A Diſcription of the Iſland of Britain, with its Original Denomination, &c.

THE Iſland of Great Britain, whoſe Fame has travel'd with the Sun, and reached the remoteſt Kingdoms of the Earth, is bounded with Germany and Denmark on the Eaſt, or properly with the German Ocian, on the Weſt with Ireland, or the Iriſh Seas on the North, with the Ducalidonian Seas; and on the South, with France and Normandy, ſcituate in the eighth Climate of the North Latitude, and placed in relation to Longitude between the Parrals of fourteen and ſixteen, Containing in length from Strathy-Head in the Kingdom of Scotland, to the Lizard point in Cornwal, Six Hundred Twenty Four Miles, and in Breadth, from the Iſle of Thannet in Kent, to the Lands end in Cernwal, Three Hundred and Forty Miles, though formerly its Limits were Fancied from the Orcad • s, to the 〈…〉 Mountain •

As for the time of its being peopled, (even the moſt curious Hiſtorians vary) ſome hold it to be inhabited long before the Flood, and that being a part of France, it was by the Rapid Inundation of the Univerſe, broken off from the Continent, where now the Channel parts Dover from Calais; and by that means, being left by the Flood, became an Iſland: But this I conceive only conjectural, without any warrantable Teſtimony; and is grounded upon the Pariety of the Soils, and Temprature of Air. Since that, there are others that will have it poſſeſſed by one Albion a Gyant, who beat out the Samotheans, whoſe Gigantick Race increaſed till the time that King Brute, Coaſting theſe Seas with a powre of Trojans under his Command, obſerving its ſpaciouſneſs and fertility, made a Deſcent, and ſubdued it; and of this latter Opinion, is the ſo much Celebrate Antiquary and Hiſtorian, Jeffry of Monmouth; and from this Trojan Prince he would have us believe, the Iſland took its Name: But thoſe, who have ſeriouſly enquired into the Date, he propoſes for the Landing of Brute, viz. In the 2887 Year of the worlds Creation, find not any Foundation to Build a belief, that ſuch a Man was ever in theſe Parts; but rather the Name was derived from the word Prith or Brith, ſignifying Painting, and probably the Greeks, who were then the greateſt Navigators, Sailing along the Coaſt, and perceiving the painted People that inhabited it, might, from that ſignification, give it a Name, as indeed they did to moſt Iſlands and Countries, that were not Civilized, where ever they came; or it might be from the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Mettals, for its abounding with Mettals, as it had done that of Albion, from Albis Rupibus, viz. White Rocks, that appear towards the Coaſt of France.

Theſe are the Conjecturals, and we might run on in a maze of uncertainty, till we tired the Reader; conſidering, that, before the Landing of the Romans, th • People were uncivilized, keeping no Writings or R • cords of their Country or Actions, to Druids or Prieſts themſelves being a kind of Magicians, or ſuch as dealt in Spells and Charms, preſerving their Religious Rites and Ceremonies in Hieroglipicks and Figures, after the manner of Egypt, the better to create an Awe and Dread upon the more ignorant, and raiſe an eſteem and veneration of themſelves, which otherwiſe muſt have much abated the Credit they had gained: But leaving things that are doubtful, and have never been fully cleared by the moſt curious and induſtrious Writers, we come to what is more warrantable, and for what we have ſure • grounds (laying aſide the Story of the Samothes, ſprung from the 〈◊〉 Son of Japhat, perhaps as Fabulous as the reſt) and that is to the Year of the Worlds Creation, 3873. Viz.

Caius Julius Caeſar, by the prevailing Arms of the Roman Commonwealth, having ſubdued Gallia, now France, and a great part of Germany, thirſty of new Glory, by Conqueſt, being invited hither by Andragius, one of the Sons of King Lud, upon a Quarrel that happened between him and his Uncle Caſſibelan. King of the Trinobantes, he, from the Shoars of Gallia, viewing the Coaſt, and finding, by Report and Scituation, that it was fair and fruitful, in a temperate Climate; and that its Conqueſt would highly redound to his Honour, and the Advantage of the Roman People, he ſetled, as well as the ſhortneſs of the time, would permit the new Conqueſts, and prepared an extraord • nery Fleet of Ships, and ſmaller Veſſels, for the Tranſportation of his Army; yet had he much ado to mak • the Legions Imberque, who perceiving the dreadful Rocks on the diſtant Shore, together with the roughneſs and danger of the Sea, complained, That after all the Toiles and Hardſhips they had indured, he was now about to carry them into another World; for ſo they eſteemed this great Iſland.

Caeſar, notwithſtanding the ſpeed that attended his Expeditions, was not ſo ſilent in his Preparation, but the Britains had notice of it from ſuch of the Gauis, as had made their eſcapes in ſmall Barques; and upon his attempting to land, he found the Shores between Dover and Sandwich covered with the armed Britains, under Caſib • lan and other Kings, who diſputed his landing with great reſolution and ſury, beating him twice from the Shore, with the loſs of his Sword, and the no ſmall danger of his Perſon, which conſtrained him to put his Archers on board ſmall Veſſels, whoſe Shot (to which the Britains were not accuſtomed) made them retire, whilſt under that Favour he landed part of his Legions, yet long was it before he could make good his ground, with the loſs of his huge Fleet broken to pieces by the fury of the Tempeſt, and a great number of his Men ſlain in divers Conflicts and Skirmiſhes, for the Natives ſighting partly in hook-armed Waggons, or their faſhion'd Chariots of War, and partly on foot with Spears, ſmall imboſs'd Shields, and large Swords, being exceeding nimble, charged and retired in Parties as they ſaw it convenient, and when in any Battel they were worſted, they betook themſelves to fortified Woods, which ſerved them in the nature of Caſtles: So that in the end this great Conquerour, tired with continual Alarums, thought it convenient to make a Peace with thoſe Kings that had oppoſed him, and taking Hoſtages, he returned to France, there to quiet ſome new Commotions that were ariſen.

The People, in the condition Caſar found them, were tall, big-bodied, ſtrong, and greatly addicted to hardſhip, having few Towns, unleſs ſuch as were the Capitals of their Kings, but lived in fortified Woods, the Men being allowed as many Wives as they could keep, fierce and cruel, yet ſparing in Dyet, and not much addicted to Labour, ſo that the Ground lay moſtly untilled; and when they ſowed their Corn, they only ſtrewed it on the Earth, and harrowed it over with Buſhes, on which they laid conſiderable weights; and being carried away with a notion of the Pythagorians, they forbore very much to kill or deſtroy the Creatures leſt they ſhould unhouſe the Souls of their Friends and neareſt Relations, which they concluded at their deaths had paſſed by Tranſmigration into them; ſo that Hares, Hens, and Geeſe eſpecially, were found in ſuch plenty, and ſo ſame, that it was admirable, with great ſtore of delicious Fruits, which Nature of her own accord had produced.

The Trade of the Britains, if any abroad, was very inconſiderable; for, as Caſar obſerves, their Boats were for the moſt part Leather drawn over Wicker of Oſiers, or ſuch as were fewed together with Thongs, ſo that they durſt not venture far from the ſhore, nor did they trouble themſelves with any ſtore of Proviſion when they Sailed. The better ſort were clad, but they moſtly with Skins, which they had not the art to dreſs; taking a 〈◊〉 of pride in Nakedneſs, for as much as being Young, they Raiſed and S • arrified their Skins into Carved Works, of B • rds, B • aſls, Tr • es, Flowers, Fiſt, Sun • , Mcon • , S • rs, and the like; it b • ing a Trade o • Imployment, to perſons well verſed in i • as well as Pai • ting or Carving at this Day; and in there Sears they ſuppled the Juice of Would or Wo • d, which not only coulo • red their Bod •• , 〈◊〉 ſinking in where the Skin gave way, left a laſting Stain that grew up with them to Maturity, fortifying their Bodys by ſhutting up the 〈◊〉 againſt heat or cold; and though they lived in a ſind of a ſtate of Innocency, ſequ • ſtered from the hurry and buſineſs of more Civiliz'd Mations, yet being under many Governours, they frequently Wared upon each other through Emulation; though their Riches were inconſid • rable, their Coyn, or what was Courant amongſt them, being only Braſs or Irsn, Ring • , Boxes, O • nches, at a certain Sieze or Weight, though afterward, by the Example of the Romans, they ſtamped Silver and Gold, with ſundry Devices, Imboſ • Shield ways. They made their Drink of Barly, boiled in Water, but took little account of Milk, and leſs of their Cattle, taking great pride in ſhaving themſelves all but the upper Lip, which they did in imitation of the Gauls, wearing Iron Chains about their Necks and Waſts, with Braſs Rings on their Fingers, as Ornaments; and they had Women in common, amongſt Brothers and Parents, and the Iſſue was attributed to him who firſt gathered her Virginity.

As for the Religion of the Antient Britains (if ſo I may term it, and not rather a Diaboliea • Deluſion) it was Superſtitious and Barbarous for the Druids or Prieſts, whom they held to be very Oracles, gave themſelves up to Witchcraſts and Inchantments, muttering horrid Charms, pretending to raiſe Sto • ms and Tempeſts, to call for Lightning and Thunder: Nor was their Idolatry leſs, for they had Images, almoſt without number, to which they prayed, and made Sacrifice under certain Names and Figures, as the Prieſts directed, not ſparing to offer the Fleſh of their Enemies taken in War, and amongſt them, even Prieſt-craft reigned in thoſe days; for Excommunication was of great Force, and the Theologie they held, was, that the Soul being Immortal, loſt not, nor leſſened in its Exiſtence by the dying of the Body, but paſſed in its Exiſtence by the dying of the Body, but paſſed into another, either rational or irrational Creature, and their Pxieſts were Judges in all Civil Controverſies.

This was the ſtate of the Britains, when the Romans same firſt acquainted with the Iſland and thoſe of England, ſo named ſince that time, from a place in Denmark called Engelon, or from the Eaſt Augles, were diſtinguiſhed by their Cantons or Tribes, in the following order and poſſeſſion, viz. The Cantij poſſeſſed Kent; the Regni, S • ſſex and Surry; the Durotriges, Dorſet-ſhire; the Damnoni, Devon-ſhire and Cornwal; the Belg • e, Somerſet-ſhire, Wilt-ſhire, and Sonthampton-ſhire; the Atrebati, Bark-ſhire; the Dubuni, Oxford-ſhire and Gloceſter-ſhire; the Catieuclani, Warwick-ſhire, Buckingham-ſhire, and • edford-ſhire; the Trinobantes, Hartford-ſhire, Eſſex, and Middl ſex; the Icenij, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridge-ſhire and Huntington-ſhire, the Conitani, Lincoln-ſhire, Rutlandſh • re, Northampton-ſhire, Leiceſter-ſhire, D • rby-ſhire, and Nottingham-ſhire; the Cornaby, Stafford-ſhire, Worceſter-ſhire, Cheſhire, and Shropſhire.

The Cantons of Wales had likewiſe their order and diviſion, viz. The Ordovices poſſeſſed Flintſhire, Carnarvan-ſhire, Denby-ſhire, Mountgomery-ſhire, and Merionoth-ſhire; the Silures Hereford-ſhire, Radnor-ſhire, Brecknock, Monmouth, and Glamorgan-ſhire; The Dimet • e Car • marden-ſhire, Pembrook-ſhire, and Cardigan-ſhire; the Ottodini & Brigantes Pariſi were accounted ſeparate from the former, and poſſeſſed themſelves of York-ſhire, Lancaſhire, Durham, Richmond, County Weſtmorland, Cumberland, North • mberland; and the latter, ſometimes of March, Teifidale, Tw • edale and Louthian: Theſe Diviſions had their reſpective Heads or Governours, to whom they made Acknowledgment, and payed ſome inconſiderable Tribute; though moſt of that kind fell to the ſhare of the Prieſts; and indeed their Riches was but ſmall, for Ceſar, when he found he had a conſiderable Advantage over the Southren part of this Iſland, layed no greater Tax upon them, than three hundred pounds a year, as a Tributary Acknowledgment to Rome: We might inſiſt on the Tribes that were poſſeſſed of Scotland, and the Iſland, belonging to Great Britain, but not being much to the purpoſe, it is convenient to purſue the more materialpart of Hiſtory.

This part of Great Britain, is the moſt plentiful, abounding with all Things neceſſary for the pleaſure and Support of Humane Life, and was named (as is ſaid) England, from Englone, a place in Denmark; or as ſome will have it, from a People, called Eaſt Angles, who placed themſelves in the Eaſtern part of it, in the time of the Saxons; which name, neither the Danes nor Normans, in their Conqueſts, thought fit to Change or Alter; ſo that it contained it for the ſpace of eight hundred ſeventy three years, when King James united it with Scotland, 1602. and reſtored the Ancient Name of Great Britain; and ſuch Reputation it all along had, a • to gain the fifth place in General Councils, and was ſtiled (for the abundance of Plenty it afforded, to Supply the Neighbour Nation) the Store-houſe of the Weſtern world, for from hen • s, even in early days, the Romans were wont yearly to Lade eight hundred Veſſels with Corn, for the ſupply of their Armies in other Countries; ſo that it has been often taken for the Fortunate Iſland, mentioned by antient W • iters, eſpecially the Gr • cians: But above all, it has been the peculiar Care of Heaven, in that the Chriſtian Faith was planted here, in the ſixty third year of our S • viours Incarnation; and it is held (not without good ground • ) that Joſ • ph of Aramathca, was ſent hither by Philip, the Apoſtle of France, and that he was Buried at Gl • ſſ • nbury; and ſome will have it, and ſhew much Reaſon for it, that St. Paul was here, and Preached the Goſpel: However, this is certain, It enjoyed the firſt Chriſtian King, in the perſon of King Lucius, and gave birth to that Glorious Propagator of Chriſtianity, Conſtantine, the great Emperor of Rome: But thus much for Hiſtory in General, from whence we proceed to what is more particular.

Thus Fame, to breath our Nations Glory's proud: Hark! How her Golden Trumpet ſounds aloud! From Pole to Pole, the Mighty • laſ • is gone, To fill all Nation • , circl'd by the 〈◊〉 .

An Hiſtorical Account of the Britiſh Princes, that oppoſen the Romans, in their attempting to Settle in th • ſe parts.

THE Romans, under Caſar, firſt taking the Advantage of the Diviſions and Animoſities, riegning amongſt the petty Princes of the Britains, made no other account, but to Gain a full Poſſeſſion, with little trouble or hazard; but found themſelves miſtaken, even in barbarous Valour, as they Termed it; for ſo it fell out, That King Lud, who built the W • ſt-Gate of the City of London; and was the firſt Founder of the City it ſelf, calling it Carelud, tho' not in extent, as at preſent, dying, and leaving two Son • , viz. Andragius and T • mantius, their Uncle Caſſibelane (by the Fathers direction) took upon him the Government, till they ſhould be of Age, ſtiling himſelf Prince of the Trin • bants, or new Troy, as ſome will have it; being the moſt powerful of all the Princes of the Britains, and when his Nephews were capable of Rule, he gave to Andragius Trinovant, the Dukedom of Kent; and to Temantius the Dukedom of Cornwal, reſerving to himſelf the City of Verilum, now St. Albons, and other • ependances: But Andragius being diſſatisfied with his Uncle, and hearing the Fame of Caeſars great Actions, • mplored his Aſſiſtance againſt him; and ſo far prevailed, that he came over, and Overcame this Prince, after a long and obſtinate Reſiſtance, wherein eighty thouſand were ſlain on both ſides, at ſundry times, and the Country's Amerced for breaking the Truce; and when he left the Iſland, Andragius, with a great many Britiſh Souldiers, went along with him, to help him in his Wars againſt Pompey the Great, whom he Overthrew in the Pharſalian Fields. So that, after the death of Caſſibelan, who expired at York: Temantius poſſeſſed both his Father's and Uncle's Dominions; nor had Caeſar only this Prince to Contend with, but likewiſe Cingitorix, Taximagul, and Caravil, petty Kings of Kent; but his Fortune prevailing againſt them, their Men ſlain, and they routed; the firſt was taken, and the two laſt fled: So that the Roman Arms growing dreadful to the reſt of the Princes, after they had lent what Aſſiſtance they could, and found themſelves too weak to Oppoſe a prevailing Conqueror, Senimagues, Ancalites, Bibroſes, and the reſt of the States of Icenij laid down their Arms, and ſubmitted, as did many others: However, C • eſar rather ſhewed the Romans this Iſland, than ſubdued it, or knew the Extent of it; for neither by Arms, or Intelligence, could he diſcover, whether it was an Iſland, or Continent.

Caeſar, (after having waded through the World, at a Sea of Blood, and reached the very Pinacle of humane Greatneſs) being ſlain in the Senate Houſe in Rome, by the Conſpiracy of the Senators; Auguſtus Caeſar coming to the Imperial Throne, the Britains b •… gan to bethink themſelves of caſting off the Roma •… Yoke, under Cunobeline, who held his Regal Seat •… Malden in Eſſex, and had been Kinghted by Julius G •… ſar; and indeed they went a great way in it; A •… guſtus prepared three times, utterly to Subdue him, an his Dominions, but was diverted by other Affairs: •… that in the twenty third Year of this King's Reign, th •… PRINCE of Peace, our Bleſſed Lord and Saviour, bein •… Born, the Lyon lay down with the Lamb: An Univerſ •… Peace enſued, according as it had been foretold b •… the Prophets. This was the firſt of the Britiſh King that ſtamped his Image upon his Coyn; and Dying ful •… of years, he was ſucceeded by Guiderius his Son, wh •… was no leſs deſirous than his Father, to ſhake off th •… Roman Tribute: When he heard Auguſtus C •… ſar wa •… Dead: and Caligula, who was Emperor in his ſtead •… being denied the Payment, made great preparation againſt him, but being an Emperor of little Conduct, an •… leſs Courage; coming to the Belgick ſhore, he made h •… Souldiers gather Shells in their Helmets, whilſt th •… Trumpets ſounded a Charge, as to the Battle, and •… returned in a fooliſh kind of Triumph, proud to ha •… taken the Spoils of the Ocean; but Claudius Druſius, wh •… ſucceeded him, overthrew Guiderius, and his Britain under the Conduct of his Deputy; and in the Figh •… the King was ſlain by the Treachery of one Hamo, wh •… (pretending friendſhip) in a Diſguiſe got near his Pe •… ſon; but being purſued by Arviragus, the King's B •… ther, to the ſhore of the Sea, himſelf was there di •… patched, from whoſe Fall ſome Antiquaries affir •… the Place took the Name of Hamo's Haven, now t •… Town of Southampton.

The Father and Son thus Dead, Catacratus, a ſeco •… Son to Cunobeline, aſſumed the Throne; when following his Predeceſſors, in oppoſing the Romans, he was a great and mortal Battle, overthrown with the loſs almoſt all his People; and himſelf being taken Pri •… ner, was carried to Rome, where he was led throu •… •… he ſtreets in a triumph of Deriſion, to honour Aulus •… lautinus his Conqueror; yet Togodumnuis the third •… on of Cunobeline, ſucceeded him, but with as bad for •… une; for after he had harazed their Camp, and ſlain many of them, in ſuch a manner, that Plautinus was obliged to ſend for the Emperor Dr •… ſius, who •… rought with him a great Power, a Mortal Battle was •… ought, in which the Britiſh King was ſlain; yet Ar •… iragus, the laſt of the Brothers, had leave to Succeed •… im; and he, for a while, held a fair Correſpondency with the Romans, but finding his opportunity fell off, •… nd joyning with ſome petty Neighbours, gave the •… mperor ſuch Apprehenſions of Danger, that he •… hought it beſt for his Repoſe, and the Securing the Roman Intereſt in this Iſland, to give him his Daugher Geniſſa in Marriage. This Aſſinity calmed Affairs for a time, and the Britains having learned the Roman Cuſtomes, became much civilized, forgetting their Barbarous Nature, cloathing themſelves, and building Houſes; ſo that the Iſland extreamly Flouriſhed, and •… eſted from War, during the Life of Arviragus, and was very little troubled in the time of Cogid •… nus: But Characticus, a Prince of the Silures, growing powerful, by the contracted Forces of his Neighbours, drew into the Field, and beat the Roman Souldiers from their Strenghts, making great Slaughter of them; yet in the end, being Overthrown, he fled to Cart •… ſmandua for ſhelter and protection; but ſhe, deſirous to ingratiate her ſelf with the Emperor, cauſed him, contraty to her Faith plighted, to be delivered up to his Enemies, who, the better to keep their new Acquieſſitions in Peace, ſont him to Rome, where, beholding the Magnificence of that Luxurant City, he reproved the Roman Covetouſneſs and Ambition, ſaying, He adm •… red, that they, being Maſter, of ſuch glor •… ous T •… mples, Structures, and Riches, ſhould neverthe •• ſs crave after the Cottages, and poor Poſſ •… ſſions of the Britains: And altho' this Prince was removed, another ſtood up in his ſtead, Pr •… ſutagus King of the Icenij; yet finding himſelf in no good Condition to Reſiſt, h •… made Peace, and growing near his end, left Quee •… -Boduo, and his two Daughters, in the Protection of the Emperor Nero, whom he had made his Heir; but the Ladies being of Incomparable Beauty, and contrary to the Truſt repoſed, Raviſhed; the valiant Queen called together her Friends and Commanders, acquainting them with the Treachery, and deſiring their aſſiſtance, telling them, That the Romans were infeble •… by Eaſe and Luxury; and therefore being reſolutely ſo •… upon, they would fly like a timorous Hare; and at that word (opening her Lap, ſhe let go a Hare, which ſo the purpoſe ſhe had concealed.

This ſo animated the reſt, that they immediatel •… took Arms, and falling upon the Romans, in their to •… much Security, under the Conduct of this Queen, pu •… eighty thouſand of them to the Sword; but in the en •… New Forces arriving, ſhe was forced to lay down her Arms, and ſeek for Safety: And next to he Venutius, King of the Brigantes Warred upon them but by the Trechery of his Queen, the faithleſs Cart •… mandua, he was Overthrown; ſo that the Roman having pierced into Scotland, Overthrew, in a grea •… Battle, Galgacius, Prince of the Callidonians; an •… finding none to Oppoſe them, they became abſolut •… Maſters of the Famous Iſland of Great Britain: No •… was it known, that they diſcovered it, till this time t •… be an Iſland, which was about one hundred thirty ſix years after the Landing of Caeſar, when, in a far leſſ •… time they Subdued all France, Germany, and othe •… Countrys inſinitely larger, by which we may perceive,

The Early Valour of the Britiſh Race, Who boldly durſt the worlds prou'd Conquerors Face, And put even Rome her ſelf to ſoul diſgrace.

An Hiſtorical Account of the Roman Emperors, who were perſonal in this Iſland, or Ruled by their Lieutenants.

CAius Julius Caeſar (as you have heard) was the firſt Roman that ſet footing in this Iſland, landing in the Year of the worlds Creation, 3873. But he did little more than ſhow it the Romans, laying a ſmall Tribute of 300 pounds upon it, not having paſſed with Armed Forces (as many hold) beyond St. Albans, then call'd Verillum, finding by the great Reſiſtance he experienced, he had to deal with a ſtubborn People, over which he had no other advantage; but being better Armed, and ſomwhat more expert in the Trains of War; yet, after three Expeditions, he came no more; but proceeded to put the project, of gaining the Soveraignty of the World, in practice, wherein he was Succeſsful, after the Fatal Battles of Pharſalia, Philipi, and Munda; yet his Aſpiring coſt him his Life, as has been Related.

Octavian Auguſtus Caeſar, ſucceeded Julius, after many Troubles, and much difficulty, but came not into this Iſland, though he thrice intended it; and in this Golden Reign, the SAVIOUR of the World was Born: To this Great Emperor Succeeded Tiberius; in the eighteenth year of whoſe Reign, The LORD of LIFE was put to Death, to Riſe more G • orious, and Triumph over Death and Hell, and the prodigious Defects in Nature, that attended his Paſſion; being ob • erved by Dioniſus Areopagita, as the Ecclipſe of the Sun and Moon, &c, He cryed out, that The God of Nature ſuffered, or the Frame of the world was about to be diſſolved: To this Emperor, Caligula Succeeded; but the moſt memorable Act he did, was, the Baniſhing Pontius Pilate, who, thereupon, grew deſperate, & Slew himſelf: Then came Claudius Druſius, under whom, Aulus Plautinius was Deputy in Britain, who was put ſo hard to i • , that the Emperor was obliged to come over; and, by the Marriage of his Daughter, put an end to the Troubles Nero ſucceeded him in the Imperial Throne, whoſe wickedneſſes are too many to be related in this place: Amongſt other things, he Crucified St. Peter, and cauſed St. Paul to be Beheaded, Burnt the City of Rome, Killed his Wife, Ripped up his Mother, and Perſecuted the Chriſtians with new invented Torments; he did great Injuries to the Britains, by his Lieutenants, for which Queen Boduo ſlew Eighty Thouſand of his Romans. Sergius Galba began his Reign Anno Dom. 70. But being a Cruel and Deſolute Prince, he was Killed by his Souldiers, after he had continued ſeven Months in the Throne; So that Maximus being then Deputy, the Britains felt not the Effects of his Anger; and thus, Rome wanting a Head, Marcus Sylvius Otho entred upon the Stage, yet Reigned but three Months and five Days, before he made way for Aulus Vitellus, who, after eight Months Reign, was Killed by the Souldiers, and Elavius Veſpatian, made Emperor in his ſtead: So that, in theſe ſhort Revolutions, the Britains had Peace; yet, in this laſt Reign, the Brigantes and Silures, were up in Arms, but Julius Frontius over-powered them. Petilius being Deputy, the Famous City of Jeruſalem, after an obſtinate and bloody Siege, was Taken by the Romans, under the L • ading of Titus Veſpatian, who ſucceeded his Father in the Empire, after he had Reigned about nine Years: and Reigned two years, and three months; yet we find not that he had any War with the Britains, but left the Empire to Domitian, his Brother, who raiſed a Perſacution againſt the Chriſtians, by the Example of Nero: Inſomuch, that Chriſtianity then beginning to Flouriſh in this Iſland, many were cut off, for the Teſtimony they bore to their Lord and Maſter: And Julius Agricola, being Deputy, he, upon the Revolt of the Britains, gave them •… and in a fearful Overthrow, ſlew Ten Thouſand of them, with the Loſs of Three Bundred and Forty of his own Men; and this is he that firſt diſcovered this Country to be an Iſland, and Domitian, after about fifteen years Reign, dying, Coc • eius Nerva came to the Throne of Empire, being a very Charitable Prince; but after ten Months he gave place to Trajan, who raiſed the Third Perſecution, and Overthrew the Revolting Britains, by Spartia • us his Lieutenant: Leaving the Stage of Honour, after Twenty One Years Six Months, when Adrianus was Proclaimed Emperor; and although he had no War with the Britains, he nevertheleſs raiſed a Perſecution againſt the Chriſtians, and made the Church of Chriſt weep Tears of Blood in all Lands, whither his Power extended; yet he Reigned twenty two years: But at length Antonius Pius, who Succeeded him, reſtrained, & re-called his Cruel Edicts; yet in his time the Britains (riſing in Arms) were Overthrown by Lollius Urbicus: Marcus Aurelius taking next upon him the Adminiſtration of the Imperial Power, revived the Perſecution, but had no War with the Britains; and giving place, after nineteen years Reign, Commodius took upon him the Sway of the Empire; and now the Almighty ſmiling upon this Land (with the brighteſt Rays of Divine Love) raiſed up a Chriſtian King, and the firſt that the World had ſeen, viz. King Lucius, Son to King Ceilus, and Great Grand Child to Arviragius, who Married the Emperor Druſius's Daughter; and he being more mindful of Religion, (that deareſt part of Government) than of any other Conſideration, the better to Eſtabliſh the Work, ſo proſperouſly begun, ſent two Learned Men to Elutherus, then Biſhop of Rome, to be further Inſtructed in the FAITH; who thereupon ſent him Fagarius and Damianus, with his Letter, in the following words:

You have received, in the Kingdom of Britain, by GOD's Mercy, both the Law and Faith of Chriſt; you have both the Old and New Teſtament, out of the ſame (through God's Grace) by the Advice of your Realm take a Law; and by the ſame, through God's Sufferance Rule your Kingdom of Britain; for in that Kingdom you are God's Vicar.

This I have mentioned, to ſhew, The honeſty and plainneſs of the Biſhops of Rome, before they came to be Debauched, and Corrupted with Pride and Avarice: And this good King ſo far improved the Advice, that he immediately Changed the Seats of the three Arch-Flamens, and twenty-eight Flamens, into ſo many Archiepiſcopal, and Epiſcopal Sees, appointing for the firſt three, London, York, and Glouceſter; and thereupon the Chriſtian Religion, in ſpite of the Oppreſſors, grew up like a ſtately Cedar, and overſpread the Land.

Helvius Pertinax, the next Emperor, did nothing of note, having but a ſhort Reign, not exceeding eight Months; and was Succeeded by Didius Julianus who continued not above two Months; neither o • them having any War with the Britains: Yet in the Reign of Septimus Severius, the Calledonians were up in Arms, and Heraclionus his Deputy, not being able to Quell them, the Emperor came over in Perſon, yet could not Effect it, by reaſon of the Fortreſſes and Marſhes, where they uſually Fortified themſelves, with leſs than the Loſs of fifty thouſand o • his men; and the better to Bridle them, he cauſed a mighty Wall, with Towrs, to be run from Shor • to Shore; but being come over a ſecond time, (upon new Commotions) he fell Sick, and dyed at York and in his Reign, the fifth Perſecution was raiſed againſt the Chriſtians. Baſſianus Caracala Reigne • after him ſix years, and being made Co-Emperor with his Brother Geta, he ſlew him; yet the Britains wer • not moleſted, during his Reign; and then he gave place to Opilius Maerinus, who reigned about one year two months; and was Succeeded by Heliogabilus a Lude, Debauched, and Luxurious Emperor, wh • had been formerly Prieſt to the Son, yet he held the imperial Seat four years, and then gave Place to Alexander Severus, who gave Liberty to the Chriſti • ns, to live peaceably and quiet, without oppreſſion or perſecution; but when he had reigned ſix months • nd ſeven days, he was killed by the Mutiny of the Almain Souldiers, and made way for Maximinus, who • aiſed the ſixth Perſecution; yet in his time the Bri • ains were in Peace, but three Years put a period to his Reign, and Julius Varius Maximus mounted the Throne; but he ſoon after was ſlain by the Souldiers. And Gordianus, who ſucceeded him, Reigned but forty days: For now the Petorian Souldiers began to commit all manner of Diſorders, ſetting the Empire to Sale, raiſing any one to it for Money; and then, either Killing or Depoſing them, made room for more Gain; and inſtead of One, they ſometimes ſet up Two in Co-partnerſhip, as Claudius Puppienus, and Celius Balbinus, who Reigned only a Year, then Antonius Gordianus Reigned; and after him, Julius Philippus; the one Reigning Four, and the other Five Years: Which ſhort continuance, and the Care they had to Secure themſelves, made them little mind what was done abroad; and Lieutenants of Provinces perceiving things go thus unfortunately, did not ſo much trouble themſelves, in Gathering the publick Taxes, as to ingratiate in the Peoples Favour, and enrich themſelves by Preſents and Offerings, which were daily made them, without runing the hazard of forcing them to Rebel. And now Decius coming to the Imperial Seat, ſtirred up by the Enemies of the Church of Chriſt, he raiſed the ſeventh Perſecution; but his Fury continued not, for he reigned but two years, e're he gave way to Trebonianus and Vo • uſianius, who ſtayed the Perſecution, and had Peace with the Britains: But in two years they gave way to Aelmelianus, who reigned not above two months; and though Valerianus, that ſucceeded him, held not the Dignity above a year, yet being of a Cruel Temper, he gave vent to his Anger on the Chriſtians, wh •… now, in all places, began to Multiply; ſo that agai •… the Church was forced to wear the bloody Scars of eight Perſecution; and under him St. Laurence, an •… St. Cyprian ſuffered Martyrdom.

Thus went on the courſe of things, in theſe earl •… times; and as the Wealth of Britain increaſed, ſo th •… Romans raiſed their Taxes to a higher pitch; yet th •… people, by this time, being better uſed to their Gueſt and interchanged Marriages amongſt them, the were not eaſily to be drawn into Inſurrections, eſpecially when they conſidered, they (by the Arts an •… Manufacture the Romans taught) were greatly improved.

And now came Galienus to the Imperial Seat, who notwithſtanding his fifteen years Reign, had no Wa •… with the Britains; and though Flavius Claudius wa •… a great hater of Chriſtians, and ſtudied for Torment to deſtroy them, yet he liv'd not to effect it; but having reigned two years without moleſting this Kingdom, he gave place to Quintilius, who, rather deſirous of Death than Rule, (as it appeared by the conſequence) opened his own Veins and Dyed, withou •… one way other troubling the Britains.

Aurelianus ſucceeded Quintilius, and reigned five years, without concerning himſelf with the Affair of this Iſland; yet he put out ſevere Educts againſt the Chriſtians: ſo that we may reckon under him the ninth Perſecution. Tacitus ſucceeded him; yet reigned but ſix Months, e're he gave place to Florianus and he having a ſhorter Reign, was ſucceeded by •… robus, who held the Imperial Seat five years: Theſe •… ad no War with the Britains; but Marcus Aurelius Carus, hearing they were in Arms to Recover their •… Liberty, ſent Carantius his Lieutenant, to Quiet them, but he joyned with them; ſo that the Tribute was denied, during this Emperors Reign: However, Carancius was ſlain by Alectus, a ſucceeding Lieute •… ant. Diocleſian coming to the Throne, greatly Perſecuted the Chriſtians; but God (conſidering • he Diſtreſs of His People) put an end to his Reign, • fter three Years; and ſo gave Reſt to his Church. This Emperor made great Wars in this Iſland, by his Lieutenant, but with various ſucceſs; and was • ucceeded by Conſtantius Clorus, who continued the War, and came in Perſon againſt the Calledonians and • ists: And it was this Emperor, that, finding King Coilus (his Truſty Friend) dead, upon his Arrival Married Helena, his beautiful Daughter; and reigning about thirteen Years, dyed at York, leaving his Son Conſtantine the Great, to Succeed him; but he being in his Non-Age, the Throne was Uſurped Alternately by Conſtantius Galerus, Maximus Severus, Ma • entius Lucinus, and Martinianus; But at length theſe were Overcome by the good Fortune of Conſtantine the Great, a Britain by Birth, and half ſo by Parentage; he Alotted part of his Empire to his Sons, and was the firſt Chriſtian Emperor the world beheld. Some hold, That being about to Perſecute the Chriſtians, he was ſmitten with a Leproſie, and had it Revealed to him in a Viſion, That unleſs he called home Biſhop Sylveſter, and the reſt of the Baniſhed Clergy, he might diſpair of Cure; which accordingly • e did, and found himſelf in perfect Health, which obliged him to embrace the True Religion: Others hold, That being about to give Battle, and doubting the Succeſs, he, all on a ſudden, beheld, in the Air, a bright ſhining Croſs, with this Motto, In boc vinces, In this thou ſhalt overcome: And taking thereupon the Croſs for his device, he, accordingly became Victorious; but however it happened, no doubt, God (in Compaſſion to His bleeding Church, which had undergone ten Cruel Perſecutions) raiſed up this Emperor to Heal her Wounds; and indeed, being Baptized, and Received into the Church, he leſt nothing undone that might tend to her Welfare, and the Propagation of the True Religion. Some Wars he had with the Britains, but they not conſiderable, when after a long Reign, he dyed •… Peace.

Julian, called the Apoſtate, ſucceeded this goo • Emperor, begining his Reign Anno Dom. 356. Th • man, before he came to the Throne, profeſſed Chriſtianity, and ſeemed Zealous to promote it, being perſon of great Cunning, and much Learning; bu • with the Change of his Condition, his Conſcienc • altered, which made many believe, he made Religion but a Stirrup, to Mount the Imperial Throne; fo • then he became their profeſſed Enemy, uſing all th • Policy he could, to baffle and deſtroy their Intereſt and although he did not violently Perſecute them himſelf, yet he gave way to ſuch as ſpared no Affront or Indignities; and Writ, with his own hand, a Book to Ridicule the Goſpel, calling our Bleſſed Saviour Gallilean, in deriſion: When preparing for the Wan • of Perſia, as he Rod forth, he asked one of the Chriſtians, What the Carpenters Son was doing at that time He is (replied the good Man, with an holy Anger making a Coffin for your ſelf: At this Julian ſmiled but whether prophetically ſpoke, or by chance, it ſo • fell out: That riding at the Head of his Army, an • Arrow, none knowing from what hand it came, Mor • tally wounded him; whereupon, perceiving hi • Death certain, he drew forth the Arrow, and throwing up handfuls of his own Blood in defiance to Heaven, he cried out; Viciſti Galilee, thou haft Overcome me O Galilean; and ſo expired: After whoſe Death, Jovinianus took the Rule, and had ſo grea • a liking to the Chriſtian Religion, that he eaſilyembraced it, cauſing the Souldiers and People to do the ſame; and would often Expreſs himſelf in theſe terms: O that I might govern wiſe men; and wiſe men • govern me! His Reign was but ſhort, not exceeding a Year, when he gave place to Valentinianus, in whoſe Reign the Roman Empire was threatned by the barbarous Nations, who made great Spoil and Deſolation; inſomuch, that the Legions in Britain, were drawn off to Aſſiſt nearer home; which gave • e Picts and Iriſh an opportunity to Invade and • arraſs this Kingdom, with great Spoil, and Slaugh • r of the People, which made them beſeech the Em • ror for Aid; and Theodoſius was ſent with a Po • er that Repelled the Invaders, and left the Bri • ins in Peace, but no longer, than till the Romans • ere departed: He was moreover a great Favourer • f the Chriſtians, reſtored their Temples, and for • id Idolatrous Worſhip, and Mid-night Sacrifice; and • aving found ſome treacherous dealing amongſt his • en of War, he was wont to ſay; Gold was tryed • ith the Touch ſtone, and Men with Gold: And to him • ucceeded Gratianus and Valence, the former behaving himſelf with all due Reſpect to the Chriſtians, but • he latter cloſed with the Arian Hereticks againſt them; cauſing eighty of the Chriſtians to be ſent • o Sea in a Ship, and there ſet it on Fire, giving them • he choice, either to Drown themſelves, or Periſh in • he Flame: Yet, after a Reign of Six Years, full of Trouble, Maximus, and Valentinianus, took place; but the firſt held it ſo ſhort a time, that, in many Authors, he is not mentioned; they had no War with the Britains, and had indeed enough to do, to Defend themſelves; and were ſucceeded by Theodoſius, who began his Reign Anno Dom. 379. under whom the Chriſtian Religion flouriſhed; and Damaſſus being Biſhop of Rome, the Second General Councel was held, and now, for the ſpace of ſix Months, the World was ſo troubled with Earth-quakes, that the Diſſolation, and Ruine they occaſioned, is not countable.

Arcadius, and Honorius, next took place, viz. 402. In whoſe Reign a marvellous Thing happened at Conſtantinople, viz. About Noon, a Fire entering the Great Church, faſtned upon the Biſhops Seat, and Conſumed it; thence growing up like a Pyramid, ſeized the Roof, and Burnt it, not doing the People, then Aſſembled, any harm, though it paſſed through them; leaving the Church, it paſſed directly •… Senate-Houſe, and reduced it to Aſhes: This ma •… looked upon, as a Divine Preſage of thoſe Miſeri •… that ſoon after befel the Church and State; for no •… the Roman Greatneſs growing to a period, the Bra •… ches being too ponderous for the Bole, to Suppo •… the Storms of War, that came thundring from ſevral Quarters, rent and tore them in pieces; inſ •… much, that we may ſay, The Red Horſe, and h •… Rider were ſent forth, about this time, To take pea •… from the earth: and now the Britains groaned under the weight of their Enemies, the Picts, Scots, an •… Wild Iriſh, who came upon them in great Swarm laying waſte all their pleaſant places, which mad •… them again Addreſs the Romans (who had ſo lon •… been their Maſters) for ſpeedy Succour; but ha •… word ſent them: That their hands were full of En •… mies, and that they could not ſpare any of their Forces •… However, Theodoſius Junior, and Valentinianus, coming to the Thrones of the Weſt and Eaſt; for now th •… Roman Eagle was double headed, a Legion wa •… ordered for Britain; upon whoſe approach, and after ſome Skirmiſhes, the Barbarous People retired; and the Romans, before their departure, taught the Britains the more perfect Exerciſe of Arms, ad •… moniſhing them to renew, ſtrengthen, & fortifie their Wall from Sea to Sea, and keep Watchmen o •… the Towers to defend them, and give notice of the Enemies approach, ſeeing they might be confident this was the laſt time they could expect any Succou •… from Rome; ſo that after a poſſeſſion of 597, years the Romans of their own accord left the flouriſhing Iſland of Britain, carrying with them, at ſundry times, the Flower and Strength of the Land to aſſiſt them in •… their Foreign Wars, by which the Britains lay more eaſie and open to the Inroads and Incurſions of their Enemies.

•… us 〈…〉 , whom balfe the world obey'd, •… r conquering 〈…〉 ſpread •… ve hundred ninety ſeven years, and then • fatal times •… the Iſle again: •… en blood and 〈…〉 rag'd in every place, •… d Crimſon Seas had delug'd Natures Face; •… en 'twas, Great Kingdom, thy ſad Woes came on, •… us plagues o'er took thee, that thou thoughts't to ſhun, 〈…〉 friendly ſeeming Saxons more undone.

〈◊〉 what means the Saxons came to Conquer this Kingdom, and divide it into a Hepterchie, with their Succeſſion of Kings, and Diſcription of their reſprective Kingdoms, till it was reduced to a Monarchy, and from thence till conquered by the Danes.

THE Romans, as we have ſaid, by a voluntary relinquiſhment having left this famous Iſland in •… mbered with reſtleſs Enemies, whoſe Ravages and •… oils are too many to count, and the poor defence •… ſs Britains quite wearied out with continual Ala •… ms, Slaughters, Burnings, and the Raviſhment of •… eir Wives and Daughters, heartleſs to defend •… emſelves, and out of all hopes of Aſſiſtance from •… eir old Maſters the Romans; they at laſt underſtand •… g the Saxons were a powerful and prevailing Peo •… e in Germany, who had inlarged their Borders, and one great Actions, reſolved to apply themſelves to his People for Succour; and hereupon Vertigern •… e King, with the conſent of his Nobles, ſent Am •… ſſadors to the Heads of the Saxons, and Jutes, ordering upon the Rhine, laying before them the •… plorableneſs of the Kingdoms condition, and how was at a point to be loſt, the Enemy having al •… ady advanced as far as Stamford in Lincolnſhire, •… ith dreadful Spoil and Devaſtion, intreating a ſpeedy Succour and Protection, promiſing large Re • wards for the Service. The Saxons having well • weighed the thing, upon certain notice of the • Fruitfulneſs of the Country, and finding their own • Borders to ſtreight and ſcanty for their numbers, • immediately cloſed with the requeſt of the Britains • diſmiſsing their Ambaſſadors with a very obliging • Letter, and inſtantly drew out 9000 Men, under the • leading of Hengiſt and Horſus, two Brothers of a • noble Family, who with expedition, ſuitable to the • imergency of this occaſion, landed at Ebsfleet in • the Iſland of Thanet, where they were received by • the King's Order with Songs and congratulations o • Joy, and then joyning with them ſuch Forces as he • had drawn together, gave the Enemy Battle with • great ſlaughter, defeating and overthrowing them ſo that they were obliged not only to repaſs th • Wall that was drawn from Sea to Sea, as a defence • againſt Scotland, but to leave the Kingdom in entire peace: So the face of things ſeemed very much • changed, but long this tranquility had not laſted before the two Brothers (the firſt having married his Daughter Rawena to the doting King, who had fallen in love with her, upon a Complement ſhe paſſed in drinking to him) gave their Soldiers ſo much liberty, that the People found themſelves greatly oppreſſed, of which reitered Complaints were made and the King uſed his intereſt with the Captains • to reſtrain them, but they connived at it, and demanded larger Pay, giving out, That they would lay th • Kingdom iu Aſhes, if it were denyed them; ſeizing upon ſundry Towns and Caſtles; ſo that the Nobles perceiving the King blindly carried away by the counſ • ls of his young Wife, on whom he infinitely doated; they conſulted with Vortimer his Son, 〈◊〉 Prince of great Hope and Courage, when drawi • together what Forces they could, without th • knowledge of the King, they ſell ſo unexpectedl • upon the Saxons, that having overthrown them in 〈◊〉 bloody Battle, they reſolved to drive them out of the Land, which accordingly they did, forcing the remainder, with their Captains, to take ſhipping and be gone.

This defeat, and diſappointment, ſo perplext the Brethren, that gathering greater Forces they came again, coaſting the Country in their Ships and Barks, and under pretence of friendſhip, and deſire to have the Daughter with them, they were permitted quietly to Land; but here their treachery appear'd, for it being agreed, that ſo many of theirs ſhould hold a conference, with a like number of the Britiſh Nobles, about ſetling Affairs, and reconciling the Differences between them and the Saxons, under their long Coats they hid ſhort Swords, & during the Treaty, & upon and watch-word given by Hengeſt, fell upon the unarmed Nobles, who expected no ſuch matter, killing all but one Earl, who geting a Hedgeſtake, made his paſſage through them, and alarumed the Country with the fatal news: And this ſome Authors affirm to be done upon Salisbury plain, but, however, the Nobles thus dead, the Juits, Angles and Saxons, fell on with Fire and Sword, killing and deſtroying all that came in their way, carrying a Torrent of Deſtruction from Sea to Sea; ſo that the poor Britains being utterly diſheartned, and deſtitute of a Head, fled before them like Flocks of timerous Sheep to the Mountains and Faſtneſſes, many of them living in Rocks, Caves and Woods, upon ſuch as Nature afforded them, to avoid the fury of the deſtroying Enemy, who reſolutely bent upon a total Conqueſt, daily ſent over for more of their Companions, who came in ſwarms, devouring like Locuſt all the good things of the Land.

Thus the miſery of the Britains renewed, and theſe People began to frame their Government, dividing the Country by Lott into ſeven Parts or petry Kingdoms, called from thence, The Hepterchie of the Saxons in this order.

1. Kent. 2. South Saxons. 3. Weſt Saxons. 4. Eaſt Saxons. 5. Northumberland. 6. Mercia. 7. Eaſt Angles.

Theſe they formed into Kingdoms, ſtriving, as much as in them lay, to exterperate the whole Race of the Britains, and raiſe themſelves in their places: Some may be curious to know the Original of this Tranſmarine People but Originals of this kind are generally obſcure, but Hiſtorians conjecture they were a branch of the Sacae an Aſian People, who came into Europe to find themſelves better Habitations, and planted on the Banks of the Rhine. They were upon their arrival in Britain Idolaters, worſhipping a God for every day in the Week, and greatly perſecuted thoſe they found to perſevere in the Chriſtian Faith: And when they went to Battle, they had certain Songs prepared to invoke the favour of their Deities, and were very unmerciful, for they ſacrificed every tenth Captive, and would admit of no Ranſom.

The Garments of the Saxons were in the form of a Gaſſock, claſped over, or pined with wooden Pins their Weapons, bended Swords, with three notches on the back, in the form of a Back-ſword, but broader, with fiat ſloaping points, and battel Axes, uſing to try the quarrel of a whole Province, by ſingle Combate, ſuffering their Virgins to Marry but once; and their Men were forbid plurality of Wives, except they were Noble; and they, only for want of Iſſue; Adultry they puniſhed were ſeverly.

Theſe People going under the Denominations, o • Saxons, Argles, and Jutes, devided the Kingdom, now called England, for King Vort • gorn, being (by his Inr • ged Subjects) over-whelmed with wildfier in his Caſtle or Pallace, as the cauſe of all their Calamities, by g • ving (at firſt) too much way and countenance to th • 〈◊〉 , they parted it out as they found themſelve • in moſt power or advantage, by birth; and Hengiſt having leave to take his Lot, choſe Kent, and formed it into a Kingdom, Stiling himſelf the firſt King of Kent, begining his Reign 455, and Reigned with great ſucceſs, 34 years; and was ſucceeded by Eſca or Oſcia, from whom the Inhabitants were called Eskins, this Prince began his Reign in the year of our Lord 490, and continued it 24 years, giving place to Octa who Reigned 23 years; and was ſucceeded by Imerick, who ſomewhat inlarged his Borders, and continued his Reign till 562; and during his time, was held the ſecond General Counſel at Conſtantinople, for the Eſtabliſhment of the Church; when by the Pious and Exampler lives, and Preaching of good Men, Chriſtianity, that had been trampled on by the Saxons, began to revive in Britain; ſo that Ethelbert, that ſucceeded Imerick began to harken to them, and upon the Arrival of Auſtine, the Monk, and Forty others with him, ſent by Gregory, Biſhop of Rome, he was Converted, and Baptized Anno 596. In the 36th year of his Age, and the 4th year of his Reign, giving a general Liberty to his Sujects, to Renounce their Paganiſme; ſo that, theſe good Men (by the Kings Appointment) ſetling at Canterbury, are reported to Baptize and Convert 10003. in a very ſhort time; which proſperous Work, by the Influence of Heaven, ſoon over-ſpread the Kingdom, and God, accordingly bleſſed the King with a Long Reign; for he continued in his Throne 36 years, and then was ſucceeded by Edbald, who, at firſt, was averſe to the Chriſtians, and for fear of him, Melitus, and Juſtus fled their Biſhopricks, but he being Converted by Laurence, Arch-Biſhop of Canterbury, they were recalled; but having Reigned 24 years, he gave place to Ercombert Anno 5 • 2. This King brought Chriſtianity to be highlier prized than before, turning the Idol Temples, that had been heitherto allowed. into places of True Worſhip, commanding the firſt Lent to be kept, that this Kingdom knew; but after a Reign of 24 years he dyed; and was ſucceeded by Egbert his Brother, who baſely Murthered Ethelred, and Ethelbert, his two Nephews, Sons to Ercombert, and • aſt the Dead Bodies into the River Medway; for which (no doubt) his Reign was ſhorter than any before him for he continued it but 9 years, ending it by Death 666, and was ſucceeded by Lothaire, who, after holding the Scepter of Kent 11 years, Engageing in a Bloody Wa • againſt Ethelred King of the Mercians, and Edrick, King of the South Saxons, he was ſhot through with a Dart which put an end to his Life and Reign. In his time a • third Counſel was held at Conſtantinople, being the 6th General Counſel for the Proviſion and Eſtabliſhment o • the Church; Agathus, being Biſhop of Rome and Ederick ſucceeded this Prince, he held not the Scepter long before his Subjects, (upon a diſguſt) took Arms againſt him, and ſlew him in a pitched Field, maintaining themſelves againſt all Oppoſers, So that the Kingdom lay deſtitute of a Head, for the ſpace of ſix years 〈◊〉 this Kings Reign being the ſhorteſt of any, Viz. two years only; but at the end of 6 years, Withred, hi • Brother for a great ſum of Mony payed to Inas, go • the Poſſeſſion, and Reigned 33 years; and there gave place to Egbert, who began his Reign 727, in his time there appeared two fearful Commets, thaeatning Wars, and Deſolation, which afterward Enſued by the falling out of Petty Princes; he Reigned 23 years, and was ſucceeded by Ethelbert, Anno 750, who held the Throne 11 years, and gave place to Edrick, who loſt his Life after a Reign of 34 years, in a fatal Battle at Otteford, againſt Offa King of the Mercians; and in his time another General Counſel was held at Nice, and conſequently the ſecond General Counſel; and then the Kingdom of Kent was Uſurped by Ethelbert the third, who (for that cauſe) being Wared upon by Kenwoolf, he was taken Priſoner, and crrried into Mercia 〈◊〉 yet he afterward was releaſed, and Reigned 3 years giving, at the end of that time, place to Cuthred, whom Kenwolf, King of the Mercians, Inſtated in the Thron • of Kent: Yet his Reign was ſhort, terminating in the ſpace of three years, and Baldred ſucceeding him, (after a long diſpute with the Mercian King, and 18 years continuance in his Kingdom) was forced to flee, and leave the Poſſeſſion to the Conqueror; who, about the year 824, made it ceaſe to be any longer a Kingdom, annexing it, (by right of Conqueſt) to that of Mercia; in which, for the future, we muſt account it: This Kingdom continued entire 372 years.

Thus fell the Kentiſh Kingdom, thus bereft Of all its Grandure, to the Conqueror left; Its name was ſwallowed by a greater ſway, Ingulf'd, in what we muſt call Mercia.

An account of the Kingdom of the South Saxons containing, Suſſex and Surry under the Succeſſion of four Kings.

THis parcel of the Britiſh Land fell firſt to E ••• Captain of the Saxons, who brought ſupplys out of Germany, at their greateſt need, Landing at Shoram in S • ſſex, where he gave barrel to the Britains, and by a great overthrow obliged them to the Woods and Faſtneſſes, whereupon, ſending for more Aid to A • ſure him in his Conqueſt, he took poſſeſſion of Suſſex and Surry, begining his Reign 488. and continued it 32 years. Then giving place to Coſſa, who Reigned, as ſome will have it 72 years; and to him ſucceeded Ethels Wolfe, who, after 25 years Reign, was ſlain by Cadewel, a Baniſhed Prince of the Weſt Saxons; yet before his death, the Chriſtian Religion was tolerated in his Kingdom, himſelf being Converted by, (as Bede has it) Biſhop Willfride, tho' ſome allow his Converſion to Berinus Biſhop of Dorcheſter, however, he was held to be a good Prince; nor did Cadewel long reſt in quiet, after his death, for Barthun, and Authun, took up Arms againſt • im, and made him fly the Kingdom, but he returning with a great power, overcame the two Dukes; and after that, it became a part of the Weſt Saxon Kingdom, when it had continued a Kingdom 133 years.

Thus ſet the ſecond Kingdom, or it's Fame; For from this time, it loſt it's ancient Name.

An account of the Weſt Saxon Kingdom, containing Cornwal, Devonſhire, Barkſhire, and Hampſhire, with the ſucceſſion of Kings.

THe firſt that poſſeſſed himſelf of this Kingdom, was Chardick, a low Country German Captain, who entred Britain about the year of our Lord 495. and Killing Nataulcon, a great Prince of the Britains, in a dreadful Battle, he made himſelf King of the Weſt Saxons, beginning his Reign in 501, and continued it 33 years; at the end of which, he gave place to Kenrick, who proſecuting the War againſt the Britains, gave them two great overthrows, at Banbury in Oxfordſhire, and Shrewsbury in Wiltſhire, whereby they loſing Courage, and hopes of Conqueſt, left him in quiet poſſeſſion of what his Father had acquired; but after a Reign of 26 years, he was ſucceeded by Chewlin, who fought Ethelbert, King of Kent, and defeated his Army at Wimbledon: And this is accounted the firſt Battle, the Saxons had amongſt themſelves; he gave likewiſe a great overthrow to the Britains at Bedfold, and ſurprized four of their Towns as Liganburgh, Alisbury, Benſington, and Eveſham; and about ſix years after, he fought the Britains at Durham, and ſlew Coinmagil, Caudigan, and Farmnagil, three of the Britiſh Kings; thereupon ſurprizing Gloceſter, Bath, and Cirenceſter; but at length, ſome Saxons Joyning with the Britains, to Oppoſe his growing greatneſs, he was overthrown at Wodensbeoth, and his Son Cuth ſlain; and thereupon Cearlick, his Nephews, proſecuting the War againſt him, bereft him of the Kingdom, after •… e had Reigned 33 years; yet the Nephew held it but •… x years, before he gave place to Chelwoolf. This •… rince held the Scepter of the Weſt Saxons Kingdom 14 •… ears, but being aſſaulted by the Britains, in confedra •… y with the Scots and Picts, after much trouble and •… ile, he dyed in the Wars; ſo that his Kingdom fell •… Kingil, who gave the Britains Battle at Beandune, •… nd killed 1046 of them; and the better to ſtrengthen •… imſelf, he made peace with Penda, King of the Mar •… ans, and was converted to the Chriſtian Faith, by •… erinus, to whom he gave Dorcheſter, as a ſeat. This King Reigned 31 years over the Weſt Saxons. and •… hen gave place to Redwald, who was Baptized, and Reigned 13 years; after him Eskwin began his Reign, •… 75. and continued it but two years, being overcome •… t that time by Wolfere, King of the Mercians, at Bu •… amhford, and moſt of his people ſlain, and was ſuccee •… ed in the Kingdom of the Weſt Saxons by Kentwin, who was a greater Perſecutor of the poor remnant of •… he Britains, making them fly into the Rocks and Mountains for ſhelter and ſecurity; but his Reign •… aſted not long, for at the end of 9 years he dyed, and gave place to Cadewalde, who ſlew Ethelwoolf, King of •… he South Saxons, and afterward uſurped his Kingdom; and being a Heathen, he deſtroyed many of the Chriſtians, eſpecially the Clergy; but in the end, he was ſucceeded by Ine, who began his Reign, Anno 688. •… he brought the South Saxon Kingdom into a province, and had Wars with the Britains and Mercians, and made many wholſom Laws; upon which, many now •… n force, are founded; he built the Abby of Glaſſenbury, and went a Pilgrimage to Rome, and there dyed. This was he that gave the Pope the firſt Peter-pence from England, to be payed on Lammus day; his Reign continued 37 years, and was ſucceeded by Ethellred, in whoſe Reign, two dreadful Blazing-Stars appeared; his Reign continued 14 years, and then he gave place to Cuthred, Anno 740. this King made Peace with the Mercians, and Joyning his Force; with them, the cruelly opreſſed the Britains, but Adelem, an Ea •… and one of his Subjects, Rebelling againſt him, h •… was obliged to give it over, to Defend his Trritories but having Reigned 14 years, he was ſucceeded b •… Siges •• rt. This King cauſed Cumbra, an Earl of h •… Counſel, to be ſlain for reproving his Vices, whic •… occaſioned his Subjects to Rebel, and forced him t •… ſhelter himſelf in a Wood, where he was found, an •… ſlain by the Earls Swinheard, when he had Reigned about a year; to whom Kenwoolf ſucceeded, who Wa •… ed very furiouſly on the Britains, and gave them gre •… overthrows; but in the end, himſelf was overthrow •… by Offa, King of the Mercians, and there ſlain, •… Captain Ciyto, but his Subjects recovered hi •… Body and revenged his death upon the Captain, and Eighty of his followers. The King thus dead, Brithrick ſteped into the Throne, in whoſe time divers ſtrange prodegies, and Phantoms appeared, as well in the Air, a •… on the Earth; and when he had Reigned without any conſiderable Action, fell by Poyſon, which he took in in a confection, the Queen had prepared for one of hi •… paramours; whereupon he fled into France, and ther •… died Miſerably, and now this Kingdom began to draw to a Period, or rather to looſe it's name, to be joyned with the reſt, in a ſole Monarchy; for Egbert ſucceeded Brithrick, Anno 806. as King of the Weſt Saxons, he (after a long War, wherein much blood was ſpilt) gained an abſolute rule over the Seven Kingdoms, making a ſtrict Law againſt the Welch, that ſhould dare to venture over Offas Ditch, which he appointed for their Boundard, he ſlew Bernulph, King of the Mercians in Battle, and drove the King of Kent out of his Kingdom, and to his Conquering Arms the Eaſt Angles, and Eaſt Saxons, likewiſe ſubmitted, ſo that finding none oppoſe him, he cauſed himſelf to be Crowned the firſt ſole Saxon Monarch at Wincheſter, and gave the Country the name of England; and the Danes, (with 33 Ship) Landing in the 14 of his Reign, he gave them • attle, but was Obliged to retire with loſs; and the • ext year (being invited by the Britains) they Landed •… Wales, againſt whom he Wared, and was Victorious. This was the 17 King of the Weſt Saxons, that had • eigned ſucceſſively, and began his Reign as ſole Mon • rch, Anno 819, and Reigned 17 years, and in all 36

Thus the divided Kingdom did Unite, And on one head her Crown ſhone Dazling bright.

An Account of the Eaſt Saxon Kingdom, which contained Eſſex, and Middleſex, begining Anno 522, and continuing 305 years under the ſucceſs of 14 Kings.

THe firſt that we find to Govern the East Saxons, was Erchenwine, who began not his Reign, till Anno 527, and is held continued it Sixty years; and • hen gave place to Sladda, who held it only 9 years, when Sebert took upon him the Kingdom; and being Converted to the Chriſtian Faith by Miletus, Biſhop of St. Pauls in London, which had been founded by himſelf, and Ethelbert King of Kent, in the place where • he Temple of Diana had ſtood, reſtored them their priveledges, and free Exerciſe of Religion, which had before been denyed them, and Reigned 12 years, noted to be the firſt Chriſtian King of the Eaſt Saxons; Seered ſucceeded him, Anno, 617. who, contrary to his Predeceſſor, put many Indignities upon the Chriſtians, as Prophaining their Communion-Tables, and Offering to Idols; for which, being reproved be Miletus, he baniſhed that Biſhop, and fell heavey upon the reſt of the Clergy; but at the end of 6 years, he was ſlain by King • ils, King of the Weſt Saxons; and Sigesbert Reigned in this ſtead, Continuing King of the Eaſt Saxons, by the ſpace of 23 years; and after him Reigned Sigebert, whom Oſwye, King of the Northumbers, perſwaded to be Baptixed, and accordingly it was performed by Biſhop Finnan; but being of a wild and ſordid natur •… when he had Reigned 15 years, his Brothers Conſpir •… againſt him, and ſlew him, and Swith •… lm ſucceede •… Anno 661, who was Converted, and Baptized •… Biſhop Cedda, and Edelwald, King of the Eaſt Angl •… ſtood his God-Father, but he Reigned only 3 year •… and then gave place to Sighere; who, after he had bee •… Baptized, turned Apoſtate, but brought again to •… former Principles, by the means of Woolfere, King •… Mercia; he cauſed the Idol Temples to be Demoliſhe •… and in his time a Raging Plague continued for th •… ſpace of 5 years: Sebba, ſucceeded him; but havin •… Reigned about 30 years, he layed down his Crown as more deſirous of a Monaſtick Life, and entred th •… Monaſtery of St. Pauls, London; and Sigherd took upon him the Government, and Reigned 7 years; A •… the end of which Seofrid began his Reign, which continued 7 years, as the former; yet in neither of the •… Reigns, did any thing Memorable happen, nor in the •… Succeſſor Offa's; for he (when he had held the Scepte •… of the Eaſt Saxons 8 years) went to Rome, and the •… turned Monk, and dyed in that ſtate: Selred began hi •… Reign 722, and Reigned 38 years, without any thin •… Memorable, except His Wars with the Mercians; and leaving Cuthred, (his Succeſſor,) Imbroyled in Troubles, Egbert King of the Weſt Saxons, at the end of •… years, drove him out of his Kingdom: ſo that, after the Succeſſion of 14 Kings, it was, in the year 872 made a part of the whole, under a ſole Monarch.

Thus Heaven, by ſecret Wheels, Winds on the Fates, Of Empires, Kingdoms, and of petty States; Turns all things, as is in Wisdom thought, That his Decrees be to perfection brought.

An account of the Northumber Kingdom, and Succeſſion of Kings.

THe Kingdom of the Northumbers, contained Northumberland, Cumberland, Yorkſhire, Durham, •… ncaſhire, Weſtmerland, and ſome part of the Marches; •… d began in the year of our Lord 547, continuing 379 •… ar, but it does not Challenge a Succeſſion of Kings, •… long; for the number found, are but 25; and of •… eſe in their order.

Ida and Ella took upon them to be Kings of the Nor •… umbers, Conjunctly, Anno 547 and continued 24 •… ars, but were obliged, (after 15 years of that Term) •… take in 5 Partners, Viz. Adda, who held it 7 years, •… appa 5 years, Theodwald 1 year, Frethulf 7 years, •… odorick 7 years; but of theſe, ſome dying, and others •… ing diſpoſſeſſed, Ethelfride took place, making great •… ar upon the Britains, and Subdued Edanaden, King •… the Scots, whom he Overcame in a great Battle at •… egsaſton, and at Weſtcheſter; he ſlew not only the •… uldiers of the Britains, but even the Monks, and Religious of all ſorts, to the Number of 1100, and Ban •… ed Edwin the Britiſh Prince, who fled to Redwold, •… ing of the Eaſt Angles, who, Joyning his Forces with •… e Britains, they fought againſt Ethelfride, and ſlew •… m, when he had Reigned 33 years; and Edwine was •… aced in the Kingdom, who, at length, turning Chri •… ian, reſtrained the Perſecutions that had been made in •… oſe parts, againſt the Church; he was Baptized by •… aul • nus at York, together with many of his Nobles, but Reigned not above 7 years, and then Oſrick came to the throne, whoſe reign was far ſhorter for, within a year, Waring on the Britains, he was ſlain by Cadwal, their King, and ſo made way for •… ſwald, who ſlew Cadewal, a Britiſh Prince, but was Overthrown by Penda, the M • rcian King; and ſlain at a place called, from that Mifortune, Oſwaltree, when he had Reigned 9 years, •… nd ſucceeded by Cſwye; this King gave Battle to Ofwine, Prince of the Deirans, at Wilfairs-Downs, wh •… flying the field, was by one of his confidents delive •… ed up, and put to Death; and altho' Ethelbald, Son •… Oſwald, and Egbert King of the Eaſt Angels, Unite •… their Forces with Penda, King of Mercia, he Ove •… threw them, near Leads in York-ſhire, Killing Pe •… Ethclbald, with 30 Dukes and Leaders, giving tho •… United Armyes a great Overthrow, and decided th •… long Controverſy about the Celebration of Eaſter; an •… founded the Cathedral Church in Litchfield, for a Biſho •… See: He Reigned 28 years, and was ſucceeded b •… Egfride, who, raiſing a great Power, and Waring upo •… Ethelred, King of the Mercians, he found not the Su •… ceſs of his Prodeceſſor; nor being ſo contented, •… made an expedition againſt the Iriſh, who then, ( •… ſmall Barks) perplexed the Coaſt, but following the •… too far in the Mountains, he was Intraped by an Ambuſhment, and there ſlain, after he had Reigned •… years; leaving his Kingdom to Alfride, who, thoug •… he Reigned 20 years, did nothing of Note, he was ſu •… ceeded by Oſred, who gave himſelf up to Prodigiou •… Luſts, Inſomuch, that he forced Nuns out of their M •… naſteryes, to ſatiate himſelf; and commiting outrage •… he was at laſt ſlain by Kenred, and Oſwick, when h •… had Reigned 9 years; and theſe alternately ſucceede •… him, the one Reigning two years, and the other 11 •… but we find nothing worthy of note in their Reigns.

This being removed Ceolenuif took the Scepter, bu •… was more given to devotion than to Rule; inſomu •… that at the Expiration of 8 years, he layed aſide his Roy •… al Robes, for a Monks Habit, making him a Cell in a •… Holy Iſland, where he lived a Contemplative Life and in his Reign, two threatning Commets appeared the one before, and the other after, Sun riſe and ſe •… continuing ſo to do, for the ſpace of 2 Weeks; A •… now Egbert took up the Scepter, and having held it 2 •… years, turned Monk, ſuch was the Superſtition of tho •… times: To conclude, that by ſo doing they Mer •… Heaven. Oſwulph ſucceeded Egbert, but his Reign wa •… •… hort, and unfortunate; for ſcarcely had he held it a year, but he was Murthered by his Servant, at the In •… tigation of his Step-Mother, to promote h •… r own Son •… t Mick'e Woughton; and Ed •… lwald took place, but in •… he 6th year of his Reign, he was ſlain by A •… red, who •… teped thereupon into the Throne; but at 9 years end, •… or his many Violences, and cruel Dealings, he was, •… y his Subjects Expeled the Kingdom, and Eth •… red •… laced in the Throne; but he being twice depoſed for •… is Miſgovernment, was at laſt ſlain by his Subjects, •… nd Alfwald, who ſucceeded him, after he had Reigned •… 1 years, was Murthered by the Conſpiracy of Siga; •… nd Oſred ſucceeded him, in the year 789, but after a •… ears Reign, his Subjects Expeled him the Kingdom.

Thus the Northumbers Kingdom Wavering ſlood, Sometimes in Peace, ſome times in War and Blood, There's nothing ſtable men, and fortune Change, Fates unſeen Springs, can Monarchys unhinge, Or make a Kingdom to a Peſant crindge

An Account of the Kingdom of Mercia, or the Midland Kingdom of the Saxons, with the Succeſſon of Kings.

THis Kingdom more large than the reſt, contained the Counties of Rutland, Linco • , H • tington, • eiceſter, Derby, Notingham, Oxford, Ch • ſh • re, •… • ire, Glouceſterſhire, Wor •• ſterſhire, S •••• ordſhire, Becking • amſhire, Warwickſhire, Be •••••• ſhire, and •… • nd frequently contend • d with the reſt; for the ſole Monarchy beginning in the year 582, and contin • • out 292 years under the Succeſſion of 20 King • ; in • der as followeth:

Crida, the firſt of the Mercian Kings, began his Reign 582; and being a very w •• lik • . Prince, had gr • ſped larger part of the Iſland than the reſt, holding it with ſo hard a hand, that nothing could be taken from him, during his Reign of 12 years. Wibba ſucceeded him in the Throne, who greatly perplexed the Britains, and incroached upon the Neighbour Saxons • But when he had reigned 20 years he dyed, and Ceorle took place, but did nothing of moment: Hi • Reign laſted only ten years, when P • nda the Great and Warlike King of the Mercians, came to the Throne, who ſlew in a pitch'd Field Edwin and Oſwald, Kings of Northumberland; Sigesbert, Egfrid and Ema, Kings of the Eaſt-Angles; and Expulſed Red • wald, King of the Weſt Saxons, out of his Countries •… But Fortune not always favouring, he in a Battle againſt Oſwye, King of the Northumbers, ventering t • far upon his late Succeſs, was there ſlain, when he ha • reigned about 32 years.

This great King thus diſaſterouſly fallen, Penda •… Wenda took upon him the Government, and becam • the firſt Chriſtian King of Mercia: But being young and his Step-Mother deſirous to prefer her own So • conſpired with ſome of his Nobles againſt him, an • procured him to be murthered in the Third year o • his Reign, but miſſed her aim; for Wolfere, a ſecon • Brother, was placed in the Throne: This Prin • conquer'd the Weſt Saxons, won the Iſle of Wigl • and gave it to the King of the South Saxons; an • altho he, before his Converſion, had cauſed his tw • Sons to be put to death, for ſuffering themſelves •… be Baptized, he becoming a Chriſtian, greatly •… mented that Cruelty, and cauſed the Heathen Temples to be converted to the Worſhip of God, and held to found the Abby Church of Peterborough: Y • he reigned but Four years, being the Seventh pet • Monarch of the Mercians. Ethelred ſucceed him •… the Throne, and warred upon the King of Kent wi • great fury, inſomuch, that Blood was ſhed like W • ter; nor did the Churches, or Abbies, eſcape his Rag • putting W • lfridus out of his Biſhoprick of Northumberlan • : But at laſt he reſigned his Crown to Kenr • his Nephew, from whom he had unjuſtly detained it, and ſtructen with remorſe for the Blood he had ſhed; •… e turned Monk, and dyed in that ſtate; his Reign, however, continued 29 years, and in that ſpace two •… lazing Stars appeared.

Ke • red coming to the Throne, held the Scepter of • he Mercian Kingdom in much peace Four years, and •… hen falling into a Melancholly, he coveted a Mona •… tical Life, & reſigning the Crown to his Couſin Chelred: He went to Rome with Offa, King of the Eaſt Saxons, •… nd Edwin, Biſhop of Wincheſter, and there dyed a Monk. Chelred ſucceeding Ki •… red, found a trouble •… ome Reign, for he was fiercely warred upon by In •… s, King of the Weſt Saxons, who greatly envyed him: •… o large a Kingdom his Reign continued Seven years, •… & he was ſucceeded by Ethelbald, who greatly perplexed •… he Northumbers, by making Incurſions into their Country, which occaſioned C •… thred, King of the Weſt •… axons, to give him Battle, and overthrew him at •… urford: But ingaging him a ſecond time, Ethelbald •… o dealt with the Weſt Saxon Soldiers, that they ſlew •… heir Maſter near Tamworth in Warwickſhire. This King founded the Monaſtery of Crowland, and reigned over the Mercian Kingdom Eleven years, and then gave •… lace to Offa, who warred upon •… rick, King of Kent, •… nd ſlew him at Ottef •… rd and ſo marching from South •… o North, brought all in ſubjection, as he paſſed, over •… rowing Kenwolf, and his Weſt Saxons, near Merton; •… nd made a Ditch of prodigeous length and breadth •… o be caſt up, to hinder the Incurſions of the Welſh •… ritains, who preſuming to throw a part of it down, •… e entered their Territories with Fire and Sword, •… ew Marmodius their King, and all his Aſſocietes; •… nd the Danes landing in his time, were beat back •… ith great ſlaughter: He it was that procured, at •… reat coſt, the Canonization of Alban, the Proto •… artyr of this Kingdom, and built a Monaſtry in the Town of that Name, giving a Tenth part of his •… oods to the Church-men and Poor, as an Expiation for the Blood he had ſhed: He began his Reign, An •… 758, and continued it 39 years. Egfrid ſucceeded thi •… great King, and being of a Pious Inclination, he reſtored the Church to all her Antient Priviledges, o •… which his Father had deprived her; but his Reign wa •… ſhort, for it exceeded not four Months.

Kenwolf ſucceeded this good Prince, and began hi •… Reign with a War againſt Kent, whoſe King he mad •… Priſoner, and gave his Kingdom to Cuthred; but at th •… Dedication of his new Church at Winchcomb, he reſtored his Royal Priſoner to Liberty; and in hi •… 22 years Reign did many great Exploits, and wa •… ſucceeded by Kenelem: But this Prince was unfortunat •… in his Youth, for having diſcovered ſome cloſe Intreagues between his Tutor and Quindride his Siſter the latter to prevent his reproofs, cauſed the forme •… to Murther him, when he had Reigned about thre •… Months; and Cleolwolf, who ſucceeded him, reigne •… but a year before he was Expulſed his Kingdom by his Subjects, at the Inſtigation of Bernulf, who ther •… upon ſtepped into the Throne; but being warred upon by the Weſt Saxons, and Eaſt Angles, he was ſlai •… in Battle the Third year of his Reign, Anno 831; an •… Ludecan, who ſucceeded him, felt the like Fate i •… the Second year of his Reign, from Egbert the We •… Saxon, in Conjunction with the Eaſt Angles. Witl •… the next King of the Mercians, was overcome •… Egbert, and forced to flee his Kingdom, in the Thir •… year of his Reign. And now the Danes began to pe •… plex the Coaſt, having an Eye to the Conqueſt •… Britain, ſo that they drove Berthulf, who ſucceede •… W •… laf, out of the Mercian Kingdom, in the Thirteenth year of his Reign: And although Brudre •… got the Poſſeſſion of it, Anno 852, yet they kept hi •… in continual Alarums; and, notwithſtanding, at fi •… he was Victorious over them, yet they returning wit •… greater Force, he was forced to quit the Kingdom when he had reigned about Twenty years, and w •… the laſt of the Saxon petty Monarchs in this Kingdo •… of Mercia.

Thus Kingdoms toſt by fickle Fortune's hand, Muſt Riſe and Fall, yet ne'er are at a ſtand: Great things oppreſs themſelves with their own weight, And ſtill muſt yeild to the Decrees of Fate.

An Account of the Kingdom of the Eaſt Angles, with their Succeſſion of Kings, &c.

THis Kingdom, ſo named from the Angles that claimed it for their Portion, contained Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridge, and the Iſle of Ely, and took upon it the form of a Kingdom, Anno 373, continuing • 53 years, and had the Succeſſion of Fifteen Kings, of whom in their order.

Uffa was the firſt King of the Eaſt Angles, who • etled and founded the Kingdom, but was in his beginning very much oppoſed by the Britiſh Princes: He Reigned Seven years, and gave place by Death to Titulus, who Reigned a longer time; for ſome Authors will have it, that he held the Scepter of this Kingdom about 32 years. Redwald ſucceeded him, • nd altho, upon his coming to the Throne, he was a Chriſtian, he turned Idolater, he aſſiſted Edwin to gain the Crown of Northumberland, by ſlaying Ethel • ride in Battle, and reigned over the Angles 8 years; Expenwald ſucceeded him. This King profeſſed Chri • tianity, and not being well ſetled in his Kingdom • ne Richebert conſpired againſt him, and ſlew him, when he had reigned Twelve years: And Sigebert ſucceeded him, being a younger Son of Redwald; but being given up to a devout Life, he after two years Reign, reſigned his Kingdom, and turned Monk: But that place could not ſecure his Life, for he was • lain by Penda. Egrick, upon the reſignation, took up the Scepter, yet he reigned but four years, before Penda overcome his Country, and ſlew him in Battle. Anna ſucceeded him, but after a Twelve years Reign •… Penda, who was a mortal Enemy to the Angles, cam •… again, overcome and ſlew him.

Upon the unfortunate falls of theſe laſt Kings, E •… theibert got into the Throne, as a favourite of Penda's but he had not reigned about Two years, when O •… win, King of the Northcumbers ſlew him in Battle, fo •… taking part with Penda againſt him: And Edelwa •… ſucceeded in the Throne, yet he reigned only Eigh •… year •… before he gave place to Aldu •… , who reigne •… Nineteen years, and then E •… ſwo • f ſucceeded in a Reig •… of Seven years. Beorn reigned after him Twenty fo •… years, and then gave place to Ethelred, who reigne •… Thirty five year •… , yet there is nothing memorably recorded of their Actions. And now theſe petty Kingdoms growing to a period, Ethe •… bert began his Reign •… but having diſpleaſed the bloody Quindride, Wife t •… Offa King of the Mercians, ſhe prevailed with he •… Husband to ſend for him, under pretence of givin •… him one of his Daughters in Marriage; but having got him in her power, ſhe cauſed him to be put t •… death, when he had reigned Forty five years, an •… was ſucceeded by Edmund, in whoſe time the Danes cam •… over in great numbers, burning and deſtroying before them; inſomuch, that the King was obliged to ſhu •… himſelf up in Framingham Caſtle, and after a lon •… Seige ſurrendred it: But the Pagan Danes, not regarding their Faith, having ſtripped the poor King, fin •… beat him with C • dgels, then ſcourged him, and afte •… that, tying him to a Stake, ſhot him to death with Arrows, whilſt with much Patience and Devotion he ſuffered the uſage, calling upon the name of Jeſu •… and recommending his Soul to his Redeemer; th •… years of his Reign are doubtfully mention'd, however he began to Reign over the Eaſt. Angles, An •… 794; he was afterwards cannonized a Saint, and th •… Town of St. Edmunds-bury ſtill remains in remembrance of him.

Thus you the Saxon Hepterchie may view, How firſt it riſe, and to a period drew, To riſe more glorious in what does euſ • e.

The Saxon Government, under ſole Monarchs, with the Succeſſion if Kings, their Reigns and Actions.

THe Hepterchie of the Saxons appearing very troubleſome in their continual Wars amongſt themſelves, and thoſe of the Danes and Britiſh Princes, who ſtill held out, the chief of the laſt that •… ppoſed them, during their petty Kingdoms, were •… ortimer, Son of Vortinger, who reigned Four years; Aurelius Ambroſius, who reigned Thirty two years; •… ter Pendragon his Brother, who reigned Eighteen •… ears; Arthure, of whom the Monks, have created ſo •… any Fables, that the truth of his Actions are doubtful, who reigned Twenty ſix years; Conſtantine, Son •… f Cador, Duke of Cornwal, and Couſin to Arthur, who •… eigned Three years; Aurelius Conatus, who reigned Thirty three years; Vortiporus, who reigned Three •… ears; Malgo Cononus, who reigned Five years; Care •… cus, who reigned Three years; Cadwan, who reigned Twenty two years; Gadwallo his Son, who reigned forty eight years, and Cadwallader, who reigned •… leven years: Theſe were the Chief, of the Britiſh Princes, who oppoſed the Saxons, and held •… eir Kingdom for the moſt part, in Wales and the Marches, giving them, at ſundry times, many notable •… verthrows, diſputing their Country with the Inva •… ers, till their Power was waſted, and the remainder of •… heir People compelled to betake themſelves to the Mountains and Faſtneſſes. Egberts's Fortune prevail •… ng he united the ſeven Kingdoms into one, and be •… ame the firſt ſole Saxon Monarch, cauſing himſelf to •… e crowned at Wincheſier, giving the whole Country the Name of England, and the People the Epethit •… of Engliſh. In the Fourteen year of his Reign, th •… Danes with thirty three Ships landed in England, t •… whom he gave battle with ſuch Forces, as on the ſudden could be raiſed, but was worſted, looſing two Dukes, two Biſhops, and moſt of the Common Soldiers, he hardly eſcaping the Field, yet afterwards th •… Danes were driven to their Country; but not ſo much diſcouraged, as to hinder their landing in Wales th •… next year, and there they joyned the poor remainde •… of the Britains: But the King being aware, had more time to draw his Forces together, when giving then battle, he overthrew both parties; yet not long after th •… Danes ſacked the Iſle of Shippy, and were not with out much ſlaughter expelled.

This was the Seventeenth King of the Weſt Saxon •… and Firſt ſole Monarch of England, beginning h •… Reign as Monarch 819, and reigned Seventeen year •… much improving and increaſing the welfare of th •… Kingdom.

Ethelwolf the Second ſole Monarch, eldeſt Son •… Egbert, began his Reign, Anno 837, and was in h •… Fathers time Biſhop of Wincheſter: But being in •… manner conſtrained to take upon him the Government, he reſigned his Biſhoprick to Swith •… n his Tut •… and gave a great overthrow to the Danes at Ocl •… freeing the Church Lands from all Trib •… tes and R •… gal Services; and going to Rome, at the Biſhop's pe •… ſwaſion, he confirmed Peter-pence, and ſetled a yea •… ly Penſion of Three hundred Marks upon the R •… man See, and continued his Reign about Twen •… years.

Ethelbald ſucceeded Ethelwolf, being his eldeſt S •… by his Wife Osburge, who was his Butlers Daughte •… •… his Valiant Actions ſufficiently appeared againſt t •… Danes in his Fathers Reign; but that which bloted •… great Actions was his Marrying Judith, Danghter •… the French King, and his Mother-in-law: But •… reigned only two years, and was the Third ſole M •… narch of the Engliſh Men.

Ethelbert, the ſecond Son to Ethelwofe, ſucceeded •… is Brother, Anno 860, he was continually alarumed •… y the Danes, who finding the pleaſantneſs of the •… ingdom, compared with their Rocky Land, came in warms, ſometimes landing in one place, and ſome •… mes in another, and deſtroyed W •… ncheſter; but the •… ople gathering in great numbers, and falling upon •… em before they could recover their Ships, moſt of •… em were ſlain: He reigned Five years, and then •… ave place to

Ethelred, in whoſe Reign the Danes and Norwig •… ans got more and more footing, and being Pagans, •… ed all manner of Rapin and Violence, deſlowring Virgins, and raviſhing Women, not ſparing the Veiled Nun, but deſtroyed the Abbies and Mona •… eries; ſo that to ſave their Chaſtity, by the advice •… f their Abbeſs, the Nuns of Codingham Monaſtery •… ut off their Noſes and upper Lips, to render them •… elves deformed, and that the frightful ſpectacle might •… ay the Luſts of the inſlamed Danes; but it prevailed •… ot, for the Monſters having firſt deflowred them, •… ut them to the Sword, and ſet the Houſe on fire, •… nd ſo proceeded under the leading of Hungar and Hub •… a, their Commanders in chief, to burn the City of •… ork, committing extraordinary Outrages and Vio •… ences: But Ethelred at length gave them a great over •… hrow ſlaying one of their Dukes, or petty Kings, with nine Earls, and a great many common Soldiers: •… ut about eighteen days after, being recruited with •… ſh Forces, they put the King to ſlight at Baſing, •… nd about two Months after wounded, and overthrew •… im at Merton, of which wound he dyed, when he had •… eigned about Six years; and was ſucceeded by

Elfride, fourth Son to Ethelwolf, who fought ſeven Battles with various ſucceſs againſt the Danes; for in •… is time they ſorely oppreſſed the Land, inſomuch •… hat the High-ways were unfrequented, and the Ground •… n moſt places Untilled, and the King himſelf obliged •… o flee into Woods, and Deſart places, but in the end, weary of that ſolitude, he put himſelf in the Hab •… of a Muſician, under which diſguiſe he diſcovered t •… ſluggiſh ſecurity of the Danes in their Camp, whe •… upon ſecretly rallying his ſcattered People, he ſu •… priſed them in that manner, killing a great number •… them, and taking their Standard: And more Da •… attempting to land in Devonſhire under Halden th •… Captain, the people riſe generally in Arms, and falli •… upon them near Exeter, kill'd the Captain, and 8 •… of his Followers. This King cauſed all Thieves to baniſhed, and divided the Kingdom into Shires, Hundred and Tythings, he founded the firſt common Scho •… in Oxford, which is now called Univerſity Colledg •… and continued his Reign Twenty nine years.

Edward, the Eldeſt Son of Elfride ſucceeded him and began his Reign 901, when ſoon after he came •… the Throne, his Nephew Ethelwald ſtirred up •… Subjects to rebel againſt him, but they were quiet •… without much trouble; yet the Danes were ſtill •… poſſeſſion of one part of the Country, which ma •… the King build a ſtrong Caſtle at Hartford, and mar •… againſt them, when at St. Edmuns Ditch he gave the •… Battle, but prevailed not, however, in that Mort •… Battle two of their Kings, viz. Ethelwald and Croc •… cus were ſlain: And ſoon after he gave them anoth •… Battle at Wodesfield with a great overthrow, killi •… two other of their Kings, and two Earls, with abo •… 4000 Common Soldiers: He reigned Twenty fo •… years and gave place to

Etheiſtance, who began his Reign 923; his Subject upon his coming to the Crown, roſe in Mutine unde •… Elfrede a Norman, but the Ring-leader taken, and ſe •… to purge himſelf, they were quieted; yet he was •… jealous of his Brother Edwin, that he conſented •… his being murthered, which created in him ſuch remorſe, that he cauſed his Murtherers to be put •… death, and had like, ſoon after, to have been ſlain •… his Tent by one Anlafe a Dane, but by a lucky r •… moval he eſcaped, and a Biſhop, who had pitched •… •… ent on the ſame Ground, was aſſaulted and ſlain. •… fter he had killed many of the Danes with his own •… nd, as well Nobles as Plebeans, and having •… yed their fury, he had leiſure to paſs into Scotland •… th a powerful. Army, and brought that Kingdom •… o ſubjection: But upon his return, he found the •… nes had ſtrengthened themſelves, yet he routed them •… ar VVincheſter, and in this conteſt, it is reported, Guy •… rl of VVarwick ſought with Colbron, the Daniſh Gi •… t of mighty ſeize, and ſlew him hand to hand, as •… e Kings Champion in ſingle Combat; and ſo far read the fame of this King, that Hiſtorians report •… ut with what credit I know not) that Hugh King •… France, greatly deſirous of his friendſhip, ſent him •… e Sword of Conſtantine the Great, which had in its •… ile one of the Nails that faſtened Chriſt to the Croſs; likewiſe his Spear, which was that with which Lo •… •… us peirced his ſide with a piece of the Thorny Crown •… wore, that Otho the Emperor ſent him a Landskip •… with precious Stones, and the King of Norway a •… ip with guilt Decks, and Purple Sails, he reigned •… een years, and was the Eldeſt Son to King Ed •… d.

Edmund the fifth Son of King Edward, ſucceeded his •… other Anno 940. he fought ſundry Battels with vari •… s ſucceſs againſt the Danes, and his Son Dunmail re •… lling againſt him, he cauſed his Eyes to be put out; •… was Crowned at Kingſtone upon Thames, his picture •… memory of it being ſtill preſerved in the Church •… ith many other •… , his Succeſſors he made many whol •… m Laws, but interpoſing, as ſome Authors have it, •… tween two Deueliſts, he was unfortunately run •… rough after he had reigned ſix years.

Edred ſucceeding Edmund Anno 946. the Danes be •… n to gather courage not without being privately a •… mated by ſome treacherous Engliſh, and amongſt •… em Weelſtan Arch-Biſhop of York; ſo that •… the •… cauſed himſelf to be Crowned King of Northum •… rland, againſt whom Edred marched with a great Army, but had the Rear of it ſurpriſed by the underhand dealing of Woelſtan; however, he made his party good, put the Danes to the rout, and returned with victory. He made St. Germans in Cornwal a Biſhops See, which was by Canute the Dane tranſlated to Credington, and at laſt ſetled at Exeter by Edmund the Confeſſor, where • it at preſent remains. This Edred was Tenth ſole Monarch of England, and reigned Nine years.

Edwy ſucceeded Edred, Anno 955, and was crowned at Kingſton upon Thames, where it is repoted he committed Adultery with a great Lady, his near Kinſwoman, in the ſight of his Nobles, and afterwards cauſed her Husband to be ſlain, that he might more freely enjoy her: He thruſt out the Monks, and put married Prieſts in the places of thoſe that affected a ſingle Life; Baniſhed Dunſtan, who is now ſtiled a Saint, and the ſame that is reported to have taken a ſhee Devil by the Noſe, with a pair of Tongues, for diſturbing him at his Forge. Theſe things turned the Peoples Affections againſt the King, to a degree of laying him aſide, and ſwearing Fealty to Edgar, which made him pine to death, after he had Rul'd Four years, and was buried in the New Abby Church at Wincheſter.

Edgar began his Reign, Anno 159, he recalled Dunſtan, and outed the married Prieſts, making a Penalty againſt Drunkenneſs; and the Land at that time being peſtered with Wolves, he laid a yearly Tribute of three hundred Wolves Heads upon the Prince of Wales, and upon the Noble-men and Free-holders, according to the largeneſs of their Poſſeſſions, ſo that in a few years they were all deſtroyed: He made it his buſineſs once a year, to ride the Circuit of his Kingdom, to inquire of Abuſes done by his Judges in Illegal Actings, or thoſe that were done by private Perſons one to another, inflicting ſevere puniſhments on ſuch as he found tardy; yet he have himſelf up to prodigeous Luſt, inſomuch, that caſting his Eyes upon any Women he liked, he would have his ſatiſfaction by fair means or force; and killed Ethelwald an Earl, and one of his principal Courtiers with a Spear, as he was hunting in the Foreſt, becauſe he had married a beauteous Lady, Daughter to Duke Orgarus, when he had ſent him to fetch her for his own uſe, and then took her to Wife: He deflowred a Nun, called Wolfechild, and got on her a hopeful Brat, which was afterwards Sainted by the name of Edith; and afterwards another Nun, called Ethelflede, on whom he begot his Son Edward, who ſucceeded him; he had peace, except a little bickering with the Welſh, all his Reign, feared a broad and at home, having the greateſt Navy of any King before him, ſome Authors reporting it conſiſted of Three thouſand Ships: He was crown'd at Kingſton upon Thames by Otho, Archbiſhop of Canterbury, and reigned ſixteen years.

Edward, the Thirteenth ſole Monarch of England, began his Reign, Anno 975, and was uſher'd in by a Famine and a Blazing Star, with great contentions between the Monks and Married Prieſts: Dunſtan taking taking part with the former, and Duke Alfarus with the latter, and meeting to Diſpute in an upper Room, the preſs being great, the Flour fell down, and many were wounded, only Dunſtan's Chair ſtood fixed upon a Poſt, which gave ſuch credit to the Monks, who without doubt had contrived the ſinking of the Four, as appeared by the Chair, being fixed, that they gained the point, and the Married Prieſts were turned out, ſuffering great neceſſity, no Man daring to entertain or relieve them: Soon after this, the King going a Hunting, and being near the Caſtle of Queen Elfreda, his Motherin-Law, he ſeparated from his Company, and went to pay her, and her Son, a viſit: But the treacherous Queen to advance her own, cauſed one of her Servants to ſtab him in the Back, whilſt he was drinking on Horſeback at her Gate; whereupon turning his Horſe he fled the farther Treachery, but not finding his retinue, he through loſs • of blood fainted, and falling in the next Wood, expired when he had reigned four Years.

Ethelred the Son of Edgar, and Elfreda ſucceeded Edward, who for his ſlowneſs in Affairs, was Nick-named, The Unready; he was Crowned at Kingſtone upon Thames, the ordinary Seat of the Saxon Monarchs, and upon his Coronation day a Cloud was ſeen throughout England, half reſembling Blood, and half Fire; and in the third year of his Reign, the Danes Landed in divers parts of this Kingdom, committing great Outrages, and much about the ſame time, a great part of London was laid in Aſhes. The King not being able to oppoſe the Torrent of the Daniſh power, compounded a Peace for 10000 Pounds a Year; but finding their Advantage, they ſoon raiſed it to 40000 l which 〈◊〉 heavy upon the Nation, and was called Danes Guilt, o • Danes Money, nor did this ſuffice them, but they pillaged, and ravag'd the Country ſo extreamly, that the King to free his Sublects from the Oppreſſions they groaned under, gave them private notice on St. Brices day to fall upon the Danes in all the Cities and Towns where they quartered, which was done with ſo much ſecreſie, that moſt of them were cut off, this being done on the 13 of November, Anno 1002. the News flew into Denmark, whereupon new ſwarms came over, under the Leading of Swanus, who deſtroyed all before them with Fire and Sword, in ſuch a terrible manner, that the People fled to the Woods, and Mountains, and although the King bought his Peace at the price of 30000 Pounds, yet not long after they flew 900 Monks and ſuch as were of Religious Orders in Canterbury, and having gotten a great ſum of Money from the Archbiſhop Aphegus for his Ranſom, they notwithſtanding ſton • d him at Greenwich, ſo that the King perceiving their treachery, and cruel dealing, and that he was no ways capable of oppoſing their fury, he ſent Emma his wiſe with her two Sons, to her Brother Richard Duke of ••• mandy, and ſoon after left the Kingdom to follow them, but Swanus being ſtabbed by his own Me • , and Canutus his Son ſet up in his ſtead. Ethelred returned, but finding many Treaſonable Deſigns carried on againſt him by Edricus one of his Dukes, and a powerful Enemy in the Land which he was no ways able to oppoſe, he died for grief when he had Reigned thirty ſeven years, and was the fourteenth ſole Monarch of England.

Edmund the Eldeſt Son of Ethelred Sirnamed Ironſide, ſucceeded him Anno 1016. and was Crowned at Kingſtone upon Thames, by Livingus Arch-biſhop of Canterbury, though Canute then Reigned as King at Southampton. This Edmund gave the Danes many Battels, and being of a hardy and couragious temper, he great • y raiſed the drooping hearts of his Subjects, raiſing the Siege of London, and worſting their Army four times in open fight, ſo that Canute having Challenged him to a ſingle Duel, for the Kingdom he loyfully accepted the offer, ſo that going into an Iſland called Alney near Gloceſter, they fought valiantly, but Canute finding himſelf over matched, and having received ſome dangerous Wounds, he deſired a Parly, which being granted, he ſaid, What ſhould move us, moſt Valiant Prince, that for the obtaining of a Title we ſhould thus indanger our Lives, better it were to lay Malice and Weapons aſide, and to condeſcend to a Loving Agreement: Let us now therefore become ſworn Brothers, and divide the Kingdom between us, in ſuch League of Amity, that each may uſe the other as his own, ſo ſhall the Land be peaceably governed, and we joyfully aſſiſt each other in neceſſity.

Upon theſe words, they threw down their Arms, and embraced as Friends in the fight of both Armys, ſo that the Kingdom being divided, Edmund had the South, and Canute the North; but in a while after, Edrick the Treacherous Duke, who had betrayed the Councels of Edmund, thinking to ingratiate himſelf with the Danes, run a Spear into the Body of the King as he was eaſing himſelf, and having by that means killed him, he cut off his Head, and haſtening with i • to Canute, he cryed, Hallſole Monarch of England, behold the Head of thy Copartner; upon which Canute promiſed to advance him above all the Nobles of England, but whilſt the Traytor was big with expectation of honour and preferment he cauſed him to be Arreſted, and cutting off his Head fixed it on the Tower, advancing him in that ſenſe as he deſerved. This Edmund was Third Son of Ethelfrid, and Fifteenth ſole Monarch, his Reign exceeded not a year.

Thus the Great Saxon Monarchy did yield, And with her ſlaughtered King gave up the Field, To the Blood-thirſty Danes but three ſhort Reigns, Bring back the Saxons and expire the Danes.

The Daniſh Monarchy over England, and what remarkably happened in the Reigns of the three Daniſh Kings, &c.

THe Original of the Danes as indeed all Originals is variouſly reported by Hiſtorians, ſome will have that People derived from the Scythians, and others from Scandia an Iſland Northward, however when they Invaded England, they were populous, as it appears by their continual repairing the great numbers they loſt for their firſt Invaſion, was in the year of our Lord 787, and were about 230 years before they gained the ſole Monarchy. They were as to their Religion Pagans.

Canute their firſt ſole Monarch was Crowned at London, by Livingus Arch-biſhop of Canterbury, Anno 1017. he upon his coming to the Crown Baniſhed Edwin Son of Ethelred, and ſent Edward and Edmund, the two Sons of Eumund Ironſide to his Brother then King of Sweed • n, to be made away, and proceeded to Mary Queen Emma, who had been Wife to King Ethelred, and was Siſter to the Duke of Normandy, upon condition the Heir gotten on her Body ſhould ſucceed him in the Engliſh Throne, upon which he aſſembled the Peers in Parliament at Oxford, and there made many good Laws, eſtabliſhing the Chriſtian Religion, injoyning that all decent Ceremonies tending to Devotion and D • vine Worſhip, ſhould be obſerved with reverence, that the Lords day ſhould be kept holy, and a Clergyman that ſhould kill a Layman, or be found guilty of any other notorious Crime, ſhould be deprived of his Order and Dignity. A married Woman committing Adultery, to have her Noſe and Ears cut off, and a Widow marrying within a Twelvemonth to looſe her Joynter, and being great in power both by Sea and Land, ſome of his Flatterers would needs go about to perſwade him, that not only the Earth but the Ocean was obedient to him, and that he might raiſe or calm it at his pleaſure, and he then being at Southampton, to upbraid them cauſed a Chair to be ſet on the Sand when the Sea was coming in, and placing himſelf in it commanded the Sea to retire, and not dare to wet his Garments, but the regardleſs Waves roaling on, daſhed him to that degree, that he was forced to remove when turning to his Paraſites he ſaid, You well now perceive all the might and power of Kings is but vanity, for none is worthy to have the name of King, but he that keepeth Heaven Earth and Sea in obedience to his Will: And from that time he declined to wear his Crown, cauſing it to be placed on the Head of Chriſts Crucified Imageat Wincheſter; and gave many large Gifts to the Church and Church-men, building ſeveral Churches, and going a Pilgrimage to Rome, procured the taking off the exceſſive Charge the Engliſh Arch-biſhops were at when they took the Pall. He Reigned eighteen years, and was the 16. ſole Monarch of England, being Buried in the old Monaſtery at Wincheſter.

Harold ſucceeded his Father Canute, though he was oppoſed at his Enterance by Earl Goodwin; he was likewife Son to Queen Emma, and Crowned at Oxford by Elmothius Arch-biſhop of Canterbury, uſing man • D • vices to get Edward and Alfr • d the two So 〈…〉 into his hunds, he decoyed over the latter in his Mothers Name, but he landing, in hopes to be joyned with the promiſed Forces was betrayed by Earl Goodwin, and the King ſetting upon his ſmall Forces at Guilford, cauſed them all except every tenth man to be ſlain, and taking. Alfrid alive, he made his Eyes be put out, and faſtening one end of his Bowels to a ſtake, he was pricked round with Ponyards till ſuch time as he had drawn out his Guts, and ſo died this poor Prince: Nor did he reſt here, but proceeded to Baniſh Queen Emma, and Confiſcate her Goods for reproaching him with the Death of her Son. This Harrold was ſecond Son of Canute, and the ſeventeenth ſole Monarch of England; he began his Reign Anno 1036, and Reigned four years, being buried (according to Stow) at Weſtminſter.

Hardicanute ſucceeded Harrold, being invited over from Denmark, both by the Danes and Engliſh, and Crowned at London by Elnoth Arch-biſhop of Canterbury, he cauſed the Body of Harrold to he digged up, and cutting off the Head threw it into the Thames, but it being found by ſome Fiſher-men, they decently Interred it in St. Clements-Danes, ſo called for its being the chief Burial place of the Danes. This King was given much to Eating and Drinking, inſomuch, that he cauſed his Tables to be ſpread four times a day with all manner of Dainties, and raiſed a Tax of 32147 pounds to maintain a great Fleet at Sea and in vain Oſtentation Earl Goodwin ſitted out one with a Golden ſtern, and Men compleatly armed with guilt Arms and Armour, but the King hearing the Tax was denied, and that Thurſton and Feader, two of his Collectors were ſlain by the people at Worceſter, he expulſed the Biſhop and burnt the City; but as he was Revelling at a Wedding in Lambeth, he ſuddenly f • ll down dead, when he had reigned about two years: He was third Son of Canute, and the eighteenth ſole Monarch, he began his Reign Anno 1040, and was 〈◊〉 at Win • r, and with him fell the D • ſh Monarchy in England, and the Saxons re-entered to the no ſmall Joy of the people,

Thus Monarchies and Monarchs riſe and fall, Whilſt worldly Pomp is Fortunes Tennis-ball.

The Saxon Monarchy reſtored, &c.

HArdicanute being dead, Edward the ſeventh Son of Ethelred by Queen Emma, was ſent for out of Normandy, where he had taken Sanctuary during the Daniſh Monarchy, and Crown'd upon his Arrival at Wincheſter by Edſine Arch-biſhop of Canterbury, Anno 1042. and to gain the greater favour of the people he remitted the Tax of 40000 Pounds a year, which had for 40 years been levyed upon all Lands except thoſe of the Clergy, by the Name of Dane-Guilt, and the better to ſettle his Kingdom, he compiled a Body of wholſom Laws from thoſe of the Mercians, Weſt Saxons, and Danes, ſtill known by the Title of Edward the Confeſſor's Laws written in Latin, his Wars were only with the Welſh, Iriſh, and ſome Danes, but thoſe very inconſiderable, yet Earl Goodwin being very powerful, joyned with his Sons againſt him, and in January a very deep Snow falling, which covered the Earth, till the middle of March, the Cattle, and Fowls of the Air were ſtarved in abundance, and the Summer produced Lightnings that burnt up the Corn, whereupon a Famine enſued, and the King (at the Inſtigation of Goodwin, and Robert Arch-biſhop of Canterbury, ſeized upon his Mothers Jewels, and committed her Priſoner to the Abbey of Warwick, putting her to undergo the Law Ordalium, which is to paſs over nine hot Plowſhares with naked feet, and blindfold, laid about a yard aſunder, which ſhe did without touching them before ſhe knew ſhe was come to the place; ſo that a reconciliation hereupon enſued, and this manner of tryal was by way of Purgation for ſuch as were ſuſpected of Incontinency, he Impriſoned her for Marrying Canute and not aſſiſting him and his Brothers in their Extremity.

In this Kings Reign a great Earth-quake happened, and Earl Goodwin was choaked at the King's Table with a piece of Bread, which he wiſhed might choak him if he had any hand in the Death of Alfrid the Kings Brother. He is accounted the firſt King that ever Cured the King's-Evil, he Marry'd Edith Daughter to Goodwin, a very Beautiful Lady, but had no Children by her, being reported never to have Carnally known her, and ſeeing a needy Courtier come into his Chamber one Morning as he lay in Bed with the Curtains drawn, and take as much Money out of his Coffer as he could carry, he ſuffered it without ſpeaking, but upon his third coming he reproved him of Covetouſneſs, charging him to be gone, for if Hugoline his Treaſurer ſhould come and ſeize him in the Fact, he would be ſure to ſtretch for it, and ſcarce was he gone when the Treaſuaer, who had caſually left open the Coffer, came, and appeared in a great Conſternation at the loſs; but the King bid him not trouble himſelf, for he that took it had moſt need of it: And lying ſoon after upon his Death-Bed, perceiving thoſe that ſtood about him to weep, he ſaid, If you loved me you would not weep, but rejeyce becauſe I go to my Father, with whom I ſhall receive the Joys promiſed to the Faithful, not through my merite, but the free mercy of my Saviour, who ſheweth mercy on whom he pleaſes. And giving up the Ghoſt he was buried at Weſtminſter, when he had Reigned 20 Years and 6 Months, and 27 Days; he rebuilt St. Peter's Weſtminſter, and St. Margret's Church; made the firſt Great Seal, and was the 19 ſole Monarch of England, called the Confeſſor.

Harrold Son to Earl Goodwin, and Sitha his Wife Siſter to Swain the younger King of Denmark, was upon the Death of King Edward taken for King, though he waved the Ceremony of this Coronation; and to ingratiate himſelf with the People, lightened the Texes and Behaved himſelf Courteous and Affable to all Men, but he had not long held the Regal Dignity, before William Duke of Normandy ſent to put him in mind of his Oath, which was made during his Impriſonment in Normandy, whether in the time of King Edward he had been driven by ſtreſs of weather, importing, that when ever Edward died he ſhould ſecure the Kingdom for the Norman Duke; but Harrold urging what he then did was by conſtraint, and that he conceived himſelf not obliged to ſtand to it: The Duke prepared to Invade the Kingdom, at which time a Dreadful Commet appeared, denouncing the Woes and Miſeries that enſued, for before the Normans arrived, a great number of Danes and Norwigeans landed in the North under the Leading of Teſto and Harrold Harfrager King of Denmark, and ſpoiling the Country before them, marched to York, which conſtrained the King to draw out his Army, but being about to paſs Stamford-bridge, built over the River Derwent, his Forces were ſtopped by a ſingle Dane of Gigantick ſtature and ſtrength, and forty of his Men killed in attempting to remove him, but in the end, a Soldier getting under the Bridge in a Boat, run his Spear through a Creuis, and by that means killed him, ſo that the Bridge gained the King gave Battle, and overthrew the Enemy with great ſlaughter, killing the Daniſh King and Toſto his Brother, and Olave the Kings Son, with Paul Earl of Orkney, were taken Priſoners, however they upon earneſt ſupplication were ſuffered to depart the Kingdom in the ſhips that brought them, with the heavy news of their loſs, but the King had ſcarce time to conſider his advantage before he had News that William Duke of Normandy was Landed with 50000 Men at Pevenſey in Suſſex on the eigth of September 1066, and fired his Fleet, to put his Soldiers out of hopes of return, which made Harrold haſten to oppoſe him, who by this time had ſent a Meſſenger to London to demand the Kingdom, but they diſmiſſed him with Threats, and although the Duke to prevent the effuſion of more blood, proffered to fight hand to hand yet the King refuſed it, ſaying, It ſhould be tried by more Swords than one: Whereupon the Armys advancing pitched in a large Plain, and from thence the King ſent Spies into the Dukes Camp, who being taken were lead from Rank to Rank, and made to take a perfect ſurvey of the Army, and ſo diſmiſſed.

The 14th of October 1366, being come, the Armys drew out, and faced each other, till the Trumpets ſounded the Charge, when at the firſt Encounter the Normans were forced to give ground and retire in diſorder, which the Engliſh perceiving, and thinking the Battle won careleſly diſranked to purſue them, which they perceiving and taking that advantage rallied and changed the face of Fortune, for the Normans entering the looſe ſquadrons, overwhelmed the Engliſh with ſhowers of Arrows, ſo that all was turned to Confuſion; and although they perceived their error too late, and caſting themſelves into a Ring ſtood to it manfully, yet the King as he was rallying them being ſlain with an Arrow that pierced his Brain, as likewiſe his two Brothers Leofin and Grith, with moſt of the Engliſh Nobles, and 97974 Soldiers, the reſt threw down their Arms, ond ſubmitted to the Conquerer, who from that time took upon him the Kingdom. This Harrold began his Reign, Anno 1065, and Reigned about 9 Months and 9 Days, and was buried at Waltham in Eſſex.

Thus Fortunes fickle wheel ſtill turning round, Does raiſe to Greatneſs, and again confound.

The Reigns of the Kings of the Norman Race, and firſt of William (uſually called) the Conqueror.

THe Normans knew not their own true Original, but found themſelves a mixed People, compoſed of Norwigeans, Sweeds, and Danes, taking their denomination from that Northern Climate anciently called Cimbrica Cherſoneſus and Norway, but the Country being ſuppoſed too little for the people, they drew out their Collonies, and ſent them abroad under divers Captains, to ſeek their Fortunes, in planting a more advantageous ſoil, and having made many deſcents upon the Coaſts of Belgia, Frizia, England, and Ireland, under Rollo their Captain a Noble Norman; they pitched upon this Nation, and had great Wars with the Saxon Monarchs, till ſuch time as Rollo in a Dream fancying himſelf upon the higheſt Hill in France, perceived beneath him a moſt pleaſant Country, and that a River ſtowing from his ſeat watered it, whilſt little Birds with red Breaſts run to drink at the ſtream and ſung melodiouſly about him. This being Interpreted by a Monk, That it was the will of Heaven he ſhould go over, and ſettle himſelf in that part of France, he fancied himſelf to be in; and that there he ſhould be victorious.

Whether this Interpretation was ſeigned by the Monk, to be rid of ſo powerful an Enemy, or by ſecret Devination revealed to him, we determine not; however it wrought ſo powerful with Rollo, that he drew his Forces out of England, and paſſing into France, during the Reign of Chales the Simple, with continual Wars ſo far indangered that Kingdom, that the King was conſtrained to make an Alliance with him at no leſs a rate than giving him his Daughter Gilla in Marriage, with the Dutchy of Normandy in Dow • . This Rollo was Great Grandfather to Richard the fifth, Duke of Normandy, which Richard was Elder Brother to Robert, who was Father to William, of whom we are now to ſpeak.

William the firſt King of England, &c. (uſually called the Conqueror, his Reign and Actions, &c.

VVIlliam the Conqueror was Natural Son to Robert Duke of Normandy, by Arlotte a Beautiful Woman of mean Birth, her Father being no other than a Tanner, or Skinner; however 'tis Recorded, That being great with Child of this William, ſhe Dreamed her Bowels delated, and extended all over Normandy, and Britain, and as ſoon as the Child was Born, being laid on the Floar ſtrewed with Ruſhes, a Cuſtom amongſt the Normans to try the Preſage of Fortune, he inſtantly graſped the Ruſhes in his hands, and thence they concluded his future greatneſs, and when his Father died he took upon him the Rule of Normandy and gained England as has hath been already related.

William the Conqueror, began his Reign, October 14. Anno 1066. and was Crowned the 25th. of the following December, by Aldred Arch-biſhop of York cauſing the Engliſh Biſhops and Barrons to ſwear Allegiance to him, taking himſelf a ſolemn Oath to defend the Rights of the Church, to eſtabliſh ſuch Laws as were agreeing to the Conſtitution of the Kingdom, and to ſee them adminiſtred with Uprightneſs and Juſtice, and ſuppoſing himſelf by this means ſecurely ſetled in the Throne, he went a Progreſs to be more aſſured of the Southern Parts; but as was paſſing through Kent to Dover, Stigand Arch-Biſhop of Canterbury, and Egleſine Abbot of St. Auguſtines Aſſembled the Commons to oppoſe him, who placed themſelves in a Wood near Swancomb, waiting the Conquerors Arrival, when perceiving his approach with a ſlender Train, ſhadowed with Boughs, cut down for the purpoſe, they marched againſt him, who ſuppoſing himſelf incloſed with moving Woods, was ſo much ſurprized that he was neither capable of advancing or retiring, but whilſt he was conſidering what it might tend to the Kentiſh-men now incloſing his Army, threw down their Boughs and diſplayed their Banners; when the Biſhop and Abbot preſented themſelves on the behalf of the reſt, Addreſſing the Conqueror in the following Speech.

Moſt Noble Duke,

Behold here the Commons of Kent are come forth to meet and receive you as their Soveraign, requiring your Peace, their own free condition of Eſtate, and ancient Laws; if theſe things be denied, they are preſent to abide the Battle, being fully determined rather to die than to part with their Laws, or to live ſervile in Bondage.

The Conqueror much ſurprized, forbore reply for a time, but perceiving the Kentiſh Men making ready their Weapons, and reſolute to give Battle, knowing himſelf much Inferiour in number, loath to ſtake a Kingdom upon ſo ſmall a caſt, he granted their Demands, ſo that to this day they retain by ancient Cuſtom many Priviledges that other Counties injoy not; yet the Conqueror was not ſo favourable to the Engliſh as they expected; for after his Coronation, he Baniſhed ſuch of the Nobles and Gentlemen as were moſt likely to oppoſe him in his Proceedings, ſeizing moſt of the Eſtates of the Kingdom, and gave them to his Normans, whom he moſt reſpected, or ſuch as had helped towards deſraying the Charge of the Expedition, depriving Monaſteries, Biſhopricks, Cities, and Corporations of their Ancient Liberties and Priviledges; and then obliged them to redeem them at great Sums of Money, conſtituting new Laws, and ordained four Terms, when as all Controverſies (except what was rare, and extraordinary, were tried in the reſpective Counties, Hundreds, or Monthly Moots, or Gemotes; and to prevent great Meetings, which he feared might turn to his prejudice, he ſet out a ſevere Edict, commanding all Perſons upon the ringing of a Bell, called by the Normans Coverfeu, or Coverfire, to put out both Fire and Candle exactly at eight of the Clock in the Evening, and cauſing an exact ſurvey of the Lands and Eſtates of all the people, he amerced them accordingly, exacting ſix ſhillings for every Hide of Land; and the Book thus made of every ſeveral ſurvey, the number of the People, and their Abilities, is called Doomeſday Book; nor did he permit any of the Engliſh to be in places of Truſt, and for his pleaſure, as ſome will have it) though others ſay it was out of Policy, that he might have a Deſolate place to Land new Forces out of Normandy, if the Engliſh ſhould riſe in Arms againſt him, he laid waſte 36 Pariſhes, with their Churches, and made of that Vacancy a large Forreſt, by him called new Forreſt, reaching to the Sea-ſhore, and in Circuit 60 Miles, he fortified the Tower of London, and other places, the better to ſecure his new acquired greatneſs, and was the firſt that admitted the Jews to Inhabit England, and finding ſome ſtirs in Normandy, he re-paſſed the Seas, and fought his Son Robert, who diſmounted him, but knowing his voice, remounted him, and begged his pardon, and by that means they were made Friends, and the War ceaſed: However finding Odo Biſhop of Bayeux, and Earl of Kent, ſecretly Conſpiring againſt him, he Confiſcated his Eſtate, and Baniſhed him his Dominions; and being about to War againſt the French, who (during the Conteſt with his Son) had offered ſome Indignities to his Dominions in Normandy, he fell ſick of a great pain and diſorder in his Bowels, whereat the French King in a ſcofing manner ſaid, Our Couſin William is now in Childbed, therefore it behoves us to conſider what number of Candles we muſt offer when he is Churched, for no doubt they muſt be very many. This being told to King William he in a rage ſwore by the Reſurrection and brightneſs of God, That his Couſin of France ſhould be at no ſuch coſt or trouble, but that at his Churching himſelf would light a thouſand Candles in France; and he failed not in his promiſe, for entering that Kingdom with Fire and Sword, he burnt the City of Mentz or Metz, and many other places; yet being too eager in purſuit of the French, and of a Corpulent Body, his Horſe with a ſurious bound broke the Inner Rim or Film of his Belly, of which (when he had quieted the Diſturbances abroad, and at home) and an extream Surfeit he got by overheating himſelf in action, he died after a conſiderable ſickneſs, at Roan in Normandy, Anno 1087. and there forſaken of his Sons and Courtiers, who haſted to ſecure their reſpective Intereſts, his Body was left unburied, till one Harulims, a poor Country Knight, at his proper charge conveyed it to Cane, where, upon the attempting to bury him in St. Stephen's Chappel, it was denied by one Aſcelinus Fitz Arthur, who in the Name of God forbad it, ſaying, It was the very place of his Father's Houſe Floar, which the Duke in his Life-time had wrongfully taken from him, and upon his Inheritance founded the Church: Therefore (continued he) I challenge the Ground, and on God's behalf forbid that the Body of any Oppreſſor, or Diſpoiler, be buried in my Earth; neither ſhall it be Interred in the Precincts of my right: But in concluſion, Henry, the Conqueror's younger Son hearing of the refuſal, compounded for 100 pound weight of ſilver, and the Body was accordingly Interred with little or no Pomp, for during the Conteſt, his Belly burſt in ſunder, and the Contageon thereby occaſioned, was ſo great, that few could indure it, he died on the 9th. day of September 1087. in the 56th. year of his Dukedom of Normandy, and the 21ſt. of his Reign over England, in the 64th. year of his Age, his Wife was Maud Daughter to Baldwin the firſt Earl of Flanders, his Iſſue was Robert, ſirnamed Curthois, or Short-boots, William, ſirnamed Miſer, who died Anno 1028. Richard, who after his Father had gained the Engliſh Diadem, came to a violent Death, being gored in the New Forreſt by a Stag, or (as others have it) died by the ſtroke of a Bough. William Rufus, who ſucceeded him in the Kingdom of England, though he nominated no Succeſſor, but left it to God's diſpoſal, much bewailing on his Death-Bed the Rigour and Oppreſſions he had uſed towards the Engliſh. Henry born at Selby in York-ſhire, Anno 1070. Cicely a veiled Nun, Conſtance Married to Allain Earl of Britain in France. Alice Married to Stephen Earl of Bloys, by whom ſhe had Stephen Earl of Mortain and Boleine afterward King of England. Gundred Married to William d' Warren a Noble Norman, and firſt Earl of Surry. Ela, who in her Child-hood was contracted to Duke Harrold afterward King of England. Margaret, who in her Childhood was given to Alphons King of Gallicia in Spain, and William Preverel his Natural Son, who was Created Earl of Nottingham.

His laſt Will and Teſtament was, That all his Goods ſhould be diſtributed to Churches, Miniſters, and Poor, limiting their reſpective Portions; and to the Church and Monks of St. Stevens in Normandy, where he above all • oveted to be Buried, he gave ſeveral Mannors, as likewiſe his Crown, which was afterward Redeemed by his Son Henry. To Robert he left the Dutchey of Normandy, but left (as we ſaid) England free, only wiſhing that his Son William might ſucceed him in it, and preſageing, that Henry ſhould in Concluſion poſſeſs all his Dominions, he gave him 5000 Pounds, the remainder of his Treaſure. He Depoſed, and Impriſoned Stigand Arch-biſhop of Canterbury, who died in Priſon: However he built many fair Churches, and Abbies, endowing them with Revenues, and large Priviledges, ſpecially Battle-Abby, where he ſlew King Harrold; ſo that any The • f, or Murtherer, flying thither, had ſafe Protection, and if the Abbot came by where any Execution was in hand, he might (if he pleaſed) ſave the Malefactor; he allowed a certain Pention to the Monks to • ray for the Soul of King Harrold, and thoſe that were • lain in the Battle.

In this King's time, who was the 20th. ſole Monarch of England, happened a dreadful Earthquake, ſtrange Burning Feavors, proving very Mortal, Murrains cauſing great Dearth of Cattle, extraordinary Rains, and Inundations which ſoftned the Hills to that degree, that ſome of them ſunk to a flatneſs, and overwhelmed the Neighbouring Villages, moſt of the chief Cities ſuffered by Fire, and London had her Houſes and Churches burnt as the fire carried it from the Weſt Gate to the Eaſt Gate.

Thus Lived, and ſell the Potent Conqueror, Death's ſorce ſubdued what ne'er was foil'd in War.

The Reign of William II. Sirnamed Rufus, King of England, &c.

VVIlliam Rufus, ſo named from the redneſs of his Face, although his Elder Brother Robert was alive, immediately paſſing to London, he by the aſſiſtance of Lanfrank Arch-biſhop of Canterbury and VVolſtane, ſo far wrought upon the Council, that he procured himſelf to be Crowned Anno 1087. at VVeſtminſter, but Odo his Uncle returning from his Baniſhment, ſtirred up Robert his Brother againſt him, inſtigating the Nobles to take part with him; but Robert wanting Money, was obliged for the better carrying on the Expedition to Pawn the Province of Conſtantine to his Brother Henry, but whilſt theſe preparations were in hand, VVilliam to ingratiate himſelf with the Engliſh made large Promiſes to take off the hard Taxes, and reſtore the Laws his Father had aboliſhed, upon which the people ſiding with him, he wreſted many of the ſtrong Holds out of the hands of thoſ • that had ſeized them; for his Brother Robert proceeding to beſiege his Uncle Odo in Richeſter, putting forth his Proclamation, by which he ordered all people to repair thither in Arms, and whoever refuſed he ſhould be accounted a Niding, which word at that time was ſo diſtaſtful and hated by the Engliſh, as ſignifying a Coward, or mean-ſpirited Fellow, that without any conſtraint, or impoſition of Penalty, they flocked thithe • from all parts, whereupon the place was conſtrained to yield, and Odo again Baniſh'd, but whilſt theſe thing paſſed, Duke Robert was not idle, for having gathere • what Forces he could, he Landed at Southampton, but finding himſelf unable to reſiſt the Army that was marching againſt him, and not joyned by the expected ſupply he repaſſed the Seas without doing any thing o • note, except the ingageing VVilliam to pay him 3000 Mark a year, and after his Deceaſe to reſign it to him or his Heirs; and now Lanfrank the Arch-biſhop dying, the King ſupplied himſelf with Treaſure by keeping the See of Canterbury, and many other Eccleſiaſtica • Promotions vacant for the ſpace of four Years, ſome o • which he likewiſe ſold, and was wont to ſay, That Chriſt's Bread is a ſweet Dainty, and moſt delicious fo • Kings: Howbeit, when two Monks were contending who ſhould give moſt to be made Abbot of a certain Abby in the King's Diſpoſal, he eſpied a third Monk ſtanding in a corner, and cauſing him to advance, he demanded, VVhat he would give to be made Abbot? Not on • Farthing (replyed the Monk) for I have renounced th • VVorld and Riches, that I may the more carefully ſerv • God. Then (replyed the King) thou art worthy to b • made Abbot, and the Abbey ſhall be thine.

The Scots by this time having Invaded England under the leading of Molcolm their King; King VVilliam marched his Army Northward to oppoſe him, but before it came to the trial of Battle, a Peace was concluded, and the 12 Villages in the Northern Marche • which the Scots had held during the Reign of VVilliam the Conqueror, reſtored them for a Tribute of twelve Marks a year: And this year the King to ſtrengthen him againſt the Scots, rebuilt Carliſle in Cumberland, which had been demoliſhed by the Danes about two • undred years before: And in Anno 1093 made An • elm, a Norman Abbot, Archbiſhop of Canterbury; but • ong the Peace laſted not between the two Kingdoms, for Malcolm coming to Gloceſter, to treat about further • ccord, and not being received, or entertain'd, according to his liking, he returned in a rage, and raiſing a great Army in his own Country, fell into the Engliſh Frontires with Fire and Sword, deſtroying all before him as far as Alnewick; and no ſooner were theſe ſtirs quieted, but Robert Mobray, and William of Anchon, conſpired, with divers others, to depoſe King William and ſet up Stephen de Albermarle a Siſters Son, but were prevented and defeated.

The Welſh making many Incurſions, and Inroades, into the Kings Territories, he marched a powerful Army into the heart of Wales, and there did ſuch notable Exploits, that the Welſh finding themſelves unable to make head againſt his Forces ſubmitted themſelves, ſo that from the year 1093 VVales has been ſubject to the Crown of England.

The King upon new provocations Invaded his Brother Roberts Terretories in Normandy, taking divers Caſtles and ſtrong holds, inforcing him thereby to a Peace; after which uniting their Forces againſt their younger Brother Henry, who had practiſed the ſurpriſing their Territories, he was beſieged by them in the Caſtles of St. Michaels Mount in Normandy, during which Siege King VVilliam's life was in great hazard, for being too forward in charging ſuch as ſallied, he was overthrown by a Knight, and had his Horſe ſlain, but being known, the Knight took him up, and preſented him with another Horſe, when the King ſpringing into the Saddle, and coming up with a fierce countenance, demanded who it was that ha • overthrown him; but the undaunted Knight, inſtead of excuſing it, boldly told him it was he: Then, ſai • the King, looking mildly upon him, by St. Lukes fac • for that was his uſual Oath, thou ſhalt be my Knight and inroled in my Check, with a Fee anſwerable to th • worth: But in concluſion, Henry being conſtrained fo • want of Water, and other neceſſaries, to ſubmit the Brethren were reconciled, and Robert preparing for the Holy Wars, mortgaged his Dukedom of Normandy to King VVilliam for 6660 pounds, to raiſ • which petty ſum, at that time, he cauſed great Taxes as they were termed to be laid upon the People, and forced the Religious Houſes to contribute towards it And in the abſence of Robert, the French beſieging Main in Normandy, the King upon notice of it, as h • ſat at Dinner, in his Palace of VVeſtminſter, ſwore H • would never turn his back till he arrived there; and ſo cauſing the Wall to be broke through for his paſſage he haſted to Sea, commanding his Army to follow him; but the Winds being contrary, and the Sea • rough and boiſterous, the Mariners doubted to ſet ſail and the Pilot beſought the King to continue in the Port till the Weather was more favourable, but he impatient of delay, and diſdaining to fear, replied Haſt thou ever heard that a King has been drowned therefore hoiſt up the Sails, I charge thee, and be gone So that ſafely, and unexpectedly arriving in Normandy, the French were ſo terrified, that they raiſed the Siege.

This King denied that the Pope had any Authority over any Biſhop of his Realm, and alſo the Powe • of binding and looſing; yet in acknowledgement to the See of Rome, he paid Peter pence granted by his Father; he derided Invocation of Saints, and curbed the avarice and aſpiring Ambition of the Clergy In his Reign a great Earthquake happened, and the Steeple of the Abby of VVincheſter was burnt with •… ghtning, which likewiſe rent the roof of the •… by, caſting down the Image of the Virgin Mary, •… d her Crucifix, breaking one of her Legs; and not •… ng after, ſo great a Wind happened at London, that it •… ew down ſixty, ſome ſay ſix hundred Houſes, taking of the roof of Bow Church, and carrying it a great •… ight in the Air: And ſo great a Famine and Mor •… ity enſued, that the quick were ſcarcely able to bu •… the dead: Two blaſing Stars appeared, and many •… ars, as if they ſhot fiery Darts at each other: •… nd in the laſt year of his Reign the Sea over •… wed her Banks, carrying away a great number •… People, Cattle and Houſes, drowning moſt of the •… ands, which had been Earl Goodwins, which is not •… covered to this day, but retain the Earls Name as •… own by that of Goodwins Sands. At Finchamſtead, •… ear Abbington in Barkſhire, a Well of bloodly co •… oured Water ſprung up for fifteen days, and then •… eaſed.

King VVilliam, by this time having ſetled his Af •… irs, betook him to Recreations, and eſpecially •… unting in the New Forreſt his Father had made by •… he unpeopling, and delapidation of a great many •… owns and Vilages; when ſo it happened that Sir VValter Tyrre, a French Knight, ſhooting at a Stag, he Arrow glanced againſt a Tree, and flying aſlaunt •… ruck the King into the breaſt, of which he imme •… ately died, Auguſt 1. Anno 1100. and his Body being •… id in a Cart, the beſt Herſe thoſe times afforded a •… reat King, it broke, bemired in a dirty way, yet be •… g put into another, it was carried to VVincheſter, •… nd buried in the Cathedral Church; but ſince the •… ones have been removed to, and laid with thoſe of •… anute, the Daniſh King.

This was the King who built VVeſtminſter Hall •… inety yards in length, and twenty four yards two •… eet in breadth; yet when he came to ſee it, he complained it was too little by half, and therefo •… he would reſerve it for a lodging Room: He w •… ſlain, as you have heard, in the thirteenth year his Reign, and the ſorty ſourth of his Age, being t •… one and twentieth ſole Monarch of England.

Thus Second William, by misfortune's hand, Drop'd in the Grave, and left the wealthy Land: Two Sons of the Great Conqueror met their fate, VVhere he had laid the Country deſolate.

The Reign • and Actions of Henry the Firſt King England, &c.

HEnry the Firſt Engliſh Monarch of that Nam • who for his great Abilities in Learning, w • called Beau-clark, or good Scholar; upon the une • pected death of his Brother VVilliam, and his Broth • Robert's being in the Holy Land waring again the Infidels, upon many fair promiſes to the Nobl • and Commons, procured himſelf to be accepted King, and was Crowned at VVeſtminſter, Anno 11 • Anſelm, being Archbiſhop of Canterbury; and at fi • made it hisſtudy to pleaſe all ſorts, ſtriving to ma • his Houſe and Court a pattern of Virtue, and go • Living to the reſt of his Subjects, permiting the Pe • ple to have Fire and Candle in their Houſes, at the own diſcretion, which under ſevere penalties had be • prohibited by his Father, freeing the Churches fro • reſervations upon vacancies, allowing the Heirs Noblemen to poſſeſs their Fathers Lands without Redemption, ingaging the Nobles to do the like by the Tenants, allowing, ſo it were, not to his Enemies, t • Gentry, to marry their Daughters and Kinſwomen whom they pleaſed; and that the Widow enjoyi • Joynter ſhould be at liberty to ma •• y whom 〈◊〉 •… aſed: That the Mother, and neareſt Relations, •… ould be Guardians to Fatherleſs Children, during •… ir Minority: That ſuch as coyned falſe Money •… ould looſe their Right Hand: And if Men be de •… ved of their Genitals, he ordained a certain Mea •… e to be a Standard; Meaſure of Commerce accord •… g to the length of his Arm, which is our Yard: For •… ing all Debts due to the Crown before be came to •… Renewing the Laws of Edward the Confeſſor: And •… e better to ſtrengthen his Title, he married Maud, •… ughter to the King of Scots by Margaret, Siſter to •… gard Atheling, joyning in Succeſſion to the Saxon •… ngs. But by this time News came that Robert his •… der Brother (after refuſing the Scepter of Jeruſalem, which for his Valour and Conduct, upon taking •… t City from the Inſidels, was offered him by all the Weſtern Princes that commanded the numerous Army of Chriſtians in that glorious Expedition) was •… nd • d with an Army at Portſmouth, and that many •… the Engliſh ſided with him, which put the King to no ſmall conſternation; however, having got by •… s lenity, and fair pretences, the hearts of the greater •… rt of the People, he reſolved not to forgo what •… had gotten; and thereupon tried ſo far the good •… mper of his Brother, that by Preſents and large •… omiſes, he worked upon him to remit his Claim, •… ein of which he was to have three thouſand Marks •… id him yearly, and gave him ſix Months Royal En •… tainment.

The Sunſhine of Peace laſted not long before Be •… iſine, Earl of Shrewsbury, and Roger Montgomery, •… ith divers other r •… d, but being vanquiſhed, •… ey ſled to Normandy; however, he was perplexed •… the Arch-Biſhop, who influenced by the See of •… ome, contended to regulate the Clergy, and diſpoſe •… Eccleſiaſtical promotions, as he pleaſed, refuſing Conſecrate ſuch Biſhops, as the King was deſirous to advance; yet the King fearleſs of what migh • happen in England, upon notice, his Brother, at th • inſtigation of ſome Engliſh Fugitives, was preparin • for a ſecond Invaſion: He reſolved to prevent it by carrying the War into Normandy, which he effected with ſuch precepitation, that he overthrew Robert, took him Priſoner, and ſent him to Cardr • Caſtle, where at firſt he was only Priſoner at large having the priviledge of the Medows and Parks under a ſlender Guard; but as ſome will have it, at tempting his eſcape, but others, the People, too much pittying his condition, and the apprehenſions i • wrought, made the King confine him a cloſe Priſoner, and the better to ſecure himſelf againſt any attempts, this poor Prince might make, cauſe th • Twinkles of his Eyes to be put out, or clouded i • darkneſs by burning Glaſſes, and not long after h • loſt his Life; ſome ſay by a voluntary ſtarving himſelf, out of a diſdain he took, that the King, his Brother, ſent him a Suit of his old caſt Clothes, with a • addition, That they were good enough for a Priſoner; however, this unnatural act greatly eclipſed the glory o • this King, and too plainly ſhewed that Crowns know • no Kindred when they ſtand in competion.

The Duke being dead, King Henry ſeized upon his Dutchy of Normandy; ſo that England may now be ſaid to conquer Normandy, though indeed it was unhappy for the Engliſh, whom he began to reſtrain with a harder hand, ſeeing he had removed the danger that threatned him, baniſhing the Flemings who were deſirous to inſtruct us in the Wollen Trade retracting many Grants he had paſſed, and to ſtrenghen his Alliance abroad, he married Maud, his Eldeſt Daughter, to Henry the Fourth, Emperor of Germany, or the Romans; and the Welſh promoting ſome diſorders, he forced them to obedience: A • likewiſe theſe in Normandy, where new trouble • aroſe, and that which gave him hopes of the ſettlement of Affairs, was the death of the Arch-Biſhop, who to raiſe the Popes Power, had oppoſed • im in his important proceedings, and was a great Enemy to the Married Prieſts, who were tolerated • n this Kings Reign. The High Court of Parliament, ſome Authors will have to be conſtituted in his Reign, Anno 1116.

William, Eldeſt Son to Robert the deceaſed, Duke of Normandy being alive, Lewis King of France, toge • her with the Earls of Flanders and Anjou, laboured • o fix him in the Dukedom, but were fruſtrated, • nd a great Battle, Anno 1119, was fought between • he two Kings, wherein Baldwin, Earl of Flanders, with divers other Nobles, and ſome thouſands of Common Soldiers were ſlain, and the Victory falling • o the Engliſh, occaſioned great loſs and diſhonour • o the French; and the Earl of Anjou, upon King Henry's return to Roan with Palms of Triumph, gave his Daughter and Heireſs, in Reverſion of that Province, to William the Kings Eldeſt Son, whoſe Nuptials were ſolemnized with great joy, and hope of future happineſs: But all things are unſtable in this World, for the King ſetting ſail for England, and the Prince with his Bride, his Brothers Siſters, and other great Perſonages, ſtaying ſix hours ſail behind • o take leave of their Friends, reſolved, notwithſtanding, to come up with the King before he landed; 〈◊〉 that the Marriners running a deſperate courſe, as • eing elevated with Wine and good Chear, fell ſoul • n a Rock, which broke the Ship to pieces; yet the • rince with his Bride, and ſome others got into the • ng Boat, and might have gone off, but the Coun • ſs of Pearch crying to him from the Fore-caſtle • or help, he cauſed the Boat to turn and take her in; • ut before he could effect it, ſo many leaped into it, • nd clung to its ſides, eſteeming, in that extremity, their Lives as dear as their Princes, that it ſunk with the overlaiding, and they were all drowned.

This doleful news coming to the Kings Earl by ſome of the Seamen that had eſcaped upon pieces of the Ship, he greatly lamented the loſs of his Children; and though he was well in years, yet in ſome meaſure to repair it, he Married a ſecond Wife, viz. Adilicia, Daughter to Jeffery Duke of Lorain; but having no Iſſue by her, he ſent for Maud his Daughter, who had been married to the Emperor, her Husband being at that time dead, and calling a Parliament, cauſed Stephen, his Siſters Son, with his Nobles to ſwear her, as to his lawful, and now only Heir, when ſailing into Normandy, after the toil of hunting, eating a great meal of Lampries, he preſently fell ſick, and after ſeven days ſickneſs, dyed in the Town of St. Denis, Anno 1135, his body was brought to Reading, and buried in the Abby himſelf had founded, and his Bowels and Brain at Roan; nor did he dye without ſuſpition of being poiſoned, for the very ſent that came from his Brain, was the death of the Phyſician that took it out.

The Wives of this King were two, viz. Maud, Daughter to Malcolm King of Scotland, and Adilicia, Daughter to Godfry Duke of Lorain, his lawful Iſſue, by the firſt, was William and Maud, by the laſt he had none, yet is held to have fourteen Illegitimate Children: He built many Abbies and Monaſteries, and was very charitable to the Poor. In his time many Prodigies appeared, and the Ground rent by an Earthquake, ſent forth ſuch flames as deſtroyed ſome, and indangered the lives of more: He was King of England, and Duke of Normandy, fourth Son to William the Conqueror, beginning his Reign, Anno 1100, and Reigning 35 years, being the 23 Monarch of England, dying in the 65 year of his Age.

Thus falls another Monarch, ſoon or late, All Crowns and Scepters in the duſt muſt ſet: All breath of Life, the lowly and the high, Muſt leave this narrow ſtage for vaſt Eternity.

The Reign of King Stephen with his Memorable Actions, &c.

STephen Earl of Bloys, Son to Adilicia, Daughter to William the Conqueror, and Stephen Earl of Bloys, notwithſtanding he had ſworn Fealty to the Empreſs Maud, laid claim to the Kingdom, and by the intereſt and policy of his Brother Henry, Biſhop of Wincheſter, and Roger Biſhop of Sarum; as alſo one Hugh Bigot, who ſwore that King Henry, upon his Death-bed, taking a diſtaſte at his Daughters proceedings, had diſenherited her, and appointed this Stephen to ſucceed him in his Kingdom of England, and Dukedom of Normandy, ſo that upon theſe, and other intereſts that were made, he was Crowned at Weſtminſter on St. Stephen's day, Anno 1135, by William Curboil, Archbiſhop of Canterbury, the Prelates ſwearing to hold him King ſo long as he ſhould preſerve their Churches Rights, and the Lay-Barrons, in like manner, ſwore Allegiance to him, ſo long as he ſhould keep his Covenants with them, in preſerving their Rights and Priviledges, ſo that he accepted of the Crown, and owned his Right as by Election: The Charter containing his peoples Franchiſes, Liberties and Immunities, which he obliged himſelf to maintain, he Signed and Sealed it at Oxford, which was, That all Liberties, Cuſtoms, Poſſeſſions granted to the Church, ſhould be firm and in force; That Perſons and Cauſes Eccleſiaſtical ſhould appertain only to Eccleſiaſtical Juriſdiction; That Church vacancies, and the Goods of Church-men, ſhould be at the ſole diſpoſe of the Clergy; That all ill uſage touching Forests, Exactions, &c. ſhould be aboliſhed, and the Antient Laws reſtored to their Purity: And for his ſecurity againſt the expected ſtorm, he cauſed or ſuffered many Caſtles to be erected, which afterwards proved to his detriment.

This King took quiet poſſeſſion of the Throne, and had an interrupted Series of Tranquility for a time; but by degrees the diſtractions came on, that turned the Land into a ſeat of War for many years: Baldwin de Redners was the firſt that openly began to declare himſelf in favour of the Empreſs Maud, and hereupon the Welſhmen took up Arms, and falling upon the Engliſh, not altogether provided, gave them a conſiderable overthrow: Nor did David, King of the Scots, forbear to invade this Kingdom; and the Weſh incouraged by their former ſucceſs, continued to ſpoil the Frontiers, and under the favour of another Scotiſh Invaſion, wherein, under the leading of their King, the Scots committed almoſt unparallel outrages. The Nobles conſpired againſt King Stephen, betaking them to their reſpective Caſtles, and ſtrong Holds, declaring that they were ſlighted and rejected in favour of the Flemmings; and eſpecially, one Willinm de Ypre, his chief counſellor and privado to follow, whoſe directions he had neglected that of his Peers. But the Scots, inſtead of aſſiſting theſe Lords, making many other Invaſions, made great ſpoil and havock of their Houſes, Caſtles and Eſtates, ſeeming rather to aim at a conqueſt than any thing leſs: So that thoſe in the North marched againſt them, and being animated by Thurſtan, Archbiſhop of York, by whoſe Authority Ralph Biſhop of Durham, being made General, undertook (but by what Warrant I know not) to forgive the ſins of all that ſhould fall in Battle, and ſecure them from puniſhments and pains in another Life; the Engliſh fell on with ſuch fury, that they drove the Scots out of the Field with great ſlaughter; nor could the preſence of their King, and the Prince his Son, reſtrain them from open flight into Scotland; and King Stephen following this advantage, obliged them to ſue for Peace; however, he found himſelf but ſlenderly aſſured in the Hearts of his People, eſpecially of the Nobles, which made him prepare for the worſt; and hearing the Empreſs Maud was landed, with a ſmall train, not exceeding 140 men at Arundel, he haſted to oppoſe her, but ſhe being a Woman of great Policy, coloured over her Intentions, proteſted ſhe came in peace, only to ſpend the remainder of her days in a Country, wherewith ſhe was ſo much delighted; and although the King had ſome little miſtruſt, he nevertheleſs diſſembled it, and gave her Royal Entertainment, cauſing her to be conveyed to the City of Briſtol, appointing it for her reception: ſcarce had the Empreſs continued at Briſtol two Months, before ſhe privately withdrew to Wallingford, expecting the Forces, her Brother, Earl Robert was raiſing on her behalf: But the King having notice of many underhand contrivances, beſieged that place, whilſt his Brother, the Biſhop of Wincheſter, under a pretence of friendſhip, and important buſineſs, inviting many of the Nobles (that he thought diſaffected to the King) he made them Priſoners in his Palace, and by that means conſtrained them to render their Caſtles as Ranſoms for their Perſons, which much weakened the Intereſt of the Empreſs; yet Earl Robert burnt Worceſter for holding out againſt her, and the like did Ralph Painel, one of her Captains to Nottingham.

The Empreſs finding her Meaſures broken by the crafty Biſhop of Wincheſter, haſted to Lincoln; but the King followed cloſe, and beſiged that City, and took it; yet ſhe made her eſcape; ſo that new Meaſures being taken, her Forces daily increaſed, inſomuch that becoming ſtrong in the Field, Robert Earl of Gloceſter, and Ralph Earl of Cheſter, gave the King battle near Lincoln, which was maintained with great obſtinacy, and effuſion of blood, Victory ſeeming to incline to neither party, till ſuch time as the Kings Horſe gave way (thought to have been done by treachery) however, the Foot ſtood manfully to it; but being overcharged and trampled down, for want of their Horſe to cover them, they fled likewiſe, leaving the King, who choſe rather to die than give back, to fight the Battle, when with a very weighty Battle-Ax, like an inraged Lyon, he drove whole ſquadrons before him, killing a great number, for wherever he ſtruck, the blow proved mortal; but in the fury of the Fight, having broken his Battle-Ax, and after that his Sword, he was beaten down with a Maſſieſtone thrown at him, and by that means brought under, and taken Priſoner. King Stephen thus made a Priſoner, was carried to Gloceſter, where the Empreſs expected him, and from thence ſent Priſoner to Briſtol, whereupon all but the County of Kent acknowledged her as their Soveraign, ſo that going to Wincheſter in ſtate, ſhe there received the Regal Crown, and paſſing to London, ſhe was met with Proceſſion, and the Acclamations of the people, but the Earl of Gloceſter, Brother to the Empreſs, being taken by ſome of the Nobles that ſided with King Stephen, and Impriſoned at Gloceſter, ſearing if any violent Death befel the King, he ſhould run the ſame Riſque, he ſo far ſolicited the matter, that an exchange was made, and both the one and the other had Liberty, after which the Earl went for Normandy, which had revolted from Stephen, to raiſe Forces to ſecure what was gained; but whilſt this was doing the Londoners being diſpleaſed, as not receiving the ſatisfaction they expected, and the Nobles thinking themſelves ſlighted by her, the reſtleſs Biſhop of Wincheſter ſet the Nation again into a Blaze of diſſention, making a ſtrong Party for King Stephen, beſieging the Empreſs in the Caſtle of Winchēſter ſeven weeks, and then the better to work his advantage, feigning a Peace, and cauſing it to be proclaimed, ſet open the City Gates, but ſhe and her followers almoſt ſtarved out with Famine, were ſcarce departed, when he cauſed them to be purſued, in which purſuit many were ſlain, and taken Priſoners, and amongſt them Earl Robert, who by this time was returned with a ſlender Train, and others taking Sanctuary in the Nunnery of Worwell were burnt together with the Houſe, nor did the Biſhop ſpare Wincheſter, but fired it for taking part with the Empreſs.

The Empreſs eſcaping this Storm, betook her ſelf to the Caſtle of the Devizes in Wiltſhire, but being cloſely preſſed by the prevailing party, and out of all hopes of relief, ſhe contrived a Stratagem to prevent her falling into their hands, viz. Incloſing her ſelf in a Coffin and making it known to a few of her Truſty Friends, under pretence it was the dead Body of a Perſon, whom the Beſiegers knew to be dead in that place, procuring a paſs for the burial of it with its Anceſtors: She was in a Horſe-litter carried to Gloceſter, and there joyfully received by thoſe of their Party. But finding it not ſafe to continue there, ſhe haſted to Oxford, where being ſtraightly Beſieged by the King in the depth of Winter, and the Suburbs gain'd, ſhe found her ſelf in no capacity longer to defend the place; but taking the advantage of a Snow that had fallen, ſhe put on white Garments, and by that means in the dusk of the Evening paſſed alone undiſcovered to Abington on Foot, and from thence to Wallingford on Horſeback the ſame Night, (ſo ſweet is a Crown, that no Difficulties, or Dangers are thought too much to attain it.) It was indeed ſtrugled for with various ſucceſs, cauſing a great deal of blood ſhed as the Partys prevailed, with Burnings, and Devaſtations. However that he might aſſure the Succeſſion of his Son Euſtuce, he called a Council at London, commanded Theobald Arch-biſhop of Canterbury to Anoint him King; but having received the Pope's Mandate to the contrary, he refuſed it, for which he was obliged to leave the Land, and flie to Normandy; yet the King for this refuſal ſeized upon his Poſſeſſions. But ſhortly after, Prince Euſtace dying, the King became more inclinable to an agreement with the Empreſs. The death of this Prince is by ſome Hiſtorians thus reported, viz. Having ſet fire to the Corn Fields belonging to the Abby of Bury, becauſe the Monks refuſed to ſupply him with a ſum of Money for his preſent occaſion, after that at his firſt ſitting down to Dinner, upon the firſt bit of Bread he touched he fell diſtracted, and died in that fit, but this ſeems a Fable of the Monks to terrifie people from medling with their Diana, or the abundance of Treaſure they in thoſe days of Ignorance ſcraped to themſelves even from thoſe that had far greater need: However the Kings hope dying in this Prince, he was content to adopt Henry, by ſome called Fitz Empreſs, though indeed Plantaginet; for his Son and Succeſſor, to whom at Oxford in the great Aſſembly held there for that purpoſe, the Peers did Homage, as to the undoubted Heir, and the Prince acknowledged the King as his Father, and after whom he was to Reign; nor did Stephen live long when this was done, for being afflicted with the Illiack paſio, and the Haemorhoids worn out with Labour and continual toil, left the Crown which he had worn with ſo much trouble and variety of Fortune, to young Henry dying at Dover, Anno 1134, and was Buried at Feverſham in Kent, though afterward his Body (only for the value of the Lead that incloſed it) was caſt into the River by the covetous Sexton.

This Stephen was King of England and Duke of Normandy, third Son to Stephen Earl of Blois, by his Wife Adilicia, or Alice Daughter to William the Conqueror, he began his Reign the ſecond of December, Anno 1135, and Reigned Eighteen Years, Ten Months, and 20 Days, and had Iſſue by Maud, or Matilda his Wife, (Daughter of Euſtace Earl of Bulloigne, Brother of Godfry, and Baldwin Kings of Jeruſalem) Baldwin, Euſtace, William, Maud, and Mary, he had likewiſe two Natural Sons Gervas the younger, he made Abbot of Weſtminſter.

Thus in a Tempeſt liv'd the Warlike King, Small reſt he found till death the calm did bring, Which ſhows the frailneſs of each earthly thing.

The Reign of Henry the Second King of England, &c.

HEnry Plantaginet, commonly called Fitz Empreſs, was three times Crowned, firſt by Theobald Arch-biſhop of Canterbury at Weſtminſter, then at Lincoln, and laſtly at Worceſter, and being ſetled in the Realm, he demoliſhed ſundry Caſtles that had given too much incouragement to the falling off of ſuch as at any time grew diſcontented, ſome that had Honours unduly conferr'd on them he diveſted and reduced to a private State, purged the Land of Forreign Soldiers, and chiefly of the Flemings that had come over with King Stephen, chooſing his Council out of the moſt Worthy and Learned Men, reſtraining the Incroachments and Oppreſſions of the greateſt Perſons, without reſpect of their greatneſs, which made the Lord Hugh Mortimer fall off, and take up Arms, againſt whom King Henry went in perſon, and had been ſlain at the Siege of Bridgnorth, had not Hubert d' St. Clare one of his Courtiers, ſtepped between as the Arrow was coming, and loſt his own Life to ſave his Maſters, but this Lord ſoon reduced, and the face of calmneſs appearing at home, he paſſed into France to do Homage to King Lewis, for his Provinces of Normandy, Acquitain, Anjou, Main, and Lorain, which he claimed as his right 〈◊〉 in himſelf, and partly in Eleanor his Queen, and there he adjuſted differences between himſelf and his Brother Geofry, and after being highly Careſſed and Entertained he returned to England, where as much as in him lay, intending to live peaceably, he contracted an Alliance with Malcolme King of Scots, reſtoring him the 〈◊〉 of Huntingdon.

The Welſh about this time making Inroads, and greatly indamaging the Engliſh, the King marched againſt them, and joyned Battle, but in the heat of the Fight his Standard was cowardly abandoned, and his perſon in danger to be ſlain, or taken Priſoner, for which Henry d' Eſſex Standard bearer being accuſed by Robert d' Montford, as the main cauſe of the diſſertion, the Combat (as uſual upon ſuch Accuſations) was allowed them at Reading, and Eſſex being overcome the King was notwithſtanding contented to ſpare his life upon condition he became a Monk which accordingly he did, and was immediately ſhorn, but in concluſion the Welſh were ſubdued, and the King returning in Triumph, was Crowned together with Eleanor his Queen at Worceſter, where they both at the Offertory laid their Crowns on the high Altar, vowing never to wear them after, and this was the laſt of the three Crownings, and his Brother Geofry now dead, he ſeized upon ſundry Citys and ſtrong places in Normandy, and ſetling his Affairs in that Province, he returned to England, where Becket, Arch-biſhop of Canterbury, influenced by the Pope, began to trouble the Kingdom, not only at the Council Tours, privately ſurrendring thoſe Honours the King had heaped upon him to the Pope, and from him receiving them again, thereby to caſt off the acknowledgements he had to the King or his Prerogative, but countenanced all manner of violence in the Clergy, even to murther; ſo that the complaints of above a hundred Murthers done by the Clergy, coming to the King's car, and he not finding them puniſhed by Church Cenſure, brought ſome of them under the Civil Power, commanding Juſtice to be adminiſtred without partiality, as well to the Clergy as Laity, to that end appointing Miniſters of Juſtice in all parts of the Land, whoſe charge it was to enquire into crimes of that, or the like nature: But this was oppoſed by Becket with a high hand, challenging the King with invading the Rights of the Church, demanding at the ſame time the Caſtle of Rocheſter, and ſundry other places, as belonging to the See of Canterbury. This made the King aſſemble all the Biſhops in Convocation at Weſtminſter, Becket excepted, where it was agreed, That no Appeals ſhould be made to Rome without the Kings Licence: That no Arch-biſhop or Biſhops, upon the Popes Summons, ſhould go out of the Land without the like leave: That no Biſhop ſhould excommunicate any perſon, holding of the King in chief, or put any of his Officers under interdiction without the like Licence: That Clerks criminals, ſhould, if the King thought fit, be tried before Secular Judges. But although the King urged Becket to agree to them, yet he abſolutely refuſed it, ſending thereupon complaints to the Pope, who for his profit and intereſt, not deſirous to break with England, commanded Becket to yield to the King without any Salvo's or exception, which not without much ſtomaching the matter, he at laſt conſented to on the word of a Prieſt, and ſwore that he would obſerve the Laws, which the King called Avitae, as being made in the Reign of his Grandfather; yet he refuſed afterwards to ſet his Seal, ſaying, What he had done was rather in ſome meaſure to pleaſure the King, than out of conſcience: For which, and his continuing obſtinate, he was condemned to the confiſcation of his Goods; and the Biſhop of Chicheſter, in the name of the other Biſhops diſclaimed; and for the afronting the King in his Palace with his Croſs, he was adjudged as a Traytor and perjured perſon, and that he ſhould as ſuch be taken and impriſond, which made him flee into Flanders, where Pope Alexander, and Lewis the French King openly declared for him, which ſo far incenſed King Henry, that he baniſhed his Kindred, commanding his Sheriffs, and other Officers, to ſeize ſuch as appealed to Rome, as likewiſe the Kindred of thoſe Clergy that were with Becket, excluding him from being prayed for as Arch-biſhop.

Becket being by this time in France, excommunicated the Biſhop of London, and proceeded in the like nature with others, ſo that there were ſcarce any found in the Kings Chappel to perform the Service: This made him ſend to the Pope for Legates to abſolve his Subjects, and ſettle a peace in the Kingdom; and although accordingly they were ſent, yet Becket ſtanding off with much obſtinacy, nothing was effected, wherefore, as ſome Hiſtorians will have it, to ſpite the Arch-biſhop the more, and the more firmly to eſtabliſh the Kingdom, he cauſed Roger, Arch-biſhop of York, to Crown his Eldeſt Son Henry, and at the Coronation Feaſt, the King carried up, and ſerved at the Table, the firſt Diſh of Meat, whereat the Arch-biſhop, whiſpering the young King, ſaid, Rejoyce, my fair Son, for there is no Prince in the World that hath ſuch a Servitor attending at his Table, as you have this day. To which the early raiſed Stripling replied, Why wonder you at that, my Lord, ſeeing my Father knows he doth nothing that is unbeſeeming him? for as much as he is Royally born on one ſide, but as for our ſelf we are Royally born on both, as having a King to our Father, and a Queen to our Mother. Upon which proud ſpeech, the old King told the Arch-biſhop, That he repented the too early advancement of the Boy: And now by the mediation of Friends, the old King and Becket were reconciled, and all the Profits and Arrears of the See of Canterbury reſtored: But this reſtleſ Prelate taking his time to diſturb the Kingdom, whilſt the old King was in Normandy, publiſhed the Popes Letters, by which Roger Arch-biſhop of York, and Hugh Biſhop of Durham were ſuſpended from their Eccleſiaſtical Functions, for that they had crowned the young King in prejudice to the See of Canterbury, and the Biſhops of Exeter, Sarum and London, were cut off from the Church, by cenſure, for being Aſſiſtants at that Coronation; nor would he, at the young Kings earneſt intreaties, but under divers reſtrictions and hard conditions Abſolve them.

Becket's new inſolencies coming to the ear of the old King in Normandy, he fell into a great rage, and let ſuch words fall, that ſome of his Courtiers, interpreting them to intimate the Kings deſire to be rid of that proud Prelate, contrary to his knowledge, Richard Fitzurſe, William Tracie, Hugh Brito, and Hugh Norvil paſſed ſecretly into England, and getting admittance into the Cathedral Church at Canterbury, took their opportunity, with concealed Weapons, to fall upon him, as he ſtood in the Evening Service time before the high Altar, and there ſlew him with a Monk or two that made reſiſtance, and thereupon made their eſcapes. This news flying to Rome, and the Murther charged upon the King as done by hi • order, the Pope began terribly to mennace him when he, to take off the imputation of guilt, not only proteſted his innocence, but offered to purge himſelf by ſubmitting to the Judgment of ſuch Cardin • Legates, as the Pope ſhould ſend upon inquiry int • the Fact, and the better to quiet the people that began to murmur againſt him, he paſſed into Irelan • with a great Army, and finding the ſeveral pett • Kings divided amongſt themſelves, he made a Conqueſt of that Kingdom, and made himſelf Lord Ireland.

Upon the Kings return from the Conqueſt Ireland, he found two Cardinal Legates arrived Normandy, by whom he was abſolved, after giving Oath that he was no ways conſenting to the death Becket, and declaring his ſorrow for having let f • words in his anger that might adminiſter any oc • ſion of committing that crime, whereupon the co • ditions of his Penance were enjoyned, viz. That his own charge, for the ſpace of a year, he ſhould ma • tain two hu • dred Soldiers for defence of the Holy La • That he ſhould revoke all Cuſtoms introduced to the 〈◊〉 judice of the Churches Liberties, and reſtore and make up the Poſſeſſions of the Church of Canterbury: That he ſhould cull home, and freely receive all that were in Baniſhment for Becketg 's cauſe. There were other ſecret Penances enjoyned, which upon his coming over he performed.

The King, notwithſtanding the ſatisfaction he gave the Pope was not at eaſe, for the young King, Henry his Son, inſtigated by his Mother, the Kings of Scotland and France, his two Brothers, Richard and Geofry, with divers Nobles, as well Engliſh as Normans raiſed a Rebellion, and ſeized upon many Towns in Britain and other places. But the old Kings Fortune prevailed againſt them, and by Humphry Bohun his High Conſtable in England, he overcame Robert Earl of Leiceſter, which made Lewis of France ſeek a Truce with him of ſix Months, which was accorded; and coming to Canterbury three Miles bare footed, as his private Penance, he entred the Chapter Houſe of the Monks, and humbly proſtrating himſelf on the floor, begged pardon, and ſuffered himſelf voluntarily to be whipped on the back with Rods by all the Brethren of the Houſe, ſo that his ſtripes amounted to fourſcore. This confirmed the people of his innocency, or at leaſt, ſatisfied their anger; ſo that the Scots invading England, were ſo unanimouſly oppoſed, that they were defeated, and William their King taken priſoner: Young King Henry attempting to land, was driven back to France by contrary Winds; but making ſome other attempts, he died in the expedition, Anno 1183: And the next year Heraclius, Patriarch of Jeruſalem, came into England to implore the Kings Aid • gainſt the Infidels, that grievouſly oppreſſed the Eaſtern Chriſtians, and that he would go thither in perſon; but the Nobles being conſulted, and not approving it, only a ſupply of Money was granted.

The King, the better to quiet his Son John, who was of a turbulent ſpirit, conſtituted him Lord of Ireland, aſſigning him rents in England and Normandy; however, he conſpired with his Brothers Richard and Geofry againſt him; but before any thing came to perfection, Geofry was troden to death under the Horſes feet, at a Turnament in Paris, notwithſtanding Richard, by the aſſiſtance of Philip, the French King, drove his Father out of Mentz, the place of his birth, and for which reaſon he loved it above all other; whereupon with tears he declared, that ſeeing his Son had taken from him that day the thing which he moſt loved in the World, he would requite him, for from that day he would deprive him of that thing, which in him ſhould beſt pleaſe a Child, viz. his heart, and having a Scrowl of the Conſpirators, he no ſooner found his Son John in the head of them, and firſt in that Scrowl, but he curſt the hour of his Birth, laying God's curſe, and his own, upon all his Sons which he could not be prevailed upon to recal, but fretting himſelf for the unnatural proceedings of his Children, and worn out with age and toil, he fell ſick at Charon, and finding the approach of death, he cauſed himſelf to be carried to the Church, and laid before the high Altar, where after humble confeſſion and ſorrow for his ſins, he gave up the ghoſt, Anno 1189, and wa • intered at Font Everard.

This King Henry the Second was King of England Duke of Normandy, Guen and Aquitain, eldeſt Son to Jeffery Plantagenet, Earl of Anjou, Son to Foulk King of Jeruſalem, by Maud his Wife, eldeſt Daughter t • Henry the Firſt: He began his Reign on the 25th o • October 1154, and reigned 34 years eight months an • eleven days, and was the twenty fifth ſole Monarc • of England, he had Iſſue by his Wife Eleaner, Will am, who died 1156, Richard, Geofry and Philip wh • died very young, John, Maud who was married 〈◊〉 Henry, ſirnamed the Lyon Duke of Saxony, Elean • married to William King of Caſtile, Joan married 〈◊〉 VVilliam King of Sicily, and afterwards to Ramu • the fourth Earl of Tholouze.

By the lovely Roſamond, his beautiful Concubin • he had natural Iſſue, viz. VVilliam, ſirnamed Longſpur, and Jeffry, Arch-biſhop of York. This Roſamond was Daughter to the Lord Clifford; and whilſt the King proſecuted his Wars in Normandy and France, he cauſed her to be kept in a Labrinth built at VVoodſtock to ſecure her from his jealous Queen, but ſhe finding her by a clew of Thred or Silk, which the Fair one had accidentially let fall, compelled her to drink Poiſon, of which ſhe died to the unſpeakable grief of the King, who not only deteſted his Queen for ſo much cruelty, but raiſed a ſtately Monument at Godſtow with this Scription.

Hic jacet in Tumba, &c. Here lies the Worlds fair Roſe which once was ſweet, But faded now you no ſuch ſavour meet.

He had likewiſe Morgan by another Concubine, and in his time it reigned blood in the Iſle of VVight for the ſpace of two hours. A great Earthquake happened, and a Dragon of marvellous higneſs was diſcovered, at St. Oſyph in Eſſex another Earthquake happened that rent in pieces the Cathedral of Lincoln, • nd at Oxford, in Suſſex certain Fiſhermen drew up in their Net a hairy Creature out of the Sea, in all proportions like a Man, which was expoſed to the • ight of thouſands, living upon Fleſh, but in the end • ole from his keepers, and got to Sea again: And his King it was that cauſed Leiceſter to be burnt, the Walls raiſed, the Caſtle demoliſhed, and the Inhabiants to be expulſed for their diſobedience, and taking • art with his Enemies.

This King long ſtrugling for a Throne, at laſt The glitring Diadem he graſp'd ſo faſt, That Becket, nor's rebellious Sons, nor Rome, Could ſeize the Prize till death had found his 〈◊〉 .

The Reign and Actions of Richard the Firſt King of England, &c.

KIng Henry the Second being dead, Richard his third Son, for his ſtrength and courage, ſirnamed Cour 〈◊〉 Leon, or Lyons heart, was crowned by Baldwin, Arch-biſhop of Canterbury, and ſworn to keep ſeveral Articles adminiſtred to him by the Peers advantagious to the Kingdom: the Solemnity of his Coronation was at Weſtminſter, and was followed with much bloodſhed in divers parts of the Nation; for by the inſtigation of ſeveral Monks and Fryers, the people in a tumultuous manner fell upon the Jews, and upon ſome diſguſt made miſerable havock of their Goods, and ſlaughter of their Perſons, for which divers of the Ring-leaders were executed: And now it being in the power of this King to put in practice what he had long determined, viz. to paſs into the Holy Land, with an Army, for the reſcue of the oppreſſed Chriſtians, wherefore hearing that divers other Princes had determined the like, he appointed VVliliam Longchamp, Biſhop of Ely, his Chief Juſtice, and Lord Chancellor; and to him he joyned Hugh Biſhop of Durham, for the Conſervation of the Northern parts Beyond Humber, and with theſe he aſſociated divers Temporal Lords, concluding at the ſame time a Peace with the King of Scots; ſo that ſuppoſing all ſafe a • home, the next undertaking was to furniſh his Navy which being done, he put to Sea, with a very grea • attendance, not ſparing to mortgage and ſell ſevera • parcels of his Revenues, and forced William d' Tur • ham, his Fathers Treaſurer, to contribute 1100 pound to defray the Charges, and that he might the bette • keep his Brother John in quiet, during his abſence h • appointed him for his maintenance, the Revenue of Earldoms.

The King being on his way toward Palaſtine, af •• he had wintered at Sicily, paſſed towards Cyprus, whe • finding ſome of his Ships that had put that into Iſland ſtreſs of Weather, had been ſeized by the Cypriots, and his men roughly uſed, he ſent to the King for reparation, but that being denied him, not without Threats, if he did not depart the Haven; our undaunted King not uſed to be braved, beat the Defendants from the ſhoar, and reſolutely Landing, ſeized the Iſland, together with its King, and appointing a Governour, carried that King in Manacles of Gold to Ptolomais, where the Chriſtians lay at Siege, taking by the way a great Argoſey, on board which was 1500 Sarazens and Turks furniſhed, beſide other things, with Fire-works, and Barrels of Venomous Serpents bound for Ptolomais, ſince called Acon, intending to diſperſe thoſe Venomous Creatures amongſt the Chriſtians, as they lay Incamped before the Town, but King Richard cauſed them to be caſt into the Sea, and in the diſpute there periſhed by the Sword and Waters, for many voluntarily caſt themſelves over-board 1300, of the Sarazens, &c.

The King by this time ſafely arrived at Ptolomais, or Acon, found it Beſieged by ſundry Nations under the Weſtern Princes, as Genoways, Florentines, Flemings, Danes, Almains, Dutch, Piſans, Friez-landers, Lombards, and the Engliſh that had paſſed thither, under Hubert Biſhop of Sarum, in the time of King Henry the Second; as likewiſe the Knights Templers of European Nations, beſide the Aſian Chriſtians who made a gallant Army; and ſoon after came Philip King. of France, and the Duke of Auſtria with a great Fleet, whereupon a Council of the Princes was held, concluding that part of the Force, being left to maintain the Siege, the reſt ſhould draw out to give Battle to the Saladine or King of the Turks and Sarazens, who lay hovering on the Plains, a few Leagues diſtant with 300000 Horſe and Foot, but they could not engage him to a fight, yet falling upon his rear in his retreat, they cut off a great number, and took much ſpoil, returning again to the Siege; but the Saladine, who knew the importance of this ſtrong City, followed with greater force, but durſt not attempt its relief, yet in ravaging the Country, have gotten, at ſundry times, 1500 Chriſtian captives, he ſent word, If they did not raiſe the Siege, he would cut them in pieces in the ſight of the Army; Whereupon King Richard ſent a Trumpet, commanding him to deſiſt, For if he put thoſe Chriſtians to death, the priſoners in his Camp muſt expect the like treatment: However, upon the next aſſault, the Saladine cauſed them to be put to death, whoſe piteous cries piercing the Ears of King Richard, he in a rage cauſed the Heads of 2500 of the Turks and Sarazen Captives to be ſinitten off in the fight of the Enemies Camp; and now a general aſſault was given, where the Engliſh with ſhowers of Arrows, beating the Infidels from the Walls, mounted with ſuch reſolution and bravery, that nothing was able to reſiſt them; ſo that ſeconded by the reſt, the ſtrong City of Ptolomais was taken, and in the over-running the Streets, a great number put to the Sword; ſo that whilſt the Engliſh were buſie in repulſing the Enemy, who made a great reſiſtance, the Auſtrians advanced the Standard of their Duke upon the Walls, as if by the valour of a handful of men that important place had been taken, which ſo far incenſed King Richard, that he threw it down, and trampled it under foot, which rais'd a mortal grudge in the Auſtrian Duke againſt our King, nor did he reſt till in ſome part he had given his anger vent, which at that time he durſt not expreſs.

This place being taken and garriſoned by Chriſtians, the next deſign was upon the City of Jeruſalem; but Philip the French King, envying the glory of the Engliſh, drew off the greater part of his Army, and returned to France, the like did the Duke of Auſtria, and divers of their faction, not withſtanding the prayers and intreaties of the Aſian Chriſtians, who hoped by the prevailing Arms of theſe Weſtern Princes, to be delivered from the tyranny and oppreſſion they had ſo long groaned under; however King Richard was no ways diſmayed, but drawing out his Forces, offered the Saladine battle, which vvas refuſed, vvhereupon he cauſed the Army to march towards Jeruſalem, but by the vvay he vvas diſerted by the Duke of Burgundy, vvho the French King left as his General vvith part of the Forces, and upon no other account, as Burgundy himſelf declared, But that it ſhould never be ſaid the Engliſh ſhould have the glory of wining Jeruſalem, vvhich greatly grieved the King, that ſo famous an enterprize ſhould miſcarry through malice and emulation, and vvhilſt he vvas in his melancholly upon this occaſion, a Knight mounting a high ſandy Hill, ſaid, Come hither, Sir, and I will ſhow you Jeruſalem: but the King, at theſe vvords, covered his face, and fetching a deep ſigh, ſaid, Ah, my Lord God, I beſeech thee, that I may not ſee thy holy City Jeruſalem, becauſe I am not able to deliver it out of the hands of thine enemies Hovvever he made an honourable peace vvith the Saladine, which including that the Chriſtians ſhould quietly enjoy what they poſſeſſed, and ſo ſelling the Iſle of Cypruſs to the Knight Templers for 30000 Marks, he returned with his Army, having obtained the nominal Title of King of Jeruſalem, from Guy of Luſig • am, the laſt of the race of the Chriſtian Kings of Jeruſalem, which Title the King of Spain claims at this day, but without power or effect: One thing is not lightly to be forgotten, viz. that the King above all others that had been in the Holy Land, though many great Potentates had been there before him, brought terror and dread upon the Sarazens, for when at any time their Children cryed, they to quiet them would ſay, King Richard is coming and will have you; nay, when their Horſes ſtumbled, they would cry, Ha Jade! you think King Richard is in the way.

King Richard; as is ſaid, returning home with his fair Queen Berengaria, was ſeparated upon the Coaſt of Hiſtria, by a ſtorm from the reſt of the Fleet, and the Ship being broken, and in no condition to put to Sea, he in diſguiſe of a Merchant, or as, ſome ſay, a Knight Templer, reſolved to paſs over Land; but being too laviſh in his expenſes, that raiſed a ſuſpition of his being of great Quality; ſo that, near Vienna he was made a priſoner, by the order of Leopold the Arch-Duke, whoſe Standard he had thrown down from the Walls of Ptolomais, and by him ſold to the Emperor Henry the Sixth for 60000 Marks, and was ranſom'd after ſixteen Months impriſonment, and very bad uſage at 160000 pounds, to pay which, a great Tax, was levyed throughout England, yet joyfully disburſed by the people, who ſuffering under ſuch Miniſters, as were ſet over them, greatly deſired the return of their King, ſo that Philip of France, having notice he was at large, ſent to tell John, King Richard's Brother, who had uſurped the Rule, during his captivity, That the Devil was let looſe; and although ſeveral waits were laid to intrap and retake him, after ſecurity was given for the Money; he landed ſafe at Sandwich, and was joyfully received by Hubert, Arch-biſhop of Canterbury, who had been in the Holy Land with him, as likewiſe by his Subjects, but more eſpecially by Queen Eleanor his Mother, who by her prudent Conduct and Authority, had ſecured the Kingdom, during his abſence, from the total uſurpation of his Brother John, who now haſted to meet him, and ſubmitting himſelf, was freely forgiven in theſe words, viz. I would that thy faults may be ſo forgotten of me, as thou thy ſelf may keep in memory, wherein thou haſt offended; and thereupon taking him into his favour, he reſtored his forfeited Poſſeſſions, who from that time became firm to the Kings intereſt, and did him faithful ſervice, eſpecially againſt the French, whoſe King contrary to his Oath he gave King Richard, upon his departure from the Holy Land, had warred upon his Countries of Normandy, Anjou, &c. ſtirring up, in his abſence, many diſcenſions and diſorders in England, when in one of the Skirmiſhes, taking the Biſhop of Bevois priſoner compleatly Armed, the Pope interceeded by Letter for the delivery of his dear Son, as he termed the Biſhop, when the King in a merry humour ſent his Habergeon Curiaſs, and the reſt of his Armour he was taken in, and order'd the Bearers in the words of Joſephs Brethren to ſay, This we found, ſee if it be thy Sons Coat or not: To which the Pope earneſtly replyed, They belonged not to his Son, nor to a Son of the Church, but to ſome Imp of Mars, and therefore he ſhould free himſelf as he could, for as for his part he would have no further hand in the matter; So that the Biſhop was obliged to ranſom himſelf with a large ſum, and ſoon after the King at Gyſors gave the French a great overthrow, taking 100 Knights and Servetors on Horſeback, thirty Men at Arms, 200 great Horſes, whereof 140 had Barbs and Capariſons, armed with Plates of Iron, killing a great number, many of the firſt Rank; and here the King in Perſon did wonders, bearing to the ground with his Lance Matthew d' Monmerancy Alan d' Ruſci Foulk d' Giſerval, and made them Priſoners, and after this Victory, it was that the King expreſſed himſelf in theſe Words, that have ſince become the Motto of the Arms of England, viz. Diu & Mondroit, Not we, ſay he, have gained this Victory, but God and our Right: But now the fatal time approached that was to eclipſe the Glories of this Prince in the ſhades of Death, for hearing the Count of Limogen had found in one of his Lordſhips a great Treaſure of Silver, he ſent to him for it, as properly belonging to the Sovereign, but the Count would not yeild to ſend him above one half, which incenſing the King, he beſieged him in his Caſtle of Chauluz, at which Seige he was ſhot by a ſquare Arrow out of a Steel Bow into the Shoulder; yet he took the Caſtle, and the Arcubalaſter, being brought before him, boldly owned the ſhot, alledging That the King with his own hand had killed his Father, and two Brethren, which incited him to revenge their deaths in an honourable way: Whereupon the King perceiving the undaunted confidence of this Bertram d' Guidon, not only forgave him the fact, but ordered him 100 ſhillings, yet through the unskilfulneſs of the Chirurgeons, the Wound proved Mortal; when the King perceiving his end to approach, he greatly bewailed his ſins, and then receiving the Sacrament, expired Anno 1199, having before given order that his Bowels ſhould be buried amongſt his rebellious Subjects of Poctiou, as thoſe that deſerved his worſt part; his heart at Roan, which City had always been conſtant and loyal to him; and his Body at Font Everard, there to be laid at the Feet of his Father, to whom he had been ſome time diſobedient, and for which he greatly reproved himſelf.

This Richard the Firſt was King of England, Duke of Normandy, Guin and Aquitain; he began his Reign the ſixth of July 1189, and reigned nine Years nine Months, dying in the 42 year of his Age, being the 26 ſole Monarch of England, he was conttacted to Alice, Daughter to Lewis the ſeventh King of France. But falling paſſionately in love with Berengaria, Daughter to Sanches the ſix King of Navar, he married her in the way to the Holy Land, whether ſhe was accompanying her Father, but had no Iſſue by her, yet he left behind him Philip and Iſabel his natural Children.

Thus the ſtout Lyons Heart to Death did yeild, Whoſe dreadful Arms had ſtrew'd the bloody field Of fruitful Paleſtine, no Infidel, Nor French, nor Rebels could reſiſt his Steel: Victorious every where he did remain, Cyprus he won, yet by an Arrow ſlain.

The Reign and Actions of John King of England, &c.

JOhn called by King Henry the Second, his Father, Lackland, as being out of hopes of the Crown, by reaſon ſo many Brothers were before him, was, notwithſtanding Arthur his Eldeſt Brother Geofry's Son being alive, crowned upon the Death of King Richard, by Hubert Archbiſhop of Canterbury at Weſ • minſter, through the inſtance of Queen Eleanor, and moſt of the Nobles; yet the French King promoted great troubles in England, under pretence of Inthroaning the young Prince, yet for great ſum he connived at his being delivered into his Uncles hands, ſo that upon new diſturbances, occaſioned as well by the Clergy as Laity, he was cloſely impriſoned. The Poctovians rebelling, the King prepared to quiet them, but as well the Clergy, as the Lay-peers, denied him aſſiſtance of Men and Money, or to wait on him in perſon, yet with ſuch a Power as he could raiſe, with preſent Treaſure, he paſſed the Seas, overthrew the Rebels, took the young Prince, who had eſcaped, priſoner, with divers Peers, and two hundred French Knights, reducing all the revolted Towns to their obedience; ſo that Prince Arthur, now kept under ſtricter reſtraint than ever, died in priſon, as ſome will have it, not without ſuſpition of violence, which cauſed much murmuring amongſt the people; and the French King laying hold of that opportunity, cited King John, as an Homager, for the Dukedom of Normandy, &c. to appear at a ſet time to be tried by his Peers, upon Articles of Murther and Treaſon; but the King diſdaining to obey the Summons, he was pretendedly, by the French King and his Peers, diſinherited and condemned in his abſence; ſo that by reaſon of the Inteſtine Troubles, not being able to paſs over with a ſufficient Army, to repel the inſulting French men, they ſeized upon many of his Towns and Caſtles, ſome by force, and others by treachery, yet quieting matters ſomewhat better at home, and getting a conſiderable ſum of Money from the delinquent Barons, and ſuch as had been in Rebellion againſt him, and having moreover a Subſidy granted him, he prepared to paſs the Seas, when in the mean while the French King, out of a bravado, ſent a Knight, as his Champion, to challenge to ſingle Combate any of the Kings Subjects, and in a mortal battle to juſtifie the proceedings of his Sender: To match this Braggadocia, John Curcy, Earl of Ulſter in Ireland, who had ſome time before been brought priſoner into England, upon a revolt of the Iriſh, ſo that the King knowing him to be of a ſavage and untractable nature, went in perſon to propoſe this honourable undertaking; when looking on the King with a ſtern countenance, enough to ſtrike terror in the beholders, he ſaid, In thy Quarrel I will neither draw Sword, or fight a ſtroke; but for the honour of the Realm of England, I will ſhed my laſt drop of blood: Hereupon the day was appointed, and all things ordered to be in a readineſs; but in the mean while the Monſieur geting knowledge of the Earls Gigantick Stature, and proportion of Limbs; as likewiſe the great quantities of Proviſions he daily devoured, he thought it no boot to ſtay, and thinking it was not ſafe to return into France, he ſneaked away and went for Spain; ſo that Philip of France aſhamed of the diſgrace, ſent to excuſe it, yet new troubles, (as indeed this Kings Reign was a perpetual ſtorm) ariſing, h • could not ſo ſoon get over Sea, as he expected; how ever, upon his coming, the French were terrified t • a degree of ſuing for peace, and it was, upon the relinquiſhing ſundry places they had taken accordingly ſo that the two Kings appointing an interview, an • the Iriſh Earl happening to be there, the French Kin • was very deſirous to ſee a tryal of his ſtrength, whe • placing a Steel Helmet upon a knotty trunk of Oa •• the Iriſh man with a ſtrong Sword, that no body b • himſelf could weld, after a dreadful ſneer or two, let fly with ſo full a charge, that he cut not only the Helmet in two, but entred his Sword ſo far into the wood, that none but himſelf could pluck it out, when being asked by King John, 〈◊〉 he looked ſo furiouſly before he gave the blow? his •• ply was, That had he miſſed it, he would have killed not only the two Kings but all the ſpectators.

The Truce that the French made with the Engliſh at this time, ſerved but to gain the greater advantage, by rendring King John more ſupine in his Affairs, for by degrees they encroached upon all Normandy, geting even the City of Roan it ſelf, upon which Main Tourain Poctou revolted, nor could King John hinder it, having his hands full at home, and when he was about to go for Normandy, Habert, Arch-biſhop of Canterbury ſuſpected to be a Pentioner of King Philip, peremtorily forbid him to proceed in that voyage; and the Earls and Barons a ſecond time denyed their Aid, inſomuch, that the King, in a rage, ſeized upon ſome of their Eſtates, and grievouſly fined others; nor was it a little gainful to him, that Hubert the Arch-biſhop dyed the ſame year, whoſe large Treaſure the King • ook for the uſe of the Wars, but now an obſtacle • roſe: The Monks of Canterbury choſe one Reginald for their Arch-biſhop, who was Subprior of their Convent, yet the King oppoſed it, and preſented John Grey, Biſhop of Norwich, ſo that the Pope, upon no • ice of what had happened, rejected both, and went • bout to impoſe on them one Stephen d' Langton, whom the Monks for fear of the Pope's high Curſe, wherewith they were threatned, received as their Arch-biſhop; but the King knowing him to be one • f the French Faction, and that he would conſequent • be prejudicial to his Affairs, could not be brought 〈◊〉 hearken to it, though the Pope ſent him a preſent • f Rings, with ſome flattering Comments on them • eclaring, That the Right and Power over all Chi •••• as in the See of Rome: But the King threatning, if he deſiſted not from ſuch pretentions in England, he would ſtop all Monies that paſſed from hence to Rome; and thereupon a hot conteſt by Letters happening between them, the old blade in a pet Interdicted the Kingdom, which the Bigottry of the times made the people think to be the greateſt Malediction that could befal them; ſo that the Prieſts to ſtrengthen their Maſters Power, and make him more dreadful to the World, lay idle for the ſpace of ſix years and fourteen Weeks, in which time there was neither publick preaching nor praying, no Adminiſtration of the Sacrament, Burial or Chriſtning, by which we may plainly ſee, whatever the Papiſts pretend, as to the Sanctity of their infalible Father, how much he prefered his private revenge before the Service of God, and this he denyed not to Hereticks, but to Papiſts; ſo that the people, being greatly diſcouraged, many parts of the Kingdom lay untilled, and became, as it were deſolate; when the King, on the other hand, preſcribed the diſloyal Clergy, confiſcated their Temporalities, as alſo their Biſhopricks, Abbies and Priories, puting them into the hands of Lay-men, ſuffering the Clergy to be oppreſſed without taking notice of it, or righting them by civil Juſtice, declaring they had, by obliging the Pope, put themſelves out of hi • protection, yet ſome of the more prudent, as the Biſhop of Durham, and his Succeſſor, the Biſhops of Wincheſter and Norwich, incouraged the King, not to regard the Papal Curſe as being weak and inſignificant; like wiſe the Abbots of Ciſtercian Order took no notice o • it, but went on, as before, till ſuch time as the Pop • ſuſpended them, for that contempt, and the more t • ſhew his ſpleen, Anathamatized the King by name whereupon ſome, as well Nobles as Plebeans, diſerte his ſervice, for which, in a ſtout reſolution, he b • niſhed and fined them, but wearied out with th • practices of the Clergy againſt him, and the Rebellio • of his Nobles, he concluded it was better to give wa • to the humour of a petiſh Pope, than to live in di • quiet, and daily hazard his Kingdom, whereupon Langton was offered to be confirmed, the other Biſhops and Clergy reſtored, and that the Churches ſhould have its Franchiſes, as in the time of Edward the Confeſſor, but not being willing (as indeed he was not at that time in a condition) to reſtore the Monies received for Eccleſiaſtical confiſcations, the Legate ſent by the Pope would not come to a concluſion.

This being the ſtate of Affairs, and the Pope deſirous to humble the King, diſcharged his Subjects from their fealty and Allegiance to him, which ſome taking as a good warrant, utterly diſowned him for their King, and the Welſh thereupon took up Arms, which ſo inraged the King, that he cauſed the 28 Hoſtages, which they had given for the ſecurity of their good behaviour, to be hanged up at Notingham; but by this time the Barons had invited Lewis, Dauphin of France, to invade the Kingdom, promiſing to ſet the Crown upon his Head, when, in the mean time, while Stephen Langton and other Biſhops implored the Popes aſſiſtance to ſettle the Church, which muſt otherways fall into ruine, whereupon he decreed that King John muſt be depoſed ere it could be ſettled, ſending to Philip the French King to take upon him the Crown and Kingdom, offering him a pardon for all his ſins, in caſe he effected it. King John, upon notice of the ſpightful proceedings, prepared to oppoſe the French, or any other Invader by Sea or Land; but in the mean time Pandulph the Pope's Legate came into England, and ſo wrought with the King, that he ſuffered himſelf, to prevent the ſtorm, conditionally to be depoſed, and at the Knight Templers houſe at Dover, he ſurrendred his Crown into the hands of the Legate (ſome ſay, whilſt he kneeled, the proud Prieſt kicked it off with his foot) for the uſe of the Pope, and to be diſpoſed as he thought fit, laying his Scepter, Sword and Ring at the Legates feet, and ſubſcribed a Charter, whereby he reſigned his Kingdom to the Pope, profeſſing (but how ſincerely I ſuffer the Reader to judge) he did it not through fear or force, but of his own voluntary accord, as having no other way to make ſatisfaction to God, and the Church, for his offence, and from that time forward he would hold his Crown and Kingdom in fee of the See of Rome, at the A •• al penſion of 1000 Marks for England and Ireland (a very hard caſe, but neceſſity it ſeems has no Law) ſo that the Legate having gained his ends more favourable than he could reaſonably expect, paſſed over for France, to put a ſtop to King Philip's preparations, but he declared that ſeeing the Pope had been the main Inſtrument in ſeting him on, and that the charge was already very great, he would not deſiſt, though the Pope ſhould Excommunicate him, and calling a Council of Peers, all but Ferdinand Earl of Flanders, approved his intentions; and the Barons denied to aid him, till he was Aſſailed of the Excommunication, and that all their Laws and Liberties granted by Henry the Firſt were reſtored, which obliged the King to ſend divers rich Preſents to Rome, thereby to allure the Pope, who upon the Receipt ſent the Biſhop of Tuſculum, who would have perſwaded him to have made over the Kingdom of England, but not only the Arch-biſhop, but all the Peers of the Kingdom oppoſed it, ſo that in Parliament it was Enacted, That ſince the King could not without the conſent of Parliament, bring his Kingdom and People to ſuch a Thraldom, therefore if the Pope ſhould, in the future, attempt any ſuch thing, they with their Lives and Fortunes were ready to oppoſe it. So that the Pope finding there was no good to be done this way, ſent his Authentick Letters for the repealing the Edict, yet not without the reſtitution of 1300 Marks to the Clergy, moſt of which came to his Coffers, ſo that the King paſſed into his Tranſmarine Territories; but before he could quiet the diſturbances, news came that the Engliſh Barons had bound themſelves at the high Altar of St. Edmundsbury by Oath, to purſue the King with Arms, till he had granted them their Charter of Liberties, granted in the Reign of Henry the Firſt, whereupon he found himſelf neceſſitated to return, and finding they had not only ſeized London, but were otherways very formidable a Council to reconcile differences was held in Runing Marſh, between Stains and Windſor, ſince called Council Mead, and there he granted them Magna Charta, and Charta Foreſtae, and conſented that 25 ſelect Peers ſhould command the reſt, who were bound by Oath to be obedient, but the King long dijeſted not this abating of his Power, but withdrawing himſelf, he ſent to complain of it to the Pope, as likewiſe to his Friends abroad for Aid, and was in both ſucceſsful, for at Rome by a definitive Sentence the Barons Charters were made void, and both they and the King accurſed, if either of them obſerved the concluſion of the Treaty in Council Mead; he likewiſe had conſiderable Forces ſent him from Gaſcoin, Brabant and Flanders, ſo that he again took the Field, dividing his Army in two parts, when himſelf marching Northward, and the Earl of Salisbury Southward, they brought all into ſubjection, and although the Barons were excommunicated, yet they ſlighted it, and incouraged the City of London, which was Interdicted for adhearing to their Intereſts; and ſent to Lewis, Dauphin of France, their Letters of Allegiance confirmed with their Seals, intreating King Philip, his Father, to ſend him in order to take poſſeſſion of the Engliſh Diadem, but the Pope advertiſed of what was in hand, ſent his Apoſtolick commands to Philip, charging him not to ſuffer his Son to moleſt St. Peter's Patrimony, with a Curſe upon ſuch as ſhould aſſiſt him, but it prevailed not, for the hot-headed Prince ſent over with a Fleet of 600 Ships and 80 Boats landing in Kent, where he joyned the Barons, whereupon the King retired towards Wincheſter, and the Dauphin came to London, where he was received in triumph, the Citizens doing him homage, as did the Barons at Weſtminſter, he ſwearing to them, That he would reſtore all men their Rights, and recover to the Crown whatever King John had loſt; ſo that moſt important places ſubmitted.

During theſe Tranſactions, the King ruined the Houſes and Caſtles of the Barons in Arms, and ſet forward from Lyn in Norfolk to give them battle; but paſſing the Waſhes, the Floods deſtroyed moſt of his Baggage, with many of his Soldiers, which obliged him to deſiſt: But the Barons not having their rents paid, began to look back, and perceiving their ſervices ſlighted by the Dauphin, and the places of truſt beſtowed on his French-men; they thought it high time to reconcile themſelves to their King, which was haſtened by the diſcovery the Viſcount d' Melun made upon his Death-bed, viz. That Lewis had ſworn, when eſtabliſhed on the Throne, to condemn the Barons to perpetual baniſhment, as Traytors to their King, and utterly root out their Kindred, ſo that forty of them immediately addreſſed their Letters of humble ſubmiſſion to the King, but it ſo unfortunately fell out, that he was dead before they arrived.

The death of this King is variouſly reported, ſome will have it to be of a Flux, others of a Surfeit, but Writers of beſt credit ſay, that coming to Swinſtead Abby, after his great loſs in the Waſhes, and ſeeing the liberal profuſeneſs of the Monks, whilſt his Army was in a manner half ſtarved, he ſaid in a pet, holding a Loaf in his hand, That if he lived but half a year, he would make it 12 times as dear, which being overheard by a Monk, he mixed poiſon in a Cup of Wine, and ſerved it to the King, as he was at dinner, by the force whereof he died; ſome again will have it to be done by intoxicated Fruit.

This John was King of England, Lord of Ireland, Duke of Normandy, Guyen and Aquitain, ſixth Son of King Henry the Second by Q. Eleanor, and 27 ſole Monarch of England, he began his Reign on the 6th of April, Anno 1199, reigned 17 years 6 months and 13 days, dying of poiſon, the 19. of October, 1216.

Thus from a troubled Throne King John deſcends, And in his Grave all toil and trouble ends: There factious Subjects, Popes, nor Galick Arms Diſturb his reſt, with their too rude alarms. Death can alone from cares of ſtate give reſt, The ſlumbring Grave is with no fears oppreſt.

The Reign and Actions of Henry the III. King of England, &c.

KIng John being dead, the Barons almoſt with one voice and conſent, notwithſtanding Lewis was yet in the Land with his Army, choſe Henry, eldeſt Son to the deceaſed, King, about Ten years of Age, Crowning him nine days after his Fathers Death, and the Earl of Pembroke was conſtituted his Guardian, who raiſed an Army and marched againſt the French, giving them a great overthrow near Lincoln, taking ſeveral of the Barons that ſtood out with about 400 Knights and Eſquires Priſoners, beſides a great Booty the French had ſcraped together in plundering the Country, and many of the French that ſcattered from the Battel were killed by the Peaſants; nor was the Fleet, appointed to bring Supplies out of France better treated; for being met by the Engliſh, moſt of the French Ships were burnt, ſunk, or taken, ſo that the Dauphin was obliged, with ſuch Forces as he could Rally, to ſhut himſelf up in London, whither he was followed by the Earl, and beſieged by Water and Land; which made the Monſieur begin to think of a timely Capitulation: The ſubſtance was, That Lewis, and the Barons in Arms ſhould ſubmit to the Cenſure of the Church, and that then he, and as many as would goe with him, ſhould be permitted to depart the Land, with a Promiſe never to return again, in a deſign of harming it; and that he ſhould uſe his Intereſt with his Father, that ſuch things as belonged to the Engliſh Crown, and were wrongfully detained, ſhould be reſtored, and that when himſelf ſhould be King of France he ſhould peaceably part with them; and that he ſhould immediately render to Henry all Caſtles and Places taken in England, during the War. To this Lewis ſwore, and for the better ſecurity of the Barons that had been in Rebellion, Wallo the Legate, the Earl of Pembroke, and the young King ſwore they ſhould be reſtored, as well the Barons as others, to all their Rights and Inheritances, with their Liberties before demanded of King John; that none of the Laity ſhould ſuffer damage or reproach for the Side or Party they had taken; and that the Priſoners taken in War, or by Surprize, ſhould be releaſed. Upon this Lewis the Dauphin, and as many of his Followers as were left, paſſed into France; yet the Kingdom was moleſted by ſundry turbulent Perſons, whom no Conceſſions, nor Favours, could oblige; and amongſt theſe were William Earl of Aumarle, Robert de Veipont, &c. which encouraged the Welſh to raiſe new Broils on the Frontiers: And ſoon after one Arnulph, a Citizen of London, with divers others, Conſpiring to call in Lewis a ſecond time; Arnulph and two others were hanged, and ſeveral had, for the like Attempt, their Hands or Feet cut off, and the Barons finding their Liberties but ſlowly confirmed, began to murmur.

Lewis extreamly vexed for the diſgrace he had ſuffered in England, upon the Death of his Father, though contrary to his Oath ſeized upon Rochel, and the County of Poictu, both appertaining to the Engliſh, and the true Cauſe he excuſed by pretending King Henry, as Homager of Aquitain, ſhould have attended at his Coronation; but that he neither did it in Perſon, nor ſhewed any Reaſon for his being abſent, by his Ambaſſadors. Theſe Proceedings made King Henry, n • at Age, Call a Parliament, which granted him Supply, in order to raiſe an Army for the recovery of his Right, but that not proving ſufficient, though he that Summer vanquiſhed the French in a ſet Battel, he preſſed about 5000 Marks from the Londoners above their Fifteenths, and the Clergy were not exempted, but under pain of the papal Cenſure, obliged to pay the Tax of Fifteenths; but the greateſt Summe he raiſed was by revoking the Charters and Liberties, excuſing it by declaring they were granted in his nonage: But this begat Hubert de Burgo, his chief Juſtice, who adviſed him to it, a very great hatred amongſt the People; however, the King with the Money thus gotten, raiſed an Army, and ſailed for Britany, winning many Places, and driving them from their Encroachments; but the Iriſh rebelling he was conſtrained to return ſooner than he purpoſed; but upon notice of his Preparations, the Iriſh laid down their Arms, and ſneaked into their Eogs. He about the ſame time quieted the Welſh that began to be mutinous; and now it was that the Biſhop of Wincheſter, and others, found an opportunity to accuſe Hubert de Burgo of many high Crimes and Miſdemeanours, upon which he fled, but being taken at Brent Wood in Eſſex, he was brought bound to London, and Impriſoned in the Tower; when in his Place, as chief Counſellour and Confident, the King ordained Peter de Rupibus, Biſhop of Winchester, but he being a Foreigner by Birth, ſo greatly favoured Strangers, that he procured them to be put into Offices, and the moſt important Truſts of the Kingdom; which made the Engliſh Noblemen confederate againſt him, and the King ſummoning them to Parliament, they ſent him word that if out of hand he removed not the Biſhop of Wincheſter, and Strangers, out of his Court, they would drive both him and them out of the Kingdom; and having removed him, with his evil Counſellours, they would conſult about Creating a new King. But animated by the Biſhop of Wincheſter, his Confident, the King marched to Gloucester with an Army, and ſending for them by Name, ſuch as appeared not he burnt their Mannors, and gave their Inheritances to his Strangers; which made the Earl-Marſhal and others that ſtood out, contract a ſtrict Alliance with Lewellin Prince of Wales, and by way of Repriſal fell upon the Poſſeſſions of the Kings Favourites, burning ſome Towns, and many Caſtles; but the Earl-Marſhal croſſing the Seas to recover his confiſcated Poſſeſſions in Ireland, was there wounded, and of that wound he dyed; whoſe Death, inſtead of Rejoycing the King, as ſome expected, made him on the contrary burſt into Tears, declaring. That he had not left his peer in England; and the King plainly perceiving the People's hatred in general againſt the Biſhop, commanded him not to meddle any farther in Matters of State; and finding the neceſſity of it, he laid aſide Peter Rivalis, his Lord-Treaſurer, commanding the Poictuovians to depart the Land: But the Diſquiets ended not in this manner, for the Pope perceiving the Engliſh Clergy did not greatly ſtickle for his Intereſt and Advantage, he, the better to ſupport his Uſurpation, ſent over 300 Romans requiring they ſhould be placed in the firſt Benefices, as they became vacant, at the ſame time, demanding great Summes of Money of the Clergy, for the Maintenence of his Wars againſt the Emperour, the which though at firſt denied, was at length complyed with; and ſoon after the Pope, as he alledged out of a Curioſity from a Report, he had heard of the Country's Fertility and Pleaſantneſs, was greatly deſirous to come over and ſee it, making his Suit to the King that he might be admitted: but the Council conſidering he had ſome ſiniſter end in it, not only the Laity but the Clergy oppoſed it.

In the year 1240 Richard Earl of Cornwall, with the Earls of Lincoln, Salisbury, Pembroke, Cheſter, and others, departed, with a great Train, to the Holy-Land; and two years after, King Henry paſſed the Seas to recover Poictou, but ſpent a great deal of Treaſure without effecting any thing memorable, which made him in his Return levy grievous Taxes to ſupply his Coffers, and above all he ſate heavy upon the Jews, who were then great Uſurers in this Kingdom, draining them of what they had unlawfully gotten: He likewiſe retrenched the Expences of his Houſe, condeſcending to ſuch a meanneſs, that to ſave Charges, he would invite himſelf, and his Court, frequently to the Houſes of ſuch wealthy Perſons as he thought beſt able to give him Entertainment; getting likewiſe a great Summe of the Parliament, under pretence of going to the Holy-Land, and for his conſenting again to reſtore the Liberties and Charters.

Anno 1257. Richard Earl of Cornwall, the King's Brother, was choſen King of the Romans, by the Electoral Princes, and with King Henry's conſent paſſed into Germany; yet he was obliged to purchaſe this Leave with a great Summe of Money, as being accounted one of the richeſt Princes in Europe. He was Crowned King of the Romans at Aquiſgrave, and received the Honour due to his Character, from all the Princes and Eſtates of the Empire. But after his Departure new Differences aroſe between King Henry and his Nobles, upon the Account of the Return of Strangers, contrary to the Agreement, ſo that they came armed to the Parliament at Oxford, binding themſelves by Oath, to have Things of that nature regulated; and the King, the better to quiet them without bloud-ſhed, together with Prince Edward his Son, was there content; and the wide Differences being referred to a Parliament, appointed to meet at London, they were cemented: But the Peace continued not long, e • upon new Diſguſts, both Sides prepared for War; ſo that the King ſeizing upon Oxford, turned out the Students, of that Univerſity, to the number of 15000, whoſe Names were entered in the Matriculation Book; which made many of them take part with the Barons, and imbody themſelves under a peculiar Standard; ſo that when the King broke into Northampton, where part of the Confederate Army lay, the Students bore the brunt of the Battel, and killed more Men than all the reſt of the Soldiers; which ſo incenſed King Henry, that he vowed a ſharp Revenge; but being told they were many of them the Sons and Kinſmen of the Noblemen in his Army, and that ſuch Rigour would alienate them from him, he retracted his Reſolution: Yet heightned with this Succeſs, he purſued the Barons to Nottingham, burning, and waſting their Poſſeſſions; which made them ſeek for Peace; declaring, by a ſubmiſſive Letter, their Loyalty to him, and that they had no Deſign againſt his Perſon, but their Quarrel was to his evil Counſellors, the known Enemies of the Kingdom. But the King reproaching them by the Name of Traitors, ſent them word, that the Injury done to his Friends he took as done to himſelf, and therefore held them as theirs, and his own Enemies; ſo that no good underſtanding being towards the Armies, drew out, and engaged in a mortal Battel, wherein Prince Edward the King's eldeſt Son behaved himſelf with much Bravery, routing the Battalion, compoſed of Londoners, and following the purſuit four Miles; which notwithſtanding was prejudicial to his Father, for in the mean while the King's Horſe was ſlain under him, and he made Priſoner, together with his Brother, the King of the Romans, who a little before returned to England, for the ſecurity of his Poſſeſſions; ſo that the Prince not being able to reſtore the Battel, Victory fell to the Barons, and the next day a Truce was concluded; yet Simon de Monfort, Earl of Leiceſter, who headed the Baron's Army, carrying the King about with him as his Priſoner, got into his hands all the ſtrong Holds.

Theſe Proceedings in England putting a ſtop to the Pope's Revenue, he ſent Cardinal Ottobon, his Legate, to Excommunicate the Barons, but they for a while deſpiſed it; yet ſoon after falling out amongſt themſelves, many of them came over to Prince Edw. who had taken the Field with an Army; ſo that he encloſed the Earl of Leiceſter's Camp at Eveſham, and obliged him to battel, where the Earl loſt the day with his Life, and had his Head, Hands, and Feet chopped off, as a mark of Infamy. By this Overthrow the King was reſcued, and ſet at liberty; when to heal the long Diviſions a Parliament was called at Wincheſter, by whoſe Approbation the King ſeized the Charters of London, and other Cities and Towns that had proved diſloyal; and the Legate proceeded to excommunicate the Biſhops of Wincheſter, London, Worceſter, and Chicheſter, for taking part with the King's Enemies. And now Prince Edward, with a great Train, took a Journey to the Holy Land, and the King more firmly to ſettle the Nation, called a Parliament at Marlborough, where the Statutes called by the name of the place were enacted; but having been at Norwich to quiet a tumult, and puniſh ſuch as had burnt the Priory Church, upon his return he fell ſick at the Abby of St. Edmund in Suffolk, and after a ſhort Languiſhment dyed, Anno 1272. from whence he was conveyed to Weſtminſter, and there buried in the Abbey.

This Henry, King of England, Lord of Ireland, Duke of Guyenne and Aquitain, was eldeſt Son to King John; his Wife was Eleanor, Daughter of Raymond, Earl of Provence, by whom he had Iſſue Edward, Edmund, Richard, who dyed young, alſo John, William, and Henry, Margaret, married to Alexander the Third, King of Scotland, Beatrix, married to John the Firſt, Duke of Bretaigne, and Katharine, who dyed young. He began his Reign the 19th of October, 1216. and reigned 56 Years, and 28 Days, being the 65th Year of his Age; he was the 27th ſole Monarch of England. He was very charitably given, and founded many Churches and Religious Houſes. In his time four Suns appeared from the Riſing to the Setting; after which followed a great Famine, and eighteen Jews were hanged for crucifying a Child, and others ſeverely puniſhed for circumciſing another that had been chriſtened.

Thus dyed Third Henry, when on England's Stage H'ad ſway'd the Sceptre near a long liv'd Age, The longeſt Reign the Nation e'er beheld, Yet Life wound off by time the Cedar's fell'd.

The Reign and Actions of Edward the First, King of England, &c.

KIng Edward, at the death of his Father Henry, was warring in the Holy Land, where he did Wonders in his own Perſon, inſomuch that the Sarazens dreading his Proweſs, the Governour of Damaſcus, under a feigned Friendſhip, ſent a Villain to aſſaſſinate him who ſeeming as if he was about to deliver him a Letter, ſtabbed him in three places in the Arm with a poiſoned Dagger, and had repeated the Wounds, but that the Prince ſtruck him down with his Foot, whereupon his Guards came in, and cut the Wretch in pieces as he lay on the floor; yet theſe wounds by the Chirurgions were accounted mortal, unleſs ſome one would hazard his own Life, by ſucking out the Poiſon; but when every one ſhrunk back, Eleanor his Wife, who would by no means be perſuaded from accompanying him in that tedious Journey, chearfully undertook it, and effected the Cure without any Injury done to her ſelf; for which generous Undertaking he raiſed Croſſes, and Monuments, to her Memory in England.

The News of his Father's death no ſooner reached him, but ſetling the Affairs of the War, he returned to England, where together with his Queen, he was crowned by Robert Kilwarby, Archbiſhop of Canterbury, at whoſe Coronation 500 Horſes were let looſe in a large Foreſt, to be poſſeſſed by thoſe that firſt caught them; and upon notice the Welſh were in Arms, he marched againſt them, overthrew and ſlew Lewelin, their Prince, in a great Battel, whoſe Head, crowned with Ivy, was ſet upon the Tower, and utterly ſubduing thoſe Mountainiers, he made his Son Edward, born amongſt them at Caernarvon, Prince of the Country: And going for France he ſate as a Peer of that Kingdom, in conſideration of the Lands and Territories he held there, and upon his return baniſhed the Jews, to the number of 15000, for bringing in baſe Money, and exacting Extortion.

Alexander the Third, King of Scotland, who had married King Edward's Siſter, being dead, and the Lords Bruce and Baliol, for want of other Heirs, ſtanding in competition for the Kingdom, Edward, by his Authority, became Umpire, and adjudged it to the latter, promiſing to ſupport his Right by Arms, for which he was to become his Homager; but that Prince being in the Throne, to pleaſe his People, who feared the Engliſh Greatneſs might be prejudicial to them, hearkened to Propoſals with France, and ſuffered his People to enter the North parts of of England with Fire and Sword; Edward drove them back with great ſlaughter, entering Scotland, and making ſuch terrible Deſtruction, that the Cities and Towns for the moſt part ſurrendred, the Scotch Nobles ſued for Peace, and in the Parliament held at Berwick they acknowledged him their King, ſwearing to be true Subjects to him for ever after, ſealing a ſolemn Inſtrument to that purpoſe; whereupon King Edward leaving John de Warren, Earl of Surry, and Suſſex, as his Viceroy in that Kingdom, ſent John Baliol, the late King, Priſoner to the Tower of London, and brought away with him the Crown, Sceptre, and Cloth of State, burning their Records, abrogating their Laws, altering the Form of their Divine Service, and tranſplanting their learned Men to Oxford: He brought likewiſe the Marble Chair, wherein the Kings of Scotland were wont to be crowned, from the Abbey of Schone, and ſent it to Weſtminſter, upon which is written this prophetical Diſtich: Ni fallat Fatum, Scoti quocunque locatum Invenient Lapidem, regnare tenetur ibidem. Where'er this Stone the Scot ſhall placed find, There ſhall he reign, for there his Rule's aſſign'd.

This was verified in King James the firſt, upon the uniting the Kingdoms, but more of that in his Reign.

King Edward going into France to recover ſuch places as the French had taken in the latter end of his Father's Reign, and refuſed to reſtore, eſpecially in Gaſcoign, the Scots rebelled, and under the leading of one William Wallis fell upon the Engliſh at an advantage, near Striveling Bridge, and put them to the rout, killing amongſt others Hugh de Creſſingham, the Treaſurer, and having flead him, divided his Skin in parcels amongſt them, as a Trophie of their Revenge, and committed many other outrages, which haſtened the King's Return; at which time he ſummoned a Parliament at York, giving the Scots a day to appear, but they neglecting it, and refuſing to acknowledge they ought ſo to doe, he with a powerfull Army entred Scotland, and being about to charge the Enemy, as he was mounting his Horſe ſtartled, and threw him, breaking by a ſpurn of his Heel two of the King's Ribs, yet without delay he remounted, and gave them Battel, charging quite through their Army with ſuch ſlaughter, that in a very ſhort time they were all in Rout and Confuſion; ſo that in this Action near Fawkirk 70000 Scots are reported to be ſlain, after which moſt of the ſtrong places yielded to King Edward, when returning victorious to England, he in Parliament reſtored Mogna Charta, and Charta Foreſtae, agreeing that no Tax or Subſidy ſhould be levied upon the People, but by the Conſent of Prelates, Peers and Commons in Parliament, and in the end of his Grants left out Salvo jure Coronae noſtrae, viz. Saving the rights of our Crown; and at the earneſt entreaty of the Pope, he ſet Baliol at Liberty. And now the King being deſirous abſolutely to ſubject and annex Scotland to the Crown of England, raiſed another powerfull Army, againſt which the Scots not able to make head, retired, and as their laſt refuge entreated the Pope to ſend his Letters of Inhibition, which accordingly were ſent; but the King was ſo far from regarding them, that he in a great paſſon ſwore he would not deſiſt; ahd when they urged it farther, that if he perſevered, the Pope would take it upon himſelf, he with a diſdainfull Smile replied. What! Have you done Homage to me as to the chief Lord of Scotland, and do you now ſuppoſe that I can be terrified with Threatenings, as if (like one that had no Power to compell) I would let the right which I have go out of my Hands. Let me hear no more of this, for if I do, I ſwear by the Lord I will conſume all Scotland from Sea to Sea. This reſolute Proteſtation ſo terrified the Scots, that they only replied, For the Juſtice and Rights of their Countrey they were ready to ſhed their Bloud; and the King, to juſtifie his Proceeding, ſent the Earl of Lincoln to Rome, ſo that by the Influence of the Pope a Truce was concluded from all Saints to Whitſuntide; but the Pope not ſo contented, before the Truce was expired, declared himſelf in favour of the Scots, whereupon King Edward, in a Parliament holden at Lincoln, by the General Conſent defended his Proceedings with a Proteſtation, that they had not exhibited any thing to the Court of Rome, as in form of Judgment or ſubmitting to the Tryall of his Cauſe, but rather for the ſatisfaction of its Merit and Juſtice; and when the Pope required the King to ſtand to his deciſion for matter of Claim; the Peers, to whom the King had entirely referred it, ſignified to the Pope, that the King of England was not to anſwer in Judgment for any rights of the Crown before any Tribunal under Heaven, and that by ſending Deputies and Attornies to that purpoſe, he ſhould make the Truth and Juſtice of his Cauſe doubtfull, foraſmuch as it manifeſtly tended to the Diſinheriſion of the Crown, which with the help of God they would maintain againſt all Men: And this was ſubſcribed at Lincoln, Anno 1301. by no leſs than 100 Peers; ſo that Pope Boniface the Third perceiving no good to be done, and loth to break with England, gave over his Pretenſions, and left the Scots to make the beſt of their buſineſs; whereupon the King made the Lord Segrave Cuſtos of that Kingdom; but the Scots thereupon growing impatient, took Arms, and overthrowing the Cuſtos, took him Priſoner, but he was ſoon reſcued by Sir Robert Nevil; yet this made King Edward ſet forward with an Army, which brought ſuch a Terrour upon Scotland, that he marched through the Kingdom from Roxborow to Cathineſs, 300 miles, without the leſt reſiſtence; for thoſe that were in Arms betook themſelves, upon his approach, to the Woods and Mountains.

The King thus abſolute in Scotland, had for a ſumme of Money Wallis, their Ring-leader, delivered into his hands; ſo that at Weſtminſter being found guilty of Treaſon in rebelling againſt the King his law full Sovereign, he was hanged and quartered, his Quarters ſent into Scotland, and ſet up in divers remarkable places; after whoſe death Bruce, that had contended with Baliol for the Kingdom, headed the Scots, and gathered a conſiderable Army, but was routed by Aymery de Valence, one of King Edward's Captains, and forced into the Orcades, where he lived an obſcure Life, with much hardſhip, till he found another opportunity to head his Countrey-men, and did many noble Exploits, which drew King Edward to oppoſe him; but in his way he fell ſick at Carliſle, where finding the near approach of Death, he charged his Son Edward, who was to ſucceed him, that he ſhould be induſtrious to bring the Scots under the Engliſh Obedience, and that he ſhould carry his Bones along with him through Scotland, the better to render him victorious; commanding on pain of his Curſe, not without common conſent to recall out of Baniſhment Pierce Gavestone, and farther enjoining him to ſend his Heart into the Holy Land, accompanied with 149 Knights, and their Train; to which end he had laid up two thouſand pounds of Silver, and that upon pain of Damnation the Money ſhould be turned to no other uſe; then removing from Carliſle to Bury upon the Sands, he there dyed of a Diſſentery, anno 1307. and his Body buried at Westminster,

This Edward the Firſt was King of England, Lord of Ireland, Duke of Aquitain, &c. eldeſt Son to Henry the Third by Eleanor his Queen; his firſt Wife was Eleanor Daughter to Ferdinand the Third, King of Caſtile, by whom he had Iſſue John, Henry, and Alphons, all dying young, Edward, who ſucceeded him; Eleanor married to Henry the Third, Earl of Barrie; Joan married to Gilbert Clare, Earl of Hereford and Glouceſter; Margaret married to John the Second, Duke of Brabant; Berenger, Alice, and then Mary, who at the earneſt Entreaty of her Grandmother, became a veiled Nun at the Age of Ten years; Elizabeth firſt married to John Earl of Holland and Zealand, then to Humfrey Bohun, Earl of Hartford and ctſſex,; then Beatrix, and Blanch. By his Second Wife Margaret, Daughter to Philip the Hardy, King of France, he had Iſſue Thomas Earl of Norfolk, and Earl Marſhal of England, Edmund Earl of Kent, and Eleanor, who dyed young; he began his Reign on the 16th of November, anno 1272. and reigned 34 Years, 7 Months, and 12 days, dying in the 35th year of his Reign, and the 69th of his Age.

Thus did grim Death cloſe up our Monarch's eyes, From whom no mortal Might could take the Prize, In Arms renowned, the World his Fame has heard, Belov'd by moſt, and by all Mankind fear'd.

The Reign and Actions of Edward the Second, King of England, &c.

THis King, from the place of his Birth, was called Edward of Caernavon; he began his Reign anno 1307, and proſecuting the Wars of Scotland, he obliged many of the Scotch Nobility to doe him Homage at Dumſreize, and upon his return he impriſoned Walter Biſhop of Chester, ſeizing upon all his Goods and Credits, for cauſing by his Complaint the Baniſhment of Gaveſton, in the Reign of Edward the Firſt, as likewiſe himſelf to be reſtrained in his diſorderly way of living: Then paſſing the Seas, he at Bulloign in France married young Iſabel, Daughter to Philip the Fair. King of France, and returned with her in a moſt ſplendid manner, bringing back with him Gaveston, his darling Favourite, who was a Gentleman Stranger brought up with him in his youth, and now under the Influence of the King began to be ſo imperious, that the Nobility was ſet againſt him, yet the King, who thought nothing too dear for his Minion, not only upheld him, but ſupplied him with Treaſure to the higheſt Profuſeneſs, giving him his Jewels, and wiſhing nothing more than that he might ſucceed him in the Throne, which obliged the Parliament to paſs an Act for his perpetual Baniſhment, but had much difficulty to get it paſſed by the King; nor did he doe it but to paſs another, giving him a great Summe of Money, however with reluctancy he ſigned it; yet he would ſuffer his Privado whom he had made Earl of Cornwall to be no farther from him than Ireland, where he maintained him in a ſplendid manner, and within a while called him to Court, and married him to Joan of Acres, Counteſs of Glouceſter, his Siſters Daughter, which made him more inſolent than ever, conſuming the King's Treaſure in Feaſts, Plays, and other Riotous Proceedings, at ſuch a rate, that there was not enough left to ſupply the neceſſities of the Court, drawing the King likewiſe into ſuch Debaucheries, that the Queen finding her ſelf ſenſibly injured, reproved him at firſt with mildneſs, but finding that ineffectual, ſhe openly complained; ſo that Gaveston was a third time baniſhed; yet he ſtaid not long before the King privately ſent for him, making him principal Secretary of State, which ſo incenſed as well the Biſhops as the Temporal Lords, that they reſolved to expell him by Force of Arms, chuſing for their Leader Thomas Earl of Lancaſter, and at Dathington, whither his Fear had driven him, he was ſurprized by Guy Earl of Warwick, who conveyed him to Blacklow, where ſeveral of the Nobles conſulting, that if he was ſet at Liberty he would work their Ruine with the King, they proceeded to prevent it, and without any formal Tryall cauſed his head to be ſtruk off, which greatly incenſed the King, and raiſed in him a mortal Enmity againſt thoſe Lords, yet by the Mediation of Gilbert Earl of Glouceſter they were ſeemingly forgiven.

The Scots about this time riſing in arms under David Bruce, whom they had choſen their King, or Leader, entering England, and doing great Miſchief in Northumberland. King Edward marched againſt them; but in this expedition many of the diſcontented Lords refuſed to aid him, under pretence that he had delayed to ratifie their Liberties and Charters, through which defect he received a great overthrow near Bannocksbourn; for there the two Armies joining, the crafty Scots had in divers places made deep Trenches, covering them with rotten Hurdles and Earth, ſo that the Engliſh Chavalry preſſing on, fell into thoſe Pits, and were gored upon the ſharp Stakes that were placed at the bottom; and although the King behaved himſelf with much bravery, refuſing to leave the field till he was forced thence by his Friends, yet the Earl of Glouceſter, the Lord Clifford, and about ſeven hundred Knights and Eſquires, with a great number of common Soldiers, were ſlain, many Nobles taken Priſoners, together with a large Booty; and this was the greateſt Advantage the Scots ever gained over the Engliſh, which encouraged them to make deeper Inroads with whom ſome of the diſcontented Engliſh joined, while King Edward in the moſt ſolemn Pomp interred the Body of Gaveſton at Kings-Langley in Hertfordſhire, and ſoon after inſtead of one he raiſed up two Privadoes, or Favourites, viz. the Spencers, Father and Son, who perceiving themſelves high in the King's Favour, inſtead of taking warning by the Fate of Gaveſton, they ſtrove to exceed him to pride and Arrogance, which ſoon procured them the hatred of the Nobles to ſuch a degree, that the King could not conſider himſelf in Safety till he had conſented to their Baniſhment. But now the Queen, who had hitherto been a Mediatrix between the King and his Barons, being denied a Night's Lodging in one of the Baron's Caſtles, ſhe ſo highly reſented the Affront, that her former good Offices were changed into Studies of Revenge; and in this humour ſhe laboured with the King to ruine thoſe ſhe a little before had ſought to protect; and the King eaſily exaſperated, ſoon conſented to pleaſure her to his Power; and therefore to croſs the Barons, he cauſed the Judgment againſt the Spencers to be reverſed.

Some of the delinquent Lords, fearing the Storm that threatened them, ſubmitted to the King, others were taken Priſoners as the two Roger Mortimers, Father and Son, and committed to the Tower, but the reſt reſolved to ſtand out under the Leading of the Earl of Lancaſter, but they were overthrown at Burrough-bridg where Humphrey de Bohun was ſlain by a Spear from under the Bridge. And the Earl, with other principal Men to the number of Ninety, or upwards, moſt of them Barons and Knights were taken Priſoners by Andrew de Herkerly, Captain of Carliſle; for which Service he was afterward created Earl of that place.

Theſe Noble Priſoners were not long confined before they too ſenſibly felt the King's Anger, for being puſhed on by the Queen, the Spencers, and other Court Favourites; he cauſed the Earl of Lancaſter, his Unkle to be beheaded at Pontefract, where he ſtayed five hours upon the Scaffold before the Sheriff could procure an Executioner, and the Barons and Knights were hanged and quartered in divers places. And here the Queen had her Revenge; for the Lord Badelmere, who refuſed her the Lodging, being taken amongſt others, was hanged before it; ſo that by this rigorous Execution moſt of the Noble Engliſh Bloud ſupplyed the thirſty Earth with too precious a draught: But it appears that this Cruelty was rather an Act of the Courtiers, than done by the King's natural Inclination; for one of a mean family being taken in the Rebellion, and the Favourites pleading earneſtly for his Pardon, the King, in a great rage reviled them in theſe terms, viz. A plague upon you curſed Whiſperers, malitious Backbiters, wicked Counſelors! Intreat you for the Life of a moſt notorious Knave, who would not ſpeak one word for the Life of my near Kinſman, that moſt noble Knight, Earl Thomas? By the Soul of God this Fellow ſhall dye the death he has deſerved; and accordingly he was executed.

In the Year 1322. The King, to revenge former Injuries, marched with a great Army into Scotland, but through the neglect of his Purveyors a great Scarcity of Proviſion happening, he was conſtrained, without performing any memorable Action to make his Retreat; nor was the Scots ſo contented, but falling on his Rear, not only cut off a great many of his Men, but obliged him to leave his Baggage, with much Treaſure, as a Prey to them. But now the Pope, in favour of England, having interdicted Scotland, a Truce was concluded between the two Kingdoms for thirteen Years, and ſo ended this tedious War, and the King had leiſure to make his Progreſs through the ſeveral Counties of York, Lancaſter, and the Marches of Wales, puniſhing ſuch as had been in the former Rebellion, and amongſt others, Andrew de Herkerley, was drawn, hanged, and quartered, for taking part with the Scots. But now a greater Storm began to gather; for young Mortimer making his Eſcape out at a Window, and ſwimming the River of Thames, fled beyond the Seas, and joined himſelf to other Fugitives, and baniſhed Engliſh; and not long after the Spencers oppreſſing the Kingdom, and ſetting the King againſt the Queen, ſhe, under a pretence of Viſiting her Father's Court at Paris, found means, with her Son Edward, to get beyond the Seas, and refuſed, upon the King's ſending for her, to return, till ſhe, joining with Mortimer, her dear Fovourite, and other Lords, raiſing a conſiderable Power, and holding Correſpondence with the Lords that yet were diſaffected in England, landed in a hoſtil manner, and marched againſt the King, who was preparing to oppoſe her, ſeizing upon many conſiderable Towns.

The King by this Proceeding finding himſelf in diſtreſs, and that the Londoners, and many of the Lords, had declared againſt him, ſetting the Priſoners every where at Liberty, and recalling thoſe that were baniſhed, thought it good to avoid coming to Battel; whereupon the Queen, with her Forces, ſate down before Briſtol, took it, and therein Spencer the Elder, whom ſhe cauſed to be cut up alive, after being dragged through the Streets for the Satisfaction of the People, who mortally hated him. And now the King finding himſelf in a manner forſaken, fled into Wales, and there for a time lay ſecret in the Abby of Neath; but in the end being diſcovered, and with him the younger Spencer, Robert Baldok, Chancellour, and Simon de Reading; the King hereupon was conveyed to Kenelworth Caſtle, and the Lords to Hereford, where the Queen lay, and there Spencer and Reading being condemned by Sir William Truſſel, Lord Chief Juſtice on that occaſion, they were hanged.

The Confederates with the Queen having in this manner impriſoned the King, and not conceiving it ſafe to ſet him at Liberty, reſolved amongſt themſelves to make Edward his Son, a Prince of about thirteen years of Age, King, and thereupon ſent Sir William Truſſel to the Caſtle where the King was Priſoner, to acquaint him with what was intended, which put him into a mortal Agony, from whence being recovered, he greatly lamented and bewailed his hard Fate; however Truſſel being inſtructed what to doe, proceeded to unking him in theſe words: I William Truſſel, in the Name of all Men of the Land of England, and of all the Parliament, Procurator, do reſign to thee Edward the Homage that was made to thee ſome time, and from this time forward I deprive thee, and defie thee of all Power Royal, and I ſhall never be tendent to thee after this time. Anno Dom. 1327.

And here, following the Rule of other Hiſtorians, we put an End to his Reign, though he lived in Captivity, as we ſhall have occaſion to mention in the Reign of his Son.

This Edward the Second was King of England, Lord of Ireland, Duke of Aquitain, and fourth Son of Edward the Firſt, by Eleanor his Queen; he began his Reign the 7th of June, Anno 1307. and reigned 19 Years, 6 Months, and 18 days, and was the 30th ſole Monarch of England; he was murthered Anno 1327. in the 20th Year of his coming to the Crown, and the 41ſt of his Age, and afterward buried at Glouceſter: His Wife was Iſabel, Daughter to Philip the Fair, King of France, and by her he had Iſſue Edward of Windſor, John of Eltham, Joan married to David Bruce, and Eleanor married to Reynold Duke of Guelder. In his time there happened a very great Famine throughout England, with many ſtrange Sights, betokening the Woes and Miſeries that after followed, &c.

Thus by miſguided Zeal a Monarch fell, Ʋndone by Paraſites he lov'd too well; Hard Fate of Princes! that in time wont ſee Their Friends from Foes, untill they ruin'd be.

The Reign and Actions of Edward the Third, King of England, &c.

EDward the Third, though ſcarcely of ſufficient years of Diſcretion to know what belonged to the Titles or Rights of Crowns and Kingdoms, had however more compaſſion on his afflicted Father than the Queen his Mohter had on her Husband; for young as he was, when he heard what had happened, he greatly bewailed his Misfortune, vowing never to take upon him the Government, unleſs the King freely conſented to reſign without compulſion; nor could they conſtrain him to it, but with threats that they would utterly reject the whole Line, and chuſe a King out of the Nobility, though of another Family.

Upon theſe Conſiderations the young King, eight days after his Father's Reſignation, was crowned with the uſual Ceremonies; but the old King being yet alive, and the People compaſſionating his Captivity, his Depoſers thought themſelves no ways ſecure, eſpecially Mortimer, who was ſuſpected to be over familiar with the Queen, and from that time they fell to plotting his death; in order to which Mortimer procured an expreſs from the young King to remove him, under pretences of Friendſhip and Advantage, but indeed that he might put him into ſuch hands as he was ſure would diſpatch him, and thereupon he was conveyed to Berkley Caſtle, when by the way, for fear he ſhould be reſcued by the People, who had yet ſome remains of Love for him, they ſet him on a Mole-hill, in order to ſhave him, for the better diſquiſe, and in an inſulting manner told him, That the Water of the next Ditch ſhould accommodate him for that purpoſe, to which the ſorrowfull King replied, That there ſhould be warm Water whether they would or not, and thereupon ſent forth a floud of Tears, and being arrived at Berkley Caſtle, in the Cuſtody of Thomas Gurney, and John Matravers, he was murthered by them, or ſuch as they appointed, in this barbarous manner, viz. being bound to a bed with his face downwards they thruſt a hollow Horn into his Fundament, and through that, to prevent any burning or ſearing in the outward parts, they thruſt an Iron Inſtrument, red hot, twiſting it amidſt his Bowels, till with horrible pain and torment, amidſt crys and groans he expired. And this Wickedneſs Hiſtorians record to be acted upon Mortimer's ſending an ambiguous Sentence, prepared by Adam Torleton, Eiſhop of Hereford, to ſuch as kept the Caſtle, viz. Edvardum occedere nolite t • mere bonum est To kill King Edward refuſe to be afraid is good This paſſage in Mortimer's Letter being written without ſtops, and the Keeper well-knowing that aſpiring Lord had no kindneſs for the King, took it as the Writer truly meant though Mortimer upon his being Accuſed, alledged, his Command was not to kill the King, but that he ſent word it was good to be afraid to doe it.

Young King Edward, upon the inhumane Murther of his Father, was on the Borders of Scotland, and had environed the Scots in the Woods of Wividale, and Stanhope; but Mortimer deſirous to eclipſe the Glory of that young Prince, that his own might appear, ſo carried the Matter, that through the careleſsneſs of the Engliſh Army they eſcaped; ſo that the King, after a vaſt Expence of Treaſure, and the hazard of his Life, which had been loſt had not his Chaplain ſtepped between him and Death, receiving the mortal Wound in his own Body, returned inglorious: And ſoon after Joan, the King's Siſter, was married to David Bruce, whom the Scots had made their King; whereupon a Peace, though ſomewhat diſhonourable to the Engliſh, enſued; and in the ſame year, viz. 1327 dyed Charles the Fair, King of France, without Iſſue, by which means that Crown devolved to King Edward, in Right of his Mother, Daughter to Philip the Fair, and Siſter to Cha • l • s; but to bar the Engliſh of that Advantage, the French Peers oppoſed their Salique Law, pretending thereby, that no Woman was capable of Inheriting the Crown of France, or being admitted the Regency; and thereupon they admitted Phillip de Valois, whoſe Father was younger Brother to Philip the Fair, which afterward coſt the French many ſhowers of Bloud.

About this time the Lord Mortimer and the Queen Mother, perceiving Edmund Earl of Kent, the King's Uncle, to croſs their purpoſes, found means to procure his Death; which ſo far opened the Eyes of the young King, together with the Report, that his Mother was with Child by Mortimer, as not to think himſelf in ſafety till he had cruſhed that ambitious Man▪ and the better to doe it, he undertook a daring Enterprize; for fearing he was with the Queen at Notingham Caſtle, notwithſtanding it was ſtrongly guarded, he entered in the night time accompanied with a few of his truſty Friends, and by an unſuſpected way, viz. through a Vault under ground, coming ſuddenly into his Mother's Chamber, found Mortimer undreſſed, and ready to go to Bed to her; whereupon he cauſed him to be a Arreſted, and carried away Priſoner, and being tryed in open Parliament he was Condemened at Weſtminſter, upon ſeveral Articles, viz. For cauſing the King to make a diſhonorable Peace with the Scots, and taking large Bribes to procure it. For procuring the Death of King Edward the Second, and his over Familiarity with Queen Iſabel. For his oppreſſing the People by illegal Exactions. And laſtly, For embezzling the King's Treaſures. And for theſe and the like receiving Sentence, as a Traytor, he was drawn to Tyburn, and there hanged, and his Body left on the Gallows for the ſpace of two days and nights; and with him in the ſame manner dyed Sir Simon de Bedford, and John Deverell Eſq as Contrivers of King Edward the Second's Death; the Queen had likewiſe her Penſion ſhortened. And now there ariſing a Diſpute between the Houſes of Baliol and Bruce, for the Crown of Scotland, King Edward, not thinking himſelf obliged to ſtand to what Mortimer, and his Mother, had done in his Minority, ſince many of his Towns were detained, raiſed a conſiderable Army, and ſtriking in with Edward Baliol, beſieged Berwick, when to relieve it the whole Power of Scotland advanced, ſo that at Halydon Hill the Battel was joined, and after an obſtinate bloudy Fight the Scots were routed with great ſlaughter; there dyed Archibald Douglas, Earl of Angus, Governour of Scotland, the Earls of Southerland, Carrick and Roſs, the three Sons of the Lord Walter Steward, and about 14000 of leſſer rank, with a very inconſiderable damage to the Engliſh; whereupon Berwick ſurrendered, and Baliol was accepted King of Scotland, ſubmitting to King Edward as his Homager, for the Kingdom, and he in lieu thereof became his Protector.

King Edward having ſettled Scotland, began to take into Conſideration the Injuries the French had done, in preventing him of his Right; as likewiſe by encroaching upon his Territories in that Kingdom, and finding no redreſs by way of Embaſſy, he reſolved to gain it by the Sword; yet to juſtifie his Actions, he ſent his Reaſons to the College of Cardinals, and the better to ſtrengthen his Intereſt made a League with the High and Low Dutch, as he did with other foreign Potentates; and now he proceeds to require a Supply, which being liberally given, and Moneys raiſed, by ſundry other ways, he raiſed a gallant Army, and croſſed the Seas to Antwerp, aſſuming by the importunity of the Flemings, the Title and Armories of France, quartering the Lillies with the Lions; and having all things in a readineſs, he entered the North part of that Kingdom, burning and deſtroying the Country as far as Turwin, returning with the Spoil to Antwerp, where, with Philippa, his Queen, he kept Chriſtmas, and about Candlemas ſet Sail for England.

The French having had a taſt of the King of England's Courage, and he reſolving to goe on preſſed the Parliament for a greater Supply, which was liberally granted, and he in lieu of that Kindneſs gave a general Pardon of Treſpaſſes, and other dues to him, confirming Magna Charta, and Charta de Forestae; and on the 23d. of June ſet ſail from Harwich, intending for Sluce, but in the way was encountered by 400 French Ships, with which the King engaged, and having the favour of the Wind and Sun made an almoſt incredible Deſtruction, ſo that the terrour of the Engliſh cauſed many of the French to leave their Ships, and leap into the Sea, ſo that Thirty thouſand are ſaid to have periſhed together, with the greateſt part of the Fleet, and the King landing, entered France, ſitting down before Tourney from whence he ſent the French King a Challenge to fight ſingle handed for the Kingdom, or if that pleaſed not, each to bring 100 Men into the Field, for the ſaving the effuſion of more bloud, or otherwiſe within Ten days to join Battel, near Tourney: But to this King Philip made no direct Anſwer, alledging, the Letter was not ſent to him, the King of France, but barely to Philip d' Valois, (for ſo it was directed) and he therefore thought himſelf in honour not bound to Anſwer it; yet he approached the Engliſh Camp with a very numerous Army, and every day Battel was expected, but Two Cardinals, and the Mother of King Philip ſo laboured to prevent the ſlaughter that muſt have enſued, that a Truce was concluded till the Midſummer following.

The Truce was no ſooner expired, but King Edward invaded Normandy to the City of Caen, and over-ran the Countrey allmoſt within ſight of the Walls of Paris, forcing his way over the Sein, and where the Bridges were broken down, and the better to encourage his Men to beat off the French that guarded the farther Shoar, he entered the Water, at a Ford in the head of the Army, crying, He that loves me let him follow; ſo marching towards Creſſie, in the Province of Ponthieu, he underſtood the French King was advancing with 100000 Horſe and Foot; nor was it long before the two Armies came in ſight of each other, which made King Edward divid his Forces into three Battalions, giving the Van in charge to his Son Edward, commonly called, The Black Prince, through the Warlike Actions that attended his Life, &c. the middle Battalion he reduced under the Command of the Earls Arundel and Northhampton; and the laſt he retained himſelf, placing his Carriages in the Rear, commanding every man to leave his Horſe, and fight on Foot, as reſolving either to win the Victory, or dye. As for the French Army, the King of Bohemia, and the Earl of Alanſon, had the charge of the Van-guard, King Philip of the Main Battel, and the Earl of Savoy of the Rear; and no ſooner the Charge was ſounded, but a bloudy Conflict enſued, whilſt King Edward ſtood upon a hill with his Battalion to behold the Event, and at the beginning the French Horſe charging with great Fury, made the Prince give way, and had allmoſt encloſed his Battalion, which made the Nobles that had the care of his Perſon ſend to the King, to advertize him of the danger his Son was in, when demanding only whether the Prince was alive, and certified that he was, ſo inſtead of ſending the ſuccours demanded, he replied, Let them ſend no more to me for any Adventure that may befall whilst my Son is alive, but let them either vanquiſh or dye, becauſe the Honour of this glorious day ſhall be ſolely his, if God ſuffer him to ſurvive. This reſolute return not only made the Engliſh obſtinate in fighting, but repent they had ſent to require aid; wherefore redoubling their fury, the French were overthrown on heaps, eſpecially by the Showres of Arrows that continually poured upon them, from whence ſuch a rout and diſorder enſued, that their Horſe trampled down their Foot, ſo that all was in confuſion, and nothing remained for the Engliſh, but the Slaughter of the flying French men, and the Field being entirely won, the King advanced and embraced his Son, encouraging him to future Glory by ſo proſperous a beginning. In this Battel were ſlain Eleven Princes, and about 1500 Barons, Knights, and Men of Arms: Here fell the Kings of Bohemia, and Major • u, Earl of Alanſon, Duke of Lorain, Duke of Burbon, Earl of Flanders, Earl of Savoy, the Dauphin of Vienois, the Earl of Sancerrer and Harecourt, the Earls of Aumarl and Nevers, with ſix Counts of the Empire; the grand Prior of France, and Archbiſhop of Roan; and of the meaner ſort about 30000. The Engliſh loſt not above Five thouſand, and amongſt them none of conſiderable Note.

The King by this means grown terrible to the French, marched to Calais, and ſtraitly beſieged it, yet permitted about 1508 Starvelings, whom the Governour had turned out to ſpare Proviſion, free paſſage, relieving them with Victuals, and Money. And now the French finding their own weakneſs, dealt underhand, ſtirring up the Scots, that ſo they might divert the King's Forces nearer home; but they being encountred near Durham, were overthrown, and their King David taken Priſoner, and in the Encounter the Earls of Murray and Strathern, the Conſtable, Marſhal, Chamberlain, and Chancellour, with many other Nobles, were ſlain. The Noble Priſoners, beſide the King, were the Earls of Douglas, Fife, Weigton, Southerland, and Mentieth, and King Edward being ſtill in France, ſent Parties abroad under ſeveral Generals, who gained great advantages over the French, inſomuch that the Kingdom was quite diſheartened, not only to ſee their Field Forces worſted, but their Towns drop away very faſt, and amongſt the reſt that conſiderable one of Brigerac, where the Earl of Darby and Lancaſter commanding the Forces, promiſed, the better to encourage his Soldiers, that when the Town was taken, every Man ſhould have the Plunder of the firſt houſe he enterd; when ſo it happened that a common Soldier broke into the Mint-Maſter's Stores, and there found great ſtore of coined and uncoined Gold and Silver, inſomuch that not knowing how to diſpoſe of it, he acquainted the Earl with his Fortune, deſiring him to take it into his poſſeſſion; but he generouſly refuſed, ſaying, that his word was paſt, and he would not recall it; and the King having lain eleven months before Calais, had it ſurrendred upon diſcretion, which was ſeconded by the News that Sir Walter de Bendley had vanquiſhed the Marſhal of France, ſlain 13 Lords, 140 Knights, 100 Eſquires, and made 9 Lords Priſoners, with many Knights, and Gentlemen of Note; ſo that the French ſuing for Peace, and offering extraordinary Advantages to the Engliſh, it was accorded upon ſundry Articles and Limitations; but the French not long obſerving them, the War broke out again, more dreadfull than before; for King Edward, who had withdrawn the greateſt part of his Forces, entred again that Kingdom with a puiſſant Army, laying a great part of it waſte; but in the mean while King Philip dying, and John coming to the Crown, and upon his giving the Dutchy of Aquitain to Charles the Dauphin, King Edward, to counter-balance him, gave it to Prince Edward his Son, commanding him to defend it, who paſſing thither with an Army, took moſt of the Towns with little reſiſtence, when heightened with the Succeſs, he pierced as far as the Gates of Burges in Berry, but in his return to Bourdeaux, John the French King oppoſed him with a very numerous Army, but notwithſtanding he had ſix to one in the Field, he was overthrown by the Prince, and taken Priſoner, together with Philip his youngeſt Son, the Archbiſhop of Sens, with many great Lords, and about two thouſand Knights, Eſquires, and Gentlemen, bearing Armories, and in the Fight were ſlain Fifty two Lords, one thouſand ſeven hundred Knights, Eſquires, and Gentlemen, together with the King's Standard-Bearer, and about ſix thouſand Common Soldiers, it being ever the Fate of France to have the loſs fall heavy on the Nobility; and after many other advantages gained, the Prince ſettling his Affairs, returned to England with his Priſoners, and was received with great Triumph; and Henry Picard being then Lord Mayor of London, at his own charge feaſted four Kings, viz. of England, France, Scotland, and Cyprus, and eight days were taken up in giving Glory to God for the Victory; and the King not thinking the Engliſh Intereſt in France ſufficiently ſecured, ſent over a Fleet of 1100 Sail, and coming with his Army before the Walls of Paris, he knighted, for their better Encouragement in military Atchievments, 400 Eſquires and Gentlemen, but at length, through many Mediations and Interceſſions, it was concluded that King Edward and his Son, ſhould ever releaſe unto King John, and his Heirs, the Right and Claim they had to the Crown of France, and Dutchy of Normandy, &c, and in lieu thereof King John, and his Son, ſhould for them and their Heirs, releaſe unto King Edward, and his Heirs, the entire Countrey of Aquitain, Santogne, and their Dependences, &c. That King John ſhould pay 300000 Schuts of Gold, each valued at ſix Shillings eight pence Sterling; which Agreement was ratified at Calais, but not all performed; for now the Black Prince dying, Anno 1377. in the 46th year of his Age, and the King growing in years, and ſickly, matters abroad were neglected, and the French renewed their Encroachments; nor did the King long ſurvive the death of that dear Son, for having appointed the Son of that Prince to ſucceed him in the Throne, he dyed on the 21ſt of June, Anno 377. in the 51ſt year of his Reign, and was the 31ſt ſole Monarch of England, &c.

This Edward was King of England and France, Lord of Ireland, and Duke of Aquitain, eldeſt Son to Edward the Second by Iſabel his Queen, Daughter to Philip the Fair, King of France, he dyed at Shene in Surry, and was buried at Weſtminſter; his Wife was Philip, Daughter to the Earl of Hanault and Holland, by whom he had Iſſue Edward the Black Prince, William of Hatfield, Lionel Duke of Clarence, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaſter, Edward Earl of Cambridge, and Duke of York, William of Windſor, and Thomas of Woodſtock, Duke of Glouceſter, Iſabel married to Ingelram of Guiſnes, Earl of Soyſons, and Arch Duke of Auſtria, Joan eſpouſed by proxy to Alphons the Eleventh, King of Caſtile and Leon, but dyed before the conſummation of the Nuptials, Blanch who dyed young, Mary married to John Montfort, Duke of Bretaigne, and Margaret married to John de Haſting, Earl of Pembroke.

He built many ſtately Fabricks, ſettled the Wool Staple at Calais, inſtituted the Order of the Garter, reſtrained the Pope from conferring Benefices upon Strangers, conſtituted Prince Edward his Son firſt Duke of Cornwall, ſince inherent to the Eldeſt Son of the Kings of England; in his time floriſhed the famous John Wickliff, who firſt openly and ſucceſsfully oppoſed the Pope, and expoſed the manifeſt Errours of the Church of Rome. Blazing Stars likewiſe appeared with continued Rains, and a great Mortality through all Europe ſo vehemently, that the Dead were more than the Living.

Thus the great Warrier after all his Toil, From whom whilſt living none could take the ſpoil, Dropt in old Age, and made the Grave his Bed, Whom late the Nations did both love and dread.

The Reign and Actions of Richard the II. King of England, &c.

THis Richard was Son to Edward the Black Prince, he was crowned on the 21ſt of June, 1377, in the eleventh Year of his Age, but the Government growing out of Frame, by reaſon of the King's Nonage, and the Differences amongſt the Nobility, the French took the opportunity to invade ſome Sea coaſt Towns, and the Scots were emboldened to enter England, burning Roxborough; and to augment the miſeries of the Engliſh the Peſtilence raged fearfully in the Northern parts, ſo that the glorious Face of things ſeemed utterly to be changed; but a better Accord enſuing, the Earl of Northumberland regained Berwick; and in the Year 1379. a Parliament being held at London, where it was agreed that the more wealthy ſort ſhould be taxed for the King's preſent occaſions, and the poorer exempted; but this held not long, for the next year another Parliament being called at Northamp • on, a Poll Tax was agreed on, that every Perſon of either Sex, above the Age of Sixteen, ſhould pay 12 pence a head, which was looked upon as ſo great a Grievance, that many refuſed not only to pay it, but took up Arms, eſpecially in Kent, Surry, Eſſex, Norfolk, Suffolk, and Cambridge-ſhire, under the Leading of thoſe notorious Perſons Jack Straw, and Wat. Tyler, who making no leſs than one hundred thouſand came to London, where the multitude ſided with them, and committed many outrages, as burning the Priory of Saint John's, the Duke of Lancaſter's Palace at the Savoy, us likewiſe the Archbiſhop of Canterbury's Goods at Lambeth, defacing all Rolls, Records, and Writings, wherever they found them, as profeſſing themſelves great Enemies to the Law; nor did this ſuffice, but dragging the Archbiſhop, then Chancellour of England, and Sir Robert Hales, Lord Prior of St. John's, out of the Tower, though the King was preſent, they in a rude and barbarous manner heheaded them on logs of Timber, with loud Shouts and Rejoicings, and proceeded to exhibite many unreaſonable Petitions, yet neceſſity conſtrained the King either to diſſemble their Inſolence, or grant them their Demands; whereupon many diſperſed, went to their reſpective Habitations, and the reſt the King by his Proclamation ordered to meet him in Smithfield, with promiſes of Satisfaction, where in great numbers they came, armed with a Meſſeline of Weapons, headed by Wat. Tyler, who in preſence of the King uſing inſolent Speeches, and attempting to kill Sir John Newton for contradicting him, William Walworth, Lord Mayor of London, being by, and no longer able to endure ſuch Arrogance, after ſome Expreſſions of his Reſentment, ſtabbed Tyler with a Dagger, which his companions perceiving, prepared to take a bloudy Revenge; but the King taking courage, ſpurred forward, commanding them to follow him, declaring that he would be their Captain, and in the mean while Walworth armed the Citizens, and came with a thouſand well appointed men, bearing Tyler's Head on a Spear before them, by which he ſo daunted the rout, that they threw down their Weapons, and beſaught the King's Mercy, with a Promiſe of future Obedience; and Walworth for this Act was knighted, with a Donative of one hundred pounds a year free Land; and from this Action many will have it that the Dagger was added to the City Arms; and ſoon after this Jack Straw, and about 1500 others were executed upon the account of this Rebellion, Straw at his death confeſſing that their Deſign was to murther the King and Nobles, and ſet up petty Kings of their own chuſing in every Shire.

The Nation being better at quiet, the King bethought himſelf of Marrying, and in order to it having treated with the Emperour, Charles the Fourth, for the Lady Anne his Daughter, ſhe was ſent into England, and the Nuptials were celebrated, upon which a Peace with France enſued; yet the Scots continued to invade the Northern parts, though with various Succeſs; but this was not all; for the King advancing divers perſons of mean worth to the higheſt Dignities, or at leaſt the greateſt Favours, and places of Truſt; the Nobles began to murmur, and fall off, ſo that although a Parliament was called, they would not grant the King any Aids, unleſs his Favourites were removed or degraded, which he could not well digeſt, and therefore reſolved to find out ſome other way to ſupply his Coffers; in order to which he ſeized upon the Eſtates and Effects of ſundry that had withdrawn themſelves, and conſulting his Lawyers for his better juſtification, about ſundry Articles of Treaſon, in the compaſs of which the Lords that ſtood out might fall, he got them ſubſcribed at Nottingham by Robert Triſilian, Chief Juſticiar, Robert Belknap, Chief Juſtice of the Common Pleas, John Holt, Roger Fulthrop, and William Burgh, Juſticiars, as likewiſe by John Lecton, Serjeant at Law, whereupon he proclaimed them Traitors, and both ſides armed; but the King finding the Lords too powerfull for him, and that they had diſcovered the Snares he had laid to entrap them, thought it no time to oppoſe his ſmall number againſt forty thouſand men, but ſhut himſelf up with ſuch Forces as he had in the Tower of London, where he had laid up Stores for his Subſiſtence, if things came to farther Extremity.

The King withdrawn, the Lords came to Westminster, and there aſſembling to conſult what was to be done, they reſolved to diſpatch a Meſſenger, to let the King know, that if he left not the Tower, and came quickly to them, that things might be better ſettled, and ordered, they would proceed to chuſe a King that ſhould and would hearken to, and the Judgment and Counſel of his Peers. This, though much againſt his will, conſtrained him to meet them at Weſtminſter, and after ſome debate conſented to remove from his Perſon Alexander Nevil, Archbiſhop of York, the Biſhops of Durham and Chicheſter, the Lords Zouch and Beaumont, and many others, with certain chargeable Court-Ladies, who were maintained as Spies upon the Actions of the Nobility; and the better to make up the breach a Parliament was ſummoned, in which the Judges were called to an Account, for the ſubſcribing of the Articles, and other matters, and moſt of them being arreſted, as they ſate in Judgment, were ſent Priſoners to the Tower, but Triſilian took an opportunity to eſcape, yet being apprehended, he was in the morning ſentenced in Parliament, and in the Afternoon, purſuant to that Sentence, as one that had wheedled in the reſt to a compliance, he was conveyed to Tyburn, and there had his Throat cut by Hand of the common Executioner, and many others were put to death as evil Counſelours, and Betrayers of the People. The Eſtates of the King's chief Favourites were likewiſe confiſcated; but the Scots at the ſame time invading the Northern Parts, the Proceedings were not carried on to the highth as was otherways intended; and not long after the Scale turned for another Parliament, being called at London, the Sanctuary of former Laws, and all partſcular Charters of Pardon were diſannulled, and taken away from Thomas Duke Glouceſter, the Earl of Arundel, and others, for their Treaſonable Practices and Enterprizes, and all the Juſticiars who ſtood for the King were cleared from the Danger and Scandal they lay under, and the Articles they had ſigned were ratified, and ſuch as had offended againſt them proclaimed Traitors, and Richard Earl of Arund • l was beheaded on Tower-Hill, as guilty of the breach of them. The Earl of Warwick upon the like cauſe was baniſhed, and the Duke of Glouceſter arreſted, and carried to Calais, where he was privately made away, and the King created himſelf Earl of Cheſter, and to his Eſcutcheon Royal added the Armories of Edward the Confeſſour, creating his Coſin Henry Duke of Hereford, who was not long after accuſed by Thomas Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk, for ſpeaking dangerous words of the King, and Mowbray conſtantly affirming what Hereford denied, the Combat was granted them, and all things in order to it prepared; but when they were entred the Liſts, and at the point of defying each other to death, the King threw down his Warder, by that means ſtaying the Combat, changed the manner of the Order, and baniſhed them the Kingdom, the Duke of Norfolk for ever, and the Duke of Hereford firſt for ten Years, then for ſix only, conſtraining them upon pain of death immediately to depart, and ſoon after the Duke of Lancaster, Father to the latter, and Uncle to the King, dying, he ſeized on all his Wealth, which was extremely conſiderable, he being looked upon one of the richeſt uncrowned Heads in Europe.

Long had not theſe Things paſſed, before the Iriſh fell into Rebellion, when to quiet them King Richard raiſed a great Army, to ſupply which he grievouſly oppreſſed his Subjects by a heavy Tax, which begot no ſmall Hatred amongſt the People; ſo that ſome of the Nobles who favoured Hereford, now become Duke of Lancaſter, ſent to him to advertize him of the Diſcontents, letting him know that this was his time to make his Fortune, and he not delaying the opportunity, with an Army of about 2000 Engliſh and Foreigners, landed whilſt King Richard was buſie in Ireland, and was immediately joined by the Earl of Northumberland, and his Son, and declaring as a ſpecious pretence he came for no more than his Dutchy of Lancaſter; the People in compaſſion of his wrong flocked about him from all parts, ſo that the Duke of York, whom King Richard had left Governour of the Kingdom till his Return from his Iriſh Expedition, not being able to oppoſe the Torrent, was obliged to acquieſs, and ſuffer him to take Briſtol, where Buſhy and Green, two of the King's Privy Counſelours, being made Priſoners, they loſt their Heads to pleaſe the multitude.

This allarmed King Richard in Ireland, and obliged him to haſten for England, gathering ſome Troups in Wales, which he joined to thoſe he brought over; but few of the Nobles coming to his Aſſiſtence, and finding himſelf too weak to oppoſe the Torrent, he ſuffered them to disband, and betook himſelf, with a few of his Followers, to Conwoth Caſtle, and from thence ſent to demand Honourable Conditions, and amongſt the reſt, That if himſelf, and eight more whom he ſhould name, might have Allowance becoming their Qualities, and an aſſurance of a quiet Private Life, he would be content to reſign the Crown to his Coſin the Duke of Lancaster, and being promiſed what what was demanded, he put himſelf into the hands of the Earl of Northumberland, and was conveyed to the Tower of London; whereupon a Parliament was called in his Name to ſit at Weſtminſter, who concluding upon his Reſignation, ſent an Inſtrument to him in order to his ſubſcribing, which being accordingly done, as likewiſe ſeal'd, he put his Signet Ring, upon the Duke's Finger, and after this a definitive Sentence paſſed in Parliament, at which time the Duke of Lancaſter riſing from his Seat, made his Claim and Challenge to the Crown in the following words, viz.

In the Name of God Amen. I Henry of Lancaſter claim the Realm of England, and the Crown, with all the Apurtenances, as coming of the Bloud Royal from King Henry the Third, and that Juſtice which God of his Grace doth ſend me by the help of my Friends, for the Recovery of the ſaid Realm, which was in point of Perdition through default of Government, and breach of Laws.

After this Claim Henry was acknowledged by all the Eſtates for King, and ſeated in the Royal Throne, which is accounted the end of Richard's Reign.

This Richard the Second was King of England and France, Lord of Ireland, and Duke of Aquitain, ſecond Son to Edward the Black Prince by Joan his Wife, Daughter to Edmund Earl of Kent. His Reign began the 21ſt day of June 1377. and he reigned 22 Years, three Months, and eight days, and was the 22d ſole Monarch of England, &c. and was murthered in Pontefract Caſtle, as will appear in the next Reign. He had two Wives, but no Iſſue, or at leaſt none that ſurvived him; his laſt Wife Iſabel, Daughter to Charles the Fifth, King of France, being ſo young that ſhe was incapable of conſummating the Joys of a Marriage Bed, &c.

In his time made Portents and Prodigies happened; the Bay and Lawrel Trees withered throughout England, and ſuddenly after became green and flouriſhing, and the deep River near Bedford divided into two Streams, leaving the Chanel dry for three miles: He cauſed his Palace of Shene, now Richmond, in Surry, to be demoliſhed, occaſioned by the exceſſive grief he conceived for the loſs of his firſt Wife, Queen Ann, who dyed there; he likewiſe, upon the City's refuſing to lend him 1000 l took away their Charter, and obliged them to ranſome it at a far greater Summe.

Thus we behold how Fortune plays with Kings. There's nothing ſtable found in earthly things, The Greatneſs that on Power and Honour grows, Like the wild Ocean, has its Ebbs and Flows.

The Reign and Actions of Henry the IV. King of England, &c.

HEnry of Bullinbrook, ſo called from the place of his Birth, Son to John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaſter, upon the Reſignation of King Richard, was crowned by Thomas Arundel, Archbiſhop of Canterbury, making it his buſineſs to ingratiate himſelf with the People, thereby the better to ſecure what he had gained, he ſent his Ambaſſadours likewiſe abroad to keep up the Correſpondency with foreign Princes, as alſo to juſtifie his Proceedings, but France and Normandy approved not of them, but rather condemned what had paſted in diſhonour of King Richard, nor were there divers in England wanting who laboured to reſtore him; and amongſt theſe were John Holland Earl of Huntington, Thomas Hollnnd, Earl or Kent, John M •• acute, Earl of Salisbuy, Thomas Spencer, Earl o • ••• uceſter, with the Dukes of Surry, Exeter, and 〈…〉 but theſe Lords were altogether unſucceſsfull 〈◊〉 Undertaking, although they raiſed a conſiderable number of Perſons in Arms, giving out, King Richard was at liberty, and there preſent, the better to confirm which they had gotten his Chaplain to perſonate him; for the Townſmen of Cyrenceſter aſſailed them, took divers of them, and becauſe ſome of the Lords Servants had fired the Town, to contribute to their Maſters Eſcape, whilſt the People were buſie in extinguiſhing the Flames, they in Revenge cut off the Heads of ſuch Noblemen as they had taken, without Law or Proceſs; and the Commons of Eſſex did the like to the Earl of Huntingdon, in revenge of the Duke of Glouceſter's Death, mentioned in the foregoing Reign to be made away at Cailais. The Lord Spencer falling into the hands of the Rabble at Briſtol, met the ſame Fate. Others were put to Death at Oxford and ſome at London, John Maudlin, the Counterfeit Richard, and one Thurby, were drawn, hanged and quartered: The Biſhop of Carliſle was condemned, but afterwards pardoned; and thus the Attempt was totally fruſtrated; yet it proved fatal to Richard, for Henry finding he could not aſſure himſelf in the Throne, whilſt the depoſed King lived, and he purpoſely letting fall ſome words before his Favourites, as, Who ſhall rid me of the cauſe of my troubles? &c. Sir Pierce of Exton, to curry-favour with him, went to the Caſtle where King Richard was lodged, and gaining admittance, under pretence of an Order from the King, he and ſeven of his Accomplices fell upon, and murthered that poor Prince with Battel-Axes; yet before he fell, wreſting a Weapon, he killed four of them; others will have him to dye through Famine and Diſcontent, which may appear ſomething likely, when we conſider he was expoſed at St. Paul's London, for the ſpace of three days, thereby to aſſure the People of his Death, and prevent any Counterfeit that might be ſet up, and afterwards buried at Kings-Langly in Hartfordſhire; ye • in the fifth year of Henry the V. his Remains were brought to Weſtminster, and interred with his Anceſtours, where ſome will have that beautifull P •• ture of a King Crowned in a Chair of State, to be placed at the upper end of the Choir in memory • him: However this freed not Henry from dang •••• for the Scots entered England, and the Welſh took 〈◊〉 Arms under the Leading of Owen Glendour, but were both defeated yet theſe publick Practices were ſeconded with a private one, which had prove • more dangerous had it taken effect, viz. a Calthrop, being an Engine with four ſharp Spears, ſtanding upward, was placed in his Bed, and had peradventure put an end to his days had he not eſpyed it before he lay down, but it could not be known who placed it there.

The Welſh, who rather retired than over-come, took Arms in greater number, and overthrowing the Lord Edward Mortimer, who was ſent to ſurpreſs them, took him Priſoner, and obliged him to marry Glendour's Daughter; nor did People ſpare to ſpread abroad ſundry inveterate Libels, for which ſome were executed, and amongſt them ſeveral Gray Fryars; and the King going againſt the Welſh was repulſed by a mighty Storm, yet ſucceeded his Lieutenant the Early of Northumberland, and his Son Piercy Ho • ſpur, better againſt the Scots in the North; for by them the Scots were overthrown in two Battels, and ſome Perſons of note taken Priſoners.

The King being at this time a Widower, took to Wife the Lady Jane of Navarre, Widow to John de Mountfort, Duke of Britain, which Marriage was followed by dreadfull Prodigies; and ſoon after the Lord Piercy Hotſpur, when he had done Wonders againſt the Scots, and thinking his Services ſlighted, grew diſcontented, and turned his Arms againſt King Henry, and with him joyned Mortimer Earl of March, Henry Piercy his Father, and Owen Glendour, pretending a Care to reform Diſorders in the Government, though it was afterwards diſcovered, they intended nothing more than their own Intereſt, for Mortimer was to have the South part of •• gland, Piercy the North, Glendour all beyond the 〈◊〉 , and Archibald Earl of Douglas, who had be •••• been takan Priſoner, to have his Liberty, and the Town of Berwick, with the Territories belonging to it; but before they could gather into any great Body, the King was advancing with a powerfull Army towards Shrewsbury, which they had fortified; when Hotſpur no ſooner diſcovered the Royal Standard, but reſolving to looſe his Life, or win the Day, drew out Fourteen thouſand Men, and deſperately engaged the King, and Prince Henry his Son, yet being inferiour in number, though he fought with a Courage beyond expreſſion, Fortune, that never before failed him, turned her back, ſo that he was ſlain, and the Earls of Worceſter, and Douglas, Sir Richard Vernon Barron of Kinlaton, taken and beheaded 200 Eſquires and Gentlemen of Cheſhire, and a great number of common Soldiers loſt their Lives, not without conſiderable Loſs to the King, and the ending his Life; for Hotſpur broke furiouſly through the Squadron where the Standard was, and there had killed, or taken him Priſoner, had he been ſeconded as he expected; yet this ſo incenſed the King, that he cauſed his Body, whom his own Party had carried off and buried, to be taken out of the Grave, the Head cut off, and the Quarters to be diſperſed in divers Places: As for the Earl of Northumberland, he was taken, after this Defeat, as he was raiſing Forces in the North, yet had his Life pardoned, but was abridged in his Eſtate; and the better to quiet the like Diſturbances, the King called a Parliament, but could get no conſiderable Supply, neither in that nor the other two Parliaments that ſucceeded it.

About this time William de Willford being abroad with a Squadron of Men of War, brought in 40 Prizes laden with Iron, Oyl, and Rochel Wine, which was ſold to ſupply the King's Coffers; and a Troup of Weſtern Men brought 3 foreign Lords, and 20 Knights, of note, Priſoners from Dartmouth, having ſlain the Lord Caſtile, and a great many of his Followers, who cruzing on the Coaſt, attempted to burn and plunder that place, as before they had ſerved Plimouth; for which Service the King beſtowed liberal Rewards amongſt them, and in Parliament cauſed the Earl of Northumberland to be reſtored to his entire Poſſeſſion; yet theſe things quieted not the minds of the Nobility, for ſoon after Thomas Mowbray, Earl-Marſhal of England, drew Richard Scroop, Arch-Biſhop of York, into a Conſpiracy, who tampering with the Earl of Weſtmoreland, and he promiſing them fair, inſtead of ſiding with them, delivered them up to the King, and they were thereupon beheaded; but the Pope being highly incenſed at the Arch-biſhop's Death excommunicated all thoſe that had a hand in it.

This was ſeconded by another of the Earl of Northumberland, and the Lord Bardolf, but their Forces being weak they were encountred by the Sheriff of Yorkſhire, where the Earl in a ſharp conflict was ſlain in the Field, and the Lord mortally wounded; and, as a mark of Ignominy, the Earl's Head was carried on a Pole through London, and fixed on the Bridge-gate, and becauſe the Scots had encouraged this Undertaking, and to ſurpreſs the Rumour that went abroad of King Richard's being alive, the King marched an Army of 37000 Men to their Borders, battered Berwick with a piece of Cannon, the firſt that was uſed in England, and took it; as likewiſe ſiezed on all the Caſtles belonging to the Earl of Northumberland; then marched into Wales, but was • iſappointed in that Expedition by the ſudden In • undations and Torrents of Water, that flowed • rom the Hills, whereby fifty of his Waggons with Treaſure and Proviſions were deſtroyed, and a great part of his Food, which obliged him to re • ire.

The King to repair his Loſs, called another Par • iament, which, through his Importunity, was conſtrained to grant him a Subſidy; and in the year 1407 a Plague raged throughout England, and deſtroyed in London 30000 Perſons. A great Froſt followed it, that laſted 15 Weeks; yet the Duke of Burgundy craving the King's Aid againſt the Duke of Orleance, had his Requeſt granted: And amongſt other memorable Actions of the Engliſh, Sir John Blunt raiſed a Siege, beat Four thouſand French-men, with Three hundred Engliſh, taking about Twelve Noblemen, and One hundred and Twenty Gentlemen Priſoners: And now Wickliff's Doctrine beginning to ſpread the Arch-Biſhop Arundel ſo incenſed the King that William Sawtree, William Swinderby, and William Thorp, all eminent Divines, were put to Death for their profeſſion of a good Faith: but the King did not long ſurvive that Cruelty, for Anno 1413. falling ſick, and into an Appoplexy, whilſt his Crown was placed on his Pillow, Prince Henry his Son came and took it thence, which the King perceiving, upon his reviving ſent for him, and dema • ded the reaſon of his haſtineſs, who boldly replyed, That he ſeeming dead in all Men's eſteem, he took it as his Right: Whereupon the King, with ſome trouble of mind, looking on him, ſaid, Ah Son! with what Right it was got God only knoweth, who forgive me the Sin: To which the Prince fiercely replyed, However it was got I mean to keep it when it ſhall be mine, and defend it with my Sword, as you by your Sword have obtained it: and ſoon after the King dyed, and was buried at Canterbury.

This Henry the IV was King of England, and France, Lord of Ireland, &c. eldeſt Son to John Duke of Lancaster, by Blanch his Wife: He began his Reign the 29th. of Sptember, Anno 1399, and Reigned 13 Years, 3 Months and 16 Days, and was the 33d. ſole Monarch of England: by his firſt Wife Mary he had Iſſue Prince Henry, Thomas Duke of Clarence, John Duke of Bedford, Humphrey Duke of Glouceſter, Blanch and Philippa; by his ſecond-Wife no Iſſue that ſurvived him.

Thus ill-got Crowns create a troubl'd Reign, Howe'er ſo eaſie got, hard to maintain; Such Crowns have Thorns that ſtill the Wearer pain.

The Life, Reign, and Actions of Henry the V. King of England, &c.

HEnry of Monmouth, ſo called from the place of his Birth, in his youthfull years lead away by wild and debauched Courtiers, committed many extravagancies, not being exempted from Robbing on the High-ways, putting his Father in fear of ſome Deſign he had upon his Perſon, and attempting to reſcue a Priſoner from the Face of Juſtice in the Court of King's-Bench; but when he came to the Crown he was wonderfully changed, commanding his former leud Companions to alter their manners, or not dare to approach his Court, nor within Ten miles of his Perſon; chuſing grave and worthy Counſellours, and much honouring the Clergy; and the more to ingratiate with the People, every day after Dinner he was wont, for the ſpace of an hour, to receive Petitions, in order to redreſs Grievances, which he would doe with wonderfull Equity, much lamenting the untimely Death of King Richard, and ſo near it touched him that he ſent to Rome to be abſolved from a Fact he had no hand in.

Whilſt things went on proſperouſly, a Parliament was called, wherein it was moved that the ſuperfluous Lands and Temporalties belonging to Religious Houſes were ſufficient of the Maintainance of 15 Earls, 1500 Knights, 6200 Eſquires, and 100 Alms-Houſes, and over and above 20007 l per Annum, to the King's Coffers; and this, to curb the Pride of the Clergy was preſſed very home, and had gone on had not the Arch-Biſhop of Cante • bury, to turn his Thoughts from it, perſwaded him to ſeek his Right in France, of which Kingdom he told him he was the true Heir, enforcing it with ſtrong Reaſons; inſomuch that the young King being naturally of a fierce and warlike Spirit ſoon hearkned to what he had ſuggeſted, and ſent in the firſt place a Summons to demand the Dutchy of Normandy, Aquitain, Guyne, and Anjou; upon which the Dauphin, who ruled all at Court, ſent him in deriſion a Tun of Tennis Balls, as ſuppoſing them fitteſt for a Prince that had formerly given himſelf over to Sports and Recreation; but at this time he was miſtaken in his mark; for the King highly incenſed at the affront, ſent back word, that he would ſhortly ſend him London Balls that ſhould ſhake Paris Walls, and proceeded to make large preparations for paſſing the Seas; which incited the French to uſe their old Artifice of ſtirring up the Scots; but they upon their attempting to enter England were overthrown by Sir Robert Humfreville: This made the French King, who was but weak in mind, conſult his Peers, who concluded it would be moſt expedient for France to come to Terms with the Engliſh before the Matter was carried too far, and accordingly Ambaſſadours were ſent, who at Wincheſter made offers of ſome Territories, with a ſumme of Money to defray the charges of the preparation; but more eſpecially thinking by that means to pleaſe the King, they made propoſals of Marriage between him and and the beautious Princeſs, Katharine of France; but all this came to nothing; for the King peremptorily demanded what had ever formerly belonged to his Progenitours, and that being refuſed, Antilop, his Purſuvant at Arms, was ſent to King Charles with Letters of Defiance, and he paſſed with ſuch Forces as he had raiſed in order to his Embarking at Southampton, commanding the Nobles, and all that held Fee of the Crown, to follow him, and the French perceiving fair means would not doe, proceeded to Treachery, by corrupting the Lords Grey, Scroop, and Cambridge too, with promiſes of vaſt ſummes of Gold, to murther him before he took the Seas; but this was diſcovered by a paper found in the boſome of the latter, and the matter being plain, the two firſt were executed, but the laſt, at the Inſtance of the Duke of York, whoſe Son he was, had his Pardon procured.

The King being by this time in a forwardneſs, ſet ſail on the 7th of Auguſt 1414. with 500 Ships, and 30000 Soldiers, beſides Engineers, Artificers, and Labourers, and on the 15th caſt Anchor at the mouth of the River Seyn, three miles from Hareflew, and no ſooner he came on ſhoar, but falling on his Knees, he implored God's Bleſſing, and Aſſiſtence, in proſpering his Enterprize for the gaining his Right, and his Army being landed, he cauſed Proclamation to be made, that no perſon whatſoever, on pain of Death, ſhould preſume to injure Churches, Churchmen, Women or Children; and encouraging his Soldiers, he ſoon made himſelf Maſter of the Town of Harflew, and having at St. Martin's Church given God Thanks for the firſt ſucceſs of his Arms, he detached two thouſand Horſe, and thirteen thouſand Foot, and marched with them through the Countries of Caux and Eu in his way to Callis, when to hinder him the flying parties of French not only skirmiſhed as they ſaw advantage, but broke down Bridges, plaſhed Trees, carried away or deſtroyed all manner of Proviſion and Forage, ſo that he was obliged to march along the Banks of the River Some, as far as Bathencourt, before he could gain the Paſs, and on the 24th of October he came to Azin, or Agincourt, the numerous Army of the French attending, and watching all advantage.

The King being thus far advanced through a ruined and deſtroyed Countrey, whereby his Soldiers for want of neceſſaries were become extremely feble, he found he could not proceed without giving Battel, and therefore reſolved to pitch his Banner Royal, but finding the Army extremely weakened, and himſelf ſurrounded in a Toil, at the inſtance of the Nobles he propoſed Overtures to the French, propoſing the delivery of Harflew, and ſuch other places as he had taken ſince his arrival in France, in conſideration that himſelf, and all with him, might paſs quietly to Calais, and there ſhip for England. To this the Mareſchal, and Conſtable, who had the chief Command in the French Army, were willing to hearken, as knowing the danger of compelling a deſperate Enemy to fight in the extremity of Deſpair; but the other Commanders, young Princes, and Nobles, more fiery than either valiant or wiſe, would not hearken to any accord, and ſo confidently they promiſed themſelves the Victory, that they had before hand divided the ſpoil, cauſing the Bells to be rung, and Thanks to be given in the neighbouring Churches • hat God had delivered the Enemy into ſuch a 〈◊〉 of advantage, that he could not eſcape: 〈◊〉 when Man propoſes, God diſpoſes, for too much confidence ruined them, not conſidering that when it ſeemeth good the Almighty by weak things can deſtroy the powerfull; nay, ſo confident were they, that they ſent for King Charles, and the Dauphin, that they might have the Honour of the Victory, and ſpent the night before the Battel in a careleſs manner of feaſting and revelling, whilſt the Engliſh ſpent it in moderate refreſhment and prayer.

King Henry ſeeing the Storm that he was bound to oppoſe, commanded two hundred Archers to lodg in a Meadow, ſecured againſt the French Horſe, with ſtrong buſhes, and a large Di • ch; placing likewiſe Archers in the Front of the Battel; and to ſecure them they had long ſtakes, ſhod with Iron, to ſtick ſlantwiſe againſt the breaking in of the Horſe, which might be removed as accaſion required, ranging the Hoaſt into three Battalions, flanking the whole with Archers; and that he might not be hid on ſo eminent a day, he wore on his Helmet a ſmall Crown of Gold, riding from Rank to Rank, and giving necaſſary Orders in all places, declaring that England ſhould never be charged with his Ranſome, but that he reſolved either to conquer or dye; and then commanding his Standard to advance; Since (ſays he) our injurious Enemies do attempt to ſhut up our way, let us ſet upon them in the Name of the moſt glorious Trinity, and in the beſt hour in the whole year: whereupon Sir Thomas Epingham, with a Warder in his hand, advanced againſt the French, who kept their ground, covering the plains for many miles, and throwing it up in the Air, gave the ſignal to join Battel, whereupon a joyfull ſhout enſued, and the Archers from the Meadow, as the French advanced, let flie their Arrows, galling and wounding Horſe and Man, whilſt the Main Body joined; and then the Engliſh army fell on like Men driven to their laſt neceſſities, yet not without expreſſing a ſingular Conduct and Courage, having the advantage of the French in charging, by reaſon of the unweildineſs of their Army; inſomuch that the Engliſh Arrows flying like Thunderbolts upon the thronging Horſe, no ways able to avoid them, and thoſe that advanced furiouſly being goared with the ſtakes, as the Archers retired to give way to the Men of Arms, making a Barracade againſt thoſe that preſſed behind, nothing but rout and confuſion enſued, the French at ſuch a diſadvantage not being capable of uſing their Arms, which the Duke of Brabant perceiving, advanced furiouſly to break the Order of the Engliſh, and encourage his ſide, but met his Fate in that Attempt; however the Duke of Alanzon broke in upon the King's Standard, and there had ſlain the Duke of Glouceſter, had not the King prevented it by timely interpoſing, and between them began a ſharp diſpute, wherein the Duke of Alanzon all moſt beat the King's Crown flat to his Helmet, but being ſtruck from his Horſe by Henry, and crying out, he was Alanzon, notwithſtanding his begging quarter, and the King's endeavour to ſave him, the enraged Soldiers, for the Danger he had put their Sovereign into, diſpatched him on the ſpot; ſo that the Rear-guard of the French Army being worſted, and unable to ſuſtain the Fury of the Engliſh, fled without fighting, leaving the Victory, with infinite ſpoil, and a great number of Priſoners, to a handfull of Men, in a manner naked, and allmoſt half ſtarved which may convince the World, that Victory depends not upon the Arm of Fleſh, but ſcarcely was the Field cleared of the French, before another Army bigger than that of the Engliſh, which was coming to their Aid, and knowing nothing of the Defeat, appeared upon the Hills, and the King fearing the great number of Priſoners might turn againſt him, during the heat of the Fight cauſed them all, as a Maxim of ſelf- •• eſervation, except thoſe of the greateſt Quality, to be killed, and then ſent a Herauld to ſummon them to fight, or depart immediately, for if they ſtayed whilſt he charged them, they muſt expect no Quarter; whereupon the King of Sicily, who commanded in chief, not thinking it convenient with thoſe Forces to diſpute what ſo great an Army had loſt, drew off; ſo that King Henry finding himſelf an entire Conquerour, fell on his Knees and commanding all, both Officers and Soldiers, to doe the like, with up lifted hands and ſaid, Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy Name be given the Glory. And having learned the name of the place, he ſaid, Let this be called the Battel of Agincourt all poſterity.

In this Battel were ſlain of the French one thouſand Princes, Noblemen, Knights, and Eſquires, and ten thouſand common Soldiers. The Priſoners of note were Charles Duke of Orleance, John Duke of Burbon, the Earl of Richmond, Lowis de Burbon, the Count de Vendoſme, the Earl of Eu, Edward de Roven, and divers others. The Engliſh loft of Note were the Duke of York, and Earl of Suffolk, with two Knights, and David Gam Eſquire; the common Soldiers that fell were very inconſiderable, ſome not allowing above one hundred twenty eight, but that ſeems ſomewhat partial.

The next day after this Battel Henry marched with the ſpoil, and his Priſoners, off the Field towards Callais, his Soldiers now having Cloaths, and plenty of all Neceſſaries; and having fortified the Towns he had taken, and given neceſſary Orders, he came for England, and was received in London with Triumph, and there preſented with one thouſand pounds, and two Gold Baſons, and calling a Parliament, he had a Subſidy of a Tenth granted for the carrying on his Wars in France, which not ſufficing, he pawned his Crown to Cardinal Beaufort, his Unckle, and his Jewels to the Lord Mayor of London for ten thouſand Marks; then he paſſed the Sea with an Army of 25527. every fourth being an Horſeman, beſides a thouſand Carpenters and Labourers, and the firſt of Auguſt 1417. arrived in Normandy, bringing ſuch a terrour upon the Countrey, that moſt of the Inhabitants fled into Bretaigne, and having dubbed thirty eight Knights, he laid Siege to Conquest, and took it the 16th of August, with the Caſtles of Aubeliers and Lovers; he likewiſe ſtormed the City of Caen, and gave the Pillage to his Soldiers.

During K. Henry's Succeſs in France, the Scots invaded England, bringing with them a Perſon repreſenting Richard the Second; but hearing as they lay at the Siege of Roxborough and Berwick, that the Engliſh Army was marching toward them, they raiſed the Sieges, and fled. This did not hinder the King's proceeding in France; for there he took many Cities, and had the ſtrong Caſtle of Fallors delivered him, then divided his Army under the Commands of the Dukes of Clarence, Glouceſter, and Earl of Warwick; ſo that taking divers places at once, he ſet down before Roan, and took it after a year's Siege, obliging the Burgeſſes for their Ranſome, and being permitted quietly to live there, pay him 356000 Crowns, and ſwear Fealty to him and his Succeſſors. And now the French finding themſelves unable to make head againſt the Engliſh, and Accommodation was ſought, and to bring it the eaſier to paſs, an Interview was had between King Henry and King Charles at the Town of Melun, where the Queen and the Princeſs Katharine of France was preſent, and there King Henry firſt fixed his Eyes and Affection on that beauteous Maid, and finding the French Noblemen averſe to his Demands, he told the Duke of Burgundy, that he would either have the Princeſs and what he had farther required, or he would drive him and the reſt of the Nobles out of France: To which the Duke replied, That he might ſay his pleaſure, but before he ſhould drive them out of France, he ſhould be weary of the Enterprize.

This Treaty proving ineffectual, the King took the Town of Ponthois, and gave large ſpoil to his Soldiers, which obliged the French King to remove his Court from Paris to Troyis in Champaigne; and now to facilitate the Engliſh Conqueſts, the Dauphin having put a ſenſible Affront upon the Queen, his Mother, ſhe conceived a mortal hatred, and laboured to ruine him, confederating with the Duke of Burgundy, and procuring her ſelf, by reaſon of the King's Imbecility, to be made Regent of France; and ſoon after the Dauphin cauſing John Duke of Burgundy to be ſlain in his preſence, as he came to doe him Homage, for contriving, as he ſaid, the death of Lewis Duke of Orleance, that he might the better ſway the Kingdom under an infirm King. Philip, the young Duke of Burgundy, to revenge his Father's death, cloſed with King Henry, and proceeded to perſuade Charles, the French King, to diſinherit the Dauphin, and give the Lady Katharine in Marriage to the King o • England; and the Queen ſeconding this Project, it was effected, and a Peace concluded between the two Crowns upon divers Articles, the chief being, That Charles and Iſabel ſhould retain the name of King and Queen, and hold all their Dignities, Rents and Poſſeſſions, during their natural Lives. That after their deaths the Crown and Realm of France ſhould, with all its Rights and Appurtenances, remain unto the King of England and his Heirs for ever; and that by reaſon of the Infirmity of King Charles, therefore during his Life, the Affairs of the Realm of France, together with the Government thereof, ſhould remain in the King Henry, ſo that thenceforth he ſhould govern the Realm, and admit to his Council and Aſſiſtence, with the Council of France, ſuch of the Engliſh Nobility as he ſhould ſee convenient, with other Articles, to the number of thirty, very advantageous to the Engliſh, were all ſworn to at Troyis, May, the 30th, 1420. and proclaimed in London the June following, and Homage ſworn to King Henry, who was proclaimed Regent of France; and on the 3d of June the Marriage was celebrated in the preſence of divers of the chief Nobility of England and France at Troyis, with great Pomp and Splendour, and they rode in Triumph to take Poſſeſſion of the Palace in Paris, and a Parliament of the three Eſtates were aſſembled in that City, who confirmed what had been done by the Kings; and it was there likewiſe ratified by the General Eſtates of the Realm, and Sworn to particularly on the Holy Evangeliſt by the French Noblemen and Rulers, Spiritual and Temporal, who moreover ſealed the Inſtruments which were ſent over to be kept in the King's Exchequer at Weſtminſter; which done, the King left the Duke of Clarence his Lieutenant in France, and came for England with his Queen, where he was received with Joy and Triumph, cauſing her to be crowned at Westminſter, and then proceeded to call a Parliament for farther Supplies, to maintain his War againſt the Dauphin, who ſtill ſtood out to recover the Kingdom; but the Commons exhiting a Petition of Poverty, he again pawned his Crown to Cardinal Beaufort for 20000 pounds, and paſſed into France with 4000 Horſe, and 24000 Foot, and his preſence there was neceſſary; for the Dauphin, ſtrengthened by Forces for Scotland, under the Leading of the Earl of Buchanan, and Archibald Douglas, defeated and killed the Duke of Clarence, took the Earls of Huntindon, Somerſet, and others, Priſoners; and heightened with that Succeſs, he laid Siege to Alenzon, and cut off the Proviſions of Paris, but the King's Approach made him to retire to Bury.

King Henry ſoon recovered what the Dauphin had taken, and drove him to great diſtreſs; but when this great King had triumphed over that mighty Kingdom with unconquerable Fortune and Succeſs, and annexed it fully to the Crown of England, death laid his Arreſt upon him, for falling ſick of a burning Fever and Flux, he dyed on the 30th of Auguſt, 1422. at Bloice de Vincennois, and his Body brought over, was buried with pomp at Weſtminster, hard by the Tomb of Edward the Confeſſour, appointing by his laſt Will and Teſtament his younger Brother, Humphry Duke of Glouceſter, Protectour of England, his Brother John, Duke of Bedford, Regent of France, and Thomas Beaufort Guardian of his Son Henry, born a little before at Windſor, contrary to the King's expreſs command, who when he heard the Queen had lain in at that place, prophetically ſpake, viz. Good God! I Henry of Monmouth ſhall have but a ſhort Reign, and win much; but Henry of Windſor ſhall reign long, and loſe all; yet God's Will be done.

This Henry was King of England, and France, and Lord of Ireland, eldeſt Son of Henry the Fourth by Mary his Queen: He began his Reign on the 20th of March, 1412. and reigned 9 Years, 5 Months, and 10 days, and was the 34th ſole Monarch of England.

Thus Beauty, Power and Honour yield to death, Great Conquerours, like Slaves, reſign their breath Their Lawrels in the Duſt with them muſt lie. But Fame's immortal and can never dye.

The Life, Reign, and Actions of HENRY the Sixth, King of England, France, &c.

HEnry of Windſor, ſo called from the place of his Birth, upon the death of his Father, was crowned when he exceeded not eight Months of age, the Queen holding him in her lap whilſt the Solemnity was performed, to whom his Nurtriture and Education was committed, but his Minority much diſadvantaged the Engliſh Intereſt in France; for old King Charles dying, Charles his Son greatly ſtrengthned his party, and although he was called by the Engliſh in deriſion only King of Burry, as having little more left him, yet now he encroached upon the Engliſh, wreſting from them ſundry places by the help of Aids from Scotland and Italy, which made the Engliſh Regent think it time to give him Battel, and accordingly the Armies joyned near Vernoli, where the French were overthrown, the Regent doing wonders in his own perſon, and there were ſlain the Conſtable and Lieutenant of France, the Earls of Wigton and Vantadour, with about five thouſand others, and the Duke of Alanzon taken Priſoner, upon which Victory the Engliſh beſieged Monts in Main, and having with his Cannon made a great breach in the Wall, it was ſurrendered, and a little while after, the Earl of Salisbury beſieged Orleance, and brought it to ſuch diſtreſs, that the Gariſon was willing to ſurrender to the Duke of Burgundy, but the Earl refuſed it, which ſo offended the Duke, that he declined the Engliſh Intereſt, which proved very prejudicial.

The French being in a drooping Condition, and uſing ſtrong Cordials to ſupport their Spirits, one Joan, a Shepherdeſs of Lorrain, came to the Dauphin, and offered him her Service, ſaying, She was ſent by God, to deliver France out of the hands of the Engliſh; and not exceeding eighteen years of age, her offer at firſt was looked upon as rediculous, but ſhe perſiſting in what ſhe had declared; the Dauphin cauſed her to be armed at all points, and deſiring the Sword that hung in St. Catharines Church, ſhe got into Orleance, then beſieged by the Engliſh, and from thence ſent a Letter, commanding them to raiſe the Siege, and deliver up the Towns they poſſeſſed, for ſhe was reſolved to drive them out of France; but they looked upon it, only as proceeding from Folly or a raving fit, yet in the ſeveral Sallies ſhe made it proved otherwiſe, for by the violent Sallies ſhe made the Siege, was raiſed with loſs to the Engliſh, ſhe commonly fighting in the head of the French, and animating them to go on couragiouſly, for being in one of the Sallies, ſhot through the Arm with an Arrow, and perſwaded to retire; ſhe cryed out, This is a favour, let us go on, they cannot eſcape the hands of God, and there of note were ſlain the Earl of Salisbury, the Lords Moline and Poynings, Sir Thomas Gagrave, and the French ſay about eight thouſand common Soldiers, yet our Hiſtorians allow but ſix hundred; and the French following their ſucceſs wreſted ſeveral Towns, and ſurpriſing a party of Engliſh, overthrew them taking Priſoners the Lords Talbot, Scales, Hungerford, and Sir Thomas Rampſton, whereupon ſeveral Towns revolted, and the Dauphin took Auxier and Rhiemes, in the latter of which, according to the direction of Joan, called by the French, the Maid of God, Charles the Dauphin cauſed himſelf to be Crowned King of France.

Joan of Arks, having been hitherto very ſucſeſsfull, and done, the Dauphin ſingular ſervice coming to the relief of Campaign, which was greatly diſtreſſed by the Engliſh and Burgundians, in a deſperate charge advancing too far and being ſeparated from thoſe that ſhould have ſuccoured her, ſhe was made Priſoner by a Burgundian Knight, and by him ſold to to the Engliſh, who ſent her to Roan, and being charged with Witch-craft, Bloud-ſhead, and the unnatural uſe of Man's Apparel contrary to her Sex, ſhe was burnt, which was too barbarous a uſage, and had not been executed, but to put the French out of the great hopes, they conceived in the Promiſe ſhe had made to drive the French out of the Kingdom and in ſome kind, it had its effects; but another expedient was reſolved on, which was to ſend over for young King Henry, and he accordingly was crowned in Paris with great Pomp, by the Cardinal of VVincheſter, on the 7th. of December, 1431. The French Nobility doing him homage, and the King's Pattents and Grants, touching the French Affairs, paſſed under the Seal and Stile of Henry King of the Frenchmen, and of England, and the Lords Talbot and Arundel were ſucceſsfully victorious in the Provinces of Main, Anjou, and other places, but John Duke of Bedford Regent of that Kingdom dying at Paris, Anno. 1435. with his death, the Engliſh Affairs ſunk; for although Richard Duke of York, was ſent over Regent, yet before his arrival, Paris was loſt by the treachery and revolt of the Citizens and the Duke of Burgundy falling off, beſieged or blocked up Callais; upon notice of which the Duke of Glouceſter, paſſed with a great Army, but the Burgundians were retired before his arrival, which made him proceed to waſte the Burgundian Territories, and then returned to England, whilſt the Duke of Somerſet, the Lords Talbot and VVilloughby, made good the Engliſh Intereſt againſt the French; and now it was thought expedient that King Henry ſhould Marry, and by the contrivance of de la Pool, Duke of Suffolk, he took to Wife, Margaret, Daughter to Renate, Duke of Anjou and Lorain Titular King of Sicily and Jeruſalem, &c. with whom he had little or no Dowry, and Suffolk's too much favour and intereſt with the Queen, made the Nobles begin to murmur and indeed, this Match proved in the end, diſadvantageous to the Engliſh; for the Queen being a Woman of a high Spirit, and finding her power over a good natured and eaſie King, ſhe delayed not to uſe it, placing and diſplacing at her pleaſure the greateſt Counſellers and Miniſters of State, ſo the Intereſt in France daily leſſoned, and the Dauphin • recovered the greateſt part of the Kingdom, which moved Duke Humphry to reproach the Queen and her Council with bold truth, whereby they became ſo exaſperated, that from that time they layed Snares to intrap him; but finding no plauſible opportunity, they reſolved to take a violent occaſion, and at a Parliament holden at St. Edmunds-bury, Anno. 1447. he was arreſted by John Lord Beaumont, Lord High Conſtable of England, and others, charged with High-Treaſon, and put under a Guard of the King's Houſhold, but had not been long in his Confinement before he was found dead, not without ſtrong preſumption of violence uſed towards him yet to ſhadow it with the people, who entirely loved him, as a vertuous, wiſe, and learned Patriot of his Country, his body was expoſed, and it was given out that he died of an Impoſthume and Palſie.

This Duke, who had been the Prop of the Engliſh Affairs, removed, his Servants (the better to colour the Matter,) were brought to Tryall, and five of them convicted of High-Treaſon, upon which Sentence they were drawn to Tyburn, and being hanged about two Minutes, were cut down alive, ſtripped naked, and marked out with a Knife to be quartered and then their Charters of Pardon were produced by the Marqueſs of Suffolk; and now the whole frame of Government ſeemed to repoſe it ſelf in the Queens Authority, and ſuch Favourites as by her inſinuation with the King, ſhe raiſed to the higheſt Dignities. This gave ſcope to the Duke of York's Ambition, who concluding there was an open paſſage to the Crown, delayed not the opportunity, but conſulted his Friends, declaring his Title, as deſcended from Lionel, and Elder Brother to John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaſter, great Grand-father to King Henry the ſixth, aggravating the miſcarriages in Government, and keeping up popular diviſions, and indeed the King's mildneſs, a Council out of Favour with the people, • oſſes and diſhonours abroad, a diſorder and confuſion of things at home, mainly contributed to his deſign; and about this time a Rebellion happening in Ireland, the Duke of York was looked upon as the fitteſt Man to go over, for the appeaſing it, and had the fortune to bring it to a happy iſſue, when in the mean while the Duke of Suffolk, the Queens great favourite was charged in a Parliament at Weſtminſter, with evil Demeanour, Miſpriſion and Treaſon, and committed Priſoner to the Tower; but the Queen ſoon after procured his releaſe; and now the Yorkiſts Faction conſiderably ſtrengthened, appeared bare-fac'd, and being vigorouſly withſtood by Adam Molins, Biſhop of Chicheſter, Keeper of the Privy Seal, to remove him out of the way, a rable of Seamen were ſtired up to fall upon him at Portſmouth, by whoſe rude hands the good Biſhop was ſlain, and in a Parliament holden at Leiceſter, they procured the Baniſhment of the Duke of Suffolk for five years, and as he was attempting to paſs the Seas, he was taken in Dover Road, by ſuch as the Duke of York had laid in wait for him, and for want of a Block, had his Head cut off on the ſide of a Cockboat, which was looked upon as a Judgment, for his being a contriver of the death of Humphry, Duke of Glouceſter, the King's Uncle.

Suffolk thus removed out of the way, the Duke of York concluded he wanted but one ſtep into the Throne; and although he was yet in Ireland, he ſo effectually wrought by his Friends in England, that the Kentiſh Men took up Arms under the leading of Jack Cade, and were joyned by thoſe of Eſſex, demanding that the Duke might be called home, and that he with ſome others, that Cade named, might bechief in Council. That thoſe guilty of the death of Duke Humphry might receive due puniſhment: That the Grievances of the people might be redreſſed; and becauſe theſe requeſts were not ſpeedily anſwered, they committed many violent out-rages in and about London, as plundering the houſes of the Citizens, beheading the Lord Say, Treaſurer of England, and Mr. Comer High Sheriff of Kent, for attempting to perſwade them to return to their Obedience: However their fury being ſpent, and the King's Proclamation for a Pardon coming out to indemnifie them, they returned to their reſpective Habitations; but Cade finding his Power and Credit with the Multitude, upon ſome new diſguſt attempting again to raiſe the Rable he was encountered by the Gentry of Kent, and ſlain by one Edan.

Upon the ſtirs and uproars in England, the Duke of York without any Order, haſted from Ireland and took up Arms, pretendedly for the Reformation of the State, which made King Henry fortifie himſelf, and prepare to oppoſe their force • but the Duke of York ſo far prevailed with the eaſie King, that a Reconciliation was made, and the Kuke of Somerſet, who mainly oppoſed the Yorkiſts Intereſt, was confined a Priſoner to his houſe, which done; the Duke of York diſſolved his Army and came to London, making great complaints to the King againſt Somerſet, of which that Duke had no ſooner notice, but he came before the King, and accuſed his Accuſer, Face to Face, charging him with High-Treaſon, as having conſpired to depoſe the King, and take the Sovereignty on himſelf; whereupon the Duke of York was confined, till ſuch time as he ſwore in St. Paul's Church, before a great Concourſe of Nobility, to continue a true, faithfull, and obedient Subject to King Henry. And about this time, by the ſucceſs of John Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury, the Affairs of France began to appear in a better poſture, for by the prevailing Arms of this valiant man, Burdeaux, the chief City in Normandy was taken, with many other Places of Note; but upon his attempting to relieve Castilion, charging the Enemy upon unequal Terms, he was ſlain in the Field, together with his Son, the Viſcount Liſle, and with him dyed all the Engliſh hope of ever recovering what was loſt in France; for the Duke of York not regarding his Oath, An. 1445. took up Arms, and broke into the King's Palace, and the King to oppoſe him drew out conſiderable Forces, ſo that a great Battel was fought at St. Albans, where the King was wounded with an Arrow, and taken Priſoner, and the Duke of Somerſet, the Earls of Northumberland and Stafford, together with the Lord Clifford, and divers other Knights and Gentlemen of the Royal Party ſlain.

Henry being brought to London, a Parliament was called, in which the Memories and Honours of Humphrey Duke of Glouceſter were reſtored; and thoſe that had taken up Arms under the Duke of York, indempnified of the Treaſon, and that Duke created Protectour of England. The Earl of Salisbury made Chancellour, and the Earl of Warwick, his Son, Captain of Calais: And thus having gotten the Power into their hands, they worked out the Counſellours and Favourites of the King, placing ſuch in their ſtead as would ſtickle for their Intereſt. The Diviſions gave the French the boldneſs to make diſcents into ſeveral places: In Kent and Devonſhire they burnt ſome Towns, and committed many Outrages, which yet abated not the heat and heartburning of the Engliſh one to another; for although 〈◊〉 Lords met, and concluded a ſeeming Agreement • yet it laſted not long, before both ſide •••• med, and a mortal Battel was fought on 〈…〉 where the King's Party was worſted: And ſoon after another Battel was fought at Ludlow, where the Duke and his Adherents received a great overthrow, and the Town of Ludlow laid in Ruines for adhering to the Yorkiſts; and hereupon a Parliament was called, wherein the Duke of York, the Earls of March, Salisbury, and Rutland, and others, were attainted, of High Treaſon, and had their Eſtates confiſcated: But on the 9th of July 1460. the Scale turned, for in a fatal Battel at Northampton the King was overthrown by means of the revolt of the Lord Grey of Ruthen; and in this Battel on the King's part there were ſlain the Duke of Buckingham, the Earl of Shrewſbury, Viſcount Beaumont, the Lord Egrinham, Sir William Lucy, and others, and the King himſelf was made Priſoner, and carried to London, where in a Parliament, begun the 8th of October, the Duke of York laid Claim to the Crown, and ſet forth his Pedigree, and urged it ſo far, that the Parliament came to a concluſion, That Henry ſhould enjoy the Crown during his natural Life, but then it ſhould fall to the Duke of York, and his heirs, and the heirs of Henry to be utterly excluded; and accordingly the Duke was proclaimed Heir apparent to the Crown: But Queen Margaret, who was in the North raiſing Forces, reſolved not to ſtand to what her Husband had been forced to conſent to, but to maintain the right of her Son Prince Edward; but having gathered a conſiderable Army, ſhe marched towards London; againſt her the Duke drew out, and near Wakefield a bloudy and doubtfull Battel was faught, in which the Duke of York was ſlain, his Forces overthrown, his Son, the Earl of Rutland, killed begging his Life on his Knees, and the Earl of Salisbury taken Priſoner, and beheaded; the Duke's head was cut off, and a Paper Crown ſet upon it, by way of deriſion and thus had ended the fatal Quarrel between the Houſes of York and Lancaster, had not Edward Earl of March, eldeſt Son to the Duke of York, advanced with a great Army, gathered in the Marches of Wales, and near Mortimer's Croſs in Ludlow fought with the Queens Army, when at the joining of the Battel three Suns appeared in the Firmament, which immediately united into one. In this Battel the Queens Forces were overthrown with great Slaughter, and Owen Tudor, Father in law to King Henry VII. being taken Priſoner, was, together with Sir John Scudemore, and his two Sons, beheaded; but An. 1460. the Queen overthrew the Earl of March in a great Battel, at St. Albans, reſcuing King Henry out of his hands, who was brought thither to countenance the Soldiers; but the Londoners ſided with him, and upon the Queens drawing off to the North, proclaimed him King of England, &c. And here Hiſtorians put an end to King Henry's Reign, though he lived much longer, as will appear in the ſucceeding Reign; his Wife was Margaret, Daughter to Reynate, King of Jeruſalem, &c. by her he had Iſſue Edward.

This Henry was King of England, and France, and Lord of Ireland, the onely Child of Henry the Fifth by Katharine his Queen; he began his Reign on the 30th of Auguſt, 1422. and reigned thirty eight Years, 6 Months, and 3 Days, being the thirty fifth ſole Monarch of England, and was ſtabbed to the heart in the Tower by Richard Duke of Glouceſter, Brother to Edward the Fourth, on the 20th of May, 1471. in the 46th Year of his Age, buried firſt in the Abbey of Chartſey, in Surry, afterwards removed to Windſor by Henry the Seventh, then removed again none knows where. In his time many ſtrange Accidents happened, portending the Woes and Miſcries that befell the Kingdom.

Thus the good pious King, bereft of Crowns, Bore patiently the Wreck of Fortune's frowns; Yet murtherous minds were not with this content, But in a ſtream of Bloud to Heaven he's ſent.

The Reign and Actions of Edward the Fourth, King of England, &c.

EDward the eldeſt Son to Richard, Duke of York, in the beginning of his Reign, found great oppoſition from the Lancastrians, who pitying the Misfortune of pious King Henry, raiſed Forces in many parts; he was crowned at Weſtminſter; but the Citizens, who had been the greateſt Sticklers for him, not finding him anſwer their expectations, in performing the Promiſes he had made them, began to decline his Intereſt, however he marched againſt the Forces raiſed in the North, giving the Lord Fitz-walter battel at Ferrybridg, near Pontefract, but not being able to maintain it, he was there, with moſt of his men, cut in pieces by Henry's Forces, when both Armies facing on the Plain between Towton, and Saxton, on the 28th of March they joined Battel, that of Edwards conſiſting of 48660 men, and Henry's of 60000, but by the Lancastrians miſtaking Stars for Suns, being the Cognizance of each Party, and doubting ſome Treaſon in the caſe, many of them fled; ſo that thoſe who remained loſt the field; and in this Battel were ſlain the Earl of Northumberland, the Lords Clifford, Neuel, Wells, Scales, Beaumont, Dacres, Grey, Willoughby, Fitzhug, and other Perſons, of Quality, about 357, and in all 35091, being the moſt bloudy and obſtinate Battel that had been fought; upon this Overthrow Henry, with his Queen and Son, fled into Scotland, and were honourably received by King James, whoſe Siſter Prince Edward not long after married. From Scotland the Queen ſailed to France, to ſeek aids in that Court, and in mean while King Edward returning to London, was a ſecond time proclaimed, and calling a Parliament, Henry, together with his Queen, and Prince Edward his Son, were diſinherited, and about fourty three Nobles diſinherited and attainted.

The Queen, a Woman of a Martial Spirit, by her Intereſt in France had by this time gotten a conſiderable number of Men; but ſailing for Scotland, and afterwards making for England, her Fleet was ſcattered by a Tempeſt; ſo that ſhe and her Husband were left ſolely to the Aid of the Scots, and with what Forces they could gather, marched as far as the Biſhoprick of Durham; but the Forces of the Scots were defeated at Hegely Moor, where Sir Ralph Percie dying, ſaid in alluſion of his Oath to King Henry. I have ſaved the Bird in my Breast. And another defeat happening at Hexam Feries, Fortune ſeemed utterly averſe; and that poor Prince coming out of Scotland into England in diſguiſe, was betrayed, and apprehended as he ſat at Dinner in Wadington-Hall, and in an ignominious manner brought to London, with his Legs bound under the Horſes Belly, and ſecured as a Priſoner in the Tower.

King Edward by the Impriſonment of Henry, conceiving himſelf more ſecure, ſent the Earl of Warwick to woo for him in the Court of Savoy; but whilſt he earneſtly ſollicited, and had brought the matter to perfection, by obtaining the good Will of the Eſtates; News came that King Edward had married the Lady Elizabeth Grey, Widow to Sir John Grey, ſlain in the Battel at St. Albans, fighting on the part of King Henry, with whom he had fallen in Love, upon her becoming an humble Suitor to him for her Jointure; and becauſe he could not compaſs his ends without Marriage; that vertuous Lady diſdaining to be the Harlot, even of a puiſſant King, he reſolved againſt the Minds of his Friends to obtain his deſires, by making her his Wife. This ſo ſenſibly touched the Earl of Warwick, in reflecting upon his Honour, in ſerving a Maſter of ſo little Conſtancy, that although he had been mainly Inſtrumental, in helping him to the Kingdom he changed his love into mortal hatred, and working upon George Duke of Clarence to favour his deſign and by ſecret Practices, they ſtirred up a Commotion in the North, where one Robert Huldren headed 15000 of the Commons, but he being executed Sir John Conyers undertook to head them, Proclaiming as they paſſed, that King Edward was an unjuſt Prince, and unprofitable to the Kingdom; when to ſurpreſs theſe diſorders, he ſent an Army under the leading of the Earl of Pembroke, who joyned Battel near Banbury, and had been victorious, had not one John Clapham, Eſq and Servant to the Earl of Warwick, come in the heat of the Fight, and diſplayed his Maſter's Colours, whoſe Cogniſance was the White Bear, and by crying a Warwick, ſo diſmayed the Welſhmen, of whom moſt of the Army was compoſed that thereby thinking the Earl was come in with his party, they threw down their Arms, and betook them to flight, leaving their General, who valiantly fighting, was taken Priſoner; together with his Brother, Sir Robert Herbert, and ten other Gentlemen of Note, who loſt their Heads at Banbury, by the Judgment of Conyers and Clapham, Anno 1469.

The Succeſs of the Northern men occaſioned them to riſe in great Number, and a Party under the Leading of Robert of Ridiſdale, ſurpriſing the King's Manner of Grafton ſiezed the Lord Rivers, the Queens Father, together with John his Son, whom they beheaded at Northampton, which obliged the King to haſten with a great Army, but whilſt the people were expecting the iſſue of a bloudy Fight, a Truce was concluded, which rendering the King more ſecure than cautious, the Earl of Warwick entered his Tent in the dead of Night and with little reſiſtance made him Priſoner, and carried him to Warwick Caſtle, and from thence in the Night time conveyed him to Middleham Caſtle in Yorkſhire, and there committed him to George Nevil, Arch-Biſhop of York, Brother to the Earl, but having Liberty allowed to hunt in the Park and Forreſts, he was reſcued by a Troup of his own Men; however, Sir Robert Wells with thirty thouſand of the Commons, diſturbed the Country, Proclaiming King Henry. but encountering King Edwards Forces and himſelf in a bloudy Battel, made Priſoner; the Lincolnſhire Men, of which the Army was moſtly compoſed, threw of their Coats, with the Earls badge on them & in great Confuſion left the Field, ſo that from that it was called the battel of Loſi-Coa • field, upon which defeat, and the putting Sir Robert with many others to death. The Duke of Clarence Earl of Warwick, and divers Nobles, found themſelves obliged to paſs the Seas, but were refuſed enterance at Calais, of which place VVarwick was Captain, by one Vawclear whom he a little before had Subſtituted his Deputy, and for which refuſal King Edward made him Captain in VVarwick's ſtead; however they went to the Court at France, and were there entertained with much reſpect, where gathering Aids and holding Correſpondence with their Friends in England; ſoon after they Landed at Dartmouth, and Marched towards London, Proclaiming King Henry, and commanded all from Sixteen to Sixty years of Age, to take up Arms on his behalf, againſt Edward Duke of York whom they termed a Uſurper, ſo that all the Land in a manner was in Arms; and King Edward perceiving his Fortune utterly averſe, and that the few forces he had raiſed, were ready to Revolt, he thought it no fit time to diſpute, but rather to reſerve himſelf to a more favourable Fortune, whereupon with a few of his Friends, he paſſed the Seas- and was received by Charles Duke of Burgundy, who had married the Lady Margaret his Siſter, whilſt his Queen took Sanctuary in Weſtminſter, where ſhe was delivered of a Son, afterwards Chriſtened by the name of Edward, and other Sanctuarys were filled with the King's Friends, and ſuch as had adhered to him. This diſorder gave the Kentiſh men an opportunity to riſe in Arms, and do great miſchief, eſpecially in and about the City of London, and had been greater, but the Earl entered with his Army, and put an end to thoſe diſorders, and ſet King Henry at liberty, who had been a Priſoner in the Tower, for almoſt the ſpace of Nine years, conveying him to the King's Palace in great Triumph, where on the 13th. of October he was crowned again, and went with the Crown on his head to St. Paul's Church, the Earl of Warwick bearing up his Train, and the Earl of Oxford carrying the Sword before him, whilſt the people cryed, God ſave King Henry, and a Parliament being called to ſit at Weſtminſter, the 26th. of November, King Edward was declared a Traitor to his Country, and a Uſurper of the Crown, his Goods and Lands were confiſcated, and his Adherents were attained: The Earl of Worceſter, for his Cauſe loſt his Head, and all the Statutes made by Edward Revoked: The Crowns of England and France were entailed to King Henry and his Heirs Male, and for default of ſuch Iſſue to George, Duke of Clarence; The Earl of Warwick to be Governour of the Land till it could be better ſettled.

Thus went the various change of Affairs in England, 〈◊〉 the bloudy conteſt between the houſes of York and Lancaſter, yet continued not the advancement of King Henry; for King Edward holding Correſpondency in England, and gathering ſome Forces beyond the Seas, landed at Ravenſpur in Yorkſhire, where the better to inſinuate with the People: He at firſt pretended to come for his right, as a private perſon, but finding himſelf ſtrong enough, he ſiezed upon York, and increaſing in Power, marched till • he came near to the City of Warwick, where his Brother the Duke of Clarence being reconciled to him by the means of a Maid-ſervant, that had lived with the Old Dutches of York, deſiring the Earl to forſake King Henry's Cauſe, and cloſe with his Brother, but that great Man more regarding his Engagement than Life or Intereſt, ſent him word, that he had rather be an Earl, and always like himſelf than a perjured Duke, and that e'er his Oath ſhould be falſified as the Dukes apparently was, he would lay down his Life at his enemies Feet, which he doubt not ſhould be bought very dear, whereupon King Edward haſted to London, and was received by the Citizen no ways able to reſiſt him; when drawing out his Forces, he marched againſt the Earl and his Accomplicies, and on Eaſter day in the Morning, Battel was joyned on Glad-more Heath, near Barnet, in which bloudy Conflict, fortune at firſt ſeemed to favour VVarwick but by an unlucky miſtake, he loſt the day, for a great Miſt falling the embroidered Stars, upon the Coats of ſuch as were commanded by the Earl of Oxford, being taken for Suns, which was King Edward's Cognizance; VVarwick's Battallion charged by that Errour upon their Friends, and they ſuſpecting it done on purpoſe, crying out, Treaſon quitted the Field, which the Earl perceiving, and reſolving not to out-live the loſs of the day, charged deſperately into the King's Battel, killing many with his own Hands; but being cut off from the aſſiſtance of his own men, he there was ſlain, as likewiſe was his Brother the Lord Montacute, in attempting to Reſcue him; on King Edward's Party, dyed the Lords Cromwell, Bourchier, and Barns, with Si • John Liſle; and on both ſides about 10000 of all ſorts: But thus ended not the Conteſts for the Crown; for Queen Margaret, in the right of her Husband, and Son, raiſed a ſtrong Power, Anno Domini 1471. and gave the King Battel at Tewxbury; but Fortune now turned fatally averſe to the Queen, and her Family; for loſing the day, with the death of John Lord Somerſet, John Courtney, Earl of Devonſhire, Sir John Delues, Sir Edward Hampden, Sir Robert Whitingham, Sir John Leukner, and ſeveral others; and a great many of leſſer note. The Queen in this rout fled, and betook her ſelf to a religious houſe for ſanctuary, but was takan thence, and made cloſe Priſoner; young Prince Edward, her Son, was taken in his flight by Sir Richard Crofts, who preſented him to King Edward, who having a while beheld him with a ſtern countenance, demanded how he durſt preſume with Banners diſplayed to diſturb his Kingdom; to which the Prince replied, that what he did was to recover his Father's Kingdoms, and his moſt rightfull Inheritance. But how dare you, continued the Prince, being but a Subject, diſplay your Colours against your Liege Lord? Upon this reſolute replie, King Edward unworthily ſtruck him on the Mouth with his Gantlet, when Richard Duke of Glouceſter, baſely taking the hint, ſtabbed him, and the Wound being ſeconded by ſome of the Servants, the poor Prince fell dead at the King's feet.

Things being carried at an extraordinary highth, Edmund Duke of Somerſet, the Prior of St. John's, with divers Knights and Eſquiers, who had taken ſanctuary, were contrary to the Cuſtome of thoſe times, taken thence by force, and executed at Tewxbury; and ſoon after Richard, Duke of Gloucester, the King's Brother, ſtabbed the pious King Henry to the heart in the Tower of London, and his body was expoſed in a Coffin at St. Paul's, to convince the People he was dead. As for the Queen, ſhe continued ſeveral years a Priſoner, but at length her Father mortgaged moſt of his Principalities to pay her Ranſome, and ſhe thereupon was ſent over Sea, where in much ſorrow and perplexity ſhe languiſhed • ut the reſt of her days; and by this means the Lancaſtrians being utterly diſabled to make head, King Edward more aſſured in his Throne, betook himſelf to his Pleaſure, and hearing of the Fame of Jane Shoar, Wife to a Goldſmith in Gracechurch-ſtreet, he ſent for her, and took her to his Bed; upon which her Husband renounced her, and for Grief, and the Diſgrace, betook himſelf to travel beyond the Seas, never returning into England. He had likewiſe two other Concubines, high in his eſteem, and being in the Year 1474. in France, at an Interview with the French King, Lewis told him, that he would one day invite him to court the fair Ladies of Paris; to which Offer Edward readily conſented; inſomuch that the French King not being pleaſed with his forwardneſs, whiſpering to Philip Comines, his Boſome Friend, told him that he repented of his Offer, conſidering that there had been too many Engliſh Princes already at Paris; ſo that the King returned without having any opportunity to proſecute ſuch Amours.

Anno 1478. by the contrivance of Richard Duke of Glouceſter, George Duke of Clarence, was accuſed of ſundry Crimes, and committed to the Tower, where ſoon after he was ſmothered in a Butt of Malmſey Wine; and 'tis reported the King conſented to ſo great a Wickedneſs upon a Prophecy, That a G. ſhould ſucceed an E. which however proved true, though he miſtook the Man; for Richard Duke of Gloucester uſurped the Throne, and murthered his two Sons, as will appear hereafter. Two Acts yet more of this King's Cruelty are memorable, viz. Going into the Countrey he was invited to hunt in the Park of one Thomas Burdet Eſq where after having caught much Game, he, by the perſuaſion o • ſome that were about him, killed a white Buck, which for its Tameneſs and comely Form was greatly beloved by the Owner; and upon notice it was ſlain, he wiſhed the Horns of it in the Belly of thoſe that adviſed the King to doe it; which being overheard by ſome Court Paraſites, they, to curry favour with the King, made their Report of it to him with aggravation; inſomuch that Burdet was tried and caſt for High Treaſon, in wiſhing the King's Death, and accordingly beheaded at Tyburn. Another Perſon he cauſed to be hanged before his own door in Cheapſide, for ſaying to a little Youth, his Son, that if he would mind his Book, and be a good Boy, he would make him heir to the Crown, meaning in all probability his houſe that bore that Sign, &c. But now the King worn out with Wars and Women, much grieved for the untimely death of his Brother, fell ſick, and ſending for the Nobles that were at Court, he earneſtly deſired them to live peaceably together, and have regard to his Children in their tender Years, forgetting Injuries and Animoſities, as they tendered the Love of God and their King, appointing his Son Edward, a Youth of about 12 years of Age, to ſucceed him, making the Duke of Glouceſter Protectour of his Perſon during his Minority, and then gave up the Ghoſt on the 9th of Apr. 1483.

He had Iſſue by Elizabeth his Wife, Daughter to Richard Woodvile, Earl Rivers, Prince Edward, Richard Duke of Bedford, who dyed a Child, Richard Duke of York, Elizabeth married to Henry VII. Cici • married to the Lord Viſcount Wells, Anne married to Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk, Bridget, a veiled Nun, Mary, who dyed 1482. Margaret, who dyed an Infant, Katharine married to William Courtney Earl of Devonſhire; his baſe Iſſue was Arthur and Elizabeth. This Edward was King of England, France, and Lord of Ireland, Son to Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York; he began his Reign on the 4th of March, 1460. and reigned 22 Years, 1 Month, and 5 Days, and was the 36th ſole Monarch of England; he dyed in the 40th year of his Age, and the 23d of his Reign; his Body was buried in the new Chapel at Windſor, whoſe Foundation himſelf had laid.

Thus after bloudy Toils with reſtleſs Fate The Warlike Prince does to the Grave retreat; The mighty dead now undiſtinguiſhed lies, Death makes the Monarch and the Slave his prize.