RICHARDUS two ANGLIAE ET FRANCIAE REX, DOMINUS HIBERNIAE, et   
The true portraiture of Richard the 2. King of England, and France, Lord of Ireland▪ and Prince of Chester he reigned 22 years, was deposed and murdered at Pomfraict Cast: at the age of 33 years. Buried first at Langley▪ and 14 years after by K Henry the ●th 〈◊〉 to Westminster, and their was honourably interred.   

A true RELATION OF THAT MEMORABLE PARLIAMENT, which wrought Wonders.  
Begun at Westminster, in the tenth year of the reign of K. RICHARD the second.  
Whereunto is added an Abstract of those Memorable matters, before and since the said Kings reign, done by Parliaments.  
TOGETHER With a Character of the said amiable, but unhappy King, and a brief Story of his Life and lamentable Death.  
Printed in the year, 1641.   

AN HISTOIRCAL NARRATION of that Memorable Parliament, begun at Westminster, 1386, in the tenth year of the reign of King RICHARD the Second.  
THis present occasion so opportunely be fitting me, I am resolved to treat of that which hath been omitted, and slipped out of memory long since, concerning divers and sundry changes and alterations in England, in former times: Nor will it be any way burdensome to write of that, whereby every good and careful Reader may learn to avoid diversities of miseries, and the danger and fear of cruel death. I will therefore speak of that which hath lain hid in the darksome shade of forgetfulness, concerning men who have been led away by the deceitful path of covetousness, and have come to a most shameful and ignominious death: a famous example, to deter all men from practising those or the like courses.  
ABout the year of Christ, 1386, at such time as Richard, the second of that name, then in prime of his youth, swayed the imperial sceptre of our realm, there flourished famous in his Court certain peers, though some of them not of any honourable descent, yet favoured by fortune; by name, Alexander Nevil, Archbishop of York; Robert Vere, D. of Ireland; Michael de la Pool, Earl of Suffolk, than Lord chancellor; Robert Tresilian, Lord chief Justice of England; and Nicholas Brambre, sometimes Major of London.  
These men being raised from mean estates by the special favour of the King, and advanced to the degree of privy Counsellors, were the men who had the only rule of the commonwealth which they, under the King, governed for some small space with careful diligence, meriting thereby deserved commendations. But not long did they thus steer the Ship of the kingdom; for many of them being of inferior rank by birth, not having their veins dignified with the streams of noble blood, they were the sooner enticed with the libidinous baits of voluptuousness, and infected with insatiable itch of avarice: insomuch, that despising the authority of the King, and neglecting the commodity of the realm, but only desiring to keep up the revennes of the kingdom, so wrought, that by their policy the King is impoverished, the Treasure exhausted; the Commons murmur at the multiplicity of Tenths, Levies, and Subsidies; the peers repine to see themselves disgraced, and their inferiors honoured; and in a word, the whole kingdom endures an universal misery.  
The nobility seeing the miserable estate wherein the kingdom lay, bleeding as it were to death, urged their King to summon a Parliament; which was done shortly after. In which amongst many other acts, the afore-named Michael de la Poole is dismissed of his chancellorship; and being accused of divers and many points of injustice, as bribery, Extortion and the like, he was soon after cast into the Castle of Windsor, and all his Lands, which were of no small Revenue, were confiscated to the King. Neither did the Parliament here give over, but provided further for the whole state; by the mutual consent of the King and Prelates, Barons, and Commons, with an unanimous conjunction, they constitute and give plenary and absolute power to certain Commissioners, as well of the Spiritualty as of the Temporalty; for the ordering and disposing of the public affairs, according as shall seem best and most necessary for the desperate estate of the Commonwealth to depress civil dissensions, and to pacify and appease the grudgings of the people.  
Of the Spiritualty, were chosen the Arch Bishop of Canterbury, the afore-named Bishop of York, the Bishop of Ely, lately made chancellor of England, the Bishop of Winchester, Bishop of Hereford, Lord Treasurer; Bishop of Exeter, Abbot of Waleham, and the Lord John of Waltham.  
Of the laity were elected the Duke of York, the Earl of Arundel, the Lord Coltham, the Lord Scroop, and John Devoureux Knight: these, as men eminent in virtue, were chosen by the general Suffrage, and sworn to carry themselves as dutiful and obedient subjects in all their actions. And it was further enacted, That if any should refuse or disobey the Ordinances so made for public good, the punishment of his first offence, should be the confiscation of his goods; and for the second, the loss of life. Thus disposing all things for the best, the Parliament being dissolved, every man returned to his own house.  
Soon after, the afore-named chancellor, with others of their Confederates, being moved with implacable fury against the Statute of the late Parliament, they buzzed into the King's ears, That the Statutes lately enacted, were very prejudicial to the honour of his crown, and much derogatory to his Princely Prerogative: insomuch, that he should not have power, without the consent of the new appointed Commissioners, to do any thing befitting a King, no, not so much as to bestow a Largesse; a principal means to gain the people's love upon any, though never so well deserving.  
By these and other the like impious instigations, with which the Devil (as never unmindful of the end of those, who by their lives do prove themselves) did continually supply them, they practised to annihilate and disannul these Acts of the Parliament, which seemed any ways to abbreviate or curb their usurped authority.  
And first, by their serpentine tongues, ambitious projects, flattery painted out with glozing discourses, and covered over with the shadow of vigilancy for the good of the kingdom, they so bewitched the Noble inclination of the youthful King, whom they induced to believe, that all the ill they did was a general good; that he began to distaste, and at last to abhor the last passed Acts, as treacherous Plots and most wicked Devices.  
Next, they studied how to engross all or the most part of the Wealth and Riches of the kingdom into their own Coffers; and to the same end, dealt so cunningly, yet pleasingly, with the King, that he gave to the D. of Ireland, John of Bloys, the heir of the duchy of Britain, and his ransom; to others, towns; to others, Cities; to others, Lands; to others, money, amounting to the sum of 100000 Marks, to the great impoverishment both of King and kingdom: Neither did these King-eaters and Realme-devourers any thing regard it, but setting unskilful and insufficient captains and governors over towns and Forts so obtained, gave occasion to the Enemies of the crown to surprise them, and dispossess the King of them.  
Thirdly, vilifying the dignity of the King, contrary to their allegiance, they drew the King to swear, That with all his power, during his life, he should maintain and defend them from all their Enemies, whether foreign or domestic.  
Fourthly, whereas it was enacted by the last Parliament, That the King at certain seasonable times, and when his leisure would permit him, should sit at Westminster, with his council there, to consult of the public affairs; through the persuasions of the aforesaid Conspirators, he was drawn into the most remotest parts of the realm, to the great disparagement of the fidelity of those Honourable, grave, and faithful peers, late made joint Commissioners, in whose hands the whole safety and prosperity of the commonwealth did reside.  
And when as the Lord Chancellor, the Lord Treasurer, Keeper of the privy seal, or any other of the privy council, came to relate any of their own actions, or the state of the realm, they could not be granted access, unless they related the business in the presence and hearing of the Conspirators, who were always ready to upbraid them if they uttered any thing that displeased them, and to commend them for any thing (though most nefarious) that did content them, for thus could they the sooner learn and dive into the acts of the Commissioners, and the better find evasions for their accusations: Furthermore, when as the King in company of the Conspirators went in progress towards the parts of Cheshire, Wales, and Lancashire, they made Proclamation in the King's Name throughout the Shires as they journyed, That all Barons, Knights, Esquires, with the greatest part of the Commonalty able to bear arms, should speedily repair to the King for his defence against the power of the Commissioners, chiefly of the Duke of Gloucester, and the Earl of Arundel, because they above the rest, did with their chiefest endeavours, study to suppress and quell the devices of the Conspirators.  
Fifthly, contrary to the aforesaid Acts, they caused the D. of Ireland to be created chief Justice of Chester, thereby selling Justice as they listed, condemning the guiltless, and remitting the guilty, never respecting or looking unto the equal balance of Justice, but poising down the Scales with heaps of Bribery.  
Sixthly, by the procurement of the Confederates, they caused certain honest persons, who would not consent to their extortions, to be called and summoned to their Court, and there to answer to certain false accusations, wherewith they were unjustly charged by perjured hirelings; of which men so accused, some were put to death, some cast into prison, all were vexed and troubled with delays, length of their journey to and fro, and excessive charges; neither were they eased of any of these burdens, unless they would part with round sums of money to the D. and his Complices.  
Seventhly, they gave pardons under the broad Scale, to Felons, murderers, and such like, only with this condition, that they should murder any whomsoever they thought did mislike their Exaction.  
Eightly, they taught the Country of Ireland to look to its pristine estate, I mean, of having a King; for they plotted to have the Duke created King of Ireland: and for the confirmation of which their designed, they allured the King to send his Letters to the Pope.  
Ninthly, the aforesaid Nicholas Brambre, in the time of his mayoralty, caused two and twenty to be falsely accused of Felonies, and laid into Newgate, under pretext and colour of divers Crimes, and in the silent and dead time of the night to be fast bound, and by a strong hand to be carried into Kent, to a place commonly called Fawlocks, and then to have their heads struck off, except one, who being favoured by the murderers, safely escaped; the blood of the rest died the streams of a small Rivelet adjoining.  
Tenthly, soon after, to add one mischief to another, they sent Letters under the King's Signet, to the Maior of London, by John Rippon clerk, with a certain libel or Schedule enclosed in the said Letters, the tenor of which is as followeth.  
That the afore-named three Commissioners, viz. the Duke of Gloucester, the Earls of Arundel and Warwick, and other of the council, were to be arrested, indicted, condemned, & put to lamentable death, as being such as had conspired against the King, against his Prerogative, and against his crown and imperial Dignity; and to this, they did in a manner constrain the King to assent unto. Upon receipt of these Letters, the Major and Aldermen of the City of London, called a Common council, wherein they consulted what course were best to be taken in this matter; and after long debate pro & con, it was on all sides agreed, to deny and not to suffer that cruel and unheard of tragical Complot to be executed.  
It ever happeneth one wicked Act draws on a second, and that second a third, and so forwards, till the weight cracks the Supporter.  
Therefore the said conspirators being blinded with rashness, principally sent Letters by John Godfrey knight to the King of France, the King's adversary, to conclude a five years' Truce, should come over to Calais, and from thence should send for the Duke of Gloucester, the Earls of Arundel and Warwick, and for some other of the Commissioners, as though the King were unwilling to determine of any thing without their advice; and being thus circumvented, should be condemned as Traitors, and so put to an ignominious and cruel death.  
And for the doing and performing of these things, the King of France was to recover all the Castles, towns, and Lands lying in these countries, and belonging to the King of England: To prove these things to be true, there were certain Writings produced by the Commissioners, wherein were contained Letters from the King of France to the King of England, and from the Conspirators in the King of England's Name, to the King of France.  
Moreover, there were other Letters intercepted directed to the said King of France; the substance whereof, was to incite the King of France to levy a puissant power both horse and foot, and to draw them down to Boulogne, and thence to transport them into England, against the Duke of Gloucester, the Earls of Arundel and Warwick, and the rest of the Commissioners, and all those that did either countenance or favour the said Statute and Commissioners; which as they falsely alleged, was made in derogation of the King's Prerogative, and the aforesaid Commissioners to vanquish, oppress, and put to death, and consequently, the whole Nation and Language utterly to ruin.  
Not here concluding their devilish Conspiracy, the five aforesaid conspirators departed from Westminster to the Castle of Nottingham, and sent a writ for Robert Beale, Lord chief Justice of the Common Pleas, John Holt, Roger Fulthorp, and William Burleigh, Judges of the said court, and for John Locton, the King's Sergeant at Law: who being come into the council Chamber, not knowing what they were sent for, the aforesaid Conspirators caused the Gates and doors of the Castle to be shut, and then propounded these Questions following unto them.  
First Whether those Statutes, Ordinances, and Commission made in the late Parliament at Westminster, were derogatory to the King's Dignity and Kingly prerogative; and because they were to be punished who did procure those Constitutions, and did incite and move the King to consent unto them, & did as much as in them lay to hinder the King from exercising his royal Prerogative.  
To these and other the like questions, with a joint consent they answered, That they were to suffer death as Traitors, or else to endure some capital punishment: in witness of which assertion, being terrified with the fear of present death, the aforesaid Judges, together with John Carey, Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer, they signed and sealed a certain Writing, in manner of a protestation, in presence of these Witnesses, Alex. Nevil, Archbishop of York, Archbishop Bangor, Robert Duke of Ireland, Michael Earl of Suffolk, John Rippon Clerk, and John Blake Fruiterer; dated the 19 of September, Anno Dom. 1387, in the 11 year of the reign of K. Richard the Second. Then were they compelled to swear, that they should keep the passages undiscovered, upon pain of death; and so they had licence to depart. And when they had plotted those and many other devilish Conspiracies, they bound themselves by an Oath, to try all ways and use all means, as far forth as lay in their power, to disannul and utterly abrogate the Acts and Statutes of the last Parliament.  
And that which is worse, they caused the King to swear, That in his proper person with his whole power he should take revenge of the Duke of Gloucester, of the two Earls and their adherents, by causing them to be put to death.  
The carriage of all which Actions may more easily be known, if the time and the order of them be duly considered.  
But our merciful and ever-gracious God, although there were so many Plots, so many Conspiracies, so many Treasons wrought against our State, whereby many miseries did accrue to our kingdom; yet unwilling to take revenge, or to punish us for our sins, but rather according to his gracious pity, to ease us of our burdenous calamity; inspired into the hearts of the aforesaid Duke of Gloucester, the Earls of Arundel and Warwick, the spirit of valour and magnanimity: who seeing the heap of ills that daily did arise by the practices of those Conspirators; they set almost in every part of the kingdom Intelligencers, who should apprehend all Messengers, and intercept all Letters of the kings, or that went under the King's Name, and should send them to the Commissioners.  
And thus did they come to have intelligence of the whole plot of the Conspirators; all their Letters being endorsed with Glory be to God on high, on Earth peace, and good will towards men: and by coming to the knowledge of each circumstance, they found, that the kingdom was at the point of destruction; according to that Evangelical saying, Every kingdom divided against itself, shall be dissolved: wherefore they sought for a Remedy; for by the Law of Nature, it is tolerable to repel violence by violence: sithence it is better to prevent them to apply a Remedy to a wound, every man according to his ability levied a power for the preservation of the king and kingdom; all which Forces being united, amounting to the number of 20000 fighting men, and courageously resolving to frustrate all the intended designs of the Conspirators, & to open the Nut by cracking the Shell; they divided their Army, committing part of it to the Earl of Arundel: who by night marched away with his Forces, and pitched his Tents near to London, there fortifying himself in the forest adjoining, until such time as he had gained more convenient time and greater force, by the coming of his Consorts: And in the mean time he used such discipline in his camp, that he lacked nothing, but all things were there sold at reasonable rates, as it had been at a Market; and hardly could he contain the common people for joining with him, for the overthrow of the Conspirators and their adherents.  
On the other side, the Conspirators intending to prevent their purposes, by power of a certain spiritual Commission, and by virtue of certain Letters Patents in the hands of the Conspirators, though nothing to the purpose; yet to blind the people, they caused to be proclaimed throughout the whole city of London, That none upon pain of the forfeiture of all their Goods, should neither sell, give, or communicate privately or publicly victual, Armour, or any other necessaries to the Army of the Earl of Arundel, but should debar them of sustentation, comfort, or help, as Rebels to the King and Country. But on the other side, they began to fear when they were denied their hoped for Aid by the Major and Commonalty of the city of London; and again, they were troubled at the rising of the Commoners, to invade them. Wherefore they counselled the King to absent himself from the Parliament (which was to begin at Candlemas next, according as the King and Commissioners had appointed it) and not consult of the Affairs of the Kingdom, nor of his own Estate, commodity or discommodity, unless the Duke of Gloucester, the two Earls of Arundel and Warwick, with the rest of the Commissioners, would swear, That neither they, nor any in their name, should accuse them or urge any accusation against them.  
And they caused it to be proclaimed through the City of London, That none under pain of confiscation of all their goods, should speak any upbraiding speeches concerning the King or the conspirators; which was a thing impossible to hinder.  
Not long after it happened, that the King, with the aforesaid five conspirators, came from his manor of Sheeve to Westminster, to Saint edmond's tomb, for the solemnising of a Pilgrimage. The Maior and Aldermen of the city of London met him on horseback sumptuously attired, honouring him very much. And when they came to the Mews, they descended from their Horses, and went barefoot to the tomb of Saint Edmond; whereas the Chaplain of the Commissioners, with the Abbot and Covent, met them with a stately Procession.  
In the mean time the three Noblemen, viz. the Duke of Gloucester, and the Earls of Arundel and Warwick having mustered their troops on the fourteenth of November, in the same year, at Waltham cross, in the County of Hertford, and from thence sent for the Commissioners that were there at Westminster in Parliament with the King, sending an Accusation in writing to the King against the aforesaid Conspirators, viz. the Archbishop of York, Duke of Ireland, Earl of Suffolk, Robert Tresilian, and Nicholas Brembre; wherein they accused them of high Treason: Which their Appellation they did offer to maintain, and that they were willing to prosecute the same; and to prove it to be true, they caused also the rest of the Commissioners to subscribe, as parties to their Appellation.  
When these things came to the ears of the King, he sent unto them, requiring to know what their request was, and what they wished to have been done: They returned answer thus; That they did desire, that the traitors which were always about him, filling his ears with false reports, and did daily commit insufferable Crimes and Injuries, might be rewarded with condign punishment; for it were better that some few should die for the people, than the whole Nation should perish.  
And they likewise craved, that they might have safe liberty of going and coming to his Grace.  
When the King heard their Request, he gave them his royal consent, and commanded them to appear at Westminster; and the King sitting on his Throne in the great Hall, the three aforesaid peers Appellants, with a gallant Troup of Gentlemen entered, and making three lowly obeisances on their bended knees, they reverenced the King: and drawing near (the cause of their coming being alleged) they there again appealed the Archbishop, Duke of Ireland, Earl Treasurer, and Brambre of high Treason, according as they had done before at Waltham cross; but they betaked themselves to the private corners of the Palace, even as Adam and Eve from the presence of God, not having the heart to appear, to justify themselves.  
The King called forth the Appellants, to prove and prosecute the Appellation, prescribing them a day and place for the trial, which was to be on the morrow after Candlemas day; and in the mean time, the King commanded them upon their Honours, not any party to molest the other, until the next Parliament.  
Those things thus passed, were publicly proclaimed throughout all England, and they departed joyfully.  
The Duke of Ireland, under the guide of his Grand Captain the devil, marching into Cheshire, Lancashire, and Wales, raised a new power, amounting to the number of 6000 fighting men, in the King's name, to overthrow and confound the Appellants; from thence marched towards London with his army, with a furious intent and resolution to perform his bloody design. But God beholding their foolish hearts, filled them with vain hopes, that they should accomplish their enterprises. And whilst these Plots were laid, the Appellants being suddenly advertised thereof, raised a power, and joining with them the Earl of Derby, and the Earl of Nottingham, and other Commissioners, marched with long and wearied Marches into a Field near a Village called Whitney, at a place called Locford Bridge: In which Field the Duke of Ireland was with the Army, having a River on the one side of them, whereas they stood ready prepared to give an overthrow to the Appellants, and displaying the King's Standard, contrary to the Laws of the Land: But although they were so valiant at the beginning, yet were they discouraged at the end; for when they saw the Army of the Appellants march down from the mountains like a Hive of Bees, and with such a violent fury, fear benumbed them, and they were so amazed, that when they should give the Assault (God not suffering the effusion of blood) they stood like a Hive of Bees, or a flock of cattle without a head, making no show or countenance of resisting; but without any stroke given, they flung down their arms, and yielded themselves to the mercy of the Appellants; and a few being slain, and some drowned in the River, gave an easy Victory to the Conquerors. The Duke of Ireland himself putting spurs to his Horse, took the River, and hardly escaped; and though he was pursued, yet he escaped through the midst of the troops. And thus by the mercy of God they obtained the glorious palm of Victory from the Hand of Heaven.  
When the news of the Victory was blown to the ears of the rest of the Conspirators, who went then stricken with fear, and careful for their preservation, under covert of the night they fled by Water to the Tower, drawing the king along with them.  
On the other side, Nicholas Brambre with a bold and resolute courage, in the King's Name caused all the Gates of the City to be shut against the Appellants, and to be guarded with an able and sufficient Watch: But these worthy and dauntless Members of the commonwealth marched towards London, to confer with the king; but when they heard that the said Nicholas Brambre had caused the Gates of the City to be shut against them, and to be strongly guarded, and that the whole City did purpose to keep them out, they stayed their resolution.  
On the 27 day of September, in the same year, with a melodious sound of divers kinds of Instruments, as well of war as of Peace, they encamped themselves in Clarkenwell, within the Liberties of the city of London; not purposing on the one side, rashly or unadvisedly to enter the City, nor on the other side, to make any show of fear; but with a stayed mind (as befitting wise men) with good deliberation to conclude every thing in its due time. And when as the Major, with the Citizens, came unto them with pleasing words, promising unto them all that the City could afford, with reason and equity; the Duke of Gloucester said, Now I know, that liars speaks nothing but lies, neither can any man hinder them from the relating: Where upon, by a joint consent, in the Evening they removed their tents, and pitched them before divers Gates of the City.  
On the morrow there happened an interview between the King and the Appellants, so far, that they opened their minds one to the other: but because the king loathed to speak with them, with such a rabble of men, and in regard of an intolerable boldness, and some quarrel, which was like to arise; and on the otherside, refusing to go out of the Tower to speak with them, and the Apellants fearing some violence or wrong to be offered to them, would not speak with the King without a strong guard of valiant warriors: Therefore the most wise of the Appellants, after divers disputations had resolved to go and confer with the King: but first they sent a strong troop well armed, to search all the Corners and Caves of the Tower? and relation being made of the safety of the place, with a selected band of valiant Cavaliers they entered the Tower, and seizing the Gates, and placing a guard appeared before the King; and there the third time appealed the aforesaid Conspirators, in the same sort and form as before: which Appellation being ended, the King swore, That he would adhere to their counsel, as a good King and a just judge so far as the rule of Law, Reason and Equity did require.  
These things being accomplished, they departed from the Tower to their Tenements and Lodgings: And then it was published and made known in the presence of the King, and throughout the Dominions, That on the morrow after Candlemas day the aforesaid Conspirators should personally appear, to answer to the Appellation, whereby they were charged of so many Treasons.  
And because the Harvest was now ripe, & time convenient to cut up those pestiferous Cockles and Thistles, by the assent of the King, & consent of the said Commissioners and Appellants, they expulsed divers of the Officers of the household; viz. in the place of John Beauchamp, Steward of the household, they appointed John Devourex, Knight, one of the Commissioners; Peter Couriney, Knight, was made chamberlain, in the stead of Robert Duke of Ireland. And the aforesaid John de Beauchamp, Simon de Burleigh, vice-chamberlain, John Salisbury, Thomas Trynett, James Barats, William Ellingham, and Nicholas Nagworth, Knights; and Officers of the clergy, (viz.) Richard Metford Secretary, John Blake Deane of the chapel, John Lincoln chancellor of the Exchequer, and John Clifford clerk of the chapel were kept under arrest too, and were as partakers in the aforesaid Treason; for that they knowing and having intelligence of the said conspiracy, they did not discover them.  
Others also as Servants of the aforesaid Conspirators, and drawn in by craft, yet guiltless, were dismissed and sent away as men unprofitable, and good for no use.  
And thus this hideous brood of Monsters, so often shaken, was quite overthrown.  
And on the Vigil of the Purification of Saint Mary, in the privy Chamber at Westminster, by joint consent of all the Commissioners, the aforesaid John 〈◊〉 John Holt, Roger Fulthorp, William Burleigh, John Locton, and John Carey were displaced from their Offices, and without any further ado arrested of Treason, and by the command of the chancellor were clapped into the Tower; and Roger Carleton in the place of Belknap, Walter Clapton in the place of Tressilian, were constituted: and so for that time they departed, and went to dinner.  
And because Shrovetide was thought a fit time to punish the Delinquents, according to their deserts; therefore the great Parliament began the second of February following, in this manner.  
All the peers, as well of the Spiritualty as of the Temporalty, being assembled in the great Hall at Westminster, the King soon after came and sat down in his Throne; and after him appeared the five Noblemen Appellants, (the fame of whose admired worth echoed through all the Land) entered the House in their costly Robes, leading one another hand in hand, with an innumerable company following them; and beholding where the King sat, all at once, with submissive gestures, they reverenced the King. The Hall was so full of Spectators, that the very roofs were filled with them: and yet amongst this infinite multitude of the people, there could not be found any of the Conspirators, or of their Complices; but Brambre was taken a little before, and cast into the gaol of Gloucester.  
The clergy then placing themselves on the right hand, and the Nobility on the left hand of the King, according to the ancient custom of the High Court of Parliament; the Lord chancellor standing with his back towards the King, by the Kings command declared the cause of their Summons to the Parliament: Which being ended, the five foresaid Appellants arising, declared their Appellation by the mouth of Robert Pleasington their Speaker, who thus spoke:  
Behold, the Duke of Gloucester comes to purge himself of Treasons which are laid to his charge by the Conspirators. To whom the Lord chancellor, by the command of the King answered: My Lord Duke, the King conceiveth so honourably of you, that he cannot be induced to believe, that you, who are of affinity to him in a collateral Line, should attempt any Treason against his sacred majesty. The Duke, with his four Companions, upon their knees humbly gave thanks to the King, for his gracious opinion of their fidelity.  
Then after silence proclaimed, they arose, and delivered in certain Articles in Writing, wherein were contained the particularity of the Treason. Which said Articles were read by Godfrey Martin▪ the Clerk of the crown, standing in the midst of the Parliament House, by the space of two hours, with an audible voice. At the reading of which, there was a wonderful alteration in the House: For, whereas before the people were glad of the discovery of the Treason; at the rehearsal of it, their hearts were so overcome with grief, that they could not refrain from tears. When the Articles were read, the Appellants requested the King, that sentence of condemnation might be given against the Conspirators, and they to receive the guerdon of their deserts; which the king promised to grant. This was the first days work. The second was ended with variation of divers consultations which I will not relate in particular, but treat of the whole Parliament in general.  
And when the third day came of their proceedings against the conspirators, the Lord chancellor in the name of the clergy, in open Parliament made an Oration, showing that they could not by any means by present at the proceeding, whereas there is any censure of death to be passed. For the confirmation whereof, they delivered in a Protestation; which being read, they spoke, That neither in respect of any favour, nor for fear of any man's hate, nor in hope of any reward, they did desire to absent themselves, but only, that they were bound by the Canon, not to be present at any man's Arraignment or condemnation. They likewise sent their Protestation to the chapel of the Abbey, where the Commons sat; which was allowed of. And then, when the Appellants called for Justice against the conspirators, the Lords of the Spiritualty arose, and went into the King's chamber near adjoining.  
But the King being moved in conscience, and in charity, perceiving that in every work they are to remember the end; and being willing (contrary to the rigour of the Law) to favour rather these that were guilty than the actors in that Treason; if they were able to allege any thing in their defence, caused the process to cease: but the peers (being earnest) requested, That no business past, present, or to come, might be debated, until this Treason were adjudged; to which Petition, the king graciously granted his assent.  
On the 11 day of February, when nothing could be alleged, nor no witness produced, in justification of the conspirators, but that the definitive Sentence of condemnation must be pronounced against them; the aforesaid John Devoreux, Martial of the Court, and for that time the King's lieutenant, adjudged them this heavy doom; That the said Archbishop of York, Duke of Ireland, Earl of Suffolk, Tressilian, and Brambre, should be drawn from the Tower to Tyburn, and there to be hanged upon a Gibbet until they were dead, and all their Lands and Goods to be confiscated, that none of their posterity might be by them any way enriched.  
On the 12 day of February, which was the first day of Shrovetide, Nicholas Brambre appeared in Parliament; and being charged with the aforesaid Articles of Treason, he craved favour to advise of counsel learned, and some longer time for his more full answer to his Accusation; but yet he desired a thing neither usual, nor allowable by the Law, and required a thing which the rigour of the Law, in case of that nature, would not afford. But the Judges charged him to answer severally to every point in the Articles contained: Whereunto Brambre answered, Whosoever hath branded me with this ignominious mark, with him I am ready to fight in the Lists, to maintain my innocency, whensoever the King shall appoint. And this he spoke with such a fury, that his eyes sparkled with rage, and he breathed as if an Aetna had lay hid in his breast; choosing rather to die gloriously in the field, then disgracefully on a Gibbet.  
The Appellants hearing this courageous Challenge, with resolute countenance answered, That they would willingly accept of the Combat, and thereupon flung down their gauges before the King; and on a sudden the whole company of Lords, Knights, Esquires, and Commons flung down their gauges so thick, that they seemed like Snow in a winter's day, crying out, we also will accept of the Combat, and will prove these Articles to be true to thy head, most damnable traitor, and so they departed for that day.  
And although the Appellants were not idle in the night, yet on the next day, to aggravate their Appellation against the Conspirators, there came divers Companies of the city of London, complaining of the manifold injuries they had suffered by Brembre, and other Extortioners and Exactions wherewith they had been daily charged; and yet they protested, that they did not accuse him either for hate to his person, or for love, fear, or hope of reward from his enemies, but only they charged him with the truth.  
But before they proceed with his trial, they were stayed by most unfortunate Tressilian, who being got upon the top of an house adjoining to the Palace, and had descended into a gutter only to look about him, he was discovered by certain of the peers, who presently sent some of the Guard to apprehend him, who entering into the house where he was, and having spent long time in vain in looking for him, at length one of the Guard stepped to the Master of the house, and taking him by the shoulder with his Dagger drawn, thus said, show us where thou hast hid Tressilian, or else resolve thy days are accomplished; the Master trembled, ready to yield up the ghost, for fear answered, Yonder is the place where he lies, and shows him a round Table covered with branches of Bay, under which Tressilian lay close covered; when they had found him they drew him out by the heels, wondering to see him, as vipers use, to wear his head and beard o'er-grown, with old clouted shoes, and patched hose, more like a miserable poor beggar, than a Judge.  
When this came to the ears of the peers, the five Appellants suddenly arose up, and without expressing any reason, departed out of the Parliament House, which bred great alteration in the House, insomuch that many followed them, and when they come to the Gate of the Hall, they met the Guard leading of Tressilian bound, crying, as they came, We have him, we have him.  
Tressilian being come into the Hall, was asked what he could say for himself, why judgement should not pass upon him for his treason so often committed, he became as one that had been struck dumb, and his heart was as it were hardened to the very last, and would not confess himself guilty of any thing: And for this cause the Parliament arose, deferring brembres' trial till the next day. But Tressilian was without delay led to the Tower, that he might suffer the execution of the sentence passed against him, his wife and his children did with main tears accompany him to the Tower, but his wife was so overcome with dolour and grief, that she fell down in a swound as if she had been dead.  
Immediately Tressilian is upon a hurdle, and drawn thorough the streets of the city, with a wonderful concourse of people following him, at every furlongs end he was suffered to stand still to rest himself, and to see if he would confess and report himself of any thing, but what he said to the friar his Confessor is not known, neither am I able to search it out; when he came to the place of execution he would not climb the Ladder, until such time as being soundly beaten with bats and staves he was forced to go up, and when he was up, he said, So long as I do wear any thing upon me I shall not die, wherefore the executioner stripped him, and found certain Images painted like to the signs of Heaven, and the head of a devil painted, and the names of many of the devils wrote in Parchment; the exorcising toys being taken away, he was hanged up naked, and because the spectators should be certainly assured that he was dead, they cut his throat, and because the night approached, they let him hang until the next morning, and then his wife having obtained a licence of the King, took down his body, and carried it to the Grey-Fryers, where it was buried. On the morrow sentence was likewise pronounced against Brembre, who being drawn upon a hurdle from the Tower to Tyburn thorough the City, showed himself very penitent, humbly craving mercy and forgiveness at the hands of God and men, whom he had so grievously offended, and whom he had so injuriously wronged in time past, and did earnestly desire them all to pray for him; when the rope was about his neck ready to be turned off, a certain young man, the son of one Northampton, asked him if he had done justice to his Father or not, for Northampton was sometimes Maior of the city of London, more wealthy and more substantial than any else in the city, him did Brembre and Tresilian accuse of Treason & conspiracy against the State, and condemned him to die, being despoiled of his estate, he himself at length hardly escaped, to whom Brembre answered and confessed with bitter tears, that what he did was most vile and wicked, and with an intent only to murder and overthrow the said Northampton, for which craving pardon of the young man being suddenly turned off, and the Executioner cutting his throat, he died. Behold how pleasant and delightful it is to climb up to honour, I suppose it is better to live meanly at home with quietness amongst poor men, then to lord it amongst Princes, and in the end to climb a ladder amongst Thieves, it is even better to undergo the burden then to assume the name of honour; therefore whosoever that doth not regard the laws, let them observe and consider the end of these men, and with what period they finished their days.  
These men being dispatched, the Parliament discontinued their proceedings against the rest of the Conspirators till a more convenient time; and took into their considerations other more weighty affairs of the weal public, they made the Earl of Arundel Lord admiral, giving him authority to resist and to repulse either by Sea or Land the enemies of the crown wheresoever he should find them.  
And it was further agreed on, that for the appeasing of all private discontents (if any were) the King, and the rest of the Appellants with the rest of the commissioners should dine together in the great Hall, which they did, and there was great joy at this reconciliation through all the kingdom.  
When these things were concluded, they then began again this arraignment of the traitors, whereupon John Blake and Thomas Vske were indicted on the 4. day of March, who although they were men of inferior quality yet were they found to be parties in the said Treason; Vske was a Sergeant at arms, and was indicted amongst the Conspirators, so that b●●●● late made sheriff of Middlesex he had indicted the five Appellants and the Commissioners as traitors, and Blake was an Intelligencer of Tressilians, one that used to go and come betweeve the Conspirators, and relate the state and success of the treason from one to another.  
And when they could say nothing to prove themselves clear, sentence was pronounced upon them as their Masters were before them, they were carried to the Tower, and from thence were dragged at the Horse tail to Tyburn, and there hanged.  
But Vske obtained this favour, that his head was cut off after he was hanged and set aloft upon Newgate for fowls of the air to take repast.  
On the sixth day of March there were called to answer, Robert Belknap, John Holt, Roger Falthorp, William Burleigh, John Locton, and John Carey Baron of the Exchequer, for their conspiracy against the Commissioners at Nottingham, but because it is not needful to rehearse every part of their indictment, they were all condemned like as the rest.  
Whilst the peers were trying them, the clergy were retired into the King's Chambers, but when word was brought to them of the condemnation of the Judges, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Bishop of Winchester, the Chancellor, the Treasurer, Lord Keeper of the privy seal arose hastily and went into the Parliament house, pouring forth their complaints before the King and the peers humbly upon their knees beseeching them that for the love of God, the Virgin Mary, and of all the Saints, even as they hoped to have mercy at the day of Judgement, they should show favour and not put to death the said Judges then present, and bitterly bewailing their iniquities in whose hearts the very life, soul, and spirit of our English laws lived, flourished, and appeared, and there appeared great sorrow both on the one part of the Complainants, and also of the Defendants.  
The Duke of Gloucester likewise with the Earls of Arundel, Warwick, Nottingham, and Derby, whose hearts began to be mollified, and joined with them in their lamentable Petition.  
At length by intercession of the Clergy, the execution upon the persons was ceased, and their lives were granted them, but were sent to the Tower to be kept close prisoners.  
On the 12. of March, being thursday, it happened that the aforesaid Knights, Simon de Burleigh, John de Beauchamp, James Baroverse, and John Salisbury were brought into the Parliament house where their accusations were read, proved, they found guilty, and not any way able to clear themselves.  
From this day almost till the Ascension of our Lord, the Parliament house was only taken up with the trial of Sir Simon Burleugh, for three Appellants, viz. The Duke of Gloucester, the Earls of Arundel and Warwick, with the whole house of Commons, urged that execution might be performed according to the Law: And on the other side, the King, and Queen, the Earls of Darby, and Nottingham, and the Prior of Saint John his uncle, with the major part of the uper House, did labour to have him saved.  
But because the Commons were tired with so long delays, and excuses in the Parliament; and fearing, as it was most like, that all their pains would be to little or no purpose, they humbly craved leave of the King, to go to their habitations.  
There was also some muttering amongst the Common people, and it was reported to the Parliament, that the Commons did rise in diverse parts of the realm, but especially about Kent, in favour of the said Sir Simon Burleigh, which when they heard those, that before spoke and stood for him, now flew clean from him, and by joint consent on the fifth day of May, sentence was pronounced only against the said Sir Simon, that he should be drawn from the Tower to Tyburn; and then to be hanged till he were dead, and then to have his head struck from his body. But because he was a knight of the Garter, a gallant Courtier, powerful, and once a Favourite of the Kings, and much respected of all the Court, the King of his special Grace, was pleased to mitigate his doom, that he should only be led to Tower-hill, and there be beheaded.  
On the twelfe of May, the Thursday before Whitsontyde, in like manner were condemned, John Beauchamp Steward of the household to the King, James Bereverous, and John Salisbury knights, Gentlemen of the privy Chamber, whereof the two first, viz. John Beauchamp, and James Bereverous were beheaded on Tower-hill, but John Salisbury was drawn from Tower-hill to Tyburn, and there was hanged.  
On the same day also, was condemned the Bishop of Chichester the King's Confessor, but because of his great dignity, he was pardoned. Now they began to loathe the shedding of so much Christian blood, they took into consideration, other more weighty affairs for the good of the realm concerning the Wars with the Scots and French, concerning loans and Subsidues, and of the customs of Wine and wool.  
And also concerning the translation of some Bishops, because Pope Vrban the sixth, after it came to his ears, that the Archbishop of York was condemned, to avoid all hope of Irregularity, he created him Archbishop of Saint Andrew's in Scotland: which Archbishop was under the power of Scots, enemies to the Crown; and in the gift of the Arch-Pope: and because the Pope did challenge half the title of all England to maintain his Wars, but although he craved it, yet he was denied: therefore he dealt warily and craftily; hoping to make up his mouth, by the translation of Bishops: the Bishop of Ely, than Lord Chancellor, was made Archbishop of York, the Bishop of Dublyn succeeded in his place; the Bishop of Bathan-Wells in his place: the Bishop of Sarum in his place, and the Lord John of Waltham, Lord-keeper of the privy seal in his place: And this by his translation of Bishops, he gained himself much money, according to the laws of the Canon; and when this came to the ears of the Parliament, that such a sum of money should be transported out of the Land, they strove what they could to hinder it, but could not, because the clergy gave their consent.  
On the last day of May, the King appointed both houses to meet at Keemington, whereas they made a conclusion of all the trials of the said treason, granting licence to Thomas Trenet, William Ellingham, and Nicholas Nagworth, Knights, Richard Metford, John Slake, John Lincoln, clerks, to put in bail, provided they were sufficient, and to go into a place of England where they listed, without any let or hindrance of any of the King's Officers.  
Moreover, the six justices, with the Bishop of Chichester, who stood condemned with them, were sent into Ireland, there to remain for term of life, and thus they were to be divided, viz.  
Robert Belknap and John Holt in the Village of Dromore in Ireland, not to remain as justices or any officers, but to live as banished offenders, not to be out of town above the space of two miles upon pain of death; but the King out of his gracious bounty was pleased to give a yearly annuity of 40. pound to Robert Belknap, of 20. marks to John Holt, during their lives; and to Roger Fulthorpe the King allowed 40. pound, and to William Burleigh 40. pound during life, confining them to the City of Dublin, granting Burleigh the liberty of two miles, and to Fulthorpe three miles for their recreation, John Carey, and John Locton with the yearly allowance of 20. pound during life, are confined to the Tower of Waterford with the like liberty, and the like penalty; and the Bishop of Chichester is likewise sent to Cork, there to remain with some allowance and the like penalty.  
Behold these men who feared not God, nor regarded men, but having the laws in their own hands, wrested them now this way, now that way, as pleased best their appetites, wresting them at their pleasures for their own commodity, were at the last brought down to the depth of misery from whence they were never able to free themselves.  
On the third day of June, which was the last day of the Parliament, the King, the Queen, the peers of both Estates with the Commons, came to the Abbey at Westminster, whereas the Bishop of London, because it was in his diocese sung mass, and the mass being ended, the Archbishop of Canterbury made an Oration concerning the former danger of the Oath, which being, although the peers and Commons had taken the Oath of allegiance, and homage to the King, yet because the King was young when they took the Oath a new (as at the first) at his Coronation.  
These Ceremonies being performed, the Metropolitan of England with all his Suffragans there present, having lighted a Candle, and putting it under a stool, put it out, thereby excommunicating all such as should seem to distaste, dislike, or contradict any of the forepassed Acts in the last Parliament; And the Lord Chancellor, by the King's appointment, caused all that were present to swear to keep the said Statutes inviolably whole, and undissolved, as good and faithful Liege-people of the Kings, and the form of the Parliament was observed throughout all the realm.  
On the morrow, which was the fourth day of June, many courteous salutations and congratulations having passed between the King, the Nobility, and commonalty, the Parliament was dissolved, and every man returned home.  
And now let England rejoice in Christ, for that the net which was laid so cunningly for our destruction, is broken asunder, and we are delivered. To God be the praise for all.  
FINIS.   

THE Names of such as were charged and condemned of high Treason in this aforesaid Memorable Parliament.  
Alexander Nevile, Archbishop of Yorke-●●●● de Vere, Duke of Ireland, who was 〈…〉 into France, where he was kill.  
〈…〉 le, Earl of Suffolk, and Lord 〈…〉.  
Robert Tressilian, Lord chief justice of the Kings Bench.  
Sir Nichola▪ Bramber, sometimes Lord Major of London made a privy counsellor.  
John Blake, a sergeant at arms.  
Thomas Vske, an Intelligencer of Tressilians.  
All these except the Duke of Ireland were drawn and hanged at the elms, now called Tyburn.  
Robert Belknap.  
John Holt.  
Roger Falthorp.  
William Burleigh.  
John Locton.  
John Carey Baron of the Exchequer.  
All these former 6. named men were, as it seems judges, and although condemned, yet their lives were saved at the intercession of some of the guiltless peers, and they afterward were banished into Ireland.  
Sir Simon de Burleigh was also condemned and beheaded: he was a Knight Banneret, and of the Garter, a great and gallant Courtier, and his body lieth honourably buried and entombed in Paul's Church.  
Sir John Branchamp Steward of the household to the King, and  
Sir James Beverous were also condemned & beheaded at Tower-hill.  
Sir John Salisbury was condemned, drawn from Tower-hill to Tyburn, and then hanged.  
There were also detected and condemned of the aforesaid Treason.  
The Bishop of Chichester, the King's Confessor.  
Sir Thomas Trinet, Knight.  
Sir William Ellingham, Knight.  
Sir Nicholas Nagworth, Knight.  
Richard Metford, clerk.  
John Slake, clerk.  
John Lincoln, clerk.   

An Abstract of many memorable matters done by PARLIAMENTS in this kingdom of ENGLAND.  
BY Parliament Sir Thomas Wayland chief Justice of the Common-Pleas, 17. Ed. 1. was attainted of Felony for taking bribes and his lands and good forfeited, as appears in the Pleas of Parliaments, 18. Edward 1. and he was banished the kingdom, as unworthy to live in that state, against which he had so much offended.  
By Parliament Sir William Thorpe chief Justice of the King's Bench in Ed. 3. times having of five persons received five several bribes, which in all amounted to but one hundred pounds, was for this alone adjudged to be hanged and all his goods and lands forfeited.  
The reason of the judgement is entered in the Roll in these words.  
Because that, as much as in him lay, he had broken the King's Oath made to the people, which the King had entrusted him withal.  
By Parliament holden Anno. 22. Hen. the second assembled at Nottingham, and by advise thereof the King caused the kingdom to be divided into 6▪ parts, and Justices Itinerants appointed for every part with an Oath by them to be taken for themselves, to observe and cause inviolably to be observed of all his subjects of England, the assizes made at Claringdon and renewed at Northton.  
By Parliament, In the 11. of Edw. the first; the Dominion of Wales was united to the crown of England in the Parliament in Anno 16. of Edw. the first 1289 upon the general compes made of the ill administration of justice in the King's absence, by divers great Officers and Ministers of justices these penalties were inflicted upon the chief Ministers thereof, whose manifest corruptions the battered of the people to men of that profession (apt to abuse their science, and authority, the necessity of reforming so grievous a mischief in the kingdom, gave easy thereunto by the Parliament then assembled, wherein upon due examinations of their offences they are fined to pay to the King these sums following.  
First, Sir Ralph Hengham, chief Justice of the higher Bench seven thousand marks.  
Sir John Loveton Justice of the Lower Bench, three thousand marks.  
Sir William Bromton justice, six thousand marks.  
Sir Soloman Rochester, four thousand marks.  
Sir Richard Boyland, four thousand marks.  
Sir Thomas Sadington two thousand marks.  
Sir Walter Hopton two thousand marks  
These four last were Justices Itenerants.  
Sir William Saham, three thousand marks Robert Lithbury Master of the R●lls one thousand marks.  
Roger Leicester, one thousand marks.  
Henry Bray, Escheater and Judge for the Jews one thousand marks. But Sir Adam Stratton chief Baron of the Exchequer was fined in four and thirty thousand marks. These fines as the Rate of money goes now, amount to near three hundred thousand marks, a mighty treasure to be gotten out of the hands of so few men, which how they could a mass in those days when litigation and Law had not spread itself into those infivit wreathings of contention (as since it hath) may seem strange even to our greater-getting times.  
In the Parliament Anno 2. of Edward the third held at Nottingham, that great aspirer Mortimer was accused and condemned and sent up to London, and drawn, and hanged at the Common gallows at the elms now called Tyburn.  
In the 50. year of the reign of Edward the third Anno Dom. 1376 was held a Parliament at Westminster, which was called the great Parliament, where were divers complaints exhibited by the Parliament, charging the King's Officers with Fraud, and humbly craving, that the Duke of Lancaster, the Lord Latimer, than Lord Chamberlain Dame Alice Peirce the King's Concubine, and one Sir Richard Sturry might be removed from Court, their complaints & desires are so vehemently urged by their Speaker Sir Peter la Moor, that all these persons were presently put from Court.  
By Parliaments all the wholesome fundamental laws of this Land were and are established and confirmed.  
By Act of Parliament the Pope's power and supremacy, and all superstition and Idolatry and abrogated, abolished and banished out of this Land.  
By Act of Parliament God's true Religion, worship and service are maintained and established.  
By Act of Parliament the two famous universities of Cambridge and Oxford, have many wholesome and helpful Immunities.  
By Parliament one Pierce Gaveston, a great favourite and notable misleader of K. Edw. 2. was removed, banished, and afterwards by the Lords executed. So were Hugh Spencer the Father, and Hugh the son.  
By Parliament Empson and Dudley, two notorious polers of the commonwealth, by exacting penal laws on the subjects, were discovered, and afterwards executed.  
By Parliament the damnable gunpowder Treason (hatched in Hell) is recorded to be had in eternal infamy.  
By Parliament one Sir Giles Mompesson, a modern caterpillar and poler of the commonwealth, by exacting upon Inholders, &c. was discovered, degraded from Knighthood, and banished by Proclamation.  
By Parliament Sir Francis Bacon, made by King James Baron Veralam, and Viscount St. Albans, and Lord Chancellor of England, very grievous to the commonwealth, by bribery, was discovered and displaced.  
By Parliament Sir John Bennit Judge of the Prerogative Court, pernicious to the Commonwealth in his place, was discovered and displaced.  
By Parliament Lionel Cranfield (sometimes a Merchant of London) made by K. James Earl of Middlesex, and Lord Treasurer of England: hurtful in his place to the commonwealth, was discovered, and displaced.  
By Parliament one Sir Francis Mitchell, a jolly Justice of Peace for Middlesex in the suburbs of London, another notable cankerworm of the commonwealth, by corruption in exacting the penal laws upon poor Alehouse-keepers and Victuallers, &c. was discovered, degraded from Knighthood, and utterly disabled for being justice of Peace.  
By Parliament, Spain's late fraud was discovered, and by Act the two Treaties, with that perfidious Nation, for the match of the Prince, our now gracious King; and restitution of the Palatinate were dissolved and annihilated: both which had cost the King and his Subjects much money, and much blood. We may remember that that sage counsellor of State Sir William Cecil, Lord Burleigh and Lord Treasurer of England, was ofttimes heard to say, he knew not what an Act of Parliament might not do: which sage saying was approved by King James, and by his majesty alleged in one of his published speeches.  
Which being so, now the face of Christendom being at this present so torn and miserably 〈◊〉, and the Christian World distracted; the gospel in all places, almost persecuted, both Church & commonwealth, where the gospel is professed in all places beyond the Seas, lying a bleeding (as we may say) and we ourselves at home not without fear and danger. To conclude, what good may we not hope and pray for, by this present and other ensuing Parliaments: the only means to rectify and remedy matters in Church and commonwealth much amiss.   

The Character.  
RIchard Son of the valiant and vidorious Edward the black Prince, was borne at Bordeaux, and grandchild to King Edward the third, being ●1. years old, began his reign the 21. day of June, in the year of our Lord, 1377. and was crowned King at Westminster the 16. of July. In beauty, bounty, and liberality, he ●a●re passed all his Progenitors; but was overmuch given to ease and quietness, little regarding Military matters of arms: and being young was most ruled by you●g counsel, regarding little the counsel of the sage & wise men of the Realm●, which thing turned this Land to great trouble, and himself to extreme misery; For being first disgraced by his Cousin, Henry of Bullingbroke Duke of Hereford, son of John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster, he was at length by him (with the general consent of the whole Parliament) deposed from his Crown and kingdom the 29. of September 1399. and committed to prison, and afterwards wickedly murdered. For being sent to Pomfret Castle, to be safely kept, and Princely maintained, he was shortly after by King Henry's direction and commandment (who feared lest his estate might be shaken whiles King Richard lived) wickedly assaulted in his lodging by Sir Piers of Exton, and 8. other armed men, from one of which, with a Princely courage, he wrested a ●rown Bill, and therewith slew 4. of them, fought with all the rest: until coming by his own chair (in which the base cowardly Knight himself stood for his own safety) he was by him stricken with a Pole-Axe, in the hinder part of his head, that presently he fell down and died, when he had reigned 22. years, 14 weeks, and 2 days.   

More Memorable things done by Parliaments.  
BY Parliament Richard Montague (since made Bishop of Chichester, and now Bishop of Norwich) his pernicious book entitled Apello Caesarem, (First confuted by Doctor Carlton then B. of Chichester, and divers other Reverend Orthodox Divines) was displayed, and by Proclamation dated 1628. the book was called in and prohibited: and he the said Montague was discovered to be a notable unorthodox man, &c.  
By Parliament Roger Manwayring, D. of Divinity, & Parson of St. Giles in the Fields, and the King's chaplain, was discovered to be an unorthodox man, and brought on his knees to the Bar of the Honourable House of Parliament, and the book of his two seditious Printed Sermons against Parliaments, entitled Religion and allegiance, was by Proclamation called in and prohibited: and he the said Manwayring, was censured and deprived of his Livings, not to come near the Court, nor to exercise or use any ministerial Office, &c. But notwithstanding, soon after the fatal dissolution of that Parliament, 1629. He the said Manwayring by the power of a little great Prelate, was not only restored to his former Livings, but soon after, he was preferred and made Deane of Worcester, afterwards a Bishop, and is now Bishop of St. David's, the first bishopric in Wales.  
And in as much, as so many Memorable things have been done by Parliaments, somewhereof in former Times, have indeed done no less, than write Wonders; for Reformation of Corruptions, and Grievances & exemplary Executions in the State and commonwealth: And seeing th'other day, viz. 22. of February, there was that correspondence, and happy agreement betwixt his sacred Majesty, and both the houses of Parliament now sitting, which made the Evening of that Day, crowned with bonfires and Bells-ringing for joy. Let us not cease to pray and beseech the Lord of Hosts, still so to unite the heart of the King's Majesty to the Parliament (his great counsel) that the Upper and Lower Houses may unanimously agree, and be reciprocally united to the Kings, that many matters now much amiss in Church and commonwealth may be reformed, and this year may be accounted Annus Aureus, and that this present Parliament begun this year may be inscribed and engraven in Marble and in Letters of Gold;  
By Parliament the Earl of Strafford Deputy of Ireland, grievous to the commonwealth, was discovered, and after an Honourable Trya●l, was attainted of high Treason, for which he suffered death, May the twelfth, 1641.  
SACRED TO MEMORY POSTERITY THE (LONG EXPECTED) HAPPY PARLIAMENT, Begun MDC.XL. Ended and made a Session. Vivat Rex Floreat Regnum Bene valeat Parliamentum. Hallelujah.  
FINIS.