royal blazon or coat of arms 
C R  HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE DIEV ET MON DROIT 
By H. PULESTON M. A.  
Printed for the Author, and are to be sold by R I C: DAVIS in Oxon, 1664.   

A CATALOGUE of some Books Printed for, and to be sold by Richard Davis in OXON.  
A View of the Threats and Punishments recorded in Scriptures Alphabetically composed, with some brief Observations upon several Texts, by Zachary Bogan of C. C. C. in Oxon. in 80 — The Mirth of a Christian Life. And the sorrows of a wicked Life 80 Fides Apostolica, or, A Discourse asserting the received Authors and Authority of the Apostles Creed: Together with the grounds & ends of composing thereof by the Apostles, the sufficiency thereof for the Rule of Faith etc. With a double Appendix. 1. Touching the Athanasian. 2. The Nicene Creed: By Georg. Ashwel B. D. in 80 Ailmeri Musae Sacrae, seu jonas, jeremiae Threni; & Daniel Graeca redditi carn●ine, in 80 Ad Grammaticen ordinariam supplementa quaedam, editio 2. multis auctior in 80 Theses Philosoph. Nou. A Carolo Potter, in 12 Contemplationes Metaphisicae ex Natura Rerum & rectae Rationis lumine deductae. Authore Georg. Ritschel Bohemio in 80 The City Match, and the Amorous War, two Plays by I M. St. Ch. Ch. in 40 Aditus ad Logicam, Authore Samuele Smith in 12. Elementa Logicae, Authore Edwardo Brerewood in 12. Johan Butidani Quaestiones in octo Libros Politicorum Aristotelis in 40 Robert. Baronii Philosoph. Theolog. Ancillans in 12. De Peccato Morale & Veniale in 12. — Metaphisica in 12. Delphi Phoenicizantes per Edm. Dickinson. M. D. è Coll. Merton Socio in 80 The Hurt of Sedition by S. Io. Check in 40 The Christian Race, A Sermon on Heb. 12. 1. by Tho. Barton in 40 A Funeral Sermon on Philip. 1. 23. by john Millet, in 40 A Nomenclator of such Tracts and Sermons as have been Printed or Translated into English upon any place or Book of the Holy Scripture, now to be had in the Public Liberary in Oxford, by joh. Vernevil in 12. The Vaulting Master, Or the Art of Vaulting, illustrated with Sixteen brass figures. by William Stoakes in 40 A Treatise of the Preservation of the Eye sight by D Ba●ly in 80 Artis Logi●ae Compendium à Roberto Sanderson ol●● Episc. Lincol. Edit. sexta, in 12. 1. A Christian Legacy, or preparations for, and consolarions against Death, with the sick man's cordial by Edw. Hyde D. D in 12. 2. Christ and his Church, or Christianity explained in 6. Evangelical heads with a Justification of the Church of England in 40 3. Vindication of Truth against Error in 7. Controversies. 1. Of Sinners Prayers. 2. Priest's Marriage. 3. Purgatory. 4. Images. 5. Praying to Saints and Angels. 6. Justification by Faith. 7. Of Christ's new Testament or Covenant, in 12. Directions to a Godly Life, Instructions for the worthy receiving of the Lord's Supper by H. Tozer in 12. A Complete Herbal by Rob. Lovel in 12. Savili● Oratio Coram Eliz. Regm. 40 The Circles of Proportion, and the Horizontall Instrument etc. Both invented and their use written by W. Oughtred Aetonensis, in 80 The Necessity of a Learned Ministry by H. Thurman St. Ch. Ch. in 80 The Natural Man's Blindness in 3. Sermons on Rom. 7. 7. by H. Hurst in 80 Essays and Observations on the Humours of the Age Discovered and Characterised, by W. M. M. A. Fellow of Merton Coll. in 80 Porta Mosis, sive D●ssertationes aliquot R. M●sis Maimonidis, nunc primum Arabice, prout ab ipso Autore conscriptae sunt, et Latin editae, una cum Appendice Notarum Miscellan. Opera et Study Edu. Pocokii Ling. Hebr. et Arab. in Acad. Oxon. Professoris, in 40 Idea Trigonometriae Demonstratae. Item de Cometis, et Inquisitio in Bullialdi Astronomiae Philolaicae Fundamenta, Authore Setho Ward, nunc Episc. Exon. in 40 — Exercitatio Epistolica in Tho. Hobbii Philosophiam in 80. — Astronomia Geometrica. Vbi Methodus proponitur qua primariorum Planetarum Astronomia five Elliptica Circularis possit G●ometrice absolvi 80 Ovid's Invective against Ibis, translated into English Verse. by Io. jones School Master in Hereford, in 80 Two Assize Sermons preached at Reading & Abington, on Cant 7. 4. Psal 82. 1. With two other Sermons Preached at S Mary's in Oxon. on 1 Cor. 15. 10. Psal. 58 11. by Io. Hinckley 12. Exercitationes duae 1. De Hysterica Passione 2. De Affectione Hypochondriaca autore N. Highmore Art et M. B. in 12. Cheerful Airs or Ballads, first composod for one single voice, and since set for three voices by joh. Wilson D. in Music Professor of the same in the University of Oxon. 3. Vol. in 40 Britannia Rediviva Musarum Acad. Oxon. in 40 Epicedia Acad. Oxon. in Obitum H. Ducis Glocestrensis, in 40. Epicedia Acad. Oxon. in Obitum Mariae Principis Arausionensis in 40 An Elegy on the Death of the most Illustrious Prince Henry Duke of Gloucester, by M. Lluelyn D. Physic in folo Threnodia on the Death of the high borne Prince Henry Duke of Gloucester, by Arthur Bret of Ch. Ch. 40 A plain and profitable Catechism, with a Sermon, on Exod. 23. 2. by M. james Bacon published by D. Hen. W●lkinson. 80 Grotius de Veritate Religionis, cum Notis suis 80 Hosannah a Thanksgiving Sermon on the Kings Return Lops 118. 22, 23, 24. 25. by Io Martin 40 Historical reflections on the Bishop of Rome, by Io. Wagstaffe Or. Coll. in 40 A sheet of Directions for Daily Examination of sin, by Bishop Usher in 40 Prolusiones Academicae in duas partes distributa: 1. De judiciis. 2. De Origine Dom●nii et servitutis etc. Thomas Jones LL. D. et Coll. Mert. Soc. 12 A short Direction for performance of Cathedral Service by E. Low. in 80 Liber Precum Publicarum in usum Eccles. Cathedralis Christi Oxon. in 12. Carmen Tograi Poetae Arabis Doctissimi, una cum Versione Latina et Notis Praxin illius exhibentibus. Opera Ed. Pocokii LL Heb. et Arab. Prosessoris. Accessit Tractatus de Prosodia Arabica per Sam. Clericum, in 80 Burgersdicii Logica 80 — Metaphysica 12 — Idea Philosophiae 12 Homonymas & Synonyma Linguae, Latinae ex Otio & Opera Henr. Edmundson 1662. in 80 A Divine Theatre, or a stage for Christians, a Sermon at Ch. Ch. in Oxford by joh. Wall D. D. Praebend there 1662. in 80 Wollebii Compendium Theolog. in 12. Suetonius cum Annot. diversorum in 12. Cluveri● Geographia. in 12. — The same in English, in 80 Bradshaw de justificatione in 12. Shepherd of Sincerity and Hypocrisy, with a Tract annexed to prove; That true Grace doth not lie so much in the Degree; as in the Nature of it in 80 Issendoorni Carsus Logicus. in 12. The Throne of David, or an Exposition of the second Book of Samuel by W.l. Guild. D. B. 40 Christian Liberty Rightly Stated and Enlarged. Being a brief Vindication of the Lawfulness of eating things Strang'ed. by Will Roe. in 80 Coll. Henry Martin's Familiar Letters to his Lady of Delight, also Her kind Returns etc. published by Edm. Gayton) according to the Original papers under their own hands: with an Answer to that Letter of his in Justification of the Murder of the late K. Charles. 40 Sleidan de quatuor Imperiis. 1● Pemble Tract. Philosophiae, Creatione & Providentia viz. de Origine Formarum Sensibus Internis. 12 Statuta Vniversitatis Oxon. 12 Drexelius of Eternity in Welch. 12. Stradae Prolusiones Academicae 12. Combachii Metaphysica 12. Boethius de Consolation Philos. 24 Lipsius de Constantia 24 Minutius Foelix cum Notis Rigaltii etc. 12. D. Pierce's Sermon, the Primitive Rule of Reformation. in 40. and in 12. Dialogi Gallico-Anglico Latini. per Gabr Dugres Editio Tert●a, priori emendatior. Accesserunt huic editioni ejusdem Authoris Regulae pronunciandi; u● & Verborum Gallicorum Paradigmata. Quibus subnexae sunt, Linguae Gallicae Addiscendae Regulae. Collectae Opera & Industria H. Leighton. A. M. 80 Some considerations touching the Usefulness of Experimental Philosophy, proposed in Familiar Discourses to a Friend by way of invitation to the Study of it, by the Honourable Robert Boil Esquire: in 40 Ashwells Gestus Eucharisticus, A Discourse concerning the Gesture at the receiving of the Lord's Supper. 80 Historia Dynastiarum Arabice-latin. Autore, Gregorio Abul-Pharagio. Edit. Interpret. & Continuat. per Ed. Pocock. 40 Lucian's Dialogues made English from the Original by jasp. Mayne D. D. to which are added those Englished by M Hicks. fol. E●lis Poems. 80 Provinciale Vetus Provinciae Cantuariensis, cum selectioribus Lindwodi Annotationibus. Quibus subnexae sunt constitutiones Othonis & Othoboni. Card. & sedis Romani in Anglia Legatorum. Revisa omnia, & cum Veteribus comparata per Rob. Sharrock LL. D. Novi Coll. Soc. in 12. Of the Church, Five Books, by Rich. Field, Doctor in Divinity, and sometimes Deane of Gloucester folio. Davenant, Morton etc. Good Counsels for Peace, in 40 Howel's Voeall Forrest. 40 Accontii Stratagematum Satanae. 80 juelli Apollogia Ecclesiae Angl. gr. lat. 80 Downam, of Christian Liberty. 80 Flavel de Demonstratione. 80 Imperiale, a Play 40 Sicily and Naples, the Fatal Union, a Play 40 Sharrock de Officiis seu de Moribus 80 — de Incontinentia 80 — History of the Propagation of Plants 80 Holyday's Survey of the World. 80 Heerebord in Burgersd. Log. 80. Sthalii Regulae Philosophicae. in 12.   

IT is observed by Edmond Howes a diligent Compiler of our Country's Annals, That in this Island there hath happened five remarkable alterations, and each of them always about the period or revolution of five hundred years, whereof in his Historical Preface, he gives this ensuing account.  
1. The first alteration, says he, was presently upon the death of Gorboduc, seventeenth in descent from Brute, Founder, according to him, of the British Monarchy. This Gorboduc had caused his youngest Son Porrex to be jointly crowned with his eldest Son Ferrex: These two fall at difference among themselves; the younger kills the elder, him the Mother, her the Multitude, hence Civil Wars; at length Malmutius Danwallo Duke of Cornwall, having subdued all Competitors, translates the Kingdom to another line, which continues without any memorable interruption, until  
2. The second grand alteration, in the Reign of Cassibeline, forty fourth Successor of Malmutius, begun by the invasion of julius Caesar, General of the Romans in Gaul, but not perfected before Claudius the Emperor's time, from which date the Aera or computation of the Romans absolute Dominion here is to commence, who●e departure, recalled by their Domestic dissensions, and Foreign inundations, carrying with them also the ablest of the Britons, was the occasion of  
3. The third famous alteration; for the Britons bereft of their own proper strength, and destitute of the accustomed aid of their Champions the Romans, were necessitated to implore the assistance of the Saxons, a people of Germany, against the Picts and Scots, who grievously infested the Northern borders.  
To these Saxons Vortigern, the late elected King, and Author of these Strangers employment, in contemplation of their service, most improvidently allots, first the Isle of Thannet, then all Kent, afterwards more to inhabit; besides his marriage with Rowena the Daughter of Hengist, one of their principal leaders, gave them so firm a footing, that they not only could not be removed, but even forced their Landlords the Britons into the lest, most desert, and most mountainous parts, whilst these new intruding guests enjoy the greatest, the best, and richest share, which they portioned into an Heptarchy, or seven petty Principalities, who contending among themselves for superiority, and wearying out one another with mutual discord, administered opportunity unto  
4. The fourth, and indeed a twofold alteration, (but in regard of its immediate connexion is reckoned but as one) first by the Danes, a people likewise of Germany, who after many conflicts obtained the Sovereignty, but did not long retain the same. But the second (which took its original almost, where the other determined) and chiefest mutation, both for its continuance and universality, was that by the Normans, a Nation primarily issued out of Normandy, but then possessing the South of France, who introduced a general innovation in all things but Religion, which also suffered its vicissitude or turn in  
5. The fifth and last alteration under Henry the eighth, who gave the first blow unto it, by his withdrawing his obedience from the Romish Sea, in whose communion England had persevered since its first conversion, and by suppressing Monasteries who were the main Pillars and Supporters thereof. But his Son Edward the sixth, proceeds further to the abolition of the Rites and Doctrine of that Church, which were yet again restored by his Sister Mary, and again excluded by her Sister Elizabeth, who was therein imitated by her Successor, James, conjoiner of the two separated Kingdoms, England, and Scotland, which our Author makes a parcel of this last alteration, and where he concludes his general History of the several revolutions of this Island, from the first foundation of a Monarchy here, until the time wherein he wrote.  
But since there hath happened another alteration not less, if not in some respect more considerable than any of the former, when not only the Person but the Office, not only a King, and that in an unparallelled manner, but even Kingship itself was destroyed, (a design that was never so much as attempted by our Ancestors) and instead thereof, an unheard-of kind of Commonwealth erected, which was soon suppressed by an insolent Usurper, who thought under a different title to have established the whole power to him and his; But by God's providence, and the perfidiousness of his own Relations, his purpose was defeated, his Son dethroned, a shadow of a Commonwealth retrived, once more dismissed, again revived, and finally dissolved, the old Government renewed, and lawful Heir recalled; and all this come to pass within the space of twelve years, yea most ofit within the circuit of one year, whereof we can only say with the Psalmist, This is the Lord's do, it is marvellous in our eyes.  
And truly, if we consider things impartially, there is great cause of admiration; that God should not only preserve among us for so many ages a Monarchy, (the best of Regiments in general, and in particular most agreeable to the situation of this Country, and constitution of the people,) but even continued it, maugre all the Plots and policies of men to the contrary, in that very blood and Family, which as far as creditable Genealogy will extend, hath been first known to have been invested therewithal.  
For we may safely affirm, that our present King Charles the second, (in whose posterity we trust it will remain as long as the Sun and Moon endures) deduces his pedigree in an indisputable line, from all that ever did or could pretend a title or interest to the Crown, which we think can hardly be verified of any Prince besides, this day in the Christian world.  
For proof whereof we appeal to such of our Chronicles only as are undoubted and beyond exception. Passing by therefore the Catalogue of British Kings from Brute to Cassibeline, not as altogether untrue, but as very uncertain; passing by those likewise we found mentioned during the Romans abode here, whose custom it was to permit native Kings indeed in their Conquered Provinces, but only as instruments of Tyranny, and wholly depending on the authority of the Empire and its Prefects: We shall take our rise from the Saxons rule, and especially at that time, when from a multiplied Estate it grew towards an Union; And yet we cannot omit one passage we found Recorded of Cadwallader last King of the Britons on this side Severn; who at his death prophesied that his Race should recover the Dominion of this Isle again, which was fulfilled in the days of King Henry the seventh, and more completely of King James, as will appear when the series and progress of the Story doth bring us thereunto.  
The Saxons, as hath been already hinted, made a sevenfold partition of the Land they had wrested from the Britons, but the Kingdom of the Westsaxons (whose first stone was laid by Cerdic) did so increase in superstructure, that in the end it overtopped all the rest.  
Ina, the fifth descendent of Cerdic, was the first advancer of it to this prehemenency; but he died without issue, and the due order of the succession was somewhat disturbed, by the intrusion of four or five one after another, of the Blood-Royal indeed, but not in such a propinquity, as was Egbert Nephew but once removed from Ina, of whose right and promising forwardness, Britric, the last of the Usurpers, had so quick a sense, that he contrived the destruction of young Egbert: Which to avoid, he was enforced to retire unto the Court of Offa King of Mercia or Middle England, but finding small security there in regard his Enemy had married Offas daughter, he escapes thence into France; whence after the Tyrant's death, he returns to the enjoyment of that Kingdom, which had been so long, and so unjustly detained from him.  
This Prince (which we the rather note because of the affinity he hath with the Condition of our Sovereign that now is) had by an exiles experience attained such a measure of prudence, and all other perfections, that he much improved the West-Saxon Empire, which was now well neare arrived to its Meridian and height, when it suffered a most terrible Ecclipse by the interposition of the Danes, who made their first irruption in his predecessors days; and though they were valiantly resisted, and frequently repulsed by him and his Successors; yet did they never after cease from afflicting one part or other, till they had reduced the whole to their subjection, in which posture they held it but a little while, as hath before been intimated, and shall be more amply showed in its due and proper place.  
Egbert being dead, Aethewolph his Son of a Bishop become a Prince, and though his Education and Profession had rendered him a greater Votary than Warrior, yet did he given the Danes a most memorable overthrow. He had four Sons, who were all Kings in their turns, but the glory of the rest was Alfred, the youngest, not less famous for Arts than Arms; in the first his Son Edward surnamed the Elder, is reported to have been inferior, but in the last did equal, if not exceed his renowned Father.  
This Edward often worsted, but could not totally extirpate the Danes, who rcruited with fresh supplies from their own Comntry, made daily more and more encroachments upon the already-tired English Nation, whose case at that time especially required some strong prop or stay to sustain and keep up its declining and tottering estate.  
And upon this account it was that Athelstane Edward's bastard Son, being at full maturity and ripeness, was preferred before his legitimate one Edmond then in minority (the reason also that some succeeding Princes were for some time laid aside) but Edmond being now come to Age, after his Brother Athelstanes death (the nobleness of whose life recompensed the blemish of his birth) was admitted to his Father's Throne, which he did wisely and courageously manage, but was too soon deprived of it, and his life together, by a villainous Affassinate, in his own house at a festival, whilst he went about to rescue his Sewer from the violence of that barbarous hand.  
The more than ordinary hopes conceived of this brave Prince being thus untimely nipped in the bud, his nolesse-deserving Brother Eldred was elected King, notwithstanding Edmond had left two Sons behind, whose tender years in those troublesome times were thought uncapable of so weighty an employment.  
But upon the death of Eldred, the Sceptre (which is a thing to be taken notice of in precedent and subseqent ruptures of this nature) reverted to the right Heirs, viz. the Sons of Edmond: And first to Edwin the eldest, whose dissolute and degenerate courses made sudden room for Edgar the youngest, who matched any of his Predecessors in worth, and excelled them all in power, for he quieted, and kept under, Danes, Welsh, Scots, insomuch as he is accounted, at lest from the Saxons entrance, the first absolute Monarch of this entire Island.  
In a word, he was happy in his life, and Reign, but most unhappy in his Issue, for having two Sons, Edward and Ethelred, by several ventures; the Stepmother Elfred made Edward a Saint to make her own Son Etheldred a King; and though now by this removal of his Brother, whereunto possibly he might not be privy, noon had any nearer title to the Crown than himself, yet did that innocent blood lie heavy upon him and his seed, nor could it, according to St. Dunstan's predictions, be expiated, but by a long avengement.  
In promoting of which divine justice, the Danes were the principal instruments, who had lain still under Edgar, but taking advantage of Ethelreds' unsettled condition, who by reason of this forestalling the Crown was termed the unready, forced him first to purchase an ill-kept peace, and then to relinquish his ill-gotten Kingdom, of which death only prevented Swain, his expeller, to take actual possession, and accumulate this to the Danish Crown.  
But Cnute the Son of Swayn perfected his Father's design, and afforded Ethelred now returned out of Normandy, wither to avoid the storm he had betook himself, so sharp an entertainment that oppressed with grief for his bad success, he quit this, and made another world his second place of refuge, leaving his Son Edmond Inheritor of little else, but the miseries of an unfortunate house.  
Yet did Edmond, for his valour, and hardiness in War, surnamed Ironside, hue himself out with his Sword the moiety of a Kingdom. For after the effusion of much blood on both sides, and to stop the shedding, of more it was agreed between the two Competitors (Cnute and Edmond) to try their right by single combat, in proper person, and the overcommer to take all. But there proving equality in the fight, there was likewise made equality in the command between them; yet did not Edmond long enjoy his share, being circumvented by the practice of Edric Earl of Stratton, the Arch-traitor of those times, whose falsehood had ruined the Father, and now his ambition destroys the Son, for which Cnute invents a suitable reward, causing his head to be set upon the highest place of the Tower of London, therein performing his promise of advancing him above any Lord of the Land, which was the mark that this faithless wretch aimed at, and now attained, but in a far different sense from that which he had vainly proposed to himself.  
Cnute being thus rid of a Rival, denied copartnership to the Sons of Edmond, as pretending the whole to appertain to the Survivor, and for fear they might prove thorns in his side, he sent them far enough out of the way, into Swedeland, say some, there to be murdered, but they were mercifully preserved, and conveyed to the Court of Hungary, where Edmond died without issue, but Edward had by Agatha Daughter to Henry the fourth Emperor of Germany, a Son named Edgar, and a Daughter called Margaret, who was the cause, as hereafter shall be showed, that the Saxon stem which now seemed withered, doth once more reflourish, though inocculated we confess, upon another stock.  
Notwithstanding this transportation of Edmond's Sons, yet did not Cnute hold himself sufficiently assured of his new accquired Kingdom, till he had married Emma widow of Ethelred, whereby he gained the love of the English: but the promise he made in marriage, that the Children begotten on her should succeed, was for some time frustrated by the preoccupation of Harold, (surnamed Harefoot,) the eldest son of Cnute by a Concubine; but his reign was brief, as likewise was that of his Brother Hardi Canute, the lawful Son of Cnute and Emma, with whom expired the Danish Dominion here, which had been but of a short duration, though their incursions and molestations had continued for a longer space.  
Edward styled the Confessor, to distinguish him from Edward the Elder, and Edward the Saint, was next King, being the Son of Emma also, but by her first Husband Ethelred the Unready, and did in some sort restore the Saxon blood: For in truth there was a nearer relation to the Crown extant, though not so neare at hand for the present, to wit, Edward, surnamed, by reason of his Foreign education, the Outlaw, the Son of Edmond Ironside, the eldest Son by his first Wife of the above mentioned Ethelred the Unready, who aught by the Law of Nature and Nations to have preceded. Yet did the Confessor, wanting Issue himself, do his Nephew the Outlaw so much right, as to recall him with his Children out of their Banishment in Hungary, and designed him his Successor, but the Outlaws death before the Confessors, prevented that determination.  
Nevertheless the Confessor without delay pronounced Edgar the Outlaws Son, and his own Grand Nephew Heir apparent, and gave him the surname of Etheling, which in those days were only peculiar to such as were inhopes and possibility of a Kingdom. And more than so, this poor Etheling never was: For first he was debarred by his own Guardian Harold the Son of Goodwin Earl of Kent, who disdaining the title of Regent (which he was only constituted) assumed that of King; Afterwards by William Duke of Normandy, who though he pulled down Harold, yet did he not set up Edgar, laying claim himself to the Crown, by virtue of a pretended Donation from his Cousin Edward the Confessor, which had been too weak a plea, had it not been justified by a long sword, which hath ever since given him the appellation of William the Conqueror.  
Robert the eldest Son of the Conqueror should by right of primogeniture have succeeded his Father in all his Dominions, but having proved a Rebel at the French King's instigation, he had only the Dukedom of Normandy assigned to him, and the Crown of England was bequeathed to his Brother William surnamed Rufus, who dying without any legitimate offspring, and Robert being absent in the Holy-land, Henry the youngest Son of the Conqueror as Duke of Normandy, but eldest as King of England, seized upon it, and to ingratiate himself with the Natives, and to corroborated his Title, he Married Maud, Daughter of Margaret by Malcolme King of Scots, Sister to Edgar Etheling, Son of Edward the Outlaw, Son of Edmond Ironside, Son of Ethelred the Unready, Son of Edgar the peaceable Son of Edmond, Son of Edward Senior, Son of Alfred, and by which means the Royal seed of the Saxons become to be replanted in the English Soil.  
For this Henry the first had (not to mention his Son William who perished by water whilst he was young) by the foresaid Maud, a Daughter of the same name, whom he first espoused to Henry the fifth, Emperor of Germany, afterwards to Jeffrey Plantagenet Earl of Anjou, by whom she had a Son called Henry, in whom did fully concur the Norman and Saxon Race.  
But the true hereditary succession was somewhat intercepted by Stephen Earl of Bologne Son of Adela the Conquerors Daughter, from whom he could derive but a slender title: For had the Conquerors line Masculine failed, then aught Theobald Earl of Bloys, Stephen's Elder Brother by the same Adela, to have been prelated; And therefore his surest Tenure proceeded from his Election by the Nobility, who notwithstanding their natural Allegiance, and twice repeated Oath (and among them Stephen himself is reckoned to be one that had sworn Fealty) to Maud and her Heirs in the Reign of her Father Henry, admitted this stranger, and that for no other reason, though other were alleged (as that Maud was a woman, and consequently uncapable of anointing; that she was married out of the Realm, without the consent thereof, which if of any moment should before their solemn engagement have been taken into consideration) than that he being a Creature of their own erecting, was more obliged to them, and would upon all occasions be more ready to gratify their aspiring humour.  
Yet wanted not the Empress and her Son adherents both within and without the Kingdom, to assert their right, who raised such a cloud of trouble to, Stlphen that he could not dispel it during his whole reign, so that at length he come to a composition, and his own Son Eustace whom he had designed his Successor being already dead, he adopts Henry fitz-Empresse, and proclaims him heir apparent, with this Proviso; That he himself should enjoy the Crown as long as he lived, which was not a full year after this peaceable agreement.  
Henry the second of that name is now possessed of the Throne, (in process of time adding the Lordship of Ireland to it) and that upon a triple account.  
First by virtue of the late Treaty with King Stephen, Secondly by title of conquest, as being great Grandchild to William the Norman; but Thirdly, and chief, by the equity of his Mother's claim, who was the true descendent of the long-rejected but now restored Saxon lineage.  
He took to wise Elinor, the repudiate of Lewis the seventh King of France, by whom he had large Dominions in that Kingdom: but notwithstanding it augmented his estate, yet was it the occasion of much trouble and vexation to him; For the French King jealous of his growing fortunes, and his own Queen of his fidelity to his marriagebed, incited his Sons, Henry, Richard, Jeffrey, and John, to frequent rebellions, to whom nevertheless upon their submissions he was entirely reconciled.  
Henry Sans issue departed this life before his Father. Richard succeeded in the Throne but died childless also; Jeffrey, though extinct himself before it come to his turn, had yet left a Son in being, Arthur Duke of Britain, who aught to have been considered of; but him John prevented more too, by power & favour of the Nobles, than by any colour of Justice, nad whilst the young Prince endeavours the recovery of his right, he is taken prisoner as he besieged the Castle of Mirabel in France, conveyed to the Tower of Roan, and there killed, if not by the hands, yet at lest by the command of his inhuman Uncle.  
However the course taken to be thus rid of a Competitor was utterly unlawful, yet being gone, john becomes the lawful proprietor of the Crown, but pays dear for the manner of this his amiss procured purchase. For the Pope excommunicates him, his Subjects forsake him, the French King invades him, and bereaus him not only of his large Territories i● France, but also of the greatest part of his Kingdom of England, and he dies miserably, not without suspicion of Poison; a just judgement upon him for his enormous Acts, especially the murder of his innocent Nephew.  
Now though God shown himself a severe inquisitor for blood, yet did he seem appeased with the punishment of the person that was guilty of it: For he so disposed the hearts of the English Nation, that they generally withdrew themselves from the French party, and notwithstanding the iniquity of the Father, most willingly embrace the Son, then a minor, as naturally inclined, says my Author, to love and obey their Princes.  
Such this Prince Henry the third found his Subjects at his first admission, whilst he was governed by a wise and faithful Council, but afterwards suffering himself to be ruled by strangers, that more intended their own than the public good, he so alienated the English affections, as that they are as ready now to revolt from him, as they were earnest at first to promote his interest. To the former he adds new grievances, to wit, reiterated breach of Charters granted by his Predecessors, and himself, whence such discontents are engendered, that at length there is begotten between the King and his people an actual (commonly known by the name of the Barons) war. Hereof of Simon de Monfort Earl of Leicester, on the Baron's side was head, who in a set Battle takes King Henry and his Son Edward prisoners, but Edward escapes, collects an Army, defeats and kills Leicester, and redeems his Father, the beginning of whose reign was overcast with a French mist, the middle was very tempestous by reason of the Barons commotions, but the Catastrophe or latter part was serene, and concluded in a perfect Calm.  
Edward the first of that name since the Norman conquest, having proved the deliverer of his Father from captivity, makes an expedition into the Holy-land to perform the like office to the Christians there, that were grievously afflicted under the Turkish servitude: but the news of his Father's death quickly recalls him from further prosecution of that honourable enterprise; wherein he had no less honourably demeaned himself.  
And as he had increased his own and Countries reputation abroad, so doth he likewise enlarge their power and jurisdiction at home, by subduing most of Scotland, and totally reducing of Wales, of which last, because it was then first annexed to this Crown, it will not be impertinent to afford the Reader a brief and summary relation.  
Wales (the small remnant of this Island that was left to the Britons the ancient possessors of the whole) had hitherto, though not without much difficulty and struggling, continued under their own proper Princes: But the fatal period of their liberty, which they had so long, so stoutly maintained, against so potent a Kingdom, as this, is now arrived. Llewellin the then Prince of that Country, being summoned to our King's Coronation, refused to appear, saying, He too well remembers the end of his Father Gryffin, who come in safety to London, but never returned thence.  
This neglect, Edward makes the ground of a quarrel, enters into hostility against Llewellin, forces him to a submission, whereof he soon reputes, flies out again, is overcome and slain in fight, his head cut of, and that Merlin's Prophecy might be fulfilled or eluded, which, as he interpreted, had promised him the Diadem of Brute, it is Crowned with Ivy, and set upon the Tower of London.  
After the death of Llewellin and his brother David, (whose head was shortly sent to accompany the others in the same place) Edward contrives the perpetual union of these two, too long divided, Nations. And though he found the Welsh Nobles very cautious how they brought their necks under a Foreign yoke, yet doth he accomplish his ends by this neat and Artificial devise.  
He conveys secretly into the Castle of Carnarvan, his Queen great with Child, whom when he understood to be delivered of a boy, he Assembles the Welsh Nobles, and proposeth to them, whither they would accept of a Prince of his Nomination, that was born in their own Country, could speak near a word of English, and against whom for Life or Conversation no objection could be made: Whereunto when they had assented, he produces his own little Son Edward, to whom the aforesaid qualifications did exactly agreed; Hence the custom took its original of investing our King's eldest Sons in the Principality of Wales: but because there may here seem to have been a mixture of force and fraud, we shall endeavour, when order brings us to it, to found out a more unexceptionable Title, whereby our Kings lay claim to that Dominion.  
Edward the second (called Edward of Carnarvan for the cause but even now rehearsed) much degenerated from his Father's Nobleness, and lost not only Scotland, which his Father had well-nigh gained, but ever England itself, being deposed by his own Wife Isabel, having only this comfort left him, that his Son Edward was to succeed in the Throne.  
Edward the third of that name, Son of the late deposed and shortly after murdered King, was, when he come to years of Discretion, God's Instrument to revenge his Father's death, even upon his own Mother the Queen and her Minion Mortymer, who was the Author and Procurer of the same.  
But the chiefest passage of this Prince's Reign, and that of nearest Alliance to our Subject in hand, which is to declare the Titles our Kings have to the Kingdoms they possess or challenge, was his claiming and almost obtaining the Crown of France. The occasion and State of the difference was briefly thus.  
Philip de Valois the then King of France, had with somewhat too much rigour demanded, and with too much Imperiousness received the Homage of our Edward for some pieces which he held in that Kingdom. But Edward's high Stomach could not digest the indignity, as he conceived of this humiliation, considering but somewhat of the latest, that he had a better right not to fragments only, but to the whole, than the person to whom he had so lowly abased himself: For Edward was the Son of Isabella, Daughter of Philip le bell or the fair, formerly King of France, whereas Philip, the present enjoyer, was Son to Charles of Valois but younger Brother to the foresaid le bell, only there is one frivolous impediment in Edward's way, to wit, the French Law Salic, which debars Females & their Descendants from the Crown: but this entail Edward is resolved to cut of with a good Sword; And to this purpose he enters France with a strong Army, and gave the French two such famous overthrows at Cressy and Poitiers, that they put that State into a dangerous Consumption, which without all doubt would have turned to an Hectic Fever, had the War been prosecuted with the same heat wherewithal it was begun.  
A great allay to these prosperous proceed, was the untimely death of Edward's eldest Son (Edward) Prince of Wales, but better known by the name of the Black Prince, to whose prowess the former Achievements in France were chief owing, who having made an inroad into Spain to reinthrone their K. Peter, brought thence Victory and a mortal Disease, which quickly made an end of him, leaving behind him a young Son, Richard of Bourdeux, to whom Edward the Grandfather, yet living, confirmed the succession by Parliament, jest his aspiring Son john Duke of Lancaster, Richard's Uncle, should▪ as one observs, have supplanted him, as King john did his Nephew Arthur in the like case.  
But what john of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster failed in, his Son Henry of Bu●lingbrook Duke of Hereford effected: By deposing his Cousin German Richard the second, who is rather noted to be an unfortunate than vicious, a seduced than of himself Tyrannical Prince.  
It will be no deviation from the matter, but rather requisite in regard of the light it yields to the clearer and more distinct knowledge of the following confusions, to speak somewhat more particularly of the manner of this Henry's compassing the Crown, the claim he laid to it, and the course he took to settle the succession in his own house, this being the Fountain from which flowed the most bloody and most tedious Civil Wars that ever England endured, this being the great ball of contention between the White Rose and the Read, between the Yorkish and Lancastrian Family.  
Henry the fourth of that name among the English Kings, was, as hath been noted before, the Son of john of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster, fourth Son of King Edward the third; His Father was suspected, but he is detected, of higher thoughts than it become a Subject (he being then but Duke of Hereford) to entertain.  
For justification of himself, Hereford appeals to his Sword, and offers combat to Thomas Mowbray Duke of Norfolk his Accuser, who courageously accepts thereof: But as they were about to join issue, King Richard interposes and banished them both, out of the Realm, Norfolk for ever, Hereford for ten years; four of which the King struck of as of special favour, when he come to take his solemn leave of him. But Hereford himself doth much more abbreviate the time, and doth long anticipates even the last indulged date of his return: For he re-lands the very same day twelvemonth he departed, and found many Abettors of his quarrel (which at first he only pretends to be the recovery of his Dukedom) especially the Earl of Northumberland, whom King Richard at his late going into Ireland, where now he is, because the Earl demurred to accompany him in the Voyage, had caused to be proclaimed Traitor, and so made him that, which otherwise perhaps he would not have been. But Henry's Power more and more increasing, and Richards daily decreasing, till at length it languished into nothing, Henry discovers, that it was somewhat more than a bore Dukedom that he aimed at: A Parliament is called, in which King Richard as is pretended, not only voluntarily surrenders, but is also violently degraded, and Henry, both by his and the people's appointment, installed in his Room, who upon the day of his Coronation, caused it to be proclaimed, that he claimed the Crown of England, First, by right of Conquest; Secondly, because King Richard had resigned his Estate, and designed him his Successor; Lastly, because he was of the Blood Royal, and next Heir Male to King Richard. Heir Male, rather Hae●es Malus, says Edmond Mortim●r Earl of March to some of his Familiars, as knowing the lawful right to be inherent in himself, though for the present it must given place to a stronger possessor. For this Edmond was the Son of Roger, the Son of Edmond Earl of March, by Philip Daughter of Lionel Duke of Clarence, who was elder Brother to john Duke of Lancaster, King Henry's Father. Hereof Henry is very apprehensive, and having dispatched Richard to Heaven before his time, wished Mortimer there also, and in order to his hastening thither, refused to procure his liberty and enlargement, but suffered him to continued in a loathsome Dungeon, though he had been taken Prisoner in defence of his Country against Owen ap Glendower, the famous Revolter of Wales, who therefore the more hardly used him, that thereby his Kinsman King Henry might be moved to redeem him, but therefore King Henry would not redeem him, because he well hoped by this hard usage to be rid of him, who was like to prove the greatest prejudice to his crazy and sergeant Title. For it was obvious to all, however for fear dissembled by most, that the issue of Lionel Elder Son of King Edward the third, aught to have preceded john of Gaunt's the younger Son of the foresaid Edward; And hence it was, that Henry doth not solely rely upon his Father's right, which he knew to be infirm, as long as any of Lionels offspring remained, but joins to it that of his Mother Blanch, Daughter and Heir to Henry Duke of Lancaster, Son of Edmond, nicknamed Crook-back, eldest Son, as was alleged, of King Henry the third, but by reason of his deformity put by the succession, which was for that cause conferred upon King Edward the first, though but the younger Brother; But the truth is, in this pedigree there is an Error in the very Foundation, for though our Henry were so descended as is specified, from Edmond, yet the said Edmond was neither eldest Son to Henry the third, nor yet a deformed person, but a proper Gentleman, and a great Commander, therefore entitled Crook-back, or rather Crouch-back, because he had took upon him the Cross, and according to the Custom of those days warred in the Holyland.  
Thus appears the invalidity of Henry's claim, whither from the Father, as unsound, or the Mother, as suspicious, and deceitful, or from King Richard receding, as extorted by force in restraint, and so of no force, or of consent of the many, there being no Custom in the English Nation for popular elections, or by Conquest, which in a Subject against his Sovereign is Insurrection, and Victory high Treason, as was well observed by the Bishop of Carlisle in his speech in that very Parliament, where this business was agitated and transacted.  
Nay further, there is a tradition, that john of Gaunt (Father of this Henry) was not at all the Son of King Edward, but that the Queen being delivered of a female child, knowing how unacceptable it would be to her Husband, exchanged it for a boy with a Dutch woman, who had been brought to bed about the same hour: This the Queen at her death confessed to William of Wickman Bishop of Winchester, who acquainted noon with i● but John of Gaunt himself, and that when he perceived john to affect the Crown, in which case the Mother had left the Bishop free: But this being but a report, a●d grounded on uncertainties, would have been no bar to Henry's title, had it been clear in all other respects.  
Henry, as he had injuriously obtained a Kingdom, so doth he laboriously preserve the same; for the manifold conspiracies against him testify that quiet is not a Concomitant of usurped greatness; and was in a manner bereft of his Crown, before he was of his life: For he being seized upon by a deep fit of the Apoplexy, his Son Henry seized upon the Crown, whereof, when the Father reviving demanded the reason, his answer was, That in his and all men's judgement there present, he was dead, and then says he, I being next Heir apparent to the same, took it as my indubitat right; Well said the King, and sighed, Son, what right I had to it, God knoweth; but saith the Prince, If you die King, I doubt not to hold it, as you have done, against all opposers.  
Which expression this incomparable King Henry the fifth did make good even to supererogation: for abandoning his youthful extravagancies, whereof he is severely taxed, he embraces more solid courses, and to vent any discontented humours at home, which by standing still might corrupt, and gather putrefaction, he meditates a war with France, and awakens the English title to it, which had lain dormant ever since his great Grand-Fathers days.  
But whilst he is in preparation for this great affair, he either makes or discovers a plot against his life, by Richard Earl of Cambridge, who had married Anne Sister and Heir of Edmond Mortimer, Earl of March, before remembered, who was the true heir of the Crown, and was the true cause of Earl Richard's execution: for it cannot be imagined that money alone would induce so noble a person to so foul an undertaking. And the event shows that there was somewhat more than Bribery in this attempt, when we shall found the Son of this late executed Earl, dispossessing his Son, who was the Author of his Father's Tragedy.  
Henry having thus eased himself of a great Pretender, proceeds to his intended design on France, where he so prosperously speeds, that he is constituted Regent, & declared Heir apparent of the doting French King, whose Daughter Katherine he marries, & by her hath a Son named Henry, of whom the King is said to have thus prophesied; I Henry born at Monmouth, shall small time reign and much get, and Henry born at Windsor shall long reign and loose all.  
And so indeed it come to pass through the secret operation of all-disposing Providence, which is seldom propitious to the owners (how good in themselves soever they be) of ill-gained inheritances beyond the third succession. And hereof our present Henry the sixth is a great example, who was the meekest and most religious of all our Kings that had been before, and yet for no other transgression that we know of, than the original Sin of his Grandfather, Henry the fourth, meddling with the forbidden fruit of a Crown his ere it was ripe for him, is be chased out of the terrestrial Paradise of all his Kingdoms, and sent to be a partaker of a Celestial one, somewhat more early than the due course of nature had designed him for it.  
For that covert fire which had a long time burned in the breasts of many, to see the Lancastrian race enjoy another's right, doth now break forth into open combustion, of which Richard Duke of York is the prime incendiary, the Son of Richard Earl of Cambridge, who was beheaded in King Henry the fifth reign, for supposed Treason, the Son of Edmond Duke of York, the fifth Son of King Edward the third.  
But Duke Richard waves all pretensions by the Father's side, as not being ignorant, that John of Gaunt (from whom our present Henry is directly descended) was elder brother to his Grandfire Edmond, and therefore in Parliament only produceth his title by the Mother, as being the Son and Heir of Anne, Sister and Heir of Edmond, Son and Heir of Roger Mortymer Earl of March, Son and Heir of Philippe, the sole Daughter and Heir of Lionel Duke of Clarence, the third Son of Edward the third, and elder Brother of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, Father of the Usurper Henry the fourth, Grandfather of Henry the fifth, who was Father to him, who now (says Richard) untruly styleth himself King Henry the sixth.  
Besides his holding forth his claim to the Crown in this demonstrative, and undeniable manner (which yet the judicious could only penetrate) the Duke addeth many Rhetorical aggravations, which were more suitable, and intelligible to vulgar ears; As that the King was simple, and of weak capacity; that he was Governed by the Queen a stranger, and Woman of an unsufferable ambition; that the Privy Counsellors were nought and corrupt, through whose faithlessness and inabilities, France was lost, and England disquieted, and that greater judgements were to be expected, if the true Heir were any longer debarred from his lawful right.  
The Duke by these plausible arguments had so engaged the multitude unto him, that he is able to dispute his Title in the Field with the King, whom he takes Prisoner, and calling in his name a Parliament, it is there concluded, that King Henry during his life, should retain the name and Honour of a King; that the Duke of York should be Proclaimed Heir apparent to the Crown, and Protector of the King's Person and Dominions; that if at any time King Henry's Friends, Allies, or Favourites, in his behalf should attempt the disannulling of this Act, that then the Duke should have present possession of the Crown.  
But this was more than what his destiny had allotted for him, for he was shortly after slain at the Battle of Wakefield by Queen Margaret, who was of a more Masculine Spirit, than to acquiesce in the forementioned dishonourable Conditions; and because it was a Crown that the Duke of York chief affected, She caused his Head to be cut of, see upon a Pole, and Crowned with Paper: but the death and disgrace of the Father, Edward Earl of March, his Elder Son doth speedily revenge to the utter rvine of the Lancastrian party.  
Nor will this Edward, as did his Father, await another's leisure, and prove expectant of a Crown in reversion, but immediately assumes it by the actual deposing of King Henry, whom he takes Prisoner, and commits to safe custody in the Tower of London.  
But there was an accident which had well-nigh nipped the white Rose in the bud, and restored the read Rose to its pristine vigour.  
Edward the fourth, late Earl of March, now King of England, sends his great General the Earl of Warwick to treat a Match between him, and the Lady Bona Sister to the Queen of France. But our youthful King in the mean time consulting only his own affections, takes to Wife, the fair Lady Grace, Widow of Sir John Grace of Groby; which so incenses Warwick, that he Rebels against his Master, beats him not only out of the Field, but also out of the Kingdom, delivers King Henry from his Prison, and reseats him in his Throne; but all this is but as Lightning before Death; Edward returns from beyond Seas, fights with, defeats and kills the Earl of Warwick, routs also Queen Margaret newly landed, and the relics of her Lancastrian Associates, takes her and her Son Edward Prisoners, which last is stabbed by Richard Duke of Gloucester, King Edward's Brother; and not long it is, but the Father Henry is dispatched by the same hand in the Tower of London, wither he was remanded by King Edward after this fortunate and victorious success.  
The cruelty of Richard Duke of Gloucester, whose nature was more crooked than his body, did not terminate in the blood of his Enemies, but gins to practise on his Friends and nearest Relations: For perceiving that King Edward by reason of his incontinency, whereunto no English Prince was ever more subject, was not long lived, he secretly plots the attaining of the Crown for himself; And for the more expedite compassing this ambitious design, he first incenses King Edward against their common Brother George Duke of Clarence, not only exaggerating the heinousness of his former disobedience (which had been pardoned) but insinuating a blind Prophecy, that one whose name began with the letter G. should prove fatal to Edward's posterity.  
Hereupon the Duke of Clarence is committed to the Tower, and there, by Richard drowned in a Butt of Malmsey, however it was given out that he died of a discontented passion.  
But the Ominous G. which the King so much dreaded, was found in the sequel to appertain to Gloucester himself, who was the Contriver of this mischief, and Butcher of Edward's innocent Sons, of whom, after the King's decease, he was made Protector.  
The young Prince (Edward the fifth) was at Ludlow, when his Father, Edward the fourth died, from whence his Mother was over desirous to have him forthwith conveyed to London.  
But his Uncle the Duke of Gloucester meets him by the way at Stony-Stratford, and having secured all his faithful Attendants and Kindred by the Mother's side, takes into custody the person of the young King, which was the game that this mighty hunter did mainly intent.  
Yet was there one obstacle to his aspiring ends still behind, to wit, Richard Duke of York the King's Brother, in Sanctuary with his Mother at Westminster, whom to allure thence (for to do it by Violence, was accounted Religion in those days) he employs the Archbishop of Canterbury to persuade the Mother, and in case she proves obstinate, to interpose his Authority, to part with her Son, under colour, that he might be a companion, and great lenitive of the Melancholy disposition of his disconsolate Brother.  
Gloucester having thus compassed the Wardship of both his Nephews, makes show as if he would proceed to the Coronation of the Elder, but whilst the Lords of the Council are debating of the time and manner of it, he arrests, and on a sudden makes shorter by the Head the Lord Chamberlain Hastings, whom though he had used as a forward Coadjuter in depressing of the Queen's Relations, yet knew him to be altogether averse from yielding any Countenance to the disinheriting of his Master's King Edward's Children.  
Hastings thus removed, the Duke of Buckingham (who had received several disgusts from his Brother-in-law Edward the fourth) is pitched upon as the fittest agent to carry on this Devilish attempt; who having prepared the Mayor and Citizens of London, comes in their name, pretending Bastardy, and insufficiency of Edward's race, to make a tender of the Crown to Protector Richard, and in case of refusal, with threats to elect some other worthy and deserving Person. Richard in seeming amazedness makes strange at first of this by himself-devised proposal, but after some importunity, grants his, forsooth, unwilling consent, not without a dissembled regret of his Nephew's condition, whose murder in the Tower doth immediately ensue.  
Buckingham (supposed not privy to the making away of the harmless Princes) upon this and other distastes, retires from Court to his Castle of Brecknock, where, with his prisoner Morton Bishop of Ely, he contrives the Match between Henry Earl of Richmond, and Elizabeth Daughter of Edward the fourth, which proves Richard's downfall, and the union of the Yorkish and Lancastrian line.  
Henry Earl of Richmond, was the Son of Margaret, Daughter of john Duke of Somerset, Son of john of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster, by Katherine Swineford, relict of Sir Oats Swineford; and though this john, and other Children, were born before espousals, yet was the issue made legitimate by Act of Parliament, and confirmed by a Bull from Rome.  
Of this Henry there goes a tradition for current, that in the heat of the Civil Wars between the House of York and Lancaster, Henry the sixth having espied him in the presence, laid his hand upon his head, and in a Prophetic manner said, Behold this youth, who is to enjoy that for which we now contend.  
Which his Mother observing, and treasuring up in her heart, sent him into Britain in France, as into a safe Harbour, to be there educated and preserved till the fury of the tempest were over, which then did so terribly rage throughout the Landlord  
Richard the third earnestly Solicits the Duke of Britain to deliver up Richmond's person to him, which was well-nigh effected, by the treachery of Peter Landoys, the Duke's especial Favourite; But Richmond having timely notice of this Clandestine negotiation, flies to the French King's Court, (for at that time the Dukedom of Britain was a distinct Principality) from whence having sworn to consummate the projected marriage with the Lady Elizabeth, he hastens to redeem poor England from the jaws of an usurping Tyrant.  
Richmond Lands at Milford Haven in Pembrokeshire, where he was hearty welcomed, and readily assisted by the Welsh, from whose Princes he was descened, as being the Son of Edmond of Haddam, the Son of Owen Ap Teudor, who could in a direct line derive his pedigree from the Noble Race of Cadwallader, last King of the Britons on this side Severne, as hath been before touched; though a modern Writer, more for the jest sake, than out of reality, says he was a Gentleman of no extraordinary lineage, but lineaments, which he makes to be the motive that induced Katherine of France, Dowager of England, after the death of Henry the fifth, to take him for her second Husband.  
Richmond having much increased his Army among his Countrymen, marches forward as far as Bosworth in Leicestershire, where King Richard meets him, and there the great controversy is finally decided in Battle; Richard is slain, and Richmond by a kind of military election saluted, and in a manner Crowned King in the Field.  
Henry the seventh (for so must we now call him, that was but lately Earl of Richmond,) sensible that the tumultuary approbation of Soldiers did of itself given him neither just or durable possession, knowing likewise the weakness of the Lancastrian plea in opposition to that of York, maries, according to his solemn preingagement, Elizabeth eldest Daughter of Edward the fourth, which brought security to his estate, and happiness to the Kingdom, the two Roses, whose divisions had put the English to much expense of blood, being thereby concorporated, and forever after linked in a most firm and indissolvable knot.  
But as in a body, that hath been troubled with a Cronique Disease, though recovered, yet are there still some peccant humours to be purged out: so, notwithstanding this Union and Reconciliation, there remains dregss of discontents, whereof the Queen Mother was the supposed Parent, and Margaret Duchess of Burgundy the known Nurse; the first, because she thought her Daughter not sufficiently respected (for King Henry is not accused to have been over uxorious or indulgent to his wife) the other, being Sister of Edward the fourth, bore an endless hatred to any of the Lancastrian Race.  
The first Spirit they raised to disturb King Henry's quiet, was one Lambert Symnell, a stripling, but so instructed by Simon a Priest, who had higher directors, that he could well personate the young Earl of Warwick (Son of George Duke of Clarence) whom the credulous Irish greedily entertain and acknowledge for their King: And when Henry to detect the forgery, had publicly shown in London the very Earl of Warwick whom he kept his Prisoner, they retort the fiction upon himself, and given out he had suborned a sergeant on purpose to delude the simple multitude.  
But this Pageantry quickly vanished, the Conspirators are dispersed, and Lambert taken, who had the honour to be first made a Turn-spit in the King's Kitchen, but was afterwards preferred to be one of the King's Falconers.  
This was but the Prologue as it were to a more deep contrived Comi-Tragaedy that was to follow, whereof the restless Duchess of Burgundy was the Inventor, and one Perkin Werbeke the principal Actor. But the Name and Scene is somewhat altered: His Cue assigned him, is to play the part of Richard Duke of York, second Son of Edward the fourth, who is feigned to have miraculously escaped the hands of his bloody Uncle.  
Perkin was so good a proficient, and had learned, and could repeat his lesson so exactly, that not the silly Irish alone, but the French, and Scotish Kings, with many of the Nobility and Gentry of England, were, or would be deceived.  
Nay, Sir William Stanley himself, Lord Chamberlain, the King's especial favourite, is so far trepanned, as to utter this improvident Speech (which was construed high Treason) that if he certainly knew that the young man was the undoubted Son and Heir of King Edward the fourth, he would never fight, or bear Arms against him; for which he become headless, though he had been the chief help and setter of the Crown upon King Henry's head.  
Perkin at length is taken, and committed to the Tower, where soliciting the Earl of Warwick to make an escape, he hastens both his own merited, and that poor-Earls undeserved execution.  
Henry having thus composed his affairs at home, seeks honourable matches for his children abroad; and marries his eldest Daughter Margaret to the Scotish King, providently foreseeing, that in case his issue Male failed, this conjunction might be a means to associate the separated Kingdoms, (as his own had the Roses) and so remedy the inconveniences of two distinct estates in one single Island.  
Arthur his eldest Son, Prince of Wales, was espoused to Katherine Infanta of Spain, but he dying before consummation, we mean as to conjugal duty, his brother Henry by dispensation from the Pope, takes her to wife, who on the wedding day was attired all in white, in token that she was a pure and spotless Virgin.  
It is conceived that the young Prince (who henceforward is to be styled Henry the eighth) had never any great fancy to the Lady, as somewhat his Superior in years, but did rather comply with his Father's will, than his own inclinations: However for a long time he lived with her in an outward loving and seeming respectful manner.  
But at length satiated with her company, whom from the beginning he had not truly affected, ●e meditates a divorce, and hopes by money and Cardinal Woolseys' interest in the Court of Rome, with speed to effect the same. Woolsey, (who by his obsequiousness to the King's pleasure in all things, had from a mean condition mounted to the highest degree of favour and power that a Subject is capable of) is reported to be the first that injected the scruple into the King's head, touching the unlawfulness of his marriage with his Brother's Wife, which once in, could not in haste be put out again. But in the prosecution the King and Woolsey had different ends▪ Woolsey to revenge himself of Charles the fifth, Emperor of Germany, and Nephew to Katherine, who had been a backfriend to Woolsey in his attempted advancement to the Popedom, and by proposing a match to the King out of France, he thought to ingratiate with that Crown, which might be more auspicious in promoting his to wring designs. But the King had another, though not so deep a reach, which more concerned his own private satisfaction, than policy or reason of State.  
For he desired to be unyoked from his old Queen, that he might make a new one of one of her maids of honour, Anne of Bolen, with whom he was desperately in love: which the Cardinal smelling out, proves cold in the business, delays to exercise his legantine power, instigates the Pope to recall the cause to himself, and proceeds slowly therein; all which is performed accordingly, but it concludes with the rvine of Woolsey's and the Pope's Authority. For impatient of these procrastinations, Henry discards the one, and renounces the other, reject Katherine, marries Anne, grows weary of her, impeaches her of incest with her own Brother, cuts of her head, in whose room the very next day succeeds Jane S●ym●ur, who dies in Childbirth; And so he continues thifting and putting away, or to death, his Wives, as well as other Subjects, till his own appointed time come, a little before which it is recorded that in great Agony he should say unto Archbishop Cranmer, Is there any mercy for him, who never spared man in his wrath, nor woman in his lust?  
In his life he little regarded, but rather endeavoured to defeat by Parliament, the titles of his Daughters, Mary by Katherine of Spain, and Elizabeth by Anne of Bolen, with both whose Mothers he had been grievously displeased, and seemed more inclinable to the offspring of his youngest Sister Mary, (Dowager of France) by Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolk, but at his death, by his last Will and Testament, he constituted his Son Edward by Jane Seymour, his next immediate heir, and then in case they died issueless, the Lady Mary and the Lady Elizabeth to succeed in their order.  
Henry the eighth being dead, Edward the 6th. of that name, his Son, is at nine years of age proclaimed King, and Edward Duke of Somerset by the Mother's side ordained his Protector, whose candid nature exposed him to the cunning wiles of Dudley Duke of Northumberland, which at last brought Somerset, his Brother Thomas Marquis of Hertford Admiral of England, and even the King himself to their untimely ends.  
The Fox (Northumberland) observing the difference between the Protector and the Admiral, begun by the womanish emulation of their Wives, doth underhand so foment it, that the Admiral is brought to the block, and the Protector not long after follows 'which renders the Pupil King, more obnoxious to Northumberlands ambitious practices, now that his two faithful Uncles, who should have supported him, are removed out of the way.  
Northumberland taking advantage of the King's weakness of mind and body, (whereunto he is shrewdly suspected to have contributed) advises him to make a Will, wherein the King declaring that he was passed his minority, (though hot above sixteen years of age) and that it appertained to him to dispose of the Kingdom as he pleased, doth disinherit his Sisters Mary and Elizabeth, as People of whose legitimation there was a question as likewise the issue of his eldest Aunt Sister Margaret married to the Scotish King, as foreiners and aliens, bequeathing the Crown to his Cousin Jane Granddaughter to the Duchess of Suffolk, the youngest Sister of his Father King Henry the eighth.  
Guildford (Duke Dudleys' Son) was husband to this Lady Jane, who upon the death of Edward was proclaimed Queen, but Mary the eldest Daughter of King Henry, by the assistance of the Norfolk and Suffolk Gentry, recovered that which both by birth and her Father's appointment, was her undoubted though for a small time de●ai●ed right.  
Notwithstanding Mary by the Protestant's aid attained the Crown, yet her Education in the contrary profession, and the memory that for her Mother's sake it suffered its first detriment, obliged her to recall the Catholic Religion that had been banished in her Predecessors days, keeping, as one wittily observes, the Kingdom by Pater noster, which she had gained by Our Father which art in Heaven.  
Her zeal and over-ardent desire to extinguish that which she thought Heresy, kindled many fir●s in this land, for which she hears ill among the vulgar to this day, and bears the brand of tyranny, though of herself she was of a mild and merciful disposition.  
Among other passages, her severity to her Sister Elizabeth is much taxed, of whose sincere devotion, though outwardly conformable to the Romish Church, the Queen much doubted, and fearing a relapse of things after her own death, could have been content that her Sister Elizabeth, though the youngest, had had the Precedency therein; But Philip King of Spain, Queen Mary's husband, had other thoughts of and intentions towards Elizabeth, whom he preserved from her Sister's violence, and designed for his second, we would say, third wife, for he was a Widower, when he married Mary, by whom he now gins to despair of issue, and by reason of her Dropsy, perceives she was in no wise immortal here.  
Queen Elizabeth at her first entrance makes show as if she would tread in her Sister Mary's steps, whereby she so charmed the Catholic Clergy and Nobility, that they created her no disturbance: And she did further so temporize with King Philip, that he was a great favourer of her admission, hoping shortly to be a Copartner with her both in Bed and Kingdom.  
But the fancy which Philip, though no Babe, had builded in his brain, quickly appears to be but an aerial Castle; for Elizabeth soon undeceives him, and other Romanists, who had promised themselves other matters, by declining Marriage, disowing the Pope's Jurisdiction, and reducing Ecclesiastical Affairs to the same state and condition her Father and Brother had left them in.  
The averseness of this Queen to Matrimonial Bondage, as she accounted it, gave occasion to that great and by her always disliked dispute about the Succession: That it belonged of right to Mary Queen of Scots, Daughter of James, the fifth Son of Margaret eldest Daughter to King Henry the seventh, noon could reasonably deny; but Mary, say the State Politicians of those times, will prove another Mary, and our Religion will be depressed, if she be advanced to the English Throne: Her own Subjects have expelled her upon that account; and shall we accept of her for our Princess, whom we have so much disobliged by detaining so long a Prisoner?  
For this unfortunate Queen, having been educated in France, did after the decease of her first Husband, the Dolphin, return into Scotland, of whose fashions, by reason of her foreign breeding, being somewhat ignorant, she could not consequently but be guilty of some miscarriages, which her Enemies so aggravate, that they stir up the people to a sedition, seize upon her Person, force her to resign to her Son James (by Henry Lord Darly, Son of the Duke of Lenox) not full eighteen Months old, of whom Earl Murray (her Bastard Brother) is made Regent, who was the beginni●g and continuer of all her troubles.  
Marry, late, and by right still, Queen of Scots, after this extorted and therefore invalid resignation, fearing further attempts against her life, escapes out of the loathsome Gaol where she was secured, and betakes h●r self into England for succour, sending news to her Cousin Queen Elizabeth, imploring not only present protection, but also such convenient aides, as might restore her to her Kingdom, of which she had been forceably deprived by her Mutinous and Rebellious Subjects.  
Elizabeth at first gives good words, and sends her large attendance, which were yet but in the quality of an honourable Guard, but afterwards more and more abridges her liberty; at which hard and unworthy usage of a suppliant and Heir apparent of the Crown, some English Lords and Gentlemen conceiving a just disdain, project and propose to her means of deliverance, whereunto she (as all other living creatures are) most greedy of natural freedom, doth readily assent; but these are prevented; and her Actions interpreted as yet tending to the destruction of Queen Elizabeth, for which she is tried by certain delegated Commissioners (who much resembled a late thing called an High Court of Justice) is by them found guilty, and shortly after beheaded at Fotheringham Castle in Northamtonshire; but the true cause why she suffered, was expressed to herself by the Earl of Kent, (one of her Judges,) a little before her reputed Martyrdom; Madam, says he, if you live our Religion is in danger, of which words she desired the Auditors to take special notice, that confessedly it was not Treason, but Religion for which she was to die.  
James the 6th. King of Scotland, Son of the late executed Mary, now come to years of discretion, expostulates with Queen Elizabeth about his Mother's death, but the Queen puts it of upon the precipitation of her Secretary Davison, intimating, that if he stirred in the lest manner to revenge, it would irrecoverably hazard his hopes of the Succession, of which yet she gives him but a very faint assurance. But in her declining age, some about her, who had been shy before to intermeddle with so ticlish and unpleasing a point, grow more peremptory, and press her to a positive declaration, to whom her answer was, It is the King of Scots due, and let him have it.  
Conform whereunto James King of Scotland, immediately after her death is proclaimed King of England, both which he converts into the name of Great Britain; and now is Cadwalladers Prophecy, before remembered, exactly completed, that his Race should recover the sole Dominion of this Island; for King James, besides his direct descent from King Henry the seventh, brought another, but higher title, if the former had not been sufficient, from Banco a Nobleman of Scotland, whose Son Fleance fled from the tyranny of Macbeth the Usurper, into Wales, and there married the Prince his Daughter, by whom he had Walter the first of the renowned Family of the Stewards: but for the particulars of that conjunction, we refer you to the British and and Scotish Historians.  
King James arose in this our Horizon with much clearness, notwithstanding Rawleigh's mist, and the smoke of the Gun-powder-plot, which were soon dispelled: but his setting was obscured by a little Cloud which shortly did overspread the whole Landlord  
He had married his eldest Daughter Elizabeth to Frederick Prince Palatine of the Rhine, who unadvisedly gaping after the Kingdom of Bohemia, lost not only it, but his own patrimonial possession.  
King james who had more of Solomon than David in him, solicits restitution, rather by Treaty than Arms, and as the most conducing means to his peaceable ends, entertains an overture of a match betwixt his Son Charles Prince of Wales and the Infanta of Spayn, to whose King, the Palatinate was by the Emperor consigned over.  
But the English Parliament takes exception at this intended Spanish affinity, and as if Religion were at the Stake, declaims against it; Notwithstanding the King sends his Son into Spain, who returns thence without a wife. yet in his passage thither, had an accidental sight of her in France, who was by Heaven his designed Spouse.  
As soon as james was dead, Charles his Son is proclaimed King, who immediately marries Henrietta Maria youngest Daughter to Henry the great King of France, of whom, as was just now hinted, he had a transient view in his voyage to Spain, which when this Princess understood, she is reported to have said, That he needed not to have go so far for a wife.  
But now the seed of discontent, which had been sowed in his Father's time, did begin to bud forth; Scotland yields the first-fruits, which also too much thrives in the English P●antation. The Scotish Nobi●ity enter into Combination against Episcopacy, and the Service-book, which they allege to be obtruded upon them.  
For redress of these imaginary grievances, the Scots with swords in their hand approach his Majesty to present a Petition, as is given out: A Parliament in England is called to compose differences, which rather increases them, for which it is soon dissolved: The Scots Invasion continues, but at length a Pacification is made; another Parliament is convened, which working so far upon the King's necessities, extorts from him an inseparable jewel of his Prerogrative, to wit, a privilege, not before asked or granted, not to be discharged without their own consent.  
In strength of this concession they proceed to other unseasonable demands, which together with the tumults of the City, occasioned the King to retire Northward, and being denied entrance into Hull, (for which Sir john Hotham did afterwards receive his reward from those that employed him) he repairs to Nottingham, where, understanding that an Army wa●●orm●d under the Earl of Essex a● London, and then on their M●re● to bring him back, as it was given out, to his Parliament, he sets up his Standard Royal; but the appearance not answering expectation, he directs his course towards Shrewsbury, where by the confluence of the loyal Welsh, his small forces are so increased, that he is able to confront the Earl of Essex, then at Worcester, who retreats into Warwickshire, and is overtaken at Edge-hill by his Majesty, where t●e first signal battle is sought, in which both sides were great losers, and yet both sides assume the victory to themselves.  
The war continues doubtful for three years, but the Battle at Naseby in Northamptonshire proves fatal to the King's affairs; for after that succeeds little else, but the rvine of his party in all places, and surrender of most of his Garrisons, till he was necessitated in disguise to leave Oxford, his prime, and well-nigh alone remaining hold, then in a manner beleaguered, and betake himself for Protection to the Scotish Army.  
The Scots, t●ough they had received all possible satisfaction as to their own concernments, yet could not refrain from intermeddling in the English distempers, and were at that time besieging Newark upon Trent.  
They at first received the King with all seeming promises of security as to his Person, but having carried him with them to Newcastle, do there barter him with the English for 200000 l. a price, which, as the French Ambassador observed, did far exceed that which Judas received for betraying of our Saviour.  
From Newcastle his bought and sold Majesty is conveyed, by Commissioners deputed for that purpose from the Parliament of England, to his house at Holdenby in Northamtonshire (perhaps that he might be within prospect of that uncomfortable place Naseby, where was given him his irreparable overthrow) there to reside during the pleasure of the two Houses: But not long it was ere Cromwell (whose pulse at that time says a then penman, began to beaten a Lordly pace) by his instrument joice surprises him in his bed, and when joice told Cromwell that he had the King in his Custody, then, quoth Cromwell, I have the Parliament in my pocket.  
Cromwel's end in seizing on the King's person, was not only for countenance of his Independent proceed against the opposite Presbyterian faction; but after their depression the better to be enabled to destroy the King himself for his own advancement.  
For having once entrapped this Royal Lion, he doth daily more and more entangle him within his toils, and never thinks him fast enough, till he had got him in his pitfall of the Isle of Wight: whither he had alured the good King, who thought others as free from guile, as he knew himself to be, by setting before him the danger he was in, while he remained at Hampton Court, how he lay open and exposed to the wicked machinations of the Agitators of the Army, who intended to Act that, which he poor Soul did even tremble to utter.  
But what the King hopes to found a temporary Sanctuary, proves to him a constant prison, from whence he is not to be delivered but in order to his Trial and Execution, the Barbarity of which fact, as we cannot, so neither need we aggravate, nor recite particular Circumstances of what either then or hath since happened, it being the Subject of all pens and tongues, or if any be so great a stranger in our Israel, he may receive information from each Post and Pamphlet; Our task being finished, which was in the way of an Historical Essay to prove God's especial Providence over the English Monarchy, more particularly over that Family which now doth, and l●ng may it enjoy the same.  
FINIS.