The Copy of a letter sent in to scotland, of the arrival and landing, and most noble marriage of the most Illustre Prince Philippe, Prince of Spain, to the most excellent Princes Marry Queen of England, solemnisated in the City of Winchester: and how he was received and installed at Windsor, and of his triumphing entries in the noble City of London. ¶ Whereunto, is added a brief overture or opening of the legation of the most reverend father in God Lord Cardinal Poole from the Sea apostolic of Rome with the substance of his oration to the king and queens majesty, for the reconcilement of the Realm of England to the unity of the catholic church. With the very copy also of the Supplycation exhibited to their highnesses by the three Estates assembled in the parliament. Wherein they representing the whole body of the Realm and dominions of the same, have submitted themselves to the Pope's Holiness To the right reverend & his very especial good lord, lord Robert Stuarde Bishop of Cathenes, & ꝓuest of Dumbritane College in Scotland, john Elder his humble orator, wisheth health, and prosperous felicity. ALthough I have been minded divers times (my very good lord) for to have written to your Lordship, such news as have occurred here, in time of peace, or else where: yet nevertheless, by reason of unnatural wars betwixt both these Realms of England & scotland, at which time I would not presume to write to foreign places and partly, because I could meet with none, which had access to the place where you remained, I have therefore been letted from so doing hitherto from time to time. And where as I have good occasion ministered now to write, by reason of such most noble news as are in Eng land at this present, I will so briefly as I may advertis you of the same. Therefore your Lordship shall understand, That Philip by the grace of god king of England, France Naples, Jerusalem and Ireland, and son to the most fortunate and most victorious Monarch Charles the fift of that name, now Emperor of rome, arrived to the coast of England, with a navy of. seven The king landed at southampton the. xx. of July▪ M Diiiii score sail, and landed at Southhampton in Hamshire, within ten ●…le of the City of Winchester on friday the. xx. day of july last at. iii. of the clock at after none. At which town, the queens majesty being seven mile from thence, the Lords of the counsel & diverse other Noble men, most lovingly welcomed him: where in the mean season, my lord the Erll of Arundel, lord Steward of England, put a very rich garter about his left leg. And there to recreate himself after the Sea, with such noble men as came with him, he continued friday, saturday, and sunday How long he remained at Southhamp ton. Than the next monday which was the. xxiii. of juli, his highness came to the City of winchester at. vi. of the clock at night, the noble men of England and his His coming to the City of 〈◊〉 chester. nobles riding, one with an other before him, in good order through the City, every one placed according to his vocation and office, he riding on a fair white horse in a rich coat embroidered with gold, his doubl●…t, hosen, and hat suit like, with a white fetherin his hat, very fair. And after he lighted▪ he came the high way towards the west door of the cathedral ●…owe he was received with procession b●… my lord chancellor in the 〈◊〉 be all church of winchester. church, where he was most reverently received with profession by my lord the Bishop of winchester now lord chancellor of England, &. v. other Bishop's mitred, coped, and staved, where also, after he had kneeled, kissed ●…he Crucifix, and done his prayer ●…e ascended from thence. v. steps upon a skafholde which was ●…ade for the solemnisation of his ●…ariage: and until he came to ●…he Quere door, the procession ●…ong, Laus, honour, et Virtus. And after ●…e had entered the Quere, & per●…eiued the most holy Sacrament, he put of his cap, and went His humility and reverence in sight of the most blessed ●…ment of the altar. bare headed with great humility until he entered his seat or traues, as they call it. where after he had kneeled, my Lord Caunceller began Tedeum Laudamus, and the Quere together with the Organs song and played the rest. Which beig done, he was brought with torch light to the Deans house, the lords going before him, and the queens guard in their rich coats, standing all the way: which house was very gorgeously prepared for him adjoining to my lord the Bishop of winchester's palace, where the queens highness then lay, not passing a pair How he was brought by the Lords of the counsel to the queens majesty a privy ●…ay. of but lengths between. This night, after he had sopped, at. x. of the clock (as I am credibly informed) he was brought by the counsel, a privy way, to the queen, Where her grace very lovingly, yea and most joyfully received him. And after that they had talked together half an hour they kissed, and departed. I am credibly informed also that at his departing, he desired the queens highness to teach him what he should say to the lords in English at his departing: and she told him he should say Good night my Lords all. And as he came by the lords, he ●…aid as the Queen had taught him. So the ●…ow he went to the Queen o●…enly where all m●… mighe see▪ him. next tuesday at three of the clock he went to the Queen from the Deans house a foot, where every body might see him, The Lord Steward, The Earl of Darbey, the Erll of Penbroke, with divers other lords and noble men, as well English as others, went before him, he going alone in a cloak of black cloth enbroidred with silver, & a pair of white hose. And after that he had entered the Court, where all kind of Instruments played very melodiously, and came with in the hall, where the Queens ma gestie was standing on a skafhold, her highness descended, and How joyful lie the queens mage sty received him in presence of all the peo ple. ●… amiably receiving him, did kiss him in presence of all the people. And then taking him by the right hand, they went together in the chamber of presence, where after they had in sight of all the lords and ladies, a quarter of an hour pleasantly talked & communed together, under the cloth of Estate, and each of them merrily smiling on other, to the great comfort and rejoicing of the beholders, he took his leave of her grace, & departed towards the Cathedral church to Evensong, all the lords (as I have said) going before him: where also from the Court hall door to the court gate, all the pensioners, and the guard (as he and the lords went) stood all along on both sides the wape. ●…uensong being done he was very princely brought from the church with torch light unto the Deans house again. Then wedins day being ●…anct The day of their most Noble ma riage. james day, and the. xxv. of July, his highness (at. x. of the clock) and his nobles before him, went to the Cathedral church, and remained there (the doors being very straightly kept) until the queens highness came: whose majesty with all her counsel and nobility before her, came thither at half hour to a leaven. And entering at the west door of the said Cathedral church (where her grace was received the saturday before, in like manner as his highness was the monday following) her majesty ascended the foresaid steps, and came towards the quere door: where a little without the same door was made a round mount of boards, ascending also five steps above the skafholde. On which mount immediately after her majesty and the king were shriven, they were married by my lord the bishop of winchester, The queens majesty and the king were shriven before they were married. lord chancellor of Inglande, her majesty standing on the right side of the said mo●…t and the king of the left side. And this the marriage being ended & solennizated which with the biddiges and banes thereof was declared & done by the said lord Chancellor both in latin, & in english, his lord ship declared also there: How that the emperors majesty resigned How the Emperor resigned the king doom of Naples and Jerusalem to the kiges' highness his son. under his Imperial seal the kingdoms of Naples and Jerusalem to his son Philip Prince of Spain. whereby it might well appear to all men that the queens highness was then married, not only to a Prince, but also unto a king. The queens marriage ring was a plain hoop of gold with out any stone in it. For that was as it is said her pleasure, because maidens were so married in old times. This (as I have said) being ended and done, The earl of Darbey before the queens majesty, and the Earl of Penbroke The sword ●…earers the day of their ma●…. before the kings highness did bear each of them aswerd of honour. And so both their majesty's entered the Quere hand in hand under a canapye, borne by. iiii. knights towards the high altar, where after they had kneeled a while with each of them a Taper, they arose, and the Queen went to a seat or Traues of the right hand of the altar, and the king to an other seat, of the left hand, where they continued thus seve call in their meditations & prayers until the gospel was said: and then they came out, and kneeled How Godly they used themselves during h●… mass time to give example to all others all the high mass time, openly before the high altar, the care cloth being holden, as the manner is. Where during high mass time the queens Chapel matched with the choir, and the organs, used such sweet proportion of music and harmony, as the like (I suppose) was never before The hy●… mass was song by the Lord chaun celer. invented or hard. The high mass being done, which was celebrated and said, by my lord the Bishop of winchester, having to his coadjutors the five bishops afore said, that is to say the bishops of Duresm, Ely, London▪ L●…ncolne and Chichestre. Wherein both the Princes offering rich jewels, & delivering their Tapers, yea & the kings highness at the Agnusdei kiss sing the celebrator according to the ceremonies of marriages used in holy catholic churches, The king of heroldes openly in presence of both their magesties & the whole audience, solemnly proclaimed this their new style and Title in Latin, french & in english. The style in Latin. Philippus et Marie dei gratia, Rex et Regina The kings highness and the queens▪ magesties new Style and title. Anglie, ●…rancie, Neapolis, Jerusalem et Hiberni●…, fidei defensores, Principes His paniarum et Secilie; Archiduces Austrie, Deuces Mediolani, burr gundie, et Brabantie, comites Haspurgi, Flandrie, et Tyrolis. And whereas this letter may come perhaps from your Lordship's hands, in the hands of of those which understand not the latin tongue, I will therefore by your lordship's leave, to satisfy & content their minds beig unlearned, not only declare the same style & title in English, but also all such other things, as shall follow in Latin The style in English. Philip and Marie by the grace of god king and Queen of England, France, Naples, Jerusalem, & Ireland, defenders of the faith, Princes of Spain and Secyll Archidukes of Austria. Dukes of Milan, Burgundy, and Brabant, Counties of Haspurge, Flaunders and Tirol. Their 〈◊〉 most rich habiliments the day of their marriage ¶ This style and title being thus proclaimed, the king & the Queen departed hand in hand under the foresaid Canopy to my lord chancellors place, where the queens grace was lodged: whose two most princely, & most rich Habiliments, was of betin gold upon gold, and so rich set with precious stones, as no man could esteem the value thereof. At which place during dinner time, as none could be in the world more sump tuous, where their magestyes dined openly in the hall both together at one table, under the cloth of estate: there was such sounds and noise of all manner of justru mentes, as hath been seldom heard. where also, at the third course I perceived all the heralds of arms entre the hall two and two, in their heraldical gar mentes, and crying three times with an high voice, Largesse. The king of them commonly called Garter, proclaimed there again the kings highness, & the queens new style & title, in manner, form, and effect as he did in the Cathedral church when high mass was done. And so crying three times Largesse, again they departed. And thus shortly to conclude, there was for certain days after this most Noble marriage, such triumphing, bankating, singing, masking, and dancing, as was never in England here tofore, Mirth, joy & pastime at and after their marriage. by the report of all men. Wherefore, to see the kings majesty and the Queen sitting under the cloth of estate, in the hall where they dined, and also in the Chambre of presence at dancing time, where both their magesties dansed, and also to behold the dukes and noble men of Spain dance with the fair ladies and most beautiful nymphs of England, it should seem to him that never see such, to be an other world. Now to trouble your Lordship, any further with the hole, & perfit declaration of the rich and sundry apparelles which the nobility of England and Spain used, and ware at and after the marriage of these two most excellent Princes, it were but a fantasy and loss of paper and ink: for no mortal Princes (Emperors and kings only except) were able surely to excel them. And such brave liveries, as their servants had, The rich apparels of the nobility of England. and Spai I never saw the like, in all the Countries that ever I travailed. And finally with what rich hangings the Cathedral Church of Winchester and the Choir was hanged, and the two seats where both the Princes sat, it was a wonder to se. And again to view & mark what Eligaunt verses in Latin of all kind of sorts were affixed, and set up on the Cathedral Church doors, All kind of verses set up by the scholars of winchester college in comen dacyon of their most noble marriage. and the ports of my Lord chancellors place where the king and the Queen lay, by the Scholars of Winchester College, in praise and commendation of this most noble and rare marriage of Philip of Spain, and MARI of England, it should quicken the spirits of all dull dolts to embrace good letters, and of the best learned to favour the good will of all painful students. I purpose for to send the Copy of some of them to your lordship (God willing) hereafter. And i the mean season I will not omit two verses, which were written in a white field which Heroldes call silver, with fair Roman letters of black, which they call sable above the inner port of the place, where the two Princes lay, a month before they c●…m thither: which verses (as I am advertised) were made by my lord the Bishop of winchester now lord chancellor of England: whose excellent learning is well known every where, yea, and he to be of most, exact judgement in all kind of good letters. These be the two verses. O domus es felix minium, miniumque be●… Hospitio tales, nunc habitura tuo. That is to say. Thou art happy house, right bli●…, & bli●… again That shortly shalt such noble geastes retain. ANd after that their majesties Laudes and privi legis given to the City of win chester & Southhamp ton. had thus remained in the City of winchestre ten days (unto the which City and to Southampton in token and perpetual memory of this their most noble marriage, solemn nizated in the one, & of the kiges first landing in the other, they did give great privilegis and la●…des for ever) they removed from thence on tuesdaye the last of juli, and riding through the City in a very princely order, they went to Basing. xv. mile from winchester Where at my lord Treasurer of The day of their depa●… ting from winchester England's house they lay that night, and the next day following. where was such noble Cheer provided for them, and both their nobilities, as I have not seen the like for the time, in my days. The next thursday being the second of August, they departed from thence, and road to Reding, where after they had line but that night, they came to Windesore the next friday, at. vi. of the clock at night. And coming in at the west end Their coming to windsor & how they were there received with procession & the king installed. of the town, they came, with two swords borne before them, straight way towards the church west door, where with procession they were received by my lord Chaun cellar, where also the lord Steward of England revested the king with the rob of the order of the garter, and the queens majesty put the collar of the same order about his neck: which being done they both proceeded under a Canapy towards the quere, the lords of the order going before them in their robes and collars also. And after that the king was there installed, and Te deum song and ended, they came out at the same door of the quere where they entered, and went to a place of the north side of the same where the kings highness & the lords put of their robes. Which being done, the kings majesty and the Queen departed on horse back, to their lodging in Windsor castle. And to make an end here of their progress, your Lordship shall understand, that after they had remained at wind Their coming to Richemond for certain days, after the kings installation, they came to Richemont. Where being advertised that all such triumphs and pageants as were devised in London against their coming thither were finished & ended, they came from thence by water on friday the xvii. of August, & landed at S. Ma Their coming to London. rye Oueres stairs on Southwark side. Where every corner keing so strait kept as no man could pass, come, or go, but those which were appointed to attend their landing, they passed through my Lord chancellors house at Suffolk place, which was prepared for their lying that night. This Suffolk place, and your Lordship be remembered, is of the left hand, as we enter into Southwark coming from Hampton Court: which place was made by the old Duke of Suffolk, immediately after that he married the godly & virtuous Princes, Marry queen Dowager of France, and the second daughter of king Henry the. seven. Their most triumphing entries into London Now to begin and declare their coming to London, and so make an end, your reverend Lordship shall understand that both their most excellent Majesties made their most noble and Triumphinge entries into the noble City of London, forth of Southwark place, the next satterdaye, which was the. xviii. of August, at. two. of the clock at after none. Where, after all the lords of their most honourable privy counsel, and the ambassadors of all nations, with the nobility of England and Spain, and divers other noble and ●…entle men, as well Eng lish as strange, were all on horse back, two and two in a rank, the The lord●… Maior of London delivered his ma●…e. lord Maior of London, as the two Princes came out at the gate, kneeled and delivered a mace, which signified his ●…ower and authority within the city of London, to the queens grace. Whose majesty delivering the said mace to the lord Maior again, the kings highness and she ascended their horses, & so marching towards London bridge, the queen of the right hand, and the king of the left, with two swords of honour before them, and before the swords the Lord Mayor of London bearing the Mace, the tour of London beginneth to shoot. And when they came to the draw bridge, there they made the first stay, where there was in the height thereof, a fair table, holden up with two great Giants: the one named Corineus Britannus, and the other Gogmagog Albionus. In which table, in a field silver, with fair Roman The first stay. letters of sable, these. xii. verses following were written. unica caesareae stirpis ●…pes Inclite princeps, ●…ui deus imperium totius destinat orbis, ●…ratus et optatus nostras accedis adoras. Ecce sagittipotens tibi tota Britania dextr●… porrigit, et gremium tibi nobilis anglia p●…dit Te tamen in primis urbs Londoniensis honour at Incolumemque suum gaudet venisse Philippun These ver ses were set up above the draw bridge of London. Ipsa suis sentit charum te civibus esse Et f●…re foelicem tali se principe credit. Teque putant omnes missum divinitus urbi C●…ius mens, studium, vox, virtus, atque voluntas ●…det, et in clari consentit amore philippi. That is to say. O noble Prince sole hope of Caesar's side By god appointed all the world to guide, Rig●…t ha●…tely welcome art thou to our land The archer Brit●…yne yieldeth the her hand And noble England openeth her bosom Of ●…actie affection for to bid the welcome But chief London doth her love vouchsafe Rejoicing that her Philip is come safe She saith her citizens love the on each side And trusts they shall be happy of such a guide▪ And all do think thou art sent to their city By th'only mean of God's paternal pity, So that their mind, voice, study, power, and will ●…s only set, to love the Philippe still. HEre also the tour of London (the sign given that the king and the Queen were in sight thereof) shot such peals of ordinance in, & about every quarter thereof, and specially out of the top of the white four & of the wharf, as never was heard the like in England here tofore. Which being done, they proceeded forward until they came in gracious street, where in their way the conduit thereof was finely trimmed, whereon was painted very ingeniously the nine worthies with many notable proverbs and adages, written with fair Roman letters on every side there of. And at the sign of the splaied The second Stay. Eagle, they made the second stay where the first pagent was devised and made by the merchant strangers of the Stilliarde. Where amongst divers notable stories there was in the top thereof, the picture of the king sitting on horse back, all armed very gorgeously and richly set out to the quick. Under which picture were written in field silver with fair Roman letters of sable, these words following after this manner. Divo Phi. Aug. Max. The first pageant in Gracious ●…ete. Hispaniarum principi exoptatissimo. That is to say. In honour of worthy Philip the fortunate, & most mighty, Prince of Spain, most earnestly wished for. And under that were written in a field blue, which Heroldes call azure, with fair Roman letters of silver, these two verses following. Constantem, fortemque animum, ter mag●…e Philippe. Nec spes a recto, nec me●…us acer agit. That is to say. Most mighty Philip, neither hope, nor fear ●…ay fright, Thy strong and valiant ha●…t, away from ●…ghte. Which picture & all other notable stories & writings in the said pageant pleasing their magesties very well, they marched forward until they came to Cornwall, where the conduit also there being very excellently painted, at the west end of the sirete was the second The third Stay. pageant which was right excellently handled and set out, where their magesties made the third stay. In which pagente were four lively persons, which represented the four most noble Philips, of whose most noble acts and doings we read in ancient stories▪ That is to say Philip king of Macedonia. Philip the roman Emperor. Philip Duke of Burgundy surnamed Bonus, and Philip Duke of Burgundy surnamed Audax betwixt which four princes, two being of the right side of the pageant, and two of the least, there was a fair table, wherein were written in a field azure, with Roman letters of silver, these viii. verses following. Quatuor apriscis, accepimus esse philippos Quorum, per totum celebratur gloria mundum. The second pageant at the west end o●… Cornwell. Nobilitas primum, summo decoravit ●…onore prosperitate facit clarum fortuna secundum. Tertius aeterna bonitatis laud refulget, Quartus, bellator fortis memoratur etaudax Sed tua nobilitas, fortuna, audatia, virtus, Oimbus hispre●…tat, vincisque Philippe, Philippos That is to say. We read in time pa●… Philip's have been four Whose glory throughout all the world is blow●… The first through noble blood past all before, The seconds match in good success unknown. The third for goodness g●…t eternal fame. The forth for boldues used against his fone. In birth, in fortune, boldness, virtuous name, Thou Philip passest these Philips four, alone. THis page aunt with the stories therein contained liking the kings highness and the queen wondrous well, they passed towards Chepeside, & at the east end thereof, the conduit there also being finely painted and trimmed, they made the fourth stay, where the third pagente was made. In the height whereof, was one playing on a harp, who signified the most Excellent musician The forth Stay. Orpheus, of whom, and of Amphion, we read in the fables of old Poetis. Where also were nine fair ladies playing and singing on divers sweet instruments, signifying the nine muses. And not far from them were men, and children decked up like wild beasts, as Lions, wolves, foxes and bears. So that the most sweet strokes, noise, and sounds of Orpheus, with the nine Musis playing and singing in the said Pageant, and also the counterfeated beasts dancing and leaping, with Orpheus' harp, and the Musis melody exhilarated and rejoiced their majesties very much. Under Orpheus in a field silver, with fair roman letters of sable, were written in a very fair table these. viii. verses following. Eloquii claro ditatus munere princeps, Voce sua cives flectet, quocunque lubebit. Hoc veteres olim docuere ꝑ Orphea ●…uates Qui movisse feras c●…tus dulcedine fertur, The third pageant at the east end of Cheap. Sic tua sola tuos dicendi copia cives Excitat, et moestoe prebet solatio menti. Ergo tibi merito magnas agit anglia grates Anglia que solo gaudet dicente philippo. That is to say, The prince that hath the gift of eloquenc●… May bend his subjects to his most behove Which in old time was showed by conert sense In Orpheus whose song did wild beasts move, In like case now thy grace of speech so frank Doth comfort us, whose minds afore 〈◊〉 And therefore Eugland giveth the hearty thank Whose chiefest joy is to hear thee Philip speak. THeir majesties beig satisfied with the sight of that pageant, they marched from thence, and passing through Chepeside, where they perceiving the cross thereof, which was with fine gold richly gilded, they stayed a little looking thereon, which was (no doubt it is) unto them a right excellent view, where also the kings highness perceiving the crucifix in the top thereof, very hum blie put of his cap. This seen, they marched forward, and at the west end of Cheap they made the fift stay, where was the fourth and most excellent pageant of al. Wherein was contained, declared, and showed their most noble Their fift Stay. Geneology from king Edward the third, which genealogy was most exellently, & most ingeniously set out, with a great Arboure or tree: under the root whereof was an old man liinge on his left side, with a long white beard, a close crown on his head, and a sceptour in his right hand and a ball Imperial in his left. Which old man signified king Edward the third, of whom both their majesties are lineally descended. which green Arboure or tree grew up of both the sides with branches, whereon did sit young fair children which represented the persons of such kings, queens Princis, dukes, Earls, lords & ladies as descended from the said king Edward the. iii. unto their days, whose names were written above their heads in fields azure in fair tables with Roman letters of ●…iluer. Where also in the said top of the said arbour or tree was a Queen of the right hand, & a king of the left, which presented their magesties. Above whose heads was written their new style and title, with fair Roman letters of sable in a field gold. And above that, in the height of all, were both their arms joined in one under one Crown imperial. And finally under the old man which lay under the rote of the Arbour & signified (as I have said) king Edward the third, were written these. vi. verses following in a field silver, with letters of gold. Site bellipotens veterum juuat Anglia Regum The fourth pageant on the west en●…e of Cheap. Gloria, que summis quond●…te laudibus auxit Illorun sobolem Mari●…, magnumque Philippun D●…ligere, et toto complecti pectore debes. Quos deus ex uno communi font profectos Connubio veterem voluit coniungere stirpen. That is to say. England if thou delight in ancient men, Whose glorious acts th●… fame a broad d●…d blaze, Both Mary & Philip their offspring ought thou then With all thy heart to love & to embrace Which both descendeo of one ancient live It hath pleased God by marriage to combyne. ●…Uhich pageant being throughly viewed and much comm●…ded of their majesties, they went hence towards s. Paul's Church. And in their way a scholar of Paul's school decked up in cloth of gold, delivered unto the kings highness a fair book, which he received very ientlie. Where also a fellow came slipping upon a cord as an arrow out of a bow, from Paul's steeple to the ground, & lighted with his head forward on a great sort of feather beds: And after he claim up the cord again, and done certain feats, They were received at Paul'S with procession by the Bishop of London. their magesties lighted, & being in Paul's church received with procession by the Bishop of London, and Te deum song & ended, they departed, and marched towards fleetstreet, at the conduit whereof they made the sixth & last stay, where was the fift and hindermost pageant of all. Wherein The la●…te Stay. was a Queen & a king representing their highness, having of their right side justicia with a sword in her hand, and Equitas with a pair of balance. And of their left side Veritas with a book in her hand, whereon was written, Verbum Dei & Misericordia with a heart of gold. Where also from the height of the pageant descended one which signified Sapientia with a crown in each of her hands, whereof the one she put on the head of her that presented the queen, and the other on the head of him that presented the king: under which two were written in a field azure with fair Roman letters of silver these. vi. verses folowig Qui ver ax clemensque simul, ac justus, et equus The fift and last pageant. Virtutisque suam complevit lumine mentem Si diadema viro tali sapientia donet, Ille gubernabit totum foeliciter orbem. Et quia te talem cognovimus esse Philippe, Nos fortunatos fore te regnant putamus. That is to say, When that a man is ●…entle, just, and true With virtuous gifts fulfilled plenteously, If wisdom then him with her crown endue He govern shall the whole world prosperously, And sith we know thee Philip to be such While thou shalt reign w●… think us happy much ANd after the their magesties had seen the effect of this pageant they proceeded forward towards temple bar, where they stayed a little in viewing a certain Oration in Latin, which was in a long table written with Roman Letters, above the part thereof as they passed and departed forth of the City. Which oration declared, that such triumphs and pagiantes as were devised and made in the noble city of london by the Lord Maior thereof, his brethren, and the citizens, for their entries, whose most happy coming, they most heartily so long time desired, and wished for, and again the running The effect of an oration set up above the port of ●…ē ple bar. and rejoicing of the great number of people as were there calling and crying every where God save your graces, was an evident token, testimony and witness of their faithful, and unfeigned hearts to the queens highness & the king. For whose most excellent Majesties they prayed unto almighty God long to live, rule, and reign over their most noble Empire of England. ANd now making an end here of this their most triumphing entries into the noble city of London, they departed from Temple Bar towards York place, otherwise called the white hall: Where after they had lighted, they came hand in hand into the great chamber of presence. Where also, after they had talked a little space, they took their leave each of other. And so the queens majesty en tring that part of the court commonly called the kings side, and the kings highness entering the other part called the Queens, there they rested and remained for certain days. Where in the mean season two princely presents came to their Magesties. The one from the Emperor which is. xii. pieces of Arras work, so richly wrought with Gold Silver and silk, as none in the world may excel them. In which pieces be so excellently wrought, and set out all the Emperors majesties procedings & victories against the Turks, as Apelles were not able (if he were alive) to mend any parcel thereof with his pencil. And the other present from the Queen of Polonia, which is a pair of Regalles, so curiously made of gold and silver, and so set with precious stones, as like or none such have been seldom seen. And after they had thus remained Two princely and most excel lent presents. at the white hall certain days (as I have said) and had been in Westminster college, where their majesties were received with Procession by the Dean thereof, & had heard mass & perused all the monuments and tombs of such kings as be interred they, their departed to Hampton Court, where they continued until this Parliament. At which The beginning of the Parliament time they came from thence, to white hall again. Which Par liment did begin the. xii. day of Nou●…ber last, on which day both their magesties, and all the lords spiritual and temporal, as use & custum hath ever been, road to westmister Abbey, with all Princely ensigns of honour, and so lempnities appertaining to the Royal estate. Further, your Lordship The coming of my Lord Cardinal. shall understand that the. xviii. day of the said month, The Right Reverend Father in GOD, LORD Cardinal Poole accompanied with my Lord Paget, my lord Clinton, & sir Anthony Browne knight, late created Lord Montague, and divers other noble men, came from Grauesende to the white hall in one of the kings barges. Where the kings majesty being advertised that he had shot London bridge, his highness, with the sword of honour borne before him, came down and received him very ●…owe he was first received of the ●…yng. amiably, as he landed at the come mon landing bridge of the Court. And from thence they both passed up to the Chambre of presence, where the queens majesty was sitting under the cloth of estate, whose highness ●…ow he was afterward received by the queen. also received him very joyfully. And after that both their majesties and he had communed an hour very lovingly, my lord Cardinal took his leave of their highness. And then my lord Chancellor of his right hand, and the Earl of Shrewsbery of his left, they went by water to Lambeth which is a place pertaining to the archbishop of Canterbury, where his lordship lieth as yet. This Cardinal is an english man borne, of whom (I am sure) your lordship hath heard, & descended of the blood Royal of England. For his mother was daughter to George Duke of Clarence, which was brother to Edward the fourth of that name, king of England. Which My Lord Cardinal was an exile out of his country xxi. years. Cardinal hath been an exile out of England these. xxi. years. The cause whereof was, that he would not assent to king king Henry the eight in the matter The causes wherefore he was exiled of divorce from his most lawful wife Queen Katherine mother to the queen that now is. And that he would not admit the said king to bear the title of Supreme head of the Church of England, which by a new example he had lately (as it is now said) usurped. This opinion did not only purchase divers noble men have suffered in England for his sake. exile to this Cardinal himself but also was the death of the virtuous lady the Countess of Salysbery his mother, the lord Montegle his brother, and the Marquis of Exester his cousin, with many other noble men being suspect as adherentes to him in the same opinion. Surely this cruelty was great, but that which exceeded all the rest: this old lady being at least lx. and ten years of age, cousin to the king, and being (as it is said) most innocent and guiltless, was without judgement or process of the law drawn by the hore hairs to the block, not knowing any cause why to die. Many like examples of cruelty followed in England by that alteration, which are out of my purpose: but this I have touched The queens majesty hath restored the Lord Cardinal to the honour of his house by occasion of this Cardinal, who now by the queens goodness is restored to the honour of his house. And now of late is arrived in England as Ambassador and legate from the Pope's holiness, with most ample commission to receive the e Ralme of England unto the unity of the church, whereof your lordship shall ꝑceve more hereafter. He is, & seemeth to be of nature sad & grave whose good life may be an example to the rest of his profession, and his excellent learning is well known through all Europe. For I assure your lordship, that at my being in Rome. xvi. years agone, I have heard out of the mouths, aswell of my country men then being in Rome, as of the Romans themselves no les, yea and more than I have said. For it is commonly said of him by learned men in Rome, My Lord Cardu●…ls praise amongst learned m●…●…n strange countries. and in other places where I have travailed, Polus Cardinalis, natione Anglus, pietatis et literarum testimonio, dignus, non qui Polus Anglus, sed qui polus Angelus vocetur. But now passing over the praisings of this noble, & virtuous prelate, whom no man dispraiseth, I will proceed where I left. Within few days after his coming to Lambeth, a day The three Estates of Englan●…e assembled before the king, the Queen ●… my Lord Cardinal. was prefixed by appointment of the king and queens majesties that the three estates of England being called unto the parliament should be brought unto the presence of the Cardinal for the better understanding of his legation. This assemble was appointed in the great Chambre of the court at Westminster, where as the king and queens majesties sitting under the cloth of estate, and all the three estates placed in their degrees, the Cardinal sitting in a Chair on the right hand, out of the cloth of estate, my lord chancellor of England began in this manner. MY lords of the upper house My Lord chancellors words. & you my masters of the neither house, here is present, the right reverend father in god my lord Cardinal Pole come from the Apostolic Sea of Rome as ambassador to the king and queens magesties upon one of the most weightiest causes that ever happened in this Realm. And which pertaineth to the of god and your universal benefit. The which embassage their magesties' pleasure is to be signified to you all by his own mouth Trusting that you will receive and accept it, in as benevolent and thankful wise, as their highnesses have done, and that you will give attent and inclynable ear to him. When his Lordship had thus made an end, my Lord Cardinal taking the occasion offered, without any study, as it seemed, spoke in effect as followeth. My lords all, & you that are the My Lord 〈◊〉 oration the king and queens 〈◊〉 be●…ng present, and the three Estates. commons of this present Par liment assembled, which 〈◊〉 effect is nothing else but the stat●… & body of the whole Realm. As the cause of my repair hither hath been both wisely & gravely declared by my lord chancellor, So before the I entre to the particularities of my commission, I have somewhat to say touching myself, & to give most humble & harti thanks to the king & queens magesties & after them to you all which of a man exiled and banished from this common wealth, have restored me to a member of the same: and of a man having no place neither here or else where within this realm, have admitted me in place where to speak and to be heard. This I protest unto you all, that though I was exiled my native country without just cause, as god knoweth yet the ingratitude could not pull from me the affection and desire that I had to profit and do you good. If the offer of my service might have been received, it was never to seek: & where that could not be taken, you never failed of my prayer, nor never shall. But leaving the rehearsal thereof, and coming more near to the matter of my commission, I signify unto you all, that my principal travail is, for the restitution of this noble Realm to the ancient nobility, and to declare unto you, that the Sea Apostolic from whence I come, hath a special respect to this Realm above all other, and not without cause, seeing that god himself, as it were by providence, hath given this Realm prerogative of nobility above other: which to make more plain unto you, it is to be considered that this Island first of all Islands received the light of Christ's religion. For as stories testify, it was prima provinciarum quae amplexaest fidem Christi. For the Britons being first inhabitants of this realm (not withstanding the subjection of the Emperors, & heathen Princes) did receive Christ's faith from the Apostolic Sea universally, & not in parts as other England of all Ilan des received fyr●…te the faith of christ. countries, nor by one & one as clocks increase their hours by distinction of times, but all together at ones as it were in a moment. But after that their ill merits or forgeatfulnes of god had deserved expulsion, and that Strangers being infidels had possessed this land, yet god of his goodness, not leaving where he once loved, so illumined the hearts of the Saxons being heathen m●…, that they forsook the darkness of heathen errors, & embraced the light of Christ's religion. So that within small space Idolatry and heathen superstition was utterly abandoned in this Island. This was a great prerogative of nobility, whereof though the benefit be to be ascribed to god: yet the mean occasion of the same came from the Church of Rome. In the faith of which church, we have ever since continued and consented with the rest of the world in unity of religion. And to show further the fervent devotion of the inhabitants of this Island towards the Church of Rome, We read the divers Princes in the Saxons time with great travel and expenses went personally to Rome, as Offa & Adulpbus which thought it not enough to show them selves obedient to the said see, un les that in their own persons they had gone to that same place from whence they had received so great a grace & benefit. In the time of Carolus magnus, who first founded the university of Paris, he sent into England for Alcuinus a great learned man, which first brought learning to that university. Whereby it seemeth that the greatest part of the world fet the light of religion from England. Adrian the fourth being an English man converted norway from infidelity, which Adrian afterwards upon great affection & love that he bore to this realm being his native country gave to henry the. two king of England the right & seniory of the dominion of Ireland, which pertained to the see of Rome. I will not rehearse the manifold benefits that this realm hath received from the Apostolic sea, nor how ready the same hath been to relive us in all our necessities. Nor I will not rehearse the manifold miseries and calamities, that this Realm hath suffered by swerving from that unity. And even as in this Realm so in all other countries which refusing the unity of the Catholic faith, have followed fantastical doctrine, y● like plagues have happened. Let Asia, and the Empire of Grece be a spectacle unto the world, who by swerving from the unity of the Church of Rome, are brought into captivity and subjection of the Turk. All stories be full of like examples. And to come unto latter time, look upon our nigh neigh bours of germany, who by swerving from this unity, are miserably afflicted with diversity of sects, & divided in factions. What shall I rehearse unto you the ●…umultes & effusion of blood that hath happened there in late days. Or trouble you with the rehearsal of those plagues that have happened sins this Innovation of religion, whereof you have felt the bitterness, and I have heard the report? Of all which matters I can say no more but such was the misery of the time. And see how far forth this fury went. For those that live under the Turk, may freely live after their conscience, and so was it not lawful here. If men examined well upon what grounds these Innovations began, they shall well find, that the rote of this, as of many other mischiefs, was avarice: And that the lust & Carnal affection of one man confounded all laws, both divine and human. And notwithstanding all these devices & policies practised within this Realm against the church of Rome, they needed not to have lost you, but that they sought rather as friends to reconcile you, then as enemies to enfeaste you. For they wanted not great offers of the most mighty Potentates in all Europe to have aided the church in that quarrel. Then mark the sequel, there seemed by these changes to rise a great face of riches & gain, which in proof came to great misery and lack. See how god then can confound the wisdom of the wise, and turn unjust policy to mere folly, and that thing that seemed to be done for relief was cause of plain ruin, and decay. Yet see that goodness of God, which at no time failed us, but most benignly offered his grace, when it was of our parts least sought, and worst deserved. And when all light of true religion seamed utterly extinct, as the churches defaced, the altars overthrown, the ministers corrupted ●…euen like as in a lamp the light being cou●…red, yet it is not quenched, even so in a few remained the confession of Christ's faith, namely in the breast of the queens excellency, of whom to speak without adulation, the saying of the Prophet may be verified. Ecce quasi der elicta. And see how miraculously GOD of his goodness preserved her hyghenes' contrary to the expectation of man. That when numbers conspired against her, and policies were devised to disherit her, and armed power prepared to destroy her, yet she being a Virgin, helpless, naked and unarmed, prevailed, & had the victory over tyrants, which is not to be ascribed to any pollici of man, but to the almighty great goodness & providence of God, to whom the honour is to be given. And therefore it may be said: Da gloriam deo. For in man's judgement, on her grace's part was nothing in appearance, but despair. And yet for all these practices & devices of ill men, here you see her grace established in her estate, being your lawful Queen and Governs, borne among you, whom God hath appointed to reign over you, for the restitution of true religion, and extirpation of all errors & sects. And to confirm her grace the more strongly in this enterprise, Lo how the providence of God hath joined her in marriage with a Prince of like religion, who being a king of great might, armour and force, yet useth towards you neither Armour nor force, but seeketh you by the way of love and amity: in which respect great cause you have to give thanks to almighty God that hath sent you such catholic Governors. It shall be therefore your part again to love, obey and serve them. And as it was a singular favour of God to conjoyve them in marriage: so it is not to be doubted but that he shall send them issue for the comfort and surety of this common wealth. Of all Princes in Europe, the Emperors hath travailed most in the cause of religion, as it appeareth by his acts in Germany▪ yet haply by some secret judgement of god he hath not achieved the end, with whom in my journey hetherwardes I had conference touching my Legation, whereof when he had understanding, he showed great appearance of most earnest joy and gladness: saying that it rejoiced him no les, of there concilement of this realm unto christian unity, then that his son was placed by marriage in the king doom. And most glad of all, that the occasion thereof should come by me, being an English man borne, which is, as it were to call home ourselves. I can well compare him to David, which though he were a man elect of GOD: yet for that he was contaminate with blood & war, could not build the temple of I●…rusalem, but left the finishing thereof to Solomon which was Rex pacificus, So may it be thought, that the appeasing of controversies of religion in Christianity, is not appointed to this Emperor but rather to his son, who shall perform the building that his father hath begun: which church cannot be perfectly builded without universally in all Realms we adhere to one head, and do acknowledge him to be the vica●… of god, and to have power from a 'bove. For all power is of God according to the saying. Non est potestas nisi adeo. And therefore I consider that all power being in god yet for the conservation of quiet & godly life in the world, he hath derived that power from above into two parts here in earth: which is in the power Imperial Two powers in earth, the Ecclesiastical power, and the Imperial and ecclesiastical. And these two powers, as they be several and distinct, so have they two several effects and operations. For secular Princes, to whom the Temporal sword is committed, be ministers of god to execute vengeance upon transgressors & ill livers, and to preserve the well doers and innocentes from injury and violence. Which power is represented in these two most excellence persons, the king and queens Magesties here preesent who have this power committed unto them Immediately from god, without any superioure in that behalf. The other power is of ministration which is the power of the keys, and order in the Ecclesiastical state, which is by the authority of god's word and examples of the Apostles, and of all old holy fathers from Christ hitherto attributed and given to the Apostolic Sea of Rome, by special prerogative. From which Sea, I am here deputed Legate & Ambassador, having full and ample commission from thence, and have the keys committed to my hands. I confess to you that I have the keys not as mine own keys, but as the keys of him that sent me: and yet cannot open: not for want of power in me to give, but for certain impediments in you to receive, which must be taken away before my commission can take effect. This I protest unto you, my commission is not of prejudice to any person. I come not to destroy but to build, I come to reconcile, not to condemn, I come not to compel, but to call again: I am not come to call anything in question, already done, But my commission is of grace and clemency to such as will receive it. For touching all matters that be past, they shall be as things cast into the Sea of forgetfulness. But the mean whereby you shall receive this benefit, is to revoke and repeal those laws and statutes which be impediments, blocks and bars to the execution of my commission. For like as I myself had neither place nor voice to speak here among you, but was to all respects a banished man, till such time as ye had repealed those laws that lay in my way: evenso can not you receive the benefit, and grace offered from the Apostolic Sea, until the abrogation of such laws whereby you have disjoined and deceive red yourselves from the unity of Christ's Church, it remaineth therefore that you like true Christians and provydente men for the weal of your souls, and bodies, ponder what is to be done in this so weighty a cause. And so to frame your acts and procedings, as they may tend first to the glory of GOD, and next to the conservation of your common wealth, surety and quietness. This was the substance of my Lord cardinals oration, or rather his tale, which he pronounced in such sort, as no man could judge it any studied matter, but a thing spoken Ex tempore. Whereof a friend of mine being a Burges of the Parliament, and present at the same time, took the notes, and gave me the same in writing, so (as I believe) nothing that he spoke in effect, is omitted. And after that the assemble was broken, my lord Cardinal taking leave of the king and queens magesties, went to his house at Lambeth. Then shortly after the foresaid three Estates assembled The three Estates assembled again be fore the king and queens magesties and my lord cardinal. again in the great Chamber of the Court at Westmister, where the king and queens magestyes and also my Lord cardinal being present, they did exhibit sitting all on their knees a supplication to their highnesses. Which supplication being read their ma How they did exhibit a supplication to their magesties gesties exhibited the same unto my Lord Cardinal. Whose reverence, perceiving the effect thereof to be corresponding to his expectation, did not only receive the same most humbly from their magesties, but also after he had in few words given thanks to GOD, and had declared what great cause he had to rejoice, above all others that his coming from Rome into England had taken most happy success, he representing there the Pope's holiness, and having the keys, and his full power for the time, did give them his Benediction. Which being done, they all departed. The Copy of which supplication, I have sent here also to your Lordship in manner form, and effect as followeth word by word. We the Lords Spiritual and The 〈◊〉 of the submission. temporal and the Commons of this present Parlyment ass●…bled, representing the whole body of the Realm of England and dominions of the same, in our own names particularly, and also, of the said body universally in this supplication directed to your Magestyes, with most humble suit: That it may by your gracious intercession and mean be exhybyted to the most reverend father in God, the Lord Cardinal Poole Legate, sent specially hither from our most holy Father Pope julio the third, and the SEA apostolic of Rome: do declare ourselves very sorry and repenrante of the Schism and disobedience committed in this Realm and the dominions of the same against the said Sea apostolic, either by making, agreeing, or executing any laws, ordinances or commandments against the supremacy of the said SEA, or otherwise doing or speaking that might impugn the same. Offering ourselves, and promising by this our supplication, that for a token and knowledge of our said repentance, we be, and shall be always ready under, and with the authorities of your magesties to the uttermost of our power, to do that shall be in us for the abrogation and repealing of the said laws and ordinances in this present Parlyment as well for ourselves, as for the whole body, whom we represent. Whereupon we most humbly beseech your majesties as persons undetiled in the offence of this body towards the said Sea, which nevertheless God by his providence hath made subject to your majesties: so to set fourth this our most humble suit that we may obtain from the Sea Apostolic, by the said most reverend father, aswell particularly as universally Absolution, Release, and discharge, from all danger of such censures, and sentences, as by the laws of the Church we be fallen in. And that we may, as children repentaunte, be received in to the bosom and unity of Christ's Church. So as this noble realm, with all the members thereof, may in unity and perfect obedience to the Sea Apostolic, and 〈◊〉 for the time being, serve God, and your majesties to the furtherance and advancement of his honour, and glory. Amen. THen the first sunday in advent following, my How the kings majesty and the Lord, 〈◊〉 dynall came to Poles the first Sun day in 〈◊〉 vente. Lord Cardinal came at ten of the clock from Lambeth by water, and landed at Poles wharf. And coming from thence to Poles Church with a cross, two. pillars, & two pollaxes of Silver borne before him, he was there received by my Lord chancellor, with Procession, Where he tarried until the kings coming: whose highness came from westminster by land. and all his nobles before him to Poles also at a leaven of the clock. And so the kings majesty and my lord Cardinal with all the lords of the privy counsel being present with such an audience of people as was never seen in that place before, my Lord chancellor My Lord Chancel 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 mon at Poles cross that day. entered Poles cross. And after that the people ceased, that so much as a whispering could not be heard amongst them, more than amongst those of whom the Poet Virgil speaketh, Conticuere omnes intentique or a tenebant. But every man bent heartily with ears to here, eyes to perceive, and hands to write, his Lordship proceeded: and took to his theme these words of the epistle of that day written by saint Paul the holy Apostle in the. xiii. Chapter to the Romans. Fratres scientes, quia bora est iam, nos de somno surgere. & caet. Which parcel of Scripture was so Godly, and so clearkelye handled by him, as no man alive (all flattery doubtless set apart) was able to meande it. And there as saint Paul exhorted the Romans to cast away the works of darkness, and to put on the Armour of light. etc. Euenso his Lordship exhorted, wished, and willed: yea, and with all his heart desired and prayed all English men and others, which had slept in England these one and twenty years in detestable Here●…yes, and erroneous Doctrines, to forsake the devil, the flesh and the world, which was the occa●…yon of all evil, and to embrace God and his holy catholic faith, which faith was tau●…hte by him, preached by his Apostles, and received of them by the ancient old fathers in the primitive church. Which faith also hath continued through all Christendom from age to age, and also in England, until king Henry the Eight took on him to be Supreme head of the church. From which time unto the reign of the queens majesty that now is, his lordship declared what miseries, what calamities, what sorrows and griefs England What miseries England hath sustained sins it swerved from the unity of the Ca 〈◊〉 ●…ayth. had susteaned. What malice what envy, and ha' tread, what falsehood what craft & subtlety had reigned amongst all degrees in England. What abominable Herisyes, what synistrat and erroneous opinions were ill England, without any restraint taught and received, what tumults and insurrections, to the casting away of many, and to the empoveryshing of all, were in divers quarters of the same. And finally, unto what ruin and decay the realm of England was like to come, if almighty god of his goodness had not blessed the same in time, with his most holy hands. These, with many other notable yea and lamentable lessons, to long here to be rehearsed, his lordship there declared, which moved a great numbered of the audience, with sorrowful sighs, and weeping tears to change their cheer. In this same self sermon he declared also, how. nineteen. years ago, at that time when the insurrection was in the north of How king Henry the Light. nineteen. years agone thought to have given over the supremacy. England in defence of religion, that king Henry the eight was minded to have given over the Supremacy to the Pope's Holiness, but the let thereof was then because he thought it would be said it should have been done for fear. He declared also how the said How he sent to the Em perour for the same e●… foot. king sent him and Sir Henry Kneuet knight to the Emperor, exhorting his Imperial majesty to be intercessor for him to the Poop to receive the supremacy: but it took none effect because the time was not. He declared further, how in king Edward's days, the counsel were once minded to have the Pope restored to the Supremacy, but the let thereof was in those days, because as it was supposed it would have been said that the Realm could not be defended during the kings minority without the Pope's adsistaunce. And finally he declared how the queens majesty at her coronation thought for to have restored the Pope's holiness to his Supremacy, but the time (he said) was not then. But now (said he the time is cum that the kings and queens magesties have restored our holy father the Pope to his Supremacy: And the three Estates assembled in the parliament representing the whole body of this noble Empire of England and dominions of the same, have submitted themselves to his holiness, and his successors forever. He declared also how that the most Reverend Father in God Lord Cardinal Poole, being there put by the king, was sent in England as deputed Legate and ambassador from the Sea apostolic of Rome, having full and ample commission from the Pope's holiness to bless the realm of England. And here also he declared, how much bound England is to thank God, who of his divine prou●…dence hath appointed such a godly and virtuous Prince as the king that now is, he being son to loo victorious and most rich an Emperor, and he being also so rich a Prince himself, to join in marriage with the queens Majesty. Who for the most hearty love that he had to her highness, left his own countries, realms, and regions to strengthen her most noble grace & to enrich her Empire of England. And so to conclude, his lord ship declared, that all the premises being well remembered & considered of all the audience, And also the king and queens majesties Godly procedings being of them, and all other their true subjects heartily embraced, and faithfully followed, They all then might sing with the Angel which appeared to the shepherd at the nativity and birth of our saviour jesus Christ, Gloria in excelsis deo, et in terra pax hominibus, etc. And finally to say with the Prophet and Psalmist David, Haec es●… dies quam fecit dominus, exultemus etletemur in ea. Which sermon being done, the kings majesty departed to wards Westminster, & with his highness my lord Cardinal with the cross only borne before him. sins the day of which sermon, all such things as were amiss and out of order here, begin now to come in rule and square, and occupy their ancient and accustomed places. And the most holy Catholic faith and true religion of Christ which in England hath been this long time behind the post and in Captivity, is now, being delivered and coming home again, of all both young and old, embraced, worshipped & honoured. And all erroneous doctrine & heretical books with the teachers & setters fourth of the same, are convicted, abolished, yea, explosed and driven out of England for ever. And finally all they which were hearers and favourers of them, now laying their hands to their hearts, and perceiving themselves seduced and deceived by such means, are sorry, and do hartlye repent, minding faithfully from henceforth their faults to amend. Amongst whom I can no les do (●…y very good lord) thenne numbered myself as one. For although I was never (praised by god) associated with any which were erroneous, or suspected to be fautors and defenders of heretical, and sinistrate opinions: but living under silence during the two late kings procedings have kept myself clear on every side, Yet nevertheless, as often as I have, & do remember with myself how lasciviously I lived in Eng land these. xx. years, & the most part thereof have followed the same trade of liberty & voluptuous living as a great numbered have done: where I might have had endeavoured myself in the mean season, to virtuous learning and study: I can no les do, then lament▪ and be sorry: yea and with all my heart to repent as others do, purposing (by God's grace) with them to mend my most miserable, and sinful life, and so to continue to my lives end. In which doing I with those which have thus offended, & they with me, may be assured, that our Saviour Christ according unto his own infallible words, spoken of one in the name of all sinners, will have mercy, pity & compassion on us, saying: Nolo mortem peccatoris, sed magis ut convertatur et vivat And thus England, and all we that dwell therein, account ourselves not only happy, yea and most happy, which from so many outrageous storms of errors, cares, and calamities, are thus called home again to the sure haven and port of the most holy catholic faith: But also we do believe with our very hearts, and do confess with all our mouths, that almighty God of his divine providence hath preserved and kept. three persons, as load▪ star res and chief guides, for the defending, inbringing, and restoring of England thus to the unity of Christ's church. The first is the queens majesty, who being from her infancy a Virgin, and immaculate from all spots of heresies: it hath pleased God to defend her, aid her, and save her from the hands, power and might of her enemies. And giving he●… the victory over them in twinkelinge of an eye, which as roaring Lions would have devoured her. The second is my lord Cardinal, who being an exile out of his native countreth England, these xxi. years, for the two causes before mentioned, and in the mean season, so abhorred, so hated, and so detested as no man durst scars once name him, whom the queens majesty now hath restored to his blood, and to the honour of his house. And the third is my lord the Bishop of winchester Lord●… chancellor of England, against whom, from time to time such sharp snares have been laid, and such ordinance leveled, for that he favoured, and would have had to his power defended the most holy Catholic faith that it is a wonder how he, hathescaped, and specially at his late being in London tour. But such are the works of GOD the author of all goodness, who always when it pleaseth him plucketh down and deposeth the proud and high minded, and defendeth and exalteth the humble, & low of Spirit. So that now all Christ ndom as well as England, doth confess that these forenamed three per sons have been thus, through the providence of god most hap ply defended, preserved, and kept from their enemy's hands, above the expectation and judgement of all men, for the restoring of England again to the unity of Christ's religion. Which (no doubt it is) shallbe to the glory of God, the wealth of England, & to the perpetual peace, love, and quietness of this most noble, and hole isle of britain. Other news I have none, but those news, which most joyfully rejoiceth all England, That the queens majesty is conceived with Child whom our Lord long preserve, and send her highness a gracious deliverance. And also that in Christmas holidays, the Prince of Piedmont arrived in England, and shortly after him the prince of Orange which are very princely entreated with the king and queens Magesties. And because I thought your lordship would be somewhat desirous to know the stature and shape of this noble prince the kings majesty of England that now is, whom you have not yet seen, I thought it not much amiss to describe his person by writing that your mind may conceive that which your eye hath not seen. As for the queens most excellent magesties' person whose person you have so often times seen, I shall not greatly need to depaint unto you: understand therefore, that touching his height, I can well compare The kiges' form and stature. him to john Hume my lord of jedwardes' kinsman. Of visage, he is well favoured, with a broad forehead, & grey eyes, straight nosed, and manly countenance. From the forehead to the point of his chin, his face groweth small: his pace is princely, and gate so strait and upright, as he loseth no inch of his higthe, with a yellow head, and a yellow beard. And thus to conclude, he is so well proportioned of body, arm leg and every other Limb to the same, as nature cannot work a more perfect pattern. And as I have learned, of the age of. xxviii years. Whose majesty I judge to be of a stout stomach, pregnant witted and of most ientel nature. I have also sent your lordship certain verses and adages writ ten with the hand of the Lord Henry steward, lord Dernley, your nephew, which he wrote this time twelve month: I being with him then at Temple Newsome in Yorkshire. And what praise your Lordship may think him worthy, for this his towardness in writing, being yet not fully. ix. years of age, The like praise is he worthy (surely) in his towardness in the latin tongue and the french, and in sundry other virtuous qualities: whom also, God and nature hath endued with a good wit, ientilnes, beauty and favour. So if it may please God to lend him long life, he shall prove a witty, virtuous, and an active well learned gentle man. Whose noble parents are my singular good patrons. And thustrusting that your good Lordship, of your accustomed humanity and ientilnes, will accept this my simple letter in good part, sent unto you for this new years gift, although it be rude and destitute of wit, learning and eloquence, I most humbly beseech the king of kings, and lord of lords, long to preserve and keep your Reverend Lordship in health, wealth, and fortunate felicity, with a meri and many new years. From the City of London this new years day and the first of the calendars of january. 1555. By your Reverend lordships humble orator, john Elder. ¶ The copy of the queens Magesties' letters patents. Marry by the grace of God, queen of Eng land France & Ireland. etc. To all printers of books & bokesellers, and to all other our Officers, ministers, & subjects these our letters patents hearing or seeing, greeting. Know ye that we of our especial grace and mere motion, have given and granted, and by these presents do give and grant full power, licence, authority, and privilege unto our well-beloved Subject john Waylande, Citizen and Scrivenous of London, that he and his Assigns only, and none other person or persons shall fronhensforth have authority, and liberty to print all and every such usual Primers or Manuel of prayers, by whatsoever other title the same shall or may be called, which by us, our heirs, successors, or by our clergy by our assent shallbe authorized, set forth, and devised for to be used of all our loving Subjects, throughout all our Realms, and dominions, during the full time & term of seven years next ensuing the date of these our letters patents And farther that it shall not be lawful for any manner of other person or persons of our said Subjects, to print or to procure to be imprinted, any Primers or Manuel of prayers by whatsoever title the same shall or may be called, or set forth, during the said term, nor any book, or books, which the said john Wa●…lande or his Assigns at his or their costs and charges shall first print, or set forth during the said term of seven years next ensuing the printing of the same book or books, upon pain of forfeiture, & confi●…caciō of the same Primers, Manual of prayers and books, to those of us and our successous. Wh●…rfore we will & command all you our Printers and other our subjects that ye nor any of you do presume procure, or attempt to print or setteforth any manner Primers, Manual of prayers, book or books, which the said john Waylande or his assigns shall first print during the time of this our privilege, and licence, upon pain of forfeiture and confiscation of the same Primers, Manual of prayers, and books, as aforesaid. And as ye tender our pleasure, & will avoid the contrary. In witness whereof we have caused these our letters to be made patents. witness ourself at Westminster the four and twentieth day of October, in the first year of our reign. Per breve depriuato sigillo et de data predicta. Imprinted at London in Fleetstreet at the sign of the Sun over against the Conduit by john Waylande. Cum privilegio per septenium.