Florus Britannicus; Or, an Exact EPITOME OF THE HISTORY OF ENGLAND, From WILLIAM the Conqueror to the Twelfth Year of the Reign of his Sacred Majesty CHARLES the Second, now flourishing.  
Illustrated with their perfect Portraitures in exact Copper Plates, very delightful to the Reader: As also, every King and Queen's Elegy, with a Panegyric under the last Plate, upon his Majesty's happy Return.  
By Matthew Stevenson, Gent.  
Regis ad exemplum totus componitur Orbis.  
LONDON; Printed by M.S. and are to be sold by Thomas jenner at the South Entrance of the Royal Exchange. 1662.   

To the every way accomplished Gentlewoman my ever Honoured Cousin. Mrs Grace Killingbeck, of Baroughby Grange, near Weatherby in Yorkshire; here and hereafter happiness.  
During the time (Dearest Cousin) I had the happiness for some years, not long since, (through your more than generous goodness) to call your house, my Home; I could not but take notice how much you were addicted to History, out of a noble desire of acquaintance with former times: insomuch, that the vast bulk of Mr Fox his martyrology, a volume to be Chronicled for its unweildinesse; Sr Walter Ralegh's History of the World; Purchas his Pilgrimage, a Book Treating of all the Religions, Laws, and Customs of every Nation under Heaven; together with several other large and tedious Authors, could not deter your eager eyes, but into these they would venture, though as into Groves and Labyrinths (without Ariadne's clew) inextricable; Books that like China dishes, or the walls of Jericho, are begun in one Century, and scarce gone through with, in the next; or as it is in curious and long-breathed Romances, or Sr Philip Sidney's ingeniously insinuating Meanders, the fancy Travels all day in the paths of expectation, and at night cannot rest on the bed of satisfaction.  
In consideration whereof (worthy Cousin) and at present not being able to serve you with other devoir, I thought good to offer something (though but a mite) in order to acknowledgement of your innumerable favours, (to wit) this Epitome of the Annals of England, being as it were a glance upon the Reigns of all the Kings, with the two Queens of this Realm, from William the Conqueror, to the twelfth year of the Reign of his sacred Majesty Charles the Second (God be thanked) now flourishing; together with the exact and lively Portraiture of every King and Queen in Copper Plates: As also, their several Elegies in twelve verses, which indeed contain as it were a summary and Compendium of the Epitome; all which (not without much pains) I have drawn within the Circle of your eye, so that at once you may read both Lines and Lineaments, which cannot but be of great advantage to your memory, without which reading is but like a man's beholding his face in a glass, and turning his back to forget what manner of person he was.  
To avoid therefore prolixity, both ingrateful to the Reader, and destructive to the Memory, I have perused and compared many vast and voluminous Authors, such as were the most authentic and best approved, and out of them have presented you here Truth, as she ought to be, naked; and by leaving behind those various dresses, the Wardrobe of her needless ornaments, that her Authors had set her forth with, I shall render her to you, though not so glorious, yet more memorable. In a word, I have here presented you with much in a little, Homer's Illiads in a nutshell; or (if I may say so) the Pater Noster in a penny, Chronicle in Shorthand: you have the Marrow, the Grain, the Kernel, let who will take the bones, the husks, and the shells: There is nothing remarkable, but I touch it so far as the narrow confine of half a sheet will permit, which is enough to inform and satisfy concerning truth, and in vain are many words, where one will suffice; for let the Proverb say what it will, The furthest way about is not the nearest way home: Moreover, this advantage accrues to our conciseness, That before you can read the circumstantials of one King's Life in a volume, you may here run over the achievements of them all since the Conquest, and thereof give a landable account.  
But least whilst I thus compliment with your patience in illustrating the advantages of brevity, I forget myself, and let my so much talked of Epitome (like that little City) run out at the Gates of my Dedication, I will shut up all, and make this an Oblation to your memory, not your merit, which is so vast and unfathomed it would swell itself into such a volume of obliges, that my whole work would scarce look big enough to become an Epistle to it. To sum up all your particular goodnesses and my several engagements, were to baffle Arithmetic with the Sands, and to lay the first stone of a work of eternity; for I know neither where to begin nor where to end: but as with many, acknowledgement of former favours is a tacit begging of future; so it is with me, while I stalk with one courtesy for another, making my gratitude for what I have, a Preface to what I would have. In plain English, I thank you for your first kindness, and betray you to a second, which is, That you would pardon me, in that I have unknown to you presumed to make this Book public under the honour of your name; ●hich if you shall vouchsafe, I am all gratitude: and assure yourself, when any thing more worthy your judicious view shall issue from our riper Genius, 'tis vowed to you by  
Your ever grateful Votary & Kinsman. Matthew Stevenson. From my study in F. Street, London, Mar: 12. 1661.   

  


WILLIAM the Conqueror.  
EDward the Confessor ere he died, promised the Kingdom of England to William Duke of Normandy after his deceas, in regard he was his Kinsman, & near of blood to him, howbeit William was a Bastard, begot of one Arlot a Country Maid, in respect of which, the abused English to this day call light Wenches Harlots, only adding an aspiration to Arlot.  
But Harold the Son of Goodwin Earl of Kent, a bold man, and a good Soldier, possessed himself by force of the Kingdom, during the Inter Regnum, not waiting the consent of the Nobility, though his Brother Tosto strove against him all he could, and waged War with him; But at York Tosto lost his life in a pitched battle; in the mean while William Duke of Normandy depending on his right, raised an Army, and came for England to the South Saxons: Harold hearing of his arrival, though his Soldiers were tired in the late fight, sets up his Standard against his new Enemy William: Not far from Hastings they fought a sore Battle, but Fortune turning against the English; Harold driven forward with a warlike fury, riding into the midst of his Enemies, and fight valiantly was slain, and a great number of his men fell with him.  
William the Conqueror presently brings his conquering Banners to London, and is proclaimed King by the people that remained, having got a Kingdom by a lawful Victory, which (as he said) was given him of God. This King (as commonly Conquerors do) abolishing forthwith all the Customs of the English Nation, and most of their Laws; brought in immediately his own Country Fashions, and commanded that all Causes should be pleaded in French: And excluding all the English that had borne Arms against him out of their Patrimonies, he disposed of all their demeanes and Fields, and the rest of their Goods among his Soldiers, for a Reward of their Victory; reserving to himself the direct principality and homage, held to himself and his Heirs, as a Tenure from the Crown; so that none but the King should be the right and true Lord of any thing.  
Also he caused a Seal to be made for himself, wherein was engraved, By this acknowledge William of Normandy to be your Patron; but on the other side was engraven, By this Seal you must know that the same is King of England.  
Having thus subdued the Laity he turns himself to the Clergy, and made an Edict, that no English Monk should be capable of any secular dignity; disdaining the facilnesse of Canutus, who was formerly King, who had continued the honours, entreating the people whom he had subdued; by which Lenity the Inhabitants growing bold, after his death easily expelled Foreigners, and redeemed their former Liberty.  
Then he appeased the approaching War of the Danes, by giving them money that he might enjoy it peaceably at any rate: And hence it was that the English were in no fear at all of the Danes, who formerly so infested them; yet they were not so free from troubles, but that here and there arose some tumults among the people, that were hardly suppressed and overcome; but the windy Faction was easily dispersed.  
The greatest matter was the Rebellion of his Son Robert in Normandy, because it was most against Nature. This Son at the Instigation of Philip King of France, demanded this Dukedom of his Father as his proper Right; and without more words enters upon Normandy by force of Arms. It is true, his Father had promised him this Territory, but the Son was weary of delay, nor would he longer forbear from the Government he looked for: The King hearing of his Son's Enterprise, suddenly goes against him with a strong Army; they meet in Battle, the Son unhorses his Father, and wounds him in the arm; but when he knew his Father's Voice, alighting from his horse he raiseth his Father from the ground, and kneeling down before him, craved pardon for his boldness, which he obtained presently, his Father embracing him in his arms: however he seemed thus to have appeased his Father's wrath, yet God never suffering such faults to escape unpunished, he had no good luck ever after.  
Having conquered the Rebels partly by Sweetness and partly by Sword, he endeavours to enlarge his Kingdom, bringing Wales under his Command; and causing Malcom King of Scots to do him homage, and so adding new Countries, he (in some measure) rewarded England for the Crown they gave unto him: Yet lest the frowardness of his newly conquered Subjects should grow insolent, he laid upon them Taxes and Tributes, that differed them little from slaves; seeking by all means to weed out and keep under hatches the Nobility, and with continual Battles to waste and wear out the Commonalty. Only the men of Kent held their old Customs: For the King upon a certain time journeying toward Dover, was handsomely circumvented by the Inhabitants of Kent, carrying Boughs cut down from Trees, nor would they suffer him to depart until he had granted them the enjoyment of their ancient Customs; also he was indulgent to the Londoners to let them enjoy the privileges they had in the Time of Edward the Confessor; but he forbade the Nobility ●rom hunting of Deer, reserving those sports for himself only.  
About the end of his Life he placed his two Sons, Robert and Henry, almost in equal power over Normandy. There happened on a day a quarrel between Henry and Lewis the Dolphin of France, playing at Tables, which was the cause of great Contention betwixt the French and the Normans; the Dolphin drawing Robert on his side, enters Normandy with an Army: William forthwith having his Navy ready, sails into Normandy, and with no difficulty reducing his Son Robert to obedience; he marched to Rouen that he might find the French men work. When he was weary with toyiing, being very fat, he made a halt a while: The French derided him for his fat belly, speaking scoffingly that he was with Child, and ready to be delivered; when William heard thereof, he answered, If please God I ever recover of this Childbirth, I will burn a thousand lights to God in token of my thankfulness; nor was it long before he entered the Territories of France, and wasted all before him with Fire and Sword. Yet shortly after he fell sick and died at Rouen: His followers not only forsaken him being dead, but spoiled him of what he had, and his body unfortunately thrice forsaken, was at last let down into his own Monument at Cane in Normandy, but not entire.  
William the Conqueror Duke of Normandy after he had in Battle slain Harald took upon him the Crown of England He reigned 19 years 11 months' 〈◊〉 at the age of 74 years And lieth buried at Caen in Normandy  

William the Conqueror resigns his breath  
Unto a greater Conqueror, grim Death:  
I do not say when he for England fought,  
That any other than his right he sought:  
But to the English he no Bowels had,  
Whence his own Bowels served him as bad.   

With what contempt these troublers of the World,  
When breath forsakes into the earth are hurled,  
A man may see in him; who scarce could have  
'Midst all his Realms & friends, a sorry grave;  
As if the very Earth scorned to entomb  
The Son of so much slaughter in her Womb.    

WILLIAM the Second, King of England.  
WIlliam the Conqueror being Deceased, the Crown of England by right of succession fell to Robert his Eldest Son; but he being in Germany, Lanfrank then Arch Bishop of Canterbury (who by reason of his great Learning and singular virtue, was in high and reverend esteem with the people) so prevailed with the dying Conqueror William the first, that instead of Robert (the true Heir by Primogeniture) William surnamed Rufus, because of his Ruddy or Red Complexion (though the younger Brother) was Crowned King of England, Sept: 9 1087. The Beginning of his Reign was very troublesome and unquiet: For his Brother Robert took great offence at his attempt to take advantage of his absence, (honestly employed in his father's service) to intercept his Crown and dignity, which in his Conscience belonged justly, and only to him. But not long after, enraged Robert entered with a very puissant Army of valiant Normans, and many French, whom Philip their King had waged for his aid, the Confines of England resolving with his Presence, to regain what he had lost by his Absence; abhorring that his Right should be made a prey to any Usurper: But such, and so flexible was the Duke's disposition (though in boldness, and valour he were second to none) that he rather inclined himself to a tranquil and peaceable condition, which was gently craved by his Brother, than (by the effusion of much blood, which of necessity must have followed) to possess himself of this Crown: So that in the end, being fairly promised, that in case he survived, he should succeed: He accepted the grant of three thousand Marks per Annum from his Brother, and took a friendly leave, and returned safely home into his own Duchy of Normandy. Presently after this, Malcom King of Scots denies homage, but William enters his Territories with an Army, and subduing him, taketh Hostages for his future Obedience. The King by these Victories more strongly footed himself in his Realm of England; and being better assured of his establishment than heretofore, began to tread in his Father's steps, and with like severity and oppression to humble the haughty spirits of the English, and put a check to their courage: and finding by policy that plenty puffeth up, also, that penury prevents the danger of opposition, by bereaving them of those requisites that might promote his fear, and their hope: falls to imposing on them many intolerable taxes, which by his greedy Ministers, he levied with such despite, and cruelty, that they might well perceive that he meant nothing more than to cut the nerves and sinews of their strength, making it his grand design to dash the hopes of their Redemption. Now again, Robert the King's Brother once more proclaims War against him, for lack of the Money he promised him in lieu of the forbearance of his Kingdom of England; and the King of France taking his part, he took some Towns by force from his Brother which of right belonged to him: But the King of France (bribed by William) forsook Robert, so that being deprived of assistance, he compelled him to crave pardon. In the sixth year of his Reign his prosperity was interrupted by the obstinate Rebellion of Rees the last King of the Welsh men, who so infested him with broken Wars, that for many Months together, being urged to fight with Mountains (to which upon all enforcements they fled) instead of combating with men, he could find no rest: But such was his Resolution and undaunted Courage, to withstand the strongest push of all extremities, that in the end he slew their King, and obtained a glorious Victory, and thereby better secured the subjection of the Welsh men, than any his predecessors heretofore. But Malcom finding William embroiled in new troubles, again invades England, and is slain by Mowbray Earl of Northumberland. Now came the King (after many covetous and ingrateful oppressions of the English Nobles and Commons, to whom he owed his rescue from many perils of his Crown and Life) to use the same hard measure to the Clergy; for such was his impiety, by all possible means to enrich himself, that he sold for money the greatest promotions in Church and Common-weal; and did prohibit the Arch Bishop of Canterbury to assemble any Convocation or Synod, for the well ordering of the Clergy; by means whereof he secretly filled his Coffers with Treasure. The Bishop complains to Pope Vrban, who having newly excommunicated the Emperor Henry the Fourth (the first Christian Prince that ever was excommunicated) durst not have too many Irons in the fire at once, not knowing what would become of the first; forbears his Bull, and sends a Command to the King to redintegrate with the Bishops, which the King slights, nevertheless, at last a reconciliation is made. This William was as valiant a Prince as the World ever had; and a great opposer of the indirect courses of the See of Rome. Many fearful things happened in his Reign, as Earthquakes, dreadful Lightnings, and Apparitions, blazing Comets in strange Figures, great Inundations to the destruction of many of his people, and very much Land overwhelmed with the Sea, never to be recovered; amongst the which Earl Godwins Lands were drowned, and never to be recovered, and are now called Godwins Sands. At Finchamstead in Berkshire there was a Well that flowed blood fifteen days. The signs of his unfortunate end were many, but not regarded.  
In the thirteenth year of his Reign, as he hunted in the New Forest (that his father had pulled down Towns and Churches for) he was slain with an Arrow, by a French Knight, named Sir Walter Tyrrel, who shot at a Deer, but it unfortunately glanced on a Tree, and pierced the King into the Body, whereof he fell down dead, and in a Collier's Car● was carried to Winchester and there buried: Not long before, Richard his Nephew, and Son to Duke Robert of Normandy was there slain.  
Thus ended the troublesome, yet Victorious Reign of King William, third Son to the Conqueror; who being of a wanton Disposition, and neglecting Marriage, and daily solacing himself among his Whores and Concubines, died without any lawful Issue of his Body: His Stature was Comely, his Limbs firmly compact, active, strong, and healthy, exceeding Lecherous and Covetous, of high courage, constant in his Resolutions, scorning Fortune and troubles: Thus he lived, and thus he died, getting much, and suddenly leaving all.  
William Rufus King of England and Duke of Normandy He was slain being shot into the body by misfortune in new Forest in Hamshire, after he had reigned 12 years, and 11 months, at the age of 43 and lieth buried at Winchester Anno 1100. R E scul●  

William the Father being dead and gone,  
William his Son usurps his Brother's Throne:  
They call him Rufus; why, you need not study,  
Either his hair was red, or countenance r●ddy.  
Fortune his Reign continual War alots,  
From the Welsh, from his brother, or the Scots.   

Still he was Victor, till the fatal Dart  
In the new Forest once his the wrong H'art.  
Why there he fell in judgement so severe,  
If a Religious House be left? ask there:  
The father there invades the Church's hedge,  
And the Son suffers for his Sacrilege.    

HENRY the First, King of England.  
WHen King William the Second died, Robert was valiantly warring at the Holy Land, by means of whose absence, Henry his youngest Brother got a fit opportunity to sit as King in his Throne, whereunto without any difficulty he ascended, through the favourable affection of the Nobles and Common people, whose hearts were the more firmly engaged to him, because he was born in England after his father was Crowned King; and also because his singular wisdom, care, learning, mild disposition, and Princely virtues were apparent demonstrations that his Government would be accompanied with honourable achievements, graceful, safe, and profitable both to the Church, and also to the Commonwealth.  
Now the Kingdom he had obtained by fraud, he means to confirm by gentleness, good deeds, and just punishments: He every where prefers learned men to places in the Church, and removed such as were unworthy and unlearned from Church preferment: He mitigates the more severe Laws, and abolishes hard Customs: He grants the Nobility free leave to hunt, and to enclose Parks for Deer, and free Warrens for their Coneys, and such like Game; and as Traitors to his virtues, state and Kingly government, he banished from his Court all Flatterers, and all niceness in behaviour, Luxuriousness and gorgeousness in apparel, and superfluity in diet: He ordained punishments by death for such as rob by the high way; and with wonderful travel and industry he reform the monstrous pride, avarice, and secure sloth and negligence of the Clergy: He recalled from banishment Anselm the Archbishop of Canterbury, giving him full power to assemble Synods and Convocations at his pleasure, for the rectifying of such things that were amiss in the Church: He piously and freely bestowed on godly sober grave Divines, all such livings and Ecclesiastical promotions, as his Brother unjustly detained, by the lewd advice of Reynulph Bishop of Durham, whom he sent prisoner to the Tower of London, from whence not long after, the said wicked Bishop escaped and fled into Normandy to Duke Robert, whom he eagerly persuaded to claim his Crown with his Sword, who thereupon levies a great Army, which he intended with all expedition to transport into this Realm; but as King Henry by his former clemencies had rooted himself in the people's love; so to assure himself the better of the Scots, he takes Maud the Sister of King Edgar to be his Wife, who was daughter to Malcom by his Wife Margaret, who was Sister to Edgar Adeling, who died without issue, and Daughter to King Edward the Son of Edmund Ironside, the victorious and valiant King of the Saxons. Robert was now arrived in England with a puissant Army, and the day for Battle appointed, and the Heralds were sent up and down; but at last, as a thick lowering cloud is sometimes dispersed by a fair shining Sun; so by the discreet mediation of worthy friends, there was a friendly peace concluded between the two brothers, on the same terms agreed on in King Rufus days, whereupon the Norman Lords were much discontented, and returned home with the Duke. This danger dispelled, Beliamy Earl of Shrewsbury with the Earl of Mortain and Cornwall rebel, but are soon subdued. But now Henry (who was hitherto on the defensive part) takes up Arms of his own accord against his Brother (whether out of some distaste for some scoff his Brother gave him, or which is more like, stirred up with ambition and avarice to enlarge his Dominions) and joining with the Norman male-contented Nobles, with little ado chased the forsaken Duke from place to place, and won from him the Cities of Rouen, Cane, Valois, & indeed all Normandy, & presently in great honour and triumph he returns for England. Robert having thus made trial of his brother's severity, he resolus now to make trial of his lenity; whereupon he follows after his Brother into England, and very submissively deprecates his error, and begs his pardon: But Henry either offended with the now fresh injury of his brother; Or affecting the Dukedom of Normandy, departs unkindly from the perplexed and distressed Duke his Brother; Coily refusing to accept of his submission, which in all humility by him was prosfered. But Robert being impatient of that scorn his distress had begot him; returns in all speed into Normandy, and once more levies an Army, resolving rather to die manfully fight in the Field, then to follow the funerals of his own Honour: but his brother was prevalent and prevents him with a greater force, suppressing the mischief in the Birth, but not without blood, bringing his Brother Captive into England, where for that he (at Nature's enticement) practised his escape, at his brother's Commandment both his eyes were plucked out, after which he lived as a miserable and wretched Captive, the space of more than twenty years; at length he died and was buried at Gloucester. This success made Henry magnificent, but envied, whence arose a foreign War, which by power and policy he quieted, granting to William the Dukedom of Normandy upon condition of Homage. But Charles Earl of Flanders being wickedly slain at Brussels, leaving no other Heir, William the Son of Robert, who was the next right Heir to it (for that he was of the Blood of Maud Daughter to Baldwin, and Wife to William the Conqueror) was elevated to this Dignity; who growing insolent with this prosperity, endeavours to recover Normandy his Patrimony by his Grandfather, which he brought to pass with no great difficulty by the assistance of the French King, but receiving a slight wound in his hand, and suffering it to rankle, he lost his life and his Patrimony.  
Next, the Welsh Rebel, but the end of that War was a prey of Oxen and Sheep taken by Henry.  
He seldom taxed the Land, or never but once for a portion for his Daughter Maud. He was the first that called a Parliament. In the Year 1020 William his Son, with his Wife the Duke of Anjou's Daughter, his Sister Maud, the Lady Lucy a Niece of the Kings, the Earl of Chester, with divers diverse other Noblemen and Ladies, and others to the number 160, crossing the Seas from France to England were all most miserably drowned, not any one saved but a poor Butcher, who like Iob's servant was spared to bring the sad News; the King having no children left but his Daughter Maud the Empress, who, after the Emperor's death, married jeffery Plantagenet: With these and other griefs the King languished; at last eating Lampreys he surfeited and died, and was buried in Reading Abbey after he had reigned 35 years. In this King ended all the issues Male of the Conqueror, and the Crown of this Realm devolved on his general Heirs.  
HENRY the first surnamed Beauclark King of England and Duke of Normandy: He reigned 35 years and 4 months died the 2 of December 1185. at the age of 67 years. and lieth buried at Reading. 1135. R E. sculpsit  

Robert's abroad, still roving for renown,  
And now a second time forfeits his Crown;  
Which Henry his Brother means to wear,  
At the old rate three thousand Marks a year;  
Whose Eyes he now puts out incontinent,  
Lest he should see his bargain and repent.   

He that allows his Brother none now dies,  
Surfeiting of a Fish abounds with Eyes.  
Crowns no Relation know; they oft have stood  
Close cemented to Caesar's Head with blood.  
Thus to the Crown the third Descent does fail  
The Conqueror, and all his Issue Male.    

STEPHEN, King of England.  
MOnday, December the 26, 1135. being St. Stephen's Day; Stephen Earl of Mortaign and Bulloyne, Son of Stephen, Earl of Bloys and Champain, and of Adela Daughter to William the Conqueror, notwithstanding all his Vows and public Protestations to Henry the First, to further the Right and Succession of Maud the Empress, being his Daughter, and of her Children, yet (when the King was dead) he finding that the Nobility (though sworn as deep and solemnly as himself was) applied themselves totally to his devotion, he presently shook off the memory of his former plighted Vows and Engagements whatsoever, and forthwith usurps the Kingdom, and was Crowned at Westminster by William Corbel Archbishop of Canterbury, for the which his whole Reign was continually infested with foreign and domestic troubles. But he was not to learn the policy of his Progenitors, who having attained sovereignty by unjust and foul attempts, have endeavoured by all fair means to settle their tottering Diadems upon their doubtful Heads; so did this King by wisdom and policy endeavour to lay a sure foundation to his estate: And because riches are the strength of Kings and sinews of War, He therefore to enrich himself, seized upon the great and vast Treasure of his Uncle, the late deceased King, which he closed not up in Chests, or in Bags, as idle Archers do their Arrows in Quivers; but with a munificent hand he bountifully disposed of them among such, as by Arms or by Counsel he judged most like to stand him instead at his need. Then advancing the Nobility and remitting Dane-gelt to the Vulgar, and honouring the Clergy, he won the hearts of all; granting liberty to hunt to the Nobility and Clergy. Moreover, to win the good Will of strangers, he obtained for his Son Eustace, Constance the Daughter of Lewis King of France; yet did he not more by this marriage, than by treasures strengthen himself in the Kingdom, of which he spent not luxuriously, but to levy Soldiers with, and wage war, which he too soon had occasion for: Scarce was he Crowned before he was forced to fall to his Arms; for David King of Scotland striving to assert the interest of Maud the Empress, proclaimed War against him, and possessed himself of the Towns of Carlisle and Newcastle; but Stephen presently marched against him with a great Army, and granting Cumberland to David, and the County of Huntingdon to his son, he put by a great storm, without any bloodshed at all: Yet notwithstanding, not long after (in pursuance of Maud his Niece's Quarrel) he again enters and resists the Northern Parts of this Kingdom with fire and sword: but in the end he was encountered by Thurston Archbishop of York, who compelled him, being pursued with unspeakable dangers, to fly into Scotland, and leave behind him dead upon the ground, more than ten thousand of his Army. Scarce had he composed domestic Commotions, but he is saluted with an Alarm from abroad, from Maud the Empress, who accompanied with Robert Earl of Gloucester, her base brother, landed with an Army in England, and was quickly strengthened and emboldened in her enterprise, by the wonderful access of many of the English, and of Raynulph Earl of Chester, with a lusty Crew of bold and forward Welshmen: Hereupon the King (thinking it neither safe, nor for his credit to make any demur or delay) forthwith levied a strong Army, and marches resolutely against the Empress, and her Forces; who greeted him with such Music as Warlike Troops are wont: so that a cruel and a bloody battle for many hours was fought between them, Victory hover with doubtful wings, not knowing where to light: But at length the King's Common Soldiers wearied with battle, begun to cast about for their own escape, and plainly run away, and left their King, who with his Nobles and Gentry, scorning to run away, fought Gallantry, expressing wonderful tokens of their high spirits, and puissant valour, till in the end the King was taken. The Victory thus falling to Maud, Stephen is brought before her, and committed to Bristol Castle; and she in the mean while possesseth the Kingdom, and as Conqueress the enters London in Triumph. But Mathilde the Wife of Stephen humbly beseeches the Empress to let her live a private life with her husband, for she was weary of the Government. The Londoners also require their ancient Laws they enjoyed under the Confessor, but the Empress would grant neither: Whereupon Mathilde not enduring the high stomach of the Empress, and detesting ignoble servitude, calls Eustace her Son with a choice Company of Soldiers out of Kent to London, who joining with the Londoners that were wonderfully offended that their suit was denied; also fortifying himself with the Bishop of Winchester, they fall upon the Army of the Empress, which fled privately to Oxford, and asked not in vain help of David, King of Scotland, by whose assistance she besieged Winchester; but the Queen with her Son Eustace falling on her fortress, overcame the Queen in a pitched Battle, and took Robert Son to the Empress, but she herself escaped. A Treaty for Peace followed this Fortune, whereby Robert on the one hand, and Stephen on the other are set at Liberty. There was another condition agreed upon, whereupon Stephen now being free besieges the Empress in Oxford, who escapes through his Army by night aparrelled in White, by reason of much Snow newly fallen.  
In the mean while jeffery Husband to the Empress dies, and leaves to his Son Henry the Dukedom of Anjou, and Aquitane, who before had with his Wife Eleanor the County of Poitiers. This Henry besieged Malmsbury, but in vain. Not long after, Henry is again invited over by some of his friends, and comes with a gallant Army, bravely conducted by noble Captains: King Stephen and his Son had an Army in readiness to encounter them: Great was the confidence on both sides; somewhat they did, but little. But now happens a thing much to be wondered at; amongst drawn Swords peace began to show herself; for in this expedition, Eustace the only Heir of King Stephen, is unfortunately drowned, which overcame the King with infinite sorrow; but it made a quiet end of this quarrel: For now the King (wanting an heir to succeed him) was pleased to accept the proffer of a friendly peace; thereupon he adopted Prince Henry for his son, and heir of his Crown, gave him many Kingly gifts, and assured him of his unchangeable love. The Princes and all his followers return into Normandy with all imaginable Joy; and next year King Stephen died when he had reigned nineteen years lacking one Month: He died at Dover, and was buried at Feversham in Kent.  
Stephen a Valiant Prince, son to Stephen Earl of Blois, Charters, and Champagne: and of Adela daughter to William ❧ Conqueror: Usurped the Kingdom of England, which caused him to b● vexed with continual wars. He reigned 18 years. 11 months died at the age of 49 years, and lieth buried at Feversham, 1154  

Stephen next usurps the throne, for when he drew  
His Sword, he cut the Gordeon in two.  
Valiant he was, but viciously inclined:  
He is too strong a man, Oaths cannot bind.  
Maud had the Right, Stephen Power; Princes take  
Any advantage when a Crowns at stake.   

He made no Laws, he so in Wars did live;  
He seemed rather to receive then give.  
At last his Son dies; now all storms blow fair  
Whilst Stephen adopts his enemy his heir.  
What War could not, a happy peace hath done,  
This has a Kingdom got, and that a Son.    

HENRY the Second, King of England.  
STephen having now paid his debt to Nature, it remained that his Engagements also be discharged to his adopted Heir, which in like manner was in a short time performed, for Henry Duke of Anjou, the Empress Mauds son, according to agreement succeeded him in the Throne, who with the great applause and general liking of all men, was rightly Crowned at Westminster by the hands of Theobald Archbishop of Canterbury: He was also Crowned at Lincoln, and Thirdly at Worcester; Malcome King of Scots joining with him confederate.  
He behaved himself wisely in the beginning of his Reign, making election of the wisest men he could get for Counsellors: he expelled strangers, such as came in hope of rapine; especially those of Flanders; demolishing the Castles that the Nobility had built at the Connivance of King Stephen which they had often abused to sedition. The Laws also that were faulty during the War, he reduced to their former integrity. The Demeans bestowed by King Stephen on such as were unworthy, he took away to himself, and so spared his subjects from Tribute and Taxes, deeming it safer to offend a few then many. Singular was the zeal this King bare to the furtherance of Justice and equity; for he divided his Kingdom into six several Circuits; and for the better administration of Justice, together with the trial of Causes between man and man, and for the greater ease and comfort of his subjects, he appointed several Judges twice in every year to ride those Circuits; which course and order is continually observed to this day. He also resumed into his own hands the Province of Northumberland, together with the Earldom which David King of Scots, and Henry his Son had received Giftwise of King Stephen, because they should not further intermeddle in the interest of his Mother Maud the Empress to the Crown. In the thirteenth year of his Reign he married Geofrie (one of his younger sons) to Constance the daughter, and heir apparent to Conaccus Duke of Britain, who died not long after, and left to them that Duchy. He also affied his younger son Richard unto Adela, one of the Daughters of Lewis the King of France; and married his Daughter Maud to Henry Duke of Saxony: Much about this time died Maud the Empress, his Mother.  
In the Nineteenth year of his Reign, for that the Irish Nation attempted to deprive him of certain Territories in that Island (left him by his Predecessors) he sailed thither with a mighty Army, and fought many victorious Battles against Five Kings, which at that time reigned there, all which he did subdue, and made subject to himself, and became sole Lord of all that Country, and annexed that Title unto his Crown; and returned loaden with honours into this Kingdom. If he managed all things wisely hitherto, now does he show as much weakness and infirmity, making his Son Henry and his Wife Margaret, daughter to the French King, to be twice solemnly crowned in the presence of his people (himself the second time for that day leaving the Title of a King, and serving as a sewer at his Son's Table) whereat his proud Son made no wonder, but publicly affirmed that his Father was thereby no whit dishonoured, for that he was only the son of an Empress, but he himself was the son both of a King, and also of a Queen. In the mean time Lewis King of France his father in Law, fell to upbraid his pusillanimity, that he being entered into the Government and crowned King, would permit his father to be equal with him in the Kingdom, contenting himself to be a Titular King only; he easily inflamed his youthful mind too ready to be set on fire with unlawful desires. This secret Envy began now to break forth into open hate, and the son constantly cavilled at every thing the father did, or said; Nor was the sons horrible ingratitude unknown to the Father; wherefore Messengers were sent to Lewis to oppress and extinguish those so sad beginnings of discord. But Lewis instead of doing good offices of reconciliation, laughed at the Ambassadors, ask them scornfully, why they called him Ma●ter, who had freely delivered up his right to his son? But these things ended not thus, for many jars and quarrels arose betwixt King Henry the Father and Lewis the French King, which at length were decided by sharp and bloody Wars: In all which most unnaturally Henry, Geofry and john, and most undutifully Robert Earl of Leicester, and Hugh Earl of Chester, together with William then King of Scots, took part with the French against the King; in all which (notwithstanding) King Henry by noble courage and princely prowess did still prevail; and upon submission granted pardon to his sons and all their Complices. Yet were his sons after grievously punished by God▪ for Henry died before his Father, in the prime and flower of his youth; and john, who after was King, was poisoned by a Monk in Swinstead Abbey in Lincolnshire: Yet these unnatural Rebellions of his own Children (to whom he had been so indulgent a father) moved such a passion in his perplexed mind, as it suddenly struck him into a Fever, extreme dangerous; and hearing that his son Richard had raised a new broyl against him, he could no longer sustain the wounds of his spirit, but within a day or two breathed out his last, when he had reigned almost 25 years, and was buried at Fontenward in Normandy. The History of this King's reign approveth him to have been wise, learned, just, politic, and valiant, (save in that over-indulgence to his graceless children) and what not a little addeth to the number and splendour of his commendations, was, that albeit he were often engaged in business, some of them concerning his Wars in France, Normandy, Anjou, Ireland, and in other places, and some of them respecting his Politic Rule, and government at home; yet he never imposed upon his subjects any extraordinary Tax or payment whatsoever; yet left he unto his Successor more than 900000 pounds in silver and gold, besides Plate, Jewels, householdstuff, and plentiful provision for the War. And though in most things prosperity made him happy, yet in three things he was unfortunate: The 1. was the unnatural disobedience and revolt of the fruit of his own Loins: The 2. was his unquenchable lust to his inseparable Concubine the beauteous Rosamond, who being admirably fair, and wantonly conditioned, too much estranged his affections from Eleanor his renowned Queen, and made his desires subject, nay slavish to the others wanton Will. The 3. was the irreconcilable dissension betwixt him and Thomas Becket, the insolent Archbishop of Canterbury. The King is accused of his death by the Pope, which he denies upon oath; yet the Pope enjoins him for penance 3. years' War in person in the Holy Land, which he redeemed by erecting 3. houses of Religion; and to go from London to Canterbury barefooted to visit Beckets shrine, which he did, & suffered himself to be scourged by every Monk. Thus this King ended all his troubles.  
Henry the 2d surnamed Shortmantle King of England, Duke of Normandy, and Aquitaine, Earl of Poicteres and Anjou Lord of Ireland. He reigned 34 years 9 months. died the 6 th'. of july 1189 at the age of 61 years, and lieth buried at Fonteverard in Normandy.  

He that shall read thy Reign (great Henry) must  
Conclude thee truly valiant, wise, and just;  
Who from the Treasury of thine own brain,  
Didst Foreign and Domestic Wars maintain.  
Thou never didst unusual Tax impose  
Upon thy subjects, to subdue thy foes:   

Yet did thy Son in ready Coin receive  
Nine hundred thousand pounds which thou didst leave.  
Hadst thou not Becket, nor thy Siren seen,  
Thy Love had ne'er turned Lust; nor Anger spleen.  
Thy Son● with woe had ne'er oppressed thy life;  
No Rosamond is like a Royal Wife.    

RICHARD the First, King of England.  
RIchard the Eldest Son living of Henry the Second (being in Normandy when his Father died) succeeded in his Throne; and (because those countries wanted settlement, and required a longer time of his presence) above all other things he was most careful for the enlargement of Queen Eleanor his Mother, who by her deceased Husband was committed to strait imprisonment, because she loathed and would not endure his lascivious course of living with his wanton Paramour Rosamond, but sharply reproved him for the same: And because she was every way virtuous, discreet and wise, he committed the whole Government of this Realm in his absence to her care and management: and (because her own experience had informed her what anguish and sorrow poor helpless Captives did endure) she set at liberty all such as were imprisoned for ordinary offences, or for small debts, which she herself did pay for them; And administered the commonweals affairs with wonderful moderation, integrity, and Judgement, until her Son the King came home, who was with all solemnity and strange Triumphs anointed and Crowned King of England. The King (imitating the mild and gentle disposition of his Mother, and commiserating the troubles of such as were afflicted) freed out of prison all such as were his debtors, or were enthralled for any transgression which concerned himself, and whom, without injustice done to others, he might acquit: And through the whole course of his Government, he so provided, that Justice with mercy might be extended to all. Many were the honourable and profitable promotions he heaped upon his brother john, whom he created Earl of Lancaster, giving to him moreover the Provinces of Nottingham, Devonshire, and Cornwall, and married him to the sole and only daughter and Heir of the Earl of Gloucester, from whom he received the Lordship of that Country. Too great favours conferred on subjects make them aspire too high: Just so was it with the King and his Brother john; for when the King had poured upon him plentiful showers of his bounty, and had advanced him to honour and estate above all others, his thoughts mounted above the Moon, and made him unnaturally and unthankfully to affect the Crown. This King (for his invincible valour and haughty courage) was esteemed to be most matchless in the Christian World, so that he was surnamed Cuer de Lion, or Lion's heart. His Father's Coffers enriched him with great store of Gold and Silver; and such was his contempt of riches, and bounty to such as either deserved well, or were men of any noble worth, that he bestowed on them great gifts with such alacrity, that in short time he unboweled all his bags, little foreseeing that future business might require the expense of more than the great plenty which was left unto him, and that when he wanted he should be driven to hard shifts to relieve himself. This King was Crowned at Westminster, Sept. 3. 1189. by Baldwin Archbishop of Canterbury, namely on that day so memorable for an accidental slaughter of the jews, whose insolence he abundantly restrained, by giving Licence to Weed out that odious kind of men, which for their blasphemies he hated. No sooner was he crowned, but at the instigation of the Pope he was engaged with Philip King of France, and Leopald Arch Duke of Austria, and many other Christian Princes, to win jerusalem, which he did.  
These things concluded (although the King's profuse bounty and great expenses had made him bare and needy) yet would he not burden his people with any tax to supply his wants; but rather chose to raise money out of his own Estate, which he did by selling Privileges, Demeans, Immunities and Cities, among which sales he sold Barwick Castle and Rokesborough to the King of Scots, for ten thousand pounds: and the Lordship and Earldom of Durham to Hugh then Bishop of that See, for much money: and he did protest, that for the performing of so great and honourable a Service, he was not unwilling to sell his City of London itself (if any were able to purchase it) rather than he would be chargeable unto others.  
And thus the King having furnished himself with all provisions necessary for his Journey; he for the time of his absence entrusted the Kingdom of England to Hugh Baldulph Bishop of Durham, and to William Prunellus, and William Longo Scampius Chancellor of the Kingdom, dividing to each his part and Proportion; he set Robert Earl of Leicester, a man of honesty and integrity, over Normandy and Aquitane; yet to prevent the ambition of john, he was minded to send him into Normandy, but his Mother interceding for him, and becoming surety for his fidelity, he was left in England: Lastly, appointing Arthur his brother jeffery his Son to be his Successor in case he should die in this Expedition. He enters upon his Voyage accompanied with many Gallant Lords, Knights, and Gentlemen, whose Resolutions much increased his hopes of good success.  
In the way contrary Winds drive him upon Cyprus, assails and wins it; of which Philip of France demands a share. Richard denies him, and thence arose a great feud between the two Kings, which put a great stop to the whole Enterprise. Richard got great renown; but being forsaken by the French, and the Burgundians forsaking him, he makes peace with Saladine upon unjust terms, and returning home is betrayed to Leopaldus, then to the Emperor, is imprisoned, and with a mighty Ransom redeemed, which afterward lost the Emperor his Life, and Leopaldus the breaking of his Legs, and lastly the losing it.  
Lastly, after four years he arrives in England, where he met with treasons and troubles on all sides by the French, by homebred thiefs and the jews which he suppressed, and marches against the French, and at the siege of a City received a shot in the Arm, whereof he died, and was buried at Fontenward in Normandy: He Reigned nine years, nine months, and twenty two days.  
The right Valiant Prince RICHARD surnamed Coeur-de-lion King of England and Jerusalem Duke of Normandy and Aquitanè, Earl of Poeters and Anuou. Lo: of Ireland. etc. He died at the age of 43 years Anᵒ 1199. after he had reigned 9 years. 9 months and 22 days and lieth buried at Fonteverard in Normandy.  

Richard the First no Lion ever fought,  
But was called Lion's heart cause he was stout.  
From Prison he his Mother did release,  
And settled his Dominions in peace:  
Then levying men and money, did prepare  
All that was needful to the holy War.   

He forced King Tuncred buy his peace with Gold,  
And twice won Cyprus for Jerusalem sold.  
The Turks and Saracens he overthrows,  
Whilst prostrate Palestine to his Prowess bows.  
Philip and Leopald their envy bend  
Against that valour even the Foes commend.    

JOHN, King of England.  
NExt, john by blows and bribes usurps his Brother's Crown and Treasury to maintain his unjust Title; which was the cause the whole Course of this King's government was accompanied with continual troubles; and his two persecutors were Pope Innocent the Third, and Philip the Second, King of France. But the first Tempest was depending from his Cousin Arthur, whose Kingdom he had not only taken from him, but also had drawn the Dukedom of Normandy to himself, leaving to Arthur only the Dukedom of Anjou. But his Mother Constance, finding herself too weak for the English, flies to the French King, and craves aid of him, who promised not only to restore all Normandy, but all England to Arthur, and forthwith received the young man into his Protection: Wherefore Phllip listing an Army first made good the Duchy of Anjou to Arthur, and then invaded Normandy. But john sailing into Normandy, upbraids Philip for perfidiousness, because he had very foully broken the peace he had made with his Brother Richard; yet for all this they go not to Arms: For while they discourse, and each defends his Right, they agree on fifty day's cessation of Arms; Baldwin Earl of Flaunders being utterly against it, who therefore forsaking Philip makes his peace with the English; and takes Counsel by what means (when the truce was ended) they should wage war with Philip; but when john was free from care of war, he strikes hands with the French King upon unjust terms. Baldwin hating his sluggishness, once more joined with the French, and restored the War of jerusalem. The English are glad and return home, but are very ill received by the Nobility, who hated those base Conditions they had made with the French. But john now free from War turns all his study to Pole his Subjects, and to follow his pleasure. Also he deprived the Archbishop of York, his brother, of all his Fortunes for nothing, but because he dehorted him from such injury. Then going into Normandy he divorced his Wife Avis, and married Isabella, daughter and heir to the Earl of Engelestne; she was Crowned at Canterbury. B●t the daily oppression of King john prevailed so far; also his base Luxury (not without murder and Manslaughter, for he destroyed Matilda a beautiful Maid, making her to drink Poison, because she would not yield to his entreaty to be corrupted by him. And William Bruce with his Wife, for speaking somewhat too freely, he killed with Famine, taking all their estate from them. He demanded Subsidies, but his Nobles altogether denied him, nor would they follow him in his Wars until those heavy Imposts laid upon them were taken away: Yet he wen● afterward into Normandy, and thence to Paris, where he and his Wife (to outward appearance) were friendly received by King Philip. But Hugh Earl of Marsh, to whom Isabel the King's Wife was first betrothed; being angry with the King for taking his Wife from him, joins with Arthur, and begin a new War; Philip takes part with them, so jointly those of Tours first, than they of Anjou invade; they take the Towns of Mirabellum, King john reproves Philip for his falseness, and begins seriously to think upon revenge; and coming upon the Forces of the enemy suddenly and unlooked for, destroyed them with a great slaughter, taking those prisoners that could not escape, among whom was Arthur, who shortly after died of hunger in prison; but some say, that endeavouring his escape he was drowned in the River; but, as it is Vulgarly thought, he died of mere sorrow: His Sister Eleanor followed him shortly after the same sad way. And thus ended Arthur's Life, Title, and those Wars. Next Year the French King takes all Normandy by Force. And now began the Kings other enemy, Pope Innocent the Third, to vex him more than Philip had done; the occasion is this, Hubert Archbishop of Canterbury died, and the Monks of St. Augustine's in that City (without the King's Licence or knowledge, and about midnight) elected Reynold a brother of their own to succeed him, and took of him an oath forthwith to travel to Rome, there to procure his investiture, and to receive his Pall from the Pope. Tidings hereof coming to the King's ears, he presently made known his inward dislike of their rash and unadvised doings; so that (upon his motion, and to appease his wrath) they elect john Grace than Bishop of Norwich: Incontinently the King (upon his own charges) dispatches Letters, and Ambassadors to the Pope, entreating him to ratify the last choice. But the Pope neglects the King's Entreaty, and confirms him that was first Elected; at which the King fretted, and stormed much to see himself so slenderly regarded: The Monks also (to please the King) refuse to receive their own first election, because it was made in the night. At last the Pope would (whether the King would or no) make choice of one Stephen Langton (one of his Creatures) to succeed in the Archbishopric: The King stoutly keeps him off, and confiscates all the Lands and Goods of such as partake in the election with Rome, and forbids all appeals thither. The Pope after a proud letter or two, interdicts him and all his Kingdom, which he very frankly gives to Philip the French King; who coming to invade and possess himself of the Pope's gift, lost three hundred of his Ships, and returned home as he came.  
Nevertheless, john basely on his knees tenders his Crown for the Pope's use, which his Legate keeps four days; but the Nobility hating his poor spirit, revolt to the French, whom john not able to resist, flies, and is poisoned by a Monk in Swinstead Abbey, who drank to him in these words, Wassall my Liege. He was buried at Worcester, having Reigned seventeen years and odd months.  
He left behind him four sons, viz. Henry, who succeeded him; Richard, who was elected King of the Romans; William of Valentia; and Guido Disnay: And three Daughters, viz. one married to Frederick the Emperor; the second to William Martial Earl of Worcester; and the third to the Earl of Leicester.  
The right Valiant Prince RICHARD surnamed Coeur-de-●ion King of England and Jerusalem. Duke of Normandy and Acuitanè, Earl of Poeters and Annou. Lo: of Ireland. etc. He died at the age of 43 years Ano. 1199. after he had reigned 9 years. 9 months and 22 days and lieth buried at Fontevera●d in Normandy.  

O what a lushie morsel is a Crown?  
That right or wrong Princes will gusleed down,  
John to the Throne will o'er his Nephew's neck,  
Although his own in the attempt he break.  
What followed this Usurper at the Helm?  
A three years Curse on him, and his whole Realm.   

At last base fears impossibles foresees,  
And to the Pope bends his unprincely knees:  
In Swinstead Abbey death did him besiege  
In Sacramental Mass; Wassall my Liege.  
Who pities him a safe estate that scorns,  
And wounds his Temples with a Crown of Thorns?    

HENRY the Third, King of England.  
AFter the Death of King john, Henry his eldest Son (about the age of nine years) was Crowned King, but not without some controversy of the Nobles; some of the Nobility falling off to him, who a little before had made a defection, and swore to King Lewis. Yet Lewis with an Army of twenty thousand men won many Towns, till at last he came to the Castle at Lincoln, which a certain Noblewoman did bravely defend, and caused him to stop; and an Army of the English coming on in the mean time, he was repulsed and conquered, many of the English Nobility being taken that stood with him, besides the Count of Perch that stood with him till the last, preferring an honourable Death, before a dishonourable Life: Yet he did not despair, but sent for more Forces out of France, which were all almost destroyed in a Fight at Sea. By these misfortunes he was forced to take Conditions of a hundred and five thousand Franks in respect of the charge he had been at; he renouncing all right to the Kingdom of England: And promising faithfully to prevail with his father to restore all the Provinces in France belonging to the English. The King restored to the rebellious Nobility all the Lands belonging to them: And Lewis at Dover set Sail for France, having warred unhappily in another's Land. Then a Parliament was summoned, and Magna Charta ratified, also the Court of Wards was revived, and a Tax granted the King to Levy an Army under the Conduct of his Brother Richard, for the recovery of his Rights in France. The Parliament being ended, the said Tax with great celerity is collected without any the lest grudge or contradiction; so that the King's Coffers were replenished with Gold and Silver; and all requisites were carefully provided, and a gallant Army of courageous men of War were assembled, and safely transported. With which Richard the King's Brother did (almost) wonders, subduing where he found resistance, and seizing upon Lordships, Forts, Towns, Castles, and other defenced places, quietly and without blows, no Head being made against him; so that within few Months (such was his valour and good Fortune) he recovered both those Provinces wholly for the King, and returned with much honour into England. But the King's absence from those Places gave opportunity to the French King to infest them, which he unfriendly laid hold on, and suddenly led a new Army into Poicters, and easily made himself Lord thereof. From thence marched to Perigot, and Alverne, and other places in Guyan, where he did the like. But King Henry sent thither an other Army under the Conduct of his Brother Richard, Earl of Cornwall, with which he encountered the French, and fought many sharp Battles, in which for the most part his Fortune continued prosperous; and all things seemed to promise him the recovering of whatever (in his absence) had been lost: But in the height of all these broils a friendly peace was concluded betwixt the two Kings, and Richard returned safe into England.  
This Richard Earl of Cornwall, the King's Brother, at the suit of the Princes of Germany, is elected King of the Romans; but not long after being charged with insolence and oppression, he was put out of the Office, and returns to England a poor King, that went out a rich Earl.  
And now began those mischievous broils and turmoils in this Realm, which (until the King's death) daily vexed him more and more, and the whole Kingdom also; for the King lending too ready and pleasing an ear to lewd and evil Officers about him (whom above all Officers he loved and favoured, and by whose Counsel and advice both himself and his whole Kingdom was ruled and directed) made little account of his best Subjects Love: And took from them (in divers things) such Liberties as by the Laws and Ordinances of this Kingdom they justly claimed, and aught to have enjoyed. He also pinched his people with many unnecessary and grievous Taxes, which by those lewd and bold Officers were levied with much rigour and sharpness, to their great distaste. The King also took to Wife Eleoner Daughter of Raymond Earl of Province, whereby there grew no profit to his affairs, but rather suffered great detriment by reason of her threadbare and beggarly Family; and her poor kindred flocking from all Parts as Crows to the Prey, which, nevertheless, were highly entertained by the King, and enriched with money, and placed in Offices of greatest honour and profit, and the English thrust ou●, a● which ●he Nobles stormed, and the people every where much murmured.  
But whil●● the King goes about to overthrow his Subjects Rights, which they labour to preserve; all the Nobili●y being offended at the promotion of strangers, they enter into a Conspiracy. The King calls a Pa●liament: The Nobility refuse to be present, unless he would command the Bishop of Winchester, Peter de Rup●bus and all his Gang to forsake the Court, threatening withal, that unless satisfaction were made to them they would depose the King, and drive away all strangers his adherents, and choose another King. In fine both Sides, King and Barons fall to Arms, and with various success fight several fierce and cruel Battles; at length at the battle near Lewis, after the fall of twenty thousand men, The two Kings and the Prince, with many Knights and Gentlemen of great account, were all taken prisoners by the Barons.  
Then a peace is concluded between them; a Parliament being called, the King confirmed the Government of the twelve Peers, which by Hand and Seal he had assigned them in a former Parliament at Oxford, called the Mad Parliament; and Prince Edward who was Hostage for his Father, is set at liberty. But the Prince not enduring to see his Father thus a titular King, raiseth a fresh Army; and about Evesham near Worcester fights the Barons, whom by reason of a mortal jar between Leicester and Gloucester, their two Generals he overthrows. Then the Kings call another Parliament, and repeals and nulls all former Decrees touching the Authority of the twelve Peers: and thus the King got again the staff into his own hand, by the virtue and valour of his princely son.  
The King much incensed with the Londoners for taking part with the Barons, could hardly be dissuaded from burning the City; but at last the Prince made their peace; and after th●t marches with an Army to the Holy Land, where the King dies, having reigned fifty six years.  
HENRY the III. King of England: Duke of Aquitane. Earl of Poic tiers and Anjou. Lord of Ireland. He died at the age of 65 years, after he had reigned 56 years and lieth entombed at Westminster. 1272.  

The groaning Kingdom being rid of John,  
Has found his very Image in his Son.  
King Henry the Third nine years of Age  
Enters a troubled and a doubtful Stage  
The Realm he found Rebecca like become  
With divers Nations struggling in her Womb;   

All which he cleared at last with promise fair,  
With Oaths & Vows which proved nothing but Ai●  
He peeled his subjects so, that at his need  
Give him they nothing would, nor could indeed▪  
He marries then with a mean Family,  
And spoils his Realm to lard their Poverty.    

EDWARD the First, King of England.  
WHen King Henry died, Edward his son and heir was in Palestine, very intent about the holy war, where he underwent a grievous danger, having received 3 desperate wounds from his adversary with a poisoned weapon: But he was cured by the wonderful Piety of his Wife, who with her mouth in time sucked out the venom from his wounds. In his way, being made more certain of his father's death, he made great journeys and traveled in all haste into England, where (with the general applause both of his Nobles, and Common-people) he was crowned King when he was of the age of 35 years. At the beginning of his Reign he used the Nobility well; but to abate the insolence of the Clergy, he commanded their wealth to be brought into his Exchequer, and he afflicted them otherwise, and so drew upon himself their envy. The Welsh rise against him, but he luckily intercepts Eleoner, Monfort's daughter, espoused to Lluellen their Prince, upon surrender of whom that storm blew over, and obedience was promised by the Welsh to King Edward. But within few years, three or four at most, Lluellen puts an end to his Oath and obedience, for his wife Eleoner being dead he breaks forth into new Rebellions; also David forgetting the great love of King Edward to him, falls off to his brother, and so with joint forces they enter England, and does some mischief to Edward; both of them wonderfully inflamed by a false prophecy of Merlin, whereby the Crown of Brutus was promised to Lluellen; but the battle being set, Lluellen was killed by a private Soldier, and his Head brought to King Edward; his Brother David also was taken, and had his Head struck off, and with his Brothers it was set upon the Tower of London, where it remained a long time after, but his four Quarters were sent to four Principal Cities in England, to be set up for a terror to all Traitors hereafter: so Edward revenged the Rebellion of the Welsh, and the death of Alphonsus his first Borne, who was slain in the same battle. In the eighteenth year of King Edward's Reign, Alexander the King of Scots (not having any Issue of his body) fell with his horse, and unfortunately broke his neck: He had three sisters; the eldest of which was married to john Balliol, Lord of Galloway; the second to Robert le Bruse, Lord of Valley-Andrew; and the third was married into England to john Hastings, Lord of Abergavenny: amongst these three (each of them backed with his best friends) sharp bicker and civil wars arose, to the destruction of many worthy persons on all sides: Whilst the matter thus was handled, King Edward promises the Kingdom of Scotland to Bruse for ever, so he would do him homage for it; but Bruse refuseth it, preferring his Country's Liberty before his own honour. Yet Balliol yields to those conditions, and so got the Kingdom of Scotland, but the ill will of all his Countrymen.  
Envy against him increased for refusing Justice upon the death of the Earl of Fife, who was slain; for Baylioll exempted Alberme●h from punishment that slew him; whereupon Baylioll cited before Edward's Tribunal is forced to plead his cause; he was angry at this disgrace, and denies Homage to Edward, and proclaims war, (making a Covenant with the French King.) Hence arose the cause of a most bloody war between the two Nations, which lasted for three hundred years, only some feigned cessations passed between.  
No less than four times did this victorious King Edward subdue the false and fraudulent Scots, compelling them with extraordinary tokens of subjection and humility, to submit themselves to his mercy.  
In the mean time a new war breaks forth between King Edward and the French King Philip the fair, by a controversy between the subjects of either King, for Kings that envy one another, easily break forth into open Hatred: but Edward had other grudges against the French, for conniving at the death of his Cousin Henry the Emperors Son. Edward therefore when a day was appointed him, hath a stipendiary to plead his cause before King Philip, he refused to appear; whereupon a great Army being raised, Philip enters upon the Territories of King Edward in France by force of Arms; the King of England by the assistance of neighbour Princes, the Earl of Flanders; the Duke of Brabant, with Adolphus of Nassaw; the Roman Emperor presently marches against the King of France, but finding the French divided in two parts and defrauded with the Emperor's delays, when he had held his winter's quarters at Gaunt not without the murmuring of the Citizens, and great want of his soldiers; At the beginning of the spring, truce being made with the French for three years: the King took Margaret (the Duke's sister) to wife, (for Eleoner died in the former Expedition against the Scots) And the daughter of Philip being betrothed to King Edward's son he retreated for England.  
About the same time Doctor Langton, than Bishop of Chester, complained grievously to the King upon Edward the young Prince, who (by the lewd advice of Pierce Gaveston, his loose and graceless Companion) broke forcibly into his Park, and made havoc of his Game; for which the Prince was committed to Prison, and Gaveston banished for ever.  
Lastly, making an incursion into Scotland he is taken with a Disentery and dies of it, and lies buried at Westminster.  
He was very tall, of Countenance somewhat sorrowful, of Chastity like his Father, but in fortitude far before him; Religious he was and wise.  
The noble and Victorious Prince EDWARD the first (surnamed Longshanks) King of England, Duke of Aquitaine, Earl of Poictices, and Anjou: Lo: of Ireland &c: He Conquered Scotland, and brought from thence the Marble Chair He subdued and overcame llewelyn Prince of Wales, and made his son Edward Prince Hereof. he died at the age of 68 years. 1307. after he had reigned 34 years 8 months. buried at Westminster.  

King Edward, Saraceus, Head, & Shoulder sunders;  
Where Christ wrought miracles this Prince did wonders.  
His wife with such so pious love abounds,  
She sucks the venom from his poisoned wounds.  
'Twere Treason to their merits to conceal  
So great a Valour, and so sweet a zeal.   

The haughty Welsh he soon did overrun,  
And left them Vassals to his Princely Son;  
And by his sword so weighed down Fortune's scales,  
That England's heir succeeds still Prince of Wales.  
He paid the Scots for all their Treacheries,  
And 4 times brought them on their humbled knees    

EDWARD the Second, King of England.  
EDward the Second succeeds his Father in the Throne; who was too unmindful of his ●athers commands in his ●ast Will and Testament, in which he was enjoined, and solemnly protested to perform three things especially; namely, that he should carry his father's Bones along with him till he had conquered Scotland; Secondly, that he should expend thirty thousand pounds in the Holy War; and Thirdly, that he should never recall Peirce Gaveston, whom for just reasons his Father had banished for Life. But he never performed any of these; for his father's bones he did well enough to let them rest; but for Gaveston he recalled him, and bestowed on him all the money designed to the Holy War, longing more to broke his Oath touching him, then to take his Coronation Oath.  
The Noble men (who perfectly knew how wickedly this Gaveston was inclined) perceiving that the King doted on him, and that his affections towards him were unlimited, being perplexed with inward grief, and foreseeing that his insolence would be the ruin of the Realm, emboldened themselves to put the King in mind of his Oath: But as his conscience nothing troubled him for the breach thereof, so their disliking increased his desires towards Gaveston, and to make him great, which was the next thing he took in hand: and now none but Gaveston must rule all in all; frown who would the King cared not, Gaveston must and shall be great; and therefore first, he is Lorded with the Barony of Wallingford, and soon after he is created Earl of Cornwall; and if this was not enough to make him rich, he is made sole Commander over the King's Jewels and Treasures; in which Office, so absolute was his power, and so cunning his crafty pate, to provide in the time of his prosperity for adverse Fortune which might ensue, that secretly he conveyed beyond the seas a fair Table and Tressells all made of beaten Gold; and many rich and precious Ornaments, to the great hurt of the King and damage of this Realm.  
He also took much pleasure to feed the King's fancy with great variety of delights, and by his example he enured him to excessive banqueting and drunkenness; and his vile and unchaste all urements, made him careless of the bed and society of his Religious and Virtuous Queen Isabel the Daughter of the French King Philip the fair, & Sister to Charles his successor, and trained him to the adulterous Consortship of wanton courtesans, and shameless Whores. The Queen (who sorrowed hereat beyond measure) reposed all her means for redress of those unsufferable wrongs, in her prayers to God, and her modest wooing for her K●ngs love: but all endeavours came to nothing; for the beams of her excellent virtues could not pierce the thick clouds of his vanities; neither could her pious tears mollify his heart, hardened in too much variety and plenty of loathsome sins.  
The Nobles and those of the King's Counsel secretly, and several tim●s informed the King what notice at offence strangers and his own people (even the Vulgar) at the lewd and vicious courses of Gaveston; and how strangely they spoke of him, and of his Government, altogether eclipsed by the interposition of his fowl vices betwixt himself and it; but all availed nothing with him, who was resolved rather to lose his Crown than his Companion. Then at the Lords Petition the King sends him into Ireland, not as a person proscribed, but a Precedent; at length the Nobles perceiving the King's heaviness for his absence, petition his recall in hope of his amendment and to please the King, but he grows more insolent the● before.  
At last the Barons (hopeless to redress and unable to support so despised a burden) besiege this wicked Gaveston in a strong castle, win it, and cut off his head. Then the King to vex his Nobility, he entertained into his Society and Counsels the two Spencers, father and son, men as graceless and odious to the Nobles and common people as the other was. They advised him to Whores and Concubines, and to forsake the sweet Company of his modest and virtuous Queen, which made him a scorn to foreign Princes, and all honest men: yet the King in spite of his greatest Lords supported the Spencers in all whatever they took in band. But this evil Government begets him envy and contempt at home and ene●ies abroad▪ ●or R●●liruse being recrowned in Scotland invades England, four or five days marcheth with fire and Sword, making havoc of all before him. But King Edward had behav●d himself so ill a● home, in over-favouring his Minions, & altogether neglecting his Nobles, that his ●athers bones could stand him now in little stead, for no less than three ●imes is he overthrown by the Scots, yea with numbers far inferior to his own, to the shame of this Realm, famous for the best Soldiers in the World.  
At home he became too fortunate, for he overthrows his Baron's Army, & beheads 22. Lords by the advice of these villainous & perfidious Spencers. But the Queen with the Prince her Son sail beyond Sea, obtains assistance of her Cousin Sr. john Henault and his friends, returns into England, and joining with the Nobles and the City of London overthrows the King's Forces; and besieging him and the Spencers in Bristol Castle, takes it and them, and executes these miscreants the Spencers, father and Son, and other their Confederates, and committed the King to Prison, whence he never escaped. Then a Parliament is called wherein they consulted to depose the King and to Crown his Son; but he was so piously conscientious, that he would not accept the Crown unless his father willingly resigned it, which he freely did, being glad they would Crown his Son in his stead. And not long after he miserably ended his days in Barkly Castle, by piercing his bowels with a red hot Spit through his fundament; and at the Age of 43 he was buried at Gloucester. He was tall and comely of Stature, but of immoderate dotage on his Minions, and given to drunkenness, which made him too open of his Counsels, too much addicted to lasciviousness, his own nature being rather corrupted by his vicious Minions, than otherwise.  
Edward the 2d. King of England Duke of Aquitaine Earl of Poictou, Anjou, and Pontieu, Lord of Ireland. He reigned 19 years. 7 more ths: and was deposed the 25th of january 1327. and shortly com●●●ted to prison in Barkley Castle, and there cruelly murdered. 〈◊〉 the age of 43 years. huried at Gloucester.  

Edward the Second doth deserve to have  
All his Remembrance buried in his grave.  
He lead to Scotland many thousand men,  
And having seen it e'en came home again.  
Pierce Gaveston enthralled his jale heart  
So close, that nothing but the axe could part.   

Next come his darling Spencer's to his view;  
Rid of one Rakeshame, now he must have two.  
Honour and Princely prudence are thrown down,  
And Dotage takes her lodging in the Crown.  
Cursed be the luckless minute that did bring,  
A Minious subject to be England's King.    

EDWARD the Third, King of England.  
EDward the Third being fifteen years of Age, was crowned by Reynold Archbishop of Canterbury, his deposed father being yet alive: In his younger years he was chiefly directed by the advice and counsel of the Queen, and his Uncle Edmund of Woodstock, Earl of Kent, and of Sr Roger Mortimer, who to interest himself more especially in the Queen's favour, traitorously conspired and procured that murder of the last King, in that horrid and butcherly manner before spoken of, in the 2. year of this King's Reign. The Court in those days was seldom or never without a Viper; for as Gaveston was the forerunner of the Spencers in ambition, lasciviousness, pride, rapine and confusion: so the Spencers were the ushers of the Mortimers in intolerable aspiring, avarice and destruction; the ill laid foundations of all whose greatness was attended by certain and sudden ruin. There fell out a war with the Scots, in which Edward got the better: then a Parliament is called, in which the two Spencers and Stapleton Bishop of exeter are attainted of high Treason. Then the King (by the directions of his Mother and Sr Roger Mortimer) concluded a dishonourable peace with the Scots, and released to them their homage, fealty, and services to him due for that Kingdom, and delivered up to them the grand Cha●tar or Instrument called Ragman, which under the Hands and Seals of their late King and of the Nobility of Scotland, testified their tenure and subjection to the Kings of this Realm, and then he married his Sister jane unto David the Son and Heir apparent to Robert le Bruce, the Usurping Scotish King; and created Sr Roger Mortimer Earl of March, whereat his Nobles were exceedingly discontented: and such was the new Earls malice and hatred unto the King's Uncle, the Earl of Kent, and so powerful was he with the King, by reason of his too much familiarity with his mother Queen Isabella, that he never desisted from his wicked and ungodly plottings, till he had bereft him of his head. But God permitted not this wretched man to persist long in these mischievous courses; for within few months after he was accused by the State for horrid and heinous crimes; for which his wicked Treasons and horrible transgressions he was condemned to die, in the same manner which he had devised for Sir Hugh Spencer the younger: and Queen Isabella (being most honourably attended on) was sequestered into a strong Castle, where she lived more than 30 years after, and then died. After this the French King requires homage for the Duchy of Guian, which Edward offers by proxy, but not otherwise: The French cite him again to a personal appearance; Edward unwilling to controvert with him, sends it him under the great Seal, whereat his Nobles are much offended, telling him that the Crown of France in right of his Mother belonged to him, and that therefore he might justly refuse to do him any homage at all, and deny all fealty whatever.  
Then Edward enters Scotland, and crowns Baylioll King thereof. But now instead of doing homage, King Edward claims the Crown of France in right of inheritance from his mother Isabella, and in spite of their Salic Law entitles himself King of France, and quarters the Arms of France with the Arms of England. And levying much money and all necessary Provision, with a strong Army he fails into France, winning many Cities, Forts and Castles, so that the English Army becomes rich with spoils. The French King solemnly swears & protests that King Edward should not return home without a battle between them. But Edward marches on still winning Gizours, Vernon, St. Germane in lay Mountrell, St. Cloud, Rely, a●d the whole country about Rouen, point de L'arch, Naples, N●wlench, Robboi●, Fountain, Poi●, and Vimewer; at last King Philip of France having certain intelligence that King Edward with his Army was within two Leagues of Paris, left the City, telling the Parisians that King Ed●ard dared not to look them in the face; but they believed him not, but were grievously a●raid; but he turned off to find out the French Army, still Provinces in his way, for I have n●t room to particularise. Now to the English glory, the never to be forgotten Buttall of Cress●, where the French with all the Flower and prowess of their Realm, with Swords whet with malice, with numbers six to one, met the English, weakened with a differing Clime, their bodies tired with tedious marches, wounded with Assaults, their swords broken or blunted with continual skirmishes: & now is the time to try the difference between French and English metal. The French begin the battle with a Forlorn (of 15000 Genoese (an Army bigger than the English) but they have their Errand quickly, and returned with such terror, that in their flying they routed and confounded their own main battle; yet the French emboldened with multitudes, continued the Charge with number upon number, but their disorder and confusion was such, they came but up as so many sacrifices to the hungry swords of the King and his renowned Son the black but the brave Prince: at last the French fly amain, and are so eagerly pursued by the English that their souls are too nimble for their bodies, the greatest part lying breathless on the ground; and in the chase the two Marshals of England encountered with a multitude of Bevoys Reigner, Rouen and Anbevile, and slew 7000 of them; and the next day slew and put to flight a strong Army under the command of the grand Prior of France, who (not knowing the battle) were coming to aid their King, that run away the day before, leaving behind him slain in the field 11 of his Princes, 80 Barons, 1200 Knights, and more than 30000 common Soldiers; the French King himself hardly escaping death by speedy flight. Then marched the King and Prince to Calais, besieges and takes it, notwithstanding the French King endeavoured with 200000 men to raise the siege, and could not, but went away as he came. At the battle of Poitiers the Prince did overthrow the French, took their King, and infinite Nobles, Lords & Knights, and brought them prisoners into England; so that this King had two Kings at one time prisoners in England. He reigned 50 years.  
The true pourtraicture of EDWARD III. borne at Windsor, of the age of 15 years was crowned at Westminster the 2 of February 1326. he took the tittle of King of France, as dew unto him both by Civil Law, and order of succession: being the Nephew and next heir male of K: Charles FOUR his mother's brother, in regard whereof he quartered the arms of France with England's. He reigned 50. years. 5. more: He died at the manor of Shene in Surrey. Ano. 1377. buried in Westminster. R.E. Scul●  

Edward the Third did at the Throne arrive,  
Whilst his deposed Father was alive:  
But till hit Father willingly resigned it,  
Though Queen and Peers all urged it, he declined it.  
Scotland he first subdued, and made it reel  
Under the force of his victorious steel.   

France asked him Homage, but he told her plain,  
Homage was due to him, her Sovereign.  
Let her to Cressey, and to Poitiers look,  
And Calais, which 'fore Philip's face he took:  
And what does more than this his fame evince,  
He was the father to the brave BLACK PRINCE.    

RICHARD the Second, King of England.  
RICHARD the Second (being the Son and Heir of the black Prince, and aged 11 years, and somewhat more) was crowned King of England, in the year of our Lord one thousand three hundred and seventy seven. The Kingdom was in an Eclipse the most part of this King's Reign: his youth with all the frailties incident thereunto, with bad Governors both of his kingdom and person, were the main ruins of the King, and almost the Realm: For in the whole course of his Government he neglected his Nobility, and taxed his subjects to enable him to give prodigally to his Sycophants and ill deserving Favourites. He was too too resolute in his ways, and refused to be reform, be they never so indirect. He also despised the sage advice and good directions of his best counsellors; and wholly plotted all his courses by the wicked & graceless projects of his base and loose companions, whom he raised to more honourable estates than befitted the meanness of their Conditions; so that they fell by their own weight: and he himself (in the end) was enforced to endure the extremity of his hard fortune. For being first disgraced by his Cousin Henry Bullingbrook Duke of Lancaster, and Son and Heir to his Uncle john of Gaunt; he was at length by him (with the general consent of a whole Parliament) deposed from his Crown, committed to prison, and afterwards wickedly murdered, as in this discourse of his disorderly government more amply shall appear.  
In the first year of King Richard's Reign, Charles the French King (presuming much on his minority, and being aided by the Spaniard, landed in the Southeast, and South-west parts of this kingdom, and ransacked and burnt the Towns of Plymouth, Rye, Dartmouth, Portsmouth, and some other Towns and Villages coasting upon the Sea; and would have done more mischief, if by the King's Uncle, Edmund of Langley, Earl of Cambridge, and by the Earls of Buckingham and Salisbury they had not been fought with, and beaten to their Ships.  
At the same time one Ramsey a Scot cunningly surprised the Castle of Barwick, but was soon beaten out again, all the desperadoes being put to death but himself. Again the French infest the Coasts of England, even unto Gravesend; whereupon Richard with Poll-money levies an Army, and revenged himself, which caused after mischief.  
And now fell out a Rebellion in England, exceeding hazardous to the whole kingdom, occasioned by one john Wall, a factious Priest; who perceiving the meaner and base sort of people much murmuring & repining at the last Tax, took an unhappy occasion to move them to sedition, telling them we are all by nature the children of Adam, born of one and the same condition, and equal worth; and that the Laws of this kingdom were unjust, to set so great difference between men, making some Peers and Potentates, and others poor and penurious. Thus they begun to grow mad and implacable against the Nobility, for the basest dregs of men commonly being uncapable of honour themselves, are envious against those that are. Hereupon (together with the hope of pilfering) arose a formidable tumult, who for their Leader took one Watt Tyler, and for other chief Officers had jack Straw, jack Shepheard, and the seditious Priest john Wall, styling themselves the King's men, and the Servants of the Common-weal of England. They marched towards London, beating down and rifling of houses, and all before them. They make all Knights and Gentlemen forsake their houses, which they burn or rifle at least; They send also to the King, who then lay in the Tower, requiring him to come and speak with them. Whereupon the King purposing to prevent mischief, went to Gravesend, but seeing their rage and madness, he ●●ared to put himself into their hands, and returned back again to the Tower of Londo●. Next day came this rabble to Southwark; and finding the Bridge fortified, and the Gates shut, they resolved to kill all the people & burn the Burrow; but to prevent mischief, they were let into the City, who were fain to entertain them with gifts and good words: Then they rifle th● Savoy, and kill all they light on: they rob all the Inns of Court's, and burned their Law books, nor spared they the Churches, but sacrilegiously stole all they could lay hand on. Watt Tyler commands his Master's head to be carried before him on a Lance▪ merely because he had given him some small correction when he was his servant. The Rebels send ●o the King, who goes to Mile-end Green to them, freely pardons them all, & gives them his Banners for their security; whereupon many forsake Tyler, who with about 20000 marches into Smithfield, resolving to ransack and burn the City. Then the King courteously persuades them to desist; but Tyler commanded the Esquire (that bore the sword before the King) to give him his Dagger; but the Esq told him it was the King's Sword, and should not be giv●n to a knave: whereat Tyler swore ere he would eat or drink the Esq should lose his head. The King loath to have the Esq endangered, bid him give him the Sword; but the Esq would not; then stepped in William Wallworth Major of the City and clapped his Dagger to Tilers heart, commanding him to submit to the King; presently about a thousand armed Citizens came and routed them. Thus did the storm blow over by God's goodness and the Major's Courage; and ever since the City carry the Dagger in their Escutcheon. Ball and jack Staw were executed, the rest pardoned. The French prepare a great army purposing to invade England. King Richard raiseth a mighty power to conquer Scotland, which designs had no good events. Mischief and Misery (having sat long abroad) began now to hatch at home; The insulting Peers and rebellious people bandy the regal Power into hazard. The Scots enter England under the Command of Sr. William Douglas, and are encountered by the Noble Lord Henry Hotspur: Douglas is slain, and Hotspur taking Ireland rebels: The King goes against him in person, and the mean while loseth his Kingdom, which with himself and Crown he is forced to surrender to his Cousin Henry Bullingbrook, Son to john of Gant, Duke of Lancaster, Anno 1400.  
The true pourtraicture of Richard the 2. King of England, and France, Lord of Ireland, and Prince of Chester he reigned 22 years, was deposed and murdered at Pomfraict Cast: at the age of 33 years. Buried first at Langley. and 14 years after by K. Henry th● 〈…〉 and their wa● honourably ●u●erred.  

Richard the Second (son to such a Prince  
The World has never had his equal since)  
Instead of aiming at another's Crown,  
As did his Father, tamely yields his own.  
Has Mars begot Clineas then? O strange!  
Sure all the world is moulded up of Change:   

And to the Waves we may compare them well▪  
One threatens Heaven, another sinks to Hell.  
Such is the State of sublunary things;  
Nothing is fixed, no not the Throne of Kings.  
Peace out of doubt would be perpetual,  
But that our sins, our sins for battles call.    

HENRY the Fourth, King of England.  
THe Crown of England (Richard the deposed King dying without issue) did rightfully descend upon Edmund Mortimer Earl of March (the Son and Heir of Edmund Mortimer, by Philip his Wife, who was the Daughter and Heir of Lionel Duke of Clarence, the third Son of Edward the Third) Yet his Cousin Henry Bullingbrook Duke of Hartford, and Son and Heir of john of Gaunt, younger brother unto the said Lionel, was elected and crowned King, & forthwith he created his Eldest Son Henry Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwall, and Earl of Chester; and summoned his high Court of Parliament, in which an order was taken for the safe keeping and honourable attendance and maintaining of Richard the late King; but his deposing, imprisonment, and all former proceedings against him, were in the same assembly publicly condemned and reproved by john Bishop of Carlisle, as hateful unto God, traitorous towards the King, and infamous among good men: for he averred boldly, that if he were not a good King, yet more wrong was done to him then ordinarily is done to thiefs and murderers; because they are not (as he was) condemned before they had made their answer to the Crime objected, before Judges who were indifferent, and pronounced their Judgement upon good proof. But so soon as he had ended his speech he was attached by the Earl Martial, and committed to straight prisonment in the Abbey of St. Alban: and then (among many other things in the same Parliament done) the Crown of England was entailed to King Henry and his Heirs for ever. No sooner was this Parliament ended, but a conspiracy of some of the greatest Lords, that outwardly made much show of joy for the high dignity and advancement of King Henry: The Confederates were the King's Cousin, Edward Plantagenet Duke of Aumarle, and Heir apparent to Edmund of Langley Duke of York; Thomas Holland Duke of Surrey, and john Holland his Brother Duke of Exeter (both which were half Brothers to King Richard) john Montague Earl of Salisbury, Hugh Spencer Earl of Gloucester, Sr Thomas Blunt, and one Magdalen, who was sometime a Chamber-waiter to the deposed King, and who both in Stature, and in Countenance and Behaviour was not much unlike him.  
The Plot was to take away the King's Life at solemn jests held at Oxford, whither the King was invited, and promised there to be present, because he supposed that triumph was appointed only for his honour and delight. The Treachery was cunningly contrived by the Conspirators, who by Indentures under their hands and seals bound themselves each unto other, both for secrecy, and for the resolute effecting and performing thereof to their utmost power: all which they solemnly confirmed by their Oaths. The Conspirators all m●t at the time and place appointed but the Duke of Aumarle; who being at dinner, his Father perceiving a Lay-bill hang out of his Bosom, took hold of it, and drew the whole writing out, which being he takes Horse and hasts to the King; but the Duke his Son b●ing bravely mounted, and perceiving his imminent danger posts after, and ge●ting to the King fi●st, confessed the conspiracy, and obtains his pardon. The King being thus certified of the Treason, turns his journey to the Tower of London, where he prepares for his defence: He levies a strong power, and marcheth against the Traitors: But when the Conspirators understood that all the Plot was revealed, they attired the said Magdalen in Royal Rob●s, and caused him to affirm himself King Richard; and with him and all their Troops (which were very warlike and strong) they resolve to oppose themselves to the King in the open field. But the King speedily marching towards them with 20000 men, at the noise of whose approach the Companies under command of the Conspirators cowardly forsook them, and left them a prey to the King, who took and executed them in several places; some few escaped, but over-oppressed with fear and sorrow soon after died.  
The French King his Father in Law resolves to redeem him from imprisonment, but ascertained of his death desists. Yet for all this King Henry still distrusting the weakness of his usurped Title, and endeavouring to support it with a more firm foundation, entreats Charles the French King to give in marriage his Daughter Isabel, sometime King Richard's Wife, unto his eldest Son Henry Prince of Wales: But her Father (observing that marriages betwixt E●gland and France were seldom fortunate) denied the King's request, whereupon she was honourably sent back into France. The Welsh and Scots rebel, and are overthrown by the Piercies, who take many Noble Prisoners, which the King demands and is denied.  
In the 3. year of his Reign the King demands the Scotch Prisoners of the Piercyes, but is denied, whereupon unkindness arose, and they extended to join with Glendor. They get the Earl of Stafford, the Archbishop of York, & a great company of Scots & English to join with Owen Glendor; but before they proceed to Battle they publish an accusation against the King, consisting of several Articles: 1. That he usurped the Crown and murdered the King: 2. He unjustly detained the Crown from Edm: Mortimer: 3. That without any need he oppressed the people with grievous Taxes: 4. No justice was to be expected from him, who contrary to his coronation oath had in sundry Shires forestalled Elections, and procured Burgeships, and bestowed them on his own creatures: Lastly, that he would not release his Cousin Mortimer from Prison. For which Treasons they defied him as a Traitor.  
The King with a strong Army fights the Conspirators near Shrewsbury, where the King wins the day; and the Prince marching against Glendor, is forsaken by his Welsh, and dies of famine in the woods, where he hid himself. The Duke of Burgoyne attempts to regain Calico in vain. Presently another conspiracy is plotted, detected, and the Traitors executed. Lastly, the Earl of Northumberland and Lord Bardolph rebelled, and are taken and beheaded. Thus was King Henry's Reign a majestical misery, and a sovereignty of sorrow; so having reigned 13. years, and 6. months, wanting 5 days, he died, and was royally buried at Canterbury.  
The right noble Prince Henry the 4th. King of England and France: Lord of Ireland. etc. Who died at t●e age of 46 years in Anno 1413. after he had reigned 13 years 6 months and 4 days and lieth buried at Canterbury  

Was't not enough thy Cousin's Crown to take,  
And it a prey to thy ambition make?  
But that his Blood, his Royal Blood must be  
A Sacrifice too, to thy jealousy.  
Henry look back, and in his Tragic Scene,  
There thou shalt see what all thy troubles mean;   

Nor did it, though thou thoughtst it faster stood,  
Cemented to thy Temples with his Blood.  
You that your Lives, your Souls, what dearest is,  
Venture for Thrones, do but consider this;  
Princes descend unto the shades beneath,  
And pile their Crowns up at the Gates of Death.    

HENRY the Fifth, King of England.  
THe King was inaugurated with wonderful applause and desire of the Lords and Commons; and he not willing to disappoint his subjects of the hope they conceived of him, gave them a sign of his excellent Government, sending from him those Ministers of lascivious youth, his former associates. And not willing his valiant heart should give place to sloth, claims his right in France: First he sent Heralds, and demanded his Kingdom from King Charles, promising to marry the Lady Katherine his Daughter; and threatened also, that if he denied, he would take his patrimony by force: Char●▪ laughed at his Ambassadors, whereby he so enraged King Henry, that he musters a mighty Army, with about 120. Ships he sailed into France.  
First he takes Harefleet, and after many skirmishes with the French fought that memorable battle at Agincourt, to the eternal honour of the English; which done, he and all his Army on their knees gave praise to God for their glorious Victory.  
About this time Sigismond the Emperor came into England to Treat of Peace between the French and English, nor was Henry slow in the business; but when the French besieged Harefleet, he was so angry that he sent the Duke of Bedford to raise the siege, with the Earl of Marsh, Oxford and others, and 200 ships, and fought a bloody fight in the Haven of Harefleet, with Bourbon the French Admiral, where the English won the day, sinking 500 of the French ships, and so relieved the Town. But the Emperor perceiving the perfidiousness of the French, made a firm League with the English against all opposers, and so returned back into Germany. The French in the mean time hired great ships of Genoa, and again besiedging the Haven of Harefleet, endeavoured to hinder all provision from coming to the Town: but the Earl of Huntingdon suddenly vanquished them. He took the Duke of Burbone a bastard, and so returned Conqueror for England. Then the King with his Nobility sailed into Normandy, and took the Fort Tueha, whilst the Earl of Salisbury won Abervile, which place the King freely gave to him and his Heirs. Afterwards he won Caen, and for their obstinacy punished some of the principal with death, and gave the plunder of the City to his Soldiers. Then he sent the Duke of Clarence to beleaguer the Town of Bayon, which he quickly wan; thence he removed to Corfen, and in three days became Master thereof; then he subdued Argentaniam; after that Aleucon, Falesia, and returned victor to Caen. In the mean while▪ the Earl of Warwick conquered the Castle of Dumfrise; and Clarentius mastered Curton, and many other Towns. Then the King lays siege to Rouen, and forced the Citizens to submit; which Town being the Chief, was an example for the rest to follow, so that shortly he won all Normandy, lost by the carelessness of his Predecessors.  
The Duke of Burgundy perceiving all things to succeed to K. Henery's mind, procured a meeting between him, and the Queen of France (for King Charles her husband doted) yet there was nothing done. The Queen brought with her, her most beautiful daughter Katherine, purposely to ensnare the King's mind with her allurements; nor was it in vain, for the King no sooner saw her, but he was wonderfully taken with her elegant beauty: and when they departed doing nothing, the King charged the Duke of Burgundy to do his best to satisfy his desires; for unless all he demanded, together with the Lady Kathari●e, were granted him, he would by force take from the Duke his Dukedom, and from the King his Kingdom. The French were so frighted with these threats, that they fell to a new Parley; but now the Dolphin caused the Duke of Burgundy to be basely slain presently after, though he begged his life on his knees; and so the slaughter of the Duke of Orleans, committed before by Burgundy, was expiated. Nor is peace yet concluded till the French were constrained by another loss to seek it seriously. A meeting is appointed at Trecas, and there was Katherine betrothed to Henry, and the right of succession confirmed to him a●ter the decease of Charles; whereupon all the Nobility of France swear to be loyal to him: and so the salique Law is broken. The Dolphin also is cited to appear before the Marble Table in Paris, and not coming is banished. Henry also caused money to be coined with the Arms of France and England, which he called the Sovereign. Then leaving the Duke of Clarence Governor of France and Normandy, he returned for England with his Queen, whom in February following he crowned at Westminstor with great solemnity, and much honour. But the Duke of Clarence making an Expedition against Anjou, and taking great spoils; as he came back laden with prey, was betrayed by one Andrew Forgusa, a treacherous Lombard; and although he fought valiantly, yet was he slain by the Duke of Alenson, with the chief Nobility, and 2000 English men; the Earl of Somerset, Suffolk and other Lords are taken Prisoners.  
The King to revenge his brother's death, lands in France with a mighty Army, and freed Charters from a siege of the Dolphin, whom he pursues from place to place, but cannot overtake him, though he take all Towns in his way: So that in a short time he joined all the Island of France to the rest. In the mean time the Queen is delivered of a Son at Windsor, named Henry; of whose birth the King said to the Lord Fitz Hugh his Chamberlain; I Henry born at Monmouth shall remain but a short time, and gain much: but Henry born at Windsor shall Reign long, and lose all. About this time the Dolphin besiedges those of Narbon; Henry goes to their relief: but in his overmuch haste takes a favour, of which he dies, having dispatched the Duke of Bedford, who not only frees Narbon, but drives the Dolphin into Aquitane, who in mockery was called King of Aquitane. While he lay sick he made his Brother the Duke of Bedford Regent of Normandy and France, and his Brother the Duke of Gloucester he made Governor of England. He died at 36 years old, reigned 9 years, 5 months and 24 days.  
HENRY the v. began his reign, the 20 of March, and was crowned at Westminster the 9, of April following 1413. He reigned gloriously 9 years, 5 months, he died in the Castle of Boys Vincent by Paris, the 1. of September. 1422. and lieth entombed in the Abbey of St Peter at Westminster being of the age of 36 years when he departed this world R. E. sculp  

His Royal head no sooner Henry Crowns,  
But his debauched associates he disowns:  
He shows them now whereto he does incline,  
The God of War, and not the God of Wine.  
He claims his right, & sues for Charles his daughter:  
Whilst the proud French retort with scorn & laughter.   

In short he did their Towns and Towers so batter,  
The French soon found it was no laughing matter.  
They sue for Peace, and the fair Katherine bring,  
Who more than all their weapons wounds the King.  
They are espoused, and so conclude the jars,  
Where Mars & Venus are auspicious Stars.    

HENRY the Sixth, King of England.  
NOt yet was Henry the sixth nine months old when his father died; yet was he so fortunate in his beginning, that his youth and Government were worthily supported by his three Uncles; Humphrey Duke of Gloucester, who when the King was crowned was made Protector both of his Person and Realm, john Duke of Bedford, who was established Regent of France; and Thomas Duke of Exeter, who graced all his actions with much wisdom and great valour. And needful it was that the new Protector and the Regent should make the utmost trial of their sufficiencies to the World▪ for whereas in the end of the King's Father's days, the Nobility of France incorporated themselves to the English Nation, and heartily envied the Dolphin; King Charles about this time died, and the unconstant French men began to play an Irish Game: For on a sudden many of the hypocritical French, renounced their Duty and Obedience to King Henry, and utterly neglecting all their Oaths of Allegiance made unto him, revolted to Charles their new King, endeavouring all that in them lay, totally to extirpate the English, & root them out of France.  
The Protector at home seeing this, supplies the Regent with store of Soldiers, Silver and Gold. The Regent in the mean while levies a strong Army; and on the other side Charles the new King was as active to do the like, in so much that nothing but war tyrannised and tore up the entrails of France: And to begin these troubles the French King sent the Lord Grandevile against Pont. Melance, which he surprised, and slew the most part of those he found there, which place is again retaken by the valour of Thomas M●ntacute, the Noble Earl of Salisbury, together with the Lord Grandevile, who by solemn Oath promises faithful and perpetual service to King Henry; but no sooner is this false French man released, but he revolts. About this time the Regent renews a League with the Dukes of Burgoyne and Britain, and marries the Lady Anne of Burgoyne, whereupon Paris revolts, and is reduced. Then the Earl of Salisbury wins a great victory before Cravant, and is made Vice-regent of France, etc. The Protector at home for a small matter ransometh james the young King of Scots, and marries him to the King's Cousin German; but he proved a right Scot false and treacherous. In the mean while the French gain by fraud what the English regain by force. In England the Duchess of York is accused of witchcraft by the proud Cardinal her husband's Brother, and unjustly suffers for it. Now by the intercession of Christian Princes they began to treat of peace between the French and the English; peace was not ratified, but a cessation was granted for eighteen months: In the mean time the Earl of Suffolk, by his own authority contracted a marriage between King Henry and Margaret, Daughter to the Duke of Angiers; boasting much of the Lady's beauty and dowry; at last he persuaded the King, though he had passed his word to the daughter of the Duke of Britain. This Matrimony contracted gave but small help to the English affairs; when for commutation great part of Normandy was yielded to the French: and the Duke of Britain in revenge of his wrong, drove all the English out of Aquitane. Now the hatred of Somerset and York, began again to bud; he by fraud and injustice deposed York from the Authority of Viceroy, and made himself Viceroy in his place, York being not a little offended at it; for the King did nothing less than mind his Kingdom. All the authority was between Margaret and the marquis of Suffolk; also, by the contrivance of his enemies; the Duke of Gloucester (called the good Duke) was put out of his place; and unknown to the King, a Parliament being privily called, they question him for his Life; he was cast into prison, and the next day (how it is not known) miserably murdered. In the mean time all goes to wrack by the negligence of Somerset, all Normandy in a manner lost and revolted, and all France made good to Charles, except Calais. Now the King wants his two good Uncles, the Dukes of Bedford and Gloucester to stand by him. But Somerset is called to account, found guilty, and banished for 5 years; but being upon the Seas is beheaded, and his body left on the shore. The Duke of York, who now should help the English in France, is fain to go to still the Irish that were up; he quickly pacified them, whereby he won the people's hearts, and much augmented his own affairs: thus he began to end the difference between the White Rose and the Red; and for a beginning of his own right to the Crown, for he descended from Lionel Duke of Clarence. King Henry being wholly unfit for the Government, by whose foolish negligence France and Normandy was lost; the men of Kent vote for john Mortimer (by Yorks persuasion) and with a well appointed Army they march toward London, Mortimer being their Commander; between Eltham and Greenwich they stay, and send up their complaints to the King and Parliament: amongst the rest they Petition that York, Buckingham and Exeter may be restored to their places, and the King's savour: The King sends Forces against the Kentish-men; Mortimer overthrows the King's Forces, whereupon the King flies to Killingworth in Warwickshire; but Mortimer comes to London, and displeasing the City by his arrogance, they rise upon him, and he is slain, his men forsaking him. The Duke of York raiseth an Army to bring Somerset to a trial, he is defended by the King; but the Duke raiseth a greater Army, and now in open field claims the Crown; and having assembled to him the Earls of Salisbury and Warwick, and others; Trollop and Blunt fly to the King's Army, and discover all. The Duke and Lords are proclaimed Traitors; but the Armies meet near Northampton, the King is overthrown and taken, but the Queen with the Duke of Somerset flies. The Tower of London is delivered to the Lords. A Parliament is called, which pronounced York heir apparent to the Crown, and Henry to continue the Title of a King during life, and York to be Protector of King and Kingdom; but the Queen comes with an Army, York meets her near Wakefield, but in vain expecting his Son is overthrown and slain: His Son the new and brave Duke of York fights the Queen's Army at Towton, and wins the day and Crown.  
HENRY the VI borne at Windsor being of the age of eight Months began his reign the 31 of August 1422. and crowned King of England at Westminster the 6. of November. 1429. and of France the 7 of December 1432. he reigned 38 years. 6 months, he died by violence, May 21. aged 52. Anon 1471. first buried at Chertsey Abbey thence removed to Windsor. where he was solemhley interred. R E. 〈◊〉  

Mars begets Clineas, Henry a Son  
That has lost more than all his Father won;  
For he lost Normandy, and France put to't,  
England and Ireland, and his Life to boot.  
Twice crowned and twice deposed, at last he took  
Death's fatal Errand from Yorks desperate Duke.   

He was a Prince (do Rebels what ye will)  
Like Archimedes drawing Figures still:  
Who (not unlike some Gamesters I have seen)  
Winning and losing still the same has been.  
He was not Politic in the Worlds control,  
But he is wise enough that saves his Soul.    

EDWARD the Fourth, King of England.  
EDward Duke of York having overthrown the King and Queen, and having overthrown and executed many of his greatest enemies at Towton field, returned triumphantly to the City of London, and was proclaimed King of this Realm the 4 of March, 1461. and was crowned the 19 day of june, than next following.  
In the beginning of his Reign he removed from all Offices all such as oppressed the people; and to strengthen his part with powerful and faithful friends, he creates his two brothers, George Duke of Clarence, and Richard Duke of Gloucester; and Sr. john Nevell brother to the Earl of Warwick he created Lord Montacute: and Henry Bourchier (who had married the Lady Elizabeth, Aunt unto the King, and was brother unto Thomas Bourchier, Archbishop of Canterbury) was created Earl of Essex; and William Lord Fawc●nbridge was made Earl of Kent.  
The Duke of Somerset, and Sr. Ralph Percy, with divers others the King's professed enemies, finding no further hope for the house of Lancaster, came voluntarily in, and submitted to the King, and were received to pardon and favour: but hearing that the Queen by the assistance of the Scots had raised an Army, they slank away, and revolted to her, and afterwards taken at the battle of Exham were executed. The Lord Montacute (to whose valour the fortune of that day was ascribed) is created Marquis Montacute, to whom and others Edward gave great gifts.  
After this Henry is taken in a disguise, and sent to the Tower: Then Warwick is sent to the Duke of Savoy, and prevails for a Match between Edward and Bona the Duke's daughter; but Edward in the mean time marries Elizabeth the widow of Sr. john Grey; at which Warwick vexed calls to his part his two Brothers, and Clarence the King's Brother, and the King at Banbury.  
The King notwithstanding these evil tidings, marched confidently against Warwick, and his northern Rebels; but to prevent mischief, many of the Nobility endeavoured to conclude a peace, so that Letters, and Heralds of Arms passed from one Army to the other, for both were glad of peace: by means of this Parley King Edward became more careless of himself then was fitting: whereof when the Earl of Warwick was informed, he with some other well appointed rushed into the King's Army, slew his watches, and surprised the King in his bed, and secretly sent him to Midleham Castle in Yorkshire, there to be safely kept by the Archbishop of York his brother; who (either repenting him of what he had done against the King, or being won by large promises of great favour, and good rewards) suffered him with his Guarders to hunt and hawk; by means whereof he made his escape, and got to London; where between the King and the Rebels another Parley was had in Westminster Hall, in which nothing was done, but objections of good deserts, and unthankful requitals were proudly and insultingly urged by the Earl of Warwick: in conclusion they departed each from other in great fury; the King went to Canterbury, and the confederated Lords to Lincoln: Armies are raised on both sides; they fight, and the King wins the field. The Lords Clarence and Warwick fly to the King of France, who honourably entertains them, and aids them with all necessaries for the levying of another Army, with which they fight, and drive King Edward out of the Kingdom; who by the help of the Duke of Burgoyne, returns with a small Army into the City of York, where he is received upon solemn Oath, that he claimed nothing but the Dukedom of York, and that he would work no Treason against King Henry (now again reestablished in his Throne:) but he presently forfeits his faith, and raising another great Army beats Warwick, recovers the Crown, and re-imprisons King Henry, who soon after was murdered by the bloody hands of Richard Duke of Gloucester. The King having through much trouble obtained peace, betakes himself to dalliance with jane Shore, in the mean while his brother Duke of Clarence is drowned in a Butt of Malmsey. The Scots threaten War; and Richard Duke of Gloucester is sent against them: a Peace was procured; and King Edward died, having reigned two and twenty years, and is buried at Windsor.  
He was doubtless a brave Prince: however, the clearest day is not without some clouds; his perjury at York, when he swore to the Citizens he would claim nothing but that Dukedom, which was his right by inheritance, and that he would in no sort interrupt King Henry's peace; all which he falsified, which afterward his innocent Sons sadly suffered for; His lustful Embraces with Shore's wife, got him the envy of his own, who was a chaste and virtuous Lady, in whom he got a good Wife, though many enemies; and though unfortunate in her Sons, yet in her Daughter is composed all the feud of York and Lancaster.  
The right noble Prince EDWARD the 4th King of England and France Lord of Ireland. He reigned 22. years and 5 weeks. Died at the age of 52 years: buried at Windsor. 1483. R. Elstracke sculpsit  

Now sixty years out, York obtains the Crown,  
And Lancaster with all his friends puts down;  
Betwixt which Houses while the difference stood,  
Fell more than fourscore of the Noble Blood;  
For which, but think how many thousands bled,  
And you will judge the Roses both were Red.   

Warwick advances Edward to the Crown,  
And in distaste again he pulls him down  
But Edward to the Duke of Burgoine flies,  
And with his aid, and his own perjuries  
Reerowns himself; for Kingdom's men will dare  
A thousand Oaths, and count them solemn Air.    

EDWARD the Fifth, King of England.  
EDward the Fourth being dead, his Eldest Son Edward succeeded him; but he in his Reign was under Governors, Anthony Lord Rivers, Thomas Wagham Chamberlain, and Richard Grey, Knights; who being sent for by the Queen's Letters, came in haste to London with the Prince. Then also Richard Duke of Gloucester being at York, and hearing of the King's Death came to London with a small Army, and being mindful to usurp the Kingdom, he overtook the young King Edward on his way to London, and takes him into his own charge, sending his Tutor's Rivers, Wagham and Grey to Pomfret Castle to be kept safe, all whom by the Practice of the Lord Hastings, he soon after caused to be put to death: which thing known at London, the Queen (who well knew the perverse mind of Richard) with her other son Richard and her daughters, took Sanctuary at Westminster to secure themselves from Richard's violence.  
Richard in the mean time came to London with Edward, and went to the Bishop of London's house to reside; but he not content with Edward's being in his power, that he might the more safely look to his business, endeavours to get the other brother out of Sanctuary from his mother the Queen, under a colour of comforting the King's sorrowful mind; and drawing the Lords to his opinion, he sent thither amongst others Thomas Archbishop of Canterbury, who with fair speeches mingled with threats, brings the poor innocent Child from his Mother's arms. When the Archbishop had delivered the child into the Protectors hands (who with many other Lords attended the Queen's answer in the Star-Chamber) he before the whole Assembly took him in his Arms, hugged him, and kissed him again and again, protesting upon his soul, that no worldly thing (his Majesty only excepted) was so dear unto him as that young child; when as indeed he meant nothing more than the destruction of them both: and having brought him to the King, who was infinitely joyed with his Company, he within few days after conveyed them with princely Pomp and Attendance through the City of London to the Tower, under the Pretence of an especial care and Providence, that they should there remain in safety until the troubles of the Commonwealth were appeased, and quieted, whereas in truth nothing was out of order but himself, and his confederacy. When he had thus cooped up the King and his brother, he draws Buckingham to his Treason, but Hastings could not be won, therefore he pretended he sought to take away his life, with which he charged him; to which after a long silence the Lord Hastings as most familiar with him, made answer, They that so transgress the Law, deserve what punishment the Law can inflict upon them, and all the Lords ascented thereunto; Then quoth the Protector, That Sorceress (meaning the Queen) and that Strumpet Shore's wife, have conspired together to take away my life by witchcraft, and that you may be right well assured it is true, Behold I pray you, and see how their villainy hath already seized on my body, for by it my left arm is already wasted and consumed, and therewithal he struck up his sleeve, and show them his arm naked; this did he impudently dare to do, albeit all there present were well assured it was never otherwise from his mother's womb. Moreover no man was so simple, to believe that if the Queen had intended such a mischief, she would have consorted with Shore's wife above all other women, she having been her husband's Concubine, besides this they all knew that the Queen was religious temperate, mild, charitable and virtuous, and not given to revenge. The Lord Hastings (who after King Edward's death conversed with Shore's Wife, using her as his concubine; and but the same morning left her in his own bed) being desirous if he could to appease the Protectors rage to her, and (in some sort) being willing to excuse her, replied thus, My Lord, If the Queen and she have so done? and therewithal the Protectors rage waxing intemperate interrupted him thus, Thou Traitor, quoth he, tellest thou me of Iffs and Ands? I tell thee they have done it; and as he spoke those words, he clapped his hand rudely upon the Table, at the noise whereof the whole chamber was suddenly filled with armed men, and one of them struck down the Lord Stanley with a Holbert, and the Protector himself did arrest the Lord Hastings and charged him of high Treason in general terms and forthwith without any proceeding or judgement, caused him to be carried out into the Green, and his head upon a Log to be chopped off; and it is noted that this execution was done on him the same day, and in the same Lawless manner, that he had commanded to be done to Rivers, Grey and Wagham.  
Thus when this impious Protector had murdered those Lords that stood in his way, he caused Doctor Shaw (a man more learned than virtuous) publicly in a Sermon at Paul's Cross, to blaze on his honourable birth and Parentage, his valour, his virtues, and to inveigh against the deceased King for his lasciviousness with Shore's wife, to bastardise all his Children, as born in adultery; for that King Edward, as he affirmed, was solemnly contracted unto the Lady Elizabeth Lucy, whom he got with child. He also accused the Protectors own mother: but Shaw was afterward so ashamed of his flattery, that for very shame and grief he died soon after. Then he sets Buckingham to deal with the City, who with many Citizens come to Baynard's Castle, where the Protector was, and chose him for their King, desiring him to take the burden upon him, which he ofttimes refused, but was persuaded at last to take it.  
The picture of Edward the 5. who at the age of 13 years was deposed and cruelly murdered, by the procurement of Richard Duke of Gloucester his unnatural uncle when he had reigned 2. months and 11. days and obscurely buried in the Tower 1183.  

Edward the Fifth at thirteen years of Age  
Is sacrificed unto his Uncle's rage;  
Whose thirst for honour not be withstood,  
Could soarce be slacked in a whole sea of blood.  
Poor pretty blossom, how thy Fate I pity,  
Thus to be murdered in thy Royal City;   

That in the Tower thy soul should be sent hence,  
That ought have been a Tower of thy defence.  
How many mourning days did the Queen keep?  
When eyes ne'er saw thee could not choose but weep.  
Sure this doth not with heaven's direction suit,  
To fell the Tree before we see the fruit.    

RICHARD the Third, King of England.  
RIchard having gotten the Ensigns of the Kingdom, forthwith Crowns himself and his Wife Anne, but still fearing the Londoners, he caused james Tyrrel to stifle the young King and his Brother, which he did, and obscurely buried them in the Tower. The children's death was divulged, Richard not being against it; and it was wonderful how great amazement seized on the minds of all men, every one lamented the unhappiness of the Children with much pity; and now they began to say, what hopes have we of him that spared not his own near kinsmen, but shed their innocent blood? To say nothing of the Mother and her Daughters, certainly the immortal God, who will not suffer great sins to go unpunished, revenged on the innocent children the perjury of their father committed at York, and the Death of the Duke of Clarence, whom he wickedly suffered to be murdered. But Buckingham (Richard's former friend) now detesting his wickedness, conspires with the Bishop of Ely, how to restore Henry Earl of Richmond, to whom of right the Crown belonged, as he was descended of john of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster, with these joined the Duke of Britain, with whom Henry then resided.  
Richard in the mean time, who had notice of the consultations of Buckingham, sent for him again and again to come to him, but when he flatly refuses to come to him, they fall to their Arms on both sides. The Duke presently mustering some Welsh Forces came to Gloucester to meet Richard that had a mightier Army with him, but the Soldiers he had procured voluntarily rather then for pay all forsook him, before he came in sight of the enemy; and having none left with him but his Lackey (who was forced to fly to shift for himself) he went to his servant Humphrey Banisters house, who unmindful of all former favours delivered him afterward to Richard, who cut off his head, and all the Conspirators presently ran One one way, Another another way, some to places of refuge, and some into Britanny to the Earl. Richard in the mean time heard that the Duke did not only not hurt the Earl, but had resolved to assist him; wherefore he provides a great Fleet to intercept the Earls Landing here; Henry in the mean time with forty Ships and five thousand Britain's Sails for England, but a Tempest arose and scattered his Ships; and he almost quit of all his Forces, was driven on Cornwall, where coming ashore, and seeing a great Army, he was forced to retire to his Ships; and being very pensive when he heard of Buckingham's death, void of all Counsel he returned again to Britanny in France, but by the coming of the Nobility he took heart once more, and promised before the Altar to marry Elizabeth King Edward's Daughter, if the business succeeded according to his mind, and so a fresh Oath of fidelity was taken by them all. In the mean time Richard did fiercely rage against all such as followed the Earl, wheresoever he could lay hold on them: Thomas Earl of Dorset, who fled to him, he banished both by Sea and Land; also he made a Covenant with the Scotch King, giving his Sister Anne in marriage to his Son. Richard lays new Traps for Henry by corrupting the Duke's Treasures with money; but he escapes them, the matter being detected by Bishop Morton: When the fraud was made known to the Duke, he was so enraged against the Treasurer, that he caused him for that & other wicked deeds to be hanged.  
But Richard to hinder Henry's Marriage with Elizabeth, partly by flattery, partly by fear, and partly by promises, he prevailed so far with the Queen, that she should entrust her daughters with him, and should write her Letters to her son the Marquis of Dorset, that was near the Earl, that without delay he should return home, and leave the society of the Earl Henry, that all things were now pacified, and their family in favour with the King. Richard all this while having gotten the Queen's Daughters, that he might totally destroy the design of Marriage with Henry, resolved himself to marry her his own Brother's Daughter, his own Wife being yet alive, whom to that end he privately packed away by poison. In the mean while he tries all ways he can to make Elizabeth affect him; he was also resolved to join violence to his prayers, if he could not otherwise obtain her: but he was so much urged with care and foreign fear, that he had no time for Courtship.  
In the interim, Stanley had a Command to Muster an Army; but he must not go forth before he had given to Henry his Son the Lord Strange for a pledge of his fidelity. A fame was also spread abroad on purpose, that Henry had implored help of the French in vain, and that there was no fear of his coming, which made Richard deal somewhat carelessly, and unwarily discharging the Navy he had to Scour the English Coasts.  
Henry was advertised how things stood, and arrived in England with but two thousan● Soldiers in pay; presently Rice Thomas and john Savage, two of the most Potent men i● Wales, having collected some forces, came to join with Henry; Pembroke with some other did the like. Stanley though he wished well, yet for his son's sake delayed his intention, til● fit opportunity presented itself. Richard all this time was wonderful sluggish, but when he heard how his subjects revolted to Henry, he raised what men he could scrape up, and went against him; he Pitched his Tent in Bosworth field, and both sides make ready; at last they fall on: but Stanley, who came late, and brought fresh forces, joined with Henry, whereby he was not a little animated. The King himself after wonderful tokens of his valour, is slain hand to hand by the Earl, to whom, by God's blessing, that day and Crown fell: Richard's body all naked and miry, is found among the dead, and trussed up like a Calf behind a Pursuivant, is buried at Leicester with as much honour as his Nephews in the Tower under the Stairs.  
The portrait of RICHARD the 3. King of England and France, Lord of Ireland. He was slain at Bosworth field the 22th of August 1486. and homely bured at the Graye friar's Church in Leicester when he had usurped 2 years 2 months and one day  

Monster of men, Thou son of Belial,  
Shall not thy Nephew's blood for vengeance call?  
Shall it think'st thou with them in silence die?  
No; ●hough their mouths be stopped their blood shall cry;  
For which when God shall inquisition make,  
Rocks cannot hide thee, nor the Stigean Lake.   

Thou that didst publish all the World before,  
Thy Brother Bastard, and thy Mother Whore.  
Thy barbarous hand did take away the Life  
Of two great Kings, and thine own dearest Wife.  
Two Princes thou and many Peers didst murder:  
Had Hell broke lose it could have gone scarce further.    

HENRY the Seventh, King of England.  
HENRY both by right and true valour came to the Kingdom, and was crowned at Westminster, Anno 1486. the day before the Calends of November: Then caling a Parliament, he is discharged of the Treason that Richard laid to him: and he gave honours and rewards to some that were grieved. Then according to his Oath and Promise he married the fair and virtuous Lady Elizabeth, eldest daughter to King Edward the Fourth, thereby joining in one the two great Families of Lancaster and York; betwixt whom for principality and the Crown, infinite contentions and mortal wars had formerly consumed and destroyed many thousands of noble brave and valiant men.  
Now that the State of the Kingdom might be confirmed in its happiness, by the safety of the King's person, and by other requisites, King Henry (taking example by the Kings of France) selected a certain number of warlike men, in all places to attend him, whom he termed the Yeomen of his Crown. He elected the most Noble, Grave, and wise men of this Kingdom to be of his privy Counsel, by whose sage directions and advice the Government of this Kingdom was settled in peace and tranquillity. He bountifully recompensed the Duke of Britain for all his former love and kindness to him, and also repaid unto him all such sums of money, as at any time he had disbursed for him, for his maintenance and relief. The like he did to the French King, and so redeemed his Hostages, the Lord marquis Dorset, and Sir john Bourchin, whom he left there.  
But while King Henry was thus careful to please all men, and to preserve peace, a Rebellion is raised in the north by Francis Lord Lovel, Humphrey Stafford, and Thomas his Brother: but the King with great celerity marches against them, and their Leaders hearts failing them, they steal from their Army by night: Lovel was shrouded by Sir Thomas Broughton, and the two Staffords took Sanctuary; but because no Sanctuary could protect malefactors in case of high Treason, they were pulled out by violence, and arraigned, condemned, and Humphrey the elder brother executed, but the other was pardoned by the King's favour, it being supposed he did it not out of malice, but was drawn in by his unpeaceable brother.  
But this flame being quenched, a greater is kindled: For a certain Priest named Symond, erected a mock Prince called Lambert, who joining with the Duchess of Burgoyne and the Irish, invaded England, but was routed, and being taken, Lambert was put into the King's Scullery, who not long after was made chief Falconer to the King.  
Then was the King's wife with all honour and princely solemnity crowned Queen: and Thomas Bourchier Archbishop of Canterbury dying, he is succeeded by john Morton, Bishop of Ely, who was also made Lord Chancellor of this Kingdom: and not long after he was dignified with the Hat and Habit of a Cardinal by Pope Alexander the sixth.  
A difference falls between the French and the Britain's; the King having been beholding to both, mediates a peace, but in vain; they fall to Arms, and the King aids the Duke of Britain with eight thousand men, for maintenance whereof a Parliament gives the King the tenth penny of all movable goods and chattels; but the Duke died, and those wars ended.  
But this Tax begot a Rebellion, for the rustic swads about York and Durham would not pay a penny of the Tax; but being numerous, they rifled several places where they came, and barbarously murdered the Earl of Northumberland, employed by the King to levy the tax but the King soon routed them, and executed the Ringleaders of them in several places.  
The French King by his gifts corrupts the attendants of the Duke of Britain's Daughter & heir of the Dukedom, and though affianced to the Emperor's Daughter before, yet he returns her to her father, and marries the Young Heir of Britain, who was contracted to the Emperor, making both contracts void, and nullities by proclamation.  
But the Emperor scorning to be thus disgraced, sends to King Henry, and craves aid; whereupon the King, partly for love he bore to the Emperor, and partly because he saw the French King was become Lord of Britain, and endeavoured to subject the low Countries also under him, promised his assistance, for support of which he spared the poor, and got great sums from the Nobles and richer sort. The King sends a well appointed Army over, under the conduct and command of the Duke of Bedford and the Earl of Oxford; whom the King in person followed with a Royal Army; but the French King sues for peace and gave him for his charges in that expedition, almost two hundred thousand pounds Sterling; so Henry and his Army returned safe into England, having concluded an honourable and profitable Peace.  
But the King's ancient enemy the Duchess of Burgoyne, with another upstart counterfeit, named Perkin Warbeck, whom she pretends to be Richard Duke of York, Edward the Fourth's Second son: The Burgoyns, Irish, French and Scots favour him, some out of mischief, others out of mistake, which begets great troubles to King Henry, but he is taken, imprisoned, and for endeavouring an escape is executed. The Scots invade England under pretence of aiding Perkin, he drives them out; and another Tax is levied, which begets a rebellion, which the King overthrows, and hangs up the Heads of it. Prince Arthur about this time married Katherine, Daughter to Ferdinand King of Arragon. King Henry's eldest Daughter marries the King of Scots, james the Fourth; but Prince Arthur five months after his Marriage died, to his Father's great grief: about his latter end he grew covetous, but repent of it. He died soon after, and was buried at Westminster in his own Chapel: he died at 52. years old, and reigned 23. years.  
The most Mighty and Prudent Prince Henry the seaventh by the grace of god King of England France and Ireland &c.  

As after a sharp Winter Birds do sing  
Encomiums to a Comfortable Spring;  
So did this Kingdom entertain with joy,  
Great Lancaster, and sung Vive le Roy.  
Henry from Britain came, and claimed his due  
By Virtue, Valour, and by Title true.   

And that he might becalm all stormy weather,  
He joined the White Rose and the Red together▪  
He was a prudent Prince, and governed well,  
But that to be too Covetous he fell:  
At last he much restored, and gave among  
The poor; which mercy cancelled all his wrong.    

HENRY the Eighth, King of England.  
KIng Henry the Eighth being of the age of eighteen years, began to Reign the two and twentieth day of April, in the year of our Lord God, 1509. And being dispensed with by the Pope, he married the Lady Katherine, Daughter to Ferdinando King of Arragon, Aunt to Prince Charles of Castille, who afterwards was Emperor; whenas not long before she had been his brother Prince Arthur's Wife: by which match much trouble afterwards ensued.  
In the beginning of his Reign he was very gracious and tender to his people, in rescuing them from the greedy Jaws of their oppressors, that toward the end of his Father's Reign had so vexed and tormented them; and the more freely to content such as had been justly offended by those extremities, he caused the Heads of those two devouring Caterpillars, Empson and Dudley, to be stricken off at the Tower Hill; and the rest of that rascal rabble were disgracefully corrected by the Stocks and Pillories, in sundry places of this Realm.  
Thus when the King had well bu●ied himself in the settlement of his Kingdom, for the first two years of his Reign, he was by his wife's father Ferdinando, King of Arragon, entreated to assist him against the Moors; but by reason of a cessation of those Jars, returned out of Spain, having been rudely entertained, and spent all.  
About the same time the King of France invades Italy, making great havoc; but Henry in favour of the Pope led an Army into France (Maximilian the Emperor fight under the English Banner) and took many prisoners, and Towns. In the mean time the Scots upon the French account infest the North parts of England with sixty thousand men, but the Earl of Surrey encountered them with six and twenty thousand, and slew james their King with many Lords and Earls, totally routing all that vast Army.  
Henry returning out of France, Surrey for his good service was created Duke of Norfolk, and Thomas Wolsey, a man of mean parentage, was made Bishop of Lincoln, and at last was made a Cardinal. At this time the Pope sent to Henry a Cap of maintenance, a Sword, and the Title of Defender of the Faith; which Grace Henry received with Tilt and great Pomp. Cardinal Wolsey is made Chancellor of England. Charles the Emperor comes to London and is received with great honour, and graced with the Order of the Garter. But Behold, Henry who had lived lovingly with his Wife Katherine 20 years, began now to find a scruple in his Conscience, whether he might without incest live with his brother's wife? Judges were chosen to end this question; but Wolsey not having dealt prudently for Henry, had all his authority taken away, and his estate was confiscate; but at last other new dignities being granted him, his great loss was somewhat repaired. Then a Parliament was called, and he was charged with many faults; among the rest, that he was wont to write I and my King, and had stamped the Cardinal's Hat on the King's Coin; of which he was convicted, and again deprived of all honour and Estate: a wonderful example of the inconstancy of humane affairs: he that but lately ruled all, and the King too as he pleased, made Laws, swayed Courts of Justice, taxed the people, oppressed both Clergy and Laity; he is now cast down from the high Pinnacle of honour, and which is worst, hated by all: afterwards sent for to make his personal answer at Court, he died by the way, 'tis thought with poison.  
In the mean time Henry not abiding the Pope's delays, with the advice of Divines divorceth his Wife Katherine, and marries Anna Boloyne; and being angry with the Pope for this disoffice, he abollisheth forthwith all his authority over the Church of England, and takes Oath of the thanks of England and Ireland to acknowledge himself next under Christ, supreme Head of the Church; for refusal whereof Sir Thomas More, Lord Chancellor of England, and john Fisher of Rochester, lost their heads.  
Henry now using his own Authority, invades the goods of the Church, and expels the Monks out of the Monasteries: Nor was he herewith content, but he cuts off the heads of his second Wife Annae Boloyne, together with her Brother the Lord Rochfort, on suspicion of incest between them. Then he married jane Seymer, who died in childbirth of Edward the sixth. Then he divorced from him Anne of Cleve newly married; and for her sake he beheaded Thomas Cronewell, who made that match (this was a man fortunately risen from a mean to a vast estate:) also, Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk, had his head chopped off for privily marrying Margaret, daughter to the King of Scots, Henry's Niece. Henry now marries his Fifth Wife, the Lady Katherine Howard, whom he shortly afterward beheaded for her lasciviousness. At that time Henry was styled King of Ireland, of which before he was but Lord. About this time the Scotch King dies, leaving Marry Stewart (a child of eight days old) heir of his Kingdom, whom Henry endeavours to espouse to his Son Edward; but the Cardinal of St. Andrews so prevailed, that she was married to the Dolphin; whereat Henry enraged burns Leith: Then he married his sixth Wife, Katherine, Latimers' widow, who was brought in danger of her Life, but by her prudence and humility escaped. Henry next makes an expedition into France, and wins Bononia, which was redeemed with eight hundred thousand Crowns. The Duke of Norfolk, and the Earl of Surrey are accused of Treason, and the father lost his head. Henry died presently after, having reigned 38. years, he was buried at Windsor.  
The most high and mighty Prince HENRY the VIII by the grace of God King of England France and Ireland  

Henry the Eighth began his Reign so well,  
Few Predecessors were his Parallel.  
Empson and Dudley he did soon dismiss,  
Those Engines of his Father's Avarice.  
A comely Prince he was, but him I fear  
The Hangman made too oft a Widower.   

Many for no desert he would exalt,  
And ruin them as quickly for no fault.  
He never spared (if you my Author trust)  
Man in his wrath, or Woman in his Lust.  
And yet his vices did not so prevail,  
But that his Virtues still did Even the Scale.    

EDWARD the Sixth, King of England.  
HENRY the Eighth being deceased, Edward his Son succeeded him in hi● Throne, january 28. 1547. He was all the Issue Male of King Henry, who had six Wives, whereof two were beheaded, two divorced, and jane Seymer mother to King Edward died in Travel. This King began his Reign in the ninth year of his age: and the same day that he was publicly proclaimed King in London, he came from Enfield to the Tower; as (perhaps) for other reasons, so chiefly that according to the manner of the Kings of England, he might pass in solemn and magnificent sort from thence to Westminster, where he was to be inaugurated: The day following, the Lords, to whose care the deceased King had committed his Son and heir by Will, assemble themselves to consult of the affairs of State; they all with one consent appoint Edward Seymer Earl of Hertford, the King's Uncle, Protector of the King's person, and Governor of his Majesty's Realms, until the King came of age, mature enough for to hold the Reins of Government: hereof public proclamation was made through London and Westminster.  
The first Act of this Lord Protector after his investiture was, that he created the King Knight (who remained then in the Tower) and he rising up, took the same Sword of the Earl of Hertford, and conferred the same honour upon Henry Hoblethorne, Lord Major of the City of London. February the 15. the funerals of King Henry are solemnised in all princely sort, and his Body entombed in the midst of the Choir of the Cathedral Church of Windsor; and two days after certain of the Peers are adorned with new Titles of Honour: Seymer Lord Protector and Earl of Hertford is created Duke of Somerset; William Par Earl of Essex created marquis of Northampton; Dudley Viscount Lisle, Lord high Admiral of England, created Earl of Warwick and high Chamberlain of England; Sir Thomas Wriothsley Lord Chancellor was created Earl of Southampton; Sir Thomas Seymer Brother to the Lord Protector was advanced to be Lord Sudley, and also high Admiral of England (for as much as the Earl of Warwick was contented to resign.) Sir Richard Rich was made Lord Rich, and Sir William Willoughby Lord Willoughby of Parham; and Sir Edmund Sheffeild was made Lord Sheffeild of Butterwike. Now was great provision made for the King's Coronation, who road with great Royalty and splendour through the City of London to Westminster the ●4 of Feb. and the day following was in due form and order inaugurated by Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury. About four years since in a League concluded between England and Scotland, and upon the discharge of some Scotch Lords, Prisoners in the Tower of London, a marriage was promised between Edward and the young Heir of Scotland, which afterward was falsified, and she married to the French King; whereupon the Duke of Summersault with a well provided Army enters Scotland, and fought the Scots at Musselburgh, and slew of them more than 14000, amongst whom (besides the Lord Lohemore and the Lord Fleming) fell almost all the young Nobility of Scotland. There were taken in fight Earl Huntley, Chancellor of Scotland: The Lords Hester, Hobbey and Hamilton, and 1500 more of good account, possessing themselves of many strong Forts and Castles with abundant spoil; and then betaking themselves homewards they not a little recreated the minds of the dejected Scots by their departure. While these things thus fell out in Scotland, there happened great alteration in the Ecclesiastical State at home, divers of the King's Tutors being earnestly bend to a Reformation of Religion, and especially the Lord Protector himself; and it was therefore Resolved by the King's Tutors and Counsel, that whatsoever King Henry had enacted for the abrogating of the Pope's authority, should stand in full force and authority whereby the English Church became purged of Popery: And what is very memorable, the same day that Images and Superstition were thrown out of the Church, news was brought of the great victory achieved upon the Scots at Musselburgh. The Popishly affected Stephen Gardiner and bloody Bonner are committed to the Tower. About this time fell out an unlucky difference betwixt the Protector and his Brother, which proved the ruin of them both, for they both lost their heads. This Year Bishop Ridley preached before the King, and in his Sermon took occasion to discourse of the necessity of Alms-deeds, which the King earnestly attending and laying to heart, sent for the Bishop after Sermon, and entered into private communication with him (causing him to set down in a chair, and whether he would or not to put on his hat) about relief: The King to show his wonderful charity appointed several Hospitals, to which he gave Lands to the value of 600 pounds per annum, which had belonged to the Savoy, and 4000 Marks a year in money beside.  
About the beginning of the next year, the King fell into lingering sickness, then into a Hectic Fever, whereof, together with a consumption of the Lungs he died at length, not without suspicion of poison.  
And now Northumberland began to devise how he might gain the Crown of England to his posterity; he therefore imparts the business to the Duke of Suffolk, requesting his eldest Daughter jane to be given in marriage to his son Gilford Dudley; then he takes upon him to persuade the King, not only to disinherit his two sisters, but also by Will to constitute his Cousin the Lady jane Queen after him, which accordingly, the good King yielded, preferring the true worship of God before all natural respects. A few days before things were thus ordered, King Edward not yet 16. years of age, sent forth his blessed soul at Greenwich (to wit) the sixth day of july, when he had held the Kingdom under Governors six years, five months, and nineteen days; showing forth even in that tender age, blossoms of virtue, together with singular piety towards God, constancy of mind, love of right, and an incredible study of Learning: Not above three hours before he expired, thinking no body had been by, he uttered this Prayer:  
Lord God, deliver me out of this miserable and wre●ched life, take me among thy chosen; howbeit, not my will, but thy will be done. Lord, I commit my spirit to thee: O Lord, thou knowest how happy it were for me to be with thee: yet for thy Chosens sake, if it be thy will, send me life and health, that I may truly serve thee. O my Lord, bless thy people, and save thine inheritance: O Lord God, save thy chosen people of England: O my Lord God, defend this Realm from Papistry, and maintain thy true Religion, that I and my people may praise thy holy Name. Soon after he cried out, I faint, I faint; Lord, have mercy upon me, and take my spirit, and so yielded up the Ghost.  
The high and Mighty Monarch Edward the VI by the grace of GOD King of Great Britain France and Ireland defender of the Earth etc  

To thee, Great King, it was a gain to die,  
Whose death was crowned with immortality;  
Nor does he err, whoever takes thee for  
Edward the Saint, the Second Confessor.  
Thou that in pious Paths so Even hast trod,  
Art Enoch like translated by thy God.   

Who (as thy death does evidently show)  
Loved thee too well to leave thee long below:  
Whose every act the Universe convinces,  
And is a pattern to succeeding Princes.  
When thou of Popery didst the Temple purge,  
Thy Sceptre turned into thy Saviour's scourge.    

MARY, Queen of England.  
MARY so soon as she heard of her Brother's death, posted to Framingham Castle in Suffolk, to whom resorted divers Lords, who had formerly compacted to preserve the Romish Religion: Then she sent to the Senate of London, that they should proclaim her Queen; but the Lords in the name of all the people made answer, That by the Testament of King Edward jane was to succeed, and they asserted that mary's mother was divorced: whereupon they fly to Arms. The Earl of Northumberland with a small Army marches against Mary; but as he proceeds but slowly, mary's Forces increase mightily; also Edward Hastings, who was set with six Ships to prevent mary's escape into France, revolted to her, by which loss the Lords and Londoners were not a little dismayed, and grew at odds one with the other; and the Londoners proclaimed Mary Queen; and Northumberland, when he was certain of his friends falling from him, that he might not run the hazard alone, calls a Counsel at Cambridge, and himself for want of an Herald proclaims Mary Queen of England, etc. casting his Cap up in token of joy: But that did not at all help his Cause, for the Earl of Arundel, who a little before did not decline to venture his life for jane, now coming to Cambridge in mary's name, takes the Duke and Casts him into Prison, he in vain entreating for his life. jane at the Command of the Duke of Suffolk her father, when the Case was thus altered, lays down the Ensigns of the Kingdom, with much more chieerfulness than ever she took them up. The Queen coming to London met her Sister Elizabeth with 1000 Horse, and Thomas of Norfolk, Edward Contener, Stephen Gardiner Bishop of Winchester, and Somersets Wife, which she received into Grace, giving them her hand to kiss. Then entering upon the Church affairs, she abolished those Bishops and Ceremonies that Edward had confirmed, setting up others in their room, (the people not a little offended at it) and then she punished severely all those that were enemies to the Church of Rome.  
In the interim the Duke of Northumberland, the Earls of Northampton and Warwick are indicted of high Treason: she spared Northampton, but Northumberland was beheaded abjuring that Religion he professed before in hope of pardon; his body was buried by the Duke of Somerset his Capital Enemy, between Anne of Boloyne and Katherine, who all had suffered the same death. The rest persisted, and did not renounce the Faith they had professed. jane afterwards with her husband and his two brethren, Ambrose and Henry, were all condemned to die, but jane was reprieved for a while. Then the Marriage was contracted between Mary and Philip of Spain, whereat Wyatt and others offended conspire, lead an Army to London, and are overthrown and executed. The Queen enraged with the boldness of the subjects, began seriously to consider how to punish the guilty. Gilford husband to jane was first beheaded; then jane herself within the Walls of the Tower, with a wonderful courage, piety, and Constancy, had her head chopped off: She was a Princess for her learning and wisdom worthy of immortal praise. It is reported that Morgan, who passed Sentence upon her, fell mad shortly after, and cried, Take away Lady jane from me. Then Suffolk was beheaded, and the same day Wyatt the cause of all these mischiefs; for jane had been pardoned, had not he raised that furious tumult and enraged the Queen: those that followed him, some were punished and some pardoned. Also Elizabeth was cast into prison by the means of Gardiner Bishop of Winchester; without doubt her Life was at Stake, had she not wisely answered to questions concerning her Faith. They did severely at that time punish all those that were averse to the Romish Religion, among whom was Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury, Ridley Bishop of London, and Hugh Latimer Bishop of Worcester, these refusing to abjure their Faith were burnt to ashes. The Queen's Marriage with Philip was now solemnised; and Cardinal Poole being sent from the Pope, all the Errors of the English are purged, and they received under the Pope's tuition. The Fame was at this time that the Queen was with Child, and for joy Te Deum was sung at Paul's, and she released out of the Tower many Prisoners, among whom were the Sons of the Duke of Northumberland, who were condemned to lose their heads: But all this hope vanished, when the Queen's Conception proved to be but a Timpany. The Queen restored to the Church all the Goods she possessed belonging to the Church; and when she was told that by so great a bounty the Crown Lands would be much wasted, she replied piously and prudently, She preferred her souls health, before all the world's goods. Philip in the interim went to Brussels to his Father Charles, and obtained of him the Kingdom of Spain, and his other Dominions before his death; then he returned to England; then again he went to Calais to wage war with the French, and stayed upon that business above 18. months, the English murmuring, and the Queen lamenting his absence.  
Thomas Stafford at that time was instigated by the French to make war against the Queen, and landing with an Army he won York Castle; but he soon was conquered, and taken and beheaded at London, and his followers were hanged.  
Then the Queen sent Pembroke to assist her husband, and won a great victory over the French, but drawing too many Forces out of Calais, the Duke of Guise assaulted and won it, after it had been in the hands of the English two hundred years; Guina followed it, and so the English were clean thrust out of all France. The Queen was wonderful grieved for the loss of Calais, which together with her Dropsy put an end to her life, in the year of our Lord 1558. the fifth year of her Reign, and the forty third of her Life.  
ELISABET D. G. ANG. FRAN. ET. HIB. REGINA. FIDEI CHRISTIANAE PROPUGNA TRIX ACERRIMA  

What means this Popish Fog the Church to smother?  
Where is the Queen should be a nursing Mother?  
Edward preceded thee in the same form,  
That a bright Sun foreruns a blustering storm:  
For Age and Sex, all at the stake we see;  
O burning zeal, and frozen Charity.   

If to deny the Tyranny you please,  
Behold a Cloud of faithful Witnesses:  
No, it were better to bethink with speed,  
What Sackcloth such a world of ashes need.  
But Madam, were not these your own intents?  
How have you suffered in your Instruments?    

ELIZABETH, Queen of England.  
ELIZABETH Daughter to Henry the Eighth, by Anne Boloyne, succeeded her Sister Mary, being raised from the Prison to the Throne: By her Coronation the Papal authority fell again the second time; all the Ceremonies Mary had brought in she abolished, and reform all according to rule of her Brother Edward.  
Being she was of a flourishing age, and Queen of a flourishing Kingdom, it could not be but she must be sought to of many lovers: Maximilian the Emperor, the Kings of Spain and Sweeden, the Archduke of Austria, and the Duke of Angiers, sent to woe her, but all in vain. First, because the Queen would not marry; for at her inauguration the Condition was, That she should marry no Stranger; whereby there was hopes left to the Natives, for so great a match. The French and Scotch they hoped to prevail much by reason she was a woman, and of tender years, whereupon they invade and spoil the English Frontiers. The French King pretending Title to the Crown of England, in right of his Wife Mary Stewart, allied to Henry the seventh; but at last peace is confirmed betwixt Elizabeth the Scotch and French, and all the Roman Catholics are routed out of Scotland. Marry (when Francis was dead) returned for Scotland, and made a firm agreement with Elizabeth, but envy and ambition soon violated it and their sister-like concord, to the ruin of Mary at last.  
Mary takes to her husband Henry Darley, and after Bothwell, but discontents and wars arising, she flees to Elizabeth in England, who received her in her Arms: She was at first liberally entertained; but after moving dissension in England, being a most bitter enemy to those of the Reformed Religion, she was kept more narrowly: For eighteen years she was kept in prison; at last she began to riot in hope of the Kingdom, and to lay snares for the Queen's Life; for which cause at the request of the several Orders of England, she was beheaded. Also the Duke of Suffolk who privily sought to marry her, suffered the same punishment. Elizabeth in the mean time assisted those of the Reformed Religion in France.  
Now fell out a war between Philip the Second and the low Countries, in which Elizabeth assisted the united Provinces. The Queen for this assistance was hated by the Spaniards, who had before privately laid snares for her life, but now he breaks forth into open war; for he raised a mighty Fleet from Spain and other places; it was the greatest Navy for Provision and Men that ever the Ocean bore, and carried the presumptuous Title of Invincible: It consisted of one hundred and thirty tall ships of War, in which were nineteen thousand two hundred and ninety soldiers, eight thousand three and fifty Mariners, two thousand and eighty Galleyslaves, two thousand six hundred and thirty great Ordnance; and the 19 of july 1588. they came in sight of England, and were in hopes to devour it. But by the valour of the English and the Dutch, the Fleet was partly worsted, partly hindered, but especially by a Tempest that rose against it, the Spaniard was disappointed of his hopes. They often after fought by Sea in Portugal and the West-Indies, doing and receiving much harm. This great Tempest being blown over the Queen causeth a day of Thanksgiving to be proclaimed, and rid Triumphantly to London. Notwithstanding all this she had many troubles, but strangled all in the birth, and England was made the Receptacle of persecuted and afflicted men, both from France and Holland, by reason of the Wars there.  
In the mean while Sir Francis Drake was sent into the West-Indies, and the Earl of Essex to the Coasts of Spain, when after many Victories achieved by each, the Spaniards by the mediation of the French seek peace, but the Dutch hinder it. In the year 1598. Philip King of Spain died in the seventieth year of his age. He aimed at great matters, but was unfortunate in most of them; whereupon it came to pass that the three Keys of the Spanish Empire (which his Father so called, and willed him to keep diligently) to wit, Gulet in Africa, Flushing in Holland, and Cades in Spain, were neglected; The first taken in by the Turks, the second by the Confederates of the United Provinces, the third much impaired in its strength and impoverished by the English: which his father foreseeing in his Life time admonished to make peace with the English and Dutch. Anno 1599 died that Reverend and famous Divine Mr. Richard Hooker, a man moderate, temperate, meek and virtuous, even to the best imitation, and left behind him a living monument of his real worth, his Book entitled Ecclesiastical Policy. Then peace was confirmed between the Spaniard and the French, but the English and the Dutch refused to be comprehended in it, because they held it disadvantageous to their business; but making a Covenant with joint Forces they invade Spain. The Spaniard stirs up the Earl of Tyrone, who made a great Rebellion in Ireland. Essex was sent thither to subdue the Rebels, and to make them conformable, but he scurvily neglected an opportunity of conquering the enemy, and beyond his commission treats with the Rebels concerning peace: He was therefore called home and commanded to answer for his fault; by his submission he found the Queen's savour: afterward prompted on either by shame, or his ambition to the Kingdom, he raised an Army and entered London, and he purposed to have forced the Queen: His Forces ran away from him, and he was taken prisoner, accused of high Treason, and lost his head for it. Charles Blunt was sent in his Place, who in divers fights wonderfully subdued the enemy, though the Spaniard had sent many supplies to relieve them; in a set battle he overthrew Tyrone and the Auxiliary Spaniards, and then made conditions driving them out of Ireland. Tyrone afterwards when he had tried all ways, submitted and humbly entreated the Queen's pardon. In the mean time Richard Levison and William Monson with eight great Ships and some small ones, went and wasted the Spanish Coasts, and meeting the Spanish Fleet coming from America with abundance of wealth, set upon them, but was too weak, being disappointed. After that he mastered a great rich Ship riding at Anchor in Portugal, and burning some lesser Ships, returned with her to England. At that time the Jesuits and Seminaries were banished. At last the Queen died Anno 1602, having reigned 44. years & 4. months, & was buried at Westminst.  
ELISABET D. G. ANG. FRAN. ET. HIB. REGINA. FIDEI CHRISTIANAE PROPUGNA TRIX ACERRIMA  

Thus died Elizabeth; Did I say she died?  
Away my babbling Muso, away, ye lied.  
She is alive, and ever so shall be;  
Could England dote, and lose all memory.  
The netherlands, yea France & Spain would give  
All satisfaction that she still does live,   

And shall, until unknown diseases vex  
The Universe into an Apoplex.  
Of whom this Nation may with comfort say,  
An Evening red, foretold a morning grey.  
Thus from the Briny Ocean of our tears,  
The joyful Venus of our Peace appears.    

JAMES, King of Great Britain, France, & Ireland.  
THE loss that England sustained by the death o● Queen Elizabeth, was abundantly recompensed by her most worthy Successor King ●ames, in the happy union of the two warlike Kingdoms, England and Scotland. He was inferior to he● neither for Religion, nor any thing else; and by new rejoicings he extinguished that grief the Subjects had conceived for the loss of so dear a Mother to her Country. He was a King the more happy, because he obtained a Kingdom by lawful succession, that was no ways embroiled with wars and tumults▪ but settled in exceeding great peace. But as the calmest weather is not secure from clouds; so the affairs of Britain, though in a condition most peaceable, were endangered by the malice and conspiracy of some malcontents; ●he Ringleaders were Henry Cobham, and George his Brother, Thomas Grey of Wilt-shire, Walter Raleigh, and others; their purpose was to kill the King but newly Crowned, to change Religion to raise Tumults, to let in Foreigners; a terrible design: but this flame vanished into smoke the principal being either executed, or condemned to perpetual imprisonment, or had their par●ons granted to them; but least peace should be disturbed by new wars, he made peace with the King of Spain, who was a sworn enemy to England; it was solemnly confirmed by both.  
In Northampton and Warwickshire, new tumults arose; first, by Fines, then by john Reignold that led them, but this faction was soon allayed, and the Authors thereof severely punished. In the mean time Frederick Count Elector Palatine, came to London to marry Elizabeth King james his Daughter; the marriage was solemnised with wonderful pomp, but all these joys were overshadowed with Clouds of sorrow, for on the sixth day of November, 1612. Prince Henry departed this life; various reports were spread abroad by the Vulgar, as if indirect means had been used, but his Physicians gave it under their hands, that he died of a violent malignant Fever. Charles the King's second Son succeeds him in the principality of Wales. About this time that learned, gallant, and noble spirit Sir Walter Raleigh after 14 years' imprisonment, made addresses to the King, to give him leave to visit the New found World in America, to which he gave him liberty, and a Commission under the great Seal to set forth Ships and Men for that service; his reputation and merit caused many Gentlemen of Quality, to adventure their persons and estates on the design, many considerable adventures were performed, though with great difficulty, but especially that of the taking and burning of St. Thomes; information being sent to Gondimer, who was Ambassador here in England, he never rested assaulting the King with importunity for Reparation; Raleigh no sooner came a shore at Plymouth, but he had secret information, and did endeavour to get from thence in a Bark for Rochel; but being apprehended by Sir Lewis Stackly, he is brought to London, and committed to the Tower. Gondimer that looked upon him as a man that had not only high abilities, but animosity to do his master mischief, being one of those scourges that Queen Elizabeth had made use of to afflict the Spaniards, and having gotten him in the Trap, he laid his baits about the King: in October he was brought to the King's Bench Bar at Westminster before the Lord chief Justice, where the records of his arraignment at Winchester were opened, and he demanded why the judgement should not be put in execution; Raleigh, that judgement was void by the King's Commission for his late expedition; the Lord chief Justice replied, The opinion of the Court was to the contrary, he then required time to prepare for death, but it was answered, The appointed time was the next morning; accordingly on that morrow he was beheaded.  
Buckingham the great favourite is slain by Felton, for which he was executed.  
Queen Anne about this time fell sick and died; she was a Queen to be had in everlasting Memory for her Noble Virtues. The King also fell sick, but by God's assistance he recovered.  
The Palgrave in the interim, who had married the Lady Elizabeth, by the prompting on of some of the Germane Princes, was chosen King of Bohemia. The Emperor was wonderfully enraged at this Election, and proclaimed war against him, driving him first out of Bohemia, and afterwards out of all Germany, who in Holland, the common refuge of all wretched people, found a bountiful and safe entertainment. But james that he might help his son in law, made a motion for a marriage betwixt his son Charles, and the Infanta of Spain.  
Charles is sent into Spain through France by Land, where he saw upon his journey Mary daughter to Henry the fourth; he was received in Spain magnificently to outward appearance; but a difference falling out betwixt the Duke of Buckingham, and Count Olivares, the principal Don of the Spanish Court; the Treaty was drawn out at length; but Charles impatient of delay returns home▪ and arrives safe in England, and was afterward married to Mary whom he had affectionately beheld in France.  
What remains to be spoken of King james, is either scarce worth recording, or dubious in the truth thereof: He died at last of a disease of the Spleen, though there was false reports spread abroad, That he was poisoned, when he had reigned twenty and two years, in the year, 1625. He was a true Platonic Prince, a Husband worthy of his Wife, an honest Father to his Children, a good King to his Subjects; because he was a Prince, he was the most learned, and he was the best Prince by reason of his learning. In this King's reign English Plantations were ●etled in the Indies, Virginia, Bermudaes', and New-England; in which are Commonwealths.  
The right high and most mighty Monarch JAMES by the Grace of God King of great Britain France and Ireland etc. defender of the Faith D Sculp:  

They look for peace, and behold war; But we  
Did look for war, and have met peace in thee.  
The North wind brings no good, it is untrue;  
Never brought wind England more good than you  
Whose Mothers death may all the world convince,  
Revenge could never conquer such a Prince.   

What could Great Britain wish but such an heir,  
Unites two Realms scarce ever out of war.  
Your wisdom, plenty, peace who descants on,  
Conclude you even a second Solomon.  
Herein (Great Sir) you Solomon surpassed;  
That to your God were constant to the last.    

CHARLES Ist. King of Great Britain, France, & Ireland.  
CHARLES the first succeeded his Father, being 25 years of Age. The first design he had was to marry Henrietta Maria Daughter to Henry the fourth of France, as he had purposed before, who landed in England the 22. of April, and was received magnificently.  
Then a Navy was prepared against the Spaniard (for all friendship was grown stale between these two Kings, by reason of the breach of the marriage, and the business of the Palatinate) he joined with the ships of Holland, and sent away toward Spain; and first assaulting Cades, and not prevailing, they set up sail, and spoiling all the Spanish Vessels they met, they return for England. Now a Covenant was made between the English, and the united Provinces, and they resolved with joint forces to tyre out the Spaniard. But Charles whose Exchequer was emptied by reason of his Spanish voyage, and setting forth his Navy, was forced to call a Parliament, but they would do nothing till Buckingham had answered to his charge; they are dissolved, and the King raises money otherwise, provides a mighty Fleet, and surprises all the Spanish Ships he lights on. But the French not being spared, a stop and Confiscation is made of English Vessels in France. The Ministers of the Church of Rome, and those that came over with the Queen privately, disturb the English affairs; they are commanded to depart the Land, not without gifts; the French King takes it ill, and some are recalled. The French not satisfied, forbid all commerce, Charles the like; envy increases, Lewis oppresseth the Rochellers, Charles sends relief to the besieged, but prevails little; heavy complaints are made against Buckingham; Charles to stop all farther proceedings against Buckingham, again dissolves the Parliament. He raiseth new forces to assist the Rochellers under the command of Buckingham, but being ready to embark himself, he was stabbed by Felton an English man, who was taken and hanged for his pains.  
A new Parliament is summoned, they deny Tonnage and Poundage. The King reprints the Common-prayer-book, at which the Scots rebel; he goes against them with an Army, but returns without any good condition made.  
Now the Scots made a nearer agreement among themselves against the King, which they called their [Covenant.] The King therefore distressed for want, calls a Parliament, and asks Subsidies of them, all in vain. The Queen endeavours what she can with the Pope, but nothing is to be done unless the King would abjure the reformed Religion; but the King hates the motion, and had rather lose his Crowns, than accept such hard conditions. Nor was it long ere these Demagogues brought down a tumultuous rabble of Apprentices, and other base people, to the Parliament door, crying out Away with the Lieutenant of the Tower, down with Popish Bishops, out of the house with them. And to weaken his Majesty the more, or rather to satisfy the insolent tumult, they cast 12 Bishops into prison: the Earl of Bristol and his son were sore threatened; and the year before, that never enough honoured Thomas Earl of Strafford lost his head to satisfy this unreasonable rout; a man he was of an approved judgement and understanding in State affairs, and of a singular fidelity to his King and Country. William Laud also, Archbishop of Canterbury, and Primate of all England followed him, a man admirably learned. But now they touched the King's bowels, for they accuse the Queen's Majesty as one that had caused the troubles in Ireland, and caused that people (of themselves inconstant enough) to rebel: the King hereupon accused five of the lower house, and one of the upper House, their names the Lord Viscount Mandevile, Pim, Hamden, Hasilrig, Hollis and Stroud, clearly detecting these men of these tumults and dissensions; but the Parliament would never suffer them to come to trial, but hid them in the City. The Parliament having brought the business to this, resolve not to give it over; but january 16. 1642. raised a vast multitude of Citizens and others, to the number of 20000. and more, under colour to defend the Laws and Liberties. The King hasts to Hampton Court, commanding his Councillors to follow him, especially Essex and Holland, who both refuse; wherefore the King with a small company, took his journey like one that fled, so that for haste, being he had no Purveyors to provide room for him sufficiently, he, his wife and children the first night were constrained to tumble all in one Bed. The King with some of his friends takes journey to York, and is honourably received by the Gentry, who proffer their best assistance; the Parliament takes advantage of his absence, and load him and his Queen with black and scandalous calumnies to render him odious to the City, and having his Militia out of his hands, together with the disposing of all places of trust, they raise a great mass of money upon public faith, and I know not what State cheats, they fortify all places of strength; they next send to the King humble Petitions, containing most unreasonable demands, calling them Privileges of Parliament, giving the King plainly to understand, if he will not grant what they desire, they will have it by force, and forthwith raise a formidable Army, under the command of the Earl of Essex: the King is denied entrance into his Town of Hull by the two hotham's, father and son, both which afterward their fellow Rebels beheaded on one and the same day, spitefully executing the son first, lest he should have the honour to die a Knight. The King seeing his lenity hath been but their opportunity, and that they were now in the field ready to surprise him, sets up his Standard at Nottingham, levies what forces he could, and betakes himself to the field, having fortified Oxford his chief Garrison, many Battles are fought with various success, till that fatal Battle at Naseby, in which the King's forces were totally routed, and his very cabinet of private Letters, between himself and his wife, taken and most barbarously printed and divulged to his Majesty's honour, and the infamy of the divulgers. For that the King in a disguise yields up his Person to the Scots, who traitorously sold him to the English for 200000 l. And the Rump having now what they desired, murder him at his own Gate, jan. 30. 1648. He lies buried by Henry the Eight at Windfor.  
The high and Mighty Monarch CHARLES by the grace of GOD King of Great Britain France and Ireland Defender of the Faith. etc. Are to be sold by Thomas Ionne● aty e Royal Exchange.  

Thus, Ah thus our dread Sovereign Charles the first,  
The best of men was murdered by the worst;  
At his own Gate, by his own Subjects too,  
What more could barbarous Moors and Scythians do?  
False Scots betrayed & sold him, Scots that would  
Betray again our Saviour Christ for gold.   

Thus fell our Laws and Liberties Assertor,  
The Church's Champion, and the People's Martyr:  
To prove him wise, just, learned, only look  
Into his most incomparable Book,  
Which shall his name from age to age present,  
When Brass and Marble need a Monument.    

CHARLES IId. King of Great Britain, France, & Ireland.  
CHARLES the second, By the Grace of God, of England, Scotland, France, & Ireland King, was born the 29. of May, 1630. Never knew May a more hopeful flower than this that happily sprung from the Roses of York and Lancaster, joined to the Lillyes of France; a flower to whose composure nature it seems summoned her divided glories, as Zeuxis did his divided beauties to make up one Venus. Well was this May thought then most happy, until now we have lived to see another May; as much more happy as it is to be brought to a Kingdom, than to be brought to the world; or to be Crowned, than to be Cradled. His Royal Nativity was attended by a Star, discovered over St. James' at midday, displaying its modest beams in spite of Sunshine, in the middle of the air (an Emblem of his future glory) it seems when Vulgar births are passed by every day unobserved, the whole frame of nature takes notice of Sovereign births, and Compliments them with Stars, Meteors, Thunders, Earthquakes; such honour have Gods anointed: when he made his own Son King over his holy Hill of Zion, a star came and waited upon him from the East.  
For his Education▪ His Father (of blessed memory) pitched upon the Reverend Doctor Duppa, Dean of Christ-Church in Ozon, Lord Bishop of Chichester, and afterward of Salisbury, who went to him as his other Genius; O ●ow the reverend Father insinuated himself with his sacred Theorems into his Princely soul, in short, he arrived at that proficiency was his own honour, and the world's admiration, as foreign Tongues, as Italian, French, Spanish, Dutch, etc. Adversity hath been his Schoolmaster, witness all Ambassadors whom he Elegantly answers in their own Languages.  
This every way accomplished Prince (whom this degenerous Land was unworthy of) was expulsed his Kingdoms by Traitors, whose names are blacker than my Ink, accursed Assassins, that murdered the Father (than whom a better King England was never happy under) and would have sent the thrice Noble Son the same way, but that God preserved him miraculously to be the joy and honour of these long bleeding Kingdoms once again.  
At last after many foreign troubles, the Scots invite the King upon terms, almost as hard as Exile; which yet the King receives, and is Crowned in Scotland, but tired out with their Factions, he makes for England with his friends and Lashly, who at Worcester betrays him, where his Majesty in his own person performing wonders, yet lost the day, and escaped, leaving all things behind him a prey to the enemies, who fell upon the Royal plunder so hastily, as if they thought to find Saul the King among the stuff; but blessed be that loss that saved our Sovereign. But the King escapes their villainy and violence, and purposely losing his company, goes to White-Ladyes, near Boscobil, where cutting off his hair, & disguising his face with walnuts, and his body with rustic Robes, under the conduct of the Penderells, he passed the days in obscure Coppices and Woods, where sleeping on the Loyal lap of Colonel Careless, he took up his Imperial Palace in an Oak, since worthily called, The Royal Oak, his Providores and Scout-Master general, were the Penderels, many a weary, dark, and dirty step took his Majesty, and many a course meal he made. But at last my Lord Wilmet that was designed for Bristol under protection of Mrs. Lanes Pass for herself and her man, preferred his Majesty's safety before his own, and ordered it so, that his Majesty road before her: Here Colonel Careless humbly took leave of his Majesty, fearing he might betray him, this being the Country where he was born, and generally known, who was so satisfied with this, and other his faithful services, that he was pleased by Letters Patents under the great Seal of England, to give him by the name of Carlos, which in Spanish signifies Charles, an honourable Coat of Arms, bearing an Oak proper, in a Field, Or a Fez Gules charged with 3 Regal Crowns of the Second, by the name of Carlos, and for his Crest, a Civit Crown, with a Sword and Sceptre crossed through it Saitier wise, with this Motto, Subditus fidelis Regis, & Regni salus.  
His Majesty road forward on a dull Mill Horse, and said, It was the dullest jade that ere he road on; and a man may believe him. His Majesty came to Mr. Whitgraves' Place appointed in the Wood, forgetting to take his leave of the brothers now discharged, called to them and said, My troubles make me forget myself, I thank you all, and gave them his hand to kiss; forthwith his Majesty is conveyed to Mrs. Lanes, and taking the opportunity of her Pass, rode before her to Bristol, but Bristol not serving their turn, he returned and so journed a while among Loyal Subjects in Sommersetshire, Wilt-shire, Hamp-shire, until he came at last to Breghemstone in Sussex, where he took shipping, about the end of October, 51. and was safely wasted over in spite of Cromwell, Parliament, Lily, and Hell, to a Creek in Normandy, whence he went to Di●p, and there provided himself necessaries, until he came to his Mother in the French Court, where he was honourably received.  
After this his Majesty abroad, and friends at home, consult his interest, but to no purpose. At length the Arch-Rebel dies, and his sons wanting his Matchivilian pate are thrust out of all; and Lambert following his Leaders steps, turns out the Rump, which General Monk (not out of love to the Rumpers, but Loyal policy to serve his Majesty) declares for. Sir George Booth in the mean time, is defeated by Lambert, which so elevated the Fanatic, that he leads a great Army against General Monk, who too weak for him in force, is too hard for him in a Treaty; and his Soldiers, for want of pay, spoiling the Country: Sir Thomas Fairfax with the Northern Gentry, rise on the backs of them, and Monk in the front; his Army forsakes him: Monk marches to Londo● and declares for a free Parliament, which calls in the King, whom the Lord General Monk with his Army, and all the Nobility meet with almost inexpressible triumph at Dover, bring with Volleys of Acclamations home, and Crown him at Westminster.  
CHARLES' TWO king of Great Britain France and Ireland defender of the Faith  

A Panegyric upon King Charles the second.  
England awake, see how the Royal beams,  
Like Easters sun dance on the wanton streams.  
Great Caesar comes, and Phosphor with the morn,  
After an Age's night of woe and scorn.  
Hail sacred Phoenix, thou that dost return  
From the spiced ashes of thy Father's urn.   

Ride on and reckon every day of thine  
Auspicious as thy May's twice twenty nine.  
He that has never been unfortunate,  
Savours not half the sweets of happier fate.  
That comfort only is secure and high,  
Whose Base is deepest laid in misery.   Per augusta, ad augusta.   

The Conclusion.  
I Might have told ye that this Realm some call  
Britain, from Brutus its original;  
Or, that the Romans overthrew it quite  
By providence, to make it happier by 't;  
Or that the Danes were (was the like e'er known?)  
By Counsel-keeping Women overthrown;  
Or that at other times Kings did agree,  
To carve this Realm into an Heptarchy:  
All these I Pretermit, and many more,  
Beginning with the Norman Conqueror;  
Who settled here such Laws all men confess  
Are the world's wonder and our happiness:  
'Tis true, he did the Church some injury,  
And suffered for't in his posterity.  
I have, and briefly as I could, set down  
Who justly claimed, and who usurped the Crown▪  
As likewise that long bloody Civil war,  
Betwixt the House of York and Lancaster.  
In short, all Princes have their various fate,  
This prosperous, and the next unfortunate;  
As too too well this Age knows, not long since  
We had a good, but an unhappy Prince;  
Who like our Saviour Christ did never cease  
To tell us of the things concerned our Peace.  
But Heaven resolved to turn another Leaf,  
Lest his charms should convert us made us deaf:  
And now being punished for our many sins,  
Appeased Heaven our Halcyon days begins;  
Having in mercy given us a King  
To all our sorrows will a period bring;  
Whose Grandeur and inestimable worth,  
None but an Angel's able to set forth:  
Great Charles the second, whose Illustrious Name  
Shall ride Triumphant on the wings of fame.  
Let England say now, since her joys increase,  
Long live King Charles the second, Prince of peace.