KING Richard the Third REVIVED. Containing A Memorable Petition and Declaration contrived by himself and his Instruments, whiles Protector, in the name of the three Estates of England, to importune and persuade him to accept of the Kingship, and Crown of England, by their joint Election, (as if he were unwilling to undertake, or accept, though he most ambitiously aspired after them, by the bloody murders of K. Henry 6. Edward 5. and sundry others) before his Coronation; presented afterwards to, and confirmed by the three Estates and himself, in his first Parliament, to give him a colourable Title both by Inheritance, and their Election to the Crown. Transcribed out of the Parliament Roll of 1. R. 3. (printed in Speeds History of Great Britain: where his other Additionall Policies to engage the City of London, Lawyers, Divines and People, to elect, and make him their King, are at large recorded.)  Eccles. 3. 15. That which hath been, is now, and that which is to be, hath already been: and God requireth that which is driven away. 1 Sam. 12. 17, 19 The Lord shall send thunder and rain, that ye may perceive and see, that your wickedness is great which ye have done in the sight of the Lord, in asking you a King. And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto the Lord thy God, that we die not; for we have added unto all our sins, this evil, to ask us a King. 
LONDON, Printed for William Leak, at the Crown in Fleetstreet, betwixt the two Temple-Gates. 1657.   

In Rotulo Parliamenti tenti apud Westm. die Veneris vicessimo tertio die Januarii, Anno regni Regis Richardi Tertii primo, inter alia continentur ut sequitur.  
Memorand. quod quaedam Billa exhibita fuit coram Domino Rege in Parliamento praedicto in haec verba.  
WHereas late heretofore, that is to say, before the Consecration, Coronation, and Inthronization of our sovereign Lord King Richard the Third, a roll of Parchment containing in writing certain Articles of the tenor underwriten, on the behalf, and in the name of the three Estates of this Realm of England, that is to say, of the Lords Spiritual, and Temporal, and of the Commons by name, and divers Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and other Nobles and notable persons of the Commons in great multitude, was presented & actually delivered unto our said sovereign Lord, the intent and effect expressed at large in the same roll, to the which roll, and to the Considerations, and instant petition comprised in the same, our said sovereign Lord for the public weal, and tranquillity of this Land being duly assented.  
Now for as much as neither the said three Estates, neither the said persons, 
Things done & concluded without the 3. estates in Parliament, gave little or no satisfaction to the People, though in the name of the Parliament & 3. Estates.  which in their name presented, and delivered as it is aforesaid the said Roll unto our said sovereign Lord the King, were assembled in form of Parliament, by reason whereof divers doubts, questions, and ambiguities been moved and engendered in the minds of divers persons, as it is said.  
Therefore, to the perpetual memory of the truth, and declaration of the same, be it ordained, provided, and established in this present Parliament, that the Tenor of the said Roll, with all the Contents of the same, presented as is abovesaid, and delivered to our abovesaid sovereign Lord the King, in the name, and in the behalf of the said three Estates out of Parliament; Now by the said 
* The 3. Estates must concur to make a Parl. else his Title would neither be valid, nor satisfactory, but ambiguous, as before: No one or two of them being a full Parl. but all 3. conjoined.  three Estates assembled in this present Parliament, and by authority of the same, be ratified, enroled, recorded, approved, and authorized to the removing of the occasions of doubts, and ambiguities, and to all other lawful effects that shall now thereof ensue, so that all things said, affirmed, specified, desired, and remembered in the said Roll, and in the tenor of the same, underwritten in the name of the said three Estates to the effect expressed in the said Roll, be of the like effect, virtue, and force, as if all the same things had been so said, affirmed, specified, and remembered in full Parliament, and by authority of the same accepted, and approved, the Tenor of the said Roll of Parchment whereof above is made mention, followeth, and is such.  

To the high and mighty Prince, 
The new device of this bloody Usurper, to entitle himself to the Crown of England, and take upon him the Regal Government.  Richard Duke of Gloucester.  
PLeaseth it your Noble Grace to understand the considerations, election, and Petition underwritten of us the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons of this Realm of England, and thereunto agreeable, to give your assent to the Common, and public weal of this land, and to the comfort, and gladness of all the people of the same.  
First we consider, how that heretofore in time passed this land for many years stood in great prosperity, honour, and tranquillity, which was caused for so much as the Kings reigning, 
Good Counsellors.  used and followed the advice, and counsel of certain Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and other persons of approved sageness, 
Administration of Justice.  prudence, policy, and experience, dreading God, and having tender zeal, and affection to indifferent administration of Justice, and to the Common, and public weal of the land: Then our Lord God was dread, loved, and honoured; Then within the land was peace and tranquillity, and among the neighbour's Concord and Charity; Then the malice of outward enemies was mightily resisted, and repressed, and the land honourably defended with many great and glorious victories; Then the intercourse of Merchants was largely used and exercised; 
Merchandise, and Trade.  by which things above remembered, the land was greatly enriched, 
Merchants.  so that as well the Merchants as the Artificers, and other poor people; 
Artificers.  labouring for their living in divers Occupations, 
Gains.  had competent gain, to the satisfaction of them, and their households, living without miserable and intolerable poverty. But afterwards, when as such had the rule and governance of this land, 
Adulation, Avarice. III Counsel.  delighting in adulation, and flattery, and led by sensuality and concupiscence, followed the counsel of persons insolent, vicious, and of inordinate avarice, despising the Counsel of persons good, virtuous, and prudent, such as above be remembered; the prosperity of this land decreased daily, so that our felicity was turned into misery, and our prosperity into adversity, and the order of policy, 
Laws Confounded.  and the laws of God and man confounded, whereby it is likely this Realm to fall into great misery, and desolation, (which God defend) without due provision of convenable remedy be had in this behalf in all godly haste.  
Over this, among other things more special, we consider how that the time of the reign of Edw: 
Edward the 4 his marriage blemished.  4. late deceased, after the ungracious pretended marriage (as all England hath cause to say) made betwixt the said King Edward and Elizabeth, sometimes Wife to Sir John Gray Knight, late naming herself, and many years heretofore Queen of England, 
Laws perverted.  the order of politic rule was perverted, the Laws of God, and of God's Church, &c. also the Laws of Nature, and of England, and also the laudable customs and liberties of the same, wherein every Englishman is inheritor, 
Liberties, and Laws every Engl●sh man's Inheritance. Arbitrary Go-Force.  is broken, subverted, and contemned, against all Reason and Justice: so that the Land was ruled by self-will, and pleasure, fear and dread, all manner of Equity and Law laid apart and despised, whereof ensued many inconveniencies and mischiefs, 
It's mischievous Fruits. Murders. Extortions. Oppressions.  as Murders, Extortions, and Oppressions, namely of poor, and impotent people, so that no man was sure of his life, land, or livelihood, ne of his wife, daughter, or servant, every good maiden, and woman, standing in fear to be ravished, 
Incettainty of men's lives & Estates.  and deflowered. And besides this, what discorts, inward battles, effusion of Christian men's bloods, 
Discords. Wars.  and namely, by the destrnction of the Nobles blood of this land was had, and committed within the same, 
Nobles blood destroyed.  it is evident, and notorious through all this Realm, unto the great sorrow, and heaviness of all true English men. And here also we consider, how that the said pretended marriage betwixt the abovenamed King Edward, 
King's marriage without the Lord's assent, & by sorcery & witchcraf●.  and Elizabeth Gray, was made of great presumption, without the knowing and assent of the Lords of this land, and also by Sorcery and Witchcraft committed by the said Elizabeth, and her Mother Jaquet Duchess of Bedford, as the common opinion of the people, and the public voice, and fame is throughout all this land, 
Void marriage.  and hereafter if the cause shall require, shall be proved sufficiently in time and place convenient. 
Private Mari●●e in a Chamber.  And here also we consider, how that the said pretended marriage was made privily, and secretly, without edition of banes, in a private Chamber, a profane place, and not openly in the face of the Church, after the Law of God's Church, but contrary thereunto, and the laudable custom of the Church of England; and how also at the time of contract of the same pretended marriage, and before and long time after the said King Edward was and stood married, 
Precontract.  and troth-plight to one Dame Elinor Butler, daughter to the Earl of Shrewsbury, with whom the said King Edward had made a Precontract of Matrimony, long time before he made the said pretended marriage with the said Elizabeth Gray, in manner, and form aforesaid. Which premises being true, as in very truth they be true, it appeareth, and followeth evidently, that the said King Edward during his life, and the said Elizabeth, lived together sinfully, and damnably in adultery, against the Law of God and of his Church; and therefore no marvel that the sovereign Lord, 
Edward the 4. his ungodly disposition.  and head of the land being of such ungodly disposition, and provoking the ire, and indignation of our Lord God, such heinous mischief, and Inconveniences as are above remembered were used, and committed in the Realm amongst the Subjects. Also it appeareth evidently, and followeth, that all the issue, 
His Children illegitimate, & Bastards.  and children of the said King Edward be Bastards, and unable to inherit, or claim any thing by inheritance by the Law, and custom of England.  
Moreover, we consider how that afterwards by the three Estates of this Realm assembled in Parliament, 
The Duke of Clarence attainted by Parliament.  holden at Westminster, Anno 17. of the reign of the said King Edward the 4th, he then being in possession of the Crown, and royal Estate, by Act made in the same Parliament, George Duke of Clarence, brother to the King Edward now deceased, 
His issue thereby not inheritable and uncapableto claim the Crown.  was convicted, and attainted of High Treason, as in the said Act is contained more at large; because, and by reason whereof, all the issue of the said George was, and is disabled, and barred of all right and claim that in any case they might have, or challenge by inheritance, to the Crown and Dignity royal of this Realm, by the ancient Laws and Customs of this same Realm.  
Over this, 
Richard the 3. declared undoubted & only heir to the Crown.  we consider, that you be the undoubted heir of Richard Duke of York, very inheritor of the said Crown, and dignity royal, and as in right King of England by way of Inheritance; And that at this time the premises duly considered, there is none other person living but you only, that may claim the said Crown and Dignity royal, 
An Englishman by birth.  by way of Inheritance, and how that you be born within this Land, by reason whereof, as we deem in our minds, 
His pretended virtues & fitness to reign as King, without one word of his Murders, Treasons, Regicides, Hypocrisy & other Vices.  you be more naturally inclined to the prosperity and common weal of the same, And all the three Estates of the Land have, and may have more certain knowledge of your birth, and filiation aforesaid. We consider also the great wit, prudence, Justice, Princely courage, and the memorable and laudable acts in divers battles, which as we by experience know you heretofore have done, for the defence, & salvation of this Realm, and also the great nobleness and excellency of your birth, 
His valour in battle.  and blood, as of him that is descended of the three most royal houses of Christendom, that is to say, 
His honourable and royal birth.  England, France, and Spain, Wherefore these premises duly by us considered, we desiring effectually the peace, tranquillity, and weal public of this Land, and the reduction of the same to the ancient honourable estate, and prosperity; And having in your great prudent Justice, Princely courage, and excellent virtue, singular confidence; 
* His election by the 3. states & this Instrument to be K. of England.  have chosen in all that in us is, and by that our Writing choose you high and mighty Prince our King, and sovereign Lord, &c. to whom we know of 
* They make his hereditary Title, the ground of their Choice.  certain it appertaineth of Inheritance so to be chosen. And hereupon we humbly desire, pray, and require your most Noble grace, 
Their Petition and importunity to him, to accept of the Crown, though himself most eagerly thirsted after i●.  that according this election of us the three estates of your Land, as by inheritance; you will accept, 
His hereditary right thereto, seconded by their election.  and take upon you the said Crown and royal dignity, with all things thereunto annexed, and appertaining, as to you of right belonging, as well by inheritance as by lawful election; and in case you so do, we promise to assist and serve your highness, 
Their promise to assist, serve, & obey him, upon his acceptance thereof, as his Subjects, and to live and die with him.  as true, and faithful Subjects and Liegemen, and to live and die with you in this matter, and in every other just quarrel; for certainly we be determined rather to adventure, and commit us to the peril of our lives, and jeopardy of death, than to live in such thraldom and bondage as we have done long time heretofore, 
Their pretended great Thraldom, Bondage, Oppressions, &c. under his Predecessors. Extortions.  oppressed and injured by Extortions, and new Impositions, against the Law of God, and Man, and the liberties, and old policy, and Laws of this Land, wherein every Englishman is Inherited. Our Lord God, King of all Kings, by whose infinite goodness, 
New Impositions against Laws and Liberties.  and eternal providence, all things been principally governed in this world, lighten your Soul, and grant you grace to do as well in this matter as in all other, 
Nota.  that which may be according to his will and pleasure, 
Their prayer for him.  and to the common and public weal of this Land: 
Great Trouble (occasioned partly by himself.) Justice.  So that after great clouds, troubles, storms, and tempests, the Sun of justice and of Grace may shine upon us, to the joy and comfort of all true-hearted Englishmen.  
Albeit that the right, 
Richard the 3. His hereditary Title to the Crown by the Law of God and Nature.  title, and estate which our sovereign Lord King Richard the Third hath to, and in the Crown and Royal dignity of this Realm of England, with all things thereunto within the same Realm, and without it annexed and appertaining, been just and lawful, as grounded upon the Laws of God & Nature, and also upon the ancient Laws and laudable customs of this said Realm; And also taken, and reputed by all such persons, as been 
* The Lawyers flatter, and approve his Title.  learned in the abovesaid Laws and Custom;  
Yet nevertheless, 
The Common people ignorant in the Laws.  for as much as it is considered, that the most part of the people is not sufficiently learned in the abovesaid Laws and Customs, whereby the truth & right in this behalf of likelihood may be hid, and not clearly known to all the people, and thereupon put in doubt, and question. And over this, how that the 
* The Parl authority with the people, when true, free, and real, consisting of the 3. Estates.  Court of Parliament is of such authority, and the people of this Land of such a nature and disposition as experience teacheth, that manifestation and declaration of any truth or right, made by the three Estates of this Realm assembled in Parliament, and by authority of the same, maketh before all other things, most faith, and certain 
* Its Declaration quieteth all men's minds, removeth all doubts & seditions. yet he that considers 39 H. 6. n. 8. to 33 1 E. 4. n. 8. to 40. will scarce believe this for a truth, neither proved it so in his own case.  quieting of men's minds, and removeth the occasion of doubts, and seditious language.  
Therefore, at the request, and by the assent of the 
* The 3. Estates must all concur to make a Parliament, and valid Election. They decree and declare him undoubted King of this Realm, by inheritance and their lawful election coupled together.  Three Estates of this Realm, that is to say, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons of this Land assembled in this present Parliament, and by authority of the same, be it pronounced, decreed, and declared, that our said sovereign Lord the King was, and is the very undoubted King of this Realm of England, with all things thereunto within the same Realm, and without it, united, annexed, and appertaining, as well by right of consanguinity and inheritance, as by lawful election, consecration and Coronation.  
And over this, that at the request, and by the assent and authority abovesaid, be it ordained, enacted, and established,* 
The Crown settled & entailed on him, and the heirs of his body.  that the said Crown, and royal dignity of this Realm, and the Inheritance of the same, and all other things thereunto within this Realm, or without it, united and annexed, and now appertaining, rest and bide in the person of our said sovereign Lord the King, during his life, and after his decease in his heirs of his body begotten, and in especial at the request, and by assent, and the authority aforesaid, be it ordained, enacted, established, pronounced, decreed and declared, that the high and excellent Prince 
* His Son declared heir apparent.  Edward, son of our said sovereign Lord the King, be heir apparent of the same our sovereign Lord the King, to succeed to him in the abovesaid Crown and royal dignity, with all things (as is aforesaid) thereunto united, annexed, and appertaining, to have them after the decease of our said sovereign Lord the King, to him, and to the heirs of his body lawfully begotten.  
Quae quidem B●lla Communibus Regni Angliae in dicto Parliamento existentibus transportata fuit, cui quidem Billae idem Communes assensum suum praebuerunt sub hiis verbis: A ceste Bille les Communs sont assentes; quibus quidem Billa & assensu coram Domino Rege in Parliamento pradicto, lectis, auditis, & plenè intellectis, & de assensu Dominorum Spiritualium & Temporalium in dicto Parliamento similiter existentium, et Communitatis praedictae; nec non authoritate ejusdem Parliamenti pronunciatum, decretum, & declaratum existit, omnia, et singula in Billa praedicta contenta fore vera et indubia, ac idem 
* Here he creates & ratifies his own Title.  Dominas Rex, de assensu dictorum trium Statuum Regni, et authoritate praedicta, omnia & singula praemissa in billa praedicta contenta concedit, et ea pro vero et indubio pronunciat, decernit, et declarat.  
Eccles. 1. 9, 10, 11 The thing which hath been, it is that which shall be: and that which is done, is that which shall be done; and there is no new thing under the Sun. Is there any thing whereof it may be said, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us. There is no remembrance of former things, neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come, with those that shall come after.  
Yet it is both solid Piety, Policy, Prudence, in such an age as this, for all considerate, conscientious Englishmen, advisedly to remember, read, consider the Tragical ends, 
* Psal. 73. 17, 18, 19 Ps. 92. 6, 7.  as well as the successful Beginnings, Proceedings of this King Richard, and his activest Instruments, to gain and settle the Kingship on him by such politic Stratagems.   
FINIS.