ILLUSTR: HENRICUS PRINCEPS UUALLIA  
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A DISCOURSE OF The most Illustrious Prince, HENRY, Late PRINCE of WALES.  
Written Anno 1626. by Sir Charles Cornwallis, Knight, sometimes Treasurer of his highness' House.  
LONDON, Printed for John Benson, and are to be sold at his shop in Saint Dunstan's Church yard. 1641.   

TO THE HIGH AND mighty, CHARLES, PRINCE OF Great Britain, &c.  
Most gracious Prince:  
BEsides my particular zeal, there is a natural interest in this ensuing Discourse to your highness, as being the hopeful heir of this kingdom of Great Britain, and the true inheritor of your Noble uncle's virtues, (Prince Henry) as of his fortunes. The eyes of all men are upon you, in full view of those sweet graces of Nature and ingenuous disposition to goodness which all admire. If you shall be pleased to add these examples and precepts to those of your royal Father, taking them hand in hand, they will lead you in your tender years, in the fair continuance of Honour and virtue; and than his Majesty your royal Father may for many years (for which we hope and pray) be a living mirror unto you of Piety, wisdom, and justice, and all other regal endowments fit for so great a Dignity, to which you are borne.  
Glad I am that it was my chance to meet with this part of Ireasure, truly gathered by that worthy Knight, deceased Ireasurer to your highness' uncle; and great cause I have to rejoice that by this (through your gracious acceptance) I have the opportunity, humbly to tender, with this, my prayers at your highness' feet, for your long and happy prosperity.  
So prays your highness' most humbly devoted, J. B.   

A DISCOVERSE OF The life of the most Illustrious PRINCE HENRY late PRINCE of Wales.  
IN this most Illustrious PRINCE, may most cleerlybee discerned, that God's judgements are only known to himself, and his thoughts and determinations unsearchable: For having so framed and fashioned him, as his most rare parts in youth gave so many presages of his becoming to his divine Majesty, (from whom he received them) an honour and glory, to the world a wonder, and to the people of these kingdoms an exceeding happiness; yet was he pleased in the spring of his years, and of the hope had of him, to take him to himself, and to deprive the world of him, neither could of his short life (so far as the eyes of man could discern) the reasons grow either out of neglect, or want of performance of duties to God, or of obedience to his Parents, the observance of which commandment, only hath the enlarging of time upon this earth annexed unto it: for in the first, it cannot be denied but he was exceedingly observant, never failing to sacrifice unto God the first of his actions, to continue in them with all demonstration of reverence, without any diversion or distraction; to cherish such as in whom he found ability to teach, and piety to express in life the fruits of their doctrine, to resolve so far to become immutable in the Religion he professed, as long before his end with solemn protestations, he vowed that he would never join in marriage with a wife of a different faith, & had besides a determination (if longer he had lived) to have made choice of a chaplain of his own, a man in years, grave in Divinity, rarely learned, and of great discretion, experience and wisdom, by whose advice in all matters, spiritual and tending to the rectifying of his soul, he intended to have received a continual direction.  
Of the second, to speak not by hearsay, but of mine own knowledge (howsoever some moths and mice of Court in that time, not enemies to him in particular) but maligners of true virtue, and only friends to their own ambitions and desires, to possess the ears & opinions of Princes, had in that particular traduced him: So true and sincere he was both in profession, and execution of all duties and obedience, and bare so natural and filial a reverence and respect to the King his Father, as although sometimes out of his own inclination, or the incitation and encouragement of others, he repaired to the Court and moved the King in some things, either concerning the commonwealth, his own particular interest, or that of others; yet with the least word, countenance or sign given him of his majesty's disallowance, he would instantly desist from further pursuit of it, and return either with satisfaction in regard that he understood it to be disagreeing with his majesty's pleasures, or with such a resolved patience, as he neither in word nor work gave so much as any semblance of being displeased or discontented: Nay, which is more, sotruly was he affected to the pleasing and satisfying of the King his Father in all things, as some good time before his death, he made unto myself a solemn protestation, that to the end he might not in any thing ●ee either displeasing or give the least distaste unto his Majesty, he would from thenceforth utterly remove his thoughts from all affairs whatsoever, that should not particularly concern himself, his own estate, or the government of his household.  
In this discourse of that memorable Prince, I will for bear to speak of his infancy or youngest years, (although I have heard by such as did then attend him) the same did most presage his ensuing virtues. My purpose and desire is to deliver to hing but verities known to myself, not things received by tradition from others.  
In the first spring of his year of understanding, the King his father committed unto him the disposing of the Lands and Revenues assigned to him, and the government of his household; for the administration whereof, his Majesty appointed unto him certain especial Officers; in the number of whom (my self being not long before returned out of Spain, where I served the King divers years as his ambassador) was constituted Treasurer of his house.  
The place gave me occasion continually to attend him, and the especial favour that I after found with him, not only means to observe his actions, but to become particularly acquainted with the most of his thoughts.  
My first step into his favour and especial trust, grew out of that which with some other Princes would have cast me down either into perpetual disgrace, or at least into a temporary distaste and dislike, hardly recoverable; I so much admired his judicious parts in so unripe an age, and discerned in him so great a will to know, and so Noble and rare a disposition to give ear to advertisements, as out of the duty of my place, and extraordinary affection to himself, taking hold of some fit occasion and opportunity, I adventured to make proof whether he would endure advice or advertisement reprehensive.  
Young Princes left to their own wills, and great men that are set upon the highest stage of worldly greatness, and lulled in the lap of fortune, do rarely endure a reproving voice, especially from those of a lower form.  
I take the occasion from a then general supposal, or at least, suspicion of a little too much straightness of his hand in rewarding and of some errors in his actions, but did so tenderly tread upon those grounds, and with so retiring a foot, as occasioned a discovery from himself of desire to receive and have a full sight of them, before I pulled off the mask wherewith I had covered them.  
In conclusion, I delivered them in substance plainly, but in words soft and respective, (as to such a Prince became me) Kings and Princes being to be treated with, with words of silk not of iron.  
To the first, he gave answers satisfactorily.  
To the other, excusively.  
But what were the fruits succeeding to his ever enduring honour, Truth enforceth me to publish, that I ever after in mine own particular, found myself exceedingly engreated in his favour, and that those few things that were erred became reformed.  
To this so rare a disposition, which being by a Prince entertained, cannot but make him both scient of the Offices appertaining to his high estate, and in time also, as good as great, which in one borne to govern, of all things is the most desirable, is to be added another virtue in one of regal power, as valuble, and not much less necessary: So very close he was and faithful a keeper of whatsoever secret was disclosed unto him, as it was never known to any, that ever he discovered any one word in that kind delivered unto him.  
Apt he was to hear and desirous to receive advertisements and advices, by any in whom he discerned knowledge gained by learning, or abilities won out of time, and experience to give them, neither did he take them in Transitu: As in the old Testament they celebrated the Passeover, nor as a man receiveth his cloak to put about him, not within him; but gave both time to the deliverers to relate them, and leisure to himself to consider and digest them.  
Counsels are to be chewed not swallowed, he would therefore unrip every seam of them by interrogations used by himself, and receive reasons and resolutions by those that offered them, until by mature debate and consultation, (which are the true foils that give clearness and assuredness to counsels) he had both perfected and made them solid and fit for his use whensoever occasion should be offered.  
In the government of his household in years so very young, he gave examples imitable to all other Princes.  
His family was ample, as that which consisted of few less than five hundred, many of them young Gentlemen, borne to great fortunes, in the prime of their years when their passions and appetites were most strong, and their powers and experiences to temper and subject them to reason most weak, his judgement, his grave and Princely aspect, gave temper to them all, his very eye served for a commandment, and more and better service have I noted to be done by the very looks of him, then by sharp reprehensions of some other Princes: If any questions or quarrels were moved amongst his servants, he would give a stop and stay to them, at the very beginning by referring them to some such of his principal Officers, as he thought to be most scient in matters of that nature, and best did know to give just compensation to the enured, and reproof to them that should be found to have offered the wrong; so as in so numerous a family there was not so much as any blows given, or any countenance of quarrel or debate between any.  
Plenty and magnificence were the things that in his house he especially affected, but not without such a temper as might agree with the rules of frugality and moderation; he caused to be set down in writing unto him the several heads of all his annual charges, the ordinary expense of his house and his stables, the charge of his apparel and wardrobe, his rewards and all such other things, as yearly were to be issued out of his coffers, and comparing them with his annual revenue, did so judiciously fashion and proportion them by shortening what he found superfluous, and increasing what was wanting and too short in any of them, as he reduced them to a certainty, and such as his revenues would well defray, besides a yearly spare of some thousands of pounds which he reserved for a store or treasure to be ready for all events and occasions accidental.  
By giving of which so good and solid foundation and order unto his state, he delivered himself from all necessity of becoming rigid or strait to his Tenants, either by any unmeasurable improving their farms or their Fines, or seeking or taking advantage of any their forfeitures, and became also unnecessited to take the benefit that both law and right afforded unto him, of such as had in time of former Princes purchased lands appertaining to his duchy of Cornwall, which could not by Law be alienated from the same, to whom out of his Princely bounty and gracious compassion, upon resuming of them, he gave some reasonable satisfaction.  
The banquets and feasts that any time he made, his desire was, should be magnificient and agreeing with his Princely dignity, yet not without an especial eye and care had that nothing should be spent in disorder, or the charge made greater through the want of providence, or well managing by his officers; in those he ever affected the demonstration of a Princely greatness, and that all things should pass with decency and decorum, and without all rudeness, noise or disorder.  
In any thing either committed or permitted unto him by the King his Father, concerning the State and defence of the kingdom, exceeding willing, sedulous and careful he ever showed himself, to perform all offices and duties understandingly, and with much circumspection.  

His highness during his abode in that place, lay at Mr. legates house, than clerk of the Chequer.  He was once sent by his Majesty to take view of the Navy at Chatham, whither myself waited upon him and observed how great his desire was not only to see with his own eyes every particular Ship, but to enable himself by conference and consultation with the best experienced of his majesty's Officers of the Navy, in the fashion and fabricature of the Ships, to understand their strengths and the form of their sailing, to take knowledge of such as were then perfited and fitted for present service, and which defective, and in what several parts, to the end there might instantly be order given for the repairing of them; he also very particularly informed himself of their several equipages and furnitures, went in person to take an exact view of them and of his majesty's store for that purpose, and would not be satisfied without understanding the special uses of every of those things, and of all other that tended to make them serviceable and useful, what further in years more ripe was in naval affairs, wherein consisted the principal strength, honour and advantage of this kingdom, to be expected of him, may easily be discerned by his will, his diligence, his understanding and Princely courage, showed upon occasion of discourse, delivered unto him by a servant of his own, concerning a naval war with Spain, whensoever that King shall give cause of a public hostility.  
To publish particulars agrees not with the rules of State, but two especial things being propounded, which were the preparation of a Navy, consisting of a certain number of Ships to be sent into the West Indies, and another to attend the coasts of Spain to prohibit all entry or issue of Ships either into or out of the same.  
Admirable it was in one of years so young, to hear what interrogations he used of every particularity of that design, of the feasibleness and of the difficulties of every branch of it, how he insisted upon every doubt, until by the best experienced & practised both in Sea services & in Navigation, with reasons and demonstrations he became fully satisfied, & that done, how narrowly & nearly he searched into every knot, both of the honour and utility, and of the danger & charge that an attempt of that nature would draw with it, & ceased not until he understood every particular of the same, and especially the yearly charge which that whole expedition would amount unto; which having found so very reasonable, and the hopes so great, and all doubts so well resolved, to show the valour of his own heart, he openly protested to such as were present, that should the King his Father be pleased upon any future occasion to break with Spain, himself (if so it should agree with his majesty's pleasure) would in person become the executor of that Noble attempt for the West Indies.  
In persons private it may suffice to be Religious, honest and just within themselves.  
To Princes and men constituted in high places, it behooveth to be also givers of good example to others.  
Inferiors and Subjects cast their eyes more upon what Princes do, than upon what they command, their examples with them are of more force than any Law of letters.  
This became to this Prince so great a motive, as he thought not fit to lose any hours of the life that upon this earth were appointed unto him, but so to bestow them, as they might not only become profitable to himself, but imitable and exemplary to others  
He so distributed the day by dividing his hours into the service of God, to the apting himself to the office he was borne unto, both in government civil and Military, and to necessary exercises and recreations, as no part of it could be said to be in vain bestowed; to enable his knowledge in government civil, he read Histories, the knowledge of things passed conducing much to resolution in things preseat, and to prevention of those to come.  
In the military, he added thereunto the mathematics study of Cosmography, and had one that instructed him in the matter and form of fortifications.  
For practice, he used in a manner daily to ride and manage great horses, with which he had his stables most excellently furnished, oft-times to run at the Ring and sometimes at Tilt, both which he so well and dexterously performed, and with so great a comeliness, as in those his first years, he became second to no Prince in Christendom, and to many that practised with him much superior.  
His other exercises were dancing, leaping, and in times of year fit for it learning to swim, at sometimes walking fast and far, to accustom and enable himself to make a long march when time should require it; but most of all at Tennis play, wherein, to speak the truth, which in all things I especially affect, he neither observed moderation, nor what appertained to his dignity and person, continuing oft-times his play for the space of three or four hours, and the same in his shirt, rather becoming an Artisan than a Prince, who in things of that nature are only to affect comeliness, or rather a kind of carelessness in show, to make their activities seem the more natural, than a laborious and toiling industry.  
Of this and of his diet, wherein he showed too much inclination to excessive eating of fruits, he was as in all other things content to hear advice, but in these two particulars not to follow it.  
To other play or gaming, he showed himself not much inclined, yet would sometimes play at Obesse at Biliors and at Cards, but so very Nobly and like himself, as plainly showed his use of it to be only for recreation, not for appetite of gain; for whether he won or lost, his countenance was ever the same, and for the most part, greater appearance of mirth in him when he was in loss, than when he won, thereby plainly demonstrating both his judgement in adventuring no more than what he made no regard of if he lost it: and his Princely magnanimity and temper in suffering no passion or alteration to take hold of him through any crossness of Cards or chance.  
In some young Gentlemen whom he affected, he seemed to mislike too much disposition to play, and did not only disadvise them from it, but gave unto some of them matter of value to become bound to leave the use of it; for pleasure he took them all as it were in passage without semblance, either to desire them, or at least to have a will to dwell in them.  
The pleasure of the flesh, especially which is most incident to young years, and by Princes rarely avoidable, whose fancies and affections, are commonly as vehement as their persons and powers are great; and therefore most like to fall themselves, and give occasion of falling to others, although some in those times, there were that taking measure of him by the yard wand of their own unbridled appetities, were pleased otherwise to conceive and report of him, yet myself having been present at great feasts made in his house, whereunto he invited the most beautiful and specious Ladies of the Court and City, could neither then discover by his behaviour, his eyes or his countenance, any show of singular or especial fancy to any, or at any other time such looseness either in words or action, as whereupon in justice or reason to ground any such opinion of him.  
But rather thus with truth and assuredness to determine, that were he not himself chaste in his inward thoughts, yet did he with so incomparable judgement and temper cover them, as to just and judicious eyes they gave no true occasion to suspect him.  
It is true, that to take a wife though he showed no vehement desire, yet he demonstrated a good inclination.  
Marriages were propounded and offered for him in Spain, in the time that myself there served, who had from the King his Father commission to treat it, but finding that the overture there, grew rather out of a desire to win time to advance their own designs, than with true intention to perform it, in regard of the difference of Religion, I for my part gave end to that negotiation in a manner so soon as I began it.  
After my return from thence and entry into his highness' service, like motions were made both by Florence and Savoy: But those not conforming with what in alliances with Princes of his greatness, either in increase or equality of Honour or Utility, or for strength and surety of estate was especially to be regarded.  
That of Spain was upon a new overture, made by the ambassador of the King there, again entertained and committed by his Majesty here, to be treated of by his ambassador, who in that Court succeeded me.  
But after some protractions used there, it was upon the first opening, found to have come too late, that Princess for whom the Treaty was intended, being the eldest daughter of that King, and the only who in years was fit for him, being formerly promised to the French King that now is.  
Lastly, there grew a proposition for a daughter of France, wherein his highness having as in duty it became him, submitted and reserved himself to the King his Father, the same was not proceeded in, to any effect.  
In this Noble Prince was to be observed a singular integrity and clearness of thoughts; he had a true Kingly disposition, and so far from being induced to piece up the skin of the Lion, with that of the Fox, as above all things he hated flattery and dissimulation.  
A Noble man in those times, in the highest favour with the King his Father, wrote unto him by the especial commandment of his Majesty, a letter wherein he recommended unto him a matter of very great consequence to be instantly answered unto, and in his subscription used these words, Yours before all the world.  
This answer his highness committed unto me, who having written it, did also set down some words of favour to the Noble man to precede his highness' Signature; the letter itself he read, and having considered it, allowed it wholly without alteration.  
Only in regard of the words of subscription, notwithstanding the great haste that he made of the dispatch, he commanded me, it should be new written and those left out, and notwithstanding all the reasons that I used to the contrary, would by no means be persuaded to suffer it so to pass, saying, that he to whom he wrote had untruly and unfaithfully dealt with him, and that his hand should never affirm that his heart thought not.  
This Prince as he was no coverer of his thoughts where he had just cause of dislike, so would he also to those he trusted, he acknown of his love to such as he affected.  
Of the titular Nobility of this kingdom upon occasion offered, he would express himself best to love and esteem such as were most anciently descended, and most nobly and honestly disposed, when sometimes also he would not forbear by name to particulate.  
His highness' brother our now sovereign than Duke of York, and his sister since that time Queen of Bohemia he entirely loved; yet must I confess at sometimes by a kind of rough play and dalliance with the one, and a semblance of contradicting the other, in what he discerned her to desire, he took a pleasure in giving both to the one and the other, some cause in those their so tender years to make proof of their patiences.  
To say the truth, such were both those excellent Princes, their own rare parts and most sweet dispositions, as had there been none other attractive of blood or nature would to them have enforced his love and best affection.  
He gave also in the administration & government of his own particular estate, much presage of what he would have become if he had lived to possess the diadem.  
At such times as he attended the King his father to houses of remove, or in progress, he would not endure that carriages or provisions, should be taken for him without full contentment given to the parties.  
In removes to his own houses in like manner.  
Nay so careful he was that none by him, or any of his train should be either prejudiced or annoyed; as whensoever he went a hawking, before harvest ended, he would take care that none should pass through the corn, and to give them example, would himself ride rather a furlong about, truly and judiciously conceiving that to Princes there is no surer fortress than that of hearts, and that those once had and settled, the rest of what they possess is at their commandment.  
Of his disposition to justice, he gave also upon all occasions much proof and demonstration.  
He would never either condemn or censure any man unheard or undefended, retaining in his memory that notable example given to Princes by God himself, whose divine knowledge both of works and thoughts, needing no informers; yet after Adam's fall, would neither censure him nor his Eve without hearing what either of them could say in their own defence.  
This I could demonstrate by divers particulars, as also of his being misericordious after offence acknowledged, should not a long discourse seem unproportionable to so short a life.  
It is true, that he was of an high mind, and knew well how to keep his distance, which indeed he did to all, neither admitting a near or full approach either to his power or his secrets.  
He oft-times protested that neither fantasy nor flattery should move him to confer upon any a superlative place in his favour, but would to the uttermost of his understanding, measure unto all according to the merit of their services, as holding it not just to yield unto affections, or rather second respects, that which is only due to virtue and deservings.  
That remunerative he was of services, and considerative of those that deserved and an needed.  
A most memorable and imitable example he gave before his death, having to divers of his servants, who longest had served, and in whom he noted want, given by several Patents sent unto them, Pensions during life, to the value of eleven or twelve hundred pounds by year, and that without all mediation and entreaty by others, and at a time when themselves did least expect it.  
To conclude of this Prince, did he not all things well? The fault is rather to be imputed to those that in years so unripe, by their advice should have assisted him and lined out his ways, than to any want of will or Religious and Princely disposition in himself.  
He was of a comely personage, of indifferent stature, well and straight limned, and strongly proportioned, his countenance and aspect inclining in those his young years to gravity and show of Majesty.  
His judgement so far beyond what his age could promise, as it was truly admirable.  
His speech slow and somewhat impedimented, rather as I conceive, by custom and a long imitation of some that did first instruct him, then by any defect in nature, as appeared by much amendment of the same.  
After that he had been advised to a more often exercise of it, by using at home amongst his own servants, first short discourses, and after longer as he should find himself enabled.  
Yet would he oft-times say of himself that he had the most unserviceable tongue of any man living.  
Towards the latter part of his time, so well became foreign Princes by their ambassadors informed of his rare parts, as the adverse to this kingdom began to fear and redoubt him, and the well affected and confederated to love and entertain great hopes of him.  
But God seeing it good to bestow another crown upon him, excelling all that on earth was to be had or hoped.  
After some five days' sickness endured with patience, and as often recognition of his faith, his hopes and his appeals to God's mercy, as his infirmity which afflicted him altogether in his head would possibly permit.  
He yielded up the Ghost at Saint James next Westminster, and was interred at Westminster, where his body now resteth.  
I wish it were in my power to raise such a monument unto his fame, as might eternise it unto all posterities.  
FINIS.