the history OF the reign OF king henry the seven after that richard the three  of that name king in fact only but tyrant both in Title and regiment and so  common term and repute in all time since be by the divine revenge favour the  design of a exile man overthrow and slay at Bosworth field there succeed in  the kingdom the earl of Richmond thence forth style henry the seven the king  immediate after the victory as one that have be breed under a devout mother  and be in his nature a great observer of religious from cause te god to praise  to be solemn sing in the presence of the whole army upon the place and be  himself with general applause and great cry of joy in a kind of militar  election or recognition salute king mean while the body of richard after many  indignity and reproach the Dirigies and obsequy of the common people towards  tyrant be obscure bury for though the king of his nobleness give charge unto  the friar of Leicester to see a honourable interment to be give to it yet the  religious people themselves be not free from the humour of the vulgar neglect  it wherein nevertheless they do not then incur any man blame or censure no man  think any ignominy or contumely unworthy of he that have be the executioner of  king henry the six that innocent prince with his own hand the contriver of the  death of the duke of Clarence his brother the murderer of his two nephew one  of they his lawful king in the present and the other in the future fail of he  and vehement suspect to have be the impoisoner of his wife thereby to make  vacant his bed for a marriage within the degree forbid and although he be a  prince in militar virtue approve jealous of the honour of the English nation  and likewise a good lawmaker for the ease and solace of the common people yet  his cruelty and parricide in the opinion of all man weigh down his virtue and  merit and in the opinion of wise man even those virtue themselves be conceive  to be rather feign and affect thing to serve his ambition then true quality  ingenerate in his judgement or nature and therefore it be note by man of great  understanding who see his after act look back upon his former proceed that  even in the time of king edward his brother he be not without secret train and  i to turn envy and hatred upon his brother government as have a expectation  and a kind of divination that the king by reason of his many disorder can not  be of long life but be like to leave his son of tender year and then he know  well how easy a step it be from the place of a protector and first prince of  the blood to the crown and that out of this deep root of ambition it spring  that aswell at the treaty of peace that puff between edward the four and lewis  the eleven of France conclude by interview of both king at Piqueny as upon all  other occasion richard then duke of Gloucester stand ever upon the side of  honour raise his own reputation to the disadvantage of the king his brother  and draw the eye of all especial of the noble and soldier upon himself as if  the king by his voluptuous life and mean marriage be become effeminate and  less sensible of honour and reason of state then be fit for a king Andras for  the politic and wholesome law which be enact in his time they be interpret to  be but the brocage of a usurper thereby to woo and win the heart of the people  as be conscious to himself that the true obligation of sovereignty in he fail  and be want but king henry in the very entrance of his reign and the instant  of time when the kingdom be cast into his arm meet with a point of great  difficulty and knotty to solve able to trouble and confound the wise king in  the newness of his estate and so much the more because it can not endure a  deliberation but must be at once deliberate and determine there be fall to his  lot and concurrent in his person three several title to the imperial crown the  first the title of the lady Elizabeth with who by precedent Pact with the  party that bring he in he be to marry the second the ancient and long dispute  Title both by plea and arm of the house of Lancaster to which he be inheritor  in his own person the three the Title of the sword or Conquest for that he  come in by victory of battle and that the king in possession be slay in the  field the first of these be fair and most like to give contentment to the  people who by two and twenty year reign of king edward the four have be full  make capable of the clearness of the Title of the white rise or house of York  and by the mild and plausible Reigue of the same king towards his latter time  be become affectionate to that line but then it lie plain before his eye that  if he rely upon that Title he can be but a king at courtesy and have rather a  matrimonial then a regal power the right remain in his queen upon who decease  either with issue or without issue he be to give place and be remove and  though he shall obtain by parliament to be continue yet he know there be a  very great difference between a king that hold his crown by a cicuill act of  estate and one that hold it original by the law of nature and descent of blood  neither want there even at that time secret rumour and whisper which afterward  gather strength and turn to great trouble that the two young son of king  edward the four or one of they which be say to be destroy in the tower be not  indeed murder but convey secret away and be yet live which if it have be true  have prevent the Title of the lady Elizabeth on the other side if he stand  upon his own Title of the house of Lancaster inherent in his person he know it  be a Title condemn by parliament and general prejudge in the common opinion of  the realm and that it tend direct to the disinherison of the line of York hold  then the indubiate heir of the crown so that if he shall have no issue by the  lady Elizabeth which shall be descendent of the double line when the ancient  flame of discord and intestine war upon the competition of both house will  again return and revive as for Conquest notwithstanding sir William stanley  after some acclamation of the soldier in the field have put a crown of  ornament which richard wear in the battle and be find among the spoil upon  king henries head as if there be his chief Title yet he remember well upon  what condition and agreement he be bring in and that to claim as conqueror be  to put as well his own party as the rest into terror and fear as that which  give he power of disannul of law and dispose of man fortune and estate and the  like point of absolute power be in themselves so harsh and odious as that  William himself common call the conqueror howsoever he use and exercise the  power of a conqueror to reward his Norman yet he sorbare to use that claim in  the beginning but mix it with a titulary pretence ground upon the will and  designation of edward the confessor but the king out of the greatness of his  own mind present cast the die and the inconvenience appear unto he on all part  and know there can not be any interreign or suspension of Title and prefer his  affection to his own line and blood and like that Title best which make he  independent and be in his nature and constitution of mind not very  apprehensive or forecast of future event afar off but a Intertainer of fortune  by the day resolve to rest upon the Title of Lancaster as the main and to use  the other two that of marriage and that of battle but as supporter the one to  appease secret discontent and the other to Beatrice down open murmur and  dispute not forget that the same Title of Lancaster have former maintain a  possession of three descent in the crown and may have prove a perpetuity have  it not end in the weakness and inability of the last prince whereupon the king  present that very day be the two and twenty of August assume the style of king  in his own name without mention of the lady Elizabeth at all or any relation  thereunto in which course he ever after persist which do spin he a thread of  many sedition and trouble the king full of these think before his departure  from Leicester dispatch sir robert Willoughby to the castle of sheriff Hutton  in Yorkshire where be keep in safe custody by king Richard commandment both  the lady Elizabeth daughter of king edward and edward Plantagenet son and heir  to george duke of Clarence this edward be by the king warrant deliver from the  constable of the castle to the hand of sir robert Willoughby and by he with  all safety and diligence convey to the tower of London where he be shut up  close prisoner which Act of the king be a Act mere of policy and power proceed  not so much from any apprehension he have of doctor Shawes tale at Paul cross  for the bastard of edward the four issue in which case this young gentleman be  to succeed for that fable be ever explode but upon a serled disposition to  depress all eminent person of the line of York wherein still the king out of  strength of will or weakness of judgement do use to show a little more of the  party then of the king for the lady Elizabeth she receive also a direction to  repair with all convenient speed to London and there to remain with the queen  dowager her mother which accord she soon after do accompany with many nobleman  and lady of honour in the mean season the king set forward by easy journey to  the city of London receive the acclamation and applause of the people as he go  which indeed be true and unfeigned as may well appear in the very  demonstration and fullness of the cry for they think general that he be a  prince as ordain and send down from heaven to unite and put to a end the long  dissension of the two house which although they have have in the time of henry  the four henry the five and a part of henry the six on the one side and the  time of edward the four on the other lucid interval and happy pause yet they  do ever hang over the kingdom ready to break forth into new perturbation and  calamity and as his victory give he the knee so his purpose of marriage with  the lady Elizabeth give he the heart so that both knee and heart do true bow  before he he on the other side with great wisdom not ignorant of the affection  and fear of the people to disperse the conceit and terror of a Conquest have  give order that there shall be nothing in his journey like unto a warlike  march or manner but rather like unto the progress of a king in full peace and  assurance he enter the city upon a Saturday as he have also obtain the victory  upon a Saturday which day of the week first upon a observation and after upon  memory and fancy he account and choose as a day prosperous unto he the major  and company of the city receive he at shore ditch whence with great and  honourable attendance and troop of nobleman and person of quality he enter the  city himself not be on horse back or in any open chair or throne but in a  close chariot as one that have be sometime a enemy to the whole state and a  proscribe person choose rather to keep state and strike a reverence into the  people then to fawn upon they he go first into saint Paul church where not  meaning that the people shall forget too soon that he come in by battle he  make offertory of his standard and have orison and te god again sing and go to  his lodging prepare in the bishop of London palace where he stay for a time  during his abide there he assemble his counsel and other principal person in  presence of who he do renew again his promise to marry with the lady Elizabeth  this he do the rather because have at his come out of Britain give artificial  for serve of his own turn some hope in cale he obtain the kingdom to marry  whether   inheritress to the duchy of Britain who Charles the eight of France  soon after marry it breed some doubt and suspicion among diverse that he be  not sincere or at least not fix in go on with the match of England so much  desire which conceit also though it be but talk and discourse do much afflict  the poor lady Elizabeth her self but howsoever he both true intend it and  desire also it shall be so believe the better to extinguish envy and  contradiction to his other purpose yet be he resolve in himself not to proceed  to the consummation thereof till his coronation and a parliament be pass the  one least a joint coronation of himself and his queen may give any countenance  of participation of Title the other least in the entail of the crown to  himself which he hope to obtain by parliament the vote of the parliament may  any way reflect upon her about this time in autumn towards the end of  September there begin and reign in the city and other part of the kingdom a  disease then new which of the accident and manner thereof they call the sweat  sickness this disease have a swift course both in the sick body and in the  time and period of the last thereof for they that be take with it upon four  and twenty hour escape be think almost assure and as to the time of the malice  and reign of the disease ere it cease it begin about the one and twenty of  September and clear up before the end of October insomuch as it be no  hindrance to the king coronation which be the last of October nor which be  more to the hold of the parliament which begin but seven day after it be a  pestilent fever but as it seem not seat in the vein or humour for that there  follow no carbuncle no purple or livid spot or the like the mass of the body  be not taint only a malign vapour fly to the heart and seize the vital spirit  which stir nature to strive to send it forth by a extreme sweat and it appear  by experience that this disease be rather a surprise of nature than obstinate  to remedy if it be in time look unto for if the patient be keep in a equal  temper both for clothes fire and drink moderate warm with temperate cordial  whereby nature work be neither irritate by heat nor turn back by cold he  common recover but infinite person die sudden of it before the manner of the  cure and attendance be know it be conceive not to be a epidemic disease but to  proceed from a malignity in the constitution of the air gather by the  predisposition of season and the speedy cessation declare as much on simon and  jude's even the king dine with thomas bourchier arch bishop of Canterbury and  cardinal and from Lambeth go by land over the bridge to the tower where the  morrow after he make twelve knight banneret but for creation he dispense they  with a spare hand for notwithstanding a field so late fight and a coronation  so near at hand he only create three jasper earl of Pembroke the king uncle be  create duke of Bedford thomas the lord stanley the king father-in-law earl of  darby and edward Courtney earl of Devon though the king have then nevertheless  a purpose in himself to make more in time of parliament bear a wise and decent  respect to distribute his creation some to honour his coronation and some his  parliament the coronation follow two day after upon the thirty day of October  in the year of our lord at which time innocent the eight be pope of Rome  Frederick the three emperor of almain and maximilian his son new choose king  of the Roman Charles the eight king of France Ferdinando and isabella king of  Spain and James the three king of Scotland with all which king and state the  king be at that time in good peace and amity at which day also as if the crown  upon his head have put peril into his think he do institute for the better  security of his person a band of fifty archer under a captain to attend he by  the name of Yeomen-of-his-Guard and yet that it may be think to be rather a  matter of dignity after the imitation of that he have know abroad then any  matter of diffidence appropriate to his own case he make it to be understand  for a ordinance not temporary but to hold in succession for ever after the  seven of November the king hold his parliament at Westminster which he have  summon immediate after his come to London his end in call a parliament and  that so speedy be chief three first to procure the crown to be entail upon  himself next to have the attainder of all of his party which be in no small  number reverse and all act of hostility by they do in his quarrel remit and  discharge and on the other side to attain by parliament the head and principal  of his enemy the three to calm and quiet the fear of the rest of that party by  a general pardon not be ignorant in how great danger a king stand from his  subject when most of his subject be conscious in themselves that they stand in  his danger unto these three special motive of a parliament be add that he as a  prudent and moderate prince make this judgement that it be fit for he to  hasten to let his people see that he mean to govern by law howsoever he come  in by the sword and fit also to reclaim they to know he for their king who  they have so late talk of as a enemy or Banished-man for that which concern  the entail of the crown more then that he be true to his own will that he will  not endure any mention of the lady Elizabeth no not in the nature of special  entail he carry it otherwise with great wisdom and measure for he do not press  to have the Act pen by way of declaration or recognition of right as on the  other side he avoid to have it by new law or ordinance but choose rather a  kind of middleway by way of establishment and that under covert and  indifferent word that the inheritance of the crown shall rest remain and abide  in the king c which word may equal be apply that the crown shall continue to  he but whether as have former right to it which be doubtful or have it then in  fact and possession which no man deny be leave fair to interpretation either  way and again for the limitation of the entail he do not press it to go  further then to himself and to the heir of his body not speak of his right  heir but leave that to the law to decide so as the entail may seem rather a  personal favour to he and his child then a total disinherison to the house of  York and in this from be the law draw and pass which statute he procure to be  confirm by the pope bull the year follow with mention nevertheless by way of  recital of his other title both of descent and Conquest so as now the wreathe  of three be make a wreathe of five for to the three first title of the two  house or line and Conquest be add two more the authority parliamentary and  papal the king likewise in the reversal of the attainder of his partaker and  discharge they of all offence incident to his service and succour have his  will and act do pass accord in the passage whereof exception be take to  diverse person in the house of Commons for that they be attaint and thereby  not legal nor habilitate to serve in parliament be disable in the high degree  and that it shall be a great incongruity to have they to make law who  themselves be not Inlawed the truth be that diverse of those which have in the  time of king richard be strong and most declare for the king party be return  knight and burgess for the parliament whether by care or recommendation from  the state or the voluntary inclination of the people many of which have be by  richard the three attaint by outlawry or otherwise the king be somewhat  trouble with this for though it have a grave and specious show yet it reflect  upon his party but wise not show himself at all move therewith he will not  understand it but as a case in law and wish the judge to be advice thereupon  who for that purpose be forthwith assemble in the exchequer Chamber which be  the Council Chamber of the judge and upon deliberation they give a grave and  safe opinion and advice mix with law and convenience which be that the knight  and burgess attaint by the course of law shall forbear to come into the house  till a law be pass for the reversal of their attainder it be at that time  incidently move among the judge in their consultation what shall be do for the  king himself who likewise be attaint but it be with unanimous consent resolve  that the crown take away all defect and stop in blood and that from the time  the king do assume the crown the fountain be clear and all attainder and  corruption of blood discharge but nevertheless for honour sake it be ordain by  parliament that all record wherein there be any memory or mention of the king  attainder shall be deface cancel and take off the file but on the part of the  king enemy there be by parliament attaint the late duke of Gloucester call  himself richard the three the duke of Norfolk the earl of Surrey viscount  lovel the lord ferrers the lord zouch richard Ratcliff William Catesby and  many other of degree and quality in which bill of attainder nevertheless there  be contain many just and temperate clause save and proviso well show and  before tokening the wisdom stay and moderation of the king spirit of  government and for the pardon of the rest that have stand against the king the  king upon a second advice think it not fit it shall pass by parliament the  better be matter of grace to impropriate the thank to himself use only the  opportunity of a parliament time the better to disperse it into the vein of  the kingdom therefore during the parliament he publish his royal proclamation  offer pardon and grace of restitution to all such as have take arm or be  participant of any attempt against he so as they submit themselves to his  mercy by a day and take the oath of allegiance and fidelity to he whereupon  many come out of sanctuary and many more come out of fear no less guilty then  those that have take sanctuary as for money or Treasure the king think it not  seasonable or fit to demand any of his subject at this parliament both because  he have receive satisfaction from they in matter of so great importance and  because he can not remunerate they with any general pardon be prevent therein  by the coronation pardon pass immediate before but chief for that it be in  every man eye what great forfeiture and confiscation he have at that present  to help himself whereby those casualty of the crown may in reason spare the  purse of the subject especial in a time when he be in peace with all his  neighbour some few law pass at that parliament almost for from sake among  which there be one to reduce alien be make denizen to pay stranger custom and  another to draw to himself the seizure and composition of Italian good for not  employment be point of profit to his coffer whereof from the very beginning he  be not forgetful and have be more happy at the latter end if his early  providence which keep he from all necessity of exact upon his people can  likewise have attempre his nature therein he add during parliament to his  former creation the Innoblement or advancement in nobility of a few other the  lord chandos of Britain be make earl of bath and sir giles DAWBENY be make  lord Dawbeny and sir robert Willoughby lord brook the king do also with great  nobleness and bounty which virtue at that time have their turn in his nature  restore edward stafford old son to henry duke of Buckingham attaint in the  time of king richard not only to his dignity but to his fortune and possession  which be great to which he be move also by a kind of gratitude for that the  duke be the man that move the first stone against the tyranny of king richard  and indeed make king a bridge to the crown upon his own ruin thus the  parliament break up the parliament be dissolve the king send forthwith money  to redeem the marquis Dorset and sir John bourchier who he have leave as his  pledge at parish for money which he have borrow when he make his expedition  for England and thereupon he take a fit occasion to send the lord treasurer  and master bray who he use as councillor to the lord mayor of London require  of the city a press of six thousand mark but after many parley he can obtain  but two thousand pound which nevertheless the king take in good part as man  use to do that practice to borrow money when they have no needs about this  time the king call unto his privycouncil John morton and richard fox the one  bishop of Elie the other bishop of Exeter vigilant man and secret and such as  keep watch with he almost upon all man else they have be both verse in his  affair before he come to the crown and be partaker of his adverse fortune this  morton soon after upon the death of bourchier he make archbishop of Canterbury  and for fox he make he lord keeper of his privy seal and afterward advance he  by degree from Exeter to bath and well thence to Durham and last to Winchester  for although the king love to employ and advance bishop because have rich  bishopric they carry their reward upon themselves yet he do use to raise they  by step that he may not lose the profit of the first fruit which by that  course of gradation be multiply at last upon the eighteenth of January be  solemnize the so long expect and so much desire marriage between the king the  lady Elizabeth which day of marriage be celebrate with great triumph and  demonstration especial on the people part of joy and gladness than the day  either of his entry or coronation which the king rather note than like and it  be true that all his life time while the lady Elizabeth live with he for she  die before he he show himself no very indulgent husband towards her though she  be beautiful gentle and fruitful but his aversion towards the house of York be  so predominant in he as it find place not only in his war and counsel but in  his Chamber and bed towards the middle of the spring the king full of  confidence and assurance as a prince that have be victorious in battle and  have prevail with his parliament in all that he desire and have the ring of  acclamation fresh in his ear think the rest of his reign shall be but Play and  the enjoy of a kingdom yet as a wise and watchful king he will not neglect any  thing for his safety think nevertheless to perform all thing now rather as a  exercise then as a labour so he be true inform that the Northern part be not  only affectionate to the house of York but particular have be devote to king  richard the three think it will be a summer well spend to visit those part and  by his presence and application of himself to reclaim and rectify those humour  but the king in his account of peace and calm do much over cast his fortune  which prove for many year together full of break sea tide and tempest for he  be no soon come to Lincoln where he keep his easter but he receive news that  the lord lovel Humphrey stafford and thomas stafford who have former take  sanctuary at Colchester be depart out of sanctuary but to what place no man  can tell which advertisement the king despise and continue his journey to York  at York there come fresh and more certain advertisement that the lord lovel be  at band with a great power of man and that the Stafford be in arm in  Worcestershire and have make their approach to the city of Worcester to assail  it the king as a prince of great and profound judgement be not much move with  it for that he think it be but a rag or remnant of Bosworth field and have  nothing in it of the main party of the house of York but he be more doubtful  of the raise of force to resist the rebel then of the resistance it self for  that he be in a core of people who affection he suspect but the action endure  no delay he do speedy levy and send against the lord lovel to the number of  three thousand man ill arm but well assure be take some few out of his own  train and the rest out of the tenant and follower of such as be safe to be  trust under the conduct of the duke of Bedford and as his manner be to send  his pardon rather before the sword then after he give Commission to the duke  to proclaim pardon to all that will come in which the duke upon his approach  to the lord LOVELS camp do perform and it fall out as the king expect the  herald be the great ordnance for the lord lovel upon proclamation of pardon  mistrust his man flee into Lancashire and lurk for a time with sir thomas  broughton after sail over into Flanders to the lady margaret and his man  forsake of their captain do present submit themselves to the duke the Stafford  likewise and their force hear what have happen to the lord lovel in who  success their chief trust be despair and disperse the two brother take  sanctuary at colnham a village near Abington which place upon view of their  privilege in the king bench be judge no sufficient sanctuary for traitor  Humphrey be execute at Tyburn and thomas as be lead by his elder brother be  pardon so this rebellion prove but a blast and the king have by this journey  purge a little the dregs and leaven of the Northern people that be before in  no good affection towards he return to London in September follow the queen be  deliver of her first son who the king in honour of the british race of which  himself be nam arthuh accord to the name of that ancient worthy king of the  Britain in who act there be truth enough to make he famous beside that which  be fabulous the child be strong and able though he be bear in the eight month  which the physician do preiudge there follow this year be the second of the  king reign a strange accident of state whereof the relation which we have be  so naked as they leave it scarce credible not for the nature of it for it have  fall out oft but for the manner and circumstance of it especial in the  beginning therefore we shall make our judgement upon the thing themselves as  they give light one to another and as we can dig truth out of the I the king  be green in his estate and contrary to his own opinion and desert both be not  without much hatred throughout the realm the root of all be the discountenance  of the house of York which the general body of the realm still affect this do  alienate the heart of the subject from he daily more and more especial when  they see that after his marriage and after a son bear the king do nevertheless  not so much as proceed to the coronation of the queen not vouchsafe her the  honour of a matrimonial crown for the coronation of her be not till almost two  year after when danger have teach he what to do but much more when it be  spread abroad whether by error or the cunning of male content that the king  have a purpose to put to death edward Plantagenet close in the tower who case  be so near parallel with that of edward the four child in respect of the blood  like age and the very place of the tower as it do refresh and reflect upon the  king a most odious resemblance as if he will be another king richard and all  this time it be still whisper every where that at least one of the child of  edward the four be live which bruit be cunning foment by such as desire  innovation neither be the king nature and custom great fit to disperse these  miss but contrariwise he have a fashion rather to create doubt then assurance  thus be fuel prepare for the spark the spark that afterward kindle such a fire  and combustion be at the first contemptible there be a subtle priest call  richard simon that live in Oxford and have to his pupil a baker son nam  lambert Simnell of the age of some fifteen year a comely youth and weli favour  not without some extraordinary dignity and grace of aspect it come into this  priest fancy hear what man talk and in hope to raise himself to some great  bishopric to cause this lad to counterfeit and personate the second son of  edward the four suppose to be murder and afterward for he change his intention  in the manage the lord edward Plantagenet then prisoner in the tower and  accord to frame he and instruct he in the part he be to play this be that  which as be touch before seem scarce credible not that a false person shall be  assume to gain a kingdom for it have be see in ancient and late time nor that  it shall come into the mind of such a abject fellow to enterprise so great a  matter for high conceit do sometime come stream into the imagination of base  person especial when they be drink with news and talk of the people but here  be that which have no appearance that this priest be utter unacquainted with  the true person accord to who pattern he shall shape his counterfeit shall  think it possible for he to instruct his player either in gesture and fashion  or in recount pass matter of his life and education or in fit answer to  question or the like any way to come near the resemblance of he who he be to  represent for this lad be not to personate one that have be long before take  out of his Cradle or convey away in his infancy know to few but a youth that  till the age almost of ten year have be bring up in a court where infinite eye  have be upon he for king edward touch with remorse of his brother the duke of  clarences death will not indeed restore his son of who we speak to be duke of  Clarence but yet create he earl of Warwick revive his honour on the mother  side and use he honourable during his time though richard the three afterward  confine he so that it can be but that some great person that know particular  and familiar edward Plantagenet have a hand in the business from who the  priest may take his aim that which be most probable out of the precedent and  subsequent act be that it be the queen dowager from who this action have the  principal source and motion for certain it be she be a busy negotiate woman  and in her withdraw Chamber have the fortunate conspiracy for the king against  king richard the three be hatch which the king know and remember perhaps but  too well and be at this time extreme discontent with the king think her  daughter as the king handle the matter not advance but depress and none can  hold the book so well to prompt and instruct this stage Play as she can  nevertheless it be not her meaning nor no more be it the meaning of any of the  better and sage sort that favour this enterprise and know the secret that this  disguise idol shall possess the crown but at his peril to make way to the  overthrow of the king and that do they have their several hope and way that  which do chief fortify this conjecture be that as soon as the matter break  forth in any strength it be one of the king first act to cloister the queen  dowager in the nunnery of Bermondsey and to take away all her land and estate  and this by close Council without any legal proceed upon far fetch pretence  that she have deliver her two daughter out of sanctuary to king richard  contrary to promise which proceed be even at that time tax for rigorous and  undue both in matter and manner make it very probable there be some great  matter against her which the king upon reason of policy and to avoid envy will  not publish it be likewise no small argument that there be some secret in it  and some suppress of examination for that the priest simon himself after he be  take be never bring to execution no not so much as to public trial as many  clergyman be upon less treason but be only shut up close in a dungeon add to  this that the after earl of Lincoln a principal person of the house of York be  slay in Stoke field the king open himself to some of his Council that he be  sorry for the earl death because by he he say he may have know the bottom of  his danger but to return to the narration it self simon do first instruct his  scholar for the part of richard duke of York second son to king edward the  four and this be at such time as it be voice that the king purpose to put to  death edward Plantagenet prisoner in the tower whereat there be great murmur  but hear soon after a general bruit that Plantagenet have escape out of the  tower and thereby find he so much belove among the people and such rejoice at  his escape the cunning priest change his copy and choose now Plantagenet to be  the subject his pupil shall personate because he be more in the present speech  and vote of the people and it piece better and follow more close and  handsomley upon the bruit of Plantagenet escape but yet doubt that there will  be too near look and too much perspective into his disguise if he shall show  it here in England he think good after the manner of scene in stage play and  mask to show it a far of and therefore sail with his scholar into Ireland  where the affection to the house of York be most in height the king have be a  little improvident in the matter of Ireland and have not remove officer and  councillor and put in their place or at least intermingle person of who he  stand assure as he shall have do since he know the strong bend of that country  towards the house of York and that it be a ticklish and unsettle state more  easy to receive distemper and mutation then England be but trust to the  reputation of his victory and success in England he think he shall have time  enough to extend his care afterward to that second kingdom wherefore through  this neglect upon the come of simon with his pretend Plantagenet into Ireland  all thing be prepare for revolt and sedition almost as if they have be set and  plot before hand Simons first address be to the lord thomas Fitzherbert gerard  earl of Kildare and deputy of Ireland before who eye he do cast such a  mistress by his own insinuation and by the carriage of his youth that express  a natural princely behaviour as join perhaps with some inward vapour of  ambition and affection in the earl own mind leave he full possess that it be  the true Plantagenet the earl present communicate the matter with some of the  noble and other there at the first secret but find they of like affection to  himself he suffer it of purpose to vent and pass abroad because they think it  not safe to resolve till they have a taste of the people inclination but if  the great one be in forwardness the people be in fury entertain this Airie  body or phantasm with incredible affection partly out of their great devotion  to the house of York partly out of a proud humour in the nation to give a king  to the realm of England neither do the party in this heat of affection much  trouble themselves with the attainder of george duke of Clarence have new  learned by the king example that attainder do not interrupt the convey of  Title to the crown and as for the daughter of king edward the four they think  king richard have say enough for they and take they to be but as of the king  party because they be in his power and at his dispose so that with marvelous  consent and applause this counterfeit Plantagenet be bring with great  solemnity to the castle of Dublin and there salute serve and honour as king  the boy become it well and do nothing that do bewray the baseness of his  condition and within a few day after he be proclaim king in Dublin by the name  of king edward the Sixt there be not a sword draw in king henry his quarrel  the king be much move with this unexpected accident when it come to his ear  both because it strike upon that string which ever he most fear as also  because it be stir in such a place where he can not with safety transfer his  own person to suppress it for partly through natural valour and partly through  a universal suspicion not know who to trust he be ever ready to wait upon all  his achievement in person the king therefore first call his Council together  at the charter house at shine which Council be hold with great secrecy but the  open decree thereof which present come abroad be three the first be that the  queen dowager for that she contrary to her Pact and agreement with those that  have conclude with her concern the marriage of her daughter Elizabeth with  king henry have nevertheless deliver her daughter out of sanctuary into king  Richard hand shall be cloister in the nunnery of Bermondsey and forfeit all  her land and good the next be that edward Plantagenet then close prisoner in  the tower shall be in the most public and notorious manner that can be devise  show unto the people in part to discharge the king of the envy of that opinion  and bruit how he have be put to death privy in the tower but chief to make the  people see the levity and imposture of the proceed of Ireland and that their  Plantagenet be indeed but a puppet or a counterfeit the three be that there  shall be again proclaim a general pardon to all that will reveal their offence  and submit themselves by a day and that this pardon shall be conceive in so  ample and liberal a manner as no high treason no not against the king own  person shall be except which though it may seem strange yet be it not so to a  wise king that know his great danger be not from the least treason but from  the great these resolution of the king and his Council be immediate put in  execution and first the queen dowager be put into the monastery of Bermondsey  and all her estate seize into the king hand whereat there be much wonder that  a weak woman for the yield to the menace and promise of a tyrant after such a  distance of time wherein the king have show no displeasure nor alteration but  much more after so happy a marriage between the king and her daughter bless  with issue male shall upon a sudden mutability or disclosure of the king mind  be so severe handle this lady be among the example of great variety of fortune  she have first from a distress suitor and desolate widow be take to the  marriagebed of a bachelor king the goodly personage of his time and even in  his reign she have endure a strange eclipse by the king flight and temporary  deprive from the crown she be also very happy in that she have by he fair  issue and continue his nuptial love help her self by some obsequious bear and  dissemble of his pleasure to the very end she be much affectionate to her own  kindred even unto faction which do stir great envy in the lord of the king  side who count her blood a disparagement to be mingle with the king with which  lord of the king blood join also the king favourite the lord hastings who  notwithstanding the king great affection to he be think at time through her  malice and spleen not to be out of danger of fall after her husband death she  be matter of tragedy have live to see her brother behead and her two son  depose from the crown bastard in their blood and cruel murder all this while  nevertheless she enjoy her liberty state and fortune but afterward again upon  the rise of the wheel when she have a king to her son-in-law and be make grand  mother to a grand child of the best sex yet be she upon dark and unknown  reason and no less strange pretence precipitate and banish the world into a  nunnery where it be almost think dangerous to visit her or see her and where  not long after she end her life but be by the king commandment bury with the  king her husband at Windsor she be foundress of queen college in Cambridge for  this Act the king sustain great obloquy which nevertheless beside the reason  of state be somewhat sweeten to he by a great confiscation about this time  also edward Plantagenet be upon a Sunday bring throughout all the principal  street of London to be see of the people and have pass the view of the street  be conduct to Paul church in solemn procession where great store of people be  assemble and it be provide also in good fashion that diverse of the nobility  and other of quality especial of those that the king most suspect and know the  person of Plantagenet best have communication with the young gentleman by the  way and entertain he with speech and discourse which do in effect mar the  pageant in Ireland with the subject here atleast with so many as out of error  and not out of malice may be mislead nevertheless in Ireland where it be too  late to go back it wrought little or no effect but contrariwise they turn the  imposture upon the king and give out that the king to defeat the true  inheritor and to mock the world and blind the eye of simple man have trick up  a boy in the likeness of EDWARDPLANTAGENET and show he to the people not spare  to profane the ceremony of a procession the more to countenance the fable the  general pardon likewise near the same time come forth and the king therewithal  omit no diligence in give straight order for the keep of the port that  fugitive male content or suspect person may not pass over into Ireland and  Flanders mean while the rebel in Ireland have send privy messenger both into  England and into Flanders who in both place have wrought effect of no small  importance for in England they win to their party John earl of Lincoln son of  John de LAPOLE duke of Suffolk and of Elizabeth king edward the four old  sister this earl be a man of great wit and courage and have his think high  raise by hope and expectation for a time for richard the three have a  resolution out of his hatred to both his brother king edward and the duke of  Clarence and their line have have his hand in both their blood to disable  their issue upon false and incompetent pretext the one of attainder the other  of illegitimation and to design this gentleman in case himself shall die  without child for inheritor of the crown neither be this unknown to the king  who have secret a eye upon he but the king have taste of the envy of the  people for his imprisonment of edward Plantagenet be doubtful to heap up any  more distaste of that kind by the imprisonment of de LAPOLE also the rather  think it policy to conserve he as a corrival unto the other the earl of  Lincoln be induce to participate with the action of Ireland not light upon the  strength of the proceed there which be but a bubble but upon letter from the  lady margaret of Burgundy in who succour and declaration for the enterprise  there seem to be a more solid foundation both for reputation and force neither  do the earl refrain the business for that he know the pretend Plantagenet to  be but a idol but contrariwise he be more glad it shall be the false  Plantagenet then the true because the false be sure to fall away of himself  and the true to be make sure of by the king it may open and pave a fair and  prepare way to his own Title with this resolution he sail secret into Flanders  where be a little before arrive the lord lovel leave a correspondence here in  England with sir thomas broughton a man of great power and dependency in  Lancashire for before this time when the pretend Plantagenet be first receive  in Ireland secret messenger have be also send to the lady margaret advertise  her what be pass in Ireland implore succour in a enterprise as they say so  pious and just and that God have so miraculous prosper the beginning thereof  and make offer that all thing shall be guide by her will and direction as the  sovereign patroness and protectress of the enterprise margaret be second  sister to king edward the four and have be second wife to Charles surname the  hardy duke of Burgundy by who have no child of her own she do with singular  care and tenderness intend the education of fillip and margaret grand child to  her former husband which win her great love and authority among the Dutch this  princess have the spirit of a man and malice of a woman abound in Treasure by  the greatness of her dower and her provident government and be childless and  without any near care make it her design and enterprise to see the majesty  royal of England once again replace in her house and have set up king henry as  a mark at who overthrow all her action shall aim and shoot insomuch as all the  counsel of his succeed trouble come chief out of that quiver and she bear such  a mortal hatred to the house of lancaster and personal to the king as she be  no way mollify by the conjunction of the house in her niece marriage but  rather hate her niece as the mean of the king ascent to the crown and  assurance therein wherefore with great violence of affection she embrace this  overture and upon counsel take with the earl of Lincoln and the lord lovel and  some other of the party it be resolve with all speed the two lord assist with  a regiment of two thousand nourishing be choice and veteran band under the  command of martin swart a valiant and experiment captain shall pass over into  Ireland to the new king hope that when the action shall have the face of a  receive and settle regality with such a second person as the earl of Lincoln  and the conjunction and reputation of foreign succour the fame of it will  embolden and prepare all the party of the confederate and malcontent within  the realm of England to give they assistance when they shall come over there  and for the person of the counterfeit it be agree that if all thing succeed  well he shall be put down and the true Plantagenet receive wherein  nevertheless the earl of Lincoln have his particular hope after they be come  into Ireland and that the party take courage by see themselves together in a  body they grow very confident of success conceive and discourse among  themselves that they go in upon far better card to overthrow king henry then  king henry have to overthrow king richard and that if there be not a sword  draw against they in Ireland it be a sign the sword in England will be soon  sheathe or Beatrice down and first for a bravery upon this accession of power  they crown their new king in the cathedral church of Dublin who former have be  but proclaim only and then sit in Council what shall further be do at which  Council though it be propound by some that it be the best way to establish  themselves first in Ireland and to make that the seat of the war and to draw  king henry thither in person by who absence they think there will be great  alteration and commotion in England yet because the kingdom there be poor and  they shall not be able to keep their army together nor pay their germane  soldier and for that also the sway of the irishman and general of the  Men-of-warre which as in such case of popular tumult be usual do in effect  govern their leader be eager and in affection to make their fortune upon  England it be conclude with all possible speed to transport their force into  England the king in the mean time who at the first when he hear what be do in  Ireland though it trouble he yet think he shall be well enough able to scatter  the Irish as a flight of bird and rattle away this swarm of be with their king  when he hear afterward that the earl of Lincoln be embark in the action and  that the lady margaret be declare for it he apprehend the danger in a true  degree as it be and see plain that his kingdom must again be put to the stake  and that he must fight for it and first he do conceive before he understand of  the earl of lincoln's sail into Ireland out of Flanders that he shall be  assail both upon the east part of the kingdom of England by some impression  from Flanders and upon the north west out of Ireland and therefore have order  muster to be make in both part and have provisional design two general jasper  earl of Bedford and John earl of Oxford meaning himself also to go in person  where the affair shall most require it and nevertheless not expect any actual  invasion at that time the winter be far on he take his journey himself towards  Suffolk and northfolk for the confirm of those part and be come to S Edmonds  bury he understand that thomas marquis Dorset who have be one of the pledge in  France be haste towards he to purge himself of some accusation which have be  make against he but the king though he keep a ear for he yet be the time so  doubtful that he send the earl of Oxford to meet he and forth with to carry he  to the tower with a fair message nevertheless that he shall bear that disgrace  with patience for that the king mean not his hurt but only to preserve he from  do hurt either to the king service or to himself and that the king shall  always be able when he have clear himself to make he reparation from S Edmonds  bury he go to Norwich where he keep his Christmas and from thence he go in a  manner of pilgrimage to Walsingham where he visit our lady church famous for  miracle and make his prayer and vow for help and deliverance and from thence  he return by Cambridge to London not long after the rebel with their king  under the lead of the earl of Lincoln the earl of Kildare the lord lovel and  colonel swart land at Fouldrey in Lancashire whither there repair to they sir  thomas broughton with some small company of English the king by that time know  now the storm will not divide but fall in one place have levy force in good  number and in person take with he his two design general the duke of Bedford  and the earl of Oxford be come on his way towards they as far as Coventry  whence he send forth a troop of light horseman for discovery and to intercept  some straggler of the enemy by who he may the better understand the particular  of their progress and purpose which be accord do though the king otherwise be  not without intelligence from espial in the camp