Our King now, thought by some to be various in his appetite of Wives, by others to be only unfortunate in them, had, or found, occasion to cut off Queen Anne; I shall not yet determine whether Princes secret actions be beyond any scrutiny. I will only lay down the particulars as far as by Records; or otherwise I could gather them, remitting the rest to the equal Reader.

Queen Anne being now without Competitrix for her Title, thought her self secure. But Prosperity is a dangerous estate to those that use it not reverently. Again, Beauty is not always the besr keeper of it self. It may be doubted yet whether either of those did concern her ; since she was thought both moderate in her desires, & of discretion enough to make her capable of being trusted with her own perfections, as having lived in the French Court first, and after in this, with the reputation of a Vertuous Lady; insomuch that the whisperings of her Enemis could not divert the Kings good Opinion of her, though yet he was in his own nature more jealous than to be satisfied easily. I do reject all those, therefore, that would speak against her Honour in those times they staid in France but I shall as little accuse her in this particular of her affairs at this time; it is enough, that the Law hath Condemned her; and, that whether She, or any else were in fault, is not now to be discussed. This is certain, that the King had cast his Affection already on Jane Seymor, (daughter to Sir John Seymor Knight) then attending On the Queen. But whether this alone were enough to procure that Tragedy which followed, may be doubted in this Prince; for I do not find him bloody, but where Law, or at least pretexts drawn from thence, did countenance his Actions. But suspition in great and obnoxious minds, is other than in the Mild and Temperate; and therefore is to them like a Tempest, which though it scarce stir low and shallow waters, when it meets a Sea, both vexeth it, and makes it toss all that comes thereon. So that I dare say nothing hath been Author of so much confusion; since aggravating sometimes that which is ill, sometimes misinterpreting that which is good, it perverts all, and finally leaves the mind without Remedy; how far yet suspition wrought on our King, is not for me to define.

[02 May 1536]. To come then to the Narration, I find by our Authors, that on May-day there being a solemn Justs at Greenwich (wherein George Viscount Rochfcrd the Queens Brother was chief Challenger, and Henry Norreis Principal Defendant) the King suddenly departed. This much troubled the whole Company, especially the Qyeen. No cause hereof is related yet, unless (as Sanders hath it) she let fall a Hankerchief, wherewith some one (supposed her Favorite) did Wipe his Face, and that this was perceived by the King. But our Histories mentlon not this passage. The Queen finding the King thus gone, retires her self. He again hasting to Westminster takes order to Commit the next morning George Lord Rockford, and Henry Norreis to the Tower: After which, her self coming to London in her Barge, Was apprehended by some of the Lords and carried towards the Tower, who telling her offence, she exclaimed that she was wronged, and that she desired to see the King only before she went; but in vain, they having no such Commission. When she entred the Tower, she is said to have fal'n on her knees, beseeching God so to help her, as s was not guilty of that whereof she was accused. This was about Five in the afternoon on the Second of May. After which, one William Brereton Eiquire, and Sir Francis Weston of the Kings Privy Chamber, and one Mark Smeton a Musician were Committed on the same occasion. The Queen being thus in the Charge of Sir William Kingston, Constable of the Tower, much speech past betwixt them, as appears by an Original of his: Yet as her Language was broken and distracted betwixt Tears and Laughter, (for she ufed both,) little can be inferred thence, only, she feem'd to exclaim on Norreis, as if he had accus'd her; when yet she said, they both should die together. She named others also, and thereupon confessed, though not enough to Condemn her, yet such Passages as might argue she took the utmost Liberty; that could be honestly allowed her : But whether she extended it to any further is not there declared. For amidst all her Difcourses she still protested her self Innocent. By other Originals also of Kingstons, it appears that he had made some diffculty to carry a Letter from her to Mr. Secretary, and that she wish'd her Bishops were there: For they ( she faid) would go to the King for her ; and that the most part of England would pray for her; and that if she died, a punishment will fall on the Land; and in effect I find divers Bishops and Learned men did much honour her, and particularly the Archbishop of Canterbury, who in a Consolatory Letter to the King, (which I have seen) wrote as much in her behalf as he durst; yet so as he made no Apology for her, but rather confesseth that divers of the Lords had told him of such Faults as he was sorry to hear of, desiring howsoever, that he would continue his Love to the Gospel, lest it should be thought it was for her sake only, he had so favoured it. After which another Letter in her Name, but no Original, coming to my hand, from more than one good part, I thought fit to Transcribe here, without other Credit yet than it is said to be found among the Papers of Cromwell then Secretary, and for the rest seems antient and consonant to the matter in question.

[06 May 1536]. Sir, Your Graces displeasures and my Imprisonment are things so strange unto me, as what to write, or what to excuse, I am altogether ignorant. Whereas you send unto me, (willing me to confess a truth, and so obtain your favour,) by such an one whom you know to be mine antient professed Enemy, I no sooner receiv'd this Message by him, than I rightly conceiv'd your meaning; and as if as you say, Confessing a truth indeed, may procure my safety, I shall with all willingness and duty perform your command.

But let not your Grace ever imagine that your poor Wife will ever be brought to acknowledge a fault, where not so much as a thought thereofever preceded. And to speaka truth, never Prince had Wife more loyal in all duty, and in all true affection, than you have ever found in Anne Bolen, with which name and place I could willingly have contented my self, if God and your Graces pleasure, had so been pleafed. Neither did I at any time so far forget my self in my exaltation, or received Queenship, but that I always looked for such an alteration as now I find; for the ground of my preferment being on no surer foundation than your Graces fancy, the least alteration I know was fit and sufficient to draw that fancy to some other subject. You have chosen me from a low estate to be your Queen and Companion, far beyond my desert or desire if then you found me worthy of such honour, Good your Grace, let not any light fancy, or bad Counsel of mine Enemies withdraw your Princely favour from me; neither let that stain, that unworthy stain of a disloyal heart towards your good Grace, ever cast so foul a blot on your most dutiful Wife, and the Infant Princess your Daughter: Try me good King, but let me have a lawful trial and let not my sworn Enemies sit as my Accusers and Judges; yea, let me receive an open trial, for my truth shall fear no open shames. Then shall you see either mine innocency cleared, your Suspition and Conscience satisfied, the ignominy and slander of the World stopped, or my guilt openly declared. So that whatsoever God or you may determine of me, your Grace may be freed from an open censure, and mine offence being so lawfully proved, your Grace is at liberty both before God and Man, not only to execute worthy punishment on me as an unfaithful Wife, but to follow your affection already setled on that party, for whose sake I am now as l am, whose name I could some good while since have pointed unto, your Grace being not ignorant of my suspition therein.

But if you have already determined of me, and that not only my death, but an infamous slander must bring you the enjoying of your defired happiness : then I defire of God that he will pardon your great sin therein, and likewise mine Enemies the Instruments thereof, and that he will not call you to a strict account for your unprincely and cruel usage of me at his general Judgment Seat, where both you you and my self must shortly appear, and in whose judment I doubt not (whatsoever the world may think of me) mine innocence shall be openly known, and suffciently cleared.

My last and only request shall be, that my self may only bear the burthen of your Graces displeasure; and that it may not touch the innocent souls of those poor Gentlemen, who (as I understand) are likewise in strait Imprisonment for my sake. If ever I have found favour in your sight, if ever the name of Anne Bolen hath been pleasing in your ears, then let me obtain this request; And I will so leave to trouble your Grace any further, with mine earnest Prayers to the Trinity to have your Grace in his good keeping, and to direct you in all your actions. From my doleful Prison in the Tower, this 6th. of May.

Your most Loyal and ever Faithful Wife,

Anne Bolen.

But if this were not sufficient, I believe such other cause was produced for the Divorce, as might satisfie the people, since the Act was publick. Neither is it much material which Hall faith, that the validity of this Marriage was questioned, because the King Married this second Wife before he was divorced from his first: for it seems contrary to the of Parliament, which faith, That the impediments were, till of late, unknown. Shortly after which she was arraigned the 15th of May, 1546. before the Duke of Norfolk, High Steward of England for the day, the Lord Chancellor, the Duke of Suffolk, and others of the Peers: And there, notwithstanding her discreet Answers, (as our Hiftorians term them) found guilty, and judgment pronounced accordingly. Immediately after which, the Lord Rochfort her Brother, was Arraigned and Condemned, as also Henry Norreis Esquire, Mark Smeton Groom of the Kings Privy-Chamber, William Brereton Esquire, and Sir Francis Weston Knight, Gentlemen of it, (the Lord Mayor and divers Aldermen and Citizens being present) and the 17th. of May beheaded: The Queens death yet was respited till the 19 of the same. About which time order being taken that all Strangers in the Tower should be removed, Kingston in an Original to Cromwel writ thefe words : viz.

SIR,

If we have not an hour certain, as it may bé known in London, I think here will be but few : And I think a reasonable number were best; for I suppose she will declare her self to be a good Woman for all Men, but for the King, at the hour of her death : for this Morning she sent for me, and protested her innocency and now again, and laid unto me, Mr. Kingston, I heard says, I shall not die afore Noon, and I am sorry therefore for I thought to be dead by this time, and past my pain. I told her it should be no pain, it was so sotell (for so is his word.) And then she raid, she heard say the Executioner was very good, and I have a little Neck, and put her hand about it, laughing heartily: I have seen many Men and Women Executed, and they have been in great forrow; and to my knowledge, this Lady hath much joy and pleasure in death.

The 19th. of May being thus come, the Queen, according to the express order given, was brought to a Scaffold erected upon the Green in the Tower of London, where our Historians say, she spake before a great Company there assembled, to this effect :

Good Christian People, I am come hither to die; for according to the Law, I am judged to die, and therefore I will speak nothing against it. I am come hither to accuse no man, to speak any thing of that whereof I am accused, and condemned to die. But I pray God save the King, and send him long to Reign over you; for a gentler nor a more merciful Prince was there never; and to me he was ever good, a gentle, and a Sovereign Lord. And if any person will meddle with my cause, I require them to judge the best. And thus I take my leave of the World, and of you all; And I heartily desire all to pray for me.

After which coming to her Devotions, her Head was stricken with a Sword.

And thus ended the Queen, lamented by many, both as she was desirous to advance Learned men, in which number Hugh Latimer Bishop of Worcestier, and Nicholas Saxton Bishop of Salisbury are recounted; and as she was a great Alms-giver ; insomuch, as she is, said in three quarters of a year to have bestowed fourteen or fifteen thousand pounds in this kind, besides moneys intended by her towards raising a Stock for poor Artificers in the Realm. Sanders saith her Father died shortly after for grief; but our Herolds affrm, it was not till about two years after, 1538. But that we may leave them both to their Grave and silence, I find by our Records, that the Princess Mary did about those times much endeavour to be restored to the King her Fathers good favour and opinion, as hoping now that the Princess Elizabeth was declared Illegitimate, she should be received as Heir to the Crown: Therefore by frequent and earnest Letters written with her own hand, she both acknowledgeth her fault of obstinacy heretofore, and craveth instantly from the King to write to her, or send some token as a sign of Reconciliation upon which submission, our King, by the Duke of Norfolk sent certain Articles for her to subscribe which were,

First, whether she doth Recognize the Kings Highness for her Sovereign Lord, and King, and will submit her self unto his Highness and all Laws of the Realm.

Secondly, whether she will with all her Power obey and maintain all the Statutes of the Realm.

Thirdly, whether she will Recognize the Kings Highness to be Supream Head in Earth of the Church of England, and utterly refute the Bishop of Romes pretended Power, or any Interest she hath or may have thereby.

Fourthly, whether she doth freely Recognize and knowledge both by Gods Law and mans law the Marriage heretofore had between his Majefty and her Mother, to be unlawful.

Fifthly, for what causes,and by whose motion and means she hath remained in her obstinacy so long.

Sixthly, what is the cause she at this time above all others submitteth, and who moved her hereunto.

In satisfaction to which she returned a subscription, signing with her own name the four first Articles, but concerning the other two, she demurr'd; some Persons being Interested therein, whom she would not discover. What efect followed hereupon appears not otherwice, than that notwithstanding this and other Submissions, the King proceeded to his intended Marriage; which also he so hastned, as some say the day following Queen Anne's death, others not till three days after, he caused it to be Solemniz'd; as not thinking it fit to mourn long, or much, for one the Law had declared Cryminal; concerning the Ceremony whereof, as well as the opinion held in there times of the different perfections Of the king, and his two Queens, I shall out of our Records produce the censure of Sir John Russell (afterwards Earl of Bedford) who having been at Church; observed the King to be the goodliest Perfon there; but of the Queens gave this note, that the Richer Queen Jane was in Cloaths, the fairer she appeared, but that the other, the Richer she was apparel'd, the worse she lookd; but this Queen certainly deserv'd all the Favour done her, as being reputed the Discreetest, Fairest; and Humblest of the Kings Wives; though both Queen Katharine in her younger days, and the late Queen, were not easily Parallel'd. But we will leave them a while, and come unto Foreign bufineffcs now a long time intermitted.