perdidit Sed hoc quoque ipsos quos beavit pendebit Our lusts our soules our wealth we spend In Court to purchase praise But what reward is in the end For our deserts repaie Their vowes and protestations deepe Not prest in paper but in mind Their sounds of words to lulls asleep From body forc't not from the mind Hands there wee joyne but not our hearts Whereby it happeneth few are blest And many thousand that resort Unto the Court by it are lost And of those few that blessed are Wee often see there fall againe Their blessed dayes they spend in care And after end their lives in paine The complaint for want of treasure The King sets many Lands to Feâ— Farme That death of the Lord Harrington The death of his sonne GReat summes of money being disbursed upon her Graces Wedding and dayly imployments for othersâ— some for Ireland The Lord Treasurer wanting there to defray ordinary expences some for the Kings owne use and some for other occasions causes a great complaint for want of treasure Officers at Court goe unpaid and many of the Kings Servants receive not their wages at set times so that the King is forced to set many of his Lands to Fee Farme and the four Deputie Treasurers with some few other have the passing of them now my Lord Harrington obtained a Patent for the making of brasse Farthings a thing that brought with it some contempt though lawfull for all things lawfull are not expedient who being injoyned to go into the Low-countries with her Grace by the way lost his life His sonne succeeded both in honour and Patent and enjoyed them not long before he dyed within short time after the hopefullest gentleman of that name more fit for imployments then for a private life and for a Statesman then for a Souldier he had beene at Cambridge there reputed for a great Scholler he travelled into Italy Venice and France he imployed his time for the most part in study whereby he made himselfe apt for great matters But yet it pleased God even then when he was in his greatest hope to cut off his dayes He gave all that he had to the Countesse of Bedford his Sister defeating her neither of the land nor the right of the Barony esteeming her to be worthy of much more then he had to leave He made a worthy and godly end These things coming so thick one after another left no time for men to dreame of Overburies death The Earle of Somerset his conscience accuseth him Northamptons speech to him He becometh a newter in Religion The Earle of Northamptons course A Nullitie being thus purchased he dignified as is said and the maâ—ch concluded about Candlemas 1614. they Marry with much joy and solemnitie a Maske being performed at Somerset's charge and many rumors passe without any respect all these things nothwithstanding a guiltie conscience can never goe without accusation pensivenesse and fulnesse doe possesse the Earle his wonted mirth forsakes him his countenance is cast downe he takes not that felicitie in company as he was wont to do but still something troubles him Verily it is a dangerous thing to fall within the compasse of a guilty conscience it eateth and consumeth the soule of a man as rust doth Iron or as beating waves hallowes the Rocks and though these things are not made publique yet neverthelesse Northampton observed it in him having so admirable capacity he could make use of all things wherefore knowing his disease viz. his mind feared with murther and knowing the Earle tractable as he desired enters into more familiar discourse with him For when the mind of a yong man is corrupted with evill he runs headlong into sinne without stay or feare wherefore amongst many other discourses this falls betweene them That in case the death of Sir Thomas Overbury should come to light they were then in a most dangerous state And the next thing they must expect is losse of life goods lands honours their names to be made scandalous to the world and to conclude to be branded with an ignominious death Neither that there was any way left for to escape this but either by making their owne fortunes so great that he might oppose all accusations or else being Catholiques to endeavour that in defending them they again might assist their cause in case that any matter came against them this carrying some shew and likelihood of truth And that indeed his case was desperate if ever it should come to light concludes to combine with Noâ—hâ—â—pton in whâ—tsoever he should undertake and in the conclusion became a â—eâ—ter in Religion whereupon to the intent he might set further evills on foot besides those before remembred he begins to rip up the ancient quarrell betweene the Welch and the English who now murmur at some discontents and to the intent to hearten on the Irish sends Letters thither by the hands of one Haâ—mon a poore man unto such whom â—e knowes to be faithfull in the Romish Religion and thereby confirmes them in their opinion assuring them that God will still provide one or more to protect his Church and that now the greatest Favourite in England would stand for them upon which Letter the Irish grew obstinate as I have said and altogether neglect the service of God and utterly deny the Oath of Supremacy protesting losse of life and goods rather then to be inforced to so damnable a thing Now wee see there the Church utterly forsaken none to heare divine Service The discipline of their owne Church established and the Irish in generall expecting a day to have their libertie and freedome in Religion The same man returning this newes is after sent into Yorkeshire with a black staffe and a knob upon the end within which knob Letters are conveyed from place to place aswell for pointing Assemblies as meetings for Masse and entertaining of Priests now might a man goe to Masse in divers places of the City and who were so publiquely favoured as Priests Their number increase their Priests are entertained Confession in many places publiquely practised and although it was contrary to the Law yet greatnesse overcountenancing them it was little regarded In the meane time quarrells went forward betweene the Scottish and English continuall complaints and the suit of the Cloth-workers with hope of obtaining their request not so much because of the profit as to raise up a discontent betweene the Duchie and them These courses caused divers men to passe divers opinions and many men to passe their opinion as they affected either parties The rumors of the Spanish Fleet A Proclamation against Spanish money A Leaguer in the Low-countries The publique rumors against my Lord of Northampton He exhibits a bill in the Star-chamber against the publishers They justified by my Lord of Canterburie's speech The death of my Lord of Northampton his Funerall his Will The names of those that succeeded him in his Offices NOt long after it was rumoured
intent to incense the people the more against them and to make the matter the more hainous and grievous to the world At this time the Lady Arbella died a matter more remarkable then was observed and gave some occasion of speech to many but yet neverthelesse past over in silence These Hurly-burlies being growne somewhat calme and the minds of men a little setled the Countesse and others authorised for that purpose to be examined and my Lord Coke was the man that prest the Evidence against them which as it was thought procured some great enemies two and twenty Articles were objected against them Somerset pleaded Ignorance and that these Objections were meere tricks to intrap him and set the King against him The same answer was in the Countesse and that it might rather seeme to proceed out of envie then for any just cause They cause it to be given out that their accusations were wrongâ—ull and none were accused but such as were the greatest Favourites to the King so that there was much ado to little purpose At last when they heard that Weston Turner Francklin and Yeluis were all hanged and that they had confest the matter the Countesse being brought before the Councell confest the whole truth but Somerset stood to it still that he was not agent in it and that these accusations did nothing touch him and therefore ought to be excused Neverthelesse his lands and goods were committed to custodie part to my Lord Treasurer and part to others to the Kings use The Money Plate and Jewels which he had heaped up together amounted by report unto 200000. pounds his lands 19000. pounds per annum and the King bestowed many of them upon the Prince There was little speech of this in respect that both person and matter wherein hee was agent were both envied and facinerous neiâ—her was there any that pitied him but most said that hoe had but his just deserts for the injuries and wrongs that he offered unto Essex The Arraignment was put off and in the meane time Sir Walter Rawleigh was set at liberty This man had continued in the Tower now almost ten yeares a condemned person for a plot intended against his Majesty at his first comming in he bore a great envie against Somerset because he had begged his lands of the King and got it into possession giving him many quips and taunts during the time that he was in the Tower These two accidents happening beyond expectation that the one being the speciall favourite of the King the other a condemned man the one imprisoned the other set at liberty gave great occasion of speech and rumour and so much the more wonder and admiration because of Rawleighes wit and policie And this yeare also the Countesse of Shrewsbury who was committed for being privie to the escape of the Lady Arbella was set at liberty and the Earle her husband dyed leaving the greatest part of his land unto his daughters during all this time that is from Michaelmas Terme unto the short vacation betweene Easter and Trinity Terme the Arraignment was put off some attributed the cause to be for because the Countesse was with child and in the meane time was delivered of a daughter some that further proofes of incertainties might be brought in others to give them longer time to consider on the matter and that it was a great favour I say these rumours being published amongst the people at length the King authorised my Lord Chancellor to be High Steward of England for the time being and joyned eight of his Judges with him for his assistance viz. The foure Judges of the Kings Bench my Lord Chiefe Justice of the Common Pleas Justice Niccols my Lord Chiefe Barron and others of the Barrons with power to call Somerset and the Countesse before them to shew cause why they should not have sentence of death passed upon them for this offence committed both against the Laws of the Land and against the King his Crowne and Dignity So upon the foure and twentieth of May in this yeare 1616. There being a Seat Royall placed at the upper end of Westminster-hall a little short of the Kings Bench and seats made round about it for the rest of the Justices and Peeres to sit on and a little cabbin built close by the Common Pleas for the Prisoners when they came from the Tower to be put to rest them in They proceed to the triall after this manner As soone as my Lord High Steward with great State came into Westminster-hall with his assistants the Judges divers Lords and Gentlemen attending and foure Serjants at Armes before him ascending a little gallery made of purpose to keep off the croud he takes his seat and the rest of the Assistants and Peeres according to their places This being done after silence proclaimed one of the Harrolds at Armes reaches the High Steward his Patent and delivers it to the Clerke of the Crown to reade it After Sir Ralph Conisâ—y reaches him his staffe and iâ— there present according to his place to give attendance After the Patent read and proclamation for silence and that the accusers should come in the Prisoners were sent for by the Clerke of the Checker whose office it was to attend the Prisoners This being done and the Prisoners placed at the Barre Sir Henry Fanshaw reades the Indictment to which the Countesse pleaded guilty and confessed the fact But Somerset pleaded not guilty and had time from ten of the clock at night to cleare himselfe much was said but to little purpose At last the Peeres having conferred of the matter returne their verdict laying their hands upon their brests and swearing by their Honours for they doe not mâ—ke an Oath as ordinary Jurors do that he was guilty of the murther and poysoning of Sir Thomas Overbury whereupon my Lord High Steward pronounced sentence of death agâ—inst him and so he was had back to the Tower where hee remaineth at the mercy of the King This man may justly say as Pope Barbaressa said when hee was put from the Popedome Qui modo summus eram laetatus nomine praecel Tristis abjectus nunc mea fata gemo Excelsus solio nuper versaâ—ar in alto Cunctaque gens pedibus oscula prona dabant Nunc ego poenarum sundo devulvor in imo Vultum deformem pallidaque ore gero Omnibus e terris aurum mihi sponte ferebant Sed nec gaesa juvet nec quis amicus adest Sic varians fortuna vices adversa secundis Suâ—dit ambiguis nomine ludit atrâ— Cedit in exemplum cunctis quos gloria tollit Vertice de summo mox ego Papa cado Loe here I am that sometime tooke delight in name of Pope Now being sad and abject doe bewaile my fate and hope Of late preferr'd I did converse with stately pompe and grace And every Nation to my feet their ready kisses place But now in dungeon deepe am throwne of paines
taken by another so that men dye other mens deaths Concidit infelix alieno vulnere and it is as the Psalmist calleth it Sagitta noâ—â—e volans The arrow that flyeth by night that hath no ayme nor certainty and therefore if any man shall say to himself here is great talke of impoysonment but I am sure I am safe for I have no enemies neither have I any thing another man should long for why that is all one hee may sit next him at the table that is meant to be impoisoned and pledge him of his cup As we may see in the example of 21. H. 8. that where the purpose was to poyson one man there was poyson put into barme or yeast and with that barme pottage or grewell was made whereby sixteene of the Bishop of Rochesters servants were poysoned nay it went into the alms-basket likewise and the poore at the gate were poysoned And therefore with great judgement did the Statute made that year touching this accident made impoisonment high Treason because it tends to the dissolving of humane societie for whatsoever offence doth so is in the nature thereof high Treason Now for the third degree of this particular offence which is that it is committed upon the Kings prisoner who was out of his owne defence and meerely in the Kings protection and for whom the King and the State were a kind of respondent it is a thing that aggravates the fault much for certainly my Lord of Somerset let me tell you this that Sir Thomas Overbury is the first man that was murthered in the Tower of London save the murther of the two young Princes by the appointment of Richard the third Thus much of the offence now to the proofes For the nature of proofes you may consider that imprisonment of all offences is the most secret even so secret as that if in all cases of imprisonment you should require testimony you should as good proclaime impunity Who could have impeached Livia by testimony for the poysoning of the sigges upon the tree which her husband was wont to gather with his owne hands who could have impeached Parasetis for the poysoning of the one side of the knife shee carried with her and keeping the other side cleane so that her selfe did eat of the same peece of meat that they did whom shee did impoyson These cases are infinit and need not to be spoken of the secresie of impoysonment but wise men must take upon them in these secret cases Salomons spirit that when there could be no witnesses collected the act by the affection But yet we are not at our cause for that which your Lordships is to trie is not the act of impoysonment for that is done to your hands all the world by Law is concluded to say that Overbury was poysoned by Weston but the question before you is of the procurement onely and as the Law termeth it as accessary before the fact which abetting is no more but to doe or use any act or meanes which may aide or conduce to the impoisonment So that it is not the buying nor the making of the poyson nor the preparing nor confecting nor commixing of it or the giving or sending or laying of the poyson that are the only acts that doe amount unto the abetment but if there be any other act or meanes done or used to give opportunity of impoysonment or to facilitate the execution of it or to stop or divert any impediments that might hinder it and that it be with an intention to accomplish and atchieve the impoysonment all these are abetments and accessaries beâ—ore the fact As for example if there be a conspiracie to murther a man as he journeyeth on the way and it be one mans part to draw him forth to that journey by invitation or by colour of some businesse and another taketh upon him to disswade some friend of his company that he be not strong enough to make his defence and another hath a part to hold him in talke till the first blow be given all these my Lords without scruple are accessaries to the murther although none of them give the blow nor assist to give the blow My Lords he is not the hunter alone that lets slip the dog upon the Deere but he that lodgeth him and hunts him out or sets a traine or trap for him that he cannot escape or the like But this my Lords little needeth in this case for such a chaine of acts of impoisonment as this I thinke were never heard nor seene And thus much of the nature of the Proofes To descend to the Proofes themselves I shall keep this course First I will make a narration of the fact it selfe Secondly I will breake and distribute the proofes as they concerne the Prisoner And thirdly according to the distribution I will produce them or reade them to use them So that there is nothing that I shall say but your Lordships shall have three thoughts or cogitations to answer it First when I open it you may take your ayme Secondly when I distribute it you may prepare your answers without confusion And lastly when I produce the witnesses or the examinations themselves you may againe ruminate and readvise to make your defence And this I do because your memory and understanding may not be oppressed or overladed with length of evidence or with confusion of order nay more when your Lordships shall make your answer in your time I will put you in mind where cause shall be of your omission First therefore Sir Thomas Overbury for a time was knowne to have great interest and streight friendship with my L. of Somerset both in his meaner fortunes and after in so much that he was a kind of oracle of direction unto him and if you will beleeve his owne vaunts being indeed of an insolent and thrasenicall disposition he tooke upon him that the fortunes reputation and understanding of this Gentleman who is well knowne to have an able teacher proceedeâ— fâ—om his company and counsell and this friendship rested not only in conversation and businesse at Court but likewise in communication of secrets of Estate for my Lord of Somerset exercising at that time by his Majesties speciall favour and trust the Office of Secretary provisicually did not â—orbeare to acquaint Overbury with the Kings Packets and dispatches from all pâ—â—ts of Spaine France and the Low-countries and this not by glimses or now and then rounding in the eare for a favour but in a setled manner Packets were sent sometimes opened by my Lord sometimes unbâ—oken unto Overbury who perused them copied them registred them made tableâ—talke of them as they thought good So I will undertake the time was when Overbury knew more of the Secrets of Estate then the Councell Table did nay they were growne to such inwardnesse as they made a play of all the world besides themselves so as they had Cyphers and Jurgons for the King and Queene and great men of
the Realme things seldome used but either by Princes or their Confederates or at the least by such as practise and worke against or at the least upon Princes But understand mee my Lord I shall not charge you with disloyaltie this day and I lay this for a foundation that there was great Communication of Secrets betweene you and Sir Thomas Overbury and that it had relation to matter of State and the great causes of this Kingdome But my Lords as it is a principle in Nature that the best things are in their corruption the worst and the sweetest wine maketh the sowrest vinegre so fell it out with them that this excesse as I may say of friendship ended in mortall hatred on my Lord of Somersets part I have heard my Lord Steward say sometimes in the Chancâ—ry that Frost and Fraud ends soule and I may adde a third and that is the Friendship of ill men which is truly said to be conspiracie and not friendship For it fell out some twelve moneths or more before Overbury his imprisonment in the Tower that the Lord of Somerset sell into an unlawfull love towards that unfortunate Ladie the Countesse of Essex and to proceed to a Marriage with Somerset This Marriage and purpose did Overbury mainly impugne under pretence to doe the true part of a friend for that hee accompted her an unworthy woman But the truth was Overbury who to speake plainly had little that was sollide for Religion or morall vertue but was wholly possest with ambition and vain-glory was loath to have any partners in the favour of my Lord of Somerset and especially not any of the House of the Howards against whom he had alwayes professed hatred and opposition And my Lords that this is no sinister construction will appeare to you when you shall heare that Overbury made his brags to my Lord of Somerset that he had won him the love of the Lady by his Letters and industrie so far was he from cases of conscience in this point And certainely my Lords howsoever the tragicall misery of this poore Gentleman Overbury might somewhat obliterate his faults yet because wee are not upon points of civilitie but to discover the face of Truth before the face of Justice for that it is materiall to the true understanding of the state of this cause Overbury was naught and corrupt the ballads must be mended for that point But to proceed when Overbury saw that hee was like to be possessour of my Lords Grace which hee had possessed so long and by whose greatnesse he had promised himselfe to doe wonders and being a man of an unbounded and impudent spirit hee began not onely to disswade but to deterre him from the love of that Lady and finding him fixed thought to find a strong remedie supposing that hee had my Lords head under his girdle in respect of communication of Secrets of State as he calls them himselfe secrets of Nature and therefore dealt violently with him to make him desist with menaces of discovery and the like Hereupon grew two streames of hatred upon Overâ—ury the one from the Ladie in respâ—ct that hee crossed her love and abused her name which are â—uries in women the other of a more deepe nature from my Lord of Somerset himselfe who was affraid of Overburies Nature and that if he did breake from him and fly out hee would winde into him and trouble his whole fortunes I might adde a third sâ—reame of the Earle of Northamptons Ambition who desires to be first in favour with my Lord of Somerset and knowing Oveâ—â—uries malice to himselfe and to his House thought thâ—t man must be removed and cut off so as certainely it was resolved and decreed that Overbury must dye Hereupon they had variâ—ty of devices to send him beyond the Seas upâ—n occasion of imployment That was too weake and they were so far from giving way to it as they crossed it there rested but two wayes of quarrell assault and poyson For that of assault after some proposition and attempt they passed from it was a thing too open and subject to more varietie of shame that of poyson likewise was an hazardous thing and subject to many prevenâ—ions and caution especially to such a working and jealous braine as Overbury had except he was first fast in their hands therefore the way was first to get him into a trap and lay him up and then they could not misse the marke and therefore in execution of this plot it was denyed that hee should be designed to some honourable imployment in forraigne parts and should underhand by my Lord of Somerset be incouraged to refuse it and so upon contempt he should be laid prisoner in the Tower and then they thought he should be close enough and death should be his Bayle yet were they not at their end for they considered that if there were not a fit Lieutenant of the Tower â—or their purpose and likewise a fit Underkeeper of Oâ—â—râ—ury First they should meet with many impediments in the giving and the exhibiting of the poyson Secondly they should be exposed to note an observation that might discover them And thirdly Overbury in the meane time might write clamorous and â—urious Letters to his friends and so all might bee disappointed And therefore the next linck of the chaine was to displace the then Lieutenaâ—â—Wade and to place Yeluis a principall abettor in the impoysonment to displace Cary that was Underkeeper in Wadesâ—ime and to place Weston that was the Actor in the impoysonment And this was done in such a while that it may appeâ—re to be done as it were in a breath Then when they had this poore Gentleman in the Tower close pâ—isoner where he could not scape nor stir where hee could not feed but by their hands where he could not speake or write but thorow their truncks then was the time to act the last day of his tragedy Then must Francklin the purveyour of the Poyson procure five six seven severall Poysons to be sure to hit his complexion Then must Mistris Turner the Lay Mistris of the Poysons advise what workes at present and what at distance Then must Weston bee the tormentour and chase him with Poyson after Poyson Poyson in salt meats Poyson in sweet meats Poyson in medicines and vomits untill at last his bodie was almost come by use of Poyson to the state of Mithridates bodie by the use of Treacle and preservatives that the force of the Poysons was blunted upon him Weston confessing when hee was chid for not dispatching him that hee had given him enough to poyson twentie men And lastly because all this asked time courses were taken by Somerset both to divert all the true meanes of Overburies delivery and to entertaine him with continuall Letters partly with hopes and protestations for his delivery and partly with other fables and negotiations somewhat like some kind of persons which keepe in a tale of fortune telling when they have a
prospered then those that were profitable to the Common-wealth Of my Lord of Northamptons coming to honour the cause of the division betweene the Hollanders and the English betweene the Scottish and English betweene the English and Irish NOw Henry Howard yongest sonne of the Duke of Norfolke continuing a Papist from his infancy unto this time beginning to grow eminent and being made famous heretofore for his learning having beene â—rained and brought up a long time in Cambridge by the perswasion of the King changeth his opinion of Religion in outward appearance and to the intent to reape unto himselfe more honour became a Protestant for which cause he was created Earle of Northampton and had the Kings favours bountifully bestowed upon him first the office of Privie-seale then the Wardenship of Cinque Ports and lastly the refusall of being Treasurer This man was of a subtile and fine wit of a good proportion excellent in outward courtship famous for secret insinuation and for cunning flatteries and by reason of these flatteries became a fit man for the conditions of these times and was suspected to be scarce true unto his Soveraigne but rather endeavouring by some sâ—cret wayes and meanes to set abroad new plots for to procure innovation And for this purpose it was thought he had a hand in the contention that happened amongst the Hollanders and English concerning the Fishing the Hollanders clayming right to have the Fishing in the Levant and the English claiming right upon this contention they fell from clayme to words of anger from words of anger to blowes so that there dyed many of them and a starre was left for further quarrell but that it was salved by wise Governors and the expectation of some disappointed Neverthelesse the Papists being a strong faction and so great a man being their favourer grew into heads malice and indeavour to make the insolency of the Scotts to appeare who to this intent that they might be the more hated of the English not contented with their present estate would enter into outrages some countâ—rfeit the seale Manuell others quip the Nobility in disdaine and a third sort secretly contrive the English death whereby it happened besides common clamor that there were added secret discontents of private persons which caused jealousie to happen in those two Nations But His Majesty being both wise and worthy fore-saw the evill and prevented it by Proclamation by which meanes these clamors are stopt and the injurie and offences of both parties redressed The Irish seeing these sores and hearing of these misdemeanours for they have their intelligents here also begin to grow obstinate and make religion a pretence to colour their intentions for which cause they stand out and protest losse of life and goods rather then to be forced from their opinion being wavering and unconstant rather thirsting for Rebellion to the intent to purchase their owne liberty then peace every new alteration gives occasion of discontent and causes new complaints to be brought to the Kings eare under pretence whereof they grew contemptuous to their Governors and haters of the English Lawes The Captaines and Souldiers grew negligent for want of pay the great men envying one another through private covetousnesse and many insolencies being suffered causeth there also to be nourished many misdemeanours to the ruine of that Government These things being thus handled administers occasion to the Papists to hope for some alteration and change And that as a body that is violent consumeth it selfe without some speciall cause to maintaine it so these occurrents will be the cause of their owne destruction At this time there was a Leaguer in Denmarke and shortly after another in the Low-countries but to what end their beginnings were intended is yet unknowne The rising of the Earle of Somerset his favour and greatnesse with the King and his Parentage and discontent AMong other accidents that happened about these times the rising of one Master Carre was most remarkable a man borne of meane parentage inhabitant in a Village neere Edenborough in Scotland and there through the favour of friends was preferred to His Majesty to be one of his Pages for he kept twelve according to the custome of the French and so continued it so long as he was in Scotland afterwards coming into England the Counsell thought it more honourable to have so many Foot-men to run with His Majesty as the Queene had before these Youths had cloathes put to their backs according to their places and 50â— a piece in their purses and so were dismissed the Court This youth amongst the rest having thus lost his fortunes to repaire them againe makes haste into France and there continued untill he had spent all his meanes and money So that now being bare in a strange countrey without friends or hope to obtaine his expectation returnes back for England bringing nothing with him but the Language and a few French fashions neverthelesse by the helpe of some of his countrey men and ancient acquaintance he was preferred unto the Lord Haies a Scotchman and favourite of the Kings to waite upon him as his Page not long after that Lord amongst many others was appointed to performe a Tilting who bearing an affection to this yong man aswell in respect he was his countrey man as that he found him to be of a bold disposition comely visag'd and of proportionable personage commixt with a courtly presence preferres him to carry his devise to the King according to the custome in those pastimes used Now when he should come to light from off his Horse to performe his Office his Horse starts throwes him downe and breakes his Legge this accident being no lesse strange then suddaine in such a place causes the King to demand who he was answer was made his name was Carre he taking notice of his name and calling to remembrance that such a one was his Page causes him to be had into the Court and there provided for him untill such time as he was recovered of his hurt after in processe of time the yong man is called for and made one of his Bed-chamber to His Majesty he had not long continued in his place before by his good endeavours and diligent service in his Office the King shewed extraordinary favour unto him doubling the favour of every action in estimation so that many are obscured that he may be graced and dignified Thus the hand of the diligent maketh rich and the dutifull servant cometh to honour he of all other either without fraud to obtaine or desert to continue it is made the Kings favourite no suit no petition no grant no lâ—tter but Mastâ—r Carre must have a hand in it so that great rewards are bestowed upon him by suâ—tors and large sums of money by His Majesty by which meanes his wealth increased with his favour and with both Honours for vertue and riches dignifie their owners being from a Page raysed to the dignity of Knighthood After his favour increasing
envy towards her husband even untill this time makes her repaire unto Mistris Turner a Gentlewoman that from her youth had been given over to a loose kind of life being of a low stature faire visage for outward behaviour comely but in prodigality and excesse most riotous by which course of life shee had consumed the greatest part of her husbands meanes and her owne so that now wanting wherewith to fulfill her expectations and extreme pride falls into evill courses as to the prostitution of her body to common lust to practise sorcery and inchantments and to many little lesse then a flat Bawd her husband dying left her in a desperate estate because of her wants by which meanes shee is made apt to enter into any evill accord and to entertaine any evill motion bee it never so facinerous A Doctors wife who was during his life her Physitian and in that time shee having entertained into her company his said wife by that meanes procured further acquaintance being neere of the said disposition and temperature as Pares cum paribus facile congregantur from thence it happened that shee was suspected even by her meanes and procurement before this to have lived a loose life for who can touch pitch and not be defiled I say having some familiarity with this woman and now taking some discontent at her husband more than heretofore by reason of her falling out with him and his sharpe answers as he conceives to her repaires to her house and there amongst other discourses disgorges her selfe against her husband whereby the cause of her griefe might easily be perceived Mistris Turner as feeling part of her paine pities her and in hope of profit being now in necessity and want is easily drawne to effect any thing that shee requires whereupon by the report of some it was concluded at this time betweene them to administer poison to the Earle but not taking effect according to their expectation the Countesse writes unto her to this purpose Sweet Turner as thou hast been hitherto so art thou all my hopes of good in this world My Lord is as lusty as ever he was and hath complained to my brother Howard that hee hath not layne with mee nor used mee as his wife This makes mee mad since of all men I loath him because he is the onely obstacle and hinderance that I shall never enjoy him whom I love The Earle having overpast this evill and continuing still in his prestine estate procured not any affection but more hatred and loathsomnesse so that it burst forth daily to my Lords great discontent and drawes her headlong into her owne distraction Sir Robert Carre made Viscount Rochester the acquaintance betweene my Lord of Northampton and him the new affection of the Countesse THe King taking great liking to this young Gentleman to the intent that he might be no lesse eminent in honour then hee was powerfull in wealth and substance adornes him with the title of Viscount Rochester bestowes the Secretariship of State upon him so that his honour and his wealth makes him famous to forraign Nations These things comming to my Lord of Northamptons ears having been a long time Favorite in Court and now growne into yeares and by reason thereof knowing the favour of the King to depend upon many incertainties and although at this time he was the greater actor in State affaires yet if this young man continued his height of glory all his dignity would either be abated or overshadowed and that he had not that free accesse to the Kings eares which he had wont to have endevoureth as much as in him lyeth to make this Courtier either to be wholly his or dependent upon his favour that so having relation to him hee might make use of his greatnesse And for this purpose he begins to applaud the wisdom and government of the Viscount his vertues outward Courtship comely carriage and to conclude holding him a man of no lesse worth and desert then any about the King neither were these things spoken to private or particular persons alone but even in the eares of the King to the intent to confirme the Kings favour towards him These things coming to this gentlemans eares takes it as a great favour from so great a personage and therefore so much the more admires his owne worth raising his carriage above his wonted course and in hope of better things applauding every action is performed by the Earle by which meanes there growes a kind of community betweeme them and there wants nothing but entercourse of speech for confirmance of acquaintance and procuring further relation either to other Time offers opportunity the Earle and he meets each changeth acquaintance with acquaintance of greater familiarity so that many times letters passed betweene them in their absence and courtly discourses being present by which meanes on all hands a confident amity is concluded In these times the Countesse of Essex being a spectator of those and perceiving this Viscount to be still raised up unto honours dayly in hope of greater is the more fired with a lustfull desire and the greater is her indeavours by the instigation of some of her friends to accomplish what shee determined for greatnesse doth not quallifie but set an edge upon lustfull appetites and where the most meanes are to maintaine it there the greater affections are cherished The course shee takes to procure affection shee combines with Doctor Forman they conclude to bewitch the Viscount IN these furious fits shee makes her repaire to Mistris Turner and begins a new complaint whereby shee makes manifest an extraordinary affection towards this yong gentleman so that shee could not rest without his company neither knew shee any means to attaine her ends there being no relation nor acquaintance betweene them whereupon Mistris Turner being still her second and ready to put any evill attempt into execution concludes with the Countesse to inchant the Viscount to affect her And for this purpose they fall acquainted with one Doctor Forman that dwelt at Lambeth being an ancient Gentleman and thought to have skill in the Magick Art This man by rewards and gifts was won to joyne with Mistris Turner who now to the intent to prey upon the Countesse endeavour the best they may to enchant the Viscounts affection towards her Much time is spent many words of witchcraft great cost in making Pictures of wax crosses of silver little babies for that use yet all to small purpose At length they continuing in their Sorcery advised her to live at Court where shee had free accesse without controule though of small acquaintance with him whom shee most respected neverthelesse shewing an affâ—ble countenance towards him hoping in processe of time to attaine that shee required Time offers opportunity and amongst other at length these two fall into league the Countesse being joyfull of her prey admires him uses all kindnesse that may be to intrap him He whether by these inchantments or by
seemeth light and effeminate or inwardly wanteth the ballast of government to poise eternall actions Of a truth Sir be it spoken without offence the Court calls your modesty into question and feares that these honours that should be hereditary to noble personages will be obscured with eminent eâ—ills and blemished witâ— levitie and inconstancie These with many other discourses hâ—ving at this time past betweeâ—e tâ—em soundâ—d somthing hâ—rshly in the Viscounts eares as all good counsell becomes evill to those that are evill And in a kind of anger flung from him though undeserved yet neverthelesse all his countenance and favour was not wholly obscured but that he might still enjoy that which he expected which was hope of preferment More faâ—ours are bestowed upon the Viscount being called to be one of the Privy Counsell which honour howsoever it was great â—nd more then was expected yet because he was yong one that to the opinion of the world was of no education literature and experience besides these inordinate courses brings him into further contemâ—t of the world so that every man would take the freedome of his Language and speâ—ke harshâ—y of these proceedings some conâ—emning his course of life others his insufficiencie because of his youth and most his wâ—nt of experience by which meanes hiâ— greatnesse overtops his substance And as a Ship without ballast is tottered too and againe to the terror of those that are in it in a storme and high water Even so these honours thus suddâ—inly bestowed upon him before his due time layes him the more open to the evill opinion of the envious and with some doth sooner hasten his ruine For which cause it behooves such as are thus drawne up meerly by fortune either to be possessed with such â—irtues aforehand that thereby they might maintaine themselves in their greatnesse or else to expect a suddaine overthrow at a time unexpected B. 2. Speecheâ— of the Lady Elizabeths Marriage with the Palsgrave Conditions concluded upon A. 1. The Prince takes dislike at the Viscount The Princes death rumors upon the same NOw Prince Henry was living and having some intelligence of this loose king of life which the Viscount led and being something jealous of him for because of that he heard doth uterly dislike him forbeares his company and whether for that or some other cause it is unknowne falls flat at oâ—ds with him not once giving him any countenance or vouchsafeing him his countenance Not long after as it might be about the beginning of November he fell sick continued so some weeke or little more the maladie increasing lying in his head he dyes A man may say of this Prince as was said of Mecaenas both for wisdom strength of body There was not the like to be found among the English The hope of England strange was the accident and many the rumors that ensued upon his death Some said that a French Physitian killed him others that he was poysoned againe others thought that he was bewitched yet no certainty could be found but that he dyed a naturall death This accident filled all the Kingdome with lamentations and caused the Wedding that followed at Candlemas after to be kept in sable The Funerall was performed in great state and with more griefe much might be said but I leave it My purpose being onely in briefe to set out these matters to memory that after-ages might see the evill of our times where the greatest part of many Courtiers actions are to find out tricks how to circumvent their fellow servants and some if it were possible to dispossesse the King of his dignity as hereafter shall be shewed so many are the discontents that are cherished among them These domestick affaires having thus happened and the death of the Prince filling the Court with sorrow and the Court being full of other imployments by reason of the Marriage that was to be had with the Palsgrave of Rhine and her grace who was now marriageable past over the rest in silence The match is concluded and great expectation and provision for his coming over to performe the ceremonies of matrimony are made at whose coming many rumors are spread abroad First that the Spaniard tooke this to the heart and therefore layd to doe him some mischiefe by the way That there was a Ship of pocket Pistolls came out of Spaine and that it was intended by the Papists to have made a Massacre And that Northampton did utterly oppose this match for he was as great an enemy to the Dutch and Protestants as ever Cicell was their friend and that many Priests were arrived and such like yet neverthelesse it was accomplished with great Pompe and state all or the greatest part of the Nobility being there present a Maske in the great banquetting-house the Gentlemen of the Middle Temple and other of Grayes Inne a third besides three dayes Tylting and running at the Ring the King himselfe in person with the yong Prince that now is King besides many other pastimes both stately and becoming the dignity of a King At this time there was a Proclamation against Verdingales but to little purpose for they rather increased greater then diminished For where a thing is once growne into a habit it is hardly to be restrained There was another Proclamation upon the former report of the coming of a Ship of pocket Pistolls out of Spaine that no man should carry a Pistoll in his pocket nor any that should be lesse then a foot long in the barrell About this time also the Papists were disarmed and many strange rumors raised which things because they were uncertaine I omit to relate them being rather pertinent unto state then unto profit Embassadors sent into Russia Swethia and other Provinces â—or the renuing oâ— frienâ—ship Of the League in the Low-countries The rumour of it MAâ—y outrages having beene now of late committed by the Arch-duke upon the States divers rumors are raised concerning the Leaguer both strange and almost universall For there were parties the Pope the Emperour the King of Spaine and a Cardinall to aiâ—e the Arch-duke agâ—inst the Sâ—â—tes The foundation of this combustion was layd upon the sâ—cking of a Protestant towne in Brâ—bâ—â—tâ— whereupon Grave Maurice drew out ten thousand into the Field and sâ—mâ—â—ew blowes happened and suspected that it would have growne further and that thâ—re would have been a generall opposition betweene Protestants and Papistâ— but by meanes of the Pope and the King it was agreed and went no further but left a scare to give a new occasion The warre oâ— Denmarke was also brought unto a happy end and the King râ—tained his right there not long after the issue whereof Embassâ—dors were sent into Muscovie to renew the League of friendship with the Emperour who now being brought low by contiâ—uâ—ll warres was glad to entertaine such a motion Traffique is confirmed there with that Nation and â—rom thence the same Embassâ—dors went to Swethiâ— to conclude a Leâ—gue
be consummated betweene the Countesse and Rochester that so being tyed in this bond of matrimony and joyned in affinity with my Lord of Northampton more trust might be had in him and better use might be made of his Honour and greatnesse Now there is none to support him no man to disswade him his loosenesse with the Countesse gaules his conscience and that it might be the more offensive to him and make him the willinger to consent unto this motion he is still prest with it and that it is both unfit and unseemely whereas on the otherside if they marry it will be both lawfull honourable and commendable and the eares of the vulgar will be then stopt and none dares bee so bold as to touch it This carries shew of truth so that what with his former affection what with his present offence that he conceives at these courses concludes the marriage Times are appointed to conferre how impediments might be avoyded and what should be fitting to be dome in this behalfe How the Lieutenant came acquainted with the businesse Encouraged to persist by Northampton Rewards promised him Be examined Sir Thomas to find out his affection Most thinke of Religion Some think towards the Countesse IT is now high time to enter into this action and the Countesse meanes to be the first and for this purpose shee went and got a glasse of blew water some two inches long this being wrapped in a paper shee delivers to Westons sonne with instructions that he should go to the Tower and deliver it to his father he doth so who having his matter aforehand put into his head at supper time takes the same in one hand and part of Sir Thomas Overburies supper in the other hand and who should he meet withall but Sir Iarvace Yeluis the Lieutenant So he demanded of him with a kind of caution whether he should give it him now the Lievtenant stopt and asked him what to which Weston answered Sir you know what is to be done This made him stand in a maze and doubt the worst whereupon he cals Weston into examination and makes him confesse all his intention from what grounds and of whom he received it and partly the cause of it he now being made a slave unto greatnesse and having laid out much mony to purchase his place for feare to lose the one and to offend the other lets Weston go with this caution to omit it for that time whereas a wise man rather then he would have run himselfe headlong into perdition would have discovered and have made them a meanes to have manifested his faithfulnesse in his office But what shall we say to a man lost The next day he is sent for to the Lord of Northampton These after many long and large discourses at length the Earle discloses to him his intention concerning Overbury and with those things mingles many of his insolencies First of his obstinacie against the Viscount his insolencie against the Countesse his opposition almost against all good men and that for the causes of such a thing happened there being none to look after him it would passe unregarded or unrespected but withall gives him many cautions how he should manage himselfe in the businesse letting him understand what manner of man he was a Scholler and one that had an excellent tongue and wit a Traveller experienced in the course of the world and besides that favoured the contrary Faction and as great a Polititian as any was this day in England therefore in regard he ought to be the more wary both who came to him and who went from him and above all that no Letters passe to and fro These and many other such like speeches having past betweene them for the Earle was two houres by his owne confesâ—ion prompted him with cautions and considerations that he might be the readier to act his part in this adventure he was to deale in Lastly he concludes that above all he should insinuate with him to see how he stood affected to these proceedings and what words he uttered from a heart full of thirst with griefe and sorrow must either speake or burst and his service and diligence herein shall be rewarded with a thousand pounds Whether it was the greedinesse of the reward or the foolish desire he had to give content to the Earle and Viscount they being his only Favourers or some other hope still unknowne but he by this meanes is brought to his owne destruction and so gives consent to conceale that which was intended At his comming back he repaires to Sir Thomas Overbury under pretence to comfort him in his sorrow and adviseth him to be more lightsome and not to consume himselfe with griefe by this meanes entring into further discourse secretly insinuates into his intentions Sir Thomas having a good opinion of him and supposing all was done out of faith and honesty towards him having by this meanes learned what he could of him writes unto the Lord of Northampton a Letter to this effect MY especiall good Lord having undertooke my Prisoner according to your instructions after long silence as standing betweene hope and fear he takes his Bible and after he had read upon it and by it protested his innocencie after upon further conference concerning the Countesse he said that he had justified her already and that hee could doe no more then what he had done But for himselfe alas quoth he what will they doe with mee I answered so reason you as you shall make no question hereafter of your purenesse and I left him in some sense to worke upon him As I was going he concluded that in the generality shee was so worthy that shee might be a wife in particular â—or my Lord of Rochester he would not say it lest my Lord should condemne him for weighing his worth At my next comming to him I found him not in sense but fury He let fly at you but was respective to my Lord of Rochester whose part hee taketh altogether I see the event I desire it may be safely covered what my service may doe you in this or any thing else I will be faithfull to your Lordship and so I rest Jervace Yeluis These and many other things being inserted into this Letter was sent unto the Earle which he read and in reading laughs and smiles at the simplicity of the one and ignorance of the other neverthelesse in outward appearance hee applauds all the actions of Sir Iervace but especially to my Lord of Rochester holding him both a discreet and wise man and that his secrecie and honest dealing in this imployment deserves everlasting praises with after ages More Poysons are sent from the Countesse Sir Thomas Monson is suspected to have a hand in the businesse Overbury growes sickly Iealous of his dyet No accesse is suffered to him WEston having received 24l of his allowance and yet neverthelesse nothing accomplished according to the Countesse her expectation is checkt by Mistris
felonious intent to picke their pocket and purâ—es And this is the true narration of this act which I have summarily recited Now for the distribution of the Proofes there are foure heads to prove you guilty whereof two are precedent to the impoysonment the third is present and the â—ourth is following or subsequent for it is in Proofes as it is in lightsâ— there is a direct light and there is a direct light and there is a reflection of light and a double light The first head or Proofe thereof is that there was a root of bitternesse a mortall malice or hatred mixed with a deepe and bottomlesse mischiefe that you had to Sir Thomas Overbuâ—y The second is that you were the principall Actor and had your hand in all those acts which did conduce to the impoysonment and gave opportunity to effect it without which the impoysonment could never have been and which could seeme to tend to no other end but to the impoysonment The third is that your hand was in the very impoysonment it selfe thâ—t you did direct Poyson and that you did deliver Poyson and that you did continually harken to the successe of the impoysonment and that you spurred it on and called â—or dispatch when you thought it lingered And lastly that you did all things after the impoisonment which mâ—y detect a guilty conscience for the smothering of it aâ—d the avoyding of punishment for it which can be but of three kindes Thâ—t you suppressed as much as in you was testimony thâ—t you did deâ—ace destroy clip and misdate all writings that might give light to the impoysonment and you did fly to the Altar of guiltinesse which is a Pardon of murther and a Pâ—rdon â—or your selfe and not for your selfe In thâ—â— my Lord I convert my speech unto you because I woulâ— have you alter the points of your charge and so make your dâ—â—ence the better And two of these heads I have taken to my selfe and left the other â—o the Kings two Serjeants For the â—irst maine part which is the mortall malice coupled with feare that was in you to Sir Thomas Overbury although you did palliate it with a great deale of hypocrisie and dissimulâ—tion even to the very end I will prove it my Lord Steward the root of this hate was that which cost many a mans life that is feare of discovering of Secrets I say of Secrets of a dangerous and high nature wherein the course that I will hold shall be this I will shew that a breach and malice was betwixt my Lord and Overbury and that it burst forth into violent threats and menaces on both sides Secondly that these Secrets were not of a light but an high nâ—ture I will give you the elevation of the Pole they were such as my Lord of Somerset had made a vow that Overbury should neither live in Court nor Country that he had likewise opened himselfe so far that either hee or himselfe must dye for it and of Overburies part he had threatned my Lord that whether he did live or die my Lords shame should never dye but that he would leave him the most odious man in the woâ—ld And â—urther that my Lord was like enough to repent where Overbury wrote which was in the Tower of London he was a Prophet in that so there is the highest of the Secret Thirdly I will shew you that all the Kings businesse was by my Lord put into Overburies hands so as there is worke enough for Secrets whatsoever they write them and like Princes Confederates they had their Cyphers and their Jurgons And lastly I will shew you that iâ— was but a toy to say the malice was only in â—espect he spake dishonourably of the Ladie or for doubt of breaking the Marriage for that Overbury was â—oadjutor to that love and the Lord of Somerset was as deepe in speaking ill of the Lady as Overbury and againe it was too late for that matter for the bargain of the match was then made and past and if it had been no more then to remove Overbury for disturbing the match it had been an easie matter to have landed over Overbury for which they had a faire way but that would not serve And lastly periculum periculo vincitur to go so far as an impoysonment must have a deeper malice then flashes for the cause must have a proportion in the effect For the next generall head or proofe which consists in the acts preparatory or middle acts they are in eight severall points of the Compasse as I may terme them First there were divers devices and projects to set Overburies head on worke to dispatch him and to overthrow him plotted betweene the Countesse of Somerset and the Earle of Somerset and the Earle of Northampton before they fell upon the impoysonment for alwayes before men fix upon a course of mischiefe there will be some rejection but dye hee must one way or other Secondly that my Lord of Somerset was principall practiser I must speake it in a most perfidious manner to set a traine and trap for Overbury to get him into the Tower without which they durst not attempt the impoysonment Thirdly that the placing of the Lieutenant Yeluis one of the impoysonments was done by my Lord of Somerset Fourthly that the placing of Weston the Underkeeper who was the principall impoysoner and the displacing of Carey and the doing all this within the while of fifteene dayes after Overburies commitment was by the meanes and countenance of my Lord of Somerset And these were the active Instruments of the impoysonment and this was a businesse the Ladies power could not reach unto Fifthly that because there must be a cause of this Tragedie to be acted and chiefly because they would not have the Poysons worke upon the sudden and for that the strength of Overburies natnre or the very custome of receiving the Poysons into his body did overcome the Poysons that they wrought not so fast therefore Overbury must be held in the Tower as well as he was laid in and as my Lord of Somerset got him into the Trap so he keepes him in and abuses him with continuall hope of liberty but diverted all the true and effectuall meanes of his liberty and makes light of his sicknesse and extremities Sixthly that not onely the plot of getting Overbury into the Tower and the devises to hold and keepe him there but the strange manner of the close keeping of him being in but for a Contempt was by the device and meanes of my Lord of Somerset who denied his father to see him denied his servants that offered to be shut up close prisoners with him and in effect handled it so that he made him close prisoner to all his friends and exposed to all his enemies Seventhly that all the advertisement the Lady received from time to time from the Lieutenant or Weston touching Oveâ—buries state of body and health were ever sent nigh to the Court though it were in Progresse and that from my Ladie such a thirst and listening he had to heare that he was dispâ—tched Lastly that there was a continuall negotiâ—tion to set Overâ—uâ—ies head on worke that he should make some to cleâ—re the Honour of the Ladie and that he should be a good insâ—rument towardâ— her and her friends all which wâ—â— but enterâ—ainment Foâ— your Lordships shall see diverâ— of my Lord of Northamptons Letters whose hand was dâ—epe in this businesse written I must say in darke wordâ— aâ—â— clauses that there was one thing pretended and anotâ—er â—hing iâ—tended That there was a reall charge and somewhat not reâ—ll a main drift and dissimulation nâ—y further there be some pâ—ssâ—gâ—s which the Peeres in their wisdomes will discerne to point directly at the impoisonment FINIS