A BOOK, CONTAINING THE TRUE PORTRAITURE OF THE COUNTENANCES and attires of the kings of England, from William Conqueror, unto our Sovereign Lady Queen Elizabeth now reigning:  
TOGETHER WITH A BRIEF report of some of the principal acts of the same Kings, especially such as have been least mentioned in our late writers.  
Diligently collected by T. T.  
LONDON Printed by john de Beauchesne dwelling in the Black Friars. 1597.   

WILLIAM, Duke of Normandy, base son of Robert Duke of Normandy, being a warlike & politic prince, of near kindred, & great credit with Edward Confessor king of England (whom he perceived more given to virtue than to policy, & through weakness of body, & course of years, unlikely to live long) began to contrive in his mind, the attaining of the crown of this land after the decease of the old king. For accomplishing whereof, he placed diverse Normans in the greatest rooms about him whilst he lived, and when he was dead, levied an army of sundry nations, and therewith pretending the patronage of England against Harolde the son of Godwin, that usurped the kingdom, first fought with him & slew him, at the place now called Battle in Sussex, the xiv. of October, in the year 1066. took the crown upon him by election of the Estates. Then seeking to stop titles, he imprisoned Eadgar Etheling, the only true heir of the Saxons blood, & by means of Ethelbert Archbishop of Hamborow for money, procured Suene king of Denmark to surcease the claim of the Danes. Having thus established his affairs died at S. Geruis near Roan the 9 of Sept. an. 1087. when he had reigned xx. years, x. months, and xxuj. days, and was buried at Cane, in the abbey of S. Stephen, which he founded.  

GVILIELMUS CONQVESTOR.   portrait of William I   

WILLIAM Rufus third son to the Conqueror, borne in Normandy long before his father obtained the realm, hearing of his death made haste into England (lest by his elder brother Robert he should be prevented) was by his large gifts, which he bestowed out of his father's treasury, having obtained the keys thereof, received of the Nobility, accepted of the inferior sort, to be their king, but chief by the persuasion of the archbishop Lanfranke, under whom he was brought up, and was by him crowned at Westminster the xxvij. day of October, anno 1087. He was brought up with great care of his parents, obeying his father in all his actions, wherefore his father at his death appointed him to succeed in the kingdom. He vanquished the Welshmen, overcame the Scots, and subdued his two uncles, and others of his Nobility that rebelled against him in the behalf of his elder brother, Robert Duke of Normandy. He was slain with an arrow as he was hunting in the new forest in Hamshire, by a knight of his, called Sir Walter Tirel, the first day of August an. 1100 when he had reigned xiii. years, lacking xxij. days, and was buried at Winchester.  

GVILIELMUS · RUFUS   portrait of William II   

HENRY Beauclarke, fourth son to the Conqueror, was chosen king after the burial of his brother, by means of his old familiar friend, Henry Earl of Warwick, although there was some controversy amongst the Nobility about the same, yet the rather they consented thereto, because he was by birth both an Englishman, & son to a King and Queen, for he was borne in England the third year of his father's reign. He was crowned at Westminster the fift day of August by Maurice Bishop of London, in the absence of the Archbishop Anselme. In the seventh year of his reign he took his eldest brother Robert Duke of Normandy prisoner, and so he kept him till he died. After which time he called himself King of England, & Duke of Normandy. He left behind him but one only daughter lawfully begotten, Maud the Empress, then married to Geffrey Plantagenet Earl of Angio, mother to King Henry the second. He died at S. Denis in the forest of Lions in Normandy, the first day of December, anno 1135. when he had reigned xxxv. years and four months, & was buried in the Abbey of Reding, which he had founded.  

· HENRICUS · I ·   portrait of Henry I   

STEPHEN borne in France, and brought up in England under his uncle king Henry the first, Earl of Mortain, & in right of Maud his wife earl of Bolein, third son of Stephen earl of Champain and Blais, and Alice his wife, daughter to William Conqueror king of England, began his reign over this realm the ij. day of December, anno 1135. and was crowned at Westminster the xxuj. day of the same month by the hands of William Corbuell archbishop of Canterbury. This king came to the crown by usurpation, and perjury both of himself & most part of the Bishops and Nobility (both he and they being before that sworn to maintain the right of Maud the Empress and her issue) for the which God justly sent this plague of dissension & rebellion amongst them, which never could be appeased during his reign. He was valiant and hardy, for in a battle at Lincoln, where all his Nobility were fled or taken, he valiantly stood in the forward continually fight, bestowing such strokes as those whom he hit, were either rewarded with death, or never prospered after. He died in Kent the 25. of October, 1154. having reigned 18. years, 9 months, and 23. days, & was buried at Feversham. After whose death there was interregnum 54. days.  

STEPHANUS REX   portrait of Stephen   

HENRY surnamed Fitz Emprice, borne in Maine, son of Geffrey Plantagenet Earl of Angio & Maud the Empress daughter and heir to Henry the first, king of England, being of the age of xx. years, began his reign over this realm the nineteen. of December, 1154. and was crowned the same day at Westminster. This king in right of his father united the Earldom of Angio to the crown of England: & the Dukedom of Aquitaine, with the Earldom of Poitiers in right of Alianore his wife, & by conquest subdued the Duchy of Britain, & the kingdom of Ireland thereunto. So that he was the only Monarch and chief governor from the Isles of Orcades beyond Scotland, unto the uttermost bonds of the mountains Perines, which divide France & Spain. He was the first that ordained the justice of Air, & for the ease of the people he divided this land into six circuits, appointing to every one 3. judges, well learned in the laws of this land. He ended his days at Chinon in France the vj. day of july, ann. 1189. when he had reigned 34. years, 7. months, lacking ten days, and was buried at Fount Euerard. After whose death there was interregnum for the space of lviij. days.  

· HENRICUS · TWO ·   portrait of Henry II   

RICHARD Earl of Poitiers, born at Oxford, second son of king Henry the ij. being xxxv. years old began his reign over this realm the 3. of Septemb. 1189. & was crowned at Westminster the same day, by Baldwin Archbishop of Canterbury. He taking his journey toward the holy land, was misused by the way of the Cyprian's, whereat he being offended, set upon them, subdued them, & in xv. days conquered the whole Island, took the Emperor thereof, & kept him in fetters of silver. Fron thence he took his journey to the siege of Acon, where he most valiantly behaved himself, so that his only name was a terror to the Turks. After this, by reason of rebellion of his brother john, & invasion of his territories beyond the seas by the king of France, was forced to return home and was taken by the way & imprisoned by Leopoldus Duke of Austria, whose envy was great against him, because in his youth he had slain the Duke's brother with a chess board in the Court of France, as they played together. This king besieging the Castle of Chalut, was stricken with a venimed quarrel, whereof he died the 6. of April, 1199. having reigned 9 years, 7. months, and three days, and lieth at Fount Euerard. After whose death there was interregnum 21. days.  

RYCARDUS · I ·   portrait of Richard I   

JOHN Lord of Ireland, earl of Mortain & Gloucester, brother to the late king Richard 1. & youngest son of king Henry the ij. being of the age of xxxij. years, began his reign over this realm the xxvij. of April, 1199. and was crowned at Westminster the same day. This king was the first that did write himself Lord of Ireland: which continued in his successors, until king Henry the 8. the 21. of january, in the 33. year of his reign wrote himself king of Ireland. This king took, imprisoned, & put to death his nephew Arthur Duke of Britain, son & heir to Geffrey Duke of Britain, third son to king Henry the ij. right heir to the crown: & kept Alianore his sister in prison, because she should neither marry nor have issue: wherefore Philip the French king cited him sundry times to appear before him which he refused to do: & was therefore adjudged by his Peers of France to forfeit all his lands which he held of the crown of France. He died in the Castle of Newarke the 19 of October, anno 1216. when he had reigned 17. years, 5. months, and 23. days, and lieth at Worcester. After whose death there was interregnum for the space of 8. days.  

✚ JOHANNES REX ·   portrait of John   

HENRY the third, son & heir to king john, being 9 years old began his reign over this realm the 28. day of Octob. 1216. & was crowned the same day at Gloucester by the hands of Peter bishop of Winchester. This king brought into this land & preferred to great dignities his half brethren by the mother, sons of Hugh de Brun Earl of March, whereby they grew so insolent & proud that they disdained all the English Nobility, which was the first occasion & beginning of the great rebellion called the Baron's wars, wherein many thousand English men lost their lives, beside the disinheriting of some of the chiefest of the Nobility for ever. This king in the 44. year of his reign passed over sea into France, & concluded a league, wherein it was agreed that the king of England should surcease the claim of all his lands in France, except only Aquitain, whereupon he and his successors until the xiv. year of Edward the third, wrote themselves kings of England, Lords of Ireland, and Dukes of Aquitaine. He died the xuj. of November, anno, 1272. when he had reigned 56. years, and 20. days, and was buried at Westminster. After whose death there was interregnum for 3. days.  

✚ HENRICUS · III ·   portrait of Henry III   

EDWARD the first, King of England, son of king Henry the third, at his father's decease warred against the Infidels in the holy land, and began his reign the xx. day of November anno 1272. was crowned at Westminster by Robert Kilwardby Archbishop of Canterbury, the xviij. day of September in the second year of his reign. By his first marriage he increased his inheritance in France, with the Earldom of Ponthiou. By his conquest he enlarged his kingdom at home with the principality of Wales, which he bestowed upon his eldest son, and began the custom of the kings of England to create their eldest sons princes of Wales. He reform the extortion of his officers, and chief of them which had the administration of justice. He established laws for the preservation of his own estate, especially that of Mortmane against donations to religious houses: that of Quia emptores terrarum, against alienation without licence, & that of Quo warranto against usurpation of royal jurisdictions & liberties. He died at Burgh upon the Sands, the seven. day of july, anno 1307. when he had reigned xxxiiij. years, seven. months, & xviij. days, & lieth at Westminster.  

· EDVARDUS · I ·   portrait of Edward I   

EDWARD the second, borne at Carnarvan in North-wales, son to King Edward the first, began his reign over this realm the 8. day of july, in the year of our Lord 1307. and was crowned at Westminster by the Bishop of Winchester, deputy for Robert Archbishop of Canterbury then absent in exile, the xxiv. of February next ensuing. He was much given to follow the advise and counsel of light persons, which caused the Nobility to rebel against him, but at the first he overcame them, and took Thomas Earl of Lancaster their chief Captain, and sat in judgement himself on him at Pontfret, where the same Earl had sentence given against him, to be drawn for his treason, for his murder, spoil, burning and robberies, to be hanged, and for his shameful flying away, to be beheaded: but because he was of the king's lineage, he was only beheaded. At the last such of the Barons as before escaped, and chief the Mortimers with help of the Queen and the young Prince, then new come out of France, took the King, and imprisoned him, when he had reigned nineteen. years, six months, and seventeen days.  

· EDVARDUS · TWO ·   portrait of Edward II   

EDWARD the third, son to Edward ij. began his reign over this realm the xxv. day of january, ann. 1327. his father yet living & in prison, & was crowned at Westminster on the i. of February following This king created his eldest son Edward Duke of Cornwall (which was the first Duke that was created in England since the Conquest) & ordained that the king's eldest sons ever after should be Dukes of Cornwall. He largely augmented the wages of the judges of both benches, & barons of th'exchequer, and allowed them three robes every year, because they should not take fees or rewards of any but only of the king, so that they should be the better able to minister justice to every man without affection, & punished the offenders herein most severely. For he caused Sir William Thorp knight chief justice of the king's bench, to be arraigned for taking of money (contrary to his oath) of certain persons convict before him at Lincoln, for felony, to defer their execution, & being found guilty, had sentence to be hanged, & to forfeit his lands & goods to the king. He died at Shene, the 21. of june, 1377. having reigned 50. years and five months, lacking 4. days, & lieth at Westminst.  

✚ EDVARDUS · III   portrait of Edward III   

RICHARD the second king of England, borne at Bourdeaux, son to Edward the black Prince, being xi. years old, began his reign the xxij. day of june, anno 1377. & was crowned at Westminster the xuj. day of july next ensuing, by the hands of Simon Theobald Archbishop of Canterbury. This king was comely of parsonage, and in bountifulness and liberality far passed all his progenitors, much more given to rest then to marshal affairs, following the fantasy of flatterers and young heads, neglecting the Nobility, which was cause of rebellion in the beginning of his reign, of great strife among the Nobility in the midst, & the overthrow & utter destruction of himself in the latter end. He was the first that created any to the dignity of a Marquis in this realm of England. He also created Margaret daughter and heir to Thomas of Brotherton Earl of Norfolk and Martial of England, Duchess of Norfolk. He was at the last forsaken of his friends, taken & put in prison by Henry Bolinbroke, son and heir to john of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, who succeeded him. He reigned 22. years, three month, & 9 days, and was buried at Langeley.  

✚ RICHARDUS · TWO ·   portrait of Richard II   

HENRY the fourth, borne at Bollingbroke in Lincolnshire, Duke of Hereford, son and heir to john of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster, being banished by king Richard the ij. after the death of his father, entered England in Holdernes, first made claim only to the Duchy of Lancaster, being his father's inheritance, after having augmented his power, by false and sinister surmises claimed the crown of England, set upon the king, took and imprisoned him, where he most miserably ended his life: began his reign over this Realm the thirty. day of September, an. 1399. and was crowned at Westminster the xiii. day of October following by the hands of Thomas Arundel Archbishop of Canterbury. This king in the beginning of his reign was much troubled with civil wars, and also with invasion both of the Frenchmen & Scots, but yet at the length he (through God's help) obtained the victory over all his enemies, and lived in great quietness with love of his subjects all the 1 est of his reign. He died at Westminster the xx. of March, anno 1413. when he had reigned xiii. years, and six months lacking x. days. And was honourably buried at Canterbury.  

✚ HENRICUS · IIII ·   portrait of Henry IV   

HENRY the fift, borne at Monemouth, in the Marches of Wales, son of king Henry the fourth, began his reign over this realm the xxj. day of March, in the year of our Lord 1413. and was crowned at Westminster the ix. day of April following by the hands of Thomas Arundel Archbishop of Canterbury. On the which day there was a terrible tempest of snow, to the great admiration of all those that were present. He was tall of body, and very strong, given altogether together to marshal affairs, and a mortal enemy to idleness, as it plainly appeareth by his great conquests. In the beginning of his reign he was troubled with domestical rebellion, in the midst with wars in France, but in the latter end, concluding a perpetual league with Charles the French king, married his daughter, was made heir and regent of France, and so in all his styles was written until his dying day. He ended his life at Boys Vincent by Paris the first day of September, between two & three of the clock in the morning, in the year of our Lord 1422. when he had reigned nine years, five months, and eleven days, and was buried at Westminster.  

✚ HENRICUS · V ·   portrait of Henry V   

HENRY the sixth, borne at Windesore, son of king Henry the fift, being of the age of viii. months, began his reign over this realm the i. day of September, in the year of our Lord 1422. and was crowned first at Westminster the vi. of November 1429. by the hands of Henry Chicheley Archbishop of Canterbury, and afterward the seven. day of September, anno 1431. at Paris by the hands of Henry Beauford Cardinal of Winchester. This king was the first that erected any to the dignity of a Viscount in this land, or that created any Baron by charter or patent: for before his days all Barons were either made in the field, or called to that state by Parliament writ. He was far more fit for the Church, then for chivalry, for prayer, then for prowess, a man most unfortunate in all his worldly attempts, he lost not only all that his father won in France, but also his own kingdom here at home, for he was at the last in the xxxix. year of his reign driven out of his kingdom, and after that, taken and put in prison, where he most miserably ended his life. He reigned xxxviij. years, six months, and sour days, and was buried first at Chertesey, and after removed to Windsor.  

✚ HENRICUS · VI ·   portrait of Henry VI   

EDWARD Earl of March, borne at Roan in Normandy, son and heir to Richard Duke of York, son to Richard Earl of Cambridge, son to Edmund of Langley Duke of York, fourth son to Edward the iij. king of England, begun his reign over this realm (by the name of king Edward the fourth, the fourth day of March anno 1461. & was crowned at Westminster the xxix. day of june next following by the hands of Thomas Bourghchier Archbishop of Canterbury. This king was much troubled with civil wars, insomuch that he was in the midst of his reign forced with his chiefest friends to avoid the realm for a time, his adversary king Henry being restored to the crown again, but that continued not long. He was also troubled with wars against the Scots. But having brought all things both at home & abroad to quietness, he began to wax idle and covetous, which was not only cause of much grudge amongst the people, but also of shortening of his days. He ended his life at Westminster the 9 day of April, in the year of our Lord 1483. when he had reigned xxij. years, one month, and v. days, and was honourably buried at Windsor.  

✚ EDVARDUS · IIII ·   portrait of Edward IIII   

EDWARD the fift, borne in the sanctuary at Westminster, son of king Edward the fourth, began his reign over this realm the tenth day of April, in the year of our Lord 1483. being of the age of thirteen years, but by the cunning dealing of Richard Duke of Gloucester his unnatural uncle, was never crowned, although there was great preparation made for the same: for his uncle at the first taking upon him to be protector and governor both of the child and the realm, after that defaming him, and all his other brethren and sisters to be bastards, imprisoned and executed most part of his friends, and procured the younger brother, Richard Duke of York and Norfolk to be fetched out of the sanctuary at Westminster, and put them both in the tower of London, from whence they never departed, but were there most lamentably murdered, by the procurement of their cruel uncle. This king was deposed when he had reigned two months, and eleven days, and was obscurely buried in the Tower of London.  

✚ EDVARDUS · V   portrait of Edward V   

RICHARD Duke of Gloucester, youngest brother to king Edward the fourth, began his usurped reign over this realm by the name of k. Richard the third, the xxij. day of june, an. 1483. and was crowned at Westminster the vj. day of july next ensuing. He not contented with the deposing of his nephews from their right, nor thinking himself surely settled in the kingdom, till he had bearest them of their lives, caused the great seal of England to be fetched from john Russell bishop o. Lincoln, Lord Chancellor, being at London, & brought unto him, being on his progress then in Warwickshire, wherewith he secretly sealed such commissions as served to the murder of the two sweet babes. And then sent the seal back again to the Chancellor, after it had been viii. days in his custody. He most impudently defamed his own mother with adultery, & likewise king Edward's children to be bastards, the easier thereby to come to his purpose. But all this would not serve, for Henry Earl of Richmondentred the realm, and in a battle by Bosworth slew him the 22. of August, 1485. when he had reigned most tyrannically two years, and two months, and was buried at Leicester.  

✚ RICHARDUS III ·   portrait of Richard III   

HENRY Earl of Richmond, borne in Penbroke castle in Wales, son of Edmund of Hadham Earl of Richmond, son of Owen ap Meredith, and Queen Katherine the French kings daughter, late wife to king Henry the fift, being of the age of thirty. years, began his reign over this realm, by the name of king Henry the seven. the xxij. day of August, anno 1485. and was crowned at Westminster the thirty. day of October next ensuing, by the hands of Thomas Bourghchier Archbishop of Canterbury. This king was wise, valiant, & hardy, for as the fame went, he slew king Richard the iij. with his own hands. He used oftentimes to sit in proper person in courts of justice, sometimes in one court, sometimes in another, which caused true and perfect justice to take place. He bestowed his offices not of favour nor affection, but on such as were most apt and fit persons for the same. He gathered much riches by executing of penal laws. He ended his life at his new manor of Richmond the xxi. day of April at night, in the year of our Lord 1509. when he had reigned twenty-three. years, viii. months, and lieth buried in his new chapel at Westminster.  

✚ HENRICUS · VII   portrait of Henry VII   

HENRY borne at Greenwich, second son to king Henry the seven. being of the age of xvij. years & upward, began his reign over this realm by the name of king Henry viii. the xxij. day of April, 1509. and was crowned at Westminster the xxiv. day of june next ensuing, by the hands of William Warham archbishop of Canterbury. By his first wife the Lady Katherine daughter to Ferdinand kind of Spain, he had a daughter named Mary, that was afterward queen of England. By the Lady Anne Rochfort Marquionesse of Penbroke, daughter to Thomas Bolein Earl of Wiltshire and Ormond, his second wife, he had Lady Elizabeth now Queen of England. And by the Lady jane, daughter to Sir john saint Maure knight, his third wife, he had a son named Edward, that succeeded his father in the kingdom of England. This king erected the court of Augmentation of the revenues of the crown, & the court of Wards, and ordained that the chief officer thereof should be called the master of the Wards for ever. He ended his life at Westminster the xxvij. of januarie, anno 1547. when he had reigned xxxvij. years, 9 months, and 5. days, and lieth buried at Windsor.  

✚ HENRICUS · VIII ·   portrait of Henry VIII   

EDWARD the sixth, borne at Hampton Court, son & heir to king Henry the viii. being of the age of ix. years, began his reign over this realm the xxviij. of january, 1547. and was crowned at Westminster the xx. of February next following, by the hands of Thomas Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury. This king in his tender age so profited in all kind of virtue & good learning, that he attained to the perfect knowledge of the Greek, Latin, and French tongues. In wisdom & good policy he far extelled all others of his years, much like to have proved another Solomon, if death had not prevented his days. He was much delighted in reading the sacred Scriptures, & other good authors, the better thereby to be able, in true justice, to govern his people committed to his charge. Yet for all this, his tender age gave occasion to some of his stubborn & stiff-necked people to rebel. And the pride of some women was cause of great dissension amongst his Nobility, which not long after was a shortening of some of their days. He ended his life at Greenwich the v. day of july, anno 1553. in the xvi. year of his age, when he had reigned vj. years, v. months, and 8. days, and was buried at Westminster.  

✚ EDVARDUS · VI ·   portrait of Edward VI   

MARRY borne at Greenwich, elder daughter to king Henry the viii. and sister and heir to the late deceased king Edward the vi. being of the age of xxxviij. years, began her reign over this realm the vj. of july, anno 1553. and was crowned at Westminster the 1. of October next following, by the hands of Stephen Gardiner bishop of Winchester and Chancellor of England: for Thomas Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury was then prisoner in the Tower. She being indebted in very great sums of money both to the society of Fulckers and other merchant strangers, borrowed so much money of her subjects upon privy seals as acquitted the foreign debt, thinking much better to be indebted at home, then to pay great interest abroad, procured thereby much evil will and hatred of her subjects, as never afterward could be removed. After this the loss of Caleis so troubled her, as the memory thereof would never out of her mind till her dying day: so that shortly after she died at her mansion house called S. james near to Westminster the xvij. of November, 1558. at iiij. of the clock in the morning, having reigned v. years, v. months, and x. days, and was buried at Westminster.  

✚ MARIA · REGINA ·   portrait of Mary I   

ELIZABETH our gracious Queen, born at Greenwich, second daughter to king Henry the viii. sister & heir to the late Queen Marie, being of the age of 25. years, and two months, begun her most prosperous reign over this realm the xvij. of November, 1558. & was crowned at Westminster the xv. of januarie next following, by the hands of Owen Oglethorp bishop of Carlisle. She is a Princess adorned with all good literature, both holy and human, a nourisher of peace both at home and abroad. Amongst all other her most rare virtues, she hath reform religion, she hath reduced all base coins (which were currant here before her days) into perfect gold & silver, so that there is no other money less or more currant within her dominions: which is not to be seen at this day else where under any Prince Christian or Ethnic. She hath builded such fair & strong ships, & furnished so mighty a navy for the defence of her country, as maketh all her enemies afraid to attempt any thing against the same. God of his infinite goodness defend her Majesty from all perils & dangers, who this 38. years and more, hath taken care to keep us in quietness: and grant her Nestor's years, to her glory and our great comfort.  

ELIZABETH · D · G · REGINA ·   portrait of Elizabeth I