A BRIEF REMEMBRANCE OF ALL THE ENGLISH MONARCHES,  
From the Normans Conquest, until this present.  
BY JOHN TAYLOR  
LONDON:  
Printed by George Eld, for Henry Gosson. 1618.   

WILLIAM THE FIRST, Surnamed the CONQVEROUR: KING OF ENGLAND, And DUKE OF NORMANDY.  

William 7 D: of Normandy. at the age of 38 years Conquered England, Was Crowned at Westminster the 25 of December. 1667 Reigned 20 Years 10 months. 26. days. died at St. garuis in Norm the 9 of Septemb buried at Caen in Normandy.   

William Conqueror.  
BY bloody battles, Conquest, and by Fate,  
Fair England's Crown and Kingdom I surprised:  
I topsy-turvy turned the English State,  
And Laws and Customs new and strange devised.  
And where I vanquished, there I tyrannized,  
In stead of people's love, enforcing fear:  
Extorting Tolls I daily exercised,  
And Tributes, greater than this Land could bear.  
Besides, (the Normans fame the more to rear)  
The English I forbade the English tongue,  
French Schools of Grammar I ordained here,  
And 'gainst this Nation added wrong to wrong.  
At last my Crown, Sword, Sceptre, Conquest brave  
I left, I lost, scarce found an earthly Grave.    

WILLIAM THE SECOND, Surnamed RUFUS: KING OF ENGLAND, And DUKE OF NORMANDY.  

William Rufus was Crowned at Westminster the 26. of Septemb 1087. being 21 years of age. He reigned 12 years 11. months 18. days. was killed with an arrow in new forest the 2 of Aug: 1160. was buried at winchester   

William Rufus.  
WHat my triumphant Father won, I held,  
I peeled and polled this Kingdom more than he.  
Great Tributes from my people I compelled:  
No place in Church, or Commonwealth was free,  
But always those that would give most to me  
Obtained their purpose being wrong or right.  
The Clergy I enforced to agree  
To sell Church-plate and Chalices outright,  
Until at last (by the Almighty's might)  
My Kingly power and force was forceless made,  
My glorious pomp that seemed t'eclips men's sight,  
Did vanish by a glance, by chance, and fade:  
For hunting in New forest (void of fear)  
A Subject slew me, shooting at a Deer.    

HENRY THE FIRST, Surnamed BEAUCLERK: KING OF ENGLAND, And DUKE OF NORMANDY.  

Henry the 1, Beuclarck, borne at selby in york shire Was crowned at the age of 30 years the ●● of August. he Reigned 35. Years 4. months Died in the forest of Lions. in the 65. year of age 1135. buried in Redding abbey   

Henry I.  
MY Father and my Brother Kings, both gone,  
With acclamations Royal I was crowned:  
And having gained the Sceptre and the Throne,  
I with the name of Beauclerk was renowned:  
The English Laws long lost, I did refound,  
False weights and measures I corrected true.  
The power of Wales in fight I did confound,  
And Normandy my valour did subdue.  
Yet I unmindful whence these glories grew,  
My eldest Brother Robert did surprise,  
Detained him, and usurped his Royal due,  
And most vnnat'rally plucked out his eyes,  
Kings live like Gods, but yet like men they die,  
All must pay Nature's due, and so did I.    

STEPHEN KING OF ENGLAND, And DUKE OF NORMANDY.  

King Stephen son to Stephen Earl of Blois: and of Adela daughter to William Conqueror: began his reign the 2d. of December, 1135. he reigned 18 years, 11 months, and 18 days, died at the age of 49 years, and lieth buried at Feversham.   

K. Stephen.  
BY wrested Titles and usurping claim,  
Through storms & tempests of tumultuous wars,  
The Crown, (my fairest mark and fouleft aim)  
I won and wore, beleaguered round with jars.  
The English, Scots, and Normans all prepares  
Their powers exposing to oppose my powers,  
Whilst this Land laden and or'ewhelmed with cares  
Endures, whilst war, woe, want, and death devours,  
But as years, months, weeks, days, decline by hours,  
Hours into minutes, minutes into nought:  
My painful pomp decayed like fading flowers  
And unto nought was my Ambition brought.  
Thus is the state of transitory things,  
There's nothing can be permanent with Kings.    

HENRY THE SECOND, KING OF ENGLAND, DUKE OF NORMANDY, Guienne and Aquitaine, etc.  

Henry the 2. surnamed plantagenett. Reigned 34 Years 9 months and 2 days. He died the 6 of July 1189. in the 61 Year of his age was buried at fonteverard in normandy.   

Henry 2.  
TO th'empress Maud I was undoubted heir,  
And in her Right my title being just,  
By justice I obtained the Regal Chair.  
Fair Rosamond I soiled with foul lust,  
For which Heavens justice (hating deeds unjust)  
Stirred up my wife and Sons to be my foes:  
Who sought to lay my Glory in the dust,  
And he med me round with cruel wars and woes.  
They poisoned my sweet beauteous tainted Rose,  
By Isabel's device my furious Queen:  
My very bowels against me did oppose:  
Such fruit hath lust, such force hath jealous spleen.  
My cursed crosses made me curse my birth,  
With care I lived, reigned, died, and turned to earth.    

RICHARD THE FIRST, Surnamed CVER DE LYON. KING OF ENGLAND, DUKE OF NORMANDY, Guienne and Aquitaine, etc.  

King Richard surnamed Cordelyon. Was 43 Years old when he had Raigued 9 Years 9 months and 22 days was wounded and died the 6 day of aprill 1199. Was buried at fonteverard   

Richard I.  
THrough my Creator's mercy and his might,  
jerusalem I conquered and set free  
False misbelieving ewes, and Turkish spite  
From jury force perforce I forced to flee.  
The Realm of Cypress was subdued by me.  
Sicilia trembled a: my prowess bold.  
King Tancred bought his peace, and did agree,  
And paid me threescore ounces of fine gold,  
Whilst I abroad won honours manifold.  
Aspiring john (my Brother) vexed my Realm.  
In Austria I was ta'en, and laid in hold:  
Thus floods of grief each way me overwhelm.  
At last I home returned, my Ransom paid,  
My earthly glory in a Grave was laid.    

JOHN KING OF ENGLAND, DUKE OF NORMANDY, Guienne and Aquitaine: LORD OF IRELAND, etc.  

King John, surnamed without land Reigned 17 Years and 7 months died 19 day of october, 1216. Was buried at worcester in the 51 Year of his age   

K. John.  
Romes' mighty miterd Metropolitan  
I did oppose, and was by him deposed:  
He turned his cursed blessings to his ban,  
And caused me round to be with cares enclosed.  
The English and the Normans me oppos'de,  
And Lewis of France my Kingdom did molest,  
Whilst I to all these miseries exposed,  
Consumed my Kingly days in restless rest.  
At last the Pope was pleased, and I reblest;  
Peace was obtained, proclaimed I re-inthroaned.  
Thus was my reign with woes oppressed and priest,  
Blessed cursed, friends, foes, divided and atoned.  
And after seventeen years were gone and passed,  
At Swinstead poisoned, there I drank my last.    

HENRY THE THIRD, KING OF ENGLAND, Lord of IRELAND, DUKE OF NORMANDY, Guienne and Aquitaine, etc.  

King Henry the 3. Was Crowned at the age of 9 Years the 28 october 1216 he Reigned 56 Years and 20 days, died the 16 of november 1272 tieth buried at Westminster.   

Henry 3.  
IN toil and trouble, midst contentious broils,  
I seized the Sceptre of this famous Land:  
Then being greatly wasted with the spoils  
Which Lewis had made with his French furious band  
But I with Peers and people bravely manned,  
Repelled, repulsed, expulsed insulting foes.  
My Barons did my Sovereignty withstand,  
And wrapped themselves and me in wars and woes:  
But in each battle none but I did lose,  
I lost my subjects lives on every side:  
(From Civil wars no better gaining grows)  
Friends, foes, my people, all, that fought or died.  
My gains was less, my pleasure was my pain.  
These were the triumphs of my troublous Reign.    

EDWARD THE FIRST, KING OF ENGLAND, Lord of IRELAND, Duke of AQVITAINE, etc.  

Eduard the 1. borne at westmin was Crowned at westmi: At the age of 33 years. the 18 of September. the 2. year of his reign 1274 He reigned 34 Years 6. months and 14 days. he died at burgh upon the sands. lieth buried at westminster.   

Edward Long-shankes.  
MY Victories, my Valour, and my strength,  
My Actions, and my never-conquered name,  
Were spread throughout the world in breadth & length  
By mortal deeds, I won immortal Fame.  
Rebellious Wales I finally did tame,  
And made them Vassals to my Princely Son:  
jentred Scotland fierce with Sword and Flame,  
And almost all that Kingdom overrun.  
Still where I fought, triumphantly I won,  
Through Blood and Death my Glory I obtained:  
But in the end when all my acts were done,  
A Sepulchre was all the gain I gained.  
For though great Kings contend for earthly sway,  
Death binds them to the peace, and parts the fray.    

EDWARD THE SECOND, KING OF ENGLAND, Lord of IRELAND, Duke of AQVITAINE, etc.  

King Edward the 2. surnamed Carnaruen was crowned at westminster at the 22. year of his age the 24. of febru: 1308. he Reigned 19 year. 6 months Was deposed the 25 of janiwarius 1326. he was slain: in the castle of barkley in the 43 year of his age.   

Edward 2.  
Soon after was my father's Corpse interred,  
Whilst Fate and Fortune did on me attend:  
And to the Royal Throne I was preferred,  
With ave Caesar every knee did bend,  
But all these fickle joys, did fading end,  
Peirce Gaveston, to thee my love combined:  
My friendship to thee scarce left me a friend,  
But made my Queen, Peers, People, all unkind,  
I tortured, both in body and in mind  
Was vanquished by the Scots at Bannocks Bourne:  
And I enforced by flight some safety find,  
Yet taken by my Wife at my return,  
A Red-hot spit my Bowels through did gore,  
Such misery, no Slave endured more.    

EDWARD THE THIRD, KING OF ENGLAND, And FRANCE, LORD OF IRELAND, etc.  

Eduard the 3. borne at winsor. was Crowned at westminster the 2. of feb: 1327. being 15. Years old Reigned 50. years 4 months 24 days. Died the 21 of June 1377 lieth buired in west:.   

Edward 3.  
IN Peace and War, my Stars auspicious stood,  
False Fortune steadfast held her wavering Wheel;  
I did revenge my Fathers butche'rd blood,  
I forced France my furious force to feel:  
I Warred on Scotland with triumphing Steel,  
Afflicting them with slaughtcring Sword and Fire:  
That Kingdom then divided needs mustreele,  
Betwixt the Bruces and the balliol's ire.  
Thus daily still my glory mounted higher,  
With black Prince Edward my victorious Son,  
Unto the top of Honour we aspire,  
By manly, Princely, worthy actions done.  
But all my Triumphs, fortunes, strength, and force,  
Age brought to death, and death turned to a Coarse.    

RICHARD THE SECOND, KING OF ENGLAND, And FRANCE: LORD OF IRELAND, etc.  

RICHARD the 2. borne at Bordeaux Son to Edward Prince of Wales. began his Reign the 21 of june Anº: Dni: 1377. he Raiged 22. years, was Deposed: & died the 14. of February 1399. First buried at Langley in Hartfordshire. & afterwards at Westminster.   

Richard 2.  
A Sunshine morn, precedes a showry day,  
A Calm at Sea oft times foreruns a Storm:  
All is not gold that soemes so glistering gay:  
Fowl Vice is fairest features canker-worm,  
So I that was of blood, descent and form,  
The perfect image of a royal stock,  
Unseasoned young a duice did me deform,  
Split all my Hopes against Despairs black rock,  
My Regal name and power was made a mock,  
My Subjects madly in Rebellion rose,  
Mischief on mischief all in troops did flock,  
Opposed, deposed, exposed, enclosed in woes,  
With wavering fortunes, troublously I reigned,  
Slain by soul murder, peace and rest I gained.    

HENRY THE FOURTH KING OF ENGLAND, And FRANCE: LORD OF IRELAND, etc.  

HENRY the 4. borne at Bollingbroke in the County of Lincoln, began his Reign the 26. of September. 1ST Reigned 13. years & 6. months & died in Anº: D: 1413. Of the age of 46. years, buried at Canterbury   

Henry 4.  
FRom right (wrong-doing) Richard I did wrest  
His Crown misguided, but on me misplaced:  
Uncivil Civil Wars my Realm molest,  
And English men did England spoil and waste.  
The Sire the Son, the Son the Father chased,  
Undutiful, unkind, unnatural,  
Both York and Lancaster were raised and razed,  
As Conquest did to either Faction fall.  
But still I gripped the Sceptre and the Ball,  
And what by wrong I won, by might I wore:  
For Prince of Wales I did my Son install,  
But as my Martial Fame grew more and more,  
By fatal Fate my vital thread was cut,  
And all my Greatness in a Grave was put.    

HENRY THE fifth, KING OF ENGLAND, And FRANCE: LORD OF IRELAND, etc.  

Henry the 5. began his Reign. the 20. of March. Was Crowned At Westminster. the 9 of April. 1413. He Reigned 9 Years. 2 months. died in the castle of Boys near paris the 13 of August. 1422. buried at Westminster.   

Henry 5.  
FRom my Lancastrian Sire succesively,  
I England's glorious golden Garland got:  
I tempered justice with mild clemency,  
Much blood I shed, yet bloodshed loved not.  
Time my Sepulchre and my bones may rot,  
But ay i'm can never end my endless fame.  
O' livion cannot my brave acts out blot,  
Or make Forgetfulness forget my name.  
I played all France at Tennis such a Game,  
With roaring Rackets, bandied Balls and Foils:  
And what I played for, still I won the same,  
Triumphantly transporting home the spoils.  
But in the end grim Death my life assail'd,  
And as I lived I died, beloved, bewailed.    

HENRY THE sixth, KING OF ENGLAND, And FRANCE: LORD OF IRELAND, etc.  

Henry the 6 of the age of 8 months Began his Reign, Tte. 1. of September. 1422. Crowned at Westminster the 6 of November 1429 Afterward Crowned at Paris 7 September 1431 Reigned 38 years 6 months 4 days Buried at Winsore.   

Henry 6.  
GReat England's Mars (my Father) being dead,  
I, not of years, or year; but eight months old:  
The Diadem was placed upon my head,  
In royal Robes the Sceptre I did hold:  
But as th'Almighties works are manifold,  
Too high for man's conceit to comprehend:  
In his eternal Register enrolled  
My Birth, my troublous Life and tragic End.  
Against me the house of York their force did bend,  
And Peers and People weltered in their gore:  
My Crown and Kingdom they from me did read,  
Which I, my Sire, and Grandsire kept and wore.  
Twice was I crowned, uncrowned, oft blest, oft crossed,  
And lastly, murdered, life and kingdom lost.    

EDWARD THE FOURTH, KING OF ENGLAND, And FRANCE, LORD OF IRELAND, etc.  

Edward the 4 being 18 years Old. began his Reign the 4 of march 1460 he was crowned 6 of June he Reigned 22 years 1 month 8 days and lieth buried in Windsor.   

Edward 4.  
I York's great heir (by fell domestic War)  
Enthroned was, unkinged, and reinthroaned:  
subjecting quite the House of Lancaster,  
Whilst woeful England overburdened, groaned:  
Old Sonless Sires and Childless Mothers moaned:  
These bloody broils had lasted threescore years,  
And till the time we were in peace attoaned,  
It wasted fourscore of the Royal Peers:  
But age and time all earthly things outweares,  
Through terrors, horrors, mischief and debate,  
By trust, by treason, by hopes, doubts and fears,  
I got, I kept, I left and lost the State.  
Thus as disposing heavens do smile or frown,  
So Cares or Comforts wait upon a Crown.    

EDWARD THE fifth, KING OF ENGLAND, And FRANCE, LORD OF IRELAND, etc.  

Edward the 5 being 13 years of age came at london to be crowned the 4 of may 1483. Was deposed of his Crown by his onnaturall onkel the protecter, last his life in the tower his burial is onknowen.   

Edward 5.  
IF birth, if beauty, innocence and youth,  
Could make a Tyrant feel one spark of grace,  
My crooked Uncle had been moved to ruth,  
Beholding of my pity-pleading face.  
But what avails to spring from royal Race?  
What surety is in beauty, strength, or wit?  
What is command, might, eminence and place,  
When treason lurks where Majesty doth sit?  
My hapless self had true false proof of it:  
Nipped in my bud and blasted in my bloom:  
Deprived of life by murder, most unfit,  
And for three Kingdoms could not have one Tomb.  
Thus Treason all my glory overtopped,  
And e'er the Fruit could spring, the Tree was lopped    

RICHARD THE THIRD, KING OF ENGLAND, And FRANCE: LORD OF IRELAND, etc.  

Richard the 3. king of England began his Reign the 22. of June 1483. he Reigned 2 Years 2. months he was slain at bosworth by Henry earl of Richmond. And lieth buried at leicester.   

Richard 3.  
AMbition's like unto a quenchless thirst.  
Ambition Angels threw from Heaven to Hell,  
Ambition (that infernal Hag) accursed,  
Ambitiously made me aspire, rebel:  
Ambition, that damned Necromantic Spell,  
Made me climb proud, with shame to tumble down.  
By bloody murder I did all expel,  
Whose right, or might, debarred me from the Crown,  
My smiles, my gifts, my favours, or my frown,  
Were feigned, corrupt, vile flattery, death and spite,  
By cruel Tyranny I got renown,  
Till heavens just judge me justly did requite.  
By blood I won, by blood I lost the Throne:  
Detested lived; died loved, bewailed of none.    

HENRY THE SEVENTH, KING OF ENGLAND, And FRANCE: LORD OF IRELAND, etc.  

Henry the 7. began his Reign the 22. of June 1485. And was Crowned at Westminster the 30 of octob He Reigned 25. Years. and 8. months. and died the 22. of April. lieth buried at Westminster.   

Henry 7.  
I Was the Man (by God's high grace assigned)  
That for this restless Kingdom purchas't Rest:  
I York and Lancaster in one combined,  
That sundered, had each other long oppressed.  
My strength and policy th'Almighty blest  
With good success, from first unto the last:  
And high jehovah turned to the best,  
A world of perils which my youth o'er past.  
The white and red Rose I conjoined fast  
In sacred Marriages Conjugal band:  
I Traytorstamed, and treason stood aghast  
At me; strong guarded by my Maker's hand.  
In glory and magnificence I Reigned,  
And fame, love and a tomb was all I gained.    

HENRY THE EIGHT, KING OF ENGLAND, France and Ireland, Defender of the FAITH, etc.  

Henry the 8 Was borne at Grenwich Entered his Reign being 18 years of age the 22 of April 1509. Was Crowned at Westminster the 25. of June following. He Reigned 37. years and 9 months died the 28. of June. buried at Windsor.   

Henry 8.  
TO both the Royal Houses I was Heir;  
I made but one of long contending twain:  
This Realm divided drooping in despair,  
I did rebinde in my auspicious Reign.  
I banished Romish Usurpation vain.  
In France I Bullen, Turwin, Turney won:  
The Style of Faith's Defender I did gain.  
Six wives I had, three Ans, two Kates, one jane.  
In my expenses Royal, beyond measure,  
Striving in Noble Actions to exceed;  
Accounting Honour as my greatest Treasure:  
Yet various fancies did my frailty feed,  
I made and marred, I did, and I undid,  
Till all my Greatness in a Grave was hid.    

EDWARD THE sixth, KING OF ENGLAND, France and Ireland, Defender of the FAITH, etc.  

Edward borne at Hamton Court at the age of 9 years began his reign the 31 of Janu 1546. Crowned at Westm: the 20 of februa: following, he reigned 6 years, 5 months died the 6 of Julie buried at westminster   

Edward 6.  
I Seemed in wisdom aged in my youth,  
A Princely pattern; I reformed the time:  
With zeal and courage I maintained God's truth,  
And Christian faith 'gainst Antichristian crime.  
My Father did begin; I, in my prime,  
Both Baal and Beliall from this Kingdom drove,  
With concord's true harmonious heavenly chime  
I caused be said and sung God's truth and love.  
From virtue unto virtue still I strove,  
I lived beloved both of God and men:  
My soul unto her Maker soared above,  
My earthly part returned to earth again.  
Thus Death, my fair proceedings did prevent,  
And Peers and People did my loss lament.    

MARY QUEEN OF ENGLAND, France and Freland, Defender of the FAITH, etc.  

Maria nata Grenovici two febru: 1505. Incipit regnare. 6. juli: 1553. Regnavit 5 annos et 4 mensis. Obyt annos nata 45. et 9 mensis   

Queen Mary.  
NO sooner I possessed the Royal Throne,  
But true Religion strait was dispossessed:  
Bad Counsel caused Rome, Spain, and I, as one,  
To persecute, to martyr, and molest  
All that the unstained Truth of God professed:  
All such as dared oppugn the powerful Pope,  
With grievous Tortures were oppressed and priest,  
With Axes, Fire, and Faggot, and the Rope.  
Scarce any Land beneath the heavenly Cope,  
Afflicted was, as I caused this to be:  
And when my fortunes were in highest hope,  
Death at the five years end arrested me.  
No Bale would serve, I could command no aid,  
But I in prison in my Grave was laid.    

ELIZABETH QUEEN OF ENGLAND, France and Freland, Defender of the FAITH, etc.  

The most excellent Princes Elizabeth. Queen of England, France, and Ireland. defender of the Faith etc. She reigned 44 years, died the 24, of March, 1602 aged 69, 6 months: and lieth buried at Westminster 
Compton Holland excudit    

Queen Elizabeth.  
THe griefs, the fears, the terrors and the toils,  
The sleights, tricks, snares, that for my life were laid;  
Pope's prisons, poisons, pistols, bloody broils,  
All these encompassed me (poor harmless Maid)  
But I still trusting in my Maker's aid,  
Was still defended by his power divine:  
My Glory and my Greatness was displayed  
As far as Sun and Moon did ever shine.  
God's mingled service I did rerefine  
From Romish rubbish, and from human dross.  
I yearly made the pride of Spain decline:  
France and all Belgin I saved from loss.  
I was Arts pattern, t'Armes I was a Patron;  
I lived and died a Queen, a Maid, a Matron.    

JAMES, Of that name THE FIRST, And First MONARCH of the whole Island of GREAT BRITAIN  
Uniting under one, and the same his most Glorious Crown, the Kingdoms of ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, FRANCE and IRELAND:  
God's immediate VICEGERENT, Supreme HEAD of all Persons:  
And Defender of the true, ancient, Christian Faith in these his Empire and Dominions.  Whom God long preserve. 
The right high and most mighty Monarch JAMES by the grace of God King of Great Britain France and Ireland etc. defender of the faith  

King James.  
WEre all the flattery of the world in me,  
(Great King of Hearts and Arts, Great Britain's King  
Yet all that flattery could not flatter thee:  
Or add to thy renown the smallest thing.  
My Muse (with truth and freedom) dares to sing,  
Thou art a Monarch loved of God and men.  
Two famous Kingdoms thou to one didst bring,  
And gav'st lost Britain's name, her name again.  
Thou causedst Doctors with their learned pen,  
The sacred Bible newly to translate.  
Thy Wisdom found the damned powdered Den,  
That Hell had hatched to overthrow thy state.  
And all the world thy Motto must allow,  
The Peacemakers are blest; and so art thou.    

CHARLES' PRINCE OF WALES, etc.  

The most Illustrious Prince Charles Prince of Great Britain and Ireland, Duke of Cornwall, York, and Albany. Earl of Chester, & Kt of the most noble order of the Garter etc.   

Prince Charles.  
ILlustrious Offspring, of most glorious Stems,  
Our happy hope, our Royal CHARLES the great,  
Successive Heir to four Rich Diadems,  
With gifts of Grace, and Learning high replete.  
For thee th'Almighties aid I do entreat,  
To guide and prosper thy proceedings still,  
That long thou mayst survive a Prince complete,  
To guard the Good, and to subvert the iii.  
And when (by Gods determined boundless will)  
Thy gracious Father shall Immortal be,  
Then let thy Fame (like his) the world full fill,  
That thou mayst joy in us, and we in thee.  
And all true Britain's prey to God above,  
To match thy life and fortune with their love.    
FINIS.