beséech thée to heare me thy creature which am thy seruaunt and at thy commaundement trusting by thy grace euer so to remaine About which time it was spread abroade that her Grace should be carried from thence by this new iollie Captaine and his Soldiours but whether it could not be learned which was vnto her a great gréefe especiallie for that such a companie was appointed to her garde requesting rather to continue there still then to be led thence with such a sort of rascalles At last plaine aunswere was made by the Lord Shandoyes that there was no remedie but from thence she must néeds depart to the Manour of Woodstocke as he thought Being demaunded of her for what cause for that quoth he the Tower is like further to be furnished She being destrous to know what he meant thereby demaunded wherwith with such matter as the Quéene and the Councell were determined in that behalfe wherof he had no knowledge and so departed In conclusion on Trinitie Sunday being the ninetéene day of Maie she was remooued from the Tower the Lord Treasurer being then there for the lading of her Cartes and discharging the place of the same where Sir Henrie Benifield being appointed her Gaoler did receiue her with a company of rakehelles to garde her beside the Lord of Darbyes band wafting in the Countrie about for the Moone-shine in the water Unto whome at length came my Lord of Tame ioyned in Commission with the saide Sir Henrie for the safe guiding of her to prison and they together conueied her Grace to Woodstocke as héereafter followeth The first day they conducted her to Richmond where she continued all night being restrained of her owne men which were lodged in out Chambers and Sir Henrie Benifieldes Soldiours appointed in their roomes to giue attendaunce on her personne Whereat she being meruailouslie dismaied thinking verilie some secrete mischéefe to be working towardes her called her Gentleman Usher and desired him with the rest of his company to pray for her for this night quoth she I thinke to die Wherewith he being stricken to the heart saide God forbid that any such wickednesse should be pretended against your Grace So comforting her as well as he could at last he burst into teares went from her downe into the Court wher were walking the Lord of Tame and Sir Henry Benefield Then he cōming to the Lord of Tame who had proffered to him much fréendshippe desired to speake with him a word or two vnto whom he familiarlie said he should with all his heart Which when Sir Henrie standing by heard he asked what the matter was To whome the Gentleman Usher aunswered No great matter Sir saide he but to speake with my Lord a woord or two Then when the Lord of Tame came to him he spake on this wise My Lord quoth he you haue béene alwaies my good Lord and so I beséech you to remaine The cause why I come to you at this time is to desire your Honour fréendlie to declare to me whether any daunger is meant to my Mistresse this night or no that I and my poore fellowes may take such part as shall please God to appoint for certainlie we will rather die then she should secretlie and innocentlie miscarie Marie saide the Lord of Tame God forbidde that any such wicked purpose should be wrought and rather then it should be so I with my men are ready to die at her foote also And so praised be God they passed that dolefull night with no little heauinesse of heart Afterward passing ouer the water at Richmond going towards VVindsor her Grace espied certaine of her poore seruants stāding on the other side which were verie desirous to sée her Whome when she behelde turning to one of her men standing by she saide Yonder I sée certaine of my men goe to them and say these wordes from me Tanquam ouis So she passing forward to VVindsore was lodged there that night in the Deane of VVindsores house a place in déede more méet for a Priest then a Princesse And from thence her Grace was garded and brought the next night to Maister Dormers house where much people standing by the waie some presented to her one gift and some an other so that Sir Henrie was greatlie mooued therewith and troubled the poore people verie sore for shewing their louing hearts in such a manner calling them Rebels and Traitours with such like vile wordes Beside as he passed through the Uillages the Townsemen rang the Belles as being ioyfull of her comming thinking verilie it had béene otherwise then it was in déede as the sequell prooued after to the said poore men For immediatlie the said Sir Henrie hearing the same sent his Soldiours thether who apprehended some of the Ringers setting them in the stockes and otherwise vncourteouslie misusing othersome for their good willes On the next morrowe her Grace passing from Maister Dormers where for the time of her abode there was a straite watche kept came to the Lord of Tames house where she laie all that night being verie Princelie entertained both of Knightes and Ladies gentlemen and gentlewomen Whereat Sir Henrie Benifield grunted and was highlie offended saying vnto them That they could not tel what they did and were not able to aunswer their dooinges in that behalfe Letting them to vnderstand that she was the Quéenes Maiesties prisoner and no otherwise aduising them therefore to take héede and beware of afterclappes Wherevnto the Lord of Tame aunswered on this wise That he was well aduised of his dooinges being ioyned in Commission as well as he adding with warrant that her Grace might should in his house be merie The next day as she should take her iorney from Kichmond toward VVoodstocke the Lord of Tame with an other Gentleman being at the Tables playing and dropping vye Crownes the Lady Elizabeth passing by staied and saide she would sée the game plaide out which Sir Henrie Benifield would scarce permit The game running long about and they playing drop vye Crownes Come on sayth he I will tarie sayth she and will sée this game out After this Sir Henrie went vp into a Chamber where was appointed for her Grace a Chayre two Cushions and a foote Carpet very faire and Princelike wherein presumptuouslie he sate and called one Barwicke his man to pull off his Bootes Which as soone as it was knowne among the Ladies and Gentles euerie one mused thereat and laughed him to scorne obseruing his vndiscrete manners in that behalfe as they might verie wel When Supper was doon he called my Lord willed him that all the Ladies and gentlemen should withdraw them selues euerie one to his lodging meruailing much that he would permit there such a company considering so great a charge committed to him Sir Henry quoth my Lord content your selfe all shall be voided your men and all Nay my Soldiours quoth Sir Henrie shall watch all night The Lord
if it could be prooued by me For I knowe my selfe I thanke God to be out of the daunger thereof wishing that I were as cléere out of the perill of mine enimies and then I am assured I should not be so locked and bolted vp within walles doores as I am God giue them a better minde when it pleaseth him About this time was there a great consulting among the Bishoppes and gentlemen touching a mariage for her Grace which some of the Spaniardes wished to be with some Stranger that she might go out of the Realme with her portion some saying one thing and some an other A Lord who shall be heere namelesse being there at last saide That the King should neuer haue any quiet Common wealth in England vnlesse her head were stricken from her shoulders Wherevnto the Spaniardes aunswered saying God forbid that the King their Maister should haue that minde to consent to such a mischéefe This was the courteous aunswere of the Spaniards to the Englishe men speaking after that sort against their owne Country From that day the Spaniardes neuer left off their good perswasions to the King that the like honour he should neuer obtaine as he should in deliuering Lady Elizabethes Grace out of prison whereby at length she was happilie released from the same Héere is a plaine and euident example of the good clemencie and nature of the King and his Councellers towardes her Grace praised be God therefore who mooued their heartes therein Then héerevpon she was sent for shortlie after to come to Hampton Court But before her remoouing from VVoodstocke we will a little stay to declare in what dangers her life was during this time she there remained First thorowe fire which began to kindle betwéene the boordes and seeling vnder the Chamber where she laie whether by a sparke of fire gotten into a creuis or whether of purpose by some that meant her no good the Lord dooth knowe Neuerthelesse a woorshipfull Knight of Oxfordshiere which was there ioyned the same time with Sir Henrie Benifield in kéeping that Lady who then tooke vp the boordes and quenched the fire verilie supposed it to be doon of purpose Furthermore it is thought and also affirmed if it be true of one Paule Peny a kéeper of VVoodstocke a notorious Ruffian and a butcherlie wretch that was appointed to kill the Lady Elizabeth who both sawe the man being often in her sight and also knewe thereof An other time one of the priuie Chamber a great man about the Quéene and chéefe darling of Stephen Gardiner named Maister Iames Basset came to Blandenbridge a mile from UUoodstocke with twentie or thirtie priuie coates and sent for Sir Henrie Benifield to come and speake with him But as God would who disposed all thinges after the purpose of his owne will so it happened that a little before the saide Sir Henrie Benifield was sent for by a Poste to the Councell leauing straite worde behinde him with his brother that no man whatsoeuer he were though comming with a Bill of the Quéenes hand or any other warrant should haue accesse to her before his returne againe By reason whereof so it fell out that Sir Henrie Benifieldes brother comming to him at the Bridge would suffer him in no case to approch in who otherwise as it is supposed was appointed violentlie to murder the innocent Lady At what time likewise that the Lady Elizabeth was in the Tower a Writ came downe subscribed with certaine handes of the Councell for her execution which if it were certaine as it is reported Winchester do doubt was deuiser of that mischeuous drift And doubtlesse the same Achitophell had brought his impious purpose that day to passe had not the fatherlie prouidence of Almightie God who is alwaies stronger then the deuill styrred vp Maister Bridges Lieuetenaunt the same time of the Tower to come in haste to the Quéene to giue certificate therof and to know further her consent for her Sisters death Wherevppon it followed that all that deuise was disappointed and VVinchesters deuillishe platforme which he saide he had cast through the Lordes goodnesse came to no effect Where moreouer is to be noted that during the imprisonment of this Lady and Princesse one Maister Edmund Tremaine was on the Racke and Maister Smithwike and diuers other in the Tower were examined and diuers offers made them to accuse the guiltlesse Lady being in her captiuitie Howbeit all that notwitstanding no matter could be prooued by all examinations as she the same time lying at Woodstocke had certaine intelligence by the meanes of one Iohn Gayer who vnder a coullorable pretence of a Letter to Mistresse Cleue from her Father was let in and so gaue them secretlie to vnderstande of all this matter Wherevppon the Lady Elizabeth at her departing out from VVoodstocke wrote these Uerses with her Diamond in a glasse windowe Much suspected by me Nothing prooued can be Quod Elizabeth prisoner And thus much touching the troubles of Lady Elizabeth at VVoodstocke Wherevnto this is more to be added that during the same time the Lord of Tame had laboured to the Quéene and became suretie for her to haue her from vvoodstocke to his house and had obtained his graunt thereof wherevpon preparation was made accordinglie and all thinges ready in expectation of her comming But thorowe the procurement either of Sir Henry Benifield or by the dooing of vvinchester her mortall enimie Letters came ouer night to the contrarie whereby her iourney was staide Thus this woorthy Lady oppressed with continual sorrowe could not be permitted to haue recourse to any fréendes she had but still in the handes of her enimies was left desolate and vtterlie destitute of all that might refreshe a dolefull heart fraught full of terror and thraldome Wherevpon no meruaile if she hearing vpon a time out of her garden at vvoodstocke a certaine Milke maide singing pleasauntly wished her selfe to be a Milke maide as she was saying That her case was better and life more merier then hers was in that state as she was Now after these thinges thus declared to procéede further where we left before Sir Henrie Benifield and his Soldiors with the Lord of Tame and Sir Ralphe Chamberlaine garding and wayting vppon her The first night from vvoodstocke she came to Ricotte In which iourney such a mightie winde did blowe that her seruauntes were faine to holde downe her cloathes about her in so much that her Hood was twise or thrise blowne from her head Whervpon she desirous to returne to a gentlemans house there néere could not be suffered by Sir Henrie Benifield so to doo but was constrained vnder a hedge to trim her head as well as she could After this they iourneied the next night to Maister Dormers and so to Colbrooke where she laye all that night at the George And by the way comming to Colbrooke certaine of her Graces Gentlemen and Yeomen mette
For this is credible to be supposed that the saide wicked Gardiner of VVinchester had long laboured his wits and to this onelie most principall marke bent all his deuises to bring this our happie and deere Soueraigne out of the waie as both by his wordes and dailie dooinges sufficientlie appeared But such was the gratious and fauourable prouidence of the Lord to the preseruation not onelie of her Royall Maiestie but also the miserable and wofull state of this whole Iland and poore Subiects of the same whereby the proude platformes and peeuishe practises of this wretched Achitophell preuailed not but contrarywise both he and all the snares and trappes of his pernitious councell laide against an other were turned to a nette to catch himselfe according to the Prouerbe Malum consilium consultori pessimum After the death of this Gardiner followed the death also and dropping awaie of other her enimies wherby by little and little her ieopardie decreased feare deminished hope of comfort beganne to appeare as out of a darke clowde And albeit her Grace as yet had no full assuraunce of perfect safetie yet more gentle entertainement did dailie growe vnto her tyll at length to the moneth of Nouember seuentéene day of the same thrée yéeres after the death of Stephen Gardiner followed the death of Quéene Marie After whose deceasse succeeded her foresaide Sister Lady Elizabeth into her right of the Crowne of England who after so long restraintment so great daungers escaped such blustering storms ouerblowne so many iniuries digested and wrongs susteined by the mightie protection of our mercifull God to our no small comfort and commoditie hath beene exalted and erected out of thrall to libertie out of daunger to peace and quietnesse from dread to dignitie from miserie to Maiestie from mourning to ruling breefelie of a prisoner made a Princesse and placed in her throne Royall proclaimed now Queene with as many glad heartes of her Subiectes as euer was any King or Queene in this Realme before her or euer shall be I dare saye heereafter the Lord long holde his hand ouer her and send her to rule many and happy yeeres I beseech him Amen In this pittifull and rufull Historie thou hast O England three especiall thinges to consider First the hardnesse of the time then being and the vnmercifulnesse of those mens hearts who prepared all their deuillishe pollicies and inuented a world of wyles and deceites whereby they might gaine oportunitie to destroy this woorthy and famous Lady whose innocencie could not appease their blood thirstinesse nor whose vertues could not asswage their cruell dealing but euen as the wicked Iewes cried death against our Sauiour euen so these vnnaturall men did their vttermost against this Noble Lady Secondlie thou art to note her woonderfull patience her assured trust in God who neuer fayled her and euen when death was most of all threatned to her and that many occasions was giuen for her to doubt the same her patience was not any iote the more mooued but being confident in God to whom she referred the state of her innocencie and extremitie of their rigorous intentes she passed through all those agonies with a cheerefull and vndaunted heart and their practises to feare her was not so horrible but her patience in suffering was as admirable Thirdlie thou must remember the ready working hand of God for her in all her daungers how gratiouslie he preuented their deuises and had such an especiall care ouer his Daughter as no extremitie whatsoeuer could preuaile against her For which exceeding loue towardes thee how highlie thou art bound to his heauenlie Maiestie the manifold happy blessinges thou hast and doost receiue by her can sufficientlie tell thee But as I haue heeretofore giuen thee to vnderstand the punishment of Treason and tretcherous practises in the raignes of the Kinges before passed so likewise I must craue leaue a little to speake of such matters as hath happened since the raigne of our Soueraigne Lady and Quéene and then will we procéede on with the rest of our intent ¶ Since the raigne of our most gratious and Soueraigne Lady Queene Elizabeth THe fourth and fift day of Ianuarie did suffer at Durham to the number of thrée score and six Constables and other who were pertakers in the rebellion in the North with the Lordes of Westmerland and Northumberland amongst whome an Alderman of the Towne and a Priest called Plometree were the most notable Then Sir George Bowes Marshall finding many to be faultors in the foresaide rebellion did sée them executed in euerie markette Towne and other places betwixt Newcastell and Wetherbie about thrée score miles in length and fortie miles in breadth On good Fridaie the seuen and twentie daie of March Simon Digbie of Askew Iohn Fulthorp of Isilbecke in the Countie of Yorke Esquiers Robert Peneman of Stokesley Thomas Bishoppe the younger of Poklinton in the same Countie of Yorke Gentlemen were drawne from the Castell of Yorke to the place of execution called Knaues-myre halfe a mile without the Cittie of Yorke and there hanged headed and quartered their foure heads were set on the foure principall gates of the Cittie with foure of their quarters the other quarters were set in diuers places of the Countrie Oscolph Clesbe was with them drawne to the gallowes and returned againe to the Castell One Hillyard the Earle of Northumberlands man and a vagraunt person named William Godswher were taken among the other rebelles and were brought to Bervvicke where they were executed the foure and twentie day of Maie The seuen and twentie day of Maie Thomas Norton and Christopher Norton of Yorkeshiere being both condemned of high treason for the late rebellion in the North were drawne from the Tower of London to Tiborne and there hanged headed and quartered A conspiracie was made by certaine Gentlemen and other in the Countie of Norfolke whose purpose was on Midsommer day at Harlestone Fayre with sound of Trūpet and Drum to haue raysed a number and then to proclaime their deuillishe pretence against Straungers and other This matter was vttered by Thomas Kete one of the conspiracie vnto Iohn Kensey who foorthwith sent the same Kete with a Constable to the next Iustice before whome and other Iustices he opened the whole matter Whereupon Maister Dreugh Drewrie immediatlie apprehended Iohn Throckmorton and after him many Gentlemen of the Cittie of Norwich and the Countie of Norfolke who were all committed to prison And at the next Sessions of Gaole deliuerie at the Castell of Norwich the seuentéene of Iulie before Sir Robert Catlin Knight Lord cheefe Iustice Maister Gilbert Gerrard the Queenes Attourney generall and other Iustices ten of them were endighted of high Treason and some others of contempt diuers of them were condemned and had iudgement the one and twentie of August and afterward thrée of them were hanged bowelled and quartered which were Iohn Throckmorton of
shortlie after Ashbie was executed for the supremacie In the raigne of the noble Prince King Edward the sixt IN the month of Maie by meanes of a Proclamation for enclosures the commons of Sommersetshiere and 〈…〉 made a commotion but Sir Willam Herberd slew and executed many of the rebelles Also the commons of Cornewall and Deuonshiere rose against the Noblemen and Gentlemen and besieged the Cittie of Excester which was valiantlie defended Against these Rebelles was sent Iohn Lord Russell Lord priuie Seale with a number of Soldiours who entred the Cittie of Excester the fift day of August where they slewe and tooke prisoners of the Rebelles more then foure thousand and after hanged diuerse of them in the Town and Countrie about Diuers persons were apprehended as aiders of the foresaid Rebels of the which one was hanged within Algate and an other at the Bridge foote toward Southwarke both on Marie Magdalens day The Rebelles in Norfolke and Suffolke encamped them selues at Mount Surrey in a wood called Saint Nicholas Wood néere vnto Norvvich against whome Sir Iohn Dudley Earle of VVarvvicke went with an Armie where both he and a great number of Gentlemen méeting with the Rebelles were in such daunger as they thought all to haue died in that place But God that confoundeth the purpose of Rebelles brought it so to passe that as well there as in all other places they were partlie by power constrained partlie by promise of their pardon perswaded to submit themselues to their Prince The Earle of Warvvicke entred the Cittie of Norwich the seuen and twentie day of August when he had slaine aboue fiue thousand of the Rebelles and taken their chéefe Captaine Robert Ket of VVindham Tanner who might dispend in landes fiftie poundes by yéere and was woorth in mooueables aboue a thousand Markes and when he had put to execution diuers of the Rebelles in sundrie places about Norwich he returned About this time also a commotion began at Semer in the North-riding of Yorkeshiere and continued in the East-riding there ended the principall raisers whereof were William Ombler of East-hesterton Yeoman Thomas Dale parish Clarke of Semer and Steuenson of Semer. They being preuented by the Lord President from rising at Wintringham they drewe to a place at Semer by the Sea coast and there by night rode to the Beacon at Staxton and set it on fire and so gathered together a rude route Then they went to Maister Whites house and tooke him and Clopton his wiues brother Sauadge a merchant of Yorke and Berie seruaunt to Sir Walter Mildmay which foure they murdered a mile from Semer and there left them naked their number increasing to thrée thousand On the one and twentie day of August the Kinges pardon was offered which Ombler and other refused who were shortlie after taken and brought to Yorke where Thomas Dale and other were executed the one and twentie of September The seuen and twentie day of Ianuarie Humfrey A rundell Esquier Thomas Holmes Winslowe and Berie Captaines of the Rebelles in Deuonshiere were hanged and quartered at Tiborne The tenth of Februarie one Bell a Suffolke man was hanged and quartered at Tiborne for moouing a new rebellion in Suffolke and Essex Richard Lion Goddard Gorran and Richard Ireland were executed the fouretéenth day of Maie for attempting a new rebellion in Kent In the raigne of Queene Marie WIlliam Constable alias Fetherstone who caused Letters to be cast abroad that King Edward was aliue and to some he had shewed himselfe to be King Edward was arraigned at the Guild Hall of London hauing béene once before whipped for the same behauiour and deliuered but now he was condemned and the thirtéenth daye of March he was drawne hanged and quartered at Tiborne One Clober who sometime kept a Schoole at Dys in Norfolke with thrée brethren whose names were Lincoln made a conspiracie and being driuen to flight one Maister Shirman pursued and tooke him at a Towne called Eye in Suffolke where he was kept in prison till the next Sessions at Saint Edmundsburie whether his thrée mates being brought to him they were altogether drawne hanged and quartered Quéene Marie deceassing Elizabeth our most gratious and soueraigne Ladie second Daughter to the noble and victorious Prince King Henrie the eight to the great comfort of England enioyed her lawfull right and iust title being proclaimed Quéene of England Fraunce and Ireland defender of the Faith c. Now ceased the time of greuous vexation both in soule and body and the swéete comfort that euerie godlie minde desired did shewe it selfe shining in glorie and maiestie the greater cause haue we therefore to loue and honour that gratious Ladie who brought with her such aboundaunce of happines as neither tongue can woorthelie expresse it nor any pen sufficientlie set it downe Thankes be to God who preserued her Grace so woonderfullie in the time of many threatned troubles and daungers which by his prouidence she happilie escaped to our no small ioye and perfect consolation which troublesome time of her Graces suffering I haue héerto annexed according as it is set downe by that woorthy man Maister Iohn Fox in his Actes and Monuments the remembrance whereof may whet vs to be more duetifull vnto her then a number are and reioyce in God for our deliueraunce by her admirable patience ¶ The myraculous preseruation of Lady Elizabeth now our most dread and grations Queene of England from extreme calamitie and daunger of life in the time of Queene Marie her Sister BUt when all hath béene saide and told what soeuer can be recited touching the admirable working of Gods present hand in defending and deliuering any one person out of thraldome neuer was there since the memorie of our Fathers any example to be shewed wherein the Lordes mightie power hath more admirablie and blessedly shewen it selfe to the glorie of his owne name to the comfort of all good hearts and to the publique felicitie of this whole Realme then in the miraculous custodie and outscape of this our soueraigne Ladie now Quéene then Ladie Elizabeth in the straite time of Quéene Marie her Sister In which storie we haue first to consider in what extreme miserie sicknesse feare and perill her Highnesse was into what care what trouble of minde and what daunger of death she was brought First with great routes bands of Armed men and happy was he that might haue the carrying of her being fetcht vp as the greatest traitour in the world clapt in the Tower and againe tossed from thence from house to house from prison to prison from post to piller at length also prisoner in her owne house and garded with a sort of cutthroates which euer gaped for the spoile whereby they might be fingering on somewhat Secondlie to consider againe we haue all this notwithstanding how strangely or rather miraculouslie from daūger she was deliuered what fauour and grace she
found with the Almightie who when all helpe of man and hope of recouerie was past stretched out his mightie protection and preserued her Highnes and placed her in this Princelie seate of rest and quietnesse wherin now she sitteth and long may she sit the Lord of his glorious mercie graunt we beséech him In which storie if I should set foorth at large and at full all the particulers and circumstaunces therevnto belonging and as iust occasion of the historie requireth besides the importunate length of the storie discoursed peraduenture it might mooue offence to some being yet aliue and trueth might gette me hatred Yet notwithstanding I intend by the grace of Christe therein to vse such breuitie and moderation as both may be to the glorie of God the discharge of the storie the profite of the Reader and hurt to none suppressing the names of some whome héere although I could receite yet I thought not to be more cruell in hurting their name then the Quéene hath béene mercifull in pardoning their liues Therefore now to enter into the discourse of this tragicall matter first héere is to be noted that Quéene Marie when she was first Quéen before she was crowned would goe no whether but would haue her by the hand and send for her to dinner and supper but after she was crowned she neuer dined nor supped with her but kept her aloofe from her c. After this it happened immediatly vpon the rising of Sir Thomas Wiat that the Ladie Elizabeth and the Lord Courtney were charged with false suspition of Sir Thomas Wiats rising Wherevpon Quéene Marie whether for that surmise or for what other cause I knowe not being offended with the Ladie Elizabeth her Sister at that time lying in her house at Ashridge the next daye after the rising of Wiat sent to her thrée of her Counsaylours to wit Sir Richard Southwell Sir Edward Hastings then Maister of the Horse and Sir Thomas Cornewalles with their retinue and troupe of Horsemen to the number of two hundred and fiftie Who at their suddaine and vnprouided comming found her at the same time sore sicke in her bedde and verie weake féeble of body Whether when they came ascending vp to her Graces priuie Chamber they willed one of her Ladies whome they met to declare vnto her Grace that there were certaine come from the Court which had a message from the Quéene Her Grace hauing knowledge thereof was right glad of their comming howbeit being then verie sicke and the night farre spent which was at ten of the clock she requested them by the messenger that they would resort thither in the morning To this they aunswered and by the same messenger sent word againe that they must néedes sée her would so doo in what case so euer she were Wherat the Lady being agast went to shew her Grace their wordes but they hastilie following her came rushing as soone as she into her Graces chamber vnbidden At whose so sudden comming into her chamber her Grace being not a litle amazed saide vnto them Is the haste such that it might not haue pleased you to come to morrowe in the morning They made answer that they were right sorie to sée her in that case And I quoth she am not glad to sée you héere at this time of the night Whervnto they answered that they came from the Quéene to doo their message duety which was to this effect that the Quéenes pleasure was that she should be at London the seuenth day of that present month Wherevnto she saide Certes no creature more glad then I to come to her Maiestie being right sorie that I am not in case at this time to waite on her as you your selues doo sée and can well testifie In déed we sée it true quoth they that you doo say for which we are verie sorie Albeit we let you vnderstand that our Commission is such and so strayneth vs that we must néedes bring you with vs either quicke or dead Whereat she being amazed sorrowfullie saide that their Commission was verie sore but yet notwithstanding she hoped it to be otherwise not so straite Yes verelie said they Whervpon they called for two Phisitions Doctor Owen and Doctor Wendie and demaūded of them whether she might be remooued from thence with life or no. Whose aunswer and iudgement was that there was no impediment to their iudgement to the contrarie but that she might trauaile without daunger of life In conclusion they willed her to prepare against the morning at nine of the clocke to goe with them declaring that they had brought with them the Quéenes Litter for her After much talke the messengers declaring how there was no prolonging of times and daies so departed to their Chamber being entertained and chéered as appertained to their worshippes On the next morrowe at the time prescribed they had her foorth as she was verie faint and féeble and in such case that she was ready to swound thrée or foure times betwéene them What should I speake héere that cannot well be expressed What an heauie house there was to behold the vnreuerent and dolefull dealing of these men but especially the carefull feare and captiuity of their innocent Ladie and Mistresse Now to procéede in her iourney from Ashridge all sicke in a Litter she came to Redborne where she was garded all night From thence to S. Albones to Sir Ralphe Rowlets house where she taried that night both féeble in body and comfortles in minde From that place they passed to Maister Doddes house at Mymmes where also they remained that night and so from thence she came to Highgate where she being verie sicke taried that night and the next day During which time of her abode there came many Pursuiuants Messengers from the Court but for what purpose I cannot tell From that place she was conueied to the Court where by the way came to méete her many Gentlemen to accompany her Highnesse which were verie sorie to sée her in that case but especiallie a great multitude of people there were standing by the way who then flocking about her Litter lamented and bewailed greatlie her estate Now when she came to the Court her Grace was there straite waies shut vp and kept as close prisoner a fortnight which was till Palme Sundaie séeing neither King nor Quéene nor Lord nor fréend all that time but onelie then the Lord Chamberlaine Sir Iohn Gage the Uicechamberlaine who were attendaunt vnto the doores About which time Sir William Sentlowe was called before the Councel to whose charge was laide that he knew of Wiats rebellion Which he stoutlie denied protesting that he was a true man both to God and his Prince defying all Traitours and Rebelles but being straitly examined he was in conclusion committed to the Tower The Friday before Palme Sunday the Bishoppe of Winchester with ninetéene other of the Councel who shall be héere namelesse
what he meant to vse her so vncomfortablie séeing she tooke him to be her comforter and not to dismay her especiallie for that she knewe her trueth to be such that no man should haue cause to wéepe for her but foorth she went into the prison The doores were locked and bolted vpon her which did not a little discomfort and dismay her Grace at what time she called to her gentlewoman for her Booke Desiring God not to suffer her to build her foundation vpon the sandes but vpon the rocke whereby all blastes of blustring weather should haue no power against her The doores being thus locked and she close shut vp the Lordes had great conference how to kéepe warde and watch euerie man declaring his opinion in that behalfe agréeing straitlie and circumspectlie to kéepe her Then one of them which was the Lord of Sussex swearing saide My Lordes let vs take héede and doo no more then our Commission will beare vs whatsoeuer shall happen héereafter And further let vs consider that she was the King our Maisters Daughter and therefore let vs vse such dealing that we may aunswere vnto it heereafter if it shall so happen for iust dealing quoth he is alwaies aunswerable Wherevnto the other Lordes agreede that it was well saide of him and therevpon departed Being in the Tower within two daies commaundement was that she should haue Masse within her house one Maister Young was then her Chaplaine and because there was none of her men so well learned to helpe the Priest to saye Masse the Masse staied for that day The next day two of her Yeomen who had gone long to schoole before and were learned had two Abcies prouided and deliuered them so that vpon the Abcies they should helpe the Priest One of the saide Yeomen holding the Abcie in his hand pretending ignoraunce at Kirieleyson set the Priest making as though he could aunswer no furder It would make a pittifull and a straunge storie héere by the way to touch and recite what examinations and rackinges of poore men there were to finde out that knife that should cut her throat what gaping among my Lords of the Clergie to sée the day when they might wash their goodlie white Rochets in her innocent blood But especiallie the Bishop of Winchester Stephen Gardiner then Lord Chaūcellour ruler of the roste who then within fewe dayes after came vnto her with diuers other of the Councell and examined her of the talke that was at Ashridge betwixt her and Sir Iames Acroft concerning her remoouing from thence to Dunnington Castell requiring her to declare what she meant thereby At the first she being so suddenlie asked did not wel remember any such house but within a while well aduising her selfe she said In deede quoth she I doo now remember that I haue such a Place but I neuer lay in it in all my life and as for any that hath mooued me therevnto I doo not remember Then to enforce the matter they brought foorth Sir Iames Acroft the Bishop of Winchester demaunded of her what she saide to that man She aunswered that she had little to say to him or to y e rest that were then prisoners in the Tower But my Lords quoth she you doo examine euerie meane prisoner of me wherein me thinkes you doo me great iniurie If they haue doone euill offended the Quéenes Maiestie let them aunswer to it accordingly I beseech you my Lords ioine not me in this sort with any of these offendours And as concerning my going to Dunnington Castell I doo remember that Maister Hobby and mine Officers and you Sir Iames Acroft had such talke but what is that to she purpose my Lords but that I may go to mine owne houses at all times The Lord of Arundel knéeling downe saide Your Grace sayth true and certainlie we are verie sorie that we haue so troubled you about so vaine matters She then saide My Lords you doo sift me verie narowly but well I am assured you shall doo no more to me then God hath appointed and so God forgiue you all At their departure Sir Iames Acroft knéeled downe declaring that he was verie sorie to sée the daye in which he should be brought as a witnesse against her Grace But I assure your Grace said he I haue béene meruailouslie tossed and examined touching your Highnesse which the Lord knoweth is very straunge to me For I take God to record before all your Honours I doo not knowe any thing of that crime that you haue laide to my charge and will thervpon take my death if I should be driuen to so straite a triall That day or there about diuers of her owne Officers who had made prouision for her diet brought the same to the vtter gate of the Tower the common rasall soldiours receiuing it which was no small gréefe to the gentlemen the bringers therof wherfore they required to speake with the Lord Chamberlaine being then Constable of the Tower Who comming before his presence declared vnto his Lordship that they were much afraid to bring her Graces diet and deliuer it to such common desperate persons as they were which did receiue it beséeching his Honour to consider her Grace and to giue such order that her viands might at all times be brought in by them which were appointed therevnto Yea Sirs saide he who appointed you this office They aunswered her Graces Councel Councel quoth he There is none of them whith hath to doo either in that case or any els within this place and I assure you for that she is a prisoner she shalbe serued with the Lieuetenaunts men as other prisoners are Whereat the gentlemen saide that they trusted for more fauour at his hands considering her personage saying that they mistrusted not but that the Queene her Councell would be better to her Grace then so and therewith shewed themselues to be offended at the vngratefull words of the Lord Chamberlaine towards their Lady and Mistresse At this he swore by God striking himselfe vpon the breast that if they did either frowne or shrug at him he would set them where they should sée neither Sunne nor Moone Thus taking their leaue they desired God to bring him into a better minde towards her Grace and departed from him Upon occasion whereof her Graces Officers made great sute vnto the Queenes Councell that some might be appointed to bring her diet vnto her and that it might no more be deliuered vnto the common soldiours of the Tower Which being reasonablie considered was by them graunted and therevppon were appointed one of her Gentlemen her Clerke of her Kitchin and her two Purueiours to bring in her prouision once a day all which was doone the warders euer waiting vpon the bringers thereof The Lord Chamberlaine himselfe being alwaies with them circumspectlie and narrowlie watched and searched what they brought gaue héede that they should haue no talke with any of
her to the number of thrée score much to all their comfortes who had not séene her Grace of long season before notwithstanding they were commaunded in the Quéenes name immediatlie to depart the Towne to both their and her Graces no little heauines who could not be suffered once to speake with them So that night all her men were taken from her sauing her gentleman Usher three gentlewomen two Groomes and one of her Wardroppe the Soldiours watching and warding round about the house and she close shut vp within her prison The next day following her Grace entred Hampton Court on the backe side into the Princes lodging the doores being shut to her and she garded with Soldiours as before lay there a fortnight at the least or euer any had recourse vnto her At length came the Lord William Haward who meruailous honourablie vsed her Grace whereat she tooke much comfort and requested him to be a meane that she might speake with some of the Councell To whome not long after came the Bishop of vvinchester the Lord of Arundell the Lord of Shrewesburie and Secretarie Peter who with great humilitie humbled themselues to her Grace She againe likewise saluting them said My Lords quoth she I am glad to sée you for me thinkes I haue béen kept a great while from you desolately alone Wherefore I would desire you to be a meane to the King and Quéenes Maiesties that I may be deliuered from prison wherein I haue béene kept a long space as to you my Lordes it is not vnknowne When she had spoken Stephen Gardiner the Bishoppe of vvinchester knéeled downe and requested that she would submit herselfe to the Quéens Grace and in so dooing he had no doubt but her Maiestie would be good vnto her She making aunswer That rather then she would so doo she would lie in prison all the dayes of her life adding That she craued no mercie at her Maiesties hand but rather desired the lawe if euer she had offended her Maiestie in woord thought or déede And besides this in yéelding quoth she I should speake against my selfe and confesse my selfe to be an offendour which neuer was towards her Maiestie by occasion whereof the King and Quéene might euer héereafter conceiue of me an euill opinion And therefore I say my Lords it were better for me to lie in prison for the trueth then to be abroad and suspected of my Prince And so they departed promising to declare her message to the Quéene On the next day the Bishop of VVinchester came againe vnto her Grace and knéeling downe declared that the Quéene meruailed that she would so stoutlie vse her selfe not confessing to haue offended so that it should séeme the Quéenes Maiestie wrongfullie to haue imprisoned her Grace Nay quoth the Lady Elizabeth it pleaseth her to punish me as she thinketh good Well quoth Gardiner her Maiesty willeth me to tell you that you must tell an other tale ere that you be set at libertie Her Grace aunswered that she had as liefe be in prison with honestie and trueth as to be abroade suspected of her Maiestie and this that I haue saide I will saide she stand vnto for I will neuer belye my selfe VVinchester againe knéeled downe and said Then your Grace hath the vauntage of me and other of the Lordes for your so long and wrong imprisonment What vauntage I haue quoth she you know taking God to record I séeke no aduauntage at your hands for your so dealing with me but God forgiue you and me also With that the rest knéeled downe desiring her Grace that all might be forgotten and so departed she being fast locked vp againe A seuen-night after the Quéene sent for her Grace at ten a clocke in the night to speake with her for she had not séene her in two yéeres before Yet for all that she was amazed at the so sudden sending for thinking it had béene wurse for her then afterwardes it prooued and desired her gentlemen and gentlewomen to praye for her for that she could not tell whether euer she should sée them againe or no. At which time Sir Henrie Benifield with Mistresse Clarencius comming her Grace was brought into the garden vnto a stayres foote that went into the Quéenes lodging her Graces gentlewomen waiting on her her gentleman Usher and her Groomes going before with Torches where her gentlemen and gentlewomen being commaunded to staie all sauing one Woman Mistresse Clarencius conducted her to the Quéenes bed Chamber where her Maiestie was At the sight of whome her Grace knéeled downe desired God to preserue her Maiestie not mistrusting but that she should trie her selfe as true a subiect towardes her Maiestie as euer did any and desired her Maiestie euen so to iudge of her and saide that she should not finde her to the contrarie whatsoeuer report otherwise had gone of her To whome the Quéene aunswered You will not confesse your offence but stande stoutlie to your trueth I praie God it may so fall out If it dooth not quoth the Lady Elizabeth I request neither fauour nor pardon at your Maiesties handes Well saide the Quéene you still stiflie perseuer in your trueth belike you will not confesse but that you haue béene wrongfullie punished I must not saye so it it please your Maiestie quoth she to you Why then saide the Quéene belike you will to other No if it please your Maiestie quoth she I haue borne the burden and must beare it I humbly beséech your Maiestie to haue a good opinion of me and to thinke me to be your true Subiect not onelie from the beginning hitherto but for euer as long as lyfe lasteth And so they departed with verie fewe comfortable wordes of the Quéene in Englishe but what she saide in Spanishe God knoweth It is thought that King Phillip was there behinde a cloath and not séene and that he shewed himselfe a verie fréend in that matter c. Thus her Grace departing went to her lodging againe and the seuenight after was deliuered of Sir Henrie Benifield her Goaler as she tearmed him and his Soldiours and so her Grace being set at libertie from imprisonment went into the Country and had appointed to goe with her Sir Thomas Pope one of Quéene Maries Counsaylors and one of her gentlemen Ushers Maister Gage And thus straitlie was she looked too all Quéene Maries time and this is the discourse of her Highnesse imprisonment Then there came to Lamheyre Maister Ierningham and Maister Norris gentleman Usher Quéene Maries men who tooke away from her Grace Mistresse Ashley to the Fleete and three other of her gentlewomen to the Tower which was no little trouble to her Grace saying that she thought they would fetch away all at the end But God he praised shortlie after was fetched away Gardiner by occasion of whose oportune decease the life of this excellent Princesse the wealth of all England was preserued