IT is observed by Edmond Howes a diligent Compiler of our Coun­tries Annals, That in this Island there hath happened five remar­kable alterations, and each of them alwayes about the period or revolution of five hundred years, whereof in his Historical Preface, he gives this insuing ac­count.

1. The first alteration, sayes he, was presently upon the death of Gorboduc, seventeenth in descent from Brute, Founder, according to him, of the British Monarchy. This Gorboduc had caused his youngest Son Porrex to be joyntly crowned with his eldest Son Ferrex: These two fall at difference among themselves; the younger kills the elder, him the Mother, her the Multitude, hence Civil Wars; at length Malmutius Dunwallo Duke of Cornwall, having subdued all Competitors, translates the Kingdom to another line, which continues without any memorable interruption, untill

2. The second grand alteration, in the Reign of Cassi­beline, forty fourth Successor of Malmutius, begun by the invasion of Iulius Caesar, General of the Romans in Gaule, but not perfected before Claudius the Emperors time, from which date the Aera or computation of the Ro­mans absolute Dominion here is to commence, whose departure, recalled by their Domestick dissentions, and Fore in inundations, carrying with them also the ablest [Page 2] of the Britains, was the occasion of

3. The third famous alteration; for the Britains be­reaved of their own proper strength, and destitute of the accustomed aid of their Champions the Romans, were necessitated to implore the asistance of the Saxons, a people of Germany, against the Picts and Scots, who grie vously infested the Northern borders.

To these Saxons Vortigern, the late elected King, an Author of these Strangers imployment, in contemplati­on of their service, most improvidently allots, first the Isle of Thannet, then all Kent, afterwards more to inha­bit; besides his marriage with Rowena the Daughter of Hengist, one of their principal leaders, gave them so firm a footing, that they not only could not be removed, but even forced their Landlords the Britains into the least, most desart, and most mountanous parts, whilst these new intruding guests injoy the greatest, the best, and richest share, which they portioned into an Heptarchy, or seven petty Principalities, who contending among themselves for superiority, and wearying out one ano­ther with mutual discord, administred opportunity unto

4. The fourth, and indeed a twofold alteration, (but in regard of its immediate connexion is reckoned but as one) first by the Danes, a people likewise of Germany, who after many conflicts obteined the Soveraignty, but did not long retain the same. But the second (which took its original almost, where the other determined) and chiefest mutation, both for its continnance and uni­versality, was that by the Normans, a Nation prima­rily issued out of Normandy, but then possessing the South of France, who introdnced a general innovation in all things but Religion, which also suffered its vi­cissitude or turn in

5. The fifth and last alteration under Henry the eighth, who gave the first blow unto it, by his with-drawing his [Page 3] obedience from the Romish Sea, in whose communion England had persevered since its first conversion, and by suppressing Monasteries who were the main Pillars and Supporters thereof. But his Son Edward the sixth, pro­ceeds further to the abolition of the Rites and Doctrine of that Church, which were yet again restored by his Sister Mary, and again excluded by her Sister Elizabeth, who was therein imitated by her Successour, Iames, con­joyner of the two separated Kingdoms, England, and Scot­land, which our Author makes a parcel of this last alte­ration, and where he concludes his general History of the several revolutions of this Island, from the first foun­dation of a Monarchy here, untill the time wherein he wrote.

But since there hath happened another alteration no lesse, if not in some respect more considerable than any of the former, when not only the Person but the Office, not only a King, and that in an unparalleld manner, but even Kingship it self was destroyed, (a design that was never so much as attempted by our Ancestors) and instead thereof, an unheard-of kind of Common-wealth erected, which was soon suppressed by an insolent Usur­per, who thought under a different title to have esta­blished the whole power to him and his; But by Gods providence, and the perfidiousnesse of his own Relations, his purpose was defeated, his Son dethroned, a shadow of a Common-wealth retrived, once more dismissed, again revived, and finally dissolved, the old Government renewed, and lawfull Heir recalled; and all this came to passe within the space of twelve years, yea most of it with­in the circuit of one year, whereof we can only say with the Psalmist, This is the Lords doings, it is marvelous in our eys.

And truly, if we consider things impartially, there is great cause of admiration, that God should not only pre­serve [Page 4] among us for so many ages a Monarchy, (the best of Regiments in general, and in particular most agreeble to the situation of this Country, and constitu­tion of the people,) but even continue it, maugre all the Plots and policies of men to the contrary, in that very blood and Family, which as far as creditable Genealo­gy will extend, hath been first known to have been invest­ed there-withall.

For we may safely affirm, that our present King Charles the second, (in whose posterity we trust it will remain as long as the Sun and Moon endures) deduces his pede­gree in an indisputable line, from all that ever did or could pretend a title or interest to the Crown, which we think can hardly be verified of any Prince besides, this day in the Christian world.

For proof whereof we appea I to such of our Chro­nicles only as are undoubted and beyond exception. Passing by therefore the Catalogue of British Kings from Brute to Cassibeline, not as altogether untrue, but as very uncertain; passing by those likewise we find mentioned during the Romans abode here, whose custom it was to permit native Kings indeed in their Conquer'd Provin­ces, but only as instruments of Tyranny, and wholsy de­pending on the authority of the Empire and its Prefers: We shall take our rise from the Saxons rule, and especi­ally at that time, when from a multiplyed Estate it grew towards an Union; And yet we cannot omit one passage we find Recorded of Cadwallader last King of the Britains on this side Severn; who at his death prophesied that his Race should recover the Dominion of this Isle again, which was fulfilled in the dayes of King Henry the se­venth, and more compleatly of King James, as will ap­pear when the series and progresse of the Story doth bring us thereunto.

The Saxons, as hath been already hinted, made a se­venfold [Page 5] partition of the Land they had wrested from the Britains, but the Kingdom of the West-Saxons (whose first stone was laid by Cerdic) did so increase in super­structure, that in the end it overtopped all the rest.

Ina, the fifth descendent of Cerdic, was the first ad­vancer of it to this prel emenency; but he dyed without issue, and the due order of the succession was somewhat disturbed, by the intrusion of four or five one after ano­ther, of the Blood-Royal indeed, but not in such a pro­pinquity, as was Egbert Nephew but once removed from Ina, of whose right and promising forwardnesse, Britric, the last of the Usurpers, had so quick a sense, that he contrived the destruction of young Egbert: Which to avoid, he was enforced to retire unto the Court of Offa King of Mercia Or Middle England, but finding small security there in regard his Enemy had married Offas daughter, he escapes thence into France, whence after the Tyrants death, he returns to the enjoyment of that Kingdome, which had been so long, and so unjustly de­tained from him.

This Prince (which we the rather note because of the affinity he hath with the Condition of our Sovereign that now is) had by an exiles experience attained such a mea­sure of prudence, and all other perfections, that he much improved the West-Saxon Empire, which was now well near arrived to its Meridian and heighth, when it suf­fered a most terrible Ecclipse by the interposition of the Danes, who made their first irruption in his predeces­sors dayes; and though they were valiantly resisted, and frequently repulsed by him and his Successors; yet did they never after cease from afflicting one part or other, till they had reduced the whole to their subjection, in which posture they held it but a little while, as hath be­fore been intimated, and shall be more amply shewed in its due and proper place.

[Page 6] Egbert being dead, Aethewolph his Son of a Bishop be­came a Prince, and though his Education and Profession had rendred him a greater Votary than Warriour, yet did he give the Danes a most memorable overthrow. He had four Sons, who were all Kings in their turns, but the glory of the rest was Alfred, the youngest, no lesse famous for Arts than Armes; in the first his Son Edward surnamed the Elder, is reported to have been inferiour, but in the last did equal, if not exceed his renowned Father.

This Edward often worsted, but could not totally extir­pate the Danes, who rcruited with fresh supplies from their own Comntry, made daily more and more en­croachments upon the already-tired English Nation, whose case at that time especialy required some strong prop or stay to sustain and keep up its declining and tottering estate.

And upon this account it was that Athelftane Edwards bastard Son, being at full maturity and ripenesse, was preferred before his legitimate one Edmond then in mi­nority (the reason also that some succeeding Princes were for some time laid aside) but Edmond being now come to Age, after his Brother Athelstanes death (the noblenesse of whose life recompenced the blemish of his birth) was admitted to his Fathers Throne, which he did wisely and couragiously manage, but was too soon deprived of it, and his life together, by a villanous Affassinate, in his own house at a festival, whilst he went about to rescue his Sewer from the violence of that barbarous hand.

The more than ordinary hopes conceived of this brave Prince being thus untimely nipped in the bud, his no­lesse-deserving Brother Eldred was elected King, not­withstanding Edmond had left two Sons behind, whose tender years in those troublesome times were thought uncapable of so weighty an imployment.

[Page 7] But upon the death of Eldred, the Scepter (which is a thing to be taken notice of in precedent and subseqent ruptures of this nature) reverted to the right Heirs, viz. the Sons of Edmond: And first to Edwin the eldest, whose dissolute and degenerate courses made sudden room for Edgar the youngest, who matched any of his Predeces­sors in worth, and excelled them all in power, for he quieted, and kept under, Danes, Welsh, Scots, inso­much as he is accounted, at least from the Saxons en­trance, the first absolute Monarch of this entire Island.

In a word, he was happy in his life, and Reign, but most unhappy in his Issue, for having two Sons, Edward and Ethelred, by several venters; the Step-mother Elfred made Edward a Saint to make her own Son Etheldred a King; and though now by this removal of his Brother, whereunto possibly he might not be privy, none had any nearer title to the Crown than himself, yet did that in­nocent blood lye heavy upon him and his seed, nor could it, according to St. Dunstans predictions, be expiated, but by a long avengement.

In promoting of which divine justice, the Danes were the principal instruments, who had layn still under Edgar, but taking advantage of Ethelreds unsettled condition, who by reason of this fore-stalling the Crown was termed the unready, forced him first to purchase an ill-kept peace, and then to relinquish his ill-gotten Kingdom, of which death only prevented Swayn, his expeller, to take actual possession, and accumulate this to the Danish Crown.

But Cnute the Son of Swayn perfected his Fathers design, and afforded Ethelred now returned out of Normandy, whither to avoid the storm he had betook himself, so sharp an entertainment that oppressed with grief for his bad successe, he quitted this, and made another world his second place of refuge, leaving his Son Edmond Inheri­tor of little else, but the miseries of an unfortunate house.

[Page 8] Yet did Edmond, for his valour, and hardinesse in War, surnamed Ironside, hew himself out with his Sword the moiety of a Kingdom. For after the effusion of much blood on both sides, and to stop the shedding, of more it was agreed between the two Competitors (Cnute and Edmond) to try their right by single combate, in proper person, and the over-commer to take all. But there pro­ving equality in the fitght, there was likewise made equa­lity in the command between them; yet did not Edmona long enjoy his share, being circumvented by the practice of Edric Earl of Stratton, the Arch-Traytor of those times, whose falshood had ruined the Father, and now his am­birion destroys the Son, for which Cnute invents a suit­able reward, causing his head to be set upon the highest place of the Tower of London, therein performing his pro­mise of advancing him above any Lord of the Land, which was the mark that this faithlesse wretch aimed at, and now attained, but in a far different sence from that which he had vainly proposed to himself.

Cnute being thus rid of a Rival, denied copartnership to the Sons of Edmond, as pretending the whole to apper­tain to the Survivor, and for fear they might prove thorns in his side, he sent them far enough out of the way, into Swedeland, say some, there to be murthered, but they were mercifully preserved, and conveyed to the Court of Hungary, where Edmond dyed without issue, but Edward had by Agatha Daughter to Henry the fourth Emperour of Germany, a Son named Edgar, and a Daughter called Margaret, who was the cause, as hereafter shall be shewed, that the Saxon stem which now seemed wither­ed, doth once more reflourish, though inocculated we con­fesse, upon another stock.

Notwithstanding this transportation of Edmonds Sons, yet did not Cnute hold himself sufficiently assured of his new accquired Kingdom, till he had married Emma wid­dow [Page 9] of Ethelred, whereby he gained the love of the English: but the promise he made in marriage, that the Children begotten on her should succeed, was for some time frustrated by the preoccupa­tion of Harold, (sirr named Harefoot,) the el­dest son of Cnute by a Concubine: but his reign was brief, as likewise was that of his Brother Hardi Canute, the lawfull Son of Cnute and Emma, with whom expired the Danish Dominion here, which had been but of a short duration, though their incursions and molestations had continued for a lon­ger space.

Edward styled the Confessor, to distinguish him from Edward the Elder, and Edward the Saint, was next King, being the Son of Emma also, but by her first Husband Ethelred the Unready, and did in some sort restore the Saxon blood: For in truth there was a nearer relation to the Crown extant, though not so near at hand for the present, to wit, Edward, surna­med, by reason of his Forein education, the Outlaw, the Son of Edmond Ironside, the eldest Son by his first Wife of the above mentioned Ethelred the Unready, who ought by the Law of Nature and Nations to have preceded. Yet did the Confessor, wanting Issue him­self, do his Nephew the Outlaw so much right, as to recall him with his Children out of their Banishment in Hungary, and designed him his Successor, but the Outlaws death before the Confessors, prevented that determination.

Neverthelesse the Confessor without delay pro­nounced Edgar the Outlaws Son, and his own Grand Nephew Heir apparent, and gave him the surname of Etheling, which in those dayes were only peculiar to such as were inhopes and possibility of a Kingdome. And more than so, this poor Etheling never was: For [Page 10] first he was debarred by his own Guardian Harold the Son of Goodwin Earl of Kent, who disdaining the title of Regent (which he was only constituted) assumed that of King; Afterwards by William Duke of Normandy, who though he pulled down Harold, yet did he not set up Ed­gar, laying claim himself to the Crown, by virtue of a pretended Donation from his Cosen Edward the Confessor, which had been too weak a plea, had it not been justified by a long sword, which hath ever since given him the appellation of William the Conquerour.

Robert the eldest Son of the Conquerour should by right of primogeniture have succeeded his Father in all his Dominions, but having proved a Rebel at the French Kings instigation, he had only the Dukedom of Normandy assigned to him, and the Crown of Eng­land was bequeathed to his Brother William surnamed Rufus, who dying without any legitimate off-spring, and Robert being absent in the Holy-land, Henry the youngest Son of the Conquerour as Duke of Normandy, but eldest as King of England, seized upon it, and to ingratiate himself with the Natives, and to corrobo­rate his Title, he Married Maud, Daughter of Mar­garet by Malcolme King of Scots, Sister to Edgar Ethe­ling, Son of Edward the Outlaw, Son of Edmond Iron­side, Son of Ethelred the Unready, Son of Edgar the peaceable Son of Edmond, Son of Edward Senior, Son of Alfred, and by which means the Royal seed of the Saxons became to be replanted in the English Soil.

For this Henry the first had (not to mention his Son William who perished by water whilst he was young) by the foresaid Maud, a Daughter of the same name, whom he first espoused to Henry the fifth, Emperour of Germany, afterwards to Ieffrey Plantagenet Earl of Aniou, by whom she had a Son called Henry, in whom did fully concur the Norman and Saxon Race.

[Page 11] But the true hereditary succession was some what intercepted by Stephen Earl of Bologne Son of Adela the Conquerours Daughter, from whom he could derive but a slender title: For had the Conquerours line Masculine failed, then ought Theobald Earl of Bloys, Stephens Eldest Brother by the same Adela, to have been prelated; And therefore his surest Tenure pro­ceeded from his Election by the Nobility, who not­withstanding their natural Allegiance, and twice re­peated Oath (and among them Stephen himself is reckoned to be one that had sworn Fealty) to Maud and her Heirs in the Reign of her Father Henry, ad­mitted this stranger, and that for no other reason, though other were alleged (as that Maud was a wo­man, and consequently uncapable of anointing; that she was married out of the Realm, without the con­sent thereof, which if of any moment should before their solemn engagement have been taken into consi­deration) than that he being a Creature of their own erecting, was more obliged to them, and would upon all occasions be more ready to gratifie their aspiring humour.

Yet wanted not the Empresse and her Son adherents both within and without the Kingdom, to assert their right, who raised such a cloud of trouble to, Stephen that he could not dispel it during his whole reign, so that at length he came to a composition, and his own Son Eustace whom he had designed his Successour being al­ready dead, he adopts Henry fitz-Empresse, and pro­claims him heir apparent, with this Proviso; That he himself should enjoy the Crown as long as he lived, which was not a full year after this peaceable agree­ment.

Henry the second of that name is now possessed of the Throne, (in processe of time adding the Lord­ship [Page 12] of Ireland to it) and that upon a treble account.

First by vertue of the late Treaty with King Stephen, Secondly by title of conquest, as being great Grand-Child to William the Norman; but Thirdly, and chief­ly, by the equity of his Mothers claim, who was the true descendent of the long-rejected but now restored Saxon linage.

He took to wise Elenor, the repudiate of Lewis the seventh King of France, by whom he had large Dominions in that Kingdom: but notwithstanding it augmented his estate, yet was it the occasion of much trouble and vexation to him; For the French King jea­lous of his growing fortunes, and his own Queen of his fidelity to his marriage-bed, incited his Sons, Her­ry, Richard, Jeffrey, and John, to frequent rebellions, to whom neverthelesse upon their submissions he was entirely reconciled.

Henry Sans issue departed this life before his Father. Richard succeeded in the Throne but dyed childlesse also; Jeffrey, though extinct himself before it came to his turn, had yet left a Son in being, Arthur Duke of Britany, who ought to have been considered of; but him John prevented more too, by power & favour of the Nobles, than by any colour of Justice, [...]ad whilst the young Prince endeavours the recovery of his right, he is taken prisoner as he besieged the Castle of Mira­bell in France, conveyed to the Tower of Roan, and there killed, if not by the hands, yet at least by the com­mand of his inhumane Uncle.

However the course taken to be thus rid of a Com­petitor was utterly unlawfull, yet being gon, Iohn becomes the lawful proprietor of the Crown, but pays dear for the manner of this his amisse procured purchase. For the Pope excommunicates him, his Subjects for sake him, the French King invades him, [Page 13] and bereavs him not only of his large Territories in France, but also of the greatest part of his Kingdome of England, and he dyes miserably, not without suspi­cion of Poyson; a just judgment upon him for his e­normous Acts, especialy the murder of his innocent Nephew.

Now though God shewed himself a severe inqui­sitor for blood, yet did he seem appeased with the punishment of the person that was guilty of it: For he so disposed the hearts of the English Nation, that they generally withdrew themselves from the French party, and notwithstanding the iniquity of the Fa­ther, most willingly embrace the Son, then a minor, as naturally inclined, says my Author, to love and o­bey their Princes.

Such this Prince Henry the third found his Subjects at his first admission, whilst he was governed by a wise and faithfull Councel, but afterwards suffering himself to be ruled by strangers, that more intended their own than the publick good, he so alienated the English affections, as they were earnest at first to pro­mote his interest. To the former he adds new grievan­ces, to wit, reiterated breach of Charters granted by his Predecessors, and himself, whence such discontents are engendred, that at length there is begotten between the King and his people an actual (commonly known by the name of the Barons) war. Hereof Simon de Mon­fort Earl of Leicester, on the Barons side was head, who in a set Battail takes King Henry and his Son Edward prisoners, but Edward escapes, collects an Army, de­feats and kills Leicester, and redeems his Father, the be­ginning of whose reign was overcast with a French mist, the middle was very tempestous by reason of the Barons commotions, but the Catastrophe or latter [Page 14] part was serence, and concluded in a perfect Calm.

Edward the first of that name since the Norman con­quest, having proved the deliverer of his Father from captivity, makes an expedition into the Holy-land to perform the like office to the Christians there, that were grievously afflicted under the Turkish servitude: but the news of his Fathers death quickly recalls him from further prosecution of that honourable enter­prize, wherein he had no lesse honourably demeaned himself.

And as he had encreased his own and Countries re­putation abroad, so doth he likewise enlarge their power and jurisdiction at home, by subduing most of Scotland, and totally reducing of Wales, of which last, because it was then first annexed to this Crown, it will not be impertinent to afford the Reader a brief and summary relation.

Wales (the small remnant of this Island that was left to the Britains the antient possessors of the whole) had hitherto, though not without much difficulty and struggling, continned under their own proper Princes: But the fatal period of their liberty, which they had so long, so stoutly maintained, against so potent a King­dome, as this, is now arrived. Llewellin the then Prince of that Cnutry, being summoned to our Kings Coronation, refused to appear, saying, He too well remembers the end of his Father Gryffin, who came in safety to London, but never returned thence.

This neglect, Edward makes the ground of a quar­rel, enters into hostility against Llewellin, forces him to a submission, whereof he soon repents, flyes out again, is overcome and slain in fight, his head cut off, and that Merlins Prophecy might be fulfilled or eluded, which, as he interpreted, had promised him the Dia­dem of Brute, it is Crowned with Ivy, and set upon the Tower of London.

[Page 15] After the death of Llewellin and his brother David, (whose head was shortly sent to accompany the o­thers in the same place) Edward contrives the perpe­tual union of these two, too long divided, Nations. And though he found the Welsh Nobles very cautious how they brought their necks under a Forein yoke, yet doth he accomplish his ends by this neat and Ar­tificial devise.

He conveys secretly into the Castle of Carnarvon, his Queen great with Child, whom when he under­stood to be delivered of a boy, he Assembles the Welsh Nobles, and proposeth to them, whether they would accept of a Prince of his Nomination, that was born in their own Country, could speak nere a word of English, and against whom for Life or Conversati­on no objection could be made: Whereunto when they had assented, he produces his own little Son Ed­ward, to whom the aforesaid qualifications did exactly agree; Hence the custom took its original of investing our Kings eldest Sons in the Principality of Wales: but because there may here seem to have been a mixture of force and fraud, we shall indeavour, when order brings us to it, to find out a more unexceptionable Title, whereby our Kings lay claim to that Domi­nion.

Edward the second (called Edward of Carnarvon for the cause but even now rehearsed) much degenerated from his Fathers Noblenesse, and lost not only Scot­land, which his Father had well-nigh gained, but e­ver England it self, being deposed by his own Wife Isa­bel, having only this comfort left him, that his Son Edward was to succeed in the Throne.

Edward the third of that name, Son of the late de­posed and shortly after murdered King, was, when he came to years of Discretion, Gods Instrument to re­venge [Page 16] his Fathers death, even upon his own Mother the Queen and her Minion Mortymer, who was the Author and Procurer of the same.

But the chiefeft passage of this Princes Reign, and that of nearest Alliance to our Subject in hand, which is to declare the Titles our Kings have to the King­doms they possesse or challenge, was his claiming and almost obteining the Crown of France. The occasi­on and State of the difference was briefly thus.

Phillip de Valois the then King of France, had with some what too much rigour demanded, and with too much Imperiousnesse received the Homage of our Ed­ward for some pieces which he held in that Kingdom. But Edwards high Stomach could not digest the indig­nity, as he conceived of this humiliation, considering but somewhat of the latest, that he had a better right not to fragments only, but to the whole, than the person to whom he had so lowly abased himself: For Edward was the Son of Isabell, Daughter of Philip le bell or the fair, formerly King of France, whereas Philip, the present injoyer, was Son to Charls of Valois but younger Brother to the foresaid le bell, only there is one frivolous impediment in Edwards way, to wit, the French Law Salique, which debars Females & their Descendents from the Crown: but this entail Edward is resolved to cut off with a good Sword; And to this purpose he enters France with a strong Army, and gave the French two such famous overthrows at Cressy and Poictiers, that they put that State into a dangerous Consumption, which without all doubt would have turned to an Hectick Feavour, had the War been pro­secuted with the same heat where with all it was begun.

A great allay to these prosperous proceedings, was the untimely death of Edwards eldest Son (Edward) Prince of Wales, but better known by the name of the [Page 17] Black Prince, to whose prowesse the former Atchiev­ments in France were chiefly owing, who having made an inroad into Spain to reinthrone their K. Peter, brought thence Victory and a mortal Disease, which quickly made an end of him, leaving behind him a young Son, Richard of Bourdeux, to whom Edward the Grand-Father, yet living, confirmed the succession by Parliament, lest his aspiring Son Iohn Duke of Lancaster, Richards Uncle, should, as one observs, have supplanted him, as King Iohn did his Nephew Arthur in the like case.

But what Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster failed in, his Son Henry of Bullingbrook Duke of Hereford effected: By deposing his Cosen German Richard the second, who is rather noted to be an unfortunate than vitious, a seduced than of himself Tyrannical Prince.

It will be no deviation from the matter, but rather requisire in regard of the light it yields to the clearer and more distinct knowledge of the following confusi­ons, to speak somewhat more particularly of the manner of this Henryes compassing the Crown, the claim he laid to it, and the course he took to settle the succession in his own house, this being the Fountain from which flowed the most bloody and most tedious Civil Wars that ever England endured, this being the great ball of contention between the White Rose and the Red, between the Yorkish and Lancastrian Family.

Henry the fourth of that name among the English Kings, was, as hath been noted before, the Son of Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster, fourth Son of King Edward the third; His Father was suspected, but he is detected, of higher thoughts than it became a Sub­ject (he being then but Duke of Hereford) to entertain.

For justification of himself, Hereford appeals to his Sword, and offers combat to Thomas Mowbray Duke of Norfolk his Accuser, who couragiously accepts [Page 19] thereof: But as they were about to joyn issue, King Richard interposes and banished them both, out of the Realm, Norfolk for ever, Hereford for ten years; four of which the King struck off as of special favour, when he came to take his solemne leave of him. But Here­ford himself doth much more abbreviate the time, and doth long anticipates even the last indulged date of his return: For he re-lands the very same day twelve month he departed, and found many Abettors of his quarrel (which at first he only pretends to be the reco­very of his Dukedom) especially the Earl of Nor­thumberland, whom King Richard at his late going into Ireland, where now he is, because the Earl demurred to accompany him in the Voyage, had caused to be proclaimed Traytor, and so made him that, which otherwise perhaps he would not have been. But Hen­ries Power more and more increasing, and Richards dayly decreasing, till at length it languished into no­thing, Henry discovers, that it was somwhat more than a bare Dukedom that he aimed at: A Parliament is called, in which King Richard as is pretended, not only vo [...]u [...]arily surrenders, but is also violently degraded, and Henry, both by his and the peoples appointment, installed in his Room, who upon the day of his Co­ronation, caused it to be proclaimed, that he claim­ed the Crown of England, First, by right of Conquest; Secondly, because King Richard had resigned his Estate, and designed him his Successor; Lastly, because he was of the Blood Royal, and next Heir Male to King Richard. Heir Male, rather Hae es Malus, sayes Edmond Mortimer Earl of March to some of his Familiars, as knowing the lawful right to be inherent in himself, though for the present it must give place to a stronger possessor. For this Edmond was the Son of Roger, the Son of Edmond [Page 19] Earl of March, by Philip Daughter of Lionel Duke of Clarence, who was elder Brother to Iohn Duke of Lan­caster, King Henryes Father. Hereof Henry is very ap­prehensive, and having dispatched Richard to Heaven before his time, wished Mortimer there also, and in order to his hastening thither, refused to procure his liberty and enlargement, but suffered him to con­tinue in a loath some Dungeon, though he had been taken Prisoner in defence of his Country against Owen ap Glendower, the famous Revolter of Wales, who there­fore the more hardly used him, that thereby his Kinsman King Henry might be moved to redeem him, but therefore King Henry would not redeem him, be­cause he well hoped by this hard usage to be rid of him, who was like to prove the greatest prejudice to his crazy and counterfeit Title. For it was obvious to all, however for fear dissembled by most, that the issue of Lionel Elder Son of King Edward the third, ought to have preceded Iohn of Gaunts the younger Son of the foresaid Edward; And hence it was, that Henry doth not solely rely upon his Fathers right, which he knew to be infirm, as long as any of Lionels off spring remained, but joyns to it that of his Mother Blanch, Daughter and Heir to Henry Duke of Lan­caster, Son of Edmond, nick-named Crook-back, eldest Son, as was alleged, of King Henry the third, but by reason of his deformity pur by the succession, which was for that cause conferred upon King Edward the first, though but the younger Brother; But the truth is, in this pedigree there is an Error in the very Foundation, for though our Henry were so descended as is specified, from Edmond, yet the said Edmond was neither eldest Son to Henry the third, nor yet a defor­med person, but a proper Gentleman, and a great Commander, therefore entitled Crook-back, or rather [Page 20] Crouch-back, because he had took upon him the Crosse, and according to the Custom of those days warred in the Holyland.

Thus appears the invalidity of Henryes claim, whe­ther from the Father, as unsound, or the Mother, as suspitious, and deceitful, or from King Richard reced­ing, as extorted by force in restraint, and so of no force, or of consent of the many, there being no Custom in the English Nation for popular elections, or by Conquest, which in a Subject against his Sove­raign is Insurrection, and Victory high Treason, as was well observed by the Bishop of Carlile in his speech in that very Parliament, where this business was agitated and transacted.

Nay further, there is a tradition, that Iohn of Gaunt (Fa­ther of this Henry) was not at all the Son of King Ed­ward, but that the Queen being deliver'd of a female child, knowing how unacceptable it would be to her Husband, exchanged it for a boy with a Dutch wo­man, who had been brought to bed about the same hour: This the Queen at her death confessed to Willi­am of Wickman Bishop of Winchester, who acquainted none with it but Iohn of Gaunt himself, and that when he perceived Iohn to affect the Crown, in which case the Mother had left the Bishop free: But this being but a report, and grounded on uncertainties, would have been no bar to Henry's title, had it been clear in all other respects.

Henry, as he had injuriously obtained a Kingdom, so doth he laboriously preserve the same; for the mani­fold conspiracies against him testifie that quiet is not a Concomitant of usurped greatnesse; and was in a manner bereaved of his Crown, before he was of his life: For he being seized upon by a deep fit of the A­poplexy, his Son Henry seized upon the Crown, where­of, [Page 21] when the Father reviving demanded the reason, his answer was, That in his and all mens judgement there present, he was dead, and then says he, I being next Heir apparent to the same, took it as my indubi­tat right; Well said the King, and sighed, Son, what right I had to it, God knoweth; but saith the Prince, If you dye King, I doubt not to hold it, as you have done, against all opposers.

Which expression this incomparable King Henry the fifth did make good even to supererogation: for a­bandoning his youthfull extravagancies, whereof he is severely taxed, he embraces more solid courses, and to vent any discontented humours at home, which by standing still might corrupt, and gather putrefaction, he meditates a war with France, and awakens the English title to it, which had lyen dormant ever since his great Grand-Fathers days.

But whilst he is in preparation for this great affair, he either makes or discovers a plot against his life, by Richard Earl of Cambridge, who had married Anne Sister and Heir of Edmond Mortimer, Earl of March, before remembred, who was the true heir of the Crown, and was the true cause of Earl Richards execu­tion: for it cannot be imagined that money alone would induce so noble a person to so foul an under­taking. And the event shews that there was somwhat more than Bribery in this attempt, when we shall find the Son of this late executed Earl, dispossessing his Son; who was the Author of his Fathers Tragedy.

Henry having thus eased himself of a great Pretender, proceeds to his intended design on France, where he so prosperously speeds, that he is constituted Regent, & de­clared Heir apparent of the doting French King, whose Daughter Katherine he marries, & by her hath a Son na­med Henry, of whom the King is said to have thus pro­phesyed; [Page 22] I Henry born at Monmouth, shall small time reign and much get, and Henry born at Windsor shall long reign and lose all.

And so indeed it came to passe through the secret operation of all-disposing Providence, which is sel­dome propitious to the owners (how good in them­selves soever they be) of ill gained inheritances be­yond the third succession. And hereof our present Henry the sixth is a great example, who was the meek­est and most religious of all our Kings that had been before, and yet for no other transgression that we know of, than the original Sin of his Grand-Father, Henry the fourth, medling with the forbidden fruit of a Crown his ere it was ripe for him, is he chased out of the terrestial Paradise of all his Kingdoms, and sent to be a partaker of a Celestial one, somwhat more early than the due course of nature had designed him for it.

For that covert fire which had a long time burned in the breasts of many, to see the Lancastrian race enioy anothers right, doth now break forth into open com­bustion, of which Richard Duke of York is the prime incendiary, the Son of Richard Earl of Cambridge, who was beheaded in King Henry the fifths reign, for supposed Treason, the Son of Edmond Duke of York, the fifth Son of King Edward the third.

But Duke Richard waves all pretensions by the Fa­thers side, as not being ignorant, that Iohn of Gaunt (from whom our present Henry is directly descended) was elder brother to his Grandsire Edmond, and there­fore in Parliament only produceth his title by the Mo­ther, as being the Son and Heir of Anne, Sister and Heir of Edmond, Son and Heir of Roger Mortymer Earl of March, Son and Heir of Philippa, the sole Daughter and Heir of Lionel Duke of Clarence, the third Son of [Page 23] Edward the third, and elder Brother of Iohn of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, Father of the Usurper Henry the fourth, Grand-Father of Henry the fifth, who was Fa­ther to him, who now (says Richard) untruly stileth himself King Henry the fixth.

Besides his holding forth his claim to the Crown in this demonstrative, and undeniable manner (which yet the judicious could only penetrate) the Duke ad­deth many Rhetorical aggravations, which were more suitable, and intelligible to vulgar ears; As that the King was simple, and of weak capacity; that he was Governed by the Queen a stranger, and Wo­man of an unsufferable ambition; that the Privy Counsellors were naught and corrupt, through whose faithlessenesse and inabilities, France was lost, and England disquieted, and that greater judgements were to be expected, if the true Heir were any longer de­barred from his lawful right.

The Duke by these plausible arguments had so en­gaged the multitude unto him, that he is able to dis­pute his Title in the Field with the King, whom he takes Prisoner, and calling in his name a Parliament, it is there concluded, that King Henry during his life, should retain the name and Honour of a King; that the Duke of York should be Proclaimed Heir apparent to the Crown, and Protector of the Kings Person and Dominions; that if at any time King Henries Friends, Allies, or Favorites, in his behalf should attempt the disannulling of this Act, that then the Duke should have present possession of the Crowu.

But this was more than what his destiny had allot­ted for him, for he was shortly after slain at the Bat­tail of War field by Queen Margaret, who was of a more Masculine Spirit, than to acquiesce in the fore­mentioned dishonorable Conditions; and because it [Page 24] was a Crown that the Duke of York chiefly affected, She caused his Head to be cut off, set upon a Pole, and Crowned with Paper: but the death and disgrace of the Father, Edward Earl of March, his Eldest Son doth speedily revenge to the utter ruine of the Lanca­strian party.

Nor will this Edward, as did his Father, await a­nothers leasure, and prove expectant of a Crown in reversion, but immediately assumes it by the actual deposing of King Henry, whom he takes Prisoner, and commits to safe custody in the Tower of London.

But there was an accident which had well-nigh nip­ped the white Rose in the bud, and restored the red Rose to its pristine vigour.

Edward the fourth, late Earl of March, now King of England, sends his great General the Earl of War­wick to treat a Match between him, and the Lady Bo­na Sister to the Queen of France. But our youthful King in the mean time consulting only his own affections, takes to Wife, the fair Lady Gray, Widdow of Sir Iohn Gray of Groby; which so inceses warwick, that he Rebels against his Master, beats him not only out of the Field, but also out of the Kingdom, delivers King Henry from his Prison, and reseats him in his Throne; but all this is but as Lightning before Death; Edward returns from beyond Seas, fights with, de­feats and kills the Earl of warwick, routs also Queen Margaret newly landed, and the relicts of her Lan­castrian Associates, takes her and her Son Edward Prisoners, which last is stabbed by Richard Duke of Glocester, King Edwards Brother, and not long it is, but the Father Henry is dispatched by the same hand in the Tower of London, whither he was remanded by King Edward after this fortunate and victorious suc­cesse.

[Page 25] The cruelty of Richard Duke of Glocester, whose na­ture was more crooked than his body, did not termi­nate in the blood of the Enemies, but begins to pra­ctise on his Friends and nearest Relations: For per­ceiving that King Edward by reason of his incontinen­cy, whereunto no English Prince was ever more sub­ject, was not long liv'd, he secretly plots the attain­ing of the Crown for himself; And for the more ex­pedite compassing this ambitious design, he first in­censes King Edward against their common Brother George Duke of Clarence, not only exaggerating the hainousaesse of his former disobedience (which had been pardoned) but insinuating a blind Prophecy, that one whose name began with the letter G. should prove fatal to Edwards posterity.

Hereupon the Duke of Clarence is committed to the Tower, and there, by Richard drowned in a Butt of Malm­sey, however it was given out that he dyed of a dis­contented passion.

But the Ominous G. which the King so much dreaded, was found in the sequele to appertain to Glo­cester himself, who was the Contriver of this mischief, and Butcher of Edwards innocent Sons, of whom, af­ter the Kings decease, he was made Protector.

The young Prince (Edward the fifth) was at Lud­low, when his Father, Edward the fourth dyed, from whence his Mother was over desirous to have him forthwith conveyed to London.

But his Unkle the Duke of Glocester meets him by the way at Stony-Stratford, and having secured all his faithful Attendants and Kindred by the Mothers side, takes into custody the person of the young King, which was the game that this mighty hunter did mainly intend.

Yet was there one obstacle to his aspiring ends still [Page 26] behind, to wit, Richard Duke of York the Kings Bro­ther, in Sanctuary with his Mother at Westminster, whom to allure thence (for to do it by Violence, was accounted Religion in those days) he imploys the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury to perswade the Mother, and in case she proves obstinate, to interpose his Au­thority, to part with her Son, under colour, that he might be a companion, and great lenitive of the Me­lancholy disposition of his disconsolate Brother.

Glocester having thus compassed the Wardship of both his Nephews, makes shew as if he would pro­ceed to the Coronation of the Elder, but whilst the Lords of the Councel are debaring of the time and manner of it, he arrests, and on a sudden makes shor­ter by the Head the Lord Chamberla in Hastings, whom though he had used as a forward Coadjuter in depressing of the Queens Relations, yet knew him to be altogether averse from yielding any Countenance to the disinheriting of his Masters King Edwards Chil­dren.

Hastings thus removed, the Duke of Buckingham (who had received several disgusts from his Brother­in-law Edward the fourth) is pitched upon as the fit­test agent to carry on this Devilish attempt; who having prepared the Mayor and Citizens of London, comes in their name, pretending Bastardy, and in­sufficiency of Edwards race, to make a tender of the Crown to Protector Richard, and in case of refusal, with threats to elect some other worthy and deserving Person. Richard in seeming amazednesse makes strange at first of this by himself-devised proposal, but after some importunity, grants his, forfooth, un­willing consent, not without a dissembled regret of his Nephews condition, whose murder in the Tower doth immediately ensue.

[Page 27] Buckingham (supposed not privy to the making a­way of the harmlesse Princes) upon this and other distasts, retires from Court to his Castle of Breck­nock, where, with his prisoner Morton Bishop of Ely, he contrives the Match between Henry Earl of Rich­mond, and Elizabeth Daughter of Edward the fourth, which proves Richards downfall, and the union of the Yorkish and Lancastrian line.

Henry Earl of Rickmond, was the Son of Margaret, Daughter of Iohn Duke of Somerset, Son of Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster, by Katherine Swineford, relict of Sir Ores Swineford; and though this Iohn, and other Chil­dren, were born before espousals, yet was the issue made legitimate by Act of Parliament, and confir­med by a Bull from Rome.

Of this Henry there goes a tradition for current, that in the heat of the Civil Wars between the House of York and Lancaster, Henry the sixth having espied him in the presence, laid his hand upon his head, and in a Prophetick manner said, Behold this youth, who is to enjoy that for which we now contend.

Which his Mother observing, and treasuring up in her heart, sent him into Britany in France, as into a safe Harbour, to be there educated and preserved till the sury of the tempest were over, which then did so terribly rage throughout the Land.

Richard the third earnestly Solicites the Duke of Britany to deliver up Richmonds person to him, which was well-nigh effected, by the treachery of Peter Lan­doys, the Dakes especial Favourite; But Richmond ha­ving timely notice of this Clandestine negotiation, flyes to the French Kings Court, (for at that time the Dukedom of [...] was a distinct Principality) from whence having sworn to consummate the project­ed marriage with the Lady Elizabeth, he hastens to re­deem [Page 28] poor England from the jaws of an usurping Ty­rant.

Richmond Lands at Milford Haven in Pembrokeshire, where he was heartily welcomed, and readily assist­ed by the Welsh, from whose Princes he was descen­ed, as being the Son of Edmond of Haddam, the Son of Owen Ap Teudor, who could in a direct line derive his pedigree from the Noble Race of Cadwallader, last King of the Britains on this side Severne, as hath been before touched; though a modern Writer, more for the jest sake, than out of reality, sayes he was a Gentleman of no extraordinary lineage, but linea­ments, which he makes to be the motive that indu­ced Katherine of France, Dowager of England, after the death of Henry the fifth, to take him for her second Husband.

Richmond having much increased his Army among his Country-men, marches forward as far as Bosworth in Leicestershire, where King Richard meets him, and there the great controversy is finally decided in Bat­tail; Richard is slain, and Richmond by a kind of mi­litary election saluted, and in a manner Crowned King in the Field.

Henry the seventh (for so must we now call him, that was but lately Earl of Richmond,) sensible that the tumultuary approbation of Souldiers did of it self give him neither just or durable possession, knowing likewise the weaknesse of the Lancastrian plea in oppo­sition to that of York, maries, according to his solemn preingagement, Elizabeth eldest Daughter of Edward the fourth, which brought security to his estate, and happinesse to the Kingdom, the two Roses, whose di­visions had put the English to much expence of blood, being thereby concorporated, and for ever after linked in a most firm and indissolvable knot.

[Page 29] But as in a body, that hath been troubled with a Cronique Disease, though recovered, yet are there still some peccant humours to be purged out: so, not­withstanding this Union and Recorciliation, there remains dregs of discontents, whereof the Queen Mo­ther was the supposed Parent, and Margaret Dutchess of Burgundy the known Nurse; the first, because she thought her Daughter not sufficiently respected (for King Henry is not accused to have been over uxorious or indulgent to his wife) the other, being Sister of Edward the fourth, bore an endlesse hatred to any of the Lancastrian Race.

The first Spirit they raised to disturb King Henryes quiet, was one Lambert Symnell, a stripling, but so in­structed by Simon a Priest, who had higher directors, that he could well personate the young Earl of War­wick (Son of George Duke of Clarence) whom the credu­lous Irish greedily entertain and acknowledge for their King: And when Henry to detect the forgery, had publickly shown in London the very Earl of War­wick whom he kept his Prisoner, they retort the ficti­on upon himself, and give out he had suborned a counterfeit on purpose to delude the simple multi­tude.

But this Pageantry quickly vanished, the Conspi­rators are dispersed, and Lambert taken, who had the honour to be first made a Turn-spit in the Kings Kitchen, but was afterwards preferred to be one of the Kings Falconers.

This was but the Prologue as it were to a more deep contrived Comi-Tragaedy that was to follow, where­of the restless [...] Dutchesse of Burgundy was the Inven­ter, and one Perkin W [...]rbeke the principal Actor. But the Name and Scene is somewhat altered: His Cue as­signed him, is to play the part of Richard Duke of York, [Page 30] second Son of Edward the fourth, who is feigned to have miraculously escaped the hands of his bloody Unckle.

Perkin was so good a proficient, and had learned, and could repeat his lesson so exactly, that not the silly Iri [...]h alone, but the French, and Scotish Kings, with many of the Nobility and Gentry of England, were, or would be deceived.

Nay, Sir William Stanly himself, Lord Chamber­lain, the Kings especial favorite, is so far tr [...]panned, as to utter this improvident Speech (which was con­strued high Treason) that if he certainly knew that the young man was the undoubted Son and Heir of King Edward the fourth, he would never fight, or bear Arms against him; for which he became headlesse, though he had been the chief help and setter of the Crown upon King Henryes head.

Perkin at length is taken, and committed to the Tower, where soliciting the Earl of Warwick to make an escape, he hastens both his own merited, and that poor Earls undeserved execution.

Henry having thus composed his affairs at home, seeks honourable matches for his children ab [...]oad; and marries his eldest Daughter Margaret to the Sco­tish King, providently foreseeing, that in case his issue Male failed, this conjunction might be a means to associate the separated Kingdoms, (as his own had the Roses) and so remedy the inconveniences of two distinct estates in one single Island.

Arthur his eldest Son, Prince of Wales, was espous­ed to Katherine Infanta of Spain, but he dying before consummation, we mean as to conjugal duty, his brother Henry by dispensation from the Pope, takes her to wife, who on the wedding day was a [...]tired [Page 31] all in white, in token that she was a pure and spot­lesse Virgin.

It is conceived that the young Prince (who hence­forward is to be styled Henry the eighth) had never a­ny great fancy to the Lady, as somwhat his Superiour in years, but did ra [...]r comply with his Fathers will, than his own i [...]clinations: However for a long time he lived with her in an outward loving seeming respectful manner.

But at length satiated with her company, whom from the beginning he had not truly affected, he medi­tates a divorce, and hopes by money and Cardinal Woolseys interest in the Court of Rome, with speed to effect the same. Woolsey, (who by his obsequiousnesse to the Kings pleasure in all things, had from a mean con­dition mounted to the highest degree of favour and power that a Subject is capable of) is reported to be the first that injected the scruple into the Kings head, touching the unlawfullnesse of his marriage with his Brothers Wife, which once in, could not in haste be put out again. But in the prosecution the King and Woolsey had different ends: Woolsey to revenge him­self of Charles the fifth, Emperour of Germany, and Nephew to Katherine, who had been a back-Friend to Woolsey in his attempted advancement to the Popedom, and by proposing a match to the King out of France, he thought to ingratiate with that Crown, which might be more auspitious in promoting his towring designs. But the King had another, though not so deep a reach, which more concerned his own pri­vate satisfaction, than policy or reason of State.

For he desired to be unyoked from his old Queen, that he might make a new one of one of her maids of honour, Anne of Bolen, with whom he was despe­rately in love: which the Cardinal smelling out, [Page 32] proves cold in the businesse, delays to exercise his legantine power, instigates the Pope to, recall the cause to himself, and proceeds slowly therein; all which is performed accordingly, but it concludes with the ruine of Woolsey's and the Popes Authority. For impatient of these procrastinations, Henry discards the one, and renounces the other, rejects Katherine, mar­ries Anne, grows weary of her, of in­cest with her own Brother, cuts off her head, in whose room the very next day succeeds Jane Seymour, who dies in Child-birth; And so he continues shifting and putting away, or to death, his Wives, as well as other Subjects, till his own appointed time came, a little before which it is recorded that in great Agony he should say unto Arch-Bishop Cranmer, Is there any mercy for him, who never spared man in his wrath, nor woman in his lust?

In his life he little regarded, but rather endeavour­ed to defeat by Parliament, the titles of his Daugh­ters, Mary by Katherine of Spain, and Elizabeth by Anne of Bolen, with both whose Mothers he had been grie­vously displeased, and seemed more inclinable to the off-spring of his youngest Sister Mary, (Dowager of France) by Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolk, but at his death, by his last Will and Testament, he constituted his Son Edward by Jane Seymour, his next immediate heir, and then in case they dyed issulesse, the Lady Mary and the Lady Elizabeth to succeed in their order. Henry the eighth being dead, Edward the 6th. of that name, his Son, is at nine years of age proclaimed King, and Edward Duke of Sommerset by the Mothers side ordained his Protector, whose candid nature ex­posed him to the cunning wiles of Dudley Duke of Nor­thumberland, which at last brought Sommerset, his Bro­ther Thomas Marquesse of Hertford Admiral of England, [Page 33] and even the King himself to their untimely ends.

The Fox (Northumberland) observing the differencee between the Protector and the Admiral, begun by th womanish emulation of their Wives, doth underhand so soment it, that the Admiral is brought to the block, and the Protector not long after follows, which renders the Pupill King, more obnoxious to Northumberlands ambitious practices, now that his two faithfull Uncles, who should have supported him, are removed out of the way.

Northumberland taking advantage of the Kings weaknesse of mind and body, (where unto he is shrewd­ly suspected to have contributed) advises him to make a Will, wherein the King declaring that he was past his minority, (thoughot above sixteen years of age) and that it appertained to him to dispose of the King­dome as he pleased, doth disinherlt his Sisters Mary and Elizabeth, as Persons of whose legitimation there was a question as likewise the issue of his eldest Aunt Sister Margaret married to the Scotish King, as foreiners and aliens, bequeathing the Crown to his Cousen Jane Grand-daughter to the Dutchesse of Suffolk, the youngest Sister of his Father King Henry the eighth.

Gutlford (Duke Dudleys Son) was husband to this Lady Jane, who upon the death of Edward was pro­claimed Queen, but Mary the eldest Daughter of King Henry, by the assistance of the Norsolk and Suffolk Gen­try, recovered that which both by birth and her Fa­thers appointment, was her undoubted though for a small time detained right.

Notwithstanding Mary by the Protestants aid at­tained the Crown, yet her Education in the contrary profession, and the memory that for her Mothers sake it suffered its first detriment, obliged her to recall the Catholick Religion that had been banished in her Pre­decessors [Page 34] days, keeping, as one wittily observes, the Kingdom by pater noster, which she had gained by Our Father which are in Heaven.

Her zeal and over-ardent desire to extinguish that which she thought Heresy, kindled many fires in this land, for which she hears ill among the vulgar to this day, and bears the brand of tyranny, though of her self she was of a mild and merciful disposition.

Among other passages, her severity to her Sister Elizabeth is much taxed, of whose sincere devotion, though outwardly conformable to the Romish Church, the Queen much doubted, and fearing a re­lapse of things after her own death, could have been content that her Sister Elizabeth, though the youngest, had had the Precedency therein; But Philip King of Spain, Queen Maryes husband had other thoughts of and intentions towards Elizabeth, whom he preserved from her Sisters violence, and designed for his second, we would say, third wise, for he was a Widdower, when he married Mary, by whom he now begins to despair of issue, and by reason of her Dropsy, per­ceives she was in no wise immortal here.

Queen Elizabeth at her first entrance makes shew as if she would tread in her Sister Marys steps, whereby she so charmed the Catholick Clergy and Nobility, that they created her no disturbance: And she did fur­ther so temporize with King Philip, that he was a great favourer of her admission, hoping shortly to be a Copartner with her both in Bed and Kingdom.

But the lancy which Philip, though no Babe, had builded in his brain, quickly appears to be but an aerial Castle; for Elizabeth soon undeceives him, and other Romanist, who had promised themselves other matters, by declining Marriage, disowing the Popes Jurisdiction, and reducing Ecclesiastical Affairs to the same state and condition lier Father and Brother had left them in.

[Page 35] The aversenesse of this Queen to Matrimonial Bon­dage, as she accounted it, gave occasion to that great and by her alwayes disliked dispute about the Suc­cession: That it belonged of right to Mary Queen of Seets, Daughter of James, the fifthe Son of Margaret eldest Daughter to King Henry the seventh, none could reasonably deny; but Ma [...]y, say the State Politici­ans of thosetimes, will prove another Mary, and our Religion will be depressed, if she be advanced to the English Throne: Her own Subjects have expelled her upon that account; and shall we accept of her for our Princesse, whom we have so much disobliged by de­taining so long a Prisoner?

For this unfortunate Queen, having been educated in France, did after the decease of her first Husband, the Dolphin, return into Scotland, of whose fashions, by reason of her forein breeding, being somewhat ignorant, she could not consequently but be guilty of some miscarriages, which her Enemies so aggravate, that they stir up the people to a sedition, seize upon her Person, force her to resign to her Son James (by Henry Lord Darly, Son of the Duke of Lenox) not full eighteen Months old, of whom Earl Murray (her Bastard Brother) is made Regent, who was the be­ginning and continuer of all her troubles.

Mary, late, and by right still, Queen of Scots, after this extorted and therefore invalid resignation, fear­ing further attempts against her life, escapes out of the loathsom Gaol where she was secured, and be­takes her self into England for succour, sending news to her Cozen Queen Elizabeth, imploring not only pre­sent protection, but also such convenient aides, as might restore her to her Kingdom, of which she had been forceably deprived by her Mutinous and Rebelli­ous Subjects.

[Page 36] Elizabeth at first gives good words, and sends her large attendance, which were yet but in the quality of an honourable Guard, but afterwards more and more abridges her liberty; at which hard and unwor­thy usage of a suppliant and Heir apparent of the Crown, some English Lords and Gentlemen concei­ving a just disdain, project and propose to her means of deliverance, whereunto she (as all other living creatures are) most greedy of natural freedom, doth readily assent; but these are prevented; and her Acti­ons interpreted as yet tending to the destruction of Queen Elizabeth for which she is tryed by certain de­legated Commissioners (who much resembled a late thing called an High Court of Justice) is by them found guilty, and shortly after beheaded at Fothering­ham Castle in Northamtonshire; but the true cause why she suffered, was expressed to her self by the Earl of Kent, (one of her Judges,) a little before her reputed Martydom; Madam, says he, if you live our Religi­on is in danger, of which words she desired the Au­ditors to take special notice, that confessedly it was not Treason, but Religion for which she was to dye.

Iames the 6th. King of Scotland, Son of the late exe­cuted Mary, now come to years of discretion, expostu­lates with Queen Elizabeth about his Mothers death, but the Queen puts it off upon the precipitation of her Secretary Davison, intimating, that if he stirred in the least manner to revenge, it would irrecoverably hazard his hopes of the Succession, of which yet she gives him but a very saint assurance. But in her declining age, some about her, who had been shie before to in­termeddle with so ticlish and unpleasing a point, grow more peremptory, and presse her to a positive de­claration, to whom her answer was, It is the King of Scots due, and let him have it.

[Page 37] Conform whereunto Iames King of Scotland, imme­diately after her death is proclaimed King of England, both which he converts into the name of Great Bri­tany; and now is Cadwalladers Prophecy, before remem­bred, exactly compleated, that his Race should re­cover the sole Dominion of this Island; for King Iames, besides his direct descent from King Henry the seventh, brought another, but higher title, if the former had not been sufficient, from Banco a Nobleman of Scotland, whose Son Fleance fled from the tyranny of Macheth the Usurper, into wales, and there married the Prince his Daughter, by whom he had walter the first of the re­nowned Family of the Stewards: but for the particulars of that conjunction, we referre you to the British and and Scotish Historians.

King Iames arose in this our Horizon with much clearnesse, notwithstanding Rawleighs mist, and the smoak of the Gun-power-plot, which were soon dispell'd: but his setting was obscured by a little Cloud which shortly did overspread the whole Land.

He had married his eldest Daughter Elizabeth to Frederick Prince Palatine of the Rhene, who unadvised­ly gaping after the Kingdom of Behemia, lost not only it, but his own patrimonial possession.

King Iames who had more of Solomon than David in him, sollicites restitution, rather by Treaty than Arms, and as the most conducing means to his peaceable ends, entertains an overture of a match betwixt his Son Charles Prince of Wales and the Infanta of Spayn, to whose King, the Palatinate was by the Emperour con­figned over.

But the English Parliament takes exception at this intended Spanish affinity, and as if Religion were at the Stake, declaims against it; Notwithstanding the King sends his Son into Spain, who returns thence [Page 38] without a wife, yet in his passage thither, had an ac­cidental sight of her in France, who was by Heaven his designed Spouse.

As soon as Iames was dead, Charles his Son is pro­claimed King, who immediately marries Henrietta Maria youngest Daughter to Henry the great King of France, of whom, as was just now hinted, he had a transient view in his voiage to Spain, which when this Princesse understood, she is reported to have said, That he needed not to have gone so far for a wife.

But now the seed of discontent, which had been sowed in his Fathers time, did begin to bud forth; Scotland yields the first-fruits, which also too much thrives in the English Plantation. The Scotish Nobili­ty enter into Combination against Episcopacy, and the Service-book, which they allege to be obtruded up­on them.

For redresse of these imaginary grievances, the Scots with swords in their hand approach his Majesty to present a Petition, as is given out: A Parliament in England is called to compose differences, which rather increases them, for which it is soon dissolved: The Scots Invasion continues, but at length a Pacification is made; another Parliament is convened, which working so far upon the Kings necessities, extorts from him an inseparable jewel of his Prerogrative, to wit, a privilege, not before asked or granted, not to be discharged without their own consent.

In strength of this concession they proceed to other unseasonable demands, which together with the tu­mults of the City, occasioned the King to retire North­ward, and being denyed entrance into Hull, (for which Sir Iohn Hotham did afterwards receive his re­ward from those that imployed him) he repairs to [Page 39] Nottingham, where, understanding that an Army was formed under the Earl of Essex at London, and then on their March to bring him back, as it was gi­ven out, to his Parliament, he sets up his Standard Royal; but the appearance not answering expectati­on, he directs his course towards Shrewsbury, where by the confluence of the loyal Welsh, his small for­ces are so increased, that he is able to confront the Earl of Essex, then at Worcester, who retreats into War­wickshire, and is overtaken at Edge-hill by his Majesty, where the first signal battail is sought, in which both sides were great losers, and yet both sides assume the victory to themselves.

The war continues doubtful for three years, but the Battail at Naseby in Northamptonshire proves fatal to the Kings affairs; for after that succeeds little else, but the ruine of his party in all places, and surrender of most of his Garrisons, till he was necessitated in dis­guise to leave Oxford, his prime, and well-nigh a­lone remaining hold, then in a manner beleaguered, and betake himself for Protection to the Scotish Army.

The Scots, though they had received all possible sa­tisfaction as to their own concernments, yet could not refrain from intermeddling in the English distempers, and were at that time besieging Newark upon Trent.

They at first received the King with all seeming promises of security as to his Person, but having car­ried him with them to Newcastle, do there barter him with the English for 200000 l. a price, which, as the French Embassador observed, did far exceed that which Iudas received for betraying of our Saviour.

From Newcastle his bought and sold Majesty is con­veyed, by Commissioners deputed for that purpose from the Parliament of England, to his house at Holdenby in [Page 40] Northamtonshire (perhaps that he might be within prospect of that uncomfortable place Naseby, where was given him his irreparable overthrow) there to reside during the pleasure of the two Houses: But not long it was ere Cromwel (whose pulse at that time says a then pen-man, began to beat a Lordly pace) by his instrument Ioyce surpri­zes him in his bed, and when Ioyce told Crom­wel that he had the King in his Custody, then, quoth Cromwel, I have the Parliament in my pocket.

Cromwels end in seizing on the Kings person, was not only for countenance of his Independent pro­ceedings against the opposite Presbyterian faction; but after their depression the better to be ena­bled to destroy the King himself for his own ad­vancement.

For having once entrapped this Royal Lyon, he doth dayly more and more entangle him within his toyles, and never thinks him fast enough, till he had got him in his pit-fall of the Isle of Wight: whether he had allured the good King, who thought others as free from guile, as he knew himself to be, by setting before him the danger he was in, while he remained at Hamp­ton Court, how he lay open and exposed to the wicked machinations of the Agitators of the Army, who intended to Act that, which he poor Soul did even tremble to utter.

But what the King hopes to find a tempora­ry Sanctuary, proves to him a constant prison, from whence he is not to be delivered but in order to his Tryal and Execution, the Barba­rity of which fact, as we cannot, so neither [Page 41] need we aggravate, the whole world both then, and still detesting the Authors and Actors of that abominable Tragedy.

Charles the first being thus execrably murthered, his eldest Son Charles the second ought to have succeeded; but the wicked Regicides not only disavowed his Title, but proceeded to abolish even Monarchical Government it self, introducing in its place a Free-State, or Commonwealth (empty no­tions to delude the Vulgar,) and leaving no course unessayed to debar the Right Heir, whom God, Nature, and the Law of the Land had designed to; yea, and the Peoples wishes (notwithstanding the fore-mentioned popular pretences) had already seated in his Fathers Throne.

And as they are careful to secure themselves at home, so are they no less active to defeat His Ma­jesties preparations abroad: Cromwel is sent into Ireland, who but too soon brings under that almost happily recovered Kingdom.

From thence he is recalled to invade Scotland, where an Agreement (such an one as it was) had been made with His Majesty: Thither Cromwel comes, ere it was sufficiently provided to entertain so trouble some and unexpected a Guest.

This, with some intestine feuds among the Scots themselves, yielded Cromwel a cheap Victory at Dunbar, and was the cause of the over-hasty ren­dition of the impregnable Castle of Edenburgh, (not without suspition of Treachery in the Go­vernor, thereby facilitating Cromwels passage into Fife, which necessitated His Majesty, before His Affairs were fully setled there, to a disadvantageous [Page 42] March into England, where coming as far as Wor­cester, he was so surrounded, that a Battel was imposed upon him upon most unequall terms, there being no proportion between the multi­tude of the Rebels, and paucity of the Royall Army.

Notwithstanding the loss of the Day, numerous­ness of the Pursuers, eagerness in the pursuit, large promised Reward to the Taker or Discoverer, great threatned punishment to the Harbourer, or Concealer, His Majesty most miraculously escapes, which opened a Door of Hope to his Friends, that he was not in vain thus wonderfully preserved, but that there was some greater future Good inten­ded to Him and these Nations than the present face of things did seem to promise or por­tend.

For, though His Majesty's Person, by His safe getting beyond Sea, was somewhat more secure, yet was there but small visible appearance of strength, either forreign or domestick, whereby He might be suddenly enabled to re-gain His lost Kingdoms; nay, those very slender presumptions which remained of better times, did dayly more and more lessen and decrease, till Divine Providence (which is never wanting to afflicted innocency in its greatest extremity, but alwaies maketh choice of such seasons to manifest its power and goodness in) was pleased to interpose, when all other means had failed, and were vanished into nothing, and bring that to pass by an unthought of Instrument, which humane considerations had rendred impro­bable, if not impossible to be effected.

[Page 43] It would be superfluous to dwell long upon particulars, which are so fresh in all mens memo­ries, and the only Theme of all Tongues and Pens; how cold a Reception after this great Deliverance His Majesty met withal in the Court of France, how unworthily he was dismissed thence; how not invited into the Spanish Territo­ries, till the breach with Cromwel was unavoidable, and there rather afforded succour to them, than procured any from them; how His Well-wishers were totally subdued in Scotland, and constantly upon every rising betrayed and suppressed in England: All which misfortunes, with many others, being laid together, to believe that His Majesty should so soon, and so easily obtain the quiet pos­session of His Dominions, required a greater por­tion of Faith, than the World at that time for the Majority was stocked withall.

But among all the Wounds given to the Royal Cause, none pierced deeper than that it received in Cheshire, which though it might seeme but as a slight scar in regard of the small quantity of blood that was then drawn, yet by reason of that far greater effusion that was feared would ensue, it was concluded little lesse than mortall, for it is not to be doubted that yet those mercilesse Empiricks (who had once more undertaken the Cure of the Body Politick) had continued in any longer practice they would have so exhausted the vitall spirits (we meane the Nobility and Gentry of the Land, who were for the most part engaged in the designe, though not in the particular Action) that it should have pined away in a most desperate Consumption, and [Page 44] never have been able to have held up either head or hand again.

Matters being thus in a manner grown helpless, and most men heartless, it is high time for God him­selfe to appear in the Bush; which he doth, but not in such a fire as he appeared in unto Moses in the Wilderness, which consumed not the Bush, but in such a fire as in Iothams Parable, went out of the Bramble and devoured the Cedars of Lebanon; that is, God sent a spirit of division between Lambert and the rump-Parliament (for by that contembtible ap­pellation was it commonly called;) so that they are now no less earnest to destroy, than they were lately zealous to build up each others fallen and decayed Interest.

For Cromwel had long ago cashiered that infamous Conventicle, and though Lambert for a long while after remained an especiall Creature and favorite, yet perceiving, that that office of Protectorship, which he, out of hopes to have been old Nol's second, had in its primitive institution been contrived elective, was converted to hereditary, he became discontent­ed thereat, and was discharged of all Civil and Mili­tary Imployment: But Oliver being laid in the dust, & his son Richard, like a Puppet, set up in his room, Lambert ful of indignation and ambition awaited but his first opportunity, to pul downe this painted and Counterfeit Idol, which opportunity soon offe­red it self in a Parliament of Richards calling, where, the Elections having been somewhat freer than for­merly, much more of the old English courage was to be discovered, than in any of Olivers Iuntos, that is, they would not suffer themselves to be over-ruled [Page 45] by the dictates of an Imperious Army, whereat the Great Officers took much offence, first Remonstra­ting against, and then compelling Richard to dismiss that comparatively honourable Assem­bly.

But Richard's own Obsequies (as to his mock­dignity) immediately attended this their funeral Pile; and the Relicts of the long (and long for­gotten) Parliament were conjured out of the Grave, whither Oliver had sent them packing, to be as it were his Administrators, whom all thought so surely dead, and safely buried, that there had been no danger of this no less unlooked for, than unwelcome Resurrection.

This Skeleton, or Carcase of a rotten Parlia­ment, did so stink in the nostrils of all people, that there was a general inclination to be rid of it, but the good intentions for that purpose were in most Counties blasted before they were ripe for execution, onely in Cheshire, as hath been hinted, a competent Party embodied themselves, against whom Lambert was sent with treble their force, whose puny Conquest over a few forlorn Gentle­men, disheartened through the disappointment of Friends in other places, was termed by one of Lambert's Parasiticall Officers in his own presence A Crowning Mercy, alluding to Cromwel's expres­sion, which he used in his letter to the Speaker after Worcester business: This being passed over by Lambert with a kind of an assenting silence, com­pared with antecedent and ensuing Actions, did clearely evidence that he had the like a spiring pro­ject in his pate, and that he accounted not the [Page 46] thousand pound bestowed on him, to by him a jewel, by his Masters (in which capacity he was resol­ved they should not long abide) a sufficient reward for the great paines he had taken in gaining this in it self little, and, abating the consequences, inconsi­derable victory.

But General Monck, Commander in cheif of Scot­land, had far other and more generous Resolutions, which found a success answerable to the prudence wherewithall they were managed, for making it the Ground of his proceedings to restore the now a second time ejected Rump-Parliament, and after­wards to complete their imperfect number by re­admitting the long ago secluded members; he doth first by Independent assistance dissipate the Anabapti­sticall and fanaticall Crew, and then by Presbyterian concurrence overthrow the Independents themselvs; dexteriously applying the several factions in their order to one anothers ruine, till at last by an invert­ed Method, as it were, he reduces us to that most happy posture we were in before the begining of this causeless and unnaturall Rebellion.

And now this Hydra-Parliament, which had been once before legally by the King's death, and twice violently by tumultuous Souldiery, is now at last finally dissolved by themselves, (a priviledge they had long before extorted, though till now unwilling to make use thereof) and a better chosen in their stead, who at the time appointed (notwithstanding Lamberts flash in the interval, which proved but as lightning before death) con­vened, and according to their duty did forthwith proclaim their undoubted Sovereign, and sent [Page 47] Commissioners to invite him home to the Exercise of his Regal Government; which hath filled our mouths with laughter and our hearts with mirth, and occasioned the composing of this little Trea­tise, the Author having no other mite whereby he might testifie his particular contentment in the midst of so publick and universal rejoycing.

But the Reader is to be advertised that this un­fortunate Embrio (conceived between His Maje­sty's being voted and coming in) laboured far lon­ger under the Press than under the Pen, and when with much a do it had been produced, it was so de­formed and mis-shapen, that a resolution was once taken to have stifled it in the birth, and never to have permitted such a disfigured brat to have seen the light; but upon second thoughts it hath liberty to wander abroad, not out of any foolish fancy that it will finde acceptance, but out of a consideration that it will be no greater cruelty to expose it to the wide world, than to suffer it to perish in a private Study.

And yet to make some satisfaction for former er­rors and delay, we shall now add what hath hither­to been wholly omitted, or but superficially glan­ced at; to wit, His Majesty's extraction from the Scotish, and what is chiefest, from the Brittish Race, that of the Saxon and Norman having been the prin­cipal, if not sole subject of the precedent discourse.

The Scots, according to their best Historians, came originally out of Ireland about 300 years be­fore the Incarnation of our blessed Saviour, under the conduct of Fergus the first, who was also King there (which if so, then hath our King, lineally de­scended [Page 48] from that Fergus, a better Title than that of bare modern Conquest, even unto that King­dome) and possessed themselves of the North­western parts of Brittany: And it is remarkable, that notwithstanding a Custome begun in the very Infancy of their State, and continued about a thousand years, that if the Son, which frequently happened, were under age at the Fathers death, the next of the blood-Royal should be, not Guar­dian, but King, not only during the minority of the Orphan, but even during his own natural life, whereby these Tenants pur vie had too fair, or ra­ther too foul, opportunities to change their manner of hold into fee-simple; yet did the true Proprie­tor, though for a while disseised, still recover his patrimonial right, as may be made evident out of Buchanan himself, who was yet a greater friend to an Elective, than Hereditary succession.

Kenneth the third, and Malcolm the second were the first Alterers of this suspicious Custome, Or­daining, that from thence-forward Children should succeed their Parents immediately, and have only Governors (such as the Parents in their life time should appoint) to oversee them and their King­dome, until they attained their maturity, whence it came to pass, that for the future interruptions were much rarer, the regular course of Nature more duly observed, and a greater restraint put into the Practisers of aspiring and ambitious kin­dred.

Nevertheless, Machbeth, Grandson to Malcolme the second, though but by his youngest Daughter, invaded the Sovereignty, and having murthered [Page 49] the lawful King Donald related to the said Malcolm in an equal propinquity, and that by the eldest Daughter (Beatrice,) did for a while usurp, but he was expelled and slain by Macduffe Thane, or Earl of Fife, and Malcolm the third, Son of Donald, in­stalled in his Fathers Throne. This is that Malcolm, who as he found refuge in the English Court, under the Protection of Edward the Confessor, when he was forced to withdraw himself from Macbeth's persecution, so did he afford the like succour in the Scotish to the Confessor's Nephew Edgar Ethe­ling, when he was driven out of his Countrey by William the Conqueror, and took his Sister and Heir Margaret to Wife, by whom he had a Daugh­ter named Maud, who being married to Henry, the Conquerors Son, was, as hath been before declared, the Bond whereby the Saxon and Norman Line were connected and entwisted together.

But we cannot dissemble what few take notice of, to wit, that the better, that is, the more Masculine Bloud-Royal of the Saxon Race (which in compa­rison of the Norman, though both founded in Con­quest, was much to be preferred, by reason of its much elder prescription) did still reside in the House of Scotland: For, Margaret bare to Malcolm (be­sides that Daughter Maud) three Sons, Edgar, A­lexander, and David, who (to pass over the Intru­sion of Donald the Brother, and Duncan the Bastard of Malcolm, because each did soon expire) were all Kings in their Order, but only David had Issue, from whom the Kings of Scotland have ever since, however they have alwayes abstained from their [Page 50] claim to the English Crown upon that account, de­rived an undoubted and not to be disputed des­cent.

Henry (David's only Son) departed this life be­fore his Father, but left three Sons behind him, Malcolm, William and David, (which last was Earl of Huntington in England) whereof Malcolm the 4. succeeded his Grandfather, him being childless his Brother William, him his Son Alexander the second, him his Son Alexander the third, and him should have his Grandaughter Margaret, who was bred in, and sent for out of Norway, but that she died be­fore her arrival on the Scotish Coasts.

And now (the rest being extinct) recourse must be had to the Off-spring of the late mentioned Earl of Huntington, when, lo, two Grand Competitors ap­pear, Iohn Baliol, who fetches his stock from the el­dest Daughter (Margaret,) and Robert Bruse who confessedly came from the younger (Isabell;) but alledges, that he is in a nearer degree of Consangui­nity to Earl David, than the other either did, or could pretend himself to be.

The Controversie, in regard of the Potency of both Parties, being not capable of a decision at home without the danger of a Civil War, it was referred to Edward the first, King of England, who rather brought Oyl to encrease, than Water to quench the flame, and was resolved to bestow it on him only, who would profess homage, and swear fealty unto the English Crown.

To this Imperious demand, Baliol, though con­ceived superior in Title, yet proving meaner in [Page 51] Spirit, did readily condescend, which Bruse, whose Plea was thought weaker, but Courage found grea­ter, did utterly refuse to assent unto.

Whereupon Edward pronounces sentence on Ba­liols side, who is acknowledged King by many of the Scotish Nobility, but rather out of fear of Ed­ward's power, than any satisfaction or delight they took in this dishonourable, and as they esteemed it, unworthy submission.

Yea, Baliol himself doth soon repent of it, and bids defiance to Edward, who now afresh cajols Bruse, urging the performance of promises; he re­turned a scornfull Negative: As if, saies he, we had nothing else to do, than to conquer Kingdoms for you to enjoy.

Baliol at last surrenders himself unto Edward, and is by him sent Prisoner into England, and there de­tained until the Pope's Intercession and Engage­ment that he should create no further trouble in Scotland, he is released, and retires into France, where having resigned his whole right to his Counsin Bruse, he spends the remainder of his days in a more quiet and contented estate.

But Robert Bruse (Son of Robert the Author of the Contention, which he lived not to see finished) was little pleased with Eeglish Edward's fishing in disturbed streams, and therefore he sets up trading for himself, at first with smal probability of thriving, but afterwards he caught the prey where at he aimed, which was almost ravished out of the mouth of his Infant-Son David, by Edward Baliol, Son of that Iohn, who had once renounced it; but it was again [Page 52] rescued by Robert Stuart the Vice-roy; and Baliol with his Issue, if he had any, failing, the Brusians became legal Owners of that Kingdom, whereinto at the beginning they seemed to have made but a violent and forcible entry.

Robert Stuart (even now remembred) was Da­vid's Sister's Son, and consequently his Heir, he having no Children of his own; but David, not­withstanding old benefits, upon some new displea­sure, was inclinable to have put him by, had he not been over-perswaded by the Nobility, who were as well sensible of Robert's worth, as that his Grandfa­ther Robert the first had, before his Son David was born, designed him to the Kingdom; Nay, the Fates themselves, if credit be to be given to some Scotish Chronicles, had long ago destined no less: for, they report, that Macbeth (the after Tyrant) and Banco (one of Robert's Progenitors) walking in a Wood, encountred with three women of more than humane aspect, who saluted Macbeth, then a pri­vate person, King of Scotland; whereat when Ban­co shewed himself aggrieved, they told him that Macbeth should only the King himself, which pre­sently came to pass, but that the succession was re­served for his Posterity, which, though somewhat with the slowest, is now at length exactly ful­filled.

For, this Robert was the Son of Walter, the Son of Iohn, the Son of Alexander, the Son of Walter, the Son of Alexander, the Son of Alan, the Son of Walter Stuart, (the first of that Surname and Office in Scotland) the Son of Fleance, the Son of Banco, [Page 53] whom Macbeth, to defeat the Prediction, slew, and sought to do the like to his Son Fleance, who pre­vented his bloudy intentions by fleeing into Wales, and there, as it hath already been touched in gross, he married Nest (by whom he had that first and fa­mous Walter) the Daughter of Giffith ap Llewelyn, the Son of Angharad, the Daughter and Heir of Meredith, the Son of Owen, the Son of Howel Dha, the Son of Cadelh, the Son of Rodri Mawr, the Son of Esylht, the Daughter and Heir of Conan Tyn­daithwy, the Son of Rodri Moelwynog, the Son of Edwall Twrch, the Son of Cadwallader, last King of Brittany, and first of Wales, beyond whom, in point of pedegree, we dare not wander; but must here erect our Pillars, and fix our Ne plus ultra, lest by wading further we should be swallowed up in the vast Abyss of an unbounded and fathomless O­cean.

And here we might likewise put a period to the whole Tract, as having traced this Robert's lineage in the Brettish Story, as far as with any confidence we can well proceed; and being able with much more ease and assurance to resolve our present So­vereign's into his (for Charles the second is the Son of Charles the first, the Son of Iames the sixth, the Son of Mary, the Daughter and Heir of Iames the fourth, the Son of Iames the fourth, the Son of Iames the third, the Son of Iames the second, the Son of Iames the first, the Son of Iohn, whose name upon the Assumption of the Kingdom was converted into Robert the third, the Son of the aforesaid Robert the second, &c.) but that it is demurred by some:

[Page 54] First, Whether Nest (Walter's Mother) were an Heir, or no?

2. Admitting that she were, whether her Ance­stor Cadelh were the eldest Son of Rodri Mawr, who being King of all Wales, was the first that did make a partition thereof?

George Owen Harry in a Book entituled [The Ge­nealogy of the high and mighty Monarch James by the Grace of God King of Great Brittaine, &c.) Printed 1604. favours Cadelh with the first Colume among Rodri's Sons; but D. Powel in his Chronicle written before, and taken out of most Authen­tick Records, is peremptory in vindicating the Birth-right to Anarawd Prince of Northwales, and maintaining, that though his two Brothers, Cadelh Prince of Southwales, and Mervyn Prince of Powis were sharers in the Inheritance, yet did they hold from him and his Children (or ought so to have done) as from Lords Paramount; and therefore we must only adhere to Anarawd's line, and wave his Majesties descent from all other Princes of Wales, which were either but Usurpers, or at the best but of the youngest House, and Vassals and Homagers to the Princes of Northwales.

In doing this we shall begin before the Fraction, even with Cadwallader himself, and so by Anarawd come down to his Majesty, not meddling with In­truders upon any other score, than as we have hi­therto done; to wit, to shew that sometimes such there were by God's permission, but never intended for perpetuity, the succession always in the end (these Imposters not withstanding) revolving to the genuine and legittimate Heir.

[Page 55] Cadwallader, then surnamed Bendigaid, or the Blessed, having lost the greatest part of his King­dome to the Saxons, did, by the perswasion of his Cousin Alan King of Little Brittain, betake himself to Rome, and there lived and died in God's Service, bequeathing to his Posterity the fore-recited Pro­phecy, That they should one day be Masters of his whole Isle again: But Ivon the Son of Alan governed next after him, his own Son Edwall Twrch, that is, the Roe, being unable, or unwilling to divert the Helm in such turbulent and tempestuous weather.

Yet did his Son Rodri-Moel-Wynog undertake it, and left it to his Son Conan Tyndaithwy, whose Daughter Esylht was his Heir; but she knowing how unfit feminine shoulders were to sustain so great a burthen in those Martial times, took to Husband a Noble Prince Mervyn Vrych, by whom she had Rodri Mawr, or Roderick the Great, who more consulting private affection than Reason of State, made that unpollitick Division of Wales, which being united, was scarce able to defend it self against the Invasions of the Saxons, their implacable and continually encroaching Neighbors.

Now though much of the Demean were defalca­ted from Anarawd by his Father Rodri, yet did the Fee and Chiefeship remain to him and his, which his Brother Cadelh did sparingly enough acknow­ledge, and his Son Howel less; for he not onely withdraws his Allegiance for Southwales, but after the death of EdwalVoel, the son of Anarawd, seizes upon Northwales it self: yet is he commonly stiled Dha, or the Good, not certainly for such undue ac­quisitions [Page 56] and unjust detentions, but for the ex­cellent Laws he made, a thing not unusually pra­ctised by those who have less of equity on their side to warrant their ill-gotten and unlawfull Posses­sions.

Howel Dha being dead the Principality returned to Ievaf and Iago, the Sons indeed, but yet but the yongest Sons of Edwal Voel, no respect being had by them of their elder Brother Meyric, whose Son Edwall nevertheless obtained it, having waited the leisure not only of Howel and Cadwalhan, the sons of Iago, but also of Meredith ap Owen ap Howel Dha, who followed his Grandfathers steps, and commit­ted a second Rape upon Northwales, herein the more excusable, that he took it from one who had himself no other plea, than that of force and extor­tion thereunto.

But Edwall ap Meyric having, after the exercise of some patience, gained what his Father was inju­riously deprived of, left both his bad and good Fortune to his son Iago, or Iames, viz. to the defrau­ded for a while, by an Abator, or two (Aedan ap Blegared and Llewelyn ap Sitsylht) but afterwards to recover his Paternal Right; which yet he doth not long enjoy, but loses it, with his life, to Gryffith ap Lewelyn ap Sitsylht; and his Son Conan (to pre­serve his life) is forced to flee into Ireland, where marrying with Ranulht, Daughter of Alfred King of Dublyn, he had by her a Son called Gryffith, who will be found another Medium, besides that of Fer­gus, whereby more of the Irish Bloud-Royal is transmitted into His Majesty's most Princely veins.

[Page 57] And if, as doubtless it will be, it be objected, that neither of these foundations are of sufficient strength to build a claim to a Kingdome upon, it not appearing that Fergus or Alfred were Kings of Ireland entirely, but supposed to be of parcels on­ly; or that Ranulht, Alfred's Daughter was also his Heir: Our Answer is, that we do not lay the whole stress of our King's Interest to that Kingdom upon such weak and infirm undersetters; but affirm, that the most considerable part of the Inhabitants, as English, Scotch, Welsh, are undoubtedly His Ma­jesty's natural Leiges; and as for the original Na­tives, whom Conquest hath made Subjects; this however seemingly imperfect Title joyned with that, obliges them to continue so; especially seeing it is such a Conquest as hath been confirmed by more Centuries of years, than those within the compass of which Iephtha demanded of the Ammonitish King, why he had not all that while recovered his now too late challenged Land: And as concerning the Title it self, as bad as it is, a better it is presu­med cannot be produced by any pretender what­soever.

But to return from our digression (Ireland lying somewhat out of our Road, which is principally confined to Great Brittain) Prince Gryffith ap Co­nan ap Iago, with the assistance of the Irish, re­prieves that Countrey which properly belonged to him, out of the Talons of Trahern ap Caradoc, the last of the Usurpers, there having been since Iago's death no fewer than four, to wit, Gryffith ap Llew­elyn ap Sitsylht, he that ejected and killed Iago, [Page 58] Blethyn ap Convyn, his Brother Rywalhan and this Trahern, whom Gryffith the lawfull Heir slew at the battel of Carnarvan, and after a long and prospe­rous Reign had this felicity superadded to his for­mer, that his eldest Son Owen was his Successor, which happened not to Owen himself, but his first­born Iorwerth Drwyndwn, upon a pitiful Cavil that he had a deformity in his nose (which his surname doth import) was laid aside, and his younger Bro­ther David preferred before him.

Yet did that most noble and valiant Prince Llew­elyn, the Son of Iorwerth Drwyndwn dispossess his usurping Uncle David, and not content to have re­paired late losses, proceeds to resume former alie­nations, by reannexing to his Territories those se­veral fragments of Wales, which the weakness or improvidence of his Predecessors had suffered to be pared away from their already too slender and scanty Dominions.

And here two waies offering themselves to bring us to our journeys end, we are at a stand which to elect, that of Mortimer's, or of Owen Tudvr's Race: We have indeed engaged in the beginning of the progress to prosecute that of Sir Owen Tudyr's; but an unexpected rub hath fallen out in our passage, which we did not fore-see when we made that pro­mise, viz. that Gryffith ap Llewelyn (the Father of Llewelyn ap Gryffith, the last Prince of Wales, the Father of Catherine, the Mother of Eleanor, the Mother of Margaret, the Mother of Meredith, the Father of Sir Owen) was but the base Son of Llew­elyn ap Iorwerth ap Drwyndwn, and therefore his at­tempt [Page 59] to drive out his lawfully begotten Brother Da­vid, was altogether lawless, as likewise was his son Llewelyn's keeping out Gulladys Dhy (or the Black) the Sister and Heir of David, because she was mar­ried to an English man, namely, Sir Ralph Mortimer, Lord of Wignsor, by whom he had Roger Mortimer, the Father of Edmond the Father of Roger, the Fa­ther of Edmond, the Father of Roger, the Father of that Edmond who married Philippa the Daughter and sole Heir of Lionell Duke of Clarence, third Son of King Edward the third, and by her had that Roger, from whom to make another deduction to His Majesty, would be but an idle repetition of what hath been already declared, and is obvious to every one that hath but heard of the great Con­troversie between the Yorkish and Lancastrian House.

But be it how it will, whether Mortimer, or Tu­dyr's Right be the firmest, certain it is, that both these different lines do centre in the same point, wherein the Roses met, and from thence, like Rivo­lets that have formerly been divided, do unitedly flow unto His Majesty; so that he need not (as the French do) sodder up a broken Title with a devi­sed Law salique repugnant to the Law of Nature, or use so poor an evasion, as the King of Spain is said to do, when the Duke of Medina Sidonia once in a generation tenders a Customary Petition to have the Kingdom delivered up unto him as his due, the Answer is, that the place is already full; but may dare the whole World to shew a more un­exceptionable claim than his, unto the Imperial [Page 60] Crown he now wears: And long may it flowrish upon his head, and the head of his Posterity, even unto the end of the World. And let all the People say Amen.