Our belief is that the books may profitably be used by all grades of historical students between the standards of fourth-form boys in secondary schools and undergraduates at Universities. What differentiates students at one extreme from those at the other is not so much the kind of subject-matter dealt with, as the amount they can read into or extract from it.
In regard to choice of subject-matter, while trying to satisfy the natural demand for certain “stock” documents of vital importance, we hope to introduce much fresh and novel matter. It is our intention that the majority of the extracts should be lively in style—that is, personal, or descriptive, or rhetorical, or even strongly partisan—and should not so much profess to give the truth as supply data for inference. We aim at the greatest possible variety, and lay under contribution letters, biographies, ballads and poems, diaries, debates, and newspaper accounts. Economics, London, municipal, and social life generally, and local history, are represented in these pages.
The order of the extracts is strictly chronological, each being numbered, titled, and dated, and its authority given. The text is modernised, where necessary, to the extent of leaving no difficulties in reading.
We shall be most grateful to teachers and students who may send us suggestions for improvement.
S. E. WINBOLT.
KENNETH BELL.
NOTE TO THIS VOLUME
I HAVE to thank Mr. A. F. Leach and his publishers, Messrs. Constable, for their very cordial permission to make extracts from English Schools at the Reformation; the Librarian of Stonyhurst College for communicating to me a transcript of a letter in the College archives; and Mr. R. B. McKerrow for permission to use his text in the extract from Nashe.
ARUNDELL ESDAILE.
THE AGE OF ELIZABETH
1547–1603
A BALLAD SUNG TO KING EDWARD IN CHEAPSIDE, AS HE PASSED THROUGH LONDON TO HIS CORONATION (1547).
Source.—Strype: Ecclesiastical Memorials. Ed. 1822. Vol. ii., part ii., p. 329.
Sing, up heart, sing, up heart, and sing no more downe,
But joy in King Edward that weareth the crowne.
Sir, song in time past hath been downe a downe,
And long it hath lasted in tower and towne,
To have it much meeter, downe hath been added: But up is more sweeter to make our hearts gladded.
Sing, up heart, &c.
King Edward up springeth from puerilitie,
And toward us bringeth joy and tranquilitie;
Our hearts may be light and merry chere,
He shal be of such might, that al the world may him fear.
Sing, up heart, &c.
His father late our sovereign both day and also houre,
That in joy he might reign like a prince of high power,
By sea and land hath provided for him eke,
That never King of England had ever the leke.
Sing, up heart, &c.
He hath gotten already Boleign, that goodly town,
And biddeth sing speedily up, up, and not downe.
When he waxeth wight, and to manhood doth spring,
He shal be strait then of four realms the King.
Sing, up heart, &c.
Yee children of England, for the honour of the same,
Take bow and shaft in hand, learn shootage to frame.
That you another day may so do your parts,
To serve your King as wel with hands as with hearts.
Sing, up heart, &c.
Yee children that be towards, sing up and not downe,
And never play the cowards to him that weareth the crowne:
But always be your care his plesure to fulfil,
Then shal you keep right sure the honour of England stil.
Sing, up heart, &c.
EXTRACTS FROM THE JOURNAL OF EDWARD VI. (1547–1551).
Source.—Cotton MS. Ed. Clarendon Historical Society. Series II., Nos. 1–3, 1884.
After the death of King Henry the 8th, his son Edward, Prince of Wales was come to at Hartford, by the Earl of Hartford, and Sir Anthony Brown Master of the Horse; for whom before was made great preparation that he might be created Prince of Wales, and afterward was brought to Enfield, where the death of his Father was first shewed him; and the same day the Death of his Father was shewed in London, where was great lamentation and weeping: and suddenly he proclaimed King. The next day, being the—— of——,[1] He was brought to the Tower of London, where he tarried the space of three weeks: and in the mean Season the Council sat every day for the performance of the Will, and at length thought best that the Earl of Hartford, should be made Duke of Somerset, Sir Thomas Seimour Lord Sudley; the Earl of Essex Marquis of Northampton, and divers Knights should be made Barons, as the Lord Sheffield, with divers others. Also they thought best to chuse the Duke of Somerset to be Protector of the Realm, and Governour of the King’s Person during his Minority; to which all the Gentlemen and Lords did agree, because he was the King’s Uncle on his Mother’s side. Also in this time the late King was buried at Windsor with much solemnity, and the Officers broke their Staves, hurling them into the Grave; but they were restored to them again when they came to the Tower. The Lord Lisle was made Earl of Warwick, and the Lord Great Chamberlainship was given to him; and the Lord Sudley made Admiral of England: all these things were done, the King being in the Tower. Afterwards, all things being prepared for the Coronation, the King being then but nine Years old, passed through the City of London, as heretofore hath been used, and came to the Palace of Westminster; and the next day came into Westminster Hall. And it was asked the People, Whether they would have him to be their King? Who answered, Yea, yea: Then he was crowned King of England, France and Ireland, by the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury, and all the rest of the Clergy and Nobles; and Anointed, with all such Ceremonies as were accustomed, and took his Oath, and gave a General Pardon. …
March 31 [1550]. A Challenge made by Me, that I, with sixteen of my Chamber, should run at Base, Shoot and Run at the Ring with any seventeen of my Servants Gentlemen in the Court.
April 1. The first day of the Challenge at Base, or Running, the King won.
April 6. I lost the Challenge of Shooting at Rounds, and won at Rovers.
May 3. The Challenge at running at the Ring performed; at the which first came the King, sixteen Footmen, and ten Horsemen, in black Silk Coats, pulled out with white Taffety; then all the Lords, having three Men likewise apparelled: and all Gentlemen their Footmen in white Fustian, pulled out with black Taffety. The other side came all in yellow Taffety; at length the yellow