A.Proclamation by Thomas Earl of Northumberland and Charles Earl of Westmoreland, the Queen’s true and Faithful Subjects, to all the same of the old and Catholic Faith.
A.Proclamation by Thomas Earl of Northumberland and Charles Earl of Westmoreland, the Queen’s true and Faithful Subjects, to all the same of the old and Catholic Faith.
Know ye, that we, with many other well-disposed of the nobility and others, have promised our faith for the furtherance of this our good meaning. As divers ill-disposed persons about Her Majesty have, by their crafty dealing, overthrown in this realm the true and Catholic religion towards God,abused[22]the Queen, dishonoured the realm, and now seek to procure the destruction of this nobility, we have gathered ourselves together to resist force by force, and rather, by the help of God and you good people, to redress those things amiss, with the restoring of all ancient customs and liberties to God and this noble realm. If we shall not do it ourselves, we might be reformed by strangers, to the great hazarding of the state of this our country.
Staindrop,15 Nov., 1569,
B.Another Proclamation by the same.
Source.—Dodd’sChurch History of England. Edited by M. A. Tierney, 1840. Vol. iii., App. i.
Whereas it hath been, by the sinister and wicked reports of sundry malicious persons, enemies both to God’s word and the public estate of this commonwealth, devised and published, that the assembly of these noblemen, the earls of Northumberland and Westmoreland, with sundry of the greatest worship and credit in this part of the realm, is and hath been to the overthrow of the commonwealth and the crown, it was therefore thought good to [sic] the earls and their council, to signify to all and every the queen’s majesty’s subjects the true and sincere meaning of the said earls, their friends and allies.
Know ye, therefore, that where of late it hath been faithfully and deliberately considered and devised by the right high and mighty prince, Thomas, Duke of Norfolk, Henry earl of Arundel, William, earl of Pembroke, together with the said earls of Northumberland and Westmoreland, and divers others of the ancient nobility of this realm, with a common consent of sundry the principal favourers of God’s word (and the same as well for the avoiding of bloodshed and utter subversion of the commonwealth, as the reforming of certain disorders crept in by the abuse and malicious practicesof sundry wicked and evil-disposed persons), to make manifest and known to all manner of men, to whom of mere right the true succession of the crown appertaineth; dangerously and uncertainly depending, by reason of many titles and interests pretended to the same: the which godly good and honourable meaning of the said nobility hath been sought by all manner of means to be prevented by certain common enemies of this realm about the Queen’s person,[23]by whose sinister and detestable counsel and practice, well known to us and to the rest of the nobility, their lives and liberties are now endangered, and daily devices made to apprehend our bodies, the true remain of their virtuous counsel and intent; the which their unjust and ambitious policies and practices can by no submission on our parts be avoided, but only by the sword:
We have therefore, of just and faithful meaning to the queen’s majesty, her commonwealth, and the true successors of the same,[24]assembled ourselves, to resist force by force; wherein we commit ourselves (seeing no intercession will help) to the exceeding mercy and goodness of God, and to all true favourers of this realm of England, resolved in ourselves, in this so just and godly enterprise, wholly to adventure lives, lands, and goods: whereunto we heartily crave the true aid and assistance of all faithful favourers of the quietness of the commonwealth, and the ancient nobility of the same.
God save the queen and the nobility.
C.Proclamation by Thomas Earl of Sussex, Lord-Lieutenant in the North, in answer to the preceding.
Source.—State Papers, Domestic, as above, p. 113.
Whereas Thomas Earl of Northumberland and Charles Earl of Westmoreland, being commanded upon their allegiance to repair to Her Majesty, have contemptuously disobeyed hercommand, and have, with Christopher Nevill, Rich. Norton of Norton Conyers, Tho. Markenfeld of Markenfeld, John Swinburne, Robt. Tempest, Fras. Norton, and others, committed divers offences, levied great numbers of horse and foot and put them in armour, and do daily draw to them great forces, abusing her name and authority to further their wicked purpose, and intend to proceed further in their rebellious enterprise, if not resisted in time; we therefore, in Her Majesty’s name, and by her warrant, denounce the said Earls, and the others named, to be rebels and disturbers of the peace, and in her name command that they henceforth be reputed rebels.
And we in Her Majesty’s name, do command all faithful subjects to flee from the company or aiding of rebellious persons, and do by these presents receive to her grace and free pardon all such persons, other than hereafter be exempted, as have accompanied the said Earls and others, if before the 22nd inst. they repair to their dwelling houses, and there remain quiet, and do not abide in company of the said persons aforesaid after 21 Nov.
Her Majesty’s pleasure is that the said Earls and the others named, and Thos. Jennings, be exempted from this pardon, and also any person adhering to or accompanying any of the before exempted after 21 Nov., and she commands all her subjects to repute them rebels.
[York],19 Nov., 1569.
D.Border-Ballad of the Rising in the North (1569-70).
D.Border-Ballad of the Rising in the North (1569-70).
Source.—Percy’s Folio MS. Ed. by Furnivall and Hales. Vol. i., p. 210. Pub. 1867.
Listen lively lordings all,and all that beene this place within!if you’ll give eare unto my songe,I will tell you how this geere did begin.It was the good Erle of Westmorlande;a noble Erle was callèd hee;and he wrought treason against the crowne;alas, it was the more pittye!And soe it was the Erle of Northumberland,another good noble Erle was hee;they tooken both upon one part,against their crowne they wolden bee.Earle Percy is into his garden gone,and after walks his awne ladye;“I heare a bird sing in my earethat I must either fight or flee.”“God forbid,” shee sayd, “good my Lord,that ever so that it shalbee,but goe to London to the court,and faire fall truth and honestye!”“But nay, now nay, my Ladye gay,that ever it shold soe bee;my treason is knowen well enoughe;at the court I must not bee.”“But goe to the Court! yet, good my Lord,take men enowe with thee;if any man will doe you wronge,your warrant they may bee.”“But nay, now nay, my Lady gay,for soe it must not bee,if I goe to the court, Ladye,death will strike me, and I must dye.”“But goe to the Court! yett, good my Lord,I my-selfe will ryde with thee;if any man will doe you wronge,your borow[25]I shalbee.”“But nay, now nay, my Lady gay,for soe it must not bee;for if I goe to the Court, Ladye,thou must me never see.But come hither, thou litle footpage,come thou hither unto mee,for thou shalt goe a message to Master Nortonin all the hast that ever may bee.Comend me to that gentleman;bring him here this letter from mee,and say I pray him earnestlyethat he will ryde in my companye.”But one while the foote page went,another while he rann;untill he came to Master Norton,the foot page never blanne.[26]And when he came to Master Norton,he kneled on his knee,And tooke the letter betwixt his hands,and lett the gentleman it see.And when the letter it was readeafore all his companye,I-wis, if you wold know the truth,there was many a weeping eye.He said, “Come hither, Kester[27]Norton,a fine fellow thou seemes to bee;Some good councell, Kester Norton,this day doe thou give to mee.”“Marry, I’ll give you councell, father,if you’ll councell take at mee,that if you have spoken the word, father,that backe againe you doe not flee.”“God amercy, Christopher Norton,I say, God amercy!if I doe live and scape with life,well avancèd shalt thou bee.But come you hither, my nine good sonnes,in men’s estate I thinke you bee;how many of you, my children deare,on my part that wilbe?”But eight of them did answer soone,and spake full hastilye,sayes, “We wilbe on your part, father,till the day that we doe dye.”“But God amercy, my children deare,and ever I say God amercy!and yet my blessing you shall have,whethersoever I live or dye.But what sayst thou, thou Francis Norton,mine eldest sonne and mine heyre trulye?some good councell, Francis Norton,this day thou give to me.”“But I will give you councell, father,if you will take councell at mee;for if you wold take my councell, father,against the crowne you shold not bee.”“But fye upon thee, Francis Norton!I say Fye upon thee!When thou was younge and tender of ageI made full much of thee.”“But your head is white, father,” he sayes,“and your beard is wonderous gray;it were shame for your countryeif you shold rise and flee away.”“But fye upon thee, thou coward Francis!thou never tookest that of mee!when thou was younge and tender of ageI made too much of thee.”“But I will goe with you, father, quoth hee,like a naked man will I be;he that strikes the first stroake against the crowne,an ill death may hee dye!”But then rose up Master Norton that Esquier,with him a full great companye;and then the Erles they comen downeto ryde in his companye.Att Whethersbye they mustered their menupon a full fayre day;thirteen thousand there were seeneto stand in battel ray.The Erle of Westmoreland, he had in his ancyent[28]the Dunne Bull in sight most hye,and three doggs with golden collerswere sett out royallye.The Erle of Northumberland, he had in his ancyentthe Halfe Moone in sight so hye,as the Lorde was crucifyed on the Crosse,and sett forthe pleasantlye.And after them did rise good Sir George Bowes,after them a spoyle to make;the Erles returned backe againe,thought ever that Knight to take.This Baron did take a Castle[29]then,was made of lime and stone;the uttermost[30]walls were ese to be wonne;the Erles have won them anon;But tho they won the uttermost wallsquickly and anon,the innermost walls they cold not winn,they were made of a rocke of stone.But newes it came to leeve[31]Londonin all the speed that ever might bee;and word it came to our royall Queeneof all the rebélls in the north countrye.She turned her grace then once about,and like a royall Queene she sware,sayes, “I will ordeine them such a breake-fastas was not in the North this thousand yeere!”She caused thirty thousand men to be madewith horsse and harneis all quicklye;and shee caused thirty thousand men to be madeto take the rebélls in the North countrye.They took with them the false Erle of Warwicke,soe did they many another man;untill they came to Yorke Castle,I wis they never stinted nor blan.“Spread thy ancyent, Erle of Westmoreland!The halfe moone faine wold we see!”But the halfe moone is fled and gone,and the Dun Bull vanished awaye;And Richard[32]Norton and his eight sonnesare fled away most cowardlye.Ladds with mony are counted men,Men without mony are counted none;but hold your tounges! why say you soe?Men wilbe men when mony is gone.[33]
Listen lively lordings all,and all that beene this place within!if you’ll give eare unto my songe,I will tell you how this geere did begin.It was the good Erle of Westmorlande;a noble Erle was callèd hee;and he wrought treason against the crowne;alas, it was the more pittye!And soe it was the Erle of Northumberland,another good noble Erle was hee;they tooken both upon one part,against their crowne they wolden bee.Earle Percy is into his garden gone,and after walks his awne ladye;“I heare a bird sing in my earethat I must either fight or flee.”“God forbid,” shee sayd, “good my Lord,that ever so that it shalbee,but goe to London to the court,and faire fall truth and honestye!”“But nay, now nay, my Ladye gay,that ever it shold soe bee;my treason is knowen well enoughe;at the court I must not bee.”“But goe to the Court! yet, good my Lord,take men enowe with thee;if any man will doe you wronge,your warrant they may bee.”“But nay, now nay, my Lady gay,for soe it must not bee,if I goe to the court, Ladye,death will strike me, and I must dye.”“But goe to the Court! yett, good my Lord,I my-selfe will ryde with thee;if any man will doe you wronge,your borow[25]I shalbee.”“But nay, now nay, my Lady gay,for soe it must not bee;for if I goe to the Court, Ladye,thou must me never see.But come hither, thou litle footpage,come thou hither unto mee,for thou shalt goe a message to Master Nortonin all the hast that ever may bee.Comend me to that gentleman;bring him here this letter from mee,and say I pray him earnestlyethat he will ryde in my companye.”But one while the foote page went,another while he rann;untill he came to Master Norton,the foot page never blanne.[26]And when he came to Master Norton,he kneled on his knee,And tooke the letter betwixt his hands,and lett the gentleman it see.And when the letter it was readeafore all his companye,I-wis, if you wold know the truth,there was many a weeping eye.He said, “Come hither, Kester[27]Norton,a fine fellow thou seemes to bee;Some good councell, Kester Norton,this day doe thou give to mee.”“Marry, I’ll give you councell, father,if you’ll councell take at mee,that if you have spoken the word, father,that backe againe you doe not flee.”“God amercy, Christopher Norton,I say, God amercy!if I doe live and scape with life,well avancèd shalt thou bee.But come you hither, my nine good sonnes,in men’s estate I thinke you bee;how many of you, my children deare,on my part that wilbe?”But eight of them did answer soone,and spake full hastilye,sayes, “We wilbe on your part, father,till the day that we doe dye.”“But God amercy, my children deare,and ever I say God amercy!and yet my blessing you shall have,whethersoever I live or dye.But what sayst thou, thou Francis Norton,mine eldest sonne and mine heyre trulye?some good councell, Francis Norton,this day thou give to me.”“But I will give you councell, father,if you will take councell at mee;for if you wold take my councell, father,against the crowne you shold not bee.”“But fye upon thee, Francis Norton!I say Fye upon thee!When thou was younge and tender of ageI made full much of thee.”“But your head is white, father,” he sayes,“and your beard is wonderous gray;it were shame for your countryeif you shold rise and flee away.”“But fye upon thee, thou coward Francis!thou never tookest that of mee!when thou was younge and tender of ageI made too much of thee.”“But I will goe with you, father, quoth hee,like a naked man will I be;he that strikes the first stroake against the crowne,an ill death may hee dye!”But then rose up Master Norton that Esquier,with him a full great companye;and then the Erles they comen downeto ryde in his companye.Att Whethersbye they mustered their menupon a full fayre day;thirteen thousand there were seeneto stand in battel ray.The Erle of Westmoreland, he had in his ancyent[28]the Dunne Bull in sight most hye,and three doggs with golden collerswere sett out royallye.The Erle of Northumberland, he had in his ancyentthe Halfe Moone in sight so hye,as the Lorde was crucifyed on the Crosse,and sett forthe pleasantlye.And after them did rise good Sir George Bowes,after them a spoyle to make;the Erles returned backe againe,thought ever that Knight to take.This Baron did take a Castle[29]then,was made of lime and stone;the uttermost[30]walls were ese to be wonne;the Erles have won them anon;But tho they won the uttermost wallsquickly and anon,the innermost walls they cold not winn,they were made of a rocke of stone.But newes it came to leeve[31]Londonin all the speed that ever might bee;and word it came to our royall Queeneof all the rebélls in the north countrye.She turned her grace then once about,and like a royall Queene she sware,sayes, “I will ordeine them such a breake-fastas was not in the North this thousand yeere!”She caused thirty thousand men to be madewith horsse and harneis all quicklye;and shee caused thirty thousand men to be madeto take the rebélls in the North countrye.They took with them the false Erle of Warwicke,soe did they many another man;untill they came to Yorke Castle,I wis they never stinted nor blan.“Spread thy ancyent, Erle of Westmoreland!The halfe moone faine wold we see!”But the halfe moone is fled and gone,and the Dun Bull vanished awaye;And Richard[32]Norton and his eight sonnesare fled away most cowardlye.Ladds with mony are counted men,Men without mony are counted none;but hold your tounges! why say you soe?Men wilbe men when mony is gone.[33]
Listen lively lordings all,and all that beene this place within!if you’ll give eare unto my songe,I will tell you how this geere did begin.
It was the good Erle of Westmorlande;a noble Erle was callèd hee;and he wrought treason against the crowne;alas, it was the more pittye!
And soe it was the Erle of Northumberland,another good noble Erle was hee;they tooken both upon one part,against their crowne they wolden bee.
Earle Percy is into his garden gone,and after walks his awne ladye;“I heare a bird sing in my earethat I must either fight or flee.”
“God forbid,” shee sayd, “good my Lord,that ever so that it shalbee,but goe to London to the court,and faire fall truth and honestye!”
“But nay, now nay, my Ladye gay,that ever it shold soe bee;my treason is knowen well enoughe;at the court I must not bee.”
“But goe to the Court! yet, good my Lord,take men enowe with thee;if any man will doe you wronge,your warrant they may bee.”
“But nay, now nay, my Lady gay,for soe it must not bee,if I goe to the court, Ladye,death will strike me, and I must dye.”
“But goe to the Court! yett, good my Lord,I my-selfe will ryde with thee;if any man will doe you wronge,your borow[25]I shalbee.”
“But nay, now nay, my Lady gay,for soe it must not bee;for if I goe to the Court, Ladye,thou must me never see.
But come hither, thou litle footpage,come thou hither unto mee,for thou shalt goe a message to Master Nortonin all the hast that ever may bee.
Comend me to that gentleman;bring him here this letter from mee,and say I pray him earnestlyethat he will ryde in my companye.”
But one while the foote page went,another while he rann;untill he came to Master Norton,the foot page never blanne.[26]
And when he came to Master Norton,he kneled on his knee,And tooke the letter betwixt his hands,and lett the gentleman it see.
And when the letter it was readeafore all his companye,I-wis, if you wold know the truth,there was many a weeping eye.
He said, “Come hither, Kester[27]Norton,a fine fellow thou seemes to bee;Some good councell, Kester Norton,this day doe thou give to mee.”
“Marry, I’ll give you councell, father,if you’ll councell take at mee,that if you have spoken the word, father,that backe againe you doe not flee.”
“God amercy, Christopher Norton,I say, God amercy!if I doe live and scape with life,well avancèd shalt thou bee.
But come you hither, my nine good sonnes,in men’s estate I thinke you bee;how many of you, my children deare,on my part that wilbe?”
But eight of them did answer soone,and spake full hastilye,sayes, “We wilbe on your part, father,till the day that we doe dye.”
“But God amercy, my children deare,and ever I say God amercy!and yet my blessing you shall have,whethersoever I live or dye.
But what sayst thou, thou Francis Norton,mine eldest sonne and mine heyre trulye?some good councell, Francis Norton,this day thou give to me.”
“But I will give you councell, father,if you will take councell at mee;for if you wold take my councell, father,against the crowne you shold not bee.”
“But fye upon thee, Francis Norton!I say Fye upon thee!When thou was younge and tender of ageI made full much of thee.”
“But your head is white, father,” he sayes,“and your beard is wonderous gray;it were shame for your countryeif you shold rise and flee away.”
“But fye upon thee, thou coward Francis!thou never tookest that of mee!when thou was younge and tender of ageI made too much of thee.”
“But I will goe with you, father, quoth hee,like a naked man will I be;he that strikes the first stroake against the crowne,an ill death may hee dye!”
But then rose up Master Norton that Esquier,with him a full great companye;and then the Erles they comen downeto ryde in his companye.
Att Whethersbye they mustered their menupon a full fayre day;thirteen thousand there were seeneto stand in battel ray.
The Erle of Westmoreland, he had in his ancyent[28]the Dunne Bull in sight most hye,and three doggs with golden collerswere sett out royallye.
The Erle of Northumberland, he had in his ancyentthe Halfe Moone in sight so hye,as the Lorde was crucifyed on the Crosse,and sett forthe pleasantlye.
And after them did rise good Sir George Bowes,after them a spoyle to make;the Erles returned backe againe,thought ever that Knight to take.
This Baron did take a Castle[29]then,was made of lime and stone;the uttermost[30]walls were ese to be wonne;the Erles have won them anon;
But tho they won the uttermost wallsquickly and anon,the innermost walls they cold not winn,they were made of a rocke of stone.
But newes it came to leeve[31]Londonin all the speed that ever might bee;and word it came to our royall Queeneof all the rebélls in the north countrye.
She turned her grace then once about,and like a royall Queene she sware,sayes, “I will ordeine them such a breake-fastas was not in the North this thousand yeere!”
She caused thirty thousand men to be madewith horsse and harneis all quicklye;and shee caused thirty thousand men to be madeto take the rebélls in the North countrye.
They took with them the false Erle of Warwicke,soe did they many another man;untill they came to Yorke Castle,I wis they never stinted nor blan.
“Spread thy ancyent, Erle of Westmoreland!The halfe moone faine wold we see!”But the halfe moone is fled and gone,and the Dun Bull vanished awaye;And Richard[32]Norton and his eight sonnesare fled away most cowardlye.
Ladds with mony are counted men,Men without mony are counted none;but hold your tounges! why say you soe?Men wilbe men when mony is gone.[33]
E.London Ballad on the Rising, by William Elderton (1569-70).
Source.—Original in British Museum, Huth Bequest, 50, No. 4. Reprinted inAncient Ballads, 1867.
A Ballad intituled, A newe well a daye,As playne, maister Papist, as Donstable waye.Amonge manye newes reported of lateAs touchinge the rebelles their wicked estate,Yet Syr Thomas Plomtrie[34]their preacher, they saie,Hath made the North Countrie to crie well a daye.Well a daye, well a daye, well a daye, woe is me,Syr Thomas Plomtrie is hanged on a tree.And now manie fathers and mothers be theare,Are put to their trialles with terrible feare,Not all the gaye crosses nor goddes they adoreWill make them as merrie as they have ben before;Well a daye, etc.The widowes be woful whose husbandes be taken,The childerne lament them that are so forsaken,The church men thei chaunted the morowe masse bell,Their pardons be graunted, they hang verie wel.Well a daye, etc.It is knowne they bee fled that were the beginers,It is time they were ded, poore sorofull sinners:For all their great haste they are hedged at a staye,With weeping and waylinge to sing well a daye.Well a daye, etc.Yet some hold opynion, all is well with the highest;They are in good saftie wher freedome is nieste;Northumberland need not be doubtefull, some saye,And Westmorelande is not yet brought to the bay;Well a daye, etc.No more is not Norton, nor a nomber beside,But all in good season they may hap to be spide;It is well they be wandred whether no man can say,But it will be remembered, they crie well a daie;Well a daye, etc.Where be the fyne fellowes that caried the crosses?Where be the devisers of idoles and asses?Wher be the gaie banners were wont to be borne?Where is the devocion of gentyll John Shorne?[35]Well a daye, etc.* * * * *Leave of your lyinge, and fall to trewe reasonLeave of your fonde spieng, and marke every season;Against God and your countrie to taulke of rebelling,Not Syr Thomas Plomtrie can bide by the telling.Well a daye, etc.And such as seduce the people with blyndnes,And byd them to trust the Pope and his kyndnes,Make worke for the tynker, as prouerbes doth saie;By such popishe patching still comes well a daye.Well a daye, etc.And she that is rightfull your Queene to subdue ye,Althoughe you be spitefull, hath gyven no cause to ye;But if ye will vexe her, to trie her hole force,Let him that comes next her take heed of her horse.Well a daye, etc.She is the lieftennante of him that is stowtest,She is the defender of all the devowtest;It is not the Pope, nor all the Pope may,Can make her astonyed, or singe well a daie,Well a daye, etc.God prosper her highnes, and send her his peace,To governe good people with grace and increase;And send the deservers, that seeke the wronge way,At Tyborne some carvers, to singe well a daie,Well a daye, well a daye, well a daye, woe is me,Sir Thomas Plomtrie is hanged on a tree.Finis.W. E.
A Ballad intituled, A newe well a daye,As playne, maister Papist, as Donstable waye.Amonge manye newes reported of lateAs touchinge the rebelles their wicked estate,Yet Syr Thomas Plomtrie[34]their preacher, they saie,Hath made the North Countrie to crie well a daye.Well a daye, well a daye, well a daye, woe is me,Syr Thomas Plomtrie is hanged on a tree.And now manie fathers and mothers be theare,Are put to their trialles with terrible feare,Not all the gaye crosses nor goddes they adoreWill make them as merrie as they have ben before;Well a daye, etc.The widowes be woful whose husbandes be taken,The childerne lament them that are so forsaken,The church men thei chaunted the morowe masse bell,Their pardons be graunted, they hang verie wel.Well a daye, etc.It is knowne they bee fled that were the beginers,It is time they were ded, poore sorofull sinners:For all their great haste they are hedged at a staye,With weeping and waylinge to sing well a daye.Well a daye, etc.Yet some hold opynion, all is well with the highest;They are in good saftie wher freedome is nieste;Northumberland need not be doubtefull, some saye,And Westmorelande is not yet brought to the bay;Well a daye, etc.No more is not Norton, nor a nomber beside,But all in good season they may hap to be spide;It is well they be wandred whether no man can say,But it will be remembered, they crie well a daie;Well a daye, etc.Where be the fyne fellowes that caried the crosses?Where be the devisers of idoles and asses?Wher be the gaie banners were wont to be borne?Where is the devocion of gentyll John Shorne?[35]Well a daye, etc.* * * * *Leave of your lyinge, and fall to trewe reasonLeave of your fonde spieng, and marke every season;Against God and your countrie to taulke of rebelling,Not Syr Thomas Plomtrie can bide by the telling.Well a daye, etc.And such as seduce the people with blyndnes,And byd them to trust the Pope and his kyndnes,Make worke for the tynker, as prouerbes doth saie;By such popishe patching still comes well a daye.Well a daye, etc.And she that is rightfull your Queene to subdue ye,Althoughe you be spitefull, hath gyven no cause to ye;But if ye will vexe her, to trie her hole force,Let him that comes next her take heed of her horse.Well a daye, etc.She is the lieftennante of him that is stowtest,She is the defender of all the devowtest;It is not the Pope, nor all the Pope may,Can make her astonyed, or singe well a daie,Well a daye, etc.God prosper her highnes, and send her his peace,To governe good people with grace and increase;And send the deservers, that seeke the wronge way,At Tyborne some carvers, to singe well a daie,Well a daye, well a daye, well a daye, woe is me,Sir Thomas Plomtrie is hanged on a tree.Finis.W. E.
A Ballad intituled, A newe well a daye,As playne, maister Papist, as Donstable waye.
Amonge manye newes reported of lateAs touchinge the rebelles their wicked estate,Yet Syr Thomas Plomtrie[34]their preacher, they saie,Hath made the North Countrie to crie well a daye.
Well a daye, well a daye, well a daye, woe is me,Syr Thomas Plomtrie is hanged on a tree.
And now manie fathers and mothers be theare,Are put to their trialles with terrible feare,Not all the gaye crosses nor goddes they adoreWill make them as merrie as they have ben before;
Well a daye, etc.
The widowes be woful whose husbandes be taken,The childerne lament them that are so forsaken,The church men thei chaunted the morowe masse bell,Their pardons be graunted, they hang verie wel.
Well a daye, etc.
It is knowne they bee fled that were the beginers,It is time they were ded, poore sorofull sinners:For all their great haste they are hedged at a staye,With weeping and waylinge to sing well a daye.
Well a daye, etc.
Yet some hold opynion, all is well with the highest;They are in good saftie wher freedome is nieste;Northumberland need not be doubtefull, some saye,And Westmorelande is not yet brought to the bay;
Well a daye, etc.
No more is not Norton, nor a nomber beside,But all in good season they may hap to be spide;It is well they be wandred whether no man can say,But it will be remembered, they crie well a daie;
Well a daye, etc.
Where be the fyne fellowes that caried the crosses?Where be the devisers of idoles and asses?Wher be the gaie banners were wont to be borne?Where is the devocion of gentyll John Shorne?[35]
Well a daye, etc.
* * * * *
Leave of your lyinge, and fall to trewe reasonLeave of your fonde spieng, and marke every season;Against God and your countrie to taulke of rebelling,Not Syr Thomas Plomtrie can bide by the telling.
Well a daye, etc.
And such as seduce the people with blyndnes,And byd them to trust the Pope and his kyndnes,Make worke for the tynker, as prouerbes doth saie;By such popishe patching still comes well a daye.
Well a daye, etc.
And she that is rightfull your Queene to subdue ye,Althoughe you be spitefull, hath gyven no cause to ye;But if ye will vexe her, to trie her hole force,Let him that comes next her take heed of her horse.
Well a daye, etc.
She is the lieftennante of him that is stowtest,She is the defender of all the devowtest;It is not the Pope, nor all the Pope may,Can make her astonyed, or singe well a daie,
Well a daye, etc.
God prosper her highnes, and send her his peace,To governe good people with grace and increase;And send the deservers, that seeke the wronge way,At Tyborne some carvers, to singe well a daie,
Well a daye, well a daye, well a daye, woe is me,Sir Thomas Plomtrie is hanged on a tree.
Finis.W. E.
Imprinted at London in Fleetstrete beneath theConduit, at the signe of S. John Evangelist,by Thomas Colwell.
Source.—Camden:Annales(1615). English translation, 1625,sub anno.
The Sentence Declaratory of the Holy Father Pope Pius the Fifth against Elizabeth the pretended Queen of England and those Heretics adhering to her: And finally all such as obey her, to be ensnared in the same:
Pius, Bishop, a servant of the servants of God, for the future memory of the business.
* * * * *
He that rules in the Heavens above, and to whom all power is given both in heaven and earth, gave unto one only upon earth, viz. to Peter, the chiefest amongst the Apostles, and to the Pope of Rome, Peter’s successor, a Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church (without which there is no salvation) to govern it in the fulness of power. And this he ordained as chief above all nations and kingdoms, to pull down, destroy,dissever, cast off, plant and erect, to combine in the unity of spirit his faithful people, connext together through mutual charity, and present them whole and sound to his Saviour. Which charge We, who through the grace of God are thereunto called, submitting ourselves to the government of the same Church, cease not with all our best labours and endeavours to preserve this unity and Catholic Religion, which He who was the Author thereof so suffered to be encumbered for the trial of the faith of his,[36]and for our correction. But the number of the ungodly is so great in power, that there is not a corner left upon the whole earth now untainted with their wicked doctrines. Amongst which Elizabeth, pretended Queen of England, is above all the shelter and refuge of error and most noisome enemies. It is she, who, after she had possessed the Kingdom, usurping (monster-like) the place of the chief Sovereign of the Church in England and the principal jurisdiction and authority thereof, hath thrown into miserable ruin the whole kingdom, when it was even brought to the Catholic Faith, and began to bring forth good fruits. For she with a powerful hand forbiddeth the exercise of the true religion (which was heretofore overthrown by Henry VIII., the forsaker thereof, and afterwards repaired, with the help of this See, by Mary, lawful Queen of England, of famous memory), and embraceth the heresies of obscure persons; the Royal Council, once composed of the English nobility, she hath broken off, oppresseth such as made profession of and exercised the Catholic Religion, re-established the wicked ministers and preachers of impiety, abolished the sacrifice of the Mass, prayers, fastings, the dividing of the meats, the celibate, and all Catholic ceremonies, sent books over her whole kingdom containing manifest heresies, commended to her subjects the profane mysteries and institutions which she had received and observed from the decree of Calvin, displaced the Bishops, Rectors and Catholic Priests from their Churches and Benefices, and disposed of them to heretics, and is bold to take upon her to judge and determine ecclesiasticalaffairs; forbade the Prelates, the Clergy, and People, to acknowledge the Roman Church or observe her commandments and canonical duties, enforced divers to swear obedience to her detestable Ordinances, to renounce the authority due to the Roman dignity, and acknowledge her the only sovereign over temporal and spiritual things; imposed penalties and taxes upon such as were refractory to her Injunctions; inflicted punishments upon those who persisted in the unity of the faith and obedience; imprisoned the Prelates and Governors of the Catholic Churches, where divers being, with a tedious languishing and sorrow miserably finished their unhappy days. All which things being thus evident and apparent to all nations, and so manifestly proved by the grave testimony of divers, that there is no place left for any excuse, defence, or tergiversation: Wee, perceiving that these impieties and mischiefs do still multiply one by another, and that the persecution of the faithful and the affliction of the Church doth daily increase and wax more heavy and grievous, and finding that her heart is so obstinate and obdurate, that she hath not only despised the wholesome prayers and admonitions which the Christian Princes have made for her better health and conversion, but that she hath denied passage to the Nuncios who for this end were sent from this Siege[37]into England; and being compelled to bear the arms of justice against her, We cannot moderate the punishment that We are bound to inflict upon her, whose ancestors merited so well of the Christian Commonwealth. Being thus supported by His Authority, who hath placed us upon this sovereign throne of Justice, howsoever incapable of so great a charge, out of the fulness of our Apostolical power do pronounce and declare the said Elizabeth an heretic and favourer of heretics, and those who adhere unto her in the aforesaid things, have incurred the Sentence of Anathema, and are cut off from the unity of the Body of Christ. That she is deprived of the right which she pretends to the foresaid kingdom, and of all and every Seigniory, Royalty and privilegethereof; and the Peers, Subjects, and People of the said kingdom, and all others upon what terms soever sworn unto her, freed from their oath and from all manner of duty, fidelity and obedience: As We do free them by the authority of these presents and exclude the said Elizabeth from the right which she pretendeth to the said kingdom, and the rest before mentioned. Commanding moreover and enjoining all and every the nobles, as subjects, people, and others whatsoever, that they shall not once dare to obey her, or any her directions, laws, or commandments, binding under the same curse those who do anything to the contrary. And for as much as it may seem difficult for them to observe these presents in every place where they have occasion for them, Our will is, that copies hereof being written by some public notary, and sealed with the seal of some ecclesiastical Prelate, or of his Court, shall be of as good effect through the whole world, as these presents might do, if they were exhibited and represented.
Given at Rome, at S. Peter’s, the 5 of March,[38]in the year of the incarnation of our Saviour1569,[39]and of our Pont[ificate] the 5.
Anno 13 Eliz., Cap. 2, 1571.
Source.—Statutes of the Realm, sub anno.
Where in the parliament holden at Westminster, in the fifth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lady the Queen’s Majesty that now is, by one Act and Statute then and there made, intituled, An Act for the assurance of the Queen’s Majesty, etc., it is ... ordained and provided for the abolition of the usurped power and jurisdiction of the Bishop ofRome within this realm ... That no person ... shall ... maintain, defend, or extol the same usurped power or attribute any manner, jurisdiction, authority or pre-eminence to the same within this realm ... upon pain of incurring the penalties provided by the Statute of ... Præmunire.... And yet nevertheless, divers seditious and very evil-disposed people ... minding ... very seditiously and unnaturally not only to bring this realm and the imperial crown thereof (being in very deed of itself most free) into the thraldom and subjection of that foreign, usurped and unlawful jurisdiction ... claimed by the said see of Rome; but also to estrange and alienate the minds and hearts of sundry her Majesty’s subjects from their dutiful obedience, and to raise and stir sedition and rebellion within this realm ... have lately procured and obtained to themselves from the said Bishop of Rome and his see divers Bulls and Writings, the effect whereof hath been and is to absolve and reconcile all those that will be contented to forsake their due obedience to our most gracious Sovereign Lady the Queen’s Majesty, and to yield and subject themselves to the said feigned, unlawful and usurped authority; and by color of the said Bulls and Writings, the said wicked persons very secretly and most seditiously in such parts of the realm where the people for want of good instruction are most weak, simple and ignorant, and thereby farthest from the good understanding of their duties towards God and the Queen’s Majesty, have by their lewd and subtle practices and persuasions, so far forth wrought, that sundry simple and ignorant persons have been content to be reconciled to the said usurped authority of the see of Rome, and to take Absolution at the hands of the said naughty and subtle practisers, whereby hath grown great disobedience and boldness in many, not only to withdraw and absent themselves from all Divine Service, but also have thought themselves discharged of all obedience ... to her Majesty, whereby most wicked and unnatural rebellion hath ensued, and to the further danger of this realm is hereafter very likely to be renewed, if the ungodly and wicked attempts in that behalf be not by severity of laws in time restrainedand bridled.... To prevent the great mischiefs ... that thereby may ensue, be it enacted ... That if any person, after the first day of July next coming, shall use or put in ure[40]in any place within ... the Queen’s Dominions any such Bull, Writing or Instrument ... of absolution or reconciliation ... Or if any person after the said first day of July shall take upon him, by color of any such Bull ... to absolve or reconcile any person ... Or if any person within ... the Queen’s Dominions after the said first day of July shall obtain from the said Bishop of Rome ... any manner of Bull ... Or shall publish or by any ways or means put in ure any such Bull ... That then every such act ... shall be deemed ... by the authority of this Act to be high treason, and the offenders therein ... shall be deemed high traitors to the Queen and the realm; and being thereof lawfully indicted and attainted ... shall suffer pains of death, and also forfeit all their lands ... as in cases of high treason by the laws of this realm ought to be forfeited.
II. And be it further enacted ... That all aiders ... of any the said offenders ... after the committing of any the said Acts ... shall incur the penalties contained in the Statute of Praemunire....
III. Provided always ... That if any person ... to whom any such Absolution ... or Instrument as is aforesaid, shall, after the said first day of July, be offered ... shall conceal the same ... and not disclose and signify the same ... within six weeks ... that then the same person so concealing ... the said Offer ... shall incur the ... penalty ... of misprision of high treason.
IV. And be it further enacted ... That if any person shall at any time after the said first day of July bring into this realm ... any ... thing called by the name of an Agnus Dei, or any crosses, pictures, beads or such like vain and superstitious things, from the Bishop or see of Rome ... and divers pardons, immunities and exemptions granted by the authority of the said see to such as shall receive and usethe same; and that if the same person ... so bringing in ... such Agnus Dei and other like things ... shall deliver ... the same to any subject of this realm ... to be worn or used in any wise: That then ... the same person so doing, as also ... every other person which shall receive ... the same, to the intent to use or wear the same, being thereof lawfully convicted and attainted ... shall incur into the ... penalties ... ordained by the Statute of Praemunire....
VI. And be it further enacted.... That all ... persons which at any time since the beginning of the first year of the Queen’s Majesty’s reign ... have brought ... into this realm any such Bulls ... and now have any ... in ... their custody, and shall within the space of three months next after the end of any session or dissolution of this present parliament deliver all such bulls ... to the bishop of the diocese where such absolution hath been given and received ... and shall ... publicly before such bishop confess their offence therein and humbly desire to be ... restored ... to the Church of England, shall be clearly pardoned and discharged of all ... offences done in any manner concerning any of the said bulls ... touching such absolution or reconciliation only; and that all ... persons which have received any absolutions from the said Bishop of Rome ... since the first year of the reign of our said Sovereign Lady the Queen, and shall within the space of three months next after any session or dissolution of this present parliament, come before the bishop of the diocese of such place where such absolution or reconciliation was had or made, and shall publicly ... before the same bishop confess ... their offences therein, and humbly desire to be restored, and admitted to the Church of England, shall ... be clearly pardoned and discharged of all offences committed in any matter concerning the said Bulls ... touching only receiving such absolution or reconciliation....
Anno 27, Eliz., Cap. 2., 1584-85.
Source.—Statutes of the Realm, sub anno.
Whereas divers persons, called or professed Jesuits, Seminary Priests, and other Priests, which have been and from time to time are made in the parts beyond the seas, by or according to the Order and Rites of the Romish Church, have of late years comen and been sent, and daily do come and are sent, into this Realm of England and other the Queen’s Majesty’s Dominions, of purpose (as hath appeared as well by sundry of their own examinations and confessions, as by divers other manifest means and proofs) not only to withdraw her Highness’ subjects from their due obedience to her Majesty, but also to stir up and move sedition, rebellion and open hostility within her Highness’ realms and dominions, to the great dangering of the safety of her most royal Person, and to the utter ruin, desolation and overthrow of the whole Realm, if the same be not the sooner by some good means foreseen and prevented: for reformation whereof be it enacted ... That all and every Jesuits, Seminary Priests, and other Priests whatsoever, made or ordained ... by any Authority ... derived ... from the See of Rome, since the Feast of the Nativity of St. John Baptist in the first year of her Highness’s reign, shall within forty days next after the end of this present Session of Parliament depart out of this realm of England, and out of all others her Highness’s Realms and Dominions, if the Wind, weather and passage shall so serve for the same....
II. And be it further enacted ... That it shall not be lawful for any Jesuit [etc.] ... being born within this Realm ... to come into, be, or remain in any part of this Realm ... after the end of the same forty days; ... and if he do, that then every such offence shall be taken andadjudged to be High Treason ... and every person which ... shall wittingly and willingly receive, relieve, comfort aid or maintain any such Jesuit [etc.] ... being at liberty or out of holde ... shall also for such offence be adjudged a Felon without benefit of Clergy, and suffer Death, loss and forfeit, as in the case of one attainted of Felony.
III. And be it further enacted ... that if any of her Majesty’s subjects (not being a Jesuit [etc.]) now being or which hereafter shall be brought up in any College of Jesuits or Seminary ... shall not, within six months next after Proclamation in that behalf to be made in the City of London under the Great Seal of England, return into this Realm, and thereupon, within two days next after such return, before the Bishop of the Diocese or two Justices of the Peace of the County where he shall arrive, submit himself to her Majesty and her Laws, and take the Oath set forth by Act in the first year of her Reign; that then every such person which shall otherwise return, come into, or be in this Realm ... for such offence ... shall also be adjudged a Traitor, and suffer loss and forfeit as in case of High Treason.
IV. And be it further enacted ... If any person under her Majesty’s Subjection or Obedience shall at any time after the end of the said forty days ... convey ... over the seas or out of this Realm ... or shall otherwise wittingly and willingly yield, give or contribute any money or other relief to or for any Jesuit [etc.] ... or to or for the maintenance or relief of any College of Jesuits or Seminary ... or of any person being of or in any the same Colleges or Seminaries, and not returned into this Realm with submission as in this Act is expressed, and continuing in the same Realm; That then every such person so offending, for the same offence shall incur the danger and penalty of Praemunire....
V. And be it further enacted ... That it shall not be lawful for any person of or under her Highness’ Obedience, at any time after the said forty days (during her Majesty’s life, which God long preserve) to send his or her child or other person being under his or her government into any the parts beyond the seas out of her Highness’ Obedience, withoutthe special licence of her Majesty or of four of her Highness’s Privy Council ... (except Merchants, for such only as they ... shall send over the seas ... only for or about ... their trade of Merchandise, or to serve as mariners, and not otherwise); upon pain to forfeit and lose for every such their offence the sum of one hundred pounds.
XI. And be it also further enacted ... that every person or persons being Subject of this Realm, which after the said forty days shall know and understand that any such Jesuit [etc.] ... shall ... be within this Realm ... contrary to the true meaning of this Act, and shall not discover the same unto some Justice of Peace ... within twelve days next after his said knowledge, but willingly conceal his knowledge therein; that every such offender shall make fine and be imprisoned at the Queen’s pleasure; And that if such Justice of Peace ... do not within xxviii days then next following give information thereof to some of the Queen’s Privy Council ... that then he or they so offending shall for every such offence forfeit the sum of two hundred marks.
Camden’s Account of Queen Elizabeth’s Part in it.
Source.—Camden:Annales, 1615 (English edition, 1625),sub anno.
From this attempt[41]such as were the sworne enemies of the Queene ofScotland, and sought to do her hurt, tooke occasion hereby to hasten her death; knowing that in extreame danger of safetie, Feare leaveth no place for Mercy, and tooke order (the more to terrifie the Queene ofEngland) to spread rumorous speeches daily, and false and fearefull exclamations all over the Land; to wit:
That the Spanish Fleet was already landed at Milford Haven; That the Scots were come upon their borders; ThattheGuisewas in Essex with a mighty Armie; That the Queene of Scots had broken prison, raysed a great troope of Souldiers, and began to make a Rebellion in the North; That there were new plots in hand, for murthering the Queene, and to burne the Citie of London; yea, That the Queene ofEnglandwas dead, and such like:
That the Spanish Fleet was already landed at Milford Haven; That the Scots were come upon their borders; ThattheGuisewas in Essex with a mighty Armie; That the Queene of Scots had broken prison, raysed a great troope of Souldiers, and began to make a Rebellion in the North; That there were new plots in hand, for murthering the Queene, and to burne the Citie of London; yea, That the Queene ofEnglandwas dead, and such like:
which in those that are crafty and fearefull (by a natural desire) are nourished, and encreased; and Princes (credulous by curiositie) will soon lend their eares thereunto.
By such divulged horrors, and fearefull arguments, they brought her Majestie into such trouble and perplexitie of minde, that she signed the Letters of Warrant to her deadly Sentence, and was perswaded most of all to it by Patricke Gray Scottishman, whom the King of Scotland had sent to disswade the Queene of England, from putting his mother to death; who many times put these words into her eares: Mortua non mordet: Being dead, she will byte no more.
And notwithstanding, as she was naturally slow to anger, she had this custome, that she never would enter unadvisedly, or without premeditation, into any action: so she began to weighe in her minde, whether it were better to put her to death, or to let her live. From putting her to death she was disswaded,