great Seale out of the window Some other cried there Kill them and some other sayd Nay let vs shop them vp The Lorde Keeper did often call to the Earle of Essex to speake with them priuately thinking still that his meaning had beene so vntill the Earle brought them into his backe Chamber and there gaue order to haue the further doore of that Chamber shut fast And at his going foorth out of that Chamber the Lorde Keeper pressing againe to haue spoken with the Earle of Essex the Earle sayd My Lords be patient a while and stay heere and I will goe into London and take order with the Maior and Shiriffes for the Citie and will be heere againe within this halfe houre And so departed from the Lord Keeper c. leauing the Lord Keeper c and diuers of the Gentlemen Pensioners in that Chamber guarded by Sir Iohn Dauis Francis Tresham and Owen Salisburie with musquet shot where they continued vntill Sir Ferdinando Gorges came and deliuered them about foure of the clocke in the afternoone In the meane time wee did often require Sir Iohn Dauis and Francis Tresham to suffer vs to depart or at the least to suffer some one of vs to go to the QVEENES MAIESTY to informe her vvhere and in what sort we were kept But they answered That my Lord meaning the Earle of Essex had commanded that we should not depart before his returne which they said would be very shortly Thomas Egerton C. S. Edward Worcester Iohn Popham ¶ The examination of Roger Earle of Rutland the 12. of February 1600. taken before Sir Thomas Egerton L. Keeper of the great Seale the L. Buckhurst L. high Treasurer the Earle of Notingham L. high Admirall Sir Robert Cecill Principall Secretary and Sir Io. Popham L. chiefe Iustice of England HE saith that at his comming to Essex house on Sunday morning last he found there with the Earle of Essex the Lord Sandys and the L. Chandos and diuers Knights and gentlemen And the Earle of Essex tolde this Examinate That his life was practised to bee taken away by the Lord Cobham and Sir Walter Raleigh when he was sent for to the Counsell And the Earle said That now he meant by the helpe of his friends to defend himselfe And saith that the deteining of the Lord Keeper and the other Lords sent to the Earle from the Queene was a stratageme of warre And saith That the Earle of Essex told him that London stood for him and that Sherife Smith had giuen him intelligence that hee would make as many men to assist him as he could And further the Earle of Essex said That he meant to possesse himselfe of the Citie the better to enable himselfe to reuenge him on his enemies the Lord Cobham Sir Robert Cecil and sir Walter Raleigh And this Examinate confesseth that he resolued to liue and die with the Earle of Essex and that the Earle of Essex did intend to make his forces so strong that her Maiestie should not be able to resist him in the reuenge of his enemies And saith that the Earle of Essex was most inward with the Earle of Southampton Sir Christopher Blunt and others who haue of long time shewed themselues discontented and haue aduised the Earle of Essex to take other courses and to stand vpon his guard And saith that when the Earle of Essex was talking with the L. Keeper and other the Lords sent from her Maiestie diuers sayd My Lord they meane to abuse you you loose time And when the Earle came to Sherife Smiths hee desired him to send for the Lord Maior that hee might speake with him And as the Earle went in the streetes of London this Examinate sayd to diuers of the Citizens that if they would needes come that it was better for their safetie to come with weapons in their hands And saith that the Earle of Essex at the end of the streete where Sherife Smith dwelt cried out to the Citizens That they did him harme for that they came naked and willed them to get them weapons And the Earle of Essex also cried out to the Citizens That the Crowne of England was offred to be solde to the Infanta And saith that the Earle burned diuers papers that were in a little Casket whereof one was as the Earle sayd An historie of his troubles And sayth that when they were assaulted in Essex house after their returne they first resolued to haue made a sallie out And the Earle sayd that he was determined to die and yet in the end they changed their opinion and yeelded And sayth that the Earle of Southampton sir Christopher Blunt and sir Iohn Dauies aduised the Earle of Essex that the Lord Keeper and his company should be deteined And this Examinate sayth that he heard diuers there present cry out Kill them kill them And sayth that he thinketh the Earle of Essex intended that after he had possessed himselfe of the Citie hee would intreat the Lord Keeper and his company to accompany him to the Court Hee sayth hee heard Sir Christopher Blunt say openly in the presence of the Earle of Essex and others how fearefull and in what seuerall humors they should finde them at the Court when they came thither Rutland Exam. per Th. Egerton C. S. T. Buckhurst Notingham Ro Cecill Io. Popham ¶ The Confession of William Lord Sandys of the parish of Sherborne Cowdry in the Countie of Southampton taken this 16. of February 1600. before Sir Iohn Popham L. chiefe Iustice Roger Wilbraham Master of the Requests and Edw. Coke her Maiesties Atturney Generall HE saith that hee neuer vnderstood that the Earle did meane to stand vpon his strength till Sunday in the morning being the eight of this instant Februarie And saith that in the morning of that day this Examinat was sent for by the Earle of Essex about sixe or seuen of the clocke and the Earle sent for him by his seruant Warberton who was married to a widowe in Hampshire And at his comming to the Earle there were sixe or seuen Gentlemen with him but remembreth not what they were and next after of a Noble man came my Lord Chandos and after him came the Earle of Southampton and presently after the Earle of Rutland and after him Master Parker commonly called the Lord Mountegle And sayeth that at his comming to the Earle of Essex he complained That it was practised by Sir Walter Raleigh to haue murdered him as hee should haue gone to the Lord Treasurers house with Master Secretary Herbert And saith that he was present in the Court-yard of Essex house when the Lord Keeper the Earle of Worcester Sir William Knollis and the Lorde Chiefe Iustice came from the QVEENES MAIESTIE to the Earle of Essex And the Lord Chiefe Iustice required the Earle of Essex to haue some priuate conference with him and that if any priuate wrongs were offered vnto him that they would make true report thereof to her MAIESTIE who no
Rutland and others that he cried out to the citizens That they did him hurt and no good to come without weapons and prouoked them to arme and finding they would not be mooued to arme with him sought to arme his owne troupes This point by point was the effect of the Reply Vpon all which Euidence both the Earles were found guiltie of Treason by all the seuerall voyces of euery one of the Peeres and so receiued iudgement The names of the Peeres that passed vpon the triall of the two Earles  EARLES  BARONS The Earle of Oxford Shrewesburie Durbie Cumberland VVorcester Sussex Hartford Lincolne Notingham The Lord De la VVare Morley Cobham Stafford Gray Lumley VVindsore Rich. Darcy de Chichey Chandoys Hunsdon S. Iohn de Bletso Compton Burghley Howard of VValder Vicount Bindon The names of the Iudges that assisted the Court. The Lord chiefe Iustice. The L. chiefe Iustice of the Common Plees The Lord chiefe Baron Iustice Gawdie Iustice Fenner Iustice VValmesley Baron Clerke Iustice Kingsmill SOME PARTICVLARITIES of that which passed after the arreignment of the late Earles and at the time of the suffering of the Earle of Essex BVt the Earle of Essex finding that the consultation at Drurie house and the secret plots of his premeditated and prepenced treasons were come to light contrary to his expectation was touched euen at his parting from the Barre with a kinde of remorse especially because he had caried the maner of his answere rather in a spirit of ostentation and glory then with humilitie and penitence and brake out in the Hall while the Lords were in conference into these wordes That seeing things were thus caried he would ere it be long say more then yet was knowen Which good motion of his minde being after his comming backe to the Tower first cherished by M. D. of Norwich but after wrought on by the religious and effectuall perswasions and exhortations of M. Abdie Ashton his Chaplaine the man whom he made sute by name to haue with him for his soules health as one that of late time he had bene most vsed vnto and found most comfort of comparing it when he made the request to the case of a Patient that in his extremity would be desirous to haue that Physician that was best acquainted with his body He sent word the next day to desire to speake with some of the principall Councellours with whom he desired also that particularly M. Secretary might come for one Vpon which his request first the L. Admirall and M. Secretary and afterward at two seuerall times the Lord Keeper of the great Seale the Lord high Treasurer the L. high Admirall and Master Secretary repaired vnto him before whom after he had asked the Lord Keeper forgiuenesse for restraining him in his house and M. Secretary for hauing wronged him at the Barre concerning the matter of the Infanta with signification of his earnest desire to be reconciled to them which was accepted with all Christian charitie and humanitie he proceeded to accuse heauily most of his confederates for carying malicious mindes to the State and vehemently charged Cuffe his man to his own face to haue bene a principall instigator of him in his Treasons and then disclosed how farre sir Henry Neuill her Maiesties late Ambassador was priuy to all the Conspiracie of whose name till then there had bene not so much as any suspition And further at the Lords first comming to him not sticking to confesse that hee knewe her Maiestie could not be safe while he liued did very earnestly desire this fauour of the Queene that he might die as priuately as might be And the Morning before his execution there being sent vnto him for his better preparation Master Doctor Mountford and Master Doctor Barlowe to ioyne with Master Abdie Ashton his Chapleine he did in many words thanke God that hee had giuen him a deeper insight into his offence being sorie he had so stood vpon his iustification at his Arraignement since which time he sayd he was become a new man and heartily thanked God also that his Course was by Gods prouidence preuented For if his proiect had taken effect God knoweth sayd he what harme it had wrought in the Realme He did also humbly thanke her Maiestie that he should die in so priuate maner for hee suffered in the Towre yard and not vpon the Hill by his owne special sute lest the acclamation of the people for those were his own words might be a temptation to him adding That al popularitie trust in man was vaine the experience whereof himselfe had felt and acknowledged further vnto them that he was iustly and worthily spewed out for that was also his owne word of the Realme and that the nature of his offence was like a leprosie that had infected farre and neere And so likewise at the publique place of his suffering he did vse vehement detestation of his offence desiring God to forgiue him his great his bloody his crying and his infectious sinne and so died very penitently but yet with great conflict as it should seeme for his sins For hee neuer mentioned nor remembred there wife children or friend nor tooke particular leaue of any that were present but wholy abstracted and sequestred himselfe to the state of his conscience and prayer THE EFFECT OF THAT which passed at the Arraignements of Sir Christopher Blunt Sir Charles Dauers Sir Iohn Dauies Sir Gillie Mericke and Henry Cuffe THE 5. of March by a very honorable Commission of Oier and Determiner directed to the Lord high Admiral the Lord Chamberlaine Master Secretary the Lord chiefe Iustice of England Master Chancellour of the Exchequer Master Secretary Herbert with diuers of the Iudges the Commissioners sitting in the Court of the Queenes Bench there were arraigned and tried by a Iury both of Aldermen of London and other Gentlemen of good credit and sort Sir Christopher Blunt Sir Charles Dauers Sir Iohn Dauies Sir Gillie Mericke Henry Cuffe The three first whereof before they pleaded asked this question of the Iudges Whether they might not confesse the Inditemēt in part plead Not guilty to it in the other part But being resolued by the Iudges that their pleading must be generall they pleaded Not guilty as did likewise the other two without any such question asked The reason of that question was as they confessed in respect of the clause laid in the Inditement That they intended and compassed the death and destruction of the Queenes Maiestie vnto whose person although they confessed at the barre as they had done in their examinations that their meaning was to come to her in such strength as they should not be resisted and to require of her diuers conditions and alterations of gouernment such as in their confessions are expressed neuerthelesse they protested they intended no personall harme to hirselfe Whereupon as at the arraignment of the two Earles so then againe the Iudges deliuered the rule of the Law
speake sundry times That nowe the Earle of Essex had gotten one of the swords he would neuer forgoe his gouernement vntill hee became King of England which was neere at hand I saw a letter which the Earle of Essex writ to Owney to this effect That if Owney came to him he would speake with him about that which if hee would follow should be happie for him and his Countrey Iames Knowd Exam. per Anthony Saintleger Roger VVilbraham ¶ The declaration of Dauid Hethrington an ancient Captaine and seruitor in Ireland 6. Ianuary 1599. Taken before the L. Buckhurst L. high Treasurer the Earle of Notingham L. high Admirall Sir Robert Cecil principall Secretary and Sir Iohn Fortescue Chancellour of the Exchequer HE the sayd Dauid Hethrington riding into the edge of the Countie of Kildare about the end of the first cessation fortuned to meete with one Iames Occurren one of the horsemen of Master Bowen prouost Marshall of Lemister who told him that the sayd Iames Occurren meeting lately with a principall follower of Owney mac Rory chiefe of the Moores Owneys man asked him what newes hee heard of the Earle of Essex To which Iames Occurren answered that he was gone for England whereunto he sayd Nay if you can tell me no newes I can tell you some The Earle of Essex is now in trouble for vs for that he would doe no seruice vpon vs which he neuer meant to doe for he is ours and we are his Dauid Hethrington Confessed in the presence of Tho Buckhurst Notingham Rob. Cecil Io. Fortescue ¶ The first Confession of Sir Ferdinando Gorge Knight the 16. of Februarie 1600. taken before Sir Thomas Egerton Lord Keeper of the great Seale the L. Buckhurst L. high Treasurer the Earle of Notingham Lord high Admirall and Sir Rob. Cecill principall Secretarie HE saith the Earle of Essex wrote a letter to him in lanuarie complaining his misfortune that hee desired his company and desired his repaire vp to him by the second of Februarie That he came to Towne on Saturday seuen-night before the Earles insurrection and that the same night late he visited the Earle Who after complements told him that he stood on his guard and resolued not to hazard any more commandements or restraints that he desired him to rest him that night and to repaire vnto him againe but in such sort as it might not be noted That he had bene with the Earle two or three times that weeke and on Saturday being the seuenth of February the Earle tolde him that hee had bene sent for by the Lordes and refused to come deliuering further that he resolued to defend himselfe from any more restraint He further saith that it was in question the same Saturday night to haue stirred in the night and to haue attempted the Court But being demanded whether the Earle could haue had sufficient company to haue done any thing in the night he answered that all the Earles companie were readie at one houres warning and had bene so before in respect that he had meant long before to stand vpon his guard That it was resolued to haue the Court first attempted that the Earle had three hundred Gentlemen to doe it but that he the saide Ferdinando Gorge was a violent disswader of him from that purpose and the Earle most confident in the party of London which he meant vpon a later dispute first to assure and that hee was also assured of a partie in Wales but meant not to vse them vntill he had bene possessed of the Court. That the Earle and sir Christopher Blunt vnderstanding that sir Walter Raleigh had sent to speake with him in the morning the saide sir Christopher Blunt perswaded him either to surprise sir Walter Raleigh or to kill him Which when hee vtterly refused sir Christopher Blunt sent foure shot after him in a boat That at the going out of Essex house gate many cried out To the Court to the Court But my Lorde of Essex turned him about towards London That he meant after possession of the Court to call a Parliament and therein to proceed as cause should require At that time of the Consultation on Saturday night my Lord was demanded what assurance he had of those hee made account to bee his friends in the Citie Whereunto he replyed that there was no question to be made of that for one amongst the rest that was presently in one of the greatest commaunds amongst them held himselfe to be interessed in the cause for so hee phrased it and was Coronell of a thousand men which were readie at all times besides others that hee helde himselfe as assured of as of him and able to make as great numbers Some of them had at that instant as he reported to vs sent vnto him taking notice of as much as he made vs to knowe of the purpose intended to haue intrapped him and made request to know his pleasure Ferd. Gorges Exam. per Th. Egerton C. Sr T. Buckhurst Notingham Ro. Cecill ¶ The second confession of Sir Ferdinando Gorge the 18. of February 1600. All written of his owne hand And acknowledged in the presence of Sir Thomas Egerton L. Keeper of the great Seale the L. Buckhurst L. high Treasurer the Earle of Notingham L. high Admirall and Sir Ro. Cecil principall Secretarie ON Tuesday before the Insurrection as I remember I was sent vnto by my L. of Essex praying me to meete my Lord of Southampton Sir Charles Dauers Sir Iohn Dauies and other his friends at Drury house where I should see a schedule of his friends names and proiects to be disputed vpon Whither I came accordingly and found the foresaid Earle Sir Charles Dauers Sir Iohn Dauies and one Master Litleton The names were shewed and numbred to bee sixe score Earles Barons Knights and Gentlemen The proiects were these Whether to attempt the Court or the Tower or to stirre his friends in London first or whether both the Court and Tower at an instant I disliked that counsel My reasons were that I alledged to them First to attempt both with those numbers was not to bee thought on because that was not sufficient and therefore aduised them to thinke of some thing else Then they would needs resolue to attempt the Court withall desired in mine opinion But I prayed them first to set downe the maner how it might be done Then Sir Iohn Dauies tooke inke and paper and assigned to diuers principall men their seuerall places Some to keepe the Gate some to bee in the Hall some to bee in the Presence some in the Lobby some in the Guard-chamber others to come in with my Lord himselfe who should haue had the passage giuen him to the Priuie chamber where he was to haue presented himselfe to her MAIESTIE Ferd. Gorges Knowledged in the presence of Tho. Egerton C. S. Tho. Buckhurst Notingham Ro. Cecill The confession of Sir Iohn Dauies taken the 18. of Februarie 1600. before the Earle of Notingham L. high
he did not acquaint him with any particulars of my Lords deseignes till a good while after But my Lorde hauing spent the ende of the Summer being a priuate time when euery body was out of towne and dispersed in digesting his owne thoughts with the helpe and conference of Master Cuffe they had soone set downe betweene them the ancient principle of Traitors and Conspirators which was To prepare many and to acquaint few and after the maner of Mynes to make ready their powder and place it and then giue fire but in the instant Therefore the first consideration was of such persons as my Lord thought fit to draw to be of his party singling out both of Nobilitie and Martiall men and others such as were discontented or turbulent and such as were weake of iudgement and easie to be abused or such as were wholy dependants and followers for meanes or countenance of himselfe Southampton or some other of his greatest associates And knowing there were no such strong and drawing cordes of popularitie as religion he had not neglected both at this time and long before in a profane pollicy to serue his turne for his own greatnesse of both sorts factions both of Catholicks and Puritanes as they terme them turning his out side to the one and his inside to the other and making himselfe pleasing and gracious to the one sort by professing zeale and frequenting sermons and making much of Preachers and secretly vnder hand giuing assurance to Blunt Dauies and diuers others that if hee might preuaile in his desired greatnesse hee would bring in a toleration of the Catholike religion Then hauing passed the whole Michaelmas Terme in making himselfe plausible and in drawing concourse about him and in affecting alluring men by kinde prouocations and vsage wherein because his libertie was qualified hee neither forgot exercise of minde nor body neither Sermon nor Tenis Court to giue the occasion and freedome of accesse and concourse vnto him and much other practise and deuise About the end of that terme towards Christmas hee grew to a more framed resolution of the time and maner when and how hee would put his purpose in execution And first about the ende of Michaelmas Terme it passed as a kind of cipher and watchword amongst his friends and followers That'my Lord would stand vpon his guard which might receiue construction in a good sense as well guard of circumspection as guard of force but to the more priuate and trusty persons hee was content it should be expounded that he would be couped vp no more nor hazard any more restraints or commandements But the next care was how to bring such persons as he thought fit for his purpose into Towne together without vent of suspicion to be ready at the time when he should put his deseigne in execution which he had concluded should be some time in Hillarie Terme wherein hee found many deuices to draw them vp some for sutes in Lawe and some for sutes in Court some for assurance of land and one friend to draw vp another it not being perceiued that all mooued from one head And it may be truely noted that in the Catalogue of those persons that were the eight of February in the action of open Rebellion a man may finde almost out of euery County of England some which could not be by chance or constellation and in the particularity of Examinations too long to be rehearsed it was easie to trace in what sort many of them were brought vp to Towne held in Town vpon seueral pretences But in Candlemas Terme when the time drew neere then was hee content consultation should be had by certaine choise persons vpon the whole matter and course which he should hold And because hee thought himselfe and his own house more obserued it was thought fit that the meeting and conference should bee at Drury house where S. Charles Dauers lodged There mette at this Councell the Earle of Southampton with whom in former times hee had bene at some emulations and differences in Court But after Southampton hauing married his kinswoman and plunged himselfe wholly into his fortune and being his continuall Associat in Ireland hee accounted of him as most assured vnto him and had long agoe in Ireland acquainted him with his purpose as was declared before Sir Charles Dauers one exceedingly deuoted to the Earle of Southampton vpon affection begun first vpon the deseruing of the same Earle towards him when he was in trouble about the murther of one Long. Sir Ferdinando Gorge one that the Earle of Essex had of purpose sent for vp from his gouernment at Plymmouth by his letter with particular assignation to be here before the 2. of February Sir Iohn Dauies one that had bene his seruant and raised by him and that bare Office in the Tower being Surueyour of the Ordinance one that he greatly trusted and Iohn Littleton one they respected for his wit and valour The consultation and conference rested vpon three parts The perusall of a list of those persons whom they tooke to be of their party The cōsideration of the Action it selfe which they should set a foot and how they should proceed in it And the distribution of the persons according to the Action concluded on to their seuerall imploiments The list contained the number of sixe score persons Noblemen and Knights and principall Gentlemen and was for the more credits sake of the Earle of Essex owne hand writing For the Action it selfe there was proposition made of two principall Articles The one of possessing the Tower of London the other of surprising her Maiesties person and the Court in which also deliberation was had what course to hold with the Citie either towards the effecting of the surprize or after it was effected For the Tower was alleadged the giuing a reputation to the Action by getting into their hand the principall Fort of the Realme with the stores and prouisions thereunto appertaining the bridling of the Citie by that piece and commoditie of entrance in and possessing it by the meanes of Sir Iohn Dauis But this was by opinion of all reiected as that which would distract their attempt from the more principall which was the Court and as that which they made a iudgement would follow incidently if the Court were once possessed But the later which was the ancient plot as was well knowen to Southampton was in the ende by the generall opinion of them all insisted and rested vpon And the maner howe it should bee ordered and disposed was this That certaine selected persons of their number such as were well knowen in Court and might haue accesse without checke or suspicion into the seuerall roumes in Court according to the seuerall qualities of the persons and the differences of the roumes should distribute themselues into the Presence the Guard-chamber the Hall and the vtter Court and gate and some one principall man vndertaking euery
should be sent against him And being asked what against the Queenes forces he answered that must haue beene iudged afterwards But being further asked whether he did aduise to come vnto the Court ouer night He saith no. For Sir Ferdinando Gorge did assure that the Alarum was taken of it at the Court and the Guards doubled Being asked whether hee thought any Prince could haue endured to haue any Subiect make the Citie his Mediator or to gather force to speake for him He saith he is not read in stories of former times but he doth not know but that in former times Subiectes haue vsed force for their mediation Being asked what should haue bene done by any of the persons that should haue beene remoued from the Queene He answered that he neuer found my Lord disposed to shed blood but that any that should haue bene found should haue had indifferent triall Being asked vpon his conscience whether the Earle of Essex did not giue him comfort that if he came to authoritie there should bee a toleration for Religion He confesseth he should haue bene to blame to haue denied it Chr. Blunt This was read vnto Sir Christopher Blunt and afterwards signed by him in the presence of vs who are vnder written Io. Herbert Nicho. Kemp. VVil. VVaimarke VVil. Martin Robert Andrewes Iohn Treuor Th. Thorney ¶ The second Confession of Sir Christopher Blunt the same day viz. the 18. of February taken before M. Iohn Herbert second Secretarie of Estate and subscribed by him in the presence of Nicholas Kemp Counsellor at Law Thomas Thorney his Surgeon and William Martin Robert Andrewes and Randolph Bull Citizens SIr Christopher Blunt after the signing of this confession being told that he did not deale plainly excused himselfe by his former weakenesse putting vs in minde that hee said once before that when he was able to speake he would tel all trueth doth now confesse That foure or fiue dayes before the Earle of Essex did rise hee did set downe certaine Articles to bee considered on which hee sawe not vntil afterward he was made acquainted with them when they had amongst themselues disputed which were these One of them was Whether the Tower of London should be taken Another Whether they should not possesse the Court and so secure my Lord and other men to come to the Queene For the first concerning the Tower he did not like it concluding that he that had the power of the Queene should haue that He confesseth that vpon Saturday night when M. Secretary Herbert had bene with the Earle and that hee saw some suspicion was taken hee thought it in vaine to attempt the Court and perswaded him rather to saue himselfe by flight then to ingage himselfe further and all his company And so the resolution of the Earle grewe to go into the Citie in hope as he saide before to finde many friends there Hee doeth also say that the Earle did vsually speake of his purpose to alter the gouernement Chr. Blunt Exam per. Io. Herbert Subscribed in presence of Nico. Kempe Tho. Thorney Rob. Andrewes VV. Martin Randolph Bull. ¶ The Declaration of the Lord Keeper the Earle of Worcester and the L. Chiefe Iustice of England VPon Sunday being the eight of February last past about ten of the clocke in the forenoone the Lord Keeper of the great Seale the Earle of VVorcester Sir VVilliam Knollis Comptroller of her Maiesties Householde and the Lord Chiefe Iustice of England being commaunded by direction from the QVEENES MAIESTIE did repaire to the late earle of Essex his house and finding the gate shut against them after a little stay they were let in at the wicket And assoone as they were within the gate the wicket was shutte vpon them and all their seruants kept out At their comming thither they found the court full of men assembled together in verie tumultuous sort The Earles of Essex Rutland and Southampton and the Lord Sandys Master Parker commonly called Lord Mountegle Sir Christopher Blunt Sir Charles Dauers and manie other Knights and Gentlemen and other persons vnknowen which flocked together about the Lorde Keeper c. And thereupon the Lorde Keeper tolde the Earle of Essex that they were sent from her MAIESTIE to vnderstand the cause of this their assembly and to let them know That if they had any particular cause of griefe against any persons whatsoeuer it should be heard and they should haue iustice Hereupon the Earle of Essex with a very lowd voice declared That his life vvas sought and that hee should haue beene murthered in his bed that he had beene perfidiously dealt vvith that his hand had beene counterfaited and Letters vvritten in his name and that therefore they vvere assembled there together to defend their liues with much other speech to like effect Hereupon the Lord Chiefe Iustice sayd vnto the Earle That if they had any such matter of griefe or if any such matter vvere attempted or purposed against him he vvilled the Earle to declare it assuring him that it should be truely related to her MAIESTIE and that it should be indifferently heard and iustice should be done vvhomsoeuer it concerned To this the Earle of Southampton obiected the assault made vpon him by the Lord Gray Whereunto the Lord Chiefe Iustice sayd That in his case iustice had beene done and the partie imprisoned for it And hereupon the Lord Keeper did eftsoones vvill the Earle of Essex that vvhatsoeuer priuate matter or offence hee had against any person vvhatsoeuer if hee vvould deliuer it vnto them they vvould faithfully and honestly deliuer it to the QVEENES MAIESTY and doubted not to procure him honourable and equall iustice whomsoeuer it concerned requiring him that if hee would not declare it openly that hee woulde impart it vnto them priuatelie and doubted not but they would satisfie him in it Vpon this there was a great clamour raised amongst the multitude crying Away my Lorde They abuse you They betray you They vndoe you You lose time Whereupon the Lord Keeper put on his Hat said with a loud voice My Lord let vs speake with you priuately and vnderstand your griefes And I command you all vpon your allegiance to lay downe your vveapons and to depart vvhich you ought all to doe being thus commanded if you be good Subiects and owe that duetie to the QVEENES MAIESTY which you professe Whereupon they all brake out into an exceeding loud shout and cry crying All all all And whilest the Lord Keeper was speaking and commanding them vpon their allegiance as is before declared the Earle of Essex and the most part of that Company did put on their hats and so the Earle of Essex went into the house and the Lord Keeper c. followed him thinking that his purpose had beene to speake with them priuately as they had required And as they were going some of that disordered Companie cried Kill them And as they were going into the great Chamber some cried Cast the