of obstinacy.

Notwithstanding, the Emb [...]ssadors and Councell of Estate often met, and after long debating the matter, somewhat to pacifie the King of England for many reciprocall gratuities and benefits receiued, they concluded, that the Arch-duke should neither aide nor assist Perkin nor his complices in any cause, or quarrell whatsoeuer against the maiesty of England. Only, if the Duches continued in her obduratnesse, and would not desist from her feminine rages, and terrible prosecutions, they were not to oppose against her, nor was it in their power to let or withstand it: For, she was an absolute gouernour in her owne territories, and the seignories and lands assigned for her dower, were of sufficiency to suffulciat her enterprises without their contradiction or restraint.

When this answere was giuen,The Embassador returne into England. they returned againe into England with a true relation of all occurrences as they chanced, and circumstances impending: whereupon King Henry both politike and charitable (for of all other things he desired, if it were possible, to auoid effusion of blood and hazzardous danger of battaile, supposing that was the last remedy of curing diseased Common-wealths, as Surgeons doe to festered sores) contriued another worke, which although it was branded by some with the character of traiterous intelligences, yet it serued his turne for the present: and so diuers were appointed to discouer the secrets of the contrary by feigned dissimulation. Of these were two sorts, one to feigne themselues Yorkists, and so learne out what they could preiudiciall to King He [...]ry: another, to tamper with [Page] Sir Robert Clifford and William Burley for their returne to the obedience of the King: and concerning the Plot it selfe, he reputed it iustifiable as authorised by all Authors, ages, and Common-wealthes, who set downe in their politique discourses, that

—Fraus est concessarepellere fraudem,

Arma (que) in armatos sumere iur [...] finunt.

These cunning enformers so demeaned themselues, and imploied their [...]time with such sed [...]lity and care,Quid. de arte amandi. lib. 3. that they perswaded (though with much adoe) Sir Robert Clifford to desist from this foolish and dangerous collusion, which had neither sure ground nor foundation to stay it selfe vpon: but Master Barley could not be diuerted at this instant, till within two yeares after almost tired out with expectation after P [...]ter Warbecks fortunes and successe, he returned of himselfe to the King, and had pardon both for life and liberty. The others likewise proceeded so effectuaily, that they had sure notice of especiall persons confederate, and adiured to this blinde and foolish proiect; of which they presently enformed the King, who by that means could not only personally name his home enemies, but to preuent the worst, did as personally attach the most principall: that is to say, Sir Iohn Ratcliffe, the Lord Fitzwater, Sir Simon Mountford, Sir Thomas Thwaits, William Dawbney, Robert Clifford, Thomas Cressenor, and Thomas Astwood: with these were diuers religious persons imprisoned, as William Rochford Doctor of Diuiuitie, and Thomas Poines both Friers Dominicks, Doctor William Sutton, William Worsley Deane of Paules, Robert Laiborn, and Richard L [...]ssly, with diuers others vnapprehended; of whom, some tooke Sanctuarie, and some fled into Flaunders to Perkin: But of those whose liberties were constrained, Sir Simon Mou [...]ford, Sir Robert Ratcliffe, and William Dawbney were beheaded, as powerfull, factious, and chiefe authors of the conspiracie: the rest were pardoned, especially the Priests, who were in those times for their orders sake sequestred from publique executions, what offences soeuer they perpetrated, which made them so forward [Page] in all facinorous actions; and others so superstitious, as to beleeue any thing they either proiected, or attempted, from which hypocriticall and deceiuable manner of life, all Poets and Philosophers themselues haue had both generall and particular inuectiues against Priests, augures, soothsa [...]ers, figure casters, and religious persons, both for their prophane liues and seducing vanities: so that Euripides amongst many other places concludes in his Ephigenia, ‘Vatiduûm omne genus ambitiosum malum est:’ and all the Kingdomes, and times of the World,Eurip. Iphigenia in aulide. hau [...] smarted through the pride, couetousnesse and malicious wickednesse of Priests and Fryars, and lastly Iesuites, as I said before: But to our Story.

Although the Lord F [...]zwater was pardoned his life for the present: yet comming after to Calice he was beheaded for attempting to escape by corrupting his keepers, and so to goe to Perkin: whereby this strange and intricate worke so busied his Maiesty, that he would often compare it to the conquering of Hydra, a beast so priuiledged by nature, that as one head was struck off, seuen others grew in the place. For his turmoiles both at home and abroad encreased, and he seemed as much tormented with the suspition of bosome friends, as affrightings of forraine enemies, which so exasperated him, that as he supposed to preuent the worst, considering Maximilian King of the Romans had ieofaild with him in his wars against France and that Lady Margaret with the Flemings had supported Perkin Warbeck against him, he in a kind of re [...]nge banished all Low-Countrie men, and their commodities out of the Realme, with restraining the Merchant from hauing accesse into any of their Cities: But alas this was to no purpose, and in truth rather a custome of anger, then secret of policie, as if a man because his finger torments him, should cut off his hand to ease himselfe: for they did the like by vs, whereby the Mart being kept at Calice, and no vent else-where for our Marchandize, many poore house-keepers complained for want of worke, many rich men murmured and were compelled to lessen their families, [Page] and abate their retinue, many Merchants felt the losse, and the Trades-man cried out-right, because the Esterlings brought all manner of manuall worke ready made into the Land,A riot [...] the Esterlings. and tooke from them both their labour and customers, whereby a riot was made vpon them at the Stilyard, and the Maior of London with the principall Officers had much adoe to appease the tumult, and this was the ninth yeares disturbance.

The King thus turmoiled euery way, repaired for diuers reasons to the Tower of London, whither shortly after came Sir Robert Clifford vnto him, partly trusting to the Kings promise, partly mistrusting his owne company and Perkins weakenesse: But the chiefest polecie of his resiance in the Tower was to secure himselfe, and lay hold of all others suspected, or accused in this conspiracy, who thither resorting to the Councell, might with ease and without any tumult be committed to prison, as it presently fell out: For after the King had admitted Sir Robert, and insinuated with him in excellent positions of Diuinity, and morality by way of disceptation, vrging the loue and fauour of his Prince in his true obedience and reconciliation, he not only related the manner of Perkins proceedings, but on his knees with teare [...] in his eies discouered the matter to be weake and impossible, if it had not factious supportation from some of powerfull houses of England, and very neere his Maiesties person, whereof though many were punished, and the rest dissipated and diuided: Yet Sir William Stanley remained vnsuspected, and his heart trembled to accuse him: But when the King heard Sir William Stanley named,Sir William Stanley accused. he started back amazed and in a manner confounded, that Sir Robert was affraid he had done him more harme in the relation, then good in the detection.

At last he burst out, what my bosome friend? my Councellor? my Chamberlaine? then I see there is no trust in men, nor as the Psalmist saith confidence in Princes: For as we shal not want instruments to goe forward with what enterprise we please, as Dauid had his Ioab: so shall we not lack enemies [Page] let them be neuer so carefull and desirous to fauour the least deseruer, but I may well now cry out, Heu cadit in qu [...]nquam tantum scelus! and with the kingly Prophet exclaime, It was not mine enemies abroad, but my companions, and such as eate at my table betraied me: What Sir William Stanley? he hath the gouernment of my Chamber, the charge and controlment of all that are next my person, the loue and fauour of our Court, and the very keyes of our treasurie. He made me a conquerour in the field, and by his hand I scourged tyrannie out of his Throne, therefore it is impossible, and I cannot belieue it. But when a second reply brought him to the sight of fairer particulars, and that he saw the smoake, though it was but a smother, came from some fire, he quickly recollected his spirits, and with these verses of Euripides, set himselfe downe at the table of preuention and reposednesse:

Ex amicis autem alios quidem non certos video amicos

Qui vero sunt rectè,

Eurip. Herefu [...].

impotentès sunt vt iuuent:

Talis res est hominibus ipsa infoelicitas,

Quā nullus vnquam (quicun (que) vel mediocriter amicus mini)

Assequatur amicorum examen certissimum,—

The same night vpon better consideration my Lord Chamberlaine was restrained from his liberty within the quadrant Tower, and confined to his owne Chamber for a season: but when the crime was openly prooued, and the Councell had as it were with a charming hand of Hecate turned his inside outward, and found all his excuses to consist in distinctions, and his reasons of defence manifest astipulations of the matter, he grew out of all patience, and knew not what to say, or to doe: For one way like an Noble Prince commiserating his subiects, he feared lest his brother Lord Thomas Stanley the life of his first roialty, as a man should say take it grieuously. Another way he misdoubted, lest in remitting the fault, some other might abuse his lenity and mercy, and be the bolder to runne forward in the dangerous courses of further treasons: At last by the aduise of his Councell, and generall vouge of the Court, seuerity (considering the perill [Page] of those daies) tooke place,Sir William Stanley beheaded. and mercy was put backe: so that after a solemne arraignment, he had iudgement to dye, and accordingly was brought on the 16. of February to Tower-hill, and had his head struck off.

The principall point of his enditement consisted in this, that Sir William Stanley sware and affirmed, that he would neuer fight nor beare Armor against the yong man Peter Warbeck, if he knew of a truth that he was the indubitate sonne of Edward the fourth, whereupon arose a coniecturall proofe, that he bare no good will to King Henry. Again, the principall motiue of his distasting and murmuring at the King, was for being denied the Earledome of Chester, when his brother Lord Thomas was inuested with the sword of Derby: yet the King besides many rewards, & other great offices made him his chiefe Chamberlaine; what should I say? it should seem ambition had blinded his eies, & peruerted his iudgement. For he still thought on the benefits which the King receiued from the loue and seruice of his family, neuer remembring the compensation and gratuities returned back againe to him selfe, supposing that his vessell of oile should still be filled to the brims, or else he harped on a Machiuilian position, thankfulnesse is a burthen, but reuenge is sweete and reckned as gaine. But it should seeme, that in possessing King Richards treasure at the conquest of Bosworth field, which King Henry franckly bestowed vpon him, and the command ouer the people in the Country, he grew proud and elated, and so vilepended the King: or from a continual melancholy reuerberating mislike and hate vpon his staggering conceits, he more and more ouer burthened his heart with rage and despight, which as you haue heard vnpurged, vented out those words of disloialtie to the losse of his life; or in a word according to that of our old Tragedian: ‘Animorum Iupiter vindex est minis superborum,Eurip, Heraclida.’ the searcher of heart [...] was weary of his tumors and ingratitude, and so tooke the Kings cause in hand and vpon good inforcement thrust him into the house of destruction. Otherwise, he could not choose but remember, how not twentie [Page] yeare before the Law had interpreted the profuse and lauish speeches of a Grocer named Waker, dwelling at the signe of the Crowne in Cheapside, who bad his sonne learne apace, and he would make him heire of the Crowne, meaning his house he dwelt in, for which he was adiudged to die: nor forget the Story of Burdet the Esquier, within whose Parke King Edward hunting, a white tame Hart was kild by chance, which he had brought vp by hand, which when Burdet heard of, he wished the hornes in his belly that had moued the king to come first thither, for which he was drawne, hanged and quartered. Thus you see there is no iesting with Princes, nor distasting them in troublesome times, nor presuming in such cases on their clemency: For our Ouid tels vs:

Non ideo debet pelago se credere, si qua

audet in exiguo ludere cimba lacu:

After this, many rumors and libels, yea defamatory speeches both concerning the landing of the new Duke of Yorke proclaimed all ready in Ireland, Richard the fourth: and the Kings present feare and proceedings, were spread abroad, which compelled as strange prohibitions, yea, punishments and reuenges, according to the example of that iudgement,Libel. [...]rs hanged. that hanged Collingbroke for a rime against the vsurper:

The Rat, the Cat, and Louel the Dog,

Rules all England vnder a Hog:

so that he was farther enforced to haue many politike searches through the whole Realme for such offenders, and as many strong Guards and Watches for the defence of the whole Kingdome, by which when he perceiued the care, vigilancie and good will of the Subiect, he entertained a greater fulnesse of contentment, and shewed a better alacrity of spirit then his former griefes would remit: Then he aduanced Giles Lord Dawbuy a man of wisedome, experience and fidelitie, to be the Chamberlaine of his house, and haue the Guard of his person. Afterwards he tooke order with the Citie and Merchants of the same, and had thei [...] faithfull Oath [Page] and protestation to looke to it, and all the places of their traffique abroad, concerning such things as might be offensiue and preiudiciall to the Kingdome. The next thing hee tooke care for, was the manning of the Cinqueports, and fortifying diuers hauens, with a stict commanding the Lieutenants & Iustices of each Shire, to repaire into their Countries, by which good order obserued, he grew somewhat secure and bolder, to shew himselfe in publique assemblies vndaunted, or any way discomfited.

But this was yet farre from the fulnesse of his establishment, as long as Ireland remained corrupted, and swelled againe in euery place,Speciall Commissioners sent into Ireland. with the ouerblowen reports and rumours of Perkins royalty, to which each trayterous eare lay open, and abused heart went quite away with the nouelty. Whereupon hee resolued on the necessity of purging and cleansing the same, and determined to performe it by new Officers and honest Surueyors: So hee sent thither with powerfull authority, Henry Deane late Abbot of Langhton to be his Chancellour, and Sr. Ed. Poinings (with a sufficient preparation) to bee Lord Generall of his army. These had a large Commission, vnder his Deputy the Earle of Kildare, to suppresse all innouations, and spare no offenders: For it was such a time, that mercy and fauour would rather embolden men to abuses, then lustice offend with extremity. Besides, the Maiesty of Kings was not to be controlled, either in their fauour or reuenges, but they would simply command, and haue the subiect honestly to obey, with which instructions and the doctrine of Probity out of our ancient author,

Probi enim viri officium est, & Iustitiae i [...]seruire,

Et maleficos punire vbi (que) semper:

They arriued in Ireland, and disposed of themselues accordingly.

Now because the countrey was already infected with a superstitious credulity of the preseruation of one of the sons of Edward the fourth, and that the barbarous Irish once beleeuing a thing, would neuer bee diuerted by reason or perswasion, [Page] they proceeded the more cautelously and circumspectly in their businesse. First, assembling the Nobility and better sort before the new Chancellour, who with all attractiue demeanour and elocution, perswaded them not onely to persist in obedience to the King, and loyalty to the gouernment, but to aide and assist his Maiesties forces vnder Sr. Ed. Poinings, with their power, strength, and ability, especially against such rebells, as rather through factious malice and wilfull reuolts, then blindnesse of errour or folly had adhered vnto Perkin, or any of his associates, in which they knew there was reason and sufficiency of enforcement. For amongst themselues, the petty Lords would endure no competition of soueraignty, and their Law-Tanist established him, that for his heroike actions deserued to bee honoured, and by his worthy endeauors obtained the jurisdiction and inheritance. So that their owne Priests could tell them, Ex paruis magna comparantur, and if it were so in petty gouernments, what was it in mighty Monarchies and with regardable Kings, amongst whom:

Nulla fides regni socijs, omnis (que) potestas:

Impatiens consortis erat:—

Therefore to auoyde the imputation of treason, and the fearefulnesse of reuenge, from a Princes incensed indignation, hee aduised them to a tenacity and strong continuance in their loyalty.

To this their answer was, as souldiers in a camp after a mutiny, sad lookes and small repentance: faire words, but little performance. For they all promised assurance off aith, but no man determined the due performance, onely the better sort, or (if you will) such as dwelled within the English pale, or had beene enobled or enabled by the Prince, to liue in richer forme and eminence then others: answered directly, they would acknowledge no King but Henry, nor supreame Lord, but such as should be extracted from the vnion of the mariage betweene the two Roses, and to this they were the rather emboldned, because the Earle of Kildire being Deputy, seemed to maintaine their submission, and iustifie [Page] their intents: so that Sr. Ed. Poinings had little to say at that time, more then hee hoped in the confidence of their promises, and relied on their worthy integrity: yet I dare sweare, if hee had beene examined on his conscience, and brought to the barre of discouery for his thoughts, he would haue cried out with the Poet:

At paucos,

Lucan lib. 5.

quibus haec rabies aucthoribus arsit,

Non Caesar, sed Poena tenet: &c.—

Whereupon hee prepared all his forces against the wilde Irish, to whom, as hee was enformed, diuers of the rest had fled for succour. I could heere enlarge this discourse with a topographicall description of the countrey, and conditions of the people, because I haue personally ouerlooked their actions, and beene a passenger euen from one side of the countrey to the other, but the times are full of the experience of many men, and diuers explorations haue discouered the vnswept corners of this sauage and superstitious people, whom neuer man shall see ciuill or once affecting the handsomnesse and wealth of the other parts of Europe, till either it grow more populous, or the King be as willing as hee is able, to extirpate (as it were by the roots) the Bards, Rimers, Harpers and Priests, that hang vpon them, and sticke close vnto them, as some deformed wen in a straight growing tree, or (if you will) venemous cankour, which will in time either eat out root and rinde, or (for the time) disfigure and disproportion the proudest comelinesse of the best Cedars in the forrest. But to our story.

Sr. Edward Poinings, The North of Ireland. according to his commission, marched into the North: But alas, hee neither found France to trauell in, nor French-men to fight withall? Heere were no glorious townes to load the Souldiers home with spoiles, nor pleasant vine-yards to refresh them with wine. Heere were no plentifull markets to supply the salary of the army, if they wanted or stood in neede, Heere were no cities of refuge, nor places of garrison to retire vnto in the times of danger and extremity of weather. Heere were no musters ordered, nor Lieutenants of shires to raise new armies: heere [Page] was no suppliment either of men or prouisions, especially of Irish against the Irish, nor any one promise kept according to his expectation. Heere was (in plaine termes) boggs and woods to lie in, foggs and mists to trouble you, grasse and ferne to welcome your horses, and corrupt and putrifie your bodies: heere was killing of kine, and eating fresh beefe to breed diseases: heere was oats without bread, and fire without wood: heere were smoking cabins, and nasty holes: heere were boggs on the tops of mountaines, and few passages, but ouer marishes, or through strange paces: heere was retiring into fastnesse and glins, and no fighting but when they pleased themselues: heere was ground enough to bury your people in being dead, but no place to please them while they were aliue: heere you might spend what you brought with you, but be assured th [...]re was no hope of releefe: here was roome for all your losses, but scarse a castle to reserue your spoiles and treasure. To conclude, heere was all glory & vertue buried in obscurity & obliuion, & not so much as a glimmering of hope, that how valiantly soeuer a man demeaned himselfe, it should be registred and remembred: which makes me consider, what that worthy Politician writes of the Sweuians and Heluetians in those dayes, and apply them to these times and people:

Heluetij,

Sueuorum mor [...]scu Politian [...].

Vsipetes (que) at (que) effera corda Sueui,

Queis vnum praedaestudium, ac durare subipsis

Corpora fluminibus, tel (que) assuscere dextram:

Non vrbis, non cura domus, agriuè colendi,

Venatu ducunt vitam, at (que) è lacte liquente,

Et quod Marte sibispoliat [...] ex hoste parari [...]t:

Bella placent, fusus (que) hostili è corpore sanguis.

Whereupon the worthy Generall, with his other Captaines, began to complaine, but knew no way of redresse, his men died, the Souldiers were slaine, the army decayed, the Irish insulted, the auxiliaries failed, and not a man which promised assistance, came in to help him: so that he was enraged at the perfidiousnesse, and compelled to retire to Dublin, all exasperated to despight, by which hee aimeth at the [Page] highest in his displeasure, laying the fault and blame of his preposterous proceedings on Gerald Earle of Kildare, The Earle of Kildare accused by Sr. Edward Poinings. his Maiesties principall Deputy, who remembring his owne greatnesse, could not confine it within a little circuit of patience; but answered this our Captaine somewhat like himselfe, that he was as loyall to the King as he, as seruiceable as he, as louing to his countrey and crowne of England as hee, and so defied him to his face, which added only fuell to the former fire, that the vndaunted Souldier apprehended and attached him of high treason, which seemed an vnsufferable peece of businesse, and had it not beene within Dublin, or some principall place vnder the English command, an Herculean and intricate Labour. But thus is this great Earle vnder arrest, and without any more adoe carried into England to answer the matter.

But when he came before the King and Councell to bee examined of treason, and matters laid to his charge, eyther his innocencie was a Perseus shield against this Gorgons head of calumniation, or his wit and delicate iudgement brought him out of the labyrinth of those troubles, or the times afford [...]d not such seueritie, and proceedings, or the King had other matters to thinke vpon, or indeed it was no pollecie to rub these new soares with rude hands, according to the rule ‘Horrent admotas vulnera cruda manus:’ For hee was quietly dismissed, thanked, rewarded, and of Deputie made Lieutenant, and so sent backe againe, vpon the engaging of his hononr to withstand the landing of Perkin, if euer he came into Ireland.

By this occasion the King was without feare of battaile, and determined his progresse about Midsommer to visit his mother, lying at Latham in Lancashire, still wife to the earle of Derbie: But as he was preparing his iourney,The King progresse intercepted vpon report of Perkins lan [...]ding. newes came of Perkins landing in England, which a while diuerted him, and enforced his retardance from his first determination: For in truth, when the Duches of Burgundie had notice of all the Kings proceedings both in England and Ireland, and [Page] that the principall offenders were condemned, and executed, and confederats dissipated, and ouerwatched: shee found too late her owne slacknesse, and the first misfortune of the King of France his retractions, from assisting the Prince: For whether I name Peter, or Perkin▪ or Warbeck, or Prince, or Richard Duke of Yorke, or Richard the fourth, all is one man, and all had one end. And questionlesse, if at his first repairing into Ireland, hee had made for England, while that rumour had possessed the people, and the looking after nouelty busied them with strange and impossible hope, while euery one stood amazed to gaze after wonders, while the conspiracy was in growth, and had diuers factious Nobles to forme it to a larger birth, while the souldiers desired to bee doing, and men grew weary of ease and quietnesse: The businesse might haue plunged the Kingdome, and successe tooke a flight with strong wings indeede, whereby you may perceiue the sweetnesse and benefit of expedition in all dangerous businesse, and resemble vniustifiable actions to theeuish bargaines, which either must bee made away in the darke, or hastned apace in the proudest market place according to the saying:

—Praceps facit omne timendum

Victor,

[...]. lib. 9.

& in nulla non creditur esse Carina.

Notwithstanding, our great Duches remained vndaunted, and in a manner of scorne to depend vpon others promises, she aduentured on her owne power, and determined to put him vnder the wings of Fortune, let her ouershade him as she pleased: so gathering his forces together, and furnishing her ships with a sufficient company, and some valiant Captaines, shee sent him to sea, and onely prayed to the wrathfull Nemesis, as authour of her reuenge, for successe and thriuing in so glorious an attempt. Heere were of all nations and conditions of men, Bankrupts, Sanctuary-men, Theeues, Robbers, Vagabonds, and diuers others, who affecting liberty, rapine and spoile, desisted from honest labor, to be the seruants of dishonest rebellion. His fortune (as we now prophanely abuse that terme) draue him on the coast [Page] of Kent before Deale-Castle,Perkin commeth to Kent. where being becalmed, he cast anchour, sending diuers on shore, to certifie the Inhabitants of this arriuall, preparation, purposes, and well [...] furnished army, and to put them in minde of their ancient liberties, priuiledges, and vndaunted courages, which haue giuen battell to Kings, and made their owne peace with Conquerors. But alas, this oratory flew like a shaft without a head; and they had learnt other lessons of stability and loyalty, as finding the sweetnesse of peace, and happinesse of gouernment. Notwithwanding, they called a Councell, and I beleeue, if they had beene fully resolued, that hee was the true Prince indeed, they would haue entertained the motion. For some of their fingers itched to be doing, but suspicious of his originall and former weaknesse, and wisely apprehending, how shame and reuenge dogged treason and rebellion at the heeles, they concluded to continue firme and faithfull to the State, and so with a kinde of policy to allure them to land, they sent diuers to Perkin, with flattering hopes of their assistance, while they were indeede mustering of forces to surprize them as fast as they should land: which when Perkin perceiued, he imagined that all could not be well, or consorting to his expectation. For in this point, his wit and experience serued him to vnderstand thus much, that common people and multitudes stirred to sedition, vse no solid councells or settled discourses: but come flocking with their fulnesse and forwardnesse to assist their friends, and follow their pretences, according to Euripides description of a confused company and rebellious army:

—In infinito enim exercit [...]

Incoercita turba,

Eurip. Hecuba.

nautica (que) licentia

Violentior igne: malus vero, qui mali nihil agit:

Whereupon hee durst not land himselfe, and was sorry so many of his company were on shore, but seeing there was no remedy, he sent others, if neede were, to releue them, or bring them backe againe to his ships.

When the Kentishmen beheld such a rabble of strangers and dissolute persons, and wisely foresaw that there was no [Page] no man of honor or eminence to giue credit to the attempt, they presently coniectured, that they came rather to spoile and forage the coasts, then to releeue a distressed Prince in his right: and so running the right way indeed, stood firmly for their Countrey, and set vpon them as they were stragling vp and downe in the villages, enforcing the better sort and better armed backe againe to their boats, and surprizing such, as could not maiutaine the quarrell, and had presumed too farre from the maine battell,Perkins company defeated, & he driuen backe to se [...]. of whom they tooke 160. prisoners, yea, the principall Captaines themselues, while they laboured to perswade the retreat, and to gather them together after some martiall forme of resistance: viz. Moumford, Corbet, Whight, Bets, Quintine, or Geuge: who were all brought to Sr. Iohn Pechy high Sheriffe, and so raled in ropes, like horses drawing in a cart, sent vp to London, and there executed in diuers places adioyning to the City, whereby Perkin had matter of disconsolation for the time, and time enough to saile backe againe into Flanders, to entertaine better aduice and more company.

The King (as you heard) vnderstanding of this attempt, left his progresse and came to London, where assured of this good successe, he sent Sr. Richard Guilford into Kent to thank the Sheriffe and the people, for their loyalty, obedience, and valiant circumspection, which had so quickly dissipated his enemies, and quieted the Countrey, giuing present order to his Nauy to scowre the narrow seas, to the Prouince to keep the coasts, to the Watches to fire the Beacons, to the Captaines to prepare their Souldiers, and to all sorts to attend their seuerall charges, according to the ancient and laudable custome of the Kingdome.

When Perkin and his Captaines were arriued in Flanders, and found, how their former delaies had beene a great obstacle, and hindrance to their proceedings, they resolued to remedy the same in their following courses, and by the contrary celerity and speedinesse to wipe away the blots of their weaknesse, and faint proceedings, as if they had learned of our Poet: [Page]

Sic agitur censura,

Ouid. 6 6. [...]a [...]torum.

& sic exempla parantur,

Cum ludex, alios quod monet, ipse facit:

Notwithstanding, because they were now resolued, that the King taking notice of this on-set and attempt, would fortifie the Coasts, and be in a readinesse with well prepared forces: they determined to saile into Ireland, Perkin resolueth for Ireland, and so into Scotland. there to augment their company, and corroborate their pretences, which accordingly was effected, and the entertainment yeilded him a little comfort and satisfaction: but because he well knew the Irish were weake and vnarmed, and so vnable to preuaile against the strength of England, and still out of countenance, and quickly daunted, when they were drawne from their bogs, and woods to solid battailes and strong charges, contrary to their flight, skirmishes, and running encounters, they thought it more meete and expedient to passe into Scotland: Gens semper inuisa Britannis, and there make triall of a new friendship, casting vp a forward account of their happinesse, in this manner: First they were assured of the naturall and generall hatred betweene the Nations, which vpon very small occasions and probable opportunite, would burst out into flames of despight. Next, they proiected, that the nature of the businesse would allure them to his assistance, vpon hope of vaine-glory, and a reputation of so charitable a worke, as to help a Prince in distresse. Thirdly, they relied on this hope, that if no other cause would be inductiue to his supportation, yet the desire of spoile would quickly incite them to warre against so plentifull a Country. Fourthly, they perswaded themselues, that the Scots had a good opinion of the house of Yorke euer since the cruelty of the Lord Clifford against Rutland, for which they vtterly abandoned Henry the sixt and the Queene. And last of all, they concluded to promise them the surrendring of Barwick, and to enlarge their territories if he preuailed by their assistance, which was a sure motiue to draw them into any action whatsoeuer: whereupon he departed from Corck and landed on the West of Scotland, from whence he prepared himselfe to go to the King with some solemnitie, wherein his [Page] instructions preuailed with his fortune, because for the most part the masse of people are guided by showes and ceremonies, rather then matter of substance and truth, and so he trauelled to Edinbourgh, whose Citizens vnaccustomed to such glorious showes, began already to commiserate his fortune and distresse: yea, the King himselfe assembled his Lords and Courtiers, as their manner then was to entertaine him and giue him audience; which when Perkin perceiued to fall out to his good liking and hearts desire, he thus framed his speech vnto him, or if you will reduced his instructions to a manner of attracting Oratory.

MOst mighty and renouned King:Perkins Oration to the King of Scots. ‘Iudicis officium est vt res, ita tempora rerum quaerere—’ and therefore I come not to you altogether like a cast away or banquerout, to recouer my estate by a cosening agreement with my creditours for a trifle, when there may be sufficient to pay the principall: nor like a run-away from a hard-hearted Master: or if you will, to take my liberty the better, to cast of the yoake of honest and ciuill obedience, where there is a duty and necessity of seruice imposed: but as a stranger subiect to shipwrack, and the hassardous endurances of a tempest, I am enforced to your refuge, as much enduced with your Princely delight in deeds of charitie and hospitality, as my owne wants or recouery: I might adde your famous actions, renowne, and heroicke commiseration of a dis-esteemed Prince, but Pudor est vlteriora loqui: And although I may confesse my selfe to resemble the man in the Gospell that fell amongst theeues, whom diuers looking vpon passed by without reliefe: yet, at last he found one Samaritan to pay the cost and defray the charges of the Surgerie: so haue I done a worthy aunt, friend, and noble kinswoman to acknowledge her afflicted Nephew, who hath helped me accordingly: so that I make no question, that from the example of a woman your Princely commiseration [Page] and powerfull coadiutement shall open their larger embraces, considering that you aboue all other Princes haue beene made acquainted with the distractions of our family, and from time to time know how the house of Yorke hath beene dilacerated, and torne in peeces by the cruell hand of Tyrants and home-bred Wolues, which whether it were the permission of God or the secrets of his diuine Iustice; I will not now dispute vpon: Only, I must be bold to say, that when my father obtained the Crowne, and reuenged his fathers wrongs and death, there were signes of Gods fauour and assistance in the faire issue prepared, and sweet fruit of such a flourishing tree, namely two sonnes and fiue daughters, who were simply committed to the tutelage and protectorship of an vnnaturall Vncle, who proued a tyrant and destroier of our blood and progeny, so that I may well cry out as Ariadne to Theseus: ‘Mitius inueni, quam te, genus omne serarum:’ Notwithstanding, Most mighty King, how euer my Princely Brother miscarried, as swallowed vp in the iawes of cruelty and slaughter, It should seeme the murtherers were affrighted at that they had done already, and desisted from a full prosecution of the Tyrants command, or confounded with compunction of spirit spared me, and secretly conueied me out of the hands of such an homicide and blood sucker (for so I hope without offence I may rightly tearme him) and although by this meanes and the supportation of high borne Buckingham he obtained the Diadem: yet did God follow him with the swiftest pace of wrath and anger, and at last I must needs say, scourged him with rods of vengeance indeed; for he presently lost his sonne, and his friend and coadiutor lost himselfe: what afterwards chanced vnto me, as my strange deliuerance, my bringing vp in Tornay vnder certaine supposed parents of honest reputation, my trauailes into forraine Countries, my aduentures abroad, my endurances at home, with such like; it would be to tedious to relate, and therefore I desist to put you now to further wonder and amasement at the same, because I haue them as it [Page] were registred in a scedule, which at your Princely pleasure you may ouer-looke, with the Duches and Councels of Burgundies hands to confirme the same: so that I confesse when the King of France sent for me out of Ireland, I was in a manner secure of my estate, and thought vpon no further assurance, then his gratious apprehension of my ind [...]bitate claime. But it should seeme (most gratious King) that you are reserued for the glory of this businesse, and euerlasting memory of so remarkeable an action, wherein I submit my selfe, ships, and people to your guidance and direction, Oh doe not then annihilate my confidence, nor reiect my demands. For next to the high controuler of mens actions, I haue put my selfe vnder the shadow of your supportation, and altogether rely on the vnity of your willingnesse and power, to beare me through the difficulties of this passage.

When he had made an end and giuen them cause of some amasement at his yeares and tendernesse of experience to deliuer yet his minde so freely,The King of Scots resolueth to assist Perkin. and with some illustration of words and readines of gesture, the King without any further scruple or diffidence cheered him, telling him plainly he would assist him, and what-euer he was, or intended to be, he should not repent him of his comming thither, & so concluding with a speech of Medeas to Iason: ‘Hinc amor, hinc timor est, ipsum tim [...]r auget amorem:’ he gaue order for his entertainment accordingly, whereby he had time with his wearied people to repose himselfe, and the King, occasion to thinke of many matters: yet rather for custome then to be diuerted from his resolutions, he called his Councell and disputed the matter with them; they again, (as it happened to Rheoboam, and shall be withall the Princes in the World) grew to contradiction, and deuided themseelues, some standing for their Countrie, some for their priuate affection, some to please the Prince, and some to enioy a good opinion of polecie, and wisedome. The grauer sort and of greatest experience disannulled all the former intimation of the Prince, with the impossibility of the businesse, [Page] as if he were but a bare assumer of titles indeed. The quieter sort and such as had smarted with the dissentions betweene England and Scotland disclaimed any further warr [...], and were weary with that which had passed. The yonger sort apprehended it, as a worthy enterprise, and though it had but colour of commiseration, yet considering he was befriended from the Emperour, King of the Romains, and the whole state of the Low-Countries, it could not choose but help them with many friends. There was another sort, who confessing the pouerty of their Countrie, concluded, that by this meanes by forraging, spoiling a [...]d getting good booties in England, much wealth might inrich them without losse or hindrance of their owne, and so cared not how the warre began, nor how long it continued. The last sort consisted of such, who because they would haue their credit enlarged from an opinion of States-men, and high reaching capacities, argued (as we say) on both sides, pro & contra, and from a kind of Enthymema raised profit and emolument to the Kingdome out of their sophistry: That if the Duke were assisted and preuailed, Scotland was sure to confirme their owne conditions: If he were countenanced, though not preuailing, the King of England would accord to any offers or demands, rather then King Ieames should take part with his aduersarie and so strange a competitor.

Whereupon it was resolued, that without further diffidence, or drawing the Duches of Burgundies businesse in question, the King should entertaine the Prince, who presently honored him accordingly, and caused him to be proclaimed the Duke of Yorke, shewing him all the fauours the Countrie could afford, and affording him such entertainement, as they imagined was both befitting his person and condition: He againe, as if that spes bona dat vires cheered himselfe, and assumed a new kind of behauiour, both tempered with grauity, and yet commended for cheerefull and well becomming: so that by the way of solace and inuitation to pleasure and delight, he hauked and▪ hunted, yea, the Ladies of the Country graced the Court, and came [Page] with all conueniencie and befitting their estates to the Citie. For vnderstanding so great a Prince; in possibilitie to be one of the mightiest Kings of Europe; not full eighteene yeares of age, yong, wise, and in the compleate strength of beauty, was resident amongst them, they conceiued matters beyond the Moone, and thought themselues happy if he would fancy or fasten vpon any of them. What should I say, although with the Poet: ‘Tarda solet magnis rebus inesse fides:Ouid. Epist. Helena Paridi.’

Yet heere was no mistrust, nor any way giuen to feare and displeasure, but as the time, businesse, and place afforded, shewes, masques, and sundry deuises inuited him to his contentment, and the present ouercomming all pensiuenesse: so he courted with some, danced with others,The King of Scoss prouideth Perkin of a wife. iested with the rest, and was acceptable to all, till at last (the King giuing way to the motion) he fancied the Lady Katherine Gourdon daughter to Alexander Earle of Huntle nigh kinswoman to the Crowne: and because she should not thinke him barren of education, nor heart bound to his ambitious designes, he tooke an opportunitie thus to discouer his loue vnto her, and good opinion of her.

Lady (said he) and the first of Ladies, that euer vsurped my libertie, or taught my tongue to pronounce the accent of affection or liking, If I proceed not so passionate as your sex expects, or you may imagin is the custome of Courtiers, I pray you impute it to the multiplicity of my businesse and greatnes of my affaires: besides, it is not seemly with Princes to betray their high spirits into the hands of deceit and ouerworki [...]g fancy; yea, foppishnes either of words, or gesture: yet, concerning your person, I can say with Paris to Helena.

Si tu Venisses pariter certamen in illud,

in dubium Veneris Palma futura fuit:

and touching my good will; If I liue, I will make you as great in the World as my selfe, and desire no more but that you keep you within the limits of loue and obedience, that our children may be our owne, and the Common-wealth reioice they bee not mocked or deceiued with extra [...]eall enheritors: [Page] What I am, you now see, and their is no boasting in distresse: what I may be, I must put it to the triall, and submit to the diuine prouidence: If you dare now aduenture on the aduersity, I sweare to make you partaker of the prosperity; yea, lay my Crowne at your feet, that you shall play with me as Apame did with Darius, to command and I obey: Take me now then into your embraces, and I will adore and reuerence your vertues, as you commiserate my misfortunes: Oh giue me leaue to say no more, lest I be transported to vndecencies; be now conformable, and let me be the seruant of your desires, and you shall be hereafter the Mistris of my performances; If I preuaile, let this kisse seale vp the contract, and this kisse be a witnesse to the endentures, and this kisse, because one witnesse is not sufficient, consummate the assurance, and so with a kind of reuerence, and fashionable gesture, after he had kist her thrise, he tooke her in both his hands crosse-wise, & gazed vpon her with a kind of putting her from him and pulling her to him, and so againe and againe rekissed her, and set her in her place with a prety manner of enforcement.

The yong Lady pleased as well with the complement of his behauiour, as the matter in hand (which was the hope of one of the greatest Diadems in the World) whether as louers, who in a simpathy of liking, applauding any thing from their amorosos, seemed pleased with the very accent of his voice, and variety of the Court-ship: or vnaccustomed to such wooers, she remained glad of the opportunity: or taught before-hand what to doe, she resolued to cast away all peeuishnesse and nicety: or indeed rauished with the thing proposed, she was loath to be silent, considering she was pleased, and could not be displeased, considering he had begun so kindely with her, and therefore answered him with a prety blushing modesty, to this effect.

My Lord, If I should act a true womans part,The Ladies answer. I might play the hypocrite in standing a loofe off from that I most desire, and cry out with Ariadne against Theseus: ‘Non ego sum titulis surripienda tuis:’ [Page] whereupon some resemble vs to lapwings, that make a great ciulation farthest from their nests: But I meane not to deale so with you, but come as neere as I can in my answere to that which consorteth with reason and probabilitie: If I were then absolutly at my owne dispo [...]ing, I would thanke you more then I doe, and thinke you for your gentlenesse and faire demeanour worthy of any creature, or thing you could desire. As for your disclaiming deceitfull words and flattering Oratory concerning our beautie, comelinesse, vertues, and such like baits to draw vs into the net of selfe-loue, and amasement: I like it the better, and wish that all women were of my minde to marry vpon faire and reasonable conditions, and not be hurried away sometimes to their ouerthrowes with the violence of passion and affection, which is the best excuse they can make for their folly, yea many times simplicity. But you see I am the Fathers daughter, and the Kings cosin, so that I will in no sort preferre my owne will before their directions, and disposing of me: If then it pleaseth them to hazzard me, or (as you please) to bestow me in this sort, I shall be proud to call you mine, and glad if you vouchsafe to esteeme me yours: Lay then your foundation on them, and you shall see the frame of the building erected to your owne liking: For belieue it, such Wardes as my selfe, may well be resembled to delicate plant [...] in rich grounds which either grow too rancke and out of order for want of pruning and looking to: or thriue not in their situation for lack of refreshing and manuring, all wich is reformed by the discretion of a skilfull gardner and aduised ouerseer: Therefore noble Sir repaire I say to the Master of the family, leaue is light & know their pleasures for your admission into this Nursery, and then shall I be glad to be a flower of your owne choise, whether it be for profit, pleasure, or exornation.

What need more words? the mariage was consummated,Perkin marieth the Ladie Katherin Gourdon daughter to the Earle Huntley. and poore Perkin transported in his owne contemplation for ioy, that if he proceeded no further, his fortune had conduced him to such a harbour, kissing the ground, which he [Page] trode vpon, and swearing, the verie place was the seat of his Genius: ‘Ipse locus misero ferre volebat opem:’ But when he more and more perceiued, that the Scots (like a peece of wax) were rolled together by his warming hand, and fashioned to what forme hee pleased, hee then made no question to hammer out his designes on the anuile of preuailing, to their euerlasting glory, and his establishment: yet heerein hee went beyond himselfe, and deceiued both them and himselfe, by warranting powerfull aydes in his assistanc [...], from all the parts of the Realme, as soone as he should set footing in England: notwithstanding, they prepared all things for an inuasion, and euery man was ready to please the King and pleasure the Prince: yea, they were so forward, that in hope of gaine, spoile, victory, renowne, and reuenge, they cared not whether the Dukes title were good or no, and so with a well appoynted army and sufficient forces, they marched towards the confines and borders of the North.The Scots inuade England in the behalfe of Perkin. But the King (out of discretion) loth to make more haste then good speed, and vnderstanding policy, coniecturing that the English, by reason of Perkins being in Scotland, might alwaies haue an army in readinesse, or raise sudden troops to lie in Ambuscado in the borders, by way of preuention: sent forth diuers Stradiots and Scowtmasters, to discouer the Countrey, and the behauiour of the English, who returned with full assurance of the coasts cleerenesse, and (for any thing they saw) they might make both incursions and excursions at their pleasure: which although in some cases made the King the rather to wonder, as if England were secure from any idle proiect, or indeede scorned Perkins title and claime: yet because it was generally accepted for good newes, he would not be a contrary amongst so many: but made the more haste, and so with fire and sword, as if hee did arma vir [...]m (que) canere, entred Northumberland, proclaiming the title of the Duke of Yorke, by the name of Richard the fourth, and promising both pardon and preferment to all such, as would submit themselues to the yoke of [Page] his obedience: the deniall whereof was accompanied with such spoile, cruelty, and insulting, that neuer before or since did they euer triumph ouer vs, or prooued so tyrannous: so that I may well cry out, as the Poet doth against Scilla.

Intrepidus tanti sedit securus ab alto

Spectator sceleris:

[...]ucan. lib. 2.

miseri tot millia Vulgi

Non piguit iussisse mori: congesta recepit

Omnia Tyrrhenus Sillana cadauera gurges.

Wherein questionlesse they had gone forward, but that they perceiued no ayde or succour to come from any parts of England to restore this titular Duke. Besides, the souldiers (full of spoile and bloud) would goe no further, till they had sent their presents to their wiues and children, or returned themselues to gratifie one another, after such a victory: but in truth the King resoluing it would bee reuenged, determined rather to retire with this assured victory, then to tarry the nuncupatiue Dukes vnsure and vncertaine proceedings, and so reculed into Scotland againe.

Some remember,Perkin lamenteth the English slaughters. that at this time (though it was but a very simple policy) Perkin vsed a certaine kind of ridiculous mercy and foolish compassion toward the English people, as though that rather mooued the Scots to the retreat, then any thing else: whereupon, lest his cozening and illusion should bee discouered, by reason so few resorted vnto him, he thus complained to the Scottish King, and (as it were) exclaimed of himselfe. O wretch and hard-hearted man that I am, thus remorselesse to forage my natiue countrey, and purchase mine enheritance with such effusion of bloud, cruelty and slaughter. For now I see, ere this businrsse can be brought to any good passe, houses must bee fired, countries depopulated, women rauished, virgins defloured, infants slaine, the aged murthered, the goods rifled; and the whole Kingdome subiect to deuastation, which (to my greefe of soule) I must needes deplore. Therefore, great King, I request you from henceforth, doe not afflict my people, nor deforme my country, in such a lamentable and remorse [...]esse a manner. For questionlesse, I shall neuer endure it with a [Page] peaceable soule and conscience, and had (in a manuer) rather lose my part and interest therein, then purchase it with such losse and excruciation of minde, especially effusion of bloud and barbarous enforcement.

Surely,The Kings a [...]swer. replied the King of Scots halfe angry, and more then halfe mistrusting his dissembling, yea fully resolued on his weaknesse and pusillanimity:

—fletus quid fundis inanes?

Lucan. lib. 3.

Nec te sponte tua sceleriparere fateris?

Vs (que) adeo ne times, quem tu facis ipse timendum?

Me thinkes your care is rather ridiculous then super fluous, to bee thus dolent for another mans possessions: yea, I see not, but your claime is so remote and disanulled, that it must be an Herculean labour to settle you in any of their cities and petty prouinces. But for calling England your land and Realme, and the Inhabitants your people and subiects, it is as wonderfull to me, as displeasing to your selfe, that in all this time, neither Gentleman, nor man of worth hath extended a daring hand, or (if you will) commisserable arme of assistance toward you: nay, though the warre was begun in your name, for your sake, and within your Realme, of which you say you are the indubitate heire, and inuited to the same by your owne people and faction.

Alas,Perkins answer replied the Prince, I confesse as much as you say: but if it will please you to acknowledge the truth, the falling backe of the King of France, yea, when I was in the speed of my iourney, the failing of many promises to mine aunt the Duches of Burgundy, and the defect and protraction of my businesse, by the losse of an hundred Lords & Knights, some in their liberties, some in their liues, some from their owne good motiues and intents, and all from their true hearts and endeauours, by the Kings forces and vigilant eye ouer them, hath not onely deceiued my expectation; but (in a manner) peruerted my fortune Besides, you know with what difficulty the nature of aduersity and men in distresse, attaine vnto any credit and estimation: so that wee and you both haue had wofull experience of many great [Page] Princes deposed from their thrones▪ and left friendlesse, succourlesse, and quite destitute of releefe in the hands of their enemies: and therefore, as mischeefe and misery are of mine olde acquaintance, so am I not now vnprepared to entertaine the same, but must submit to the calamity, and attend the appointment of the highest God, concerning my lowest deiection, and so I conclude with an ancient saying of Euripides:

—Turbam enim recipere me puduit,

Eurip. Helena.

Vt oculis viderent hunc meum turpem habitum

Occultans praepudore meum infortunium: quando enim vir

Habuerit malè magnus, in ineptias

Caedit deteriores, eo qui fuit dudum infoelix.

Although this came roundly of, and sauoured some what better then the former: yet the King replied not at all, but was content with his first reproofe, being more fearefull euery day then other, that this intricate businesse would be a worke of wonder, and to fashion the lump of such deformity, to any handsome or substantiall proportion, must be dangerous and preiudiciall for euer to the Scottish crowne.

After the Nobles had beene thus startled in Northumland with the clamours of the people, and saw the Inhabitants flie euery way from the fury of the Scots, they fortified their holds,They prepare in England against Perkin. mustred their forces, followed the enemies, and certified the King of all this enterprize and inuasion, who not a little abashed at the same, as more fearing the naturall subiect for starting out of the sphere of his allegeance, then any forraine comet in the greatest radiance, and presages, he presently tooke order for the repressing of each tumults and insurrections: but assured of the Scots retreat, and that they were returned loden with spoiles and great riches, he resolued vpon another course, hauing in the meane while so great occasions of displeasure against Scotland, that all men either to please themselues, or animate the King in his willing reuenges, cried out to armes, to armes, and this was the eleuenth yeeres worke.

The twelfth yeere began with a Parliament, both for the [Page] settling the vncertaine affaires of the Kingdome, and the obtaining a subsidy, or other disbursements of money for the furnishing an army into Scotland, to which all the Nobility and Gentry opened willingly their cofers, and cheerefully their hearts, exclaiming against their immanity, and proclaiming their loyalty and endeauours, to prosecute them with all reuenge, that durst so affright the Kingdome, and affront the peace and tranquility of the Common-wealth. Of this army, was Giles Lord Dawbney, the Kings Chamberlaine, made Lieutenant Generall, a man of no lesse wit then experience, of no lesse experience then hardinesse, of no lesse hardinesse then moderation and gouernment. But see the changes of human life, and the mischeefes to which the best men and greatest Princes are subiect, as if the Poet were againe to cry out: ‘Heu non est quic quam fidum: ne (que) certa faelicit as:’ As he was marching forward with his forces,Arebellionin the west diuerteth the army out of Scotland. a strange innouation called him backe againe. For, as if Fortune meant to play the wanton with Perkin on the one side, and bring him (as weesay) into a fooles paradise, and misfortune on the other side try the Kings patience: A new rebellion in the West, had like to haue beene as a heauy burthen on his shoulders, and set in combustion the whole Commonwealth. For when the Parliament was dissolued, and that Commissioners were speedily sent to gather in the money, this excande scens populus, to whom such taxes and impositions was a kinde of drawing bloud from their very life veins, began to rebell, especially the Cornish men, inhabiting the remotest parts of the Kingdome westward, who not onely complained on their owne penurie and wants, as liuing in a barren and sterile soile, ouercome with labour, watches and toyles in the mineralls, and getting a poore maintenance out of the cauerns of the earth, with fearefull endurances: but threatned the officers, denying the taxes, and began temeriously to speake of the King himselfe: yea, when there seemed by the Iustices & others in authority, a dam to be cast vp against this fearefull inundation, they desisted from womanish [Page] exclaimes, lamentings, and eiulations, and fall inconsiderately to malicious calumniation, threatning the Councell, and naming Thomas Moorton Archbishop of Canterbury, and Sr. Reinold Brey, as principall directours & setters forward of these impositions against them, saying plainely, it was a shame, that a small incursion of the Scots, which was not onely customary, but as soone extinguished as kindled, should raise such exactions, and incite the Kingdome to vnsufferable turmoiles, with a generall warre and tumultuous hurliburly: to which things, when the Commissioners would haue gently answered, and honestly maintained the Kings purposes and prarogatiues, Thomas Flamock a Gentleman learned in the Lawes, and Michael Ioseph a Black-smith, tooke vpon them the defence of the Commons, threatning without further reasoning the matter, both the receiuers, and all such, whom they imployed as inferiour officers vnder them.

By which occasion, according to that saying, Res vehemens multitudo, improbos cum habuerit praefectos: he became a monstrous head to these vnruly bodies, exhorting the people to arme themselues, and not be afraid to follow them in this quarrell. For they intended neither hurt to any creature, [...]mock and Ioseph Captains of the Reb [...]lls. nor spoile to any place, but meerely a reformation of the disorder, and correction on such persons, as were the authours of their greefe and vexation, and when any seemed to impugne and reprooue these seditious and vnreasonable courses, affirming plainely, that (from all examples and times) treasons and commotions haue ended with lamentable effusion of bloud, both of the authors themselues, and many innocents made accessaries, through constrant and wicked instigation, they were called base dastards, cowards, fooles, and louers of ease and surquedry, more then renown, and their countries honour and liberty: so that what with shame of taunts and rebukes, and what with feare of the losse of their liues and goods, they vnited themselues to this outragious company, and made vp a strong party well armed, and too well enstructed: for the Captaines not onely praised [Page] and extolled the hardinesse of the people, but rewarded such as assisted and releeued the souldiers, whereby (after a generall muster of 40000.) they came forward to Taunton, where they slew the Prouost of Perin, principall Commissioner for the subsidy in those parts, and from thence to Wells, intending to goe forward to London, where the King was resident, and such Councellours as they maligned.

O rabies inaudita! O wretched and abused people! that thinke of nothing but present rages, nor once admit of any prouidence, to consider of following punishments, what euer sudden euents contriue, but in their disobedience against God▪ their Prince and Countrey, resemble a violent sea, a burning torrent, a tempes [...]uous winde, all which (with extremity and impetuous force) spoile the trees, ouerrunne and swallow vp the lower ground, consume all things, and in the end leaue the mischeefe to the wringing of hands, crying of the people, & deprecations of the better sort, who impute such vengeance to the power and Iustice of God, that punisheth sins, & will not suffer disobedience & horrible villanies vnrewarded. For neuer rebellion preuailed in their greatest forwardnesse, nor ended without vnsufferable damages wrought by their vnrulinesse, which rather tended to thefts, robberies, spoiles and slaughters, then reformation or honest coercion of disorders.Men in authority. As for their motiues and excuses for such facinorous attempts, breaking out to finde fault with men in authority, and audacious inuections against the gouernment: Alas, neither can they tell, what to demand, or what to redresse, when it shall come to true deciding indeed. For a very confusion will hinder their resolutions, and not knowing wherein to proceede directly, aske indirectly that which may not be granted. As for the Gouernours themselues, let them be neuer so good, they shall bee sure of enuyers, and finders of faults, let them be neuer so bad, they shall haue flatterers and supporters; let them be indifferent, and the good which they doe shall not be so well accepted, as the [...]ad they procure maliciously taken: yea, remooue whom you will, the persons may be changed, but the faults will remaine, [Page] and so the Prince be pleased, and mens priuate humors satisfied, who regarded the Common-wealth, or helped a poore man for charities sake: yet I must needes say, that many times honest Gouernours, instead of obedience haue good will, and whosoeuer loueth his Country without collaterall respects, may sit downe with a safe conscience, but not vnscandalized or maligned of some of his owne rancke. Therefore I would haue all generous spirits, either to loue vertue for vertues sake, once placed in authority, and (in despight of the world) sticke close to the sides of religion and equity, though persecution and troubles doe follow: or disclaime the affecting such transcendent places, allaying the thirst of ambition with a quiet potion of reposednesse and contentment, and leauing the vanity of foppish obseruation to vaine glorious fooles, who are not onely called so by God himselfe, but peraduenture reputed so euen by such as doe them reuerence, and fat themselues in the well soiled pastures of their go [...]ernment.

But to our story.

When the King was aduertized of these troubles and exorbitant attempts, which gathered like a clowd, threa [...]ning a tempest round about him, and saw into what perplexity he was now detruded, hauing warre on euery side, he compared himselfe to a man rising in a darke night, and going into an [...]vndrest roome, hitting his head against that post, running against that table, meeting with his shinnes such a stoole or forme, and staggering vp and downe against one blocke or another: and so stood (for the time) amazed, not knowing what to say, what to do, or with whom to find fault, till with a kind of sigh he vented out this saying of Euripides.

—Similes sumus nautis,

Eurip. H [...]ra [...]lida.

qui

Tempestatis cùm effugerint saeuam vim,

Prope terram appulerunt, deinde à terra

Flaminibus pelluntur in pontum iterum.

But to complaine of God or men, would rather aggrauate his greefe, then procure his redresse, and therefore although he well knew that Princes were the tennis-bals of fortune, [Page] and subiects of mutabilitie and alteration, whereas he must submit to the diuine prouidence: yet, he also vnderstood there was no iying still in this deploration without the ordinary practise of such remedies as God had appointed in their seuerall workings, and therefore prepared his Armies either to bring this disturbance to a quiet attonement, or whip the Rebellion with the scourges of fire and sword: But when againe he considered the Scots were his enemies, and must be suppressed; the Westerne Rebels were at his doores and must be repugned: France was wauering, and must be looked vnto: Flaunders threatning, and must be appeased: Perkin Warbeck lay at aduantage, and must be watched; yea, ouer-watched as indeed the principall fire-brand, that set all this on a blase, and in the midst of these hurliburlies came ouer Embassadours from the French King, who must be answered; he grew somewhat perplexed againe, till shaking off all the hindrances of his amasement, he fell to practise and orderly performances.

Whereupon he called his Councel together, & they without any great difficulty determined the busines in this manner: To attend vpon the Scots,The Armies in England raised. Thomas Howard Earle of Surrey, a puissant and politike Captain, prisoner at the ouerthrow of King Rich. the 3. and within two yeares set at liberty, and after Iohn Lord Dinham made high treasurer of England, was appointed to muster the forces of the Countie Palatine of Durham, & the borders round about, & so attēd that seruice. To represse the Western Rebels, the Lord Dawbney with his whole power prepared for Scotland, was recalled to march against thē wheresoeuer they encamped; to look vnto France; Calice and Guisnes with the Garisons were much augmented, and prouided for. To preuent Flaunders, the Nauy was prepared, & the Staples for the Merchants setled: To keep Warbeck from comming into England & ioining with the Rebels, the whole nobility combined themselues, especially the earle of Essex, & Lord Montioy; who came of purpose to London to offer their seruice to his Maiesty, & so all places were looked vnt [...] with a vigilant eye, & manned with strength of soldiers: [Page] and to answere the Embassadors of Charles the French King, he sent honourable persons to receiue them and conueigh them to Douer, and there a while to detaine them, till some of these tumults and rebellions were extinguished and suppressed, which indeed was so wisely and politikely handled, that none of the Embassadors were troubled so much as with the rumors of these commotions.

But see the horror of despight, and with what a contracted brow misfortune can looke vpon Kings themselues: so that a man may well say to this Rebellion, as Ouid did to Cupido in his first booke of Elegies:

Sunt tibi magna puer, nimium (que) potentia regna:

Cur opus affectas ambitiose nouum:

For, as these Rebels and Cornish men departed from Wels, they entertained for their chiefe Captaine Iames Twichet Lord Audley, Lord Audley Captaine of the Rebels. whose countenance and authoritie in the Countrie strengthened them much. For, by this occasion they went without intermission to Salsbury, and so to Winchester, and from thence into Kent, hoping for further and further assistance; but they were deceiued in their expectation: For the Earle of Kent, George Lord Aburgaue [...]y, Iohn Brooke Lord Cobham, Sir Edward Poinings, Sir Richard Guilford, Sir Thomas Burchier, Sir Iohn Pechy, William Scot, and many others with a well mustred army were not only ready to defend their Countrie from al mischiefe and destruction: but determined to offend them in their facinorous attempts, and preiudiciall intrusion, which loialtie somewhat rebated the forwardnesse of the Cornish-men, and they began to suspect themselues, being so farre from their Countrie, and remote from any supply. Notwithstanding, loth to dis [...]earten their spirits with any depressing humor, they cast away all doubts, and presuming on their owne strength and forces, as also animated by their leaders and conductors, they were now asmuch exasperated against the Kentish-men for deceiuing their assistance,Black-Heath [...]ield. as against the King for vsurping their liberty: swearing reuenge against both: In which [...]age and heat of repining, they came as farre as Black-Heath within [Page] foure mile of London, and tooke a field in an arrogant ouer-daring manner on the top of an hill, supposing all things consortable to their arrogancy and deceiuable hopes, because as yet they passed and repassed without fighting, or strong encounters: But alas, ‘Blanditiae Comites tibi erunt terrór (que) furor (que)’ and they were abused with a vale of ignorance and couering of obstinacy: For the King disposed of his affaires with great policie and circumspection, not determining to giue them battaile, or exagitate them at all till he had them farre from their proper dwellings and flattering friends, till they were in despaire of reliefe and wearied with long and tedious iournies, till their treasure was spent, their vitaile consumed and prouision failing, till their company dropped from them like rotten hangings on a moistned wall, and their whole designes and expectation quite disanulled; and then, when he imagined their soules vexed with the terror of a guiltie conscience, their fury asswaged with compunction and penitency, their spirits daunted with repentance and remorse, and all their army affrighted with madnesse and doubtfull extacies, would he set vpon them, and in some conuenient place circumuent and inuiron them to his owne best aduantage, and their irrecouerable damage and destruction.

As for the Citie of London: London. I cannot but remember and compare it vnto Rome, both when Hannibal passed the Alpes to threaten the Monarchy being yet farre off himselfe, and also Marius and Silla couered her fields with armed men, and trampled on the bosome of their Countrie with ambitious steps, and cruell feet of vsurpation: then spake the Poet in this manner,

—Quoties Romam fortuna lacessit,

Lucan. lib. 1.

H [...]c iter est bellis, gomitu [...]ic quis (que) latenti,

Non aufu [...]timuisse palam: Vox nulla dolori

Credita:—

There was chaining the streetes, shutting vp the shops, making strong the gates, doubling the watches, hiding their treasure, cries, feares, terrors, and euery one more disturbed [Page] for the losse of his priuat goods, then the encūbrances of the Common-wealth. Here was mustering of soldiers, watching all day in armor, staccadoing the riuer, filling the streets with companies of horse and foot, cutting down the Bridge, locking vp their dores, shutting the Gates, and what else named before, to be put in practise with aduantage of many peeces of ordnance both in Southwarke and the Suburbs, and the strength of the Tower which they knew was reserued for the King himselfe. Notwithstanding, such was the instabilitie of the Citizens being a little disturbed from their quietnesse and rest, their dainties and ease, their banquetings and meetings, their feasts and sumptuousnesse, their pastimes and pleasures, that they rather complained on the King and his Councell for the first occasion of these tumults, then exprobrated the rebell for ingratitude and disobedience: But the King without further disputing against their peeuishnesse, or laying open the abuses of such refractary people, deliuered them of this feare: For he presently sent Iohn Earle of Oxford, Henry Burchier Earle of Essex, Edmond de la Poole Earle of Suffolke, Sir Rice ap Thomas, Humphrey Stanley, and other worthy martiall men, with a company of Archers and horsemen to enuiron the Hill where the Rebels were encamped round about: Him-selfe with the maine battaile and forces of the Citie, much ordnance and great prouision tooke St. Georges field; where, on a Friday at night he quartred himselfe, and on the Saterday very early in the morning he poasted Lord Dawbney to Dertford, who by breake of day gat the bridge of the Strand in despight of resisters, which manfully defended it a while, shooting arrowes a full yard long, and demeaning themselues like scholerly and eloquent Orators, pleading for the time in a bad cause with good words, and handling an ill matter too-too well. From thence he went couragiously against the whole company, and what with the former Earles assaulting them on the one side▪ and his owne charges on the other side, as knowing how the Kings businesse stood to make an end of the warre, the battaile began apace, and not a man but prepared himselfe to [Page] fight it out, till at last the Lord Dawbney engaged himselfe so farre, that he was taken prisoner: but whether for feare, or through his owne wit and pollicie,The Rebels [...] uercome. they quickly released him, and he as quickly dispatched the matter, and made an end of the warre: For he put them all to flight, so that a man may well say vnto them:

—Via nulla sa [...]utis,

Non fuga, non virtus, vix spes quo (que) mortis honestae:

and I may truely report of the contrary: neuer was a battaile so well fought and so quickly determined. For before the King was ready to goe to dinner, there were slaine two thousand Rebels, and many more taken prisoners, the rest hardly escaped home; who for all their defeature, and vncomfortable newes to the people, were rather accelerated to reuenge their companions wrongs, then exanimated from further attempts, or seemed grieued at the King and Countries molestation, shewing sad lookes, but stomachous hearts, and so remained intoxicated in their braines, and ready vpon euery occasion to a new rebellion, as you shall heare hereafter.

When this battaile was ended, and so delicately contriued (for the King lost not aboue foure hundred men) some imputed it to the Kings policy, who appointing the same on Monday, by way of anticipation fell vpon them on Saterday, and so taking them somewhat vnprouided, had the fortune to preuaile and thriue in his aduantage: Such as were taken and apprehended had their pardon, except the principall and fire-brands of the mischiefe: For the Lord Audeley was drawne from Newgate to the Tower-Hill in a Coat of his owne armes painted vpon paper reuersed and all to torne,Lord Audeley executed. and there beheaded the 28. of Iune. Thomas Flamoch and Michael Ioseph were executed after the order of Traitors, and their quarters sent into Cornwall for the terrifying of the people, some were dispatched at sundry Townes as they deserued: amongst whom the Smith, and diuers others of his immodest friends had no excuse to make for this rebellion, but whether they preuailed [Page] or no, they were sure to be registred to eternity for daring to doe somewhat in behalfe of their Countries liberty, and bidding battaile to Kings and Princes at their Pallace Gates, and before the Citie Wals, euen London it selfe, that great Citie, the Chamber for their treasury, and strength of their roialtie: which makes me remember a saying of Lucan:

—Sed me velsola tueri

Fama potest rerum,

Lib. 8.

toto quas gessimus orbe,

Et nomen, quod mundus amat:—

And in another place:

—Quid plura feram?

Lib. 9.

tum nomina tanto

Inuenies operi, vel famam consule mundi:

and this was the end of the twelfth yeare.

In this time you must know, that the King of Scots lay not idle, but meerely vpon supposition of what would follow,The King of Scots prepareth against England. prepareth himselfe, nor was so ill befriended, but he had secret intelligences of all King Henries purposes, and intendments, whereupon he enlarged his Army, barracadoed his passages, entrenched and fortified the holds, kept good Watch and Ward, and stood on the pinacles of a high presumption to encounter with the proudest forces of England; yea, to giue defiance if need were to the King himselfe. Notwithstanding, he now lay a while only at defence, watching with what warde the English would breake vpon him, and wondring at my Lord Dawbneis retraction, and why he came not forward as his espials had aduertised: but when he vnderstood of the Westerne rebellion, he then coniectured the truth, and a while reposed himselfe, till a Messenger of these Westerne men came vnto Perkin and profered their obedience and endeuours, if he would come and ioine his Army with theirs, and so as their Prince and Captaine, reuenge there wrongs: this was motioned to King Ieames, who for all he confessed, that if they would ioine with the Cornish men, there might be a gate open indeed to preuaile, and walke in the fields of Victorie: yet he would by no meanes aduenture his people so farre, and confessed plainly he wanted ships for transporting so great an Army into those [Page] parts: Only, because he would be doing to please the supposed Prince, he meant to take this opportunitie of the King of Englands disturbance, and once againe aduenture into his territories,King of Scots besiegeth Norham Castle. and so with a sufficient preparation he attempted the Castle of Norrham standing vpon the Riuer of Twede, deuiding Scotland and England. But Richard Fox Bishop of Durham, a man of great learning, courage, experience and fidelitie, suspecting as much, had well stored and fortified the same, and was in it with such power, munition and prouision as he was able to raise, sending the King word of the siedge, and inuiting the Earle of Surrey to come to his reskue with all expedition: The Earle was mustering of men in Yorke-shire, when this newes extended it selfe, and like a worthy seruitor hastned his iourney the rather, and so with twelue Earles and Barons of the North Countrie,The Earle of Surrey raiseth the siege. one hundred Knights and Gentlemen of name, and twentie thousand Soldiers well ordered, and armed he came to raise the siedge, in which this braue Prelate was so engaged: Besides, he furnished a hansome Nauy at Sea, whereof the Lord Brooke was Admirall to giue their attendance whatsoeuer should chance: But when the King of Scots and his counterfet Duke of Yorke had full and certaine notice of the Earle of Surreis approach, and that the Lord Dawbenies army was also integrat and vnbroken, yea, ready to march forward as a second to the former, they thought it better to retire with securitie, then to tarry the aduenture with certeinty of losse, if not hazzard both of life and honour, and so by a voluntary consent they raised their campe and returned vnder colour of commiseration of the people whom they knew in the best war, must be subiected to slaughter or captiuitie: and to this purpose they could yield a reason out of our Poet to certain spirits, that wondred at their affrightings and drawings back, seeing no perill apparant, nor hearing of any stedfast reports, concerning a more forcible enemie, and so calling for a book reading to them this le [...]on of satisfaction.

—

Lucan. lib. 7.

Potuit tibi Vulnere nullo

Stare labor belli, potuit fine caede subactum,

[Page]Captiuum (que) ducem violatae tradere paci?

Qui [...] furor [...] Coeci scelerum, Ciuilia bella

Gesturimetuunt, ne non cum sanguine vincant?

This answere of the Kings did rather harme then good to poore Perkin. For, they perceiued the King was weary of this warre, and loth to take his part any longer, and so they rested a while displeasingly pleased.

But the truth was the Earle of Surrey was so enraged at the bragging and ouer-daring Prince, that he followed him at the heeles, and in reuenge of many mischiefes perpetrated by him in such audacious manner,The Earle of Surrey entreth Scotland. he entred Scotland, defaced the Castle of Cundrestins, deuasted the Tower Hedonha [...], vndermined the Tower of Edington, ouerthrew the Pile of Fulden, and sent Norey King of Armes to the Captaine of Haiton Castle, the strongest fortification betweene Barwick and Edinborough to deliuer the same, which he absolutely denied, vntill the worthy Generall set himselfe downe before it, made his approches, and cast vp a strong rampart or battery for the expugnation, preuailing so farre, that at last it was surrendred, their liues onely saued: who were no soooner departed according to the conditions, but our Generall quite ouerthrew and demolished the same.

The King of Scots was within a mile of the siedge, and yet durst not reskue the same, only by way of ostentation, he sent Marchemount and another Herrald to the Earle of Surrey with a kind of defiance, and challenge either to encounter with him Army to Army, or body to body; conditionally, that if the victory fall to his maiesty, the Earle should deliuer and surrender for his ransome the Town [...] of Barwicke with the fish-garthes of the same, if the Earle againe were Victor, the King would pay 1000. pound sterling for his redemption.The King of Scots offreth a priuate combate to the Earle of Surrey. The noble Generall welcommed these Herralds, and like a couragious, yet vnderstanding Captaine: quickly answered all the points of their commission: First, he was ready to abide the battaile in the plaine field, and would if he pleased for the same purpose [Page] lay open the trenches, and make the passages so easie, that victory should haue comfort of comming amongst them. Secondly, he thought himselfe much honoured, that so noble a Prince and great a King, would vouchsafe to descend to so low a dregree of contention, as a priuate duello with him, for which he would not onely repute him heroike and magnanimous: but setting his loyalty to his Prince aside, performe all good offices, which belonged to the sweet contract of a perpetuall amity, if it were possible, betweene them. Thirdly, for the towne of Barwicke, it was none of his, but the King his masters, which hee would not so much as coni [...]cture vpon without his consent and aduice, as he himselfe might well iudge in the affaires of Princes, what was to bee done. Fourthly, hee thought his owne life worth all the townes of the world, and so would gladly hazard himselfe; yea, was proud (as hee said before) that so great a Maiesty would parallel him in such a kinde, onely he desired pardon for a little vaine-glory, that if hee conquered the King, hee would release him freely; if the King vanquished him, hee would either yeeld him his life, or pay such a tribute and competency, as is befitting the state and degree of an Earle, to all which he was the rather induced, because he was confident, that ‘Causa iubet melior superos sperare secundos:’

But it should seeme, these affronts were meere flourishes: For neither battell, nor combat, nor any enterprize worth the recording was put in practise, although the English forces had layen long in the Countrey to the same purpose: wherupon the Lord Generall, loth to spend his time so inconsiderately, and somewhat wearied with the distemperature of the Climate, and vnseasonablenesse of [...] weather, the Countrey affoording nothing but mists and foggs at this time of the yeere, raised his camp, and retired to Barwicke. But when the truth was further enlarged, the King commauded him so to doe by his letters of priuate intelligence. For now came a time, in which the windowes of heauen seemed to open, and the God of mercy thought to [Page] recompence his patience and goodnesse, with a quiet end of his troubles, and happy successe in his enterprizes, which fell out vpon this occasion.

Ferdinando King of Spaine,The King of Spaine would marry his daughter to Prince Arthur. and Elizabeth his wife, hauing a purpose to marry their daughter Lady Katherine, to Arthur Prince of Wales, and very loth that any content on betweene the King of Scots, whom he much fauoured, and the King of England, whom he highly respected, should be (as it were) a wall of partition betweene their proiected amity and royall affinity, especially that either probability of an interest, or counterfet deuice of the issue-male from the house of Yorke, should cast any blockes or hinderances in the way of these pretences, he most prouidently sent one Peter Hialos a man of great learning, experience, and prudency, as an Embassadour to Iames King of Scots by way of mediation to contract a league of peace and absolute amity betweene the King of England and him,An Embassador to the King of Scots from Spaine. who proceeded with such faire conditions, and preuailed so well in his proposed message, that hee perceiued a glimmering sun-shine of this peace a farre off, but that there were certaine thickning clowds of mischeefe and disturbance, which by some effectuall heat from the King of Englands breath must bee remooued and dissipated, and therefore hee wrote to King Henry, that if it would please him to send some worthy man to be his associate in this enterprize, he perswaded himselfe, that an honest oratory would quickly conclude the profitable articles of amity. For the Poet had assured him, and hee found by some experience, that ‘Addidit inualidae rebus facundia causae,’ And for an entrance into [...] same, he assured the King, that there was g [...]at likelihood to lay downe the bloudy colours of defiance, and flourish the pleasant ensignes of tranquility. For the King of Scots had already protested, hee was onely emulous of King Henries vertues, and not maligned or despighted his person, and for Perkins title he made it a matter of conscience and charity. For he knewe him the right heire, if he were the right creature, and the Cleargy warranted the [Page] actions as meritorious. The better sort disclaimed all tyrannous prosecutions: For except their obedience to the King, they spent and consumed their estates, and onely returned with teares and lamentations for the lo [...]se of [...] friends. The inferiour sort imputed all to the superiour commands, and as for the formidable effects and bloudy issue of warre, it was only the chance and fortune of encounters, the action of fury, and the vengeance or curse appropriate to dissentions, according to that worthy author of excellent sentences and proprositions.

—

Lucan lib. 7.

Sed mentibus vnum

Hoc solamen erat, quod votiturba nefandi

Conscia, quae patrum i [...]gulos, quae pector a fratrum

Sperabat, gaudet monstris, mentis (que) tumustu,

At (que) omen scelerum subitos putat esse furores.

Whereupon King Henry boasting of the character of Prince of peace, so that he might not be branded with ignominy of basenesse, pusillanimity and dishonour, quickly consented to such agreement, and for the same purpose sent Richard Fox Bishop of Durrham, who stilllay in the bāttered Castle of Norrham, as his cheefe Commissioner,An Emb [...]ssador from Engl [...]nd to Scotland. who accordingly associated himselfe with Peter Hialos, at the towne of Iedworth in Scotland, whither the Embassadour from King Iames likewise repaired. Heere were many matters disputed vpon, many conditions layd open, many difficult [...]es raised, many greeuances vrged, and many conclusions argued: but because they failed in the maine poynt, nothing was determined. For the King of England required Perkin Warbeck to bee deliuered into his hands, as the principall fountaine of this venomous streame, the cheefe [...]ccasion of his vnquietnesse, the perturber of his Realme, the seducer of his subiects, and the author of many rebeilions. But the King of Scots (like a Prince indeed) would not buy his peace with the bloud of Innocents, especially a man comming to him for succour, shewing all the markes of a distressed and abused Prince, allied vnto him by marriage, commended by the Emperor, assisted by the Duches of Burgundy, & in himselfe [Page] of faire demeanour, sweet behauiour, and of a most royall and well esteemed spirit. Therefore (I say) he would by no meanes betray him into the hands of his enemies, that was so long admitted into the bosome of his friends, nor should it bee sayd, that in any such degree, for any wordly respect whatsoeuer, King Iames of Scotland would bee base or perfidious, which he had learned from the example and punishment of Prusias King of Bithynia, whom the Romans deposed, for consenting to betray Hanibal into their hands, though they had promised large rewards, and threatned seuere vengeance.

The Commissioners answered directly, that they intended not by way of defamation, or contumelious discouery of the vanity of the man, or impossibility of his businesse to make him odious or corroborate their owne purposes, by the destruction of so silly a creature, or discrediting so poore a businesse: but meerely to shew the truth, and vnfold the secrets of the deceit, that such a Prince as King Iames, might not be colluded with shadowes and apparitions, but orderly drawen into this holy and generall league, wherein both Emperour, France and Spaine desireth a combination of amity with England, onely there wanted himselfe to make the number compleat, that the horne of Achelous might bee sent from nation to nation, from kingdom to kingdom. For I can assure you, the Marchants of England haue been receiued into Antwerp with generall procession, the Emperor is pleased with this combination, the King of Spaine pretendeth a marriage, the King of France endeauoureth a league, and all the Princes of Europe seeke after a true confirmation of quietnesse. Therefore once againe, be not an enemy to the good of all Christendome, nor so aduerse to this holy combination, that the world shall rather esteeme you wilfull and preiudicate, then wise and considerate.

Notwithstanding all this forcible and effectuall intimation, the King of Scots would not consent to deliuer Perkin The King of Scots will not deliuer Perkin. vpon any condition, but as hee came to him for refuge, hee should depart vntouched, and not by his occasion bee in [Page] worse case then the bruit beasts, or vildest condition of men, as he had learned long since out of that ancient Tragedian:

Habet confugium b [...]llua quidem petram,

Eurip supplice [...].

Seruiverò ar as deorum: ciuit as verò ad ciuitatem

Fugit, calamitatem passa: Rerum enim humanarum

Non est quicquam perpetuò beatum.

Yet with much adoe hee was brought to a truce for certaine yeeres, and condescended to this, that Perkin should bee no longer succoured, harboured, or maintained by him, or in his territories and dominions: with which answer, and orderly ratification of the same, the Embassadours departed, the Armies retired, the Souldiers discharged, the King of England satisfied, the Orators of France (who from Do [...]er had audience at London about the same purpose) rewarded, and of all others the worthy Peter Hialos, as principall worke-man in this intricate businesse, liberally and bountifully recompenced.

Only poore Perkin, whose glorious meteor began now to bee exhaled, seemed disconsolate and examinated at this newes and determination, especially when King Iames began to expostulate and reason the matter with him. First, from a repetition of the benefits and fauours receiued by his Princely liberality and gentlenesse. Secondly, from his consanguinity, in marrying his kinswoman vpon dangerous hopes and triuiall aduentures. Thirdly, from his many trialls of sundry conflicts in England, proouing all his promise [...]winde and smoke, and his best enterprizes triuiall & fana [...]icall. Fourthly, vpon the now combination of amity with all the Princes of Europe, which could not be done without the King of Englands consent and agreement. Fiftly, vpon the fatherly regard of his Countrey, which had neede haue some breathing time of ease and rest, and must questionlesse take a loue day of consolation and desisting from turmoiles. Last of al, from the care of the Religion & Mother-Church, vnto whose obedience and regard hee was now absolutely sworne: Therfore he desired him to take some other course, and depart out of his Realme. For (as hee heard) hee was [Page] now interessed in the confederacy of the peace of Christendome, Perkin discharged out of Scotland. and vnlesse hee should bee a periured and perfi [...]ious Prince, hee could in no sort infringe the conditions, nor breake the truce combined by a firme and vnseparable adiuration.

When Perkin had heard him out, although euery word was worse then the croking of some night-rauen or scrichowle, and the amazement (for the time) might haue much disabled him: yet loth to discredit his cause by any demisnesse or pusillanimity, and seeing all answers were superfluous, and the very messengers of despaire and disconsolation, he raised himselfe with some outward cheerefulnesse, and as well to auoyd ingratitude toward so great a Benefactour, as to countenance himselfe and his businesse, he thus casting away all feare and abashing timidity, replied.

Most worthy Prince: ‘Mortale est quod quaeris opus: mihi fama perennis.’ And therefore God forbid, that my commorance in your Court and Kingdome, or the weakned cause of my attempts should prooue disaduantagious o [...] ominous vnto you, both in regard of the many fauours your Princelinesse hath heaped vpon me vndeserued, and mine owne willingnesse not to bee too too troublesome or offensiue vnto so benigne a Maiesty, which rather then it should bee hazarded for my sake without a cheerfull and liberall willingnesse, the fame and glory of the enterprize shall be sufficient for mee, and I will not onely disclaime my right and interest in the Kingdome of England, my lawfull inheritance by descent: but poure out my selfe, and spend my life most profusely for your sake. Onely this I must entreat at your hands, to giue me leaue to rigg and calcke vp my ships, and gather together that dispersed company I haue, or such as would willingly and voluntarily attend me. Which seeming but reasonable, and no way repugning the former agreement with the Embassadours, was quickly condescended vnto: so with many gifts,Perkin retorne [...]h into Ireland. and royall furniture for his wife and family, he tooke his leaue & sailed backe the same way he came into Ireland, [Page] determining (as the last anchor-hold of his fortunes) either to vnite himselfe with the Cornish-men, whom he knew not fully appeased, or to retire to Lady Margaret his most worthy aunt and faithfull coadiutrix.

He had not beene long in Ireland, but his false fortune began once againe to play with him, as flattering him with assured confidence and warrantize, that the Westerne men would welcome and entertaine him, from whom he had this notice: that they could not forget their former iniuries and slaughters, nor determined a setled and true obedience to the Lancastrian family: whereupon because something must be done, or else he should be for euer discredited: or that God in his Iustice derided all su [...]h enterprises to scorne: or else in his mercy would giue King Henry a breathing time to set his other Princely qualities of wisedome, magnificence, quietnesse, religion, charitie, gouernment and pol [...]ecy on worke: he sailed out of Ireland with fiue small Ships, and two hundred men, his wife and attendants, his substance and wealth, and in a word all that he had.

But when he was to conferre about his landing and setting forward his designes,Perkin ec [...] meth into England. he had such poore Councellors, as a man would smile at for pity, rather then laugh at for scorne. For his principall friends were now Iohn Heron a mercer, and banquerout. Iohn of Water sometimes Maior of Cork: Richard Sketon a Tailer: and Iohn Astley a Scriuener: men in generall defame for dishonest actions, and in particular reproach, for vnderstanding nothing but what consorted to their own wilfulnesse, and outragious appetites; of whom I may say, as Ouid complaines in another case in his Elegies:

Non bene conducti vendunt periuria testes,

Non bene s [...]lecti Iudicis arca patet:

With this crue about the month of September he landed at a place called Bodnam, and there so sollicited, and excited the multitude and wau [...]ing people, that when they heard him proclaimed Richard the fourth, as the indubitat sonne [Page] of Edward the fourth, whom the Duke of Glocester, or if you will, Richard the Tyrant determined to murther, but that he escaped by the prouidence of God, they flocked vnto him to the number of 4000. and according to the nature of children running after newfangled toies or painted pictures: submitted to his princelines, and sware with all allegeance to maintaine his dignity & royaltie: with which confidence & company after they had taken the musters of his Army, and concluded to get some strong Townes into their possession, that so they might not only augment their forces, but still haue places of supportation and refuge to retire vnto, they went directly to Excester, Perkin besiedgeth Excester. and besiedged it. But because they wanted ordnance to make a battery, and other prouision to raise their trenches, and approches, or indeed if you will, were ignorant of martiall discipline, and the secrets of a true Soldiers profession, they spent the more time against the Gates, and endeauoured nothing but a forcible entrance, assaulting the same with great peeces of timber like the Roman rammes, crowes of yron, fire-brands, and impetuous violence of great stones cast at ther [...], and amongst them. But the Citizens manfully defended themselues, and held it out to their perpetuall fame, letting ouer the walls in secret places diuers in baskets with strong cords to post to the king & acquaint him with their distresse. In a mean while seeing a fire made vnder their Gates, and that the enemies fury encreased, they suspected themselues, & had no other shift but to put force to force, & with one fire extinguish, or if you will deuoure another, and so they caused great store of faggots & timber combustible to be brought close to the posternes and greater gates, where the mischie [...]e began, and set the same on fire, which encreased with a filthy smoake, and smother, and at last burst out into a flame and blazes, so that neither the enemies could come in, nor Citizens goe out: but all were compelled to desist from that worke, and apply themselues to more new and necessary labours. For the Rebels assaulted the most weake and broken places of the Wall, and the Citizens ranne to the expulsions, and repaired the breaches [Page] as fast as they were made; besides, they had leasure to cast vp great trenches vnder their Gates, and by strong barkes rampering the same made them more difficult passages then before: The wals were mightely and impetuously assaulted, but the worthy Citizens defended them with that courage, and countermanding: that they slew aboue two hundred Soldiers in that fury, and behaued themselues as if they determined to obtaine a perpetuall name of renowne, and vnmatchable Trophe of honor: so that I may well and briefely say of them:

—Serpens, sitis, ardor, arenae

Dulcia virtuti: gaudet patientia duris.

When Perkin and his associats saw so strong and strange opposition,Perkin discomfited leaueth Excester and departeth to Taunton. they seemed both amased and defatigated at the same, whereupon betweene rage and despaire, he retired his lowsie and distressed Armie to the next great Towne called Taunton, where he mustred them a new, but found a great want of his company: For many of his desperate followers were slaine and cut off: many of the honester and ciuiler sort, seeing the Towne of Excester so well maintained, and that very few resorted vnto him, contrarie to his former flourishes, and ostentation; fell from him, and retired themselues home: many wery of the wars, and coniecturing an impossibility, to remoue a king so firmely established, or terrifyed with the punishment impending on Treason, and presumptuous rebellion, left him to his fortunes, and many politikely forecasting for the worst, seeing not one of the nobility or better sort to afford a helping hand to the lifting vp of this frame, were contented to dispence with former protestations, and so prouided for themselues, whereby (as I said) as if the prouerb were verified: ‘Non habet euentus sordid a praeda bonos.’ he came short of his reckning, and the Items of his accounts went much curtailed of their former length and computation.

But in truth the posts of the Country brought comfortable tidings of the Kings Army approaching, of which the [Page] Lord Daubney, The Lord Dawbney generall of the Kings force [...]. a fortunate and successefull man in all his enterprizes, was Generall: yet in the meane while had Lord Edward Courtney Earle of Deuonshire, Lord William his son, Sir Edmund Carey, Sir Thomas Trenchard, Sir William Courtney, Sir Thomas Fulford, Sir Iohn Hatwell, Sir Iohn Croker, Walter Courtney, Peter Egecomb, William Sentnaure, and diuers others, brought forward the forces of the countrey, to raise the siege of Exester, which not onely animated and encouraged the Citizens, but rebated the fury of the contrary, and diuerted them from that sore and outragious manner of assaulting the walls, where in the last onset, the noble Earle, with diuers others, were hurt with arrowes; he wounded in the arme, and the rest in seuerall parts of their bodies, but very few slaine: And so with much adoe, this famous and honour-thirsting City, with the honest Inhabitants of the same, were deliuered and releeued.

By this time, the royall standards of King Henry were aduanced in sight of the City,The King commeth forward with his Army. and the d [...]ums beat vp their accustomed marches, to the ioy and fulnesse of contertment, both of the towne and Countrey: But when the King was adu [...]rtized of their returning to Taunton, he hasted thither: But first he welcommed Edward Duke of Buckingham, a young, noble, and well regarded Prince, in whose company came along an hundred Knights and Esquires of speciall name and credit in their countries, amongst whom Sir Alexander Bainham, Sir M [...]urice Barckley, Sir Robert Fame, Sir Iohn Gmise, Sir Robert Points, Sir Henry Vernon, Sir Iohn Mortymer, Sir Thomas Tremaile, Sir Edward Sutton, Sir Amias Paulet, Sir Iohn Bickwell, Sir Iohn Sapcotes, Sir Hugh Lutter [...]l, and Sir Francis Cheny were principall. O what a glorious thing it is,The Duke of Buckingham. to see a Noble man either stand by the chaire of th [...] Prince, as a Court starre and Supportation: that (at last) the King may aske, what shall be done to the man hee meanes to honor: or mooue in his own orb, that is the loue and credit of his Country, firme to the State, and gracefull in all his actions and proceedings, still hauing a care to the gouernment of the people, and an eye [Page] to the dignity of the Common-wealth: so shall his fame be extended abroad, and his renowne enlarged at home, which makes me remember the description of Capaneus in that ancient Euripides, Eurip. suppl [...]ce [...]. who may be a President to all young Noblemen, yeal wish with mine heart, that such as are not too presumptuous on their owne gifts of nature and education, would take the booke in hand, and make vse both of precept and example, for the illustration of their Honours, and administration of their liues: the Poet is somewhat large and more pleasant in the Greeke then the Latine. He thus beginneth.

Cappaneus hic est, cui facult as viuendi erat abundans,

[...]

Minimè verò diuitijs insolens erat: magnitudinē verò animi

Non maiorem habebat, quam pauper vir,

Fugiens splendido victu, quicun (que) intumesceret minis,

Sufficientia vili pendens: Non enim in pastu ventris

Virtutem esse, mediocria verò sufficere dicebat: &c.

But to our story againe:

When the King approached the towne of Tawnton, whether out of policie not to hazard the whole army at once, or out of suspicion of some reuolters in his company, or humbly considering there might be a turning of Fortunes wheele, as still Rota fortunae in Gyro in the encounters of a battell, or harping vpon some stratagem and enterprize, as prouidently forecasting both the worst and best, which might chance: Hee sent before him Robert Lord Brooke the Steward of his house, Giles Lord Daubney, and Sr. Rice app Thomas to giue the onset and beginne the battell, that hee with the rest, as a strong Ambuscado and releefe, might come to the reskue, if they were wearied and de [...]atigated. But little needed this policy, or procrastination: For poore Perkin (desperate of his fortunes, and quite exanimated to encounter with the Kingsforces, in so warlike a manner and fearefull a preparation, contrary to all the motiues of a true Roman Honour, and without knowledge of his army) about midnight,Perkin desperat of all reliefe taketh Sauctuary. accompanied with sixty horse, departed in wonderfull celerity to a Sanctuary towne [Page] besides Southampton called Be [...]dly, where he, Iohn Heron, Thomas a Water, and others, registred themselues as persons priuiledged.

O what a God art thou! that canst one way humble settled Princes, with the very shadowes of perill and danger, making them confesse their frailty and ticklish estate of mortality, by the seuerall encumbrances and mischeefes, to which they are subiect: and another way confound the mightiest proiects, and annihilate their enterprizes, turning all actions and mountaines of pride, sedition, conspiracies and ambition, to powder and dust, and then blowing it away like smoake and vapour: and another way protect the right of the innocent and distressed, sending remedy and comfort, when they least thinke of it, or know to helpe and aduance themselues: and another way whip with the rods of vengeance, the freneticall and vaine multitude, who know nothing, but rudenesse and clamorous outcries, nor practize any thing but vndecencies and outragiousness: so that we may well say:

O Iupiter, cur nam miser [...]s sapere dicunt

Homines! ex te enim pendemus,

Eurip. supplice [...].

Agimvs (que) ea, qua tu volueris.

O nihili homines!

Qui arcum extendentes tanquam vltra articulum,

Et iure vit (que) mala patientes multa,

Amicis non quidem creditis sed ipsis rerum euentibus▪ &c.

When King Henry knew that Perkin was fled, and departed from his camp,The Lord Daubney sent after Perkin. he sent the Lord Daubney with fiue hundred horse, to intercept him: but he was lodged before they came, although most of his company were surprized and taken, who as miserable caitiffs and poore wretched delinquents were presented to his Maiesty: But when the residue of this fearefull and staggering army, could neither vnderstand what was become of their Generall, nor see their accustomed Penons and Ancients, nor their quarters so well ordred, as was the manner of Souldiers, nor their companies so cheerefull and well heartned, they knew not what to say, [Page] or to doe, some supposing he was fraudulently slaine, some suspecting he was traiterously fled, some reporting the manifestation of his deceit, some wondering at the strangenesse of his proceedings, in that he had so myraculously begun, and presumptuously prosecuted such a dangerous worke: some exclaiming vpon the simplicity of the matter, that built vpon no better grounds then vaine hopes and presumptuous titles: some cursing themselues, that they had so farre engaged their loialties against their Soueraigne Lord and King: some continuing in their rancorous malice, sware nothing but reuenge, and obstinacy: and some neuer to be reclaimed, euen when their forces failed, cried out to goe forward, rayling at the misfortune of their businesse, that they must now faile, when they were ready to pull downe the Towne wals with their hands: Yet when they were assured of his cowardly flight and base pusillanimity, the common feare, common mischiefe, and common danger,The Army of Perkin submitteth to the King without fighting. made them cast away their armour, and submit to the King, to whom though they came with affrighted countenances, and venemous hearts, sad lookes and little repentance, curses in their soules, and promises of faith, loyaltie and obedience, out of their mouthes: yet did the King entertaine them with all cheerefulnesse, and acceptable comfort, as the greatest benefit which God could at that time bestow vpon him, nor disputing of their hypocrisie, nor determining by more narrow searches, or artificiall incantations to try out the depth, and search the bottome of their resolutions.

Thus as a conquerour without manslaughter and effusion of blood,The King r [...]turneth to Ex [...]ester. he roade triumphantly into the Citie of Excester, and knowing Praemium and Poena to be the mastering curbes of all the things in the World, not only praised and applauded the Citizens: but opened the Treasure house of reward, and honour amongst them, giuing some presents, aduancing others to the order of knighthood, granting many petitions, according to the [Page] worthy condition of a Prince, and the full corroboration of their obedience: Then proceeded he to some exemplary punishment of diuers refractary Cornish-men, whom their owne companies accused, as Delinquents, and the Maiestie of the gouernment would not endure without correction.

But all this was nothing in comparision of that which followed: For his horsemen prosecuted the chase so diligently and honestly, that they pursued the Lady Katherine Gourden wife to this Perkin, Perkins Wife taken. euen to Michaels Mount; who, notwithstanding, had she not been betraied by some of her owne followers, might haue escaped: For transhaping her selfe into one of her seruants habits, she had gone quite away to her ships: But that some pittying the distresse of the King, and turmoiles of the Kingdome; and perceiuing the end of the warre and pacification of these troubles to depend vpon her surprising, would by no meanes giue way vnto new disturbances, but tooke her and presented her to the Kings Commissioners: what should I say, when shee herselfe said nothing, but perceiuing them Gentlemen of worth with Hipsiphile to Iason, she cried out. ‘Siv [...]s nobilitas, generosa (que) nominatangunt.’ I know you will vse me like your selues, and vnderstand I am a Prince euery way, so they gaue her leaue to adorne her selfe, and brought her like a bond [...]woman and captiue to the King, who wondering at her beawtie and attractiue behauiour, lifted vp his hands to Heauen in her behalfe to see so great a worth betraied to fanaticall hopes, and freneticall deceit, thanking God for himselfe, that he had such a Trophe of his endurances and victories in his hands, nor was the Emperour Aurelius more proud of Zenobia, then he reioiced in this aduenture: some say he fantasied her Person himselfe, and kept her neere vnto him, as his choisest delight; yea, so doted on her perfections, that he forgat all other things, then the contentment, which he receiued by her, insomuch that many [Page] dared to libell against him with that saying of Deianira to Hercules. ‘Quem nunquam Iuno, series (que) immensa laborum fregerit, huic Iolen imposuisse iugum:’ Some report, he durst not let her marry for feare of ambitious tumors in such, as could attaine to such a fortune: Some confirme, that she was of that greatnesse of spirit, that she scorned all others in regard of her selfe, both by the priuiledge of her birth-right, and the possibility of her greatnesse. Howsoeuer, he intreated her most honorably and amiably (such a power hath beauty and comlinesse euer in distresse) and sent her to the Queene so maiestically attended, as if she had beene a Queene indeed.

In the meane while my Lord Dawbney imploied himselfe and his company so effectually, that enuironing the sanctuary wherein Perkin was with two companies of light horse, who were vigilant, cautelous, strong and couragious, and so lay in the aduantage [...]f watching the place, that Perkin could no way escape: but the King was not satisfied with thi [...] protraction, and therefore loth to loose him, or giue him liberty to runne with the blinde mole into further cauerns of the earth to cast vp heaps and little hills of commotion and affrighting his estate and yet daring not to infringe the priuiledge of these holy places (such a hand had superstition, and the Popes fulmination got ouer all the Princes of Europe) he went more politikely to worke, and sent diuers persons of account to perswade his submission, and render himselfe wholly into the Kings hands, who not only promised him pardon of life, but comfort of liberty, yea, honourable maintenance vpon the easie conditions of desisting to perturb the Common-wealth any further, and disclaiming so iniuriously to pretend any title to the Diadem.

When Perkin saw to what streights his Barke was driuen, and that he must either split on the rocks of despaire, or retire back againe into the troublesome Ocean [Page] of despight, according to the nature of cowardly and irresolute men, he chose the worst part to saue his life, and submit to the Kings acceptation, not remembring, because he was neuer acquainted with the secrets of maiesty, that he, which hath beene once a Prince, must neuer looke for a setled quietnesse in a priuat estate (because he is still subiect to the Conquerors pleasure) but an ignominious life, then which, an honourable death is tenne thousand times better, which made the noble Hecuba, as a worthy patterne to al vnfortunate Princes, thus answere the proudest conquerors themselues.

Porrigam collum cordatè intrepidè,

Eurip. Hecuba.

Liberam vero me, vt libera moriar,

Per deos queso dimittentes occidite: Apud manes enim

Serua vocari: Regina cum sim, pudet me:

But as I said he now only recounted the difficult passages of his former trauailes, the dangers escaped, the deceit pretended, the perill imminent, and the misfortune too-too apparant, as being in no securitie in the place, he was fled vnto, nor hauing any confidence in the persons, he had chosen: For though he knew there was a reuerence appropriate to sanctuaries; yet kings, if they pleased, vvill be tied neither to law nor Religion, but performe what they list, or vnder colour of their owne security, say they are compelled vnto: Therefore without any further aggrauation,Perkin submittet, to the King. relying on the Kings Pardon, and those honourable conditions propounded, he voluntarily resigned himselfe, and came to his maiesty, as a messenger of glad tidings, that now all warres, troubles, and commotions were by this meanes ended and determined.

The King not much wondred at him: for he only found him superficially instructed of a naturall wit, of reasonable qualities, wel languaged and indifferent apprehension, but farre from that highnesse of spirit, or heroick disposition to deserue the character of a Prince, or lay claime to a Diadem: yet loth with any boisterous strength to [Page] handle a bruized arme, or draw the feltow into a new selfe-loue, or good opinion of himselfe, hee passed ouer his examination the slightlier, and brought him immediately to London, being met all the way with great co [...] courses of people, who both came to gratifie him and his auspicious successe, and to see Perkin like some strange meteor or monster: or, if you will, because wee will deale more cleanlier with him, like a triumphant spectacle, to mooue amazement, delight and contentment, according to that saying of our Poet: ‘Nocte pluit tota, redeunt spectacula manè:’

But when they began to capitulate, that being a stranger and an alien borne, hee durst not onely abuse so many Princes and Common-wealths with lies, fictions, and abominable deceit: but euen bid battell to Kings and Princes: yea, bring Kings and Princes into the field for his assistance, they fell from wondring at him, to raile and abuse him, both with checkes and opprobrious taunts: yea, diuers dared to put in practise many vndecencies, both of rage and indignation, had not the reuerence of his Maiesties presence diuerted their inconsideration, and commanded no further rumour, gazing vpon him, or violent threatnings against him. To conclude, the King brought him quietly to London, and for all he had giuen him life, and affoorded him a kinde of liberty: yet did hee set a guard ouer him, that hee could neither haue free conference, nor doe what he wantonly listed without them.

By this time you must consider, that Lady Margaret in Flanders, Duches Dowager of Burgundy, was not so ill befriended, or negligent in her owne affaires, but shee had both intelligence from England, and espialls of her owne, to acquaint her with all occurrences and aduentures,Lady Margaret much troubled with this discomfortable newes. as they chanced. But whether it was a newes to her of bitternesse, and tormenting despight, or no; let them iudge, that make their stomackes and inward faculties a store-house of rankour and malice, and cry out with Seneca, Foelix iacet quicunqu [...] quos odit,[Page]Premit: yet was she not tormented so much with the losse, expences, or disaster of the businesse, which might be the chance of warre, as in that shee could not preuaile in her malignant courses, against her enemy the house of Lancaster: So that shee bemoaned the lamentable successe of her vnfortunate darling, and (as many did testifie) euen shed teares againe; but they were so farre from co [...]punction, or penitency, that they seemed rather signes of rage, frenzy, and intollerable madnesse, in which shee cried out on nothing, but reuenge: and repeated an exclamation of Hermiones against Orestes:

Quae mea Coelestes iniuria fecit iniquos!

Quodue mihi miserae [...]idus obesse querar!

So that if shee had had power to her implacable hatred, K. Henry should haue felt the scourges of her wrathfull hand, euen to the lowest deiection, and she had questionlesse shewed him a tricke of a womans will, or (if I might speake without offence) wickednesse.

In this while Perkin hauing two yeeres liberty to ruminate on his businesse, and swell vp his vexed soule with vncomfortable commemoration of precedent misfortunes, would many times cast out abrupt and vncertaine speeches, concerning his distresse, and the maleuolent aspect of his fate, cursing his miserable life, and complaining on his vnprofitable Genius, that had stood him in no better steed, wishing hee had beene borne to any mechanicall drudgery, rather then from the royall bloud of Plantaginet: Insomuch, that his keepers mistrusted him in these extasies, and the King was still troubled, that hee could neither make him confesse the truth, nor disclaime this high assumption of another dignity and royalty. But at last, as all such discontentments and eruptions must haue avent, and so a determination, whether the opprobry of this kinde of imprisonment greeued him, or the vnquietnesse of his thoughts vexed him, or the basenesse of his submission abused him, or the losse of his sweet wife confounded him, or the instigations of others disturbed [Page] him: or indeede, because the last act of his Tragedy and Catastrophe was now in hand, he not onely studied which way to escape; but put the same in practise in despight of his owne knowledge, that the King was acquainted with all his discontentments. For alas; Princes haue long hands and prying lookes, to reach into the furthest parts of their Kingdome, and search into the secretest close [...]s of their palaces, yea, other mens houses,Perkin deceiueth his keepers, an [...] escapeth. and so are made to vnderstand the affaires of the remo [...]est regions. But concerning himselfe, his vaine suppositions, as in his former enterprizes, still flattered him, that he should once againe finde fuell enough, to set another rebellion and commotion on fire: and his vexation to bee bereaued of so delicate a creature as his Lady, made him desperate of all, and set his wits on the [...]enter-hookes, to put something in practise to his further contentment. So that one day reading the story of Mortymers escape out of the Tower, by giuing his keepers a sleepy drinke, he in such a manner deceiueth his guard, and betooke him to a resolution of escaping and flying out of the land, wherein hee prooued onely like the silly bird, that with striuing in the net, entangles herselfe the more: or, as Deere that are hunted, betray themselues to well-sented hounds, by their faster running away, whereby they make the deeper impression in their steps: So fell it out with him, ‘Incidit in Scyllam, cupiens vitare Charybdim:’ And by seeking after liberty, hee brought himselfe to a more straighter and vnkindlier endurance. For when hee had gone to the sea-coasts, aud heard the exclamations of the people against him, saw all places debarred, knew great searches made for him, vnderstood what an indignation the Countrey had conceiued of his mockeries and illusions, and found the whole Kingdome vp in his search, and posting after him, he was quite exanimated, and (like a man distracted) knew not what to do. At last, vnstable in his former wilfulnesse, he once againe altred his pretended iourney, and came to the house of Bethelem, called [Page] the Priory of Shene,Perkin commeth to the Prior of Shene. beside Richmond in Surrey, and committed himselfe to the Prior, with a long and secret conference, concluding with an impetration of his charity, that being a man of God, hee would not thinke it strange to see Princes subiect to disasters and fatall conclusions of misfortune. For he well knew the story, both of the Abbot of Westminster and the Bishop of Carlile, who in despight of King Henries vsurpation, who had not only proiected the deliuery of Richard of Burdeaux; but opposed the King in his strength of soueraignty, against his wilfulnesse to destroy the other deposed: and therefore he desired him to obtaine his pardon of the King, yeelding forcible intimation for the same purpose.

The Prior (glad to haue interest in such a meritorious worke, and proud to bee seruiceable to his Prince and Countrey) came with conuenient speed to the Court, and acquainted his Maiewy with the accident, leauing no circumstance of any validity vnrecounted, which ended to the Kings wonderfull content, and the whole Courts disdaine and amazement. But all times are not alike, and Princes (in their mercies & pardons) are not so flexible, as presumption buildeth vpon: Yet to please the Prior, hee gaue him his life, which to a generous and free borne spirit was more irksome then death. For hee was first taken and brought to Westminster with all scorne and repr [...]ch,Perkin once againe [...], but ignominiously vsed. then set in a paire off stockes with contumelious derision, then carried through all the streets of London like a prodigious spectacle, then put to the racke, which made him not onely confesse his pedigree and originall, but write it with his owne hands: Last of all, mounted on diuers scaffolds he read it in publike, and that so disgraciously, as in the commemoration was able to torment a looker on so that hee might well crie out

—Vitam (que) per omnem

[...]. lib. 5.

Nulla fuit tam moesta dies: nam caeter a damna

Durataiammente malis, firma (que), tulerunt:

In some of your Chronicles you haue this confession at [Page] large, as in Grafton, which to make the story compleat, I haue a little contracted, and thus expose the same.

BE it knowen vnto all men,Perkins confession. that I was borne in the towne of Tourney in Flanders, my father Iohn O [...]beck Controller of the said towne, and my mother Katherine Haro, my grand-father Direck Orsbeck, after whose decease my grand-mother married Peter Flamine Receiuer of Tourney, & Deane of the boat-men ouer Lescheld, my mothers father was called Peter De Faro, which kept the keyes of St. Thomas gate within the said towne. I had also an vnckle Mr. Iohn Statime of St. Pias Parish, with whom I dwelled very young, hee married mine aunt Iane, and brought me vp very well; yet my mother not contented, as being very chary of mee, had mee to Antwerp to lea [...]e Flemish more exactly to a kinsman of my fathers Iohn Steinbeck, with whom I remained a full halfe yeare, but by reason of the wars I returned to Tourney, where I was placed with Mr. Barlo, who within another yeere carried me to the mart at Antwerp, where I fell sicke awhile, and so was boorded in a Skinners house much conuersant with the English nation, whereby I learnt the language, as you see. From thence I went to Barrow mart, & lodged at the old man: Afterward, Mr. Barlo, left me at Middle-borough with Iohn Strew a Merchant, who first made me beleeue, I was better then I was. From Antwerp I sailed into Portugall with my Lady Brampton in a ship called the Queenes ship, & serued a Knight in Lichborne called Don Peter Las de Cogna, who had but one eye; yet the manner of his behauiour and order of his house, made mee tarry a yeere. Then Pregent Meno a Brittaine carried mee into Ireland, and either commanded so by my Lady Margaret, who (as shee said) was my aunt, or proiecting something for his own priuate, would needs perswade me I was a Plantaginet of the house of Yorke. For when I arriued in Corck, because I was somwhat hādsomly apparrelled, they would needs bestow vpon me the title of the E. of Warwick [Page] sonne to George Duke of Clarence formerly in Ireland, which Iohn Le Wellin the Maior maintained, and for as much as my deniall was contrary to their expectation, they brought me to the crosse, and made me sweare: which I did, disclaiming him, or any of his kinred, vntill Stephen Poitron, with Iohn a Water came vnto me, as resolued I was King Richards bastard-sonne (then in the hands of the King of England) perswading mee not to bee afraid or daunted at any thing: For they would ayd me & assist me, euen to the obtaining the crowne of England; yea, they knew of their owne knowledge, the Earles of Desmond and Kildare were ready to aduenture their liues and estates for my sake: After this they carried mee into Flanders, to Lady Margaret Regent and Duches of Burgundy, who preuailed so far with me, that I took vpon me the person of Richard Duke of Yorke, second sonne of King Edward the fourth, and so with reasonable preparation, I returned backe againe into Ireland, where the sayd Iohn a Water, Stephen Poinings, Iohn Tiler, Hubert de Brough, the foresayd Earles, and many others entred with mee into a dangerous rebellion, and I was proclaimed by them Richard the fourth. From hence the King of France sent for me by Loyte Lucas and Stophen Frian, but making peace with England, he left me to my fortunes: Then I sayled into Flanders, where my supposed Aunt made more of me then before, so I attempted England, but was driuen backe againe into Flanders, from whence I went into Scotland, and from thence againe into Ireland, and so into England.

When the people had heard him out, they wondred both wayes at the matter, and stood (as it were) confounded betwixt shame and indignation. If it were a co [...]lusion, to thinke how grossely the Kingdome, and some of the best therein, yea many Kingdomes had beene abused with such an imposture, to the prosecuting seuerall [...]acinorous actions, and disturbance of the peace and tranquility [Page] of the Common-wealth: If it were not so, and that for feare of life hee confessed the contrary, being the true Plantaginet, and a Prince borne to so great a fortune: then they wondred if any man could bee so base, as to deiect himselfe to such ignominy and opprobrious disgraces, when to die had been honorable, & to sell ones life in the field, far better then to plead on a scaffold, where the many changes must needs distract him, and make a poore soule neither fit for life nor death: But whatsoeuer he was, they could not chuse but deplore his estate and misfortune, as naturally and ordinarily all men are bemoaned in aduersity, especially such an one, that was so forward in the race and iourney to Maiesty, and pulled backe so often by the sleeue, and turned with a fury into the house of desolation, and dungeon of disconsolate wretchednesse when to haue perished at once, had beene a fauour of death and fortune indeede, according to our Poet:

Mitins ille perit subita qui mergitur vnda,

Lib. 3. de pont [...].

Quam sua qui liquidis brachia lassat aquis.

When the King had this way satisfied himselfe, and pleased the people,Perkin committed to the Tower. as he thought: hee made no more adoe, but to preuent inconueniences, clapt him in the Tower, from whence he escaped not, vntill hee was carried to Tiborne, and there swallowed vp by the neuer satisfied paunch of Hell, for his former abuses and intolerable wickednesse, which hapned very shortly after. For iust at this instant, a roguish Augustane Frier called Patricke, on the borders of Suffolke, after Peter Warbecks example, taught a poore scholler one Ralph Wilford to take vpon him the title of the Earle of Warwicke, as yet in the Tower of London: but supposed to escape, as corrupting his keepers, intimating the glory of the action, and the brauery of such an enterprize, wherein who would be so base and cowardly, as not aduenture his life, and put in practise any designe to attaine to a Diadem, especially by so easie meanes, as personating a Prince, and assuming the title of the next heire to the crowne: And when some [Page] of his better vnderstanding friends laid open the danger & impossibility of the attempt, with the odiousnes & perf [...]diousnes of the Treason, he answered the first with one Poet:

Fa [...]na (que) post Cineres maior venit,

Li. 4. de [...]

& mihi nomen

Tum quo (que) cum vinis annumerarer, erat

And the latter with another:

Si enimiiniustè facere opportet, potissimumpropter

Imperium ius violandum est:

[...]

alias pium esse conuenit▪

But although this mischiefe was quietly blowne ouer like a weake and thin cloud suddenly dispeirced by a forcible winde (For both Master and Scholer were quickly apprehended: the one hanged on Shrouetuesday at Saint Tho. Watrings, and the Fryar condemned to perpetuall imprisonment) yet it left such an impression behinde, to the troub [...]g, as a man may say the whole Region of the aire, that the King would dally no longer, but like the Sunne in his full strength at the next incensing of his maiesty, dissolued all such vapours, and gaue the law leaue to play her part to the finall extirpation of the very roots of sedition, which presently was thus set on worke.

Peter Warbeck impatient at this restraint of his liberty, and stomaching his former disgraces & indignities, would endure no longer, but studied euery hower how to escape, not yet knowing what to do, when he did escape, to which purpose by faire promises and false perswasions, he corrupted his keepers: Strangwaies, Blewet, Astwood, and long Roger seruants of Sir Iohn Digby Lieutenant of the Tower to slay their said Master: and set both Perkin and the true Earle of Warwicke at large, and so to make their fortunes, as they could either by domestike or forraine friends: to which, when the innocent Prince condiscended, as glad any way to enioy his libertie, and to be freed of his imprisonment (for you see birds kept in golden cages beat and flutter vp and downe as scorning their enclosure,Perkin corrupting his keepers to escape out of the Tower is tak [...]n and hanged at Tiburn. to get out into their natiue Country the region of the aire) mischiefe and misfortune, which plaies the tyrant with many men all their liues long, & neuer affordeth [Page] one day, or breathing time to giue them a taste of any pleasure, or contentment, discouered the whole conspiracy to the King and his Councell, not leauing out any circumstance which might either exasperate his rage, or pull forward death and destruction to the delinquents. Whereupon, without further disputing the matter Perkin Warbeck, Iohn a Water sometimes Maior of Corck, and his sonne were the 16. of Nouember arraigned and condemned at Westminster of high Treason, and the 23. hanged at Tyburn: Perkin mounted on a scaffold reading his confession, and contrary to all expectation, a [...] king the King and Country forgiuenesse, and dying penitently with great remorce of conscience, and compunction of spirit: ‘Et sic [...]inis Priami—’

Not long after Edward Earle of Warwick, who had beene the 21. of Nouember arraigned at Westminster before the Earle of Oxford high Constable of England for the present,The Earle of Warwicke beheaded. was vpon the 28. 1429. beheaded at the Tower Hill: For he quietly confessed the enditement, concerning his consent and willingnesse to obtaine his libertie, though it were by violating the law in that kinde, and breaking of prison, whose simplicity I rather lament, then condemne the offence. For it was a dangerous time for any Plantaginet to liue in, and I may well cry out: ‘Omne tulit secum Caesaris ira malum:’ But the King was indeed glad of this occasion, and fortune gaue vertue the check, because as he had imprisoned him without a cause, he knew not what to doe with him without a fault: yet some report that the principall reason of accelerating his death was a speech of Ferdinando's king of Spaine, who should sweare, that the mariage betweene Lady Katherine his daughter, and Prince Arthur of Wales should neuer be consummated, as long, as any Earle of Warwick liued. For the very name and title was not only formidable to other Nations, but superstitions to the wau [...]ring, and vnconstant English: whereupon the King was [Page] the gladder to take hold of this opportunitie, where in the conuiction of Law had cast this stumbling-block of treason in his walke and race to a longer life, and yet was there nothing done, but by orderly proceedings, and iustifiable courses: more then when the silly Prince submitted to his mercy, he thought it the greatest point of mercy to looke to himselfe, and so for the benefit of his posteritie, and the sedation of all troubles both present and to come, struck off his head, and with him the head of all diuision and dissention.

FINIS.

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THE TRVE AND WONDERFVLL HISTORY OF Perkin Warbeck, PROCLAIMING himselfe RICHARD the fourth.

Eurip. Iphig. in Tauris. Nullus sibi similis in periculis homo, quoties ad audaciam ex metu venerit.

LONDON, Printed by E. G. for NATHANIEL BVTTER, and are to bee sold at his shop in Pauls Church-yard, at the signe of the Pyde-Bull. 1618.

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Historia est

Testis temporum.

Lux veritatis.

Vita memoriae.

Magistra vitae.

Nuntia vetustatis.

§

§

Cicero de Orat. Lib. 2.

Historia nihil aliud est nisi annalium confectio, cuius rei memoriae (que) publicae retinendae causa, ab initio res omnes singulorum annorum mandabat literis Pontifex maximus, efferebat (que) in album, & proponebat tabulam domi, &c.

TO THE RIGHT HOnourable THOMAS Earle of Arundel, primer Earle of England, and one of his Maiesties most honourable Councell, &c.

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RIGHT HONOVRABLE:

SVch as my poore selfe, that am only a looker on of your vertues, as a Passenger in a streete beholding the Frontispice of some delicate Edifice, but debarred the entrance and search into the inward roomes, must be contented, or if you please indebted to the opinion and report of others; which I haue found so ample and enlarged concerning your great Honour, and greater worthinesse, that I will forbeare any further insinuation, least I step into a kind of flattery, a vice incident to most men, refused of none, yet in all fortunes to be disclaimed of a Gentleman: only I must adde this, that I am proud of mine owne assurance, that you are borne to adorne our Country, and illustrate our Court, wherein your industrie, loyaltie, and immaculate truth shall make your vertues compleat and triumphant. Therefore great Lord haue I chosen out this [Page] History, meerely for the strangenesse, and charactred you the Patron of my endeauours for the obseruations, that the remarkeable passages heerein proposed, of which euen Scotland had a part, may serue for all persons in such dignity and eminent places, both for precept, and caution.

For Precept, to florish in their owne honours, and moue in their owne orbes, sticking close to the glory of their Countrie, and clinging to the sides of Maiesty, that the King may aske, what shall be done to the man, whom he would honour, and the Common-wealth follow them with Panegyricall applauses, who preserue her peace from the rauishing, and deforming of strangers, be the hopes to the contrary neuer so probable, or inductiue.

For Caution, not once to put any confidence in deceiuers, nor belieue the Diuell himselfe, though he promise to giue the Kingdomes of the World, which are none of his: yet, I confesse him Prince of the same, that is, of the abuses and impieties therein both raging, and raigning: and the rather, because the end hath euer beene perdition of body, soule, honour, estates and posteritie: nor can the pleading of simplicitie in the seduction, or ignorance in the credulity serue the turne: For though Princes ma [...]y times haue beene drawne to pardon the offences of Subiects, and refractary delinquents, wallowing or rather sunk ouer head & eares in the mierie bogs of such conuulsions: yet are they not alwaies to be presumed vpon, nor will the Common-wealth endure the indignitie, or giue way to any person whatsoeuer in vilipending the gouernment.

I humbly therefore request your Honour to reade [Page] ouer this true and strange Story, and take in worth my good meaning, which presenteth the same vnto you I protest without any other motiue, then to see you florish, as a supportation of our Common-wealth, and iewel of our kingdome. As for the faults and my presumption, I expect, that that vertue and goodnesse, which must make you famous in this world, and happy in the world to come, will extend but her owne properties to my pardon and admission, knowing that if I haue done ill; wisdome is not bought in the market, and yet God bids vs come without money; if well, it is in your honourable fauour, and noble acceptation.

Your Honours humble obser [...]ant THOMAS GAINS [...]ORDE.

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Lucan lib. 8.

DEstruit ingentes a [...]imos, & vita superstes Imperio, nisi summa dies cum fine bonum Affuit, & celeri praeuertit tristia letho, Dedecori est fortuna prior, quisquam ne secundis Tradere se fatis audet, nisi morte parata?

A PREFACE.
Nec adulatori, Ne (que) detractori,

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TO speake of the commendation of history is not my meaning; nor of the necessity my purpose: For besides the definition, and explanation of Tully himselfe, you haue at least forty seuerall bookes, which begin (as I do) with a preface, as a preparatiue to the Reader, to take their books within their gentle embraces, meerely vpon the commendation of history. I leaue all vnnamed, except Sr. Henry Sauill for Tacitus, Sr. Walter Raleigh for his history of the world, Dr. Haward for the three Norman Kings, and Henry the fourth. In whose writings, let vs write, what we can, as much is written, as either delight, profit, or priuate respect can extend vnto: so that I say I desist from that generall insinuation concerning the credit, or particular satisfaction of history, and come to more familiar opening the carpet of the businesse proposed. Onely this I will adde, that I had rather read one true story handsomly set vpon the frame of Precept and Caution, True Histories to be preferred before all prophane and deuised rel [...]tions. then a thousand fictions diuerting my imaginary conceits to thinke vpon, and (as wee say) spend themselues on impossibilities, and corrupt my meditation with vaine, foolish, beastly, and triuiall deuises, which are the [Page] more ridiculous, because there is substance, and matter enough in verity, to set on worke any humour and inuention whatsoeuer, & satisfie apprehensions euen in their wanton, and exoticke wandrings.

For in this house of repast, which my Iuy-bush inuites you to, wouldst thou be made partaker of the attributes appropriate to the Diuine Maiesty? Heere are manifested his prouidence, wisdome, mightinesse, power, iustice, mercy, preuention, loue, goodnesse, maiesty, &c, Wouldst thou be made acquainted with the secrets of Religion? heere are demonstrated the vanities of ceremonies, the necessity of adoration, the encumbrances of superstition, the simplicity of times, the darknesse of Popery, the feare of excommunication, the reuerence of Priest-hood, and the folly of deuises? Wouldst thou know the policies of gouernment, and dignity of a King? heere you shall see, what the desire of soueraignty can doe, the iealousie of a Princes estate, the reuenge of wrongs, the feare of troubles and innouation, the inconstancy of the people; the danger of factions, und the senerall passages of a prosperous, or declining estate? Wouldst thou bee quickned with the remembrance of pleasure, heere are particulars of delight, courtings of Ladies, amorous encounters, triumphant shewes, deceitfull vanities, and some idle relations? Wouldst thou see vertue mounted on a pinnacle of her palace? heere are wisdome, grauity, constancy, magnanimity, endurances of misfortune, and moderation of power and greatnesse. Wouldst thou behold vice in her deformity? heere are enuy, hatred, malice, pride, ambition, desire of reuenge, rebellion, contumacy, stubbornnesse, and such like. Wouldst thou be acquainted with passions? heere are ioy, feare, sorrow, gladnes, iealousie, mistrust, & all of that sort. Wouldst thou see other varieties? Heere are Princes deceiued, [Page] hopers abused, liers execrated, traytours punished, and the Diuell himselfe confounded. In a word, wouldst thou heare of strange aduentures? painefull endeauours? heroik actions? dangerous attempts? military proceedings? heere is Fortune, as we prophanely run away with the Embleme, set vpon a wheele, and turned round about by the hand of an inuisible, and inuincible Deity. Heere is the stage of variety, and table of wonders? So that I am sure, from the conquest to this houre, there is no story so remarkable, and so full of obseruation, either for the ridiculous beginning, dangerous continuance, or lamentable effects?

For although the first contentions betweene the houses of Yorke and Lancaster began questionlesse from the wrong intrusiou of Henry the fourth,The house of Lancaster began the first wrong. when the right of the crowne was in Mortimer, and his line by the daughter of Clarence, King Edward the thirds third sonne, and elder brother to Iohn of Gaunt: yet there was some probability and inducement to the reuengers, either mighty armies, strong factions, many confederates, the next of bloud powerfull in his owne possession and friends, with such like. But heere; besides the fanaticall inuention, men were transported against their owne conscience and knowledge, and assumed armes to doe they knew not what, onely because they would be counted factious, stirring, and resembling the fish Saepia, which cast into any water befroths the same, and in the conclusion, the end as the beginning, and both like a paper castle quickly set on fire, or if you will, a confection of spicery, which after it is carried round about the house, is placed vpon the table with great wonder, amazement and delight both at the st [...]ffe, and contriuing: but what is the issue? the lookers on at last fall to, and pull euen the guns and houses a peeces, and eat them.

[Page]In Ireland, Rebellion in Ireland naturall. I remember, they lay an imputation of basenesse and cowardice on any man, that hath not beene in action, as they tearme it, or hath not had his pardon and protection: so that custome makes them Traytours, and the vainglory of reputation many times brings their necks to the halter: yet it is somewhat tolerable for the generality of the fault, and enforcement of the motiue, being Bards, Rimers, Harpers, Preists, whom the very women [...]ug in their bosomes, for seducing their Noble-men, and Gentlemen, and enciting them to reuenge. Vpon this ground, they must prosecute, first some things worthy the honor of their ancestors, and next remember the deploration of Religion, Liberty, and the vsurpation of their Countrey, all which the English haue from time to time intruded vpon, and are not to be endured in their tyranny, as they make them beleeue. But in this our story, there is nothing sauouring true heroiknesse, nor worthy the name of commiseration and assistance. For the best excuse ariseth from shadowes, smoake, vapours, foolish enterprizes, and vniustifiable actions, wherein onely the power of God is manifested and made apparant, that from so small beginnings, and slender a fountaine, such turbulent streames and raging riuers should arise, euen to endanger one of the flourishingst Kingdomes in the world: yea, my heart trembles to imagine, that so great a Prince, in the vnity of a right, by an vnpreuentable marriage, should be heaued at in so formidable a manner by an vpstart, and (as I may say) puppet stuft with straw, to scare away crowes.

I haue read of one Spartago Spar [...]ago. a Fencer, that taking vpon him the person of Scribonianus, drew a great party together: which as Nero laughed to scorne, so indeed the Common wealth quickly put to flight. Likewise, the other day [Page] in Venice, Florence, and many principalities of Italy, a strange Impostor after 30. yeares or thereabouts, made them belieue he was Sebastian King of Portugall, Sebastian. slaine in Barbarie at the battaile of Alcazar, as was supposed, but in truth recouered, & obscured for a time &c. I might also add the cunning of Richard Duke of Yorke, who being in Ireland, animated the Kentish rebell Iack Cade to personate the name of Mortimer, Mortimer. for a trial how the people would affect that Title: But these florishes were only the rash burnings of a bauin, as soone extinguished as on a flame, and quickly ouerthrowne, vpon the first discouery: Only this story for the varietie, the continuance, the manner, and all other circumstances, hath made me (as I said before) amazed, and may in the reading produce the same effects in others: Yet againe, when I consider the estate of mans frailty, mutable, troublesome, and full of encumbrances, and ouerlooke the condition of mortality, which in Princes themselues is subiect to inconueniences, and many times fearefull conuulsions, I wonder the lesse, because God will be knowne vnto them, and they haue for the most part preuailed in their rights, and iustifiable endeauours. For which I also pray, that they may still hold vp the heads of triumphant & vnchangeable greatnesse, wherein (no doubt) the same diuine arme of potencie which hath protected others, will also support them from all dangerous enterprizes and fearefull treasons, either of Forraine or Domestique aduersaries.

But amongst other remarkeable accidents, this is not the least, that so many examples, so many heads cut off, so many Armies ouerthrowne,Treason did neuer long prosper. so many honourable families consumed, so much blood spilt, so great reuenges taken (as if all such enterprises were cursed in the wombe, and brought [Page] forth like an vntimely Embrion) could neuer affright others, nor be a sufficient warning to succeeding times, but euery occasion of innouation, were it neuer so foolish or exorbitant, still excited one or other to parts taking, and brought them to vntimely ouerthrowes, either by their Armies, and confederates discomfited, or by their enditements, and accusations enlarged in iudiciall triall against them: but this is the cunning of the Deuill, who to fill vp the vast dungeon of Hell, make men so prodigall of their liues and honours, or so couetous of reuenge, and vain-glory, that so they may haue a name with Herostratus, who burned the the Temple of Diana; they care not for the reproach, supposing that as many will extoll them for braue stirring spirits, as condemne them for Traitors and disobedient Subiects. O ridiculous and abhominable conceits! O hatefull and filthie imaginations! O deceiueable and imposturing impietie: Nay, in a word, O horrible and flagitious madnesse! without reason, likelyhood or inference of any probable, or perswasiue circumstance.

But least my Preface extend beyond the boundes of my hearts commission, I will attend the particulars of my Story, with this expostulation to all noble and generous spirits; yea, I will kneele on my knees and hold vp my hands vnto them, that they giue no way to any deceiueable seduction of Pope, Iesuite, Priest, Faction, Innouation, Repining at the State, Priuate ambition, Corrupted malice, and such like, against the current of gouernment, or the ebbings and flowings of the world and times. For the Maiestie of Kings will not be tied vp with the slender bindings of rebellion, nor taught any lesson against their wils either of fauouring, or disfauouring, whom they please. As for personall faults; Alas, Princes, Prelates, Officers, Maiestrates, and all sorts [Page] of men will runne the race of mortality; and if it were possible to remoue offenders at pleasure, the persons may be changed, but the imperfections continue. Let them therefore alone a Gods name; for they must stand or fall to the estate of their liues, which he hath appointed: only this I will be bold to say, I would haue no man for any priuate respect runne in the outragious races of sinnes himselfe, or defend any wickednesse in others, beare with great men in their vices, flatter or temporize for profit or preferment, yeeld vnto base or degenerating actions either for feare or fauour; or in a word, doe any thing contrary to Gods word, wherein as in a glasse men may perspicuously behold the way of life and death, and the infallible positions, which in the affirmatiue and negatiue conclude all things either by precept, or interdiction.

§

§

[Page]

Eurip. Orest.

Paruis enim res magnas quomodò caperet quis laboribus? stultum etiam velle & conarihaec: quando enim excanduerit populus, ad iram prolapsus, similis est igni ad extinguendum vehementi: si vero pedetentim quis ei concitato quidem cedens obsecundârit, tempus cautè obseruans, cum autem emiserit flatus, forsan exhalauerit.

Information about this book

Title statement

The true and vvonderfull history of Perkin VVarbeck, proclaiming himselfe Richard the fourth

Gainsford, Thomas, d. 1624?

Edition statement

1618

Publication

Publisher

Text Creation Partnership,

Place of publication

Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :

Date

2003-07 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A01405

ID [STC]

STC 11525

ID [STC]

ESTC S102839

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

99838601

ID [PROQUEST]

99838601

ID [VID]

2985

Availability

This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal. The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission.

Series

Early English books online.

Notes

(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A01405)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 2985)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 989:13)

Source

— The true and vvonderfull history of Perkin VVarbeck, proclaiming himselfe Richard the fourth, Gainsford, Thomas, d. 1624?.

Extent

[14], 112, [2] p.

Printed by E[dward] G[riffin] for Nathaniel Butter, and are to bee sold at his shop in Pauls Church-yard, at the signe of the Pyde-Bull,. London :: 1618.. (Dedication signed: Thomas Gainsforde.) (Printer's name from STC.) (The last leaf is blank.) (Running title reads: The history of Perkin Warbeck.) (Reproduction of the original in the Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery.)

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