THE HISTORY OF THE REIGN Ог KING HENRY THE EIGHTH. AFTER the decease of that wise and fortunate thing as any great and mighty subject, who King, Henry the Seventh, who died in the height might anywise eclipse or overshade the imperial of his prosperity, there followed, as useth to do, power. And for the people and state in general, when the sun setteth so exceeding clear, one of they were in such lowness of obedience, as subthe fairest mornings of a kingdom that hath been jects were like to yield, who had lived almost known in this land or anywhere else. A young four-and-twenty years under so politic a king as king, about eighteen years of age, for stature, his father; being also one who came partly by the strength, making, and beauty, one of the goodliest sword; and had so high courage in all points of persons of his time. And though he were given regality; and was ever victorious in rebellions to pleasure, yet he was likewise desirous of glory; and seditions of the people. The crown extremeso that there was a passage open in his mind, by ly rich, and full of treasure, and the kingdom like glory, for virtue. Neither was he unadorned to be so in a short time. For there was no war, with learning, though therein he came short of his no dearth, no stop of trade, or commerce: it was brother Arthur. He had never any the least only the crown which had sucked too hard, and pique, difference, or jealousy with the king his now being full, and upon the head of a young father, which might give any occasion of altering king, was like to draw less. Lastly, he was incourt or council upon the change; but all things heritor of his father's reputation, which was great passed in a still. He was the first heir of the throughout the world. He had strait alliance white and red rose; so that there was no discon- with the two neighbour states, an ancient enemy tented party now left in the kingdom, but all men's in former times, and an ancient friend, Scotland hearts turned towards him: and not only their and Burgundy. He had peace and amity with hearts, but their eyes also; for he was the only France, under the assurance, not only of treaty son of the kingdom. He had no brother; which and league, but of necessity and inability in the though it be a comfortable thing for kings to have, French to do him hurt, in respect that the French yet it draweth the subjects' eyes a little aside. king's designs where wholly bent upon Italy: so And yet being a married man in those young that it may be truly said, there had scarcely been years, it promised hope of speedy issue to succeed seen, or known, in many ages, such a rare conin the crown. Neither was there any queen-currence of signs and promises, of a happy and mother, who might share any way in the govern- flourishing reign to ensue, as were now met in this ment, or clash with his counsellors for authority, young king, called after his father's name, Henry while the king intended his pleasure. No such the Eighth. VOL. I.-49 2 K 385 THE BEGINNING OF THE HISTORY OF GREAT BRITAIN. vidence of King Henry the Seventh was in all men's mouths; who being one of the deepest and most prudent princes of the world, upon the deliberation concerning the marriage of his eldest daughter into Scotland, had, by some speech uttered by him, showed himself sensible and almost prescient of this event. Neither did there want a concurrence of divers rare external circumstances, besides the virtues and condition of the person, which gave great reputation to this succession. A king in the strength of his years, supported with great alliances abroad, established with royal issue at home, at peace with all the world, practised in the regiment of such a kingdom, as might rather enable a king by variety of accidents, than corrupt him with affluence or vainglory; and one that besides his universal capacity and judgment, was notably exercised and practised in matters of religion and the church: which in these times, by the confused use of both swords, are become so intermixed with considerations of estate, as most of the counsels of sovereign princes or republics depend upon them: but nothing did more fill foreign nations with admiration and expectation of his succession, than the wonderful, and, by them, unexpected consent of all estates and subjects of England, for the receiving of the king without the least scruple, pause, or question. For it had been generally dispersed by the fugi tives beyond the seas, who, partly to apply themselves to the ambition of foreigners, and partly to give estimation and value to their own employ By the decease of Elizabeth, Queen of England, | conjectures of wise men, so in this matter the prothe issues of King Henry the Eighth failed, being spent in one generation and three successions. For that king, though he were one of the goodliest persons of his time, yet he left only by his six wives three children; who reigning successively, and dying childless, made place to the line of Margaret, his eldest sister, married to James the Fourth, King of Scotland, descended of the same Margaret both by father and mother: so that by a rare event in the pedigrees of kings, it seemed as if the divine Providence, to extinguish and take away all envy and note of a stranger, had doubled upon his person, within the circle of one age, the royal blood of England by both parents. This succession drew towards it the eyes of all men, being one of the most memorable accidents that had happened a long time in the Christian world. For the kingdom of France having been reunited in the age before in all the provinces thereof formerly dismembered: and the kingdom of Spain being, of more fresh memory, united and made entire, by the annexing of Portugal in the person of Philip the Second; there remained but this third and last union, for the counterpoising of the power of these three great monarchies; and the disposing of the affairs of Europe thereby to a more assured and universal peace and concord. And this event did hold men's observations and discourses the more, because the island of Great Britain, divided from the rest of the world, was never before united in itself under one king, notwithstanding also that the uniting of them had been in former times industriously attempted both by war and treaty. Therefore it seemed a mani-ments, used to represent the state of England in a fest work of providence, and a case of reservation for these times; insomuch that the vulgar conceived that now there was an end given, and a consummation to superstitious prophecies, the belief of fools, but the talk sometimes of wise men, and to an ancient tacit expectation, which had by tradition been infused and inveterated into men's minds. But as the best divinations and predictions are the politic and probable foresight and false light, that after Queen Elizabeth's decease there must follow in England nothing but confusions, interreigns, and perturbations of estate, likely far to exceed the ancient calamities of the civil wars between the houses of Lancaster and York, by how much more the dissensions were like to be more mortal and bloody, when foreign competition should be added to domestical, and divisions for religion to matter of title to the crown. And in special, Parsons the Jesuit, under a disguised name, had not long before published an express treatise, wherein, whether his malice made him believe his own fancies, or whether he thought it the fittest way to move sedition, like evil spirits, which seem to foretell the tempest they mean to move, he laboured to display and give colour to all the vain pretences and dreams of succession which he could imagine; and thereby had possessed many abroad that knew not the affairs here with those his vanities. Neither wanted there here within this realm, divers persons both wise and well affected, who, though they doubted not of the undoubted right, yet setting before themselves the waves of people's hearts, guided no less by sudden and temporary winds, than by the natural course and motion of the waters, were not without fear what might be the event. For Queen Elizabeth being a princess of extreme caution, and yet one that loved admiration above safety; and knowing the declaration of a successor might in point of safety be disputable, but in point of admiration and respect assuredly to her disadvantage; had, from the beginning, set it down for a maxim of estate, to impose a silence touching succession. Neither was it only reserved as a secret of estate, but restrained by severe laws, that no man should presume to give opinion, or maintain argument touching the same: so, though the evidence of right drew all the subjects of the land to think one thing; yet the fear of danger of law made no man privy to other's thought. And therefore it rejoiced all men to see so fair a morning of a kingdom, and to be thoroughly secured of former apprehensions; as a man that awaketh out of a fearful dream. But so it was, that not only the consent, but the applause and joy was infinite, and not to be expressed, throughout the realm of England | upon this succession: whereof the consent, no doubt, may be truly ascribed to the clearness of the right; but the general joy, alacrity, and gratulation, were the effects of differing causes. For Queen Elizabeth, although she had the use of many both virtues and demonstrations, that might draw and knit unto her the hearts of her people: yet nevertheless carrying a hand restrained in gift, and strained in points of prerogative, could not answer the votes either of servants or subjects to a full contentment; especially in her latter days, when the continuance of her reign, which extended to five-and-forty years, might discover in people their natural desire and inclination towards change so that a new court and a new reign were not to many unwelcome. Many were glad, and especially those of settled estate and fortune, that the fears and uncertainties were overblown, and that the die was cast. Others, that had made their way with the king, or offered their service in the time of the former queen, thought now the time was come for which they had prepared and generally all such as had any dependence upon the late Earl of Essex, who had mingled the service of his own ends with the popular pretence of advancing the king's title, made account their cause was amended. Again, such as might misdoubt they had given the king any occasion of distaste, did contend by their forwardness and confidence, to show it was but their fastness to the former government, and that those affections ended with the time. The papists nourished their hopes, by collating the case of the papists in England, and under Queen Elizabeth, and the case of the papists in Scotland under the king: interpreting that the condition of them in Scotland was the less grievous, and divining of the king's government here accordingly: besides the comfort they ministered to themselves from the memory of the queen his mother. The ministers, and those which stood for the presbytery, thought their cause had more sympathy with the discipline of Scotland than the hierarchy of England, and so took themselves to be a degree nearer their desires. Thus had every condition of persons some contemplation of benefit, which they promised themselves; over-reaching, perhaps, according to the nature of hope, but yet not without some probable ground of conjecture. At which time also there came forth in print the king's book, intituled, Bariλikov Aupov: containing matter of instruction to the prince his son touching the office of a king; which book falling into every man's hand, filled the whole realm, as with a good perfume or incense, before the king's coming in; for being excellently written, and having nothing of affectation, it did not only satisfy better than particular reports touching the king's disposition, but far exceeded any formal or curious edict or declaration, which could have been devised of that nature, wherewith the princes in the beginning of their reigns do use to grace themselves, or at least express themselves gracious in the eyes of their people. And this was for the general the state and constitution of men's minds upon this change; the actions themselves passed in this manner. The rest is wanting. In the consideration of the present state of Christendom, depending on the inclinations and qualities of the princes, governors of the same, first the person of the pope, acknowledged for supreme of the princes catholic, may be brought forth. Gregory XIII., of the age of seventy years, by surname Boncompagno, born in Bolonia, of the meanest state of the people, his father a shoemaker by occupation; of no great learning nor understanding, busy rather in practice, than desirous of wars, and that rather to further the advancement of his son and his house, a respect highly regarded of all the popes, than of any inclination of nature, the which, yet in these years, abhorreth not his secret pleasures. Howbeit, two things especially have set so sharp edge to him, whereby he doth bend himself so vehemently against religion. The one is a mere necessity, the other the solicitation of the King of Spain. For if we consider duly the estate of the present time, we shall find that he is not so much carried with the desire to suppress our religion, as driven with the fear of the downfall of his own, if in time it be not upheld and restored. The reasons be these: He seeth the King of Spain already in years, and worn with labour and troubles, that there is little hope in him of long life. And he failing, there were likely to ensue great alterations of state in all his dominions, the which should be joined with the like in religion, especially in this divided time, and in Spain, already so forward, as the fury of the Inquisition can scarce keep in. In France, the state of that church seemeth to depend on the sole life of the king now reigning, being of a weak constitution, full of infirmities, not likely to have long life, and quite out of hope of any issue. Of the Duke of Anjou he doth not assure himself; besides the opinion conceived of the weakness of the complexion of all that race, giving neither hope of length of life nor of children. And the next to the succession make already profession of the reformed religion, besides the increase thereof daily in France; England and Scotland are already, God be thanked, quite reformed, with the better part of Germany. And because the queen's majesty hath that reputation to be the defender of the true religion and faith; against her majesty, as the head of the faithful, is the drift of all their mischiefs. The King of Spain having erected, in his conceit, a monarchy, wherein seeking reputation in the protection of religion, this conjunction with the pope is as necessary to him for the furtherance of his purposes, as to the pope behoveful for the advancing of his house, and for his authority; the King of Spain having already bestowed on the pope's son, degree of title and of office, with great revenues. To encourage the pope herein, being head of the church, they set before him the analogy of the name Gregory, saying, that we were first under a Gregory brought to the faith, and by a Gregory are again to be reduced to the obedience of Rome. A prophecy likewise is found out, that foretelleth, "the dragon sitting in the chair of Peter, great things should be brought to pass." Thus is the King of France solicited against those of the religion in France; the emperor against those in his dominions; divisions set in Germany; the Low Countries miserably oppressed; and daily attempts against her majesty, both by force and practice; hereto serve the seminaries, where none are now admitted, but those who take the oath against her majesty. The sect of the Jesuits are special instruments to alienate the people from her majesty, sow faction, and to absolve them of the oath of obedience, and prepare the way to rebellion and revolt. Besides, for confirmation of their own religion, they have used some reformation of the clergy. and brought in catechizing. To go forth with the Princes of Italy, next in situation. The great Duke of Tuscany, Francisco de Medici, son to Cosmo, and the third duke of that family and province; of the age of forty years; of disposition severe and sad, rather than manly and grave; no princely port or behaviour more than a great justicer; inclined to peace, and gathering money. All Tuscany is subject unto him, wherein were divers commonwealths; whereof the chief were Florence, Siena, and Pisa, Prato, and Pistoia, saving Lucca, and certain forts on the sea-coast, held by the King of Spain. Two years sithence he married la Signora Bianca, his concubine, a Venetian of Casa Capelli, whereby he entered straiter amity with the Venetians: with the pope he had good intelligence, and some affinity by the marriage of Signor Jacomo, the pope's son, in Casa Sforza. To the emperor he is allied, his first wife being the Emperor Maximilian's sister. With Spain he is in strait league, and his mother was of the house of Toledo; his brother likewise, D. Pietro, married in the same house. With France he standeth at this present in some misliking. He retaineth in his service few, and they strangers, to whom he giveth pensions. In all his citadels he hath garrison of Spaniards, except at Siena: in housekeeping spendeth little, being as it were in pension, agreeing for so much the year with a citizen of Florence for his diet: he has a With Ferrara always at jar, as with all the small guard of Swissers, and when he rideth Dukes of Italy, for the preseance in some controabroad a guard of forty light-horsemen. The mi-versy. litia of his country amounteth to forty thousand soldiers, to the which he granteth leave to wear their weapons on the holydays, and other immunities. Besides, he entertaineth certain men of arms, to the which he giveth seven crowns the month. He also maintaineth seven galleys, the which serve under his knights, erected by his father in Pisa, of the order of St. Stephano: of these galleys three go every year in chase. All his revenues arise of taxes and customs; his domains are very small. He hath by his first wife one son, of the age of four or five years, and four daughters; he hath a base child by this woman, and a base brother, D. Joanni, sixteen years of age, of great expectation. Two brothers, D. Pietro, and the cardinal. Guise. He The Duke of Ferrara, Alfonso d'Este, the fifth His common exercise is in distillations, and in duke, now about forty years of age; his first wife trying of conclusions, the which he doth exer- Lucretia, daughter to Cosmo de Medici, whom cise in a house called Cassino in Florence, where they say he poisoned; his second, daughter to he spendeth the most part of the day; giving ear Ferdinand the emperor; his third wife, now livin the mean season to matters of affairs and con- ing, Anne daughter to the Duke of Mantua. ferring with his chief officers. His revenues are hath no child. The chief cities of his state are esteemed to amount to a million and a half of Ferrara, Modena, and Reggio: he is rich in money, crowns, of the which spending half a million, growing as the most of Italy, of exactions; of all he layeth up yearly one million. But certainly the princes of Italy alone inclineth to the French; he is the richest prince in all Europe of coin. with the pope hath some jar about the passage of The form of his government is absolute, depend- a river. The Venetians and he fall in great haing only of his will and pleasure, though re-tred; with Florence hath enmity: with Lucca taining in many things the ancient officers and little skirmishes every year for a castle he buildshow. But those magistrates resolve nothing eth on their confines, to raise a great toll in without his express directions and pleasure. a strait passage, by reason of his mother, a Privy council he useth none, but reposeth much his trust on sound secretaries, and conferreth chiefly with his wife, as his father did with one of is secretaries. For matter of examinations, one Corbolo hath the especial trust; he doth favour the people more than the nobility, because they do bear an old grudge to the gentlemen, and the people are the more in number, without whom the nobility can do nothing. One thing in him giveth great contentment to the subjects, that he vouchsafeth to receive and hear all their petitions himself. And in his absence from Florence, those that have suit do resort to the offices, and there exhibit their bill endorsed; whereof within three days absolute answers is returned them, unless the matter be of great importance, then have they directions how to proceed. He is a great justicer; and for the ease of the people, and to have the better eye over justice, hath built hard by his palace a fair row of houses for all offices together in one place. William, of the house of Gonsaga, the third Duke of Mantua; his wife Barbara, daughter to the Emperor Ferdinand, by whom he hath a son of twenty-two years of age, and a daughter. His son is called Vincentio, his daughter Anne, married of late to the Duke of Ferrara; his son likewise married a year sithence to the Prince of Parma's daughter. The duke his self very deformed and crook-backed, well in years, Montferrat likewise appertaineth to him. Divers of his house have pension always, and serve the King of Spain; his brother, the Duke of Nevers, remaineth in France. He only seeketh to maintain his estate and enrich himself; his greatest pleasure is in horses and building. The Duke of Urbin, Francesco Maria, of the house of Roveré, the second of that name, a prince of good behaviour and witty. In his state are seven reasonable fair cities; Pesaro, Augubio, Sinigaglia, Fossombrone, Sanleo, Cagli, Urbino, |