The Declaration of the Descents of the two Houses of York, and Lancaster, in their several Branches, &c.
KIng Edward the third married Philippa Daughter to William Earl of Henault and Holland, and of his Wife Mary, Daughter to Charles Earl of Valoys, Son to King Philip the Hardy, and Brother to Philip of Valoys King of France; she was married to King Edward at York, the four and twentieth of January, An. 1327. and Crowned at Westminster, the first Sunday in Lent following; it is said this match was made up in hast by Queen Isabel, King Edward's mother, for her own Ends; yet according to some Opinions, a better could never have been made, upon deliberation for K. Edwards Ends; for albeit her Extraction was not great, and her Dower less, yet she made amends for both by her vertue; never King having a better Wife: by her K. Edward had issue seven Sons and five Daughters, which were, First,
Edward Prince of Wales, commonly called the Black Prince; not that he was so in Complexion, but from [Page 6] his Heroick and dreadful Acts; He was born at Wood-stock the fifteenth of July, in the third year of his Fathers reign, and shortly after created Prince of Wales, Duke of Aquitane, and Cornwall, and Earl of Chester; and in his wives Right Earl of Kent; which was Joan the Daughter and Heir of Edmund Plantaginet Earl of Kent, and of his Wife Margaret Sister and Heir of Thomas Lord Wake; she was a Lady of that admired beauty, in that age, that she was commonly called The Fair Maid of Kent: By her Prince Edward had issue two Sons, Edward that died young; and Richard born at Burdeaux, who after the death of his father was Prince of Wales, and after the death of his Grandfather was King of England, and known by the Name of King Richard the second.
William Sirnamed Hatfield, second Son to K. Edward the third, and Queen Philippa died young, and was buried at York.
The House of YORK.
LIonel, the third Son to King Edward the third and Queen Philippa, was born at the City of Antwerp, the 29th of November, in the twelfth year of his fathers reign; He married Elizabeth, daughter and heir of William Burgh Earl of Ulster in Ireland; and because he had by her the Honour of Clave in the County of Thomond, he was in Parliament made Duke of Clarence; from which Dutchy the name of Clarencieux (being the Title of King of Arms for the South parts of England) is derived. This Duke had issue by her onely one daughter his heir, named Philippa, who was married to Edmund Lord Mortimer Earl of March, and in her right [Page 7] was Earl of Ulster, and had issue by her three Sons, which were,
First, Roger Mortimer Earl of March and Ulster, and by Parliament in the 9th of King Richard the second, appointed his Successor in the Kingdom of England, and shortly after so proclaimed.
Sir Edmund Mortimer Knight, second son: and Sir John Mortimer Knight, third son, Beheaded 3 Hen 6.
Roger Mortimer aforesaid Earl of March and Ulster, married Eleanor Daughter of Thomas Holland Earl of Kent; and by her had Issue Edmund, and Roger Mortimer, that died without Issue: and Anne his Daughter that after her Brothers death, became Heir to a goodly inheritance, and was married to Richard Plantaginet Sirnamed Coningsburgh Earl of Cambridge; by whom he had issue Richard Plantaginet Duke of York, and Isabel a Daughter married to Henry Lord Bourcheir Earl of Essex.
Richard Duke of York, and Earl of Cambridge, was Lieutenant to King Henry the sixth, in his Kingdom of France, and Dutchie of Normandy, and was the first of the House of York, that raised that grievous war against the house of Lancaster, and gave for his Cognizance the White Rose. He married Cecily Daughter to Ralph Nevil, the first Earl of Westmerland, by whom he had issue Edward first Son, King of England by the Name of,
1. King Edward the fourth.
2. Edmund, second Son, Earl of Rutland, slain at the Battel of Wakefield by the Lord Clifford.
3. George Plantaginet, third Son, Duke of Clarence, Earl of Warwick and Salisbury, in the Right of his Wife Isabel, eldest Daughter and Coheir of Richard Nevil [Page 8] Earl of Salisbury, by whom he had issue Edward Earl of Warwick, beheaded by King Henry the seventh, leaving no issue: and Margaret Countess of Salisbury married to Sir Richard Pool Knight, she was beheaded by King Hen. 8.
4. Richard Plantaginet, fourth Son to Richard Duke of York; was first Duke of Glocestor, and after King of England, known by the Name of King Richard the third, who died without issue to survive him.
Richard Duke of York aforesaid had four Daughters, which were
1. Anne, married to Henry Holland Duke of Exeter, first; secondly, to Sir Thomas St. Leoger Knight, by whom she had daughter and heir, married to Thomas Manners Lord Ross.
2. Elizabeth, second daughter, married to John de la Pool Duke of Suffolk.
3. Margaret, the third daughter, married to Charles Duke of Burgundy.
And 4. Ursula was the fourth daughter.
King Edward the fourth aforesaid married Elizabeth daughter to Richard Woodvile Earl Rivers, (Widow to Sir John Grey Knight) by whom he had issue three sons and seven daughters.
Edward, eldest son to King Edward and Queen Elizabeth, was presently after his fathers death, with his brother the Duke of York, most barbarously murthered in the Tower of London by their unnatural Uncle, Richard Duke of Glocester, that was left their Protector.
George Plantaginet, third Son to King Edward the fourth, and his Wife Queen Elizabeth, was Duke of Bedford, and died young.
[Page 9]1. Elizabeth, eldest daughter to King Edward the fourth, and his wife Queen Elizabeth, was married to Henry Earl of Richmond, after King of England, known by the name of King Henry the seventh.
2. Cecile, second Daughter to King Edward the fourth, and Queen Elizabeth, was married to John Lord Viscount Wells; but died without any issue.
3. Ann, the third Daughter of King Edward the fourth, and Queen Elizabeth, was married to Thomas Duke of Norfolk, and had by him two Sons that died without issue.
4. Bridget, the fourth Daughter to King Edward the fourth, and Queen Elizabeth, was a Nun at Dartford in Kent.
5. & 6. Mary, and Margaret, the 5. and 6. Daughters died young.
7. Katharine, the seventh Daughter to K. Edward the fourth, and Queen Elizabeth, was married to Will. Courtney Earl of Devonshire, who by her had issue Henry Courtney Earl of Devon, and Marquess of Excester, that was beheaded by King Henry the eighth, and was father to Edward Courtney the last Earl of Devonshire, and Marquess of Excester, of that family who died without issue.
King Edward the fourth had a Natural Daughter, whose name was Elizabeth, she was married to Sir Tho. Lumley Knight, who by her had issue Richard Lord Lumley, &c.
King Edward the fourth, had also a Natural Son called Arthur Plantaginet; and as is by General consent affirmed he had him by his Concubine the Lady Eliz. Lucy; This Arthur married Elizabeth, Sister and Heir of John Grey Viscount Lisle, (Widow of Edm. Dudley) [Page 10] and in that respect he was by King Henry the Eighth, created Viscount Lisle, and had issue by her three Daughters his Coheirs: which were, Elizabeth married to Sir Francis Jobson of Westmerland Knight, Lieutenant of the Tower of London, whose Heir General is Edward Brock of Apsal in Suffolk Esquire, who is descended of a younger Brother of the ancient family of Brook Lord Cobham.
Frances, another Daughter and Coheir of the said Arthur Plantaginet, was married first to John Basset in the County of Devon: by whom she had Sir Arthur Basset Knight, &c. she after married to Sir Thomas Monck of Potheridge, in the aforesaid County of Devon: which Sir Thomas was the Son of Anthony, the Son and Heir of Humphery Monck of Potheridge, and of his Wife Mary, Daughter and Coheir of Rich. Champernoon in Cornwall, by the Daughter and Coheir of Sir John Lumley Knight, and of his Wife the Daughter and Coheir of Sir Humphrey Talbot Knight, which Richard Champernoon was Son to Richard, Son of John, third Son to Richard, Son to Henry, Son to Thomas, Son of Richard, and Joan his Wife Daughter and Heir of Ralph Vantort, and of his Wife Joan, Daughter to Edmund Earl of Cornwall, Son to Richard King of the Romans: Sir Thomas Monck aforesaid, had issue Anthony Monck, first Son: (and several other Children) from whom is descended George Monck Lord of Potheridge, and at this time, the Famous and most Renowned General.
Bridget, the third daughter and Coheir of Arthur Plantaginet, was married to Sir William Cardon Knight. There is a story of this Arthur, which may to some seem worthy the relating, and it is this: He being Lieutenant [Page 11] of Callis, and some of his servants having a design to betray the said Town to the French; which being discovered to the King and his Council, he was committed Prisoner to the Tower of London, but after search and due Examination of the business, the truth appeared, which cleared his Innocency; and thereupon King Henry the eighth sent him a rich Ring from off his own Finger, with a Message to assure him, That he was fully satisfied of his Loyalty, and therefore advised him not to be cast down and dejected at his Imprisonment, but to rest confident of his favour, that would suddenly procure his enlargement: Which token of the Kings favour, and news of his freedome from prison, he entertain'd with such joy, that the very same night he died with the excess of the same.
This is the Title, and these are the several Branches and Slips of the White Rose of the House of York: Now follows the Title and Descent of the House of Lancaster.
The House of LANCASTER.
IOhn of Gaunt, (fourth Son to King Edward the third and Queen Philippa) so called from the Town of Gaunt in Flanders, where he was born in the fourteenth year of his fathers Reign. He was in his childhood created Earl of Richmond; which Title was after recalled, and bestowed upon John Duke of Britain, who had married his Sister, and to whose Dutchy it had formerly belonged. This John of Gaunt had three wives; the first was Blanch, daughter, and in the end, sole heir to Henry Duke of Lancaster (son of Edmund sirnamed Crook-back) and in her right was at first Earl, [Page 12] and after Duke of Lancaster, &c. and by her had issue Henry Plantaginet, sirnamed Bullingbrook, of the place where he was born in Lincolnshire: He was Earl of Derby, Duke of Hereford, and after King of England, known by the name of King Henry the fourth, &c. The said John Duke of Lancaster had two daughters; Viz.
1. Philippa, married to John King of Portugal.
2. Elizabeth, married first to John Holland Duke of Exeter; secondly to Sir John Cornwall Baron Fanhop.
The second wife of John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster, was Constance, daughter and Coheir of Peter King of Castile and Leon, by whom he had issue Katharine, heir to her Mothers Inheritance, that was married to Henry, son to John King of Spain.
The third wife of Iohn of Gaunt aforesaid, was Katharine, daughter and Coheir of Wayne Roet a Gascoigne, Guien King of Arms for that Countrey (Widow to Sir Hugh Swinford a Knight of Lincolnshire, by whom he had issue three sons and one daughter.
1. Iohn Beauford Earl of Somerset, first son of Iohn of Gaunt and Katharine Swinford.
2. Thomas Beauford, second son, Duke of Exeter.
3. Henry Beauford, third son, was Bishop of Winchester.
Ioan, daughter of Iohn of Gaunt and Katharine Swinford, was married first to Robert Lord Ferrers of Oustey; secondly, to Ralph Nevil the first Earl of Westmerland, who by her had issue eight sons and five daughters, &c.
These three Sons, and the Daughter of John of Gaunt and Katharine Swinford, were born before Marriage, and were made Legitimate by Act of Parliament, [Page 13] in the twentieth year of King Richard the second, and they were named Beauford, of a Castle so called, which the Duke of Lancaster had in France, where they were all born.
John Beaufort afore-mentioned, was also Marquess Dorset, and married Margaret Daughter to Thomas Holland Earl of Kent, by whom he had issue Henry, that died without issue, and John Beauford second Son Earl and Duke of Somerset, who married Margaret Daughter of Sir John Beauchamp of Bletso Knight, by whom he had issue Margaret, his Daughter and Heir married to Edmund Tudor, Sirnamed Hadham Earl of Richmond, by whom he had issue, Henry Earl of Richmond, and after King of England, called Henry the seventh.
Iohn Marquess Dorset had two Daughters, viz. Ioan married to Iames, the first King of Scots; and Margaret the second, married to Thomas Courtney Earl of Devonshire.
Edmund Beaufort, third Son to Iohn Marquess Dorset, was Earl of Moriton in Normandy, and after the death of his Brother Iohn Duke of Somerset, and Marquess Dorset; He married Eleanor Daughter and Coheir of Richard Beauchamp Earl of Warwick, by whom he had issue, four Sons and five Daughters, viz.
Henry Beaufort, Son and Heir of Edmund, was after the death of his Father, Duke of Somerset, and Marquess Dorset, he died without Legitimate issue, but had a Natural Son, called Charles Somerset, whom King Henry the eighth, created Earl of VVorcester.
1. Eleanor, eldest Daughter to Edmund Beaufort Duke of Somerset, was married first to Iames Butler Earl of VViltshire; secondly, to Sir Robert Spencer Knight, one of whose Daughters and Coheirs, Margaret, [Page 14] was married to Thomas Cary, Grandfather to Henry Cary, the first Baron Hunsdon.
2. Ioan, second daughter of Edmund Duke of Somerset, married to the Lord Hoth in Ireland.
3. Ann, the third daughter, married to Sir VVill. Paston Knight.
4. Margaret, the fourth daughter, married to Humphrey Earl of Stafford, and after to Sir Richard Darel Knight.
5. Elizabeth, or Isabel fifth daughter, married to Sir Henry Lewis Knight.
This is the descent of the several Branches of the House of Lancaster, who gave for their Cognizance the Red Rose; by which it appears, that notwithstan-the Crown of England (Upon the deposing K. Richard the second, he having no issue) was to descend to Roger Mortimer Earl of March and Ulster, before-mentioned; Yet Henry of Bullingbrook, before spoken of, taking advantage of the peoples discontents; and the General dislike they had of his Cousin, King Richards evil Government; He places the Crown upon his own head; and from the year An. 1399 until the fourth of March An. 1460 in three descents the slips of the Red Rose in the Line of Lancaster, did sit in the throne, end bear Rule; And the Eruption of the House of York, did never appear, until Richard Plantaginet Duke of York before-mentioned, upon the twenty third of March, An. 1455. drew his sword to make good his Claim and Title to the Crown, and Kingdome of England; from which time issued all the murthers, and overthrows, and slaughters, that continued until the death of Richard the third, in which Bloody contest, were slain no less then fourscore Princes of the Blood [Page 15] Royal, and double the Number of Natives as were lost in all our Wars and Conquests in France. But these Uncivil Civil quarrels had a happy Period, after that Henry Earl of Richmond, before-mentioned, had overthrown King Richard the third in Bosworthfield, and himself in the head of his Army had the Crown set upon his head; and shortly after, upon the thirtieth of Octob. in An. 1485. he was with great solemnity Anointed and Crowned King of England, by the whole consent of the Nobility and Commons, by the Name of King Henry the seventh; and on the eighteenth day of Ianuary following, was solemnized his marriage with the Lady Elizabeth, King Edward the fourths daughter; which added to his Title a wreath of Three so indissolvable, that no age since, hath Ever questioned it, &c.