AN Impartial Account OF RICHARD DUKE of YORK'S TREASONS, And the several Arts and Methods Made use of by him for the Obtaining the Crown of England.  
To which is Added The True Picture OF A POPISH Successor, Exactly Drawn By the Reigns of Christian the Second, and Sygismond King of Sweden, and Ferdinand the Second King of Bohemia.  
LONDON, Printed for Allen Banks, MDCLXXXII.   

An Impartial Account of RICHARD Duke of York's Treasons, And the Several Arts and Methods made use of by him for the Obtaining the Crown of England.  
RIchard Plantagenet Duke of York, finding King Henry the Sixth to be a peaceable Prince, entered into a Resolution to supplant him and seize on his Crown and Kingdom, which he was the more in, couraged to do in regard that pious Prince measuring others by himself, was extreme credulous to those whom he ought most to have suspected, and as incredulour to those who were most faithful to his Interest. The Method which he successfully made use of for the accompllshing his ends, were these following: First, He took great care to please the King, and wheadle him into a good opinion of all that he did, whereby he got himself to be employed in Offices of the greatest profit and trust. Secondly, He procured the promoting his own Creatures, and thereby linked them the more firmly to his interest, since their dependency was upon him. Thirdly, He procured those Ministers of State, and other Noble-men that were most faithful and true to the King and his interest, to be suspected and discouraged. Fourthly, He took all opportunities to vilify the King as unfit and unworthy to Reign. Fifthly, By getting the King sometimes into his power, and yet forbearing to do him any injury; but on the seeming contrary, behaved himself towards him with the greatest seeming submission and Loyalty imaginable, whereby the King conceived so good an Opinion of him, that he would never believe any thing against him, For( said he) if it had been true, that he designed to Usur● my Crown, he would never have neglected such fair opportunities as he hath had for the accomplishing thereof; when indeed the true reason why he neglected them, was not Love and Loyalty to the King, but hope thereby to win so much upon the King's goodness as to obtain a more favourable opportunity, wherein he might accomplish his Designs with more safety to himself, and less suspicion to those who would have opposed his enterprise. The Sixth, And that which was most fatal to the King and his Interest, was his procuring himself to be sent as the King's High Commissioner or Vice-Roy of the Kingdom of Ireland, whereby he so managed the Business, that he alienated the Hearts of the chief Irish from the Interest of his Majesty, to that of himself and Family.  
King Henry the Fifth, left the Kingdom to his Son Henry the Sixth, in as flourishing a condition as ever it was in since it was a Kingdom; but Henry the Sixth was an Infant when he came to the Crown, being Proclaimed King at Eight Months old, and brought from Windsor to London, to be shown in full Parliament, his Mothers Bosom was his Throne, and general Acclamations of Joy served as the pledge of future Obedience and Loyalty. The present Infancy, and the future mildness of Henry, gave occasion to Richard Plantagenet Duke of York; who had some pretences to the Crown to lay the Foundation whereupon to build his own greatness by the ruin of Hen●● and the House of Lancaster; the progress of which Conspiracy we find related by the English Historians after this manner.  
In the year 1447 being the 25 year of the Reign of Henry the Sixth, the Queen, the marquis of Saff●lk, the Cardinal of Winchester, the Archbishop of York, with divers more about the King, resolved upon the death of the Duke of gloucester; who besides the nearness of his Relation to the King, was one of the most faithful Subjects, valiantest Commander, and wisest and discreetest Councellors, the King had about him; but he opposed the Pride and Ambition of the Queen, and other Favourites, and therefore he must be removed out of the way by an unworthy and undeserved death, thereby to procure to themselves the absolute command and guidance of the King; their first attempt was at the Council Table, where they vehemently accused him of many Crimes, highly aggravated by malice and rhetoric; of all which he acquitted himself with so much sincerity, that the Council looked upon it only as the effect of Envy, for he used such Arguments as not only proved his innocency, but also increased his reputation and honor, whereat they were the more enraged, and persevering, they could not obtain their end; that way they procured a Parliament to be called at Berry in Suffolk, whether gloucester came with the rest of the Peers relying more upon his innocency, that by reason of his Enemies malice, he ought to have done. The first day of the Parliament passed over quietly, being spent in the accustomend Ceremonies. But the second day he was made a Prisoner by the Lord High Constable of England, his Servants were all taken from him, whereof Thirty two were imprisoned, and himself found dead in his Bed. Five of the Prisoners were examined and Condemned; but as they were lead to Execution, they were set at liberty by the marquis of Suffolk, who having attained his end by the death of their Master, brought them their Pardons, signed by the King; by one clause whereof it doth appear upon what pretence it was they committed this murder, viz. You are one of the many Traitors who came in the Train of Humphrey Duke of gloucester to destroy the King.( But yet the Duke had no other Army to assist him, to destroy the King in the midst of his Court, and the face of the Parliament than his ordinary Attendance, which makes it not unlike the late business at Oxford; nor is it to be wondered at that the Earl of Shaftsbury should be charged with such an improbable Story, since the Duke of gloucester, who was the King's Uncle, and had been his Protector, and was at present one of his chief Favourites and Councellors, could not escape the like malicious Charge.) The Duke of York, who saw that all those things redounded to the advantage of his Defigns, failed not the laying open to his Friends, and the malcontents in how bad a condition the Kingdom was in. The King weak and governed by his Favourites, and ruled by the advice and directions of the Duke of Suffolk, telling them that now was the time for them to set the Crown upon his Head. This advice, sounding in the ears of the People, who for many reasons desired nothing so much as a change, was easily embraced; nor did he find much difficu●t● in drawing to himself Subjects of the most eminent condition, who that they might have followers, and preferments, were ready to uphold him. And Rortune as if she also had been in and Compiracy against the 〈◇〉 I ●enry ●aised a Rebellion in Ire●●●d, whether the 〈◇〉 of York is sent to appea●● it. But the King was un●appy 〈…〉 than in this for the Remedy was not only worse than the Diseast, but all the evil which was occasioned by this Rebellion, was not caused by the Malady; but occasioned by the Physician; for York having cuseted the Tumasts, won so much honour and friendship in that Kingdom, that for his sake they forsook the King to follow the House of York, to which they ever after passionately adhered. In the mean time, all things go to rack at home and abroad ● Par●s, Normandy, and almost all France, is lost, and the glory of England began every where to decline, which was chiefly occasioned by the Duke of York's machinations; where-with-all great numbers being corrupted, nothing was thought on but home bread Rancour and inveterate malice against the opposite Party. This unsteady posture of Affairs was improved by York's Creatures to the advantage of their Designs. People would do well, say they, to look into Ireland, and see how the wisdom and valour of the Duke of York hath Domesticated a savage People, and reduced the most stubborn and obstinate to Discipline and obedience; adding that England stood in need of such a King, who were to be sought out, if there were not such an one already known, and were to be chosen, were it not by nature, and by the Laws due to him, so as if he were not privileged by his lawful pretensions, his only virtues were sufficient to purchase him the Kingdom, affirming Henry was an Usurper, degenerate in worth, and so by nature incapable and unworthy of the Kingly Office. Adding, that as France had been lost by him, so England would run the danger of being so too, if his preservation were endeavoured. That the necessity of the times, and the danger the Common Wealth was in, required other resolutions, and that since advantage, and the Common-Wealths good, were joined together, it would be injustice, injury and ruin to delay the providing for it. Adam Molleins Bishop of Chichester, and Lord Privy Seal, being a man of integrity, and the Duke fearing he would oppose his designs, he procured him to be Assassinated by Fishermen at Portsmouth, to the end all men might imagine he was slain by the outrageous commotion of that base sort of people. But all these things tending more to the undoing than the doing of any thing, he resolved to begin his work, by putting his Creatures upon some bold and daring actions, that being precipitated into unpardonable crimes; and knowing they had gone too far to retract their fear of punishment might make them obstinate in their errors, and despair of a Pardon, render them desperate in pushing forward his designs; which although embraced at first in favour to him, must now be prosecuted for their own safety.  
In order whereunto he first persuaded one Jack Cade to raise men in Kent, wherewith he set upon the City of London, and did a great deal of mischief; but being routed, the Duke leaves Ireland, and goes to raise more men in Wales, wherewith he marched to wards London; whereof the King having intelligence, got a good Army together, intending to give him battle, but York shunned it, hoping to increase his numbers, and, like famed; to gain by going; nor would he run the hazard to try his passage through London, the denia● whereof would lessen his repuration: but passing over the Thames at Kineston, he went into Kent, and pitched his Camp a Mile from Dar●ford, ten or twelve Miles from London, and secured himself with Trenches and Artillery: The King brought his Camp thither likewise, and sent unto him the Bishops of Winchester and Ely, to know what had caused him to take up Arms; he answered, Nothing against the King or his 〈◇〉 but against some particular persons who were Enem●●es to the King and Kingdom as well as to him; and naming the Duke of Somerset, he affirmed him to be the chief cause of his coming thither, promising, if Somerset might be put into safe Custody in order to his being tried for such things, as should be proved against him, to dismiss his Troops, and present himself before the King, and serve him as all good and faithful Subjects ought to do. The Dukes end in this Enterprise was to justify his own actions in the beginning, for to fight with the King at the very first would be scandalou● and Diametrically opposite to his future Designs; and with this Answer he possessed the King and the Nation, with a good opinion of him. Secondly, He thereby shunned the danger he might sustain, if he should have hazarded a Battle and been worsted. Thirdly, He doubted not, but if he could get Somerset secured, he should be able to accomplish his ruin, and thereby make the War more easy and plain for the bringing about his ambitious designs, which might then be accomplished by ways more mildred and less subject to censure. The King on the other hand, who thought it would be somewhat hazardous to reduce him to obedience by force of Arms, seemed to gratify his desire, and gave order for Somerset's being secured; whereupon York according to his promise, dismissing his people presented himself before the King, complaining against and accusing the pretended guilty person of Treason; and other high misdemeanours; but Somerset who was not far of, hearing himself wounded in his Honour, could not contain himself, but coming from the place where he was concealed, not only answered to what was objected against him, but accused his accuser of High Treason, for having with many others conspired against the King's Life, and consulted how with least danger to themselves, they might bereave him of his Crown and Kingdom, an Accusation which ought not to have been so easily and slightly passed over, as it was to the utter ruin and destruction of the King. The King returned to London, whither he was brought as a Prisoner, and presented before a great Council assembled for this purpose at Westminster, where the two Dukes accusing each other reciprocally, nothing could be resolved of, for York denied all, nor were there any Witnesses to convince him, but Somerset perceiving the evils that were likely to ensue, if he did escape, did all that in him lay to have him put to the Rack; which in this case only was permitted by the Laws of England; affirming that York had long since resolved upon the ruin of the K. and the House of Lancaster, that he might make himself King and transplant the Crown into his own Family; but these Advertisements were of no force, his supposed ranocency defended him, since when he was armed with considerable Forces, he had presented himself unarmed before the King; which it is not likely he would have done, had he been guilty of those things whereof he was accused: Whereupon he was released, and retired into Wales to expect a more favourable opportunity: But coming again to London, he caused the Duke of Somerset to be arrested in the Queens Lodgings, and sent to the Tower; the King was at this time sick which encouraged him to adventure upon this project. But so soon as Henry recovered his health, he not only restored him to his liberty, but made him chief Commander of Callairs; but York perceiving he had twice failed in his eadeavours to ruin him, went into Wales, where having got together a good Army, he Marched towards London, Accompanied by the Duke of Norfolk, the Lord Cobbam, the Earls of Warwick and Devonsh●re, and many others. The King Encamped himself at St. Albans, where the Duke presented himself to give him Battle; the King had in his Camp the Dukes of Somerse● and Buckingham, the Earls of pembroke, Stafford, Northumberland, Dorset, and Wiltshine, with many Barons; and proceeding according to the Peaceable Instinct of his Nature, he sent some to the Duke of know of him why, he came in that Hostile manner, and what it was that would satisfy him, but the Messengers were hardly a●rived when the Earl of Warwick at unawares set upon the Van-guard Royal, and Disordered it, before Somerset could Remedy it; so as all Forces on both sides giving Battle together, a Fierce and Cruel Fight begun, each side making good its Station, no man Recoiled, so many were Slain, that it was thought there would not be a man in all the Field left Alive. The Duke of York stood offering all Occurrences, and sent Fresh men to supply the place of such as were Wounded, whereby he made good the fight; which Somerset could not do, as not having so many men, and being more busy in Fighting than making Provision. The Royalists were almost all Slain, the chief whereof were the Dukes of Somerset and Buckingham, the Earls of Northumberland and Wiltshine. The Duke of York having obtained the Victory, and Slain the Duke of Somerset, who was the pretended reason of his Commotion, imagined there was nothing left for him to do but to Assume the Crown, yet he thought it convenient to confirm the people in their belief that he had taken up Arms only for the public good: For having the King in his Hands, he resolved to make use of his Name, and Power to frame his Golden Age, and thereby arrive at His end by degrees, not imagining he should meet with any more opposition, although be found himself deceived. Some report that the King in this Juncture was but ill served by some Lords about him, and by his domestic Servants, whose Flight forced the King to forsake the Field, and greatly discouraged the few that remained: The King had withdrawn himself to a poor man's house, where being found by York, he was with all appearing respect carried from thence and comforted, York assuring him that Somerset's death had established the Crown more firmly upon his Head; and having brought him to London, a Parliament was called, wherein York caused himself to be Created Protector of the Kingdom, whilst Henry King only in Name, was bereft of all Authority, and Safety, all that had dependency upon the King were put from the Council, and thrust from all Offices of Profit and Trust, both in City and Kingdom, and the Duke of Exeter was taken from Westminster and sent Prisoner to ●omsret, a sacrilege not formerly ventured on, The respect due to Henry was not yet so much diminished, nor his Majesty so much darkened, but that Henry the Young Duke of Somerset, Humphrey Duke of Buckingham, and other Lords that sided, with him, resolved no longer to endure the Injury that was done unto him, and together with freeing their sovereign to quit themselves of the eminent danger that hung over them: For every man saw Yorks, end, to be the Usurpation of the Crown, and that his delay proceeded from the fear of danger; or the King being by reason of his Sanctity Reverenced by the best, he thought he could not on a sudden compass his ends without Scandal; and being Oppugned by the greatest part of the Kingdom, which would for the present Retard, and might for the future, ruin all his Designs. To effect which they consulted to call a great Council at Greenwich, wherein it was resolved, that since the King was now no Child, and consequently needed not a Protector, nor was so voided of Wit as to nee● being governed by other mens Discretion; therefore the Duke of York should be understood as freed from his Protectorship: York could not defend himself from this Blow, being taken unprovided, and the thing is 〈◇〉 strengthened with such reasons as were not to be gain said without open Rebellion. The King being thus freed, called a Council at London, wherein having stated the condition the Kingdom was in, he shewed how that the Rent and Division at home had encouraged both the French and Scots to Assault him at Home, and that therefore a Reconciliation was necessary; the which if particular mens Offences, and the Offences of his own Family were likely to hinder, he for his part would forget the Injuries done unto himself, and would endeavour the prevailing with his Courtiers to an agreement with those who had spilled their Blood in the late Uproars, promising that the Duke of York and his followers should in this business have nothing to do but to desire, choice was made of some persons of Quality to be sent to the Duke of York, and some of the House of Lancaster that had forborn coming to Court since the Battle of St. Albans, who acquainted them severally that they were sent by the King to Treat with them about things necessary to the public Peace, and their private Tranquillity: The Duke of York with the Earl of Warwick and others his partakers, came accompanied with 1500. men: The Duke of Somerset, the Earl of Northumberland, and the Lord Clifford waited upon by as many, these were Sons to the three Fathers Slain in the aforesaid Battle, the Dukes of Buckingham and Exeter, and most of the Nobility of England that favoured the King and the House of Lancaster appeared in like manner; Lodgings were severally appointed for them in different places, to prevent their encountering, the City was assigned to York's Faction, and the Suburbs to that of Lancaster, the King and Queen Lodging at the Bishops House, served as a Bar between them; the Lord Mayor and Magistracy of London, together with 5000 Armed men supplied the place of Guard, walking the Streets day and night to prevent Tumults: Those of York Assembled themselves together at blackfriars, and those of Lancaster at Westminster, wherein the Archbishop of Canterbury laboured much.  
At last a Reconciliation was Signed, wherein the Offenders being Fined in certain Fayments to the Offended, they all obliged themselves to the Obedience of the King, and to esteem those as Friends or Enemies whom the King should esteem such; which being done, a Solemn Procession was made, wherein all the Nobility of both Factions intermingled, did walk before the King in his Robes and Diadem, and the Duke of York followed after him, Leading the Queen by the Arm, but all this was but a bare show and no real agreement, as appears by what some after fell out.  
This being over, the Duke went to York, Warwick stayed in London, his charge of Calla● detaining him longer at Court, during whose stay at Court, there happened a Quarrel between one of his men and one of the Kings Servants, and the Kings Servant being wounded, Warwick's man Fled to the place of Safety, whereat the Kings Servants being enraged, set upon the Earl as he came from Council, but being assisted by some, he leaped ined into his Boat and recovered the City, from whence he posted to York, and brought the first news hereof to the Duke himself, telling him that the last Fortuise of War was to be attempted; wherefore he presently went to calais to seize himself of the Town; which if the King had prevented; as he might well have done, all their designs had been broken for, want of a place of retreat and Safety: The duke sent Warw●●● Father toward London with, such Troops as were in readiness to complain of the. Voolated Faith, and demanded Justice, to the end that if it should be deemed, their Actions might appear more Justifiable; the Duke In the mean while 〈◇〉 a good Army to follow him; the Earl Marched towards London, according to the Dukes command with about 5000 men, what the Queen advertised of his coming, gave order to the Lord Audely 〈◇〉 through, whose Territories he was to pass) to give him battle; the Baron having 〈◇〉 this Commission, met him near Drayton in Shropshire with 10000 Figh●●g men. The Earl seeing himself Thwarred resolved to Fight, and Encamping himself near the Baron, there was only a small River partend the two Armies; he lay still all night, but upon break of day he commanded his Bow-men to shoot into the Royalist Camp, and then Retreat. Andely provoked by the Arrows egged by the Queens express command to take the Earl alive or dead, and encouraged by seeing him retire, which he imagined was the effect of his Fear; he commanded his Vanguard to pass over the Water and stay him, himself passing over at the same time, wh●●● those which remained behind were of no use unto him, which was the very thing the Earl aimed at in his Retreat, and having obtained his advantage, he suddenly turned about and Assaulted him with so much Fury, that he presently overthrew him, the Baron being one of the first that was Slain.  
The Duke of York having received advertisement from the Earl himself of this good success, writ thereof to the Earl of Warwick governor of calais, who presently comes to them, and brings from thence a good Band of Old Souldiers: The three Armies being United, York pitched his Camp near Ludlow upon the Confines of Wales, whether the King went likewise and planted his, but some of York's Army forsaking him and flying to the Kings Camp, and he being afraid that others would do the like, presently fled towards Wales, from whence he went to Ireland; his E●●est Son the Earh of March with Warwick and his Father went to Jersey, and from thence to Callis; the King sent after them, but in vain, wherefore he banished them, and by Parhament declared them to be Rebels and Traitors to himself, and Enemies to the Kingdom; he Confiscared them Goods and disposed of their Commands, giving the Wardenship of the North Marches to the Earl of Northumberland, and the Command of calais to the Duke of Somerset.  
This was indeed the best and most likely way to have prevented their designs, and saved himself from being first Deposed and then Murtherred. Had it been taken in time, but alas it was thought of too late, for the Duke of Somerset believing he should have obtained possession of Ca●●s with as much ease as he had the grant to command it, went thither with a good Band of Souldiers, but he found the Cannon discharged from the Town against him as an Enemy, and notwithstanding he thewed them his Lettere ●atents from the King, yet it availed him nothing; Nay his Ships that 〈◇〉 to block them up, went into the Haven of Calldis, delivering those that commanded them into the Hands of the Earl of March, and they word forth with Beneaded. Somerset's Army being wasted by Skirmishes, be sent to the King for Recruits, who sent unto him the Lord Rivers, and Sir Anthony Woodveil with about 400 men, who being come to Sandwich, the Winds proved so contrary that they could not put to Sea: The Duke of York's Creatures about the King gave notice of all these things to the Earl of March, who sent away Sir John Denham with a Compan● of Souldiers, more Valiant then Numorous; who with a Wind as Favourable to them as it was country to the Royalists, entred the Haven and Town of Santhrich; which being Unguarded and free from suspicion, he found most of the Inhabitants a Sleep, and took the Lord Rivers and his Son in their Beds, sacked several Houses, made himself Master of the Chiefest of the Kings Ships, furnished with all manner of Warlike Provisions, and returned to calais, presenting the Ships and Prisoners to the Earl of March: Warwick made use of the Ships to Convey him into Ireland to the Duke of York to advice with him, who ordered that he and March should go for England, and vex the King till he could raise an Army in Ireland, and come and join with them: The King to prohibit their Landing, caused the Sea-ports to be Fortified, deputing Sir Simon Monford for that work, who to effect it went to get into Sandwich. But nothing being done in Court whereof the Earl of March had not notice given him by the Kings domestics, who were all or most of them the Duke of York's Creatures, and had devoted themselves to the Worship of the Rising Sun. He sent thither the Lord Falconbridge, who took it again the second time, and sent Monford and divers others, Prisoners to calais, March and Warwick having caused Monford's Head to be be struck off, and given Order what belonged to calais, Landed in Kent, where they were met by the Lord Colham, with 4000. Fightingmen: The King being Informed hereof, gathered a good Army, with which he Marched to Northampton, whether March and Warwick came likewise, with an Army of 20000 men; and March Egged on by his Youth, And a desire to make himself Heir Apparent to the Crown, he being yet but Heir Presumptive at best. Upon July the 9th 1460. Early in the Morning begun the Battle, their Arrows played hard on both sides, whilst any were left, and then they came to Handy-Blows for five Hours together, without any difference; but at last the King was the loser, with the death of most of his Nobles, and 10000 Souldiers; the loss was great, but might have been repaired, had he not lost himself, but being bereft of his Defenders who were Slain round about his person, he fell a Prey into his Enemies hands; the Queen, the Prince of Wales, and the Duke of Somerset fled to the bishopric of Durham, and March returned Victorious, leading the King with him to London, where he Inflicted such punishments as are accustomend in the Injustice of Civil Wars, upon such of his Opposers as he found in the City.  
Post after Post was sent into Ireland to acquaint the Duke with this Victory; so that persmading himself there remained nothing now to hinder his taking possession of the Crown, he left Ireland and came to London, at the same time when the Parliament was Assembled: He entred London accompanied with great Troops of men, the Trumpets Sounding, and the Sword carried before him as Kings use to have, only with this difference, it is usually carried Sheathed before them, but before him it was carried Naked: He Lighted off his Horse at the Kings Palace at Westminster, and entering into the upper House of Parliament, where the Kings Throne is, he laid his Hand a good while upon it, as if by that Act he had taken possession of it, and then turned to those that were by to see how they resented it; and as it is natural for most men to Flatter themselves into a belief of that which they passionately desire, so he thought they approved of his Action: But the Archbishop of Canterbury standing up and asking him, If he would be pleased to go see the King, he changed Countenance and angrily Answered, He knew not any in the Kingdom to whom he owed that Duty. Then he went forth, and entering into the Kings Lodgings, caused several Doors which he found sh●t to be broken open; after which he returned again to the Parliament-house, and fat himself down in the Kings Chair, under the Cloth of State, where after he had sat a while, he  told them a long rabble of Reasons, why he had sat down in that place, Affirming that it most properly belonged unto him, &c. When he had done speaking the Lords were all so astonished( except those of his Party) that they stood as so many dumb immovable Statues, no man opening his Mouth, whereat being not very well pleased, he wished them to think upon what he had said, then being again desired to go Visit the King, he Answered, God only excepted, he knew no Saperior.  
The King finding himself so much over-reached and over marched by 〈◇〉 was forced to give his Royal Assent to an Act of Parliament for the 〈…〉 Eldest Son and Hen, and declaring the Duke of York Hen Apparent to the Crown.  
Proud Presumptive York would nothing less gratify thy Ambition, and Satrate thy revenge, th●● the utter r●une of the Son, the Eldest Son and Help of thy King and ●●veraign to was them no base stuff to be found than Innocent Royal Blood, Where with to lay the foundation of thy Aspiring Hopes and future greatness? and must the Prince, a Prince Royally Born, whose virtue and Valour gained him the Umversal Love and Admination of all men, except thyself, and those of thy Faction, fall a Vaction to thy Malice and Ragu●● and was it not Injury enough to Illegitimate him to the Throne, but you must wheedle hi● Royal Father, from whose loins he Sprung, to acquiesce in his ruin too; although thereby he was so far from securing his Life and estalishing his Throne, that he by that means opened a way and gave thee an opportunity to deprive him of both?  
The Young Prince and the Queen hearing how things went at London, raised an Army in the North, consisting of 18000 men, among whom was most of the Lords of the Northern parts of England; with which Army she presented her self before Sandels Castle near Wakefield, those about the Duke advised him to keep within the Castle, till the coming of the Earl of March, since she had no Artillery to Batter the Walls, but he flushed with his former Victories, Scorned to be shut up and be Besieged by a Woman: Whereupon the 31 of December 1460. he Sallied forth into the Field beneath the Hill whereon the Castle was situated to confront the Royalists: The Queen divided her Army into three parts, placing two of them in Ambush, and with the third she met him in the Plain; as soon as the Fight was begun he was environed on all sides and defeated, himself and 2800 of his men being Slain.  
Edward Earl of March, and now Duke of York, received at gloucester the News of his Fathers Overthrow and Death, and resolved to be revenged of the Queen and Prince; but being Informed that the Earls of Pembroke and Crmond followed with a good Army, and were resolved to surprise him, he first went against them, and met them not ●ar from Hereford, where on Candlemass-day he gave them Battle and Defeated them; slaying 3800 of their men, after which he marched against the Queen, who had now gained another Victory over the Yorkists, wherein she recovered her Husband out of their Hands, this Victory was obtained by the Queen near St. Albans; but understanding of York's approach, she retired Northward. Edward hereupon marches to London, where he causes himself to be proclaimed King, after which he marched against King Henry's Army, and on Palm-Sundy the two Armies engaging, Henry lost the day, and upon the 28th of June 1461. Edward was crwoned at Westminster, shortly after which, he gave two other Overthrows to King Henry, the one at Hegely-More, and the other at Hexam, from the latter Henry escaped with much diffoulty, and fled into Scotland, but shortly after coming into England in Disguise, he was betrayed and taken sat at Dinner in Wadrington Hall, from whence he was conveyed to London with? his Legs bound to the Stirrups and there Arrested by the Earl of Warwick, and committed to the Tower: But after this Warwick taking disgust against Edward, set Henry at Liberty and forces Edward to fly the Kingdom, but having procured Aid from the Duke of Sungundy, he returns, and coming to London peateably, King Henry once more became Prisoner to York, who hearing of Warwick's approach to London, draws forth, his Forces to meet him, taking Henry along with him, and on Easter-day in the morning, upon Gladmore near Barnet, he gave him Battle; the best of the day for a while being Warwick's, but at length through the Darkness and Fogginess of the Air the Stars which were embroidered on the Earl of Oxford's mens Coats, who were in the left Wing of the Battle, was mistaken for the Sun which Edwards men wore; in which Error Warwick's Battalion let flee at their own Fellows, who not knowing the cause of the Error, judged themselves bettayed, whereupon the Earl of Oxford with 8000 men presendy left the Field, whereby great Warwick was Overthrown and Slaind Some few Weeks after this, was the last and most Fatal Fight at Tewksbury between E●o ward and the marshal Queen Margaret on behalf of King Henry and Pri●●ed Exward his Son, the Defeat happen again the Queen, the Young Pritue fled, but was taken by Sir Richard ●roft●, and presented to Edward, who having beholded him a while with in Austere Countenance, Demanded, How he durst with Banner Displayed, so presumptuously Disturb his Realm? To which the heroic and Magnanimous Prince Resolutely Answered, That what he did was to recover his Fathers Kingdoms, and his own Rightful Inheritance; How did you dare then to presume, who are his Subject to Display thy Colours against him the Liege Lord and Sever aign. Which Answer so enraged Edward, that he das●●● him on the Mouth with his gauntlet, and some of his Attendants most shamefuller Murdered him at Edward's Feet. Edward having thus completed his Victory, and being free from fear of new Troubles by the death of the Prince, and the Queens being in Custody, he comes in Triumph to London, and some few days after Harmless Henry followed the Fate of his Son, being Stabbed to the Heart in the Tower, and his Murdered Body on the Ascension said in an open Coffin, and conveyed to St. Paul's Church and exposed to public view, where it restend one day, and begun to Bleed a●●esh, from whence it was removed to Black Fryars-Church, where it did Blead as before, and then he was butted at Chertsey in Surry, but King Henry the seventh Translated it to his chapel of Windsor.   

The True Picture of a Popish Successor, &c.  
ALthough a Popish Successor be the greatest Plague that any Nation can can possibly have befall them, yet such is the Ignorance of some, and the Impudence of others, that they endeavour the Alluring us to fall in Love with this Deformed and Monstrous Creature, whose Excellency and Beauty is in comparably describe● in an Excellent Discourse, called, The Character of a Popish Successor; And that Flood of Desolation and Misery which like an Inundation breaks in upon Protestants, as a Natural consequence of Popish Successors Reigns, which occasioned this publication, that the World may see what may be expected from what hath been done.  
Christian the second King of Denmark laid claim to the Crown of Sweden, but the Swedes especially the Nobles) considering the Fatal consequence which would necessary follow upon the admitting him to the Throne, opposed his pretensions; and on the contrary he raising an Army, spent a whole year in the pursuit of his Title, but effected little, although the Archbishop Upsal loving himself better than the Common wealth; took part with him, and very much promoted his Designs: But the Pious Archbishop quickly found out a way to help him, for the Swede rewarding his Treather 〈◇〉 his own Native Country, by seizing on his Temporalities; he exceedingly Storming that he could not be indemnified, therefore procures the Pope's Sentence of Excommunication against Steno the governor of Sweden, and all his partakers for invading the Rights of his Church and bishopric, whereby he encouraged 〈◇〉 to Invade Sweden once more; who accordingly sent a second Army under the Command of his General, who in a Battle overthrew the Swedes, and Wounded Sten● their Cou●●●●our: Whereupon he was enforced to retire into Stockholme the Regal City, and unto him repaired all those which intended to adventure their Lives in the defence of their Country.  
The rest of the Swedes hafely submitted to the Danish General, who thereby encouraged, marched to Stockholm, but finding many difficulties in his March; and when he came to the City finding no hope to draw them to a Treaty, and his Army very much washed he sent to Denmark for Reconits, and after 〈◇〉 while the King in Person comes to him, by which means Stockholm, was more closely Besieged, but yet held out brarely, so that the Da●●sh Army being wastedy and the Recruits which were coming out of Denmark being Wind bound, a Treaty of Peace is set on foot, and at last agreed upon by both Parties. But Christian thrending nothing less than to stand to it, pretends he could not come to Stockholm to finish the Treaty until Pled●es were first given for the Safety of his Person: This the Swedes Assem●●●●, and sand him Pledges of the Sons of the chief Nobility, who were sent Aboard his Ship; but Christian observing the Pope's will to keep Promise no longer than until he could break it with advantage; he no sooner gets these Young Nobles into his Clutches, but he presently weigheth Anchor, and away he Sails for Denmark, and there Committed them unto Safe Custody. Amongst these Young Nobles was the Renowned Gustavus; the Son of Ericus, a Noble Swedish Lord. Now in Stockholm beleaguered by the Danish Army, this Gustavus was of a Noble Family, whose Grandfather Married the Sister of Steno governor of Sweden, whereby he became Inglasted into the Ancient See●h of the Kings of Sweden; in his Younger years he was Trained up in the Court under his Uncle Steno, who was no less Valiant in the Field, than Accomplished for Government in time of Peace. Under him did the Famous Gustavus learn the Principles of War, which he began to practise under Suanto the next governor: For in two Battles, in both which the Swedes were Victorious, Gustavus carried the Royal Standard of Sweden, being then but Eighteen years Old, and being now about the Age of Twenty six, he was with the rest of the Young Nobles delivered Christian as a Pledge, and being basely committed Prisoner to the Castle of Call in Jutland under the Custody of Sir Ericus Banner a Knight of Denmark, who kept him warily that he might suffer no wrong except from the Tyrant himself. This Imprisonment he patiently endured four years, but having daily Intelligence of the Danes Cruelty to the Swedes his Country men, he concluded his own condition to be like that of Ulisses in Polyphemus his Den, being reserved but as a chief Dish for the Tyrant's Palate, when all the rest were devoured; he resolved like a Generous Prince to free himself, and also his Country from Slavish bondage of the Bloody Tyrant. Having therefore upon a day obtained Liberty to Ride a Hunting, he followed another Game than what his Keeper allotted him, and fairly Rid away, having changed his Apparel as well as his Course, he passed through many unknown ways and eminent dangers; but after a Chase of three hundred Miles, he arrived safe at Lubeck, where we will leave him enjoying his Liberty, and his Keeper storming at the loss of his Prisoner, and endeavouring to persuade the Lubeckers to redeliver him into his Custody again: And to trace the Bloody steps of our Popish Successor unto Stockholm, where we find him after four years returned unto Sweden with a great Army, wherewith he gave a second Overthrow unto the Swedes, wherein Steno the governor was Slain; and then away he marches for Stockholm, but finding the City standing upon its Guard, under the Government of Christina the Wife of Steno, he endeavours partly by Force, but chiefly by Messages of Grace to get possession of that City, to which end he first confirmed a former agreement, which his General had made in the Field with the Lords of Sweden. And secondly he granted a General Pardon, and an Act of Oblivion for all former Faults. Thirdly, he sent seeming Commendations and fair Promises to the People in the Country, by the Swedish Lords that were of his party, yet in many places it met with very little respect.  
Whereupon they put on an Impudent Face and persuaded the People, Nay assured them upon their Honest Words, that Christian aimed at the Suppression of some only of the Swedish Nobility, such as Combine against him and his Government: But as for the people he was resolved to win them, and that they need not to want so long as Salt and Herrings lasted: But yet withall they threatened, that if they would not be prevailed with, speedily to submit themselves to the yoke, they should be all as Dead men, except they forsook their Country and fled. Whereby the poor Swedes were so deluded with his fair Promises, and Terrified and Affrighted with their Threanings, that they choose rather to be Slaves with quietness, than hazard the Displeasure of the Tyrant; yet the City of Stockholm stood out. Nevertheless, in continuance of time by the often droppings of his good Words, Serious Promises, Protestations, Execrations, Letters Patents, and Declarations under his Hand and Seal, an entrance is made into the Hearts of the Credilous Citizens of Stockholm. The Gates at length are opened, and Christian admitted entrance, and acknowledged by all for their Lawful King, although he quiedy declared himself to be a Lawful Tyrant; upon his being crwoned there were Solemn Fe●●s held for all sorts of people, both Swedes, Danes and Germans.  
This was a fair Morning, but a dismal Evening attended it at the Heels, for the King all this while was contriving the ruin of the Swedish Nobility, and was resolved since he had them all in one place within the Walls of Stockholm, and a sufficient Guard upon them, he would not lose the present opportunity, but would speedily dispatch them all; but it must be done forsooth under the fairest pretence imaginable, for the thing looked of itself with an ugly and ill-favoured face, even in the Tyrants own Eyes; and therefore at first, It is resolved, That a Treason should be Shammed upon them, and they should be charged with a Plot amongst the Swedes to Massacre the Danes; and therefore the Danes( as in their own defence) should Assassinate the Swedes; but, upon deliberate and mature consideration, this First contrivance was thought difficult and dangerous, and might in the event turn to the destruction of him and his Danes, being acted in so populous a City; and who knows what men in despair may do. Therefore another may was propounded, viz. that the King must look upon the Swedish Lords as under the Popes Curse and, Sentence of Excommunication; and to draw forth the Kings Justice with more colourable zeal, the pious Arch-bishop of Upsal, who had procured the Sentence, must openly accuse the Swedes, as Excommunicated persons, for Treason against the King, Robbery of the Churches, and as spoilers of the Dignity and Estate of the Arch-bishop, and therefore he must dem●nd judgement against them. This device was highly approved of by the Tyrant a and therefore to accomplish it; and the better to draw these Swedish Lords together, a Feast is appointed the third day after the Coronation, at which the Germans and the Danes likewise were prelent. And then the Arch-bishop before them all, steps forth, and before the King and the whole Company, accuses the Swedish Lords of injury done by them to himself, both in Person and Estate; and demanded satisfaction for the damages.  
The Tyrant liked not the Charge, as not home enough, and therefore  told him that he forgot the Pope his Sentence, the crime of Treason, and his own place, who ought in zeal to the Church, to have demanded punishment upon the offending persons; immediately he commanded his Guards to seize the Swedish Lords, and commit them unto safe Custody until the next day; and in the interim, he lets straight Guard upon all Avenues of the City, that none might be suffered to depart out of it; and the day being November 8. 152. not in a way of Legal trial, but in a way of Butchery, he murdered in could blood about a hundred of the Nobles and Chief men of Sweden, and Cirizens of Stockholm, and as soon as the Execution was over, he let loose his Souldiers both upon the City and Country, all sorts of persons Ecclesiastical and Civil, Great, Mean, Men, Women and Children suffered all manner of violence and deaths, that Cruelty could device; nay, their rage extended not only to the living, but to the Dead, towards whom they used all the opprobrious indignities imaginable.  
The lively Character whereof might be better described by some Dane that saw it, or some Lord Inquisitor or Popish Tormentor in Spain; or else some that were interefled in the Sicilian Monster, or the Parisian Nuptials, or Irish Massacre, than by my Pen. After these horrid murders, Outrages, Covetousness began to ascend the Stage; and the King seized upon all the Estates both of the dead and living; and to make all sure, the Liberties of Sweden, being thus brought into the state of a dead man, he thought to bury them too, so as they might never rise again. To which end he set Guard●●● all places, published Edicts, and did not only deprive the Sweeds of their armor, but of their Arms and Legs; also saying in scorn, The Swedes could Plough their Ground well enough with one Arm, and a Wooden leg.  
But pray observe the Reasons which he gives for his bloody Cruelty, and you will find his Conscience obliged him to it; for he tells you he was touched with much compassion, and would not have done it, had not his Conscience tied him to do it, in zeal to the Church, and obedience to the Pope's Sentence of Excommunication. And are we ignorant that the like Sentence of Excommunication hath been pronounced by the Pope not once, but frequently against all English Protestants, both Nobility and Commonalty, to yield obedience to him. But, it may be, you will say, that the Vindicators of a Popish Successor, promise you great privileges under him; yet let us not be silly and foolish to believe what we can never reasonably expect to be performed; let us before we give any Credit to their promises, listen a little to the doleful Cries of the survivors at Stockholm; the mournful Complaints of Orphans and Widdows, and the dolorous Groans of so many brave Men of that Nation, suffering under the cruel Torments and indefatigable Butcheries of a Popish Successor; and let us there take a view of the abhorred Massacre of all sorts, Degrees and Sexes, contrary to all Faith, Promises, oaths, Execrations and Engagements under Hand and Seal. But doth his cruel and barbarous Tragedies end here? No, they did not, for after this he sent Letters to all the Governours of his Garrisons, wherein he commanded them to murder all Swedes that came within their Clutches, especially those of the Nobility, and these Tyrannical and bloody Decrees were executed in many of his Garrisons, and such was his insatiable thirst after blood, that designing to take a Royal Progress through all Sweden, he enjoined by Proclamation Gibbets to be erected in all places, that so he might with the less trouble speedily execute all those which his Lust and Avarice accounted unworthy to live; and the good old Arch-bishop of Upsal, the old enemy of the Swedish Liberries, understanding that Gustavus was forming an Army to recover them, sent them a Letter, wherein he very piously beseeches them to be mindful of their duty to their Sovereign the King, and of the peace of the Kingdom of Sweden; with large promises of the King's Grace and favour to them, and of a safe conduct to Gustavus, if he would lay down his Arms; but Gustavus was better acquainted with the old Ecclesiastical Fox, than to trust either him, or the Tyrant his Master.  
But so soon as Christian had finished those Tragedies, he hastens with all the speed imaginable out of Sweden, possibly fearing lest the ground should open his mouth and swallow him up; or, lest the famed of his Cruelty should arrive before him at Denmark, and make that Nation abhor and vomit him out. But behold how Vengeance followed him: he is now King of three Kingdoms of the baltic Sea; and to secure Sweden he had left Guards in every place; but Cruelty never Conquers mens Spirits; a great Tyrant may be feared of all, but loved of none but his own cannibals; and a guilty Conscience always pursues him, and suffers him to rest in quiet no where; And so it fell out with this King, for within three years he lost all his three Kingdoms, without adventuring one drop of blood, or striking one blow for them: for as he left Sweden without one God-speed, so he came into Denmark without one welcome home, for he had so died himself in blood, that all were afraid of him, and looked upon him as a Monster; his Victory was abominated, his Person odious, and his Government grown intolerable, by reason of his Injustice in oppressing his own people, invading the Lives, Liberties and Estates of all sorts; and for his execrable murder and perfidiousness in Sweden, together with his distrusting his own Subjects, and relving upon Strangers, intending to bring them into the Government of Denmark, and so to Rule his Kingdoms in a Tyrannical way by force and rigour in a word they esteem him worse than Phalaris, Nero, or Sylla for having found a peaceable and plentiful Kingdom, he brought it into the most calamitous condition imaginable. By his sacrilege, Impieties, Cruelties and Perfidiousness, whereby he provoked all men against him, especially the Duke of Holstein, who proclaimed War against him, and was invited by the Nobility into Jutland, where they all joined with him; Christian now too late, although too soon for him, concluding the Duke would be made King, leaves his Throne and Country, providing for his safety elsewhere, and Shipping himself his Queen and Children, with all the Treasure he could scrape together, he sailed into Germany, where we will leave him enjoying the just reward of his inhuman Tyranny.  
The Danish Historians observing that his Concubine or Whore, very much increased his and his Kingdoms misery: If any one should question the Truth of these inhuman Tragedies, let them consult saxon the Danish Historian, and they will find that there is not the tithe of what was done by him.  
The Picture of a Popish Successor drawn by Sigismond King of Swedeland, who being declared King of Sweden, returned from his Kingdom of Poland, and is crwoned at Upsal King of Sweden, Francis Mallaspine Bishop of Urben, and the Pope's Legare were earnest to Inaugurate the King after the Pontifician manner, hoping hereby to introduce the Romish Religion into that Kingdom again, but he was opposed by the Parliament, and Addam Andracan Archbishop of Upsal, who  told the Legate that it was against the Custom and Laws of that Kingdom, for any except the Archbishop of Upsal to set the Crown upon the Kings Head. Besides, say they, the King must Swear to maintain the Augustine Confession exhibited to Charles the First sixty four years ago, and no other Religion in this Kingdom; but that which was established by Gustavus, and John the Third, the King's late Predecessors in the Parliament of Sweden. The King perceiving all the Assembly to be of that mind, he was content to receive that Inauguration from him. His Coronation Oath was given him by the Chancellor of Sweden, by which he promiseth to maintain Justice and Truth, to suppress 'vice, to govern the Kingdom with Prince Charles and the Swedish Parliament, to admit no Strangers into his Councils, or chief Offices of his Kingdom; that he will lay no Tax upon the people, except he be necessitated thereto by War, or Marriage of his Children, or Reparation of Decayed Castles; that he will maintain the privileges of the Nobility, Clergy and People, and their Peace and Welfare. Then in the Parliament some Laws were Enacted for the Governing the Kingdom in the King's Absence, and the next June after he returned to Poland: Here was an Oath Solemnly taken, but with as much intent to keep it, as the Wolves intended to keep theirs made to the Sheep, when they promised to guard and secure them from danger; for the poor Swedes by woeful experience found when he had gotten the Kingdom: He like a Jesuited Prince forgot, or rather wilfully refused to keep his Promise, for he Invades Sweden his Native Country with an Army of Strangers, to the great danger of undoing his Uncle Charles, with the Nobility Clergy and whole Kingdom, for which cause they being grieved, that his Majesty should so violate his Promises, and impiously break his Coronation Oath, were forced to renounce all Fealty, and Allegiance to him; yet such was their love to that Family, that they were content his Son should sit upon the Throne after him, if so be his Majesty will resolve within six months to sand him thither to be instructed in the Protestant Faith under Prince Charles his Uncle and the other Peers of Sweden; But if the King refused to perform this within the prefixed time, they must disinherit him and his Posterity; therefore they beseech his Majesty not to slight the humble Petition of the Kingdom, nor the welfare of his Posterity: The six months prefixed for the King's Resolution being past, and no Answer from him, a Parliament is called, in which Prince Charles is desired to take the Kingdom, which he refused until other six Months were expired, wherein to expect the Young Prince to be sent thither to be Instructed in the Religion and and Laws of this Kingdom; which time being expired too, and no Answer coming from King Sigismond, he was crwoned King, and after him succeeded the Great Gustavus. Adolphus. And by this does eminently appear the usage that Protestants must expect under a Popish Prince.  
Further, the Bohemians having been long persecuted with Rage and Cruelty under the Government of Ferdinand King of Bohemia, were at last blessed with a calm, and the free exercise of the pure Religion, during the Reigns of three Kings successively, the last of which was mathias; who coming to Bohemia Anno 1617. calls an Assembly of States, but being in time of Harvest there was but a thin appearance, however he acquainted those which came, that since he had no Issue he would adopt Ferdinand for his Son, highly commending his virtues, and desiring he might be crwoned, the Answer of the Assembly was, that a business of so great consequence, could not be done in the absence of the United Provinces; the King cried, that what Bohemia did, would be confirmed by all the rest, the King also urged, that he grew Faint, and that it could not be deferred until another time; the Assembly Answered that the term of receiving him for King was new, that he ought first to be chosen, and then received; and some perceiving there was no obtaining of free choice departed, others partly alured by Promises, and partly deterred by Threats, stayed and were present at the Coronation of Ferdinand the second Emperor of Germany being thus obtruded upon the Bohemians for their King, contrary to the Ancient Constitutions and Customs of the Kingdom, and not lawfully Elected thereunto as he ought to have been, retired presently into Germany, and thereupon the Papists began to Crow, and openly to Threaten the Protestants; and it appeared sufficiently that Ferdinand Swore to the Orders with his Mouth, but in his Heart to the Pope, and presently after his departure the Popish Bishop Clergy and Nobles began to vex his Subjects for Religion, contrary to that assurance which the King had given to them. They attempted also the like in Prague, the Jesuits daily threatening that their Liberty in Religion should not last long. Then did they strictly prohibit the Protestants from Printing any thing unless licenced by the Chancellor of the Kingdom. Themselves in the mean time Divulging their own Slanderous Pamphlets, and dangerous Writings against the Protestants.  
Also Instructions were given to the Captains and Judges, that they should suffer no Meetings in Churches, except themselves were present; And except they had a Popish Priest to Administer only in one kind.  
The Burgrave also who had the Custody of the Crown and privileges of the Kingdom, was Apprehended, because in the late Parliament he had stood for the free Election of a King, and delivered Prisoner to one of the bitterest Enemies of the Protestants.  
In other Places they destroyed the Churches of the Protestants.  
In the beginning of the year 1618. the Governors of the University and Consistory met together, having formerly Power given them so to do; and choosing six persons, two Barons, two Knights, and two Citizens, to Consult what was best to be done in this time of their Enemies Insolency: There presently came an Injunction in Caesar's Name to Inhibit them to call any together, and that if any man was called, he should not dare to appear upon the pain of High-Treason.  
Notwithstanding which, the mayor part of the States met, and then new Prohibitions and Threats were spread abroad, and the States were informed that those Thunderbolts came not from the King, but from the Castle of Prague.  
Hereupon a great Tumult was raised in Prague, but the States Appeased it, and the first thing they did, was to banish the Jesuits out of Bohemia, as the chief contrivers of these Mischiefs: Then did they writ to Caesar, that they had no intention against his Royal Majesty, but only to bring to punishment the Disturbers of public Peace, being authorised thereto by his Majestie's Letter, and bound by their Protestation; yet he resolved to revenge this Treason( as he called it) by Force of Arms, and the Bohemians on the other side resolved to defend themselves, and for that end they choose Thirty Directors; and the Moravians and Silesians resolved to join with them, when they perceived Religion to be the Cause of the Quarrel. And indeed this was that which the Papists aimed at, and therefore they provoked the Bohemians by all ways, that so they might make a Conquest of Bohemia; and for this end an Imperial Army presently entred the Kingdom under Dampier, and a Spanish Army under Buequay.  
In the mean time the States resolved not to admit Ferdinand to be their King, who was so open an Enemy both to their Religion and Liberties, and who was obtruded upon them without a due Election: They sent also Ambassadors to frankford where the Electors were met together, to choose a new Emperor, desiring that Ferdinand might not be admitted amongst them as King of Bohemia, notwithstanding which he was admitted and chosen Emperor: The Bohemians in the mean time choosing Frederick Elector Palatine, for their King; this more enraged their Enemies, so that they sent another Army under Maximilian of Bavaria, which took two Protestant Towns by Storm, and put all to the Sword, and every where made great Slaughter of the Protestants: Then the Imperial Armies came to Prague, which being strack with a panic fear, the Protestant Army being Overthrown in a set Battle under the Walls, and their new King fled, they delivered up the City to them: The Conqueror promising to keep Articles agreed upon, but performing nothing less: For they did more mischief to the Protestant Religion by their subtle and Slow Proceedings, than lately by their outrageous Fury; when the Sword, Fire and Wheel were the Instruments of their rage against the Protestants. For a little before when it was debated at Rome how they should deal with the Bohemians and Germans after the Conquest; it was agreed, that seeing their former strong purges which they had used to expel heretical Humours had not proved effectual; they therefore resolved not to put them to Death, wherein they did Glory as in Martyrdom; but rather to weary them, and change the hatesurname of Inquisition into the mildel name of Reformation.  
And whereas there was a debate amongst the Imperialists at Prague, whether all the Protestants should be presently Banished, the Negative was resolved on, because they would then carry much away with them, and so Spoil the Province, and endure then Banishment with greater case, and therefore they concluded they must first besqueezed, and deprived of their Goods. And for this end the Souldiers at Prague were authorised to Plunder the Houses of Noblemen and Citizens; yet this was done at several Seasons, and mostly in the Night, by which means, as the Enemies Boasted, they took from the Protestants some Millions of Gold: For indeed hither were all their Riches brought in the time of War, as to a place of the greatest ●e●urity. But as this fell to the Commanders Shares, so the Neighbouring places were exposed to the Fury of the rest, the Common Souldiers Robbing and Spotling of Villages, Towns and Churches, Burning and Killing without any restraint: The Souldiers that were placed in Garrisons would not only have free Quarter, but extorted Money from their Landlords every day. Then were Commissions sent at road promising Security to those Noblemen, Knights, Corporations and Ministers that would bring in a good sum of Money to pay the Army, which yet they would not receive as a free gift, but only desired to borrow it. Caes●r's Protection was also promised to those that were Liberal, the rest were threatened to be punished by the Souldiers.  
They set down also what Sums they expected from every one within such a time; they promised also that when that was paid, the Souldiers should be removed, which made every one to bring in their Plate, Money and Jewels the more willingly. Then were Commissioners sent to require certain Cities, that belonged to Protestant Noblemen to maintain the standing Forces of the Kingdom, and to contribute Corn for their public Granaries: But whilst they were fed with a vain hope of lessening and removing the Souldiers, there were more Listed, which raised the Taxes so high as was impossible for the people to pay. And whereas some were alured to deny the Truth and turn Papists, that they might be cased of Taxes and Quarterings of Souldiers: This was not performed, whereupon they complained that Promise was broken with them. But the jesuits Answered them, That they had no cause to complain, for they had provided for their Souls; and therefore they ought cheerfully to help the King by Contributions and Quarterings of Souldiers; and that heretics must be dealt with as Mad-men and Children: From whom if you desire to get a Knife, you must show them something else, though you never intend to give it them.  
Thus the Kingdom being emptied of Gold and Silver, Counterfeit and Adulterate Money was Coined in great abundance, that so the Common people might rejoice in their Plenty; but in the mean time the Souldiers would receive none but good Money.  
Gold and Silver also was raised to Ten times the Price of it, and on a sudden the Emperor Diminished the value, making every piece of Money to be worth but the Tenth part; whereby the Bohemians were more Impoverished suddenly, than if they had lain under the burden of an Army for Ten years.  
Then was it ordered that the Creditor should lose all the Money that he had Lent in the time of the Rebellion, as they called it. And thus they were first Impoverished, after which the Papists Insulted over them by Infamous Books, Insolent Pictures, and Proud words.  
Then did they sand abroad their Commissioners for Reformation, who in every Town and Village endeavoured to bring Protestantise into Disgrace, and highly to magnify and set abroad their own Cause. The most Eminention● for Honour and Estates were Invited to apostasy, the Inferion sort are 〈◇〉 fooled by there examples, or compelled by threatenings. Then was there a High Court of Reformers set up, from which there was no Appeal.  
In the next place the cannoners exercised Barbarous Tyranny against the Ministers of Jesus Christ; one Aged Minister lying S●ek in his Bed, they Shot him to death as he lay: The next day they Robbed and Murthored another: Another, as he was Preaching to his people, they came into the Church and Shot him to Death. A Nobleman and a Minister hearing of Souldiers that were coming that way, conveyed themselves away into a place of Safety. The Souldiers when they came caught a School-Master, and Binding him in Cords, examined him where the Lord of that place, and the Minister were, and where they had hide their Treasure; he professed he knew neither the one nor the other. Whereupon they Beat him first with then Fists, then with Cudgels, then Stripping him Naked, they so extremely Singed him with Fire, that at last he promised to bring them where the Treasure was, showing them a Ditch full of Stones, which for Greediness of Gold they Emptied, but finding nothing, they Beat him Afresh; and when he professed he knew no Treasure, though through Pain he had said so much, they cudgeled him, and with Clods Beat him into the Ditch, and butted him under the Stones.  
Presently after they lighted on another Godly Minister, whom they so miserable Tortured, that he Died within five days, Shamefully abusing his Daughters also, whom they lead away with them.  
Another Godly Minister, for a Month together they Exeruciated with new invented Mockeries: They Spit in his Face, Buffeted him with their Fists, exposed him to be Beaten by every Vile Rascak; they with a Knotty Cord Twisted about his Forehead, with a Stick so strained his Head, that his very Eyes were ready to Start out: Then they let loose a Wild Horse upon him, which yet leaped quiter over him, and did him no harm. At last, with much ado he redeemed himself with five Hundred Florences.  
Another Minister they lighted on, and because he had a better Estate than the former, they Tormented him more; sometimes covering him over with not Burning Coals, sometimes with Ice, till they had forced him to pay a Thousand five Hundred Florences for his ransom, though shortly after through Extremity of the pains he Died.  
Another Minister they fetched from his House, and miserable Tortured him, by Twisting a Cord about his Head; then tied his Hands behind him, and his Legs with a small Cord, intending the next Morning to Torture him with File. But in the Night time,( as he was earnest at his Prayers; repeating these words, In thee, O Lord! is my Trust,) he perceived his Hands and Feet to be Miraculously loosened: Whereupon getting up, he went to the Gate, where were three Watchmen, one of them standing with his Hand on his Sword, yet he passed by them Undiscovered; when he came to the Town-Gate, he was known by the soldier that stood Sentinel, but he, being a Bohemian, was overcome by entreaty, and let him pass over the Bridge, whereby he Escaped.  
Another Minister with his Wife they Cruelly Burnt.  
Another was hanged upon a Cross-Beam, and making a Fire under him, they Broiled him to death: Another they cut in Small Pieces: Another Minister they soughts●r, but he being escaped, they took a Young man in his House, laid him on his back, filled his Mouth with Gunpowder, which setting Fire to, they miserable Tore his Jaws in pieces, and then Killed him.  
When Souldiers came to the House of another, he entertained them Courteous●●, and made good Provision for them; but when they knew he was a Minister, they first Beat him Cruelly, then Killed him, stripped him, and plundered his House; they also Burnt his Library, and would not suffer his Body to butted for seven Weeks during their abode there.  
Another Aged Minister and his Wife were so sorely Burned by a soldier that de●●anded Money of them, that presently after they Died.  
Another was Hung up by the Privy Members, being Seventy years Old, and his own Books Burnt under him, and at last was Shot through and Slain.  
Another was first Assessed at Seven Hundred Florences, and then had his House Plundered; and lastly, himself was murdered.  
Another they caught and Wounded, Cutting his Neck half through; but being afterwards carried by some Friends to a chirurgeon, he Lived about two years, but in much pain and torment.  
Another being about Seventy years Old, they carried him into the Market place, where laying him upon a Fire they Burnt him to Death.  
Another was Beaten, so that he Died three days after.  
The Jesuits laid wait for one Pessinus, a man Eminent for Learning and Piety, at last they Suborned an Apostate to betray him; who at last discovering him at he road in a Coach with a Nobleman, forty Horsemen came suddenly and took him away: But by the Importunity of some Noblemen, he was Ransomed for four Thousand Florences, and ended his Life in Banishment. Another being bound to a three, was made a mark for the musketeers to Shoot at.  
Another being met by a notable Papist, was run through with a Spear; but all this was done through Military Licentiousness: Now we come to what was acted by Process of Law.   

Anno 1625. Six Articles were Exhibited to the Protestant Congregations in Prague.  
I. THat they should lend some Thousands of Pounds to Caesar, for the payment of his Army.  
II. That they should publicly Renounce the coming in of Frederick.  
III. That they should bring into the Church the Popish Rites and Ceremonies.  
IV. That their Ministers should be ordained a new.  
V. That the Ministers should leave their Wives, or get a Dispensation from the Archbishop.  
VI. That such as would renounce their Ecclesiastical Functions, should have public Promotions, and the Favour of Caesar.  
Then came forth an Edict, wherein the blame of all the former Rebellion( as they called it) was laid upon the Ministers of Prague, because they stirred up by their Lying Sermons( as they pleased to style them) and by their Writings; not only the common people, but the Nobles also against Caesar; and that they were Authors of the choice of Frederick, and that they still laboured to stir up in the people a hatred against Caesar. Thereupon all the Ministers within Prague were required within three days to depart out of Prague, and within eight days to depart out of the Kingdom, and the Provinces belonging thereto, and never to return again: and if any by what pretence soever, should stay, or return again, or if any should presume to harbour or conceal any of them, that both the one and the other should suffer death, this was Anno 1621.  
Then were their Churches in Prague given to the Jesuits; it cannot be expressed what Lamentations and Mournings there were amongst the people, when thus they must leave their Pastors, and that for ever. Yet the German Ministers, whereof there were two, were suffered to continue in favour of the Duke of Saxony: then did as many as understood Dutch, stock to their Congregations, which so vexed the Jesuits, that they obtained not a Banishment, but a Gracious Dismission of them as they would have it called. Multitudes of people followed them, with great Lamentations and Tears, and in the Field they heard their farewell Sermons.  
The next design was to remove the Ministers out of other free Cities, and the Commissioners of Reformation were employed herein, one of them with a Troop of Horse coming to Slana, and going to Church, the Minister( a Godly and Learned man) was Reading the Gospel; the Commissioner sent a soldier to him to bid him give over, but the Minister still going on, himself went to him with his Sword drawn crying out, Thou Foolish Preacher leave off thy babbling; and withall, he dashed the Bible out of his hand with his Sword. The Minister with Eyes, Hands, and Voice lift up to Heaven, repeated often, Wo, wo, unto you, you enter not into Heaven yourselves, and forbid them that would. Wo, wo, wo unto you; but they mocking at these words, presently laid hands on him, lostling him to and fro; whereupon he said, I for the Name of my Lord Jesus Christ am ready to suffer all this, and what else you shall impose. The people were much Affrighted, but the chief Magistrates and many good Women interceding for him, he was at last dismissed, provided that he should depart the City within three days.  
In a neighbouring City, the Minister for fear of these Barbarous Proceedings, went away of himself, yet the Commissioners extorted a great sum of Money from his Church, and Banished him in his Absence. In another place they commanded the Minister to depart from his Parish within three days, and from the City within eight days. He modestly asking the reason of his Banishment, they  told him, Caesar by Conquest was Master of all the Churches, and that therefore he would put into them whom he pleased.  
But in the Rooms of these Godly Preachers, were put in Unclean Men, Wicked Blasphemers, and Men illiterate, and of no worth, and yet they could not provide for all places; so that one of their Hirelings supplied divers Churches, and instead of the wholesome Food of God's word, he said them with Poison. Then brought they ignorant Monks out of Poland, unprofitable burdens to the Earth, yet fit enough to be promoters of an Ignorant and Antichristian Religion.  
Also a Commissioner, with some Troops of Horse, entering into Guttenburgh, a place Famous for maintaining the Orthodox Faith, calls before him the Ministers, casts them out of their places, and puts Jesuits into their Churches: And these Jesuits urging it, the Ministers were commanded to depart out of the City Gates before break of day, and out of the Kingdom within eight days. Hereby were twenty one Ministers driven away, many Citizens accompanying them; one of them at the parting preached upon that Text, They shall cast you out of the Synagogues, exhorting them to perseverance. All the multitude much bewailed their loss, and with great Lamentations, Walling and Kissing each other, they recommended themselves to the Blessing and Protection of the Almighty.  
In every place the Ministers were cast out of their Livings, some Imprisoned, and after a while dismissed; and all commanded to depart the Kingdom upon pain of Death. Some were strifled with Stinks whilst they lay in Prison.  
At last Anno 1624 another Decree came forth from the King, whereby all the Protestant Ministers were commanded to depart the Kingdom by a peremptory day prefixed; because, as was alleged, they were Seditious men, and Seducers of the people: Yet herein they used this Artifice, that in most places this Edict was concealed, till the time was almost or altogether elapsed; so that by this means the Ministers not having time to communicate their councils together, went into several Provinces; and some were fain to hid themselves in Caves and Dens, and those either returned privately and Visited their Auditors, or comforted such as came to them in the Mountains and Woods, Preaching and administering the Sacraments unto them.  
But as soon as the Enemies understood it, they presently published a new Decree, wherein a punishment was proposed to those that should conceal the Ministers, and a reward to such as should betray them. Whereupon some of the Ministers were taken and cast into Prison; then by the Jesuits were they by all ways solicited to apostasy: And fear of Death, Hunger, could, the stink of the Prison, &c. prevailed with some to renounce their Ministry. But most bore up courageously against all Storms; and at last some by paying great Sums, others by giving it under their Hands, that they would never return in Bohemia, were dismissed.  
One Godly Minister was examined by Tortures, when, where, and to whom he had administered the Sacraments of Baptism, or the Lords Supper: He Answered, That he had neither laid down, nor slacked his Ministry, which he had received from Christ, and not from Caesar. Being proffered Life if he would change his Religion, he Answered, This Body of mine is subject to Corruption, and now it begins to decay already; why would you have me hinder it? Being brought forth to Execution, the crier with a loud voice proclaimed, That he was guilty of Sedition: But he with a loud voice laid, I suffer for the Truth of Christ. None of the Citizens were suffered to accompany him; yea, they were▪ threatened to be Shot, if they did but look out at their Windows: And that his voice might not be heard, the Drums and Trumpets Sounding continually as he was passing on, he cheerfully said, This day shall my Soul be with Christ; the Captain said, With the Devil in Hell: The Martyr replied, But you with your impious Crew will run headlong thither, except ye Repent. Then was his Right Hand cut off, wherewith he gave the Cup in the Sacrament; then was his Head cut off, his Bowels taken forth and wraped in his Shirt, his Quarters set upon four Stakes, and his Head upon the fifth.  
After this did the Commissioners go into Moravia to a Noble Baron, called Charles de Zerotina, a man for Wisdom, virtue Famous through all Europe, and a constant Professor of Religion; and one who maintained Twenty four Ministers of the Protestant Religion within his Jurisdiction: They  told him, That they had an express Command from Cardinal Ditrichstaine, to expel all those Ministers out of the Country. He Answered, That in matters of Religion he ought not to be subject to the Cardinal, and therefore from him he Appeals to Caesar. They granted him Fourteen days to prosecute his Appeal, but the Baron being not in Health, could not go in that time to Caesar. Then they came again to him, and  told him, That it should be in his choice, whether he would sand them away himself, or suffer them to do it: The Baron Answered, That he would not Banish those whom he knew to be the Servants of Christ, nor could consent that they should do it. Yet that Night they sent abroad their Citations, to require all the Inhabitants of that Village, to appear before them the next Morning; at which time the Minister and People came: Then did they red to them Caesar's Edict, asking them if they would submit to it; they Answered, That they wholly relied upon the will of God, whom they served in the Gospel of his Son; and therefore they resolved to undergo what punishment they should Inflict, seeing they suffered only for the Name of Jesus Christ, and not for any ill Deeds. Then they demanded of them whether they would forsake their heresy, and turn to the catholic Church, which they unanimously denied. The Commissioners would have given them time to consider of it, but they all Answered: That in so Religious a cause as this, they needed no deliberations. Hereupon in Caesar's Name they Banished them, commanding them to depart within eight days. These Godly persons obeied, and by the Baron, at his own charge they were conveyed into Hungary. The like they did in other places, so that the Ministers of the Gospel through all Bohemia and Moravia, were thrust out, and Ignorant and Illiterate persons were put in their Rooms.  
The next Design of the Enemies was against the Nobles, the Crime was for taking up Arms for Frederick their Lawful King, against an Usurper: For though hope of Pardon was granted, if laying down Arms they would submit to Caesar's Mercy, yet divers of them were apprehended, and first they seized upon some that were of the Rank of Defenders of the Kingdoms Liberties. And this was all the Mercy and Clemency that Protestants enjoyed under the Reign of Popish Princes.  
FINIS.