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Foi Edward DiiLYan the Poultiy ;
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CONTENTS
OF THE
THIRD VOLUME.
J. HOMAS CrANMER.5 -
Page
. - I
Stephen Gardiner, - - -
• - 51
Cardinal Pole, - . - •
' ' ^
Robert Dudley, - - -
- - 108
ySir Francis Drake, - - ■
- - 165
i^fe^^r^^
JPoii^ eroft^ !^cc*S>
^?vA {^t^A<?ny (^/n^t^^rtrr .
_^ **..^ ^- ^.:^ <**%^
THE
BPvITISH PLUTARCH.
The life of
Thomas C r a n m e r.
^^Y-^nH^ ^ ^ ^ S^"^^ prelate was the fon of
^ "^ Thomas Cranmer, efq. a gentle-
^ T <^ man of an antient and wealthy
C^fcfe^*^ family that came in with the Con-
M^n ' fS^ querorj and was born at Aflefton,
in Nottinghamlhire, on the fecond of July,
1498. His father died when he was very
young ; and his mother, when he was four-
teen years old, fent him to Cambridge. He
was eledted fellow of Jefus College; where
he was fo well beloved, that, when his feU
iowlhip was vacant by his marriage, yet, his
wife dying about a year after, the mailer and
fellows chofe him again.
Vol. III. B This
2 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
This favour he fo gratefully acknowledged,
that, when he was nominated to a fellowlhip
in cardinal Wolfey's new foundation at Oxoii,
though the falary was much more confiderable,
and the way to preferment more ready by the
favour of the cardinal, he neverthelefs declined
it, and chofe rather to continue with his old
fellow- collegians, who had given him fo fin-
gular a proof of their affedion.
In the year 1523, he commenced docTtor of
divinity, being then in the twenty- fifth year
of his age ; and, being in great eileem for
theological learning, he was chofen reader of
the divinity ledlure in his own college, and
appointed by the univerfity to be one of the
examiners of thofe who took their degrees in
divinity.
During his refidence at Cambridge, the
quellion arofe concerning king Henry's di-
vorce; and the plague breaking cut in the uni-
verfity about this time, he retired to Waltharri-
Abbey ; where cafually meeting with Gardi-
ner and Fox, the one the king's fecretary, the
other his almoner, and difcourfmg with them
about the divorce, he greatly commended the
expedient fuggefted to the king by cardinal
Wolfey, cf confulting the divines of our own
and the fjreign univerfities. This converfation
Fox and Gardiner related to the king, who
immediately fent for him to court ; and, ad*
miring his gravity, modefly, and learning,
refoived to promote him. Accordingly he
made him his chaplain^ and gave him a good
benefice.
THOMAS CRANMER. 3
benefice. He was alfo nominated by liim t©
be arch-deacon of Taunton.
At the king's command he drew up his own
judgment of the cafe in writing ; and fo folidly
defended it at the public fchool at Cambridge,
that he brought over divers of the contrary
part to his opinion j particularly five of thofe
fix doctors who had before given in their judg-
ment to the king, for the lawfulnefs of the
pope's difpenfation for marrying his brother's
wife.
In the year 1530, Dr. Cranmer was fent by
the king to difpute on this fubjeit at Paris,
and in other foreign parts. At Rome he deli-
vered his book to the pope, and offered to juf-
tify it in a public difputation: but, after fundry
promifes and appointments, none appeared to
oppofe him publicly ; and, in more private
conferences, he forced them to confefs, that
the marriage was contrary to the law of God.
The pope conftituted him penitentiary-ge-
neral of England, and difmiffed him. In
•Germany, he gave full fatisfaflion to many
learned men, who were before of a contrary
perfuafion ; and prevailed on the famous Ofi-
ander, to declare the king's marriage unlaw-
ful, in his Treatife of Inceiluous Marriages ;
and to draw up a form of diredion, how the
king's procefs fnould be managed ; which was
fent over to England. Before he left Germa-
ny, he was married to Ofiander's niece ;
whom, wh^n he returned from his embaffy,
B z he
.< BRITISH PLUTARCH.
he did not take over with him, but fer.t for
her private])' in 1534.
In Augull, 1532, archbifhop Warham de-
parted this life ; and the king, thinking Dr.
Cranmer the moft proper peribn to fucceed
him in the fee of Canterbury, wrote to him to
hallen home, concealing the reafon : but Cran-
mer guefling at it, and defirous to decline the
llation, moved flowly on, in hopes that the
fee might be filled before his arrival : but all
this backvvaranefs, and the excufes which his
great modefty and humility prompted him to
make, --vhen, after his return, the king opened
his refolution to him, ferved only to iaife his
Trid}.,e^iy\ opinion of his merit ; fo that, atlaft,
he found him felf obliged to fubmit, and under-
take the weighty charge.
The pope, notwithftandirg Cranmer v/as a
man very unacceptable to Rome, difpa^^ched
eleven bulls to complete his charader. Thefe
bulls the archbifnop, according to cuflom,
received ; but immediately furrendered them
to the king, bscaufe he would not acknow-
ledge the pope's power of conferring ecclefiaf-
tiLal dignities in England ; which he efreemed
the king's fole right. He was confecrated on
the thirtieth of March, i)33; and, becaufe
in the oath of fidelity to the pope, which
he >vas obliged to take before his confecration,
there were fome things feemingly inconfiftent
v.ith his allegiance to the king, he made a pub-
lic protdlation. That he intended not to take
^ ' the
THOMAS CRANMER. j
the oath in any other fenfe than that whica
was reconcilcable to the laws of God, the
king's iull: prerogative, and the ftatutes of this
kingdom ; io as not to bind himfeif thereby
to aa contrary to any of thefe. This protefla-
tion he renewed when he was to take another
oath to the pope, at his receiving the pall ;
and both times defircd the protkonotary to make
a public inilrumeiit of his proteltaticn, and the
perfons prefent to Tign it.
The firfl fervice the archbifhop did for tlie
king, was pronouncing the fentence of his di-
vorce from queen Catharine ; which was done
on the tv/enty- third of May. Gardiner, bi-
lliop of Winchefcer, and the bifliops of Lon-
don, Bath, and Lincoln, being in commiffion
with him. The queen, after three citations,
neither appearing in peribn nor by proxy, \^as
declared contumax; the depofitions relating
to the confjmmation of the marriage with
prince Arthur were read, together with the
opinions of the mod noted canonifts and divines
in favour of the divorce : and the arch-
biihop, with the unanimous conlent of the reft
of the commifiioners, pronounced the mar-
riage between the king and queen Catharine
null, and of no force from the beginning ; and
dtclartd them feparated a^.d divorcee! from
each other, and at liberty to engage with whom
they pleated.
In this affair, the archbilkop proceeded only
upon what had been already concluded by tne
univerfities, convocations, Sec. and did no
B 3 n;iore
6 BRITISH PLUTARCH,
more than put their dccifions into a form of
law.
On the twenty eighth of May he held ano-
ther court at Lambeth, in which he confirmed
the king's marriage with Anne Bullen. The
pope, alarmed at thefe proceedings, by a pub-
lic inftruraent declared the divorce null and
void, and threatened to excommunicate the
archbifhop, unlefs he would revoke all that he
had done : v.'hereupon the archbifhop appealed
from the pope to the next general council,
lawfully called ; and fent the appeal, under
his feal, to Bonner, defiring him and Gardiner
to acquaint the pope with it, in fuch a manner
as they thought moil: expedient.
On the feventh of September, the new
^ueen was delivered of a daughter, who was
baptized the Wednefday following, and named
Elizabeth, archbifhop Cranmer itanding god-
father.
When the fupremacy came under debate,
and the ufurped power of the bifhop of Rome
\vas called in quelHon, the archbifhop an-
fwered all the arguments brought in defence
©f the papal tyranny, with fuch ftrength and
perfpicuity, that the foreign power was, with-
out fcruple, abolifhed by full confent in parlia-
ment and convocation. The deftrudlion of
this ufurped jurifdidtion Crann*ier had prayed
for many years, as himfelf declared in a fer-
mon at Canterbury ; becaufe it was the occa-
fion of many things being done contrary to the
Ijonour of God and the good of this realm ;
THOMAS CRAXMER. 7
and lie perceived no hopes of amendment
while it continaed. This he now faw happily^
effedled ; and, foon after, he ordered an alter-
ation to be ir.ade in the archiepilcopal titles ;
inflead of apoflolics fedis legatus, fryling
himfelf, mctropolitanus.
The king, whofe fupremacy was now almoil:
as univerfally acknowledged as the pope's had
been before, looked on the monaneries with a
jealous eye; thefe he thought were, by their
privileges of exemption, engaged to the fee of
Rome, and would prcve a body of referve for
the pope, always ready to appear in the quar-
rel, and fupport his claim. This, it is pro-
bable, was the chief motive which inclined
the king to think of diffolving them : and
Cranmer being confulted on ths head, ap-
proved of the refolation. He faw how incon-
fiftent thofe foundations were v/lth the refor-
mation of religion, which he then had in view;
and propofed, that, out of the revenues of ths
monafteries, the king ihould found more bi-
fhoprics : that, the diocefes being reduced into
lefs compafs, the bifhops might the better
difcharge th ir duty according to the foiptare
and private practice. He hoped alfo, that,
from thefe ruins, there would be new founda-
tions ereded in every cathedral, to be rurfe-
ries of learning, under the infpeclion of the
bifhop, for the ufe and benefit of the whols
diocefe. But thefe noble deiigns were unhap-
pily defeated by the finiller arts of avaricious
courtiers, who, without fear of the diviriC
B 4 vengeance.
S BRITISH PLUTARCH,
vengeance, or regard to the good of the pub-
lic, ftudied only how, facrilegioufly, to raife
their own fortunes out of the church's fpoils.
When queen Anne Bullen was fent to the
Tower, on a fudden jealoufy of the king, the
archbilhop was greatly concerned for her mif-
fortune, and did his utmoft endeavours to afliit
her in her diil:refs. He wrote a confolatory
letter to the king : in which, after having re-
commended to him an equality of temper, and
refignation to Providence, he put him in mind
of the great obligations he had received from
the queen, and endeavoured todifpofe the king
to clemency and a good humour. Finally, he
moft humbly implored him, that, however
unfortunate the iilue of this affair might prove,
he would ftill continue his love to the gof-
pel, left it ihould be thought, that it was
for her fake only that he had favoured it. But
neither this letter of the aixhbiihop, nor ano-
ther very moving one wrote with her own
hand, made the leaft impreffion upon the king;
for her ruin was decreed ; and, after Cranmer
had declared her marriage with the king null
and void, upon her confeiTion of a pre-contra6t
with the earl of Northumberland, flie was tried
in the Tower, and executed on the nineteenth
of May, 1536.
In 1537, the archbifhop, with the joint au-
thority of the bifhops, fct forth that valuable
book, intitled. The [nftitution of a Chriiliaii
Man. This book was compofed in Convoca-
tion, and drawn up for a diredion to the bi-
£hops
THOMAS CRANMER. 9
fliops and clergy. It contains an explanation
of the Creed, the Lord's Prayer, the Ave Ma-
ria, Juitincation, and Purgatory.
Archbifnop Cr:;nmer, fro.n the day of his
promotion to the ieeof Canterbury, had con-
tinually employed his thoughts on getting the
fcriptures tranflated incO Englifh. fie had of-
ten follicited his majeliy about it, and, at
length, obtained a grant, that they might be
trandatcd and printed. For want of good pa-
per in England, the copy was fent co Paris ;
and, by Bonner's means, a licence was pro-
cured for printing it there. As foon as fome
of the copies came to the archbifhop's hands,
he fent one of them to the lord Cromwell, de-
firing him to prefcnt it, in his name, to the
king ; ir.ipoi tuning him to intercede with his
majerty, that, by his authority, all his fubjed*:
might have the liberty of ufing it without
conllraint : which lord Cromwell accordingly
did.
The book was received with inexprelTible
joy; every one that was able purchafed it, and
the poor greedily fiocked to hear it read. Some
perfoiis in years learned to read on purpofe
that they might perufe it j and even little
children crowded with eagcrncfs to hear it.
The archbiihop was not yet convinced of thi;
falfenefs of the abfurd doitrine of tranfabiiaa-
tiation, bat continued a ftiff maintainer of the
ccrj.oreal prefence ; as appears from his being
unhappily concerned in the profecution of
Lambert, who was burnt, en the twentieth of
B 5 November-v
10 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
November, 1538, for denying tranfubflantla-
tion.
In 1539, the archbidiop, and the other bl-
fhops who favoured a reformation, fell under
the king's difpleafure ; becaufe they could not
be perfuaded, to give their aflent in parliament
that the king Ihould have all the revenues of
the monalleries, which were fiipprefled, to his
own fole ufe. They had been prevailed upon
to confent, that he fhould have all the lands
which his anceflors gave to any of them ; but
the refidue they would have bellowed on hofpi-
tals, fchools, and other pious and charitable
foundations.
Gardiner, bifhop of V/inchel^er, and the
reft of the popilh fadion, took this opportu-
nity of infinuating themfelves, by their hypo-
crify and flattery, into the king's favour ;
and to incenfe him againft the archbiihop.
This is thought to have been the caufe of the
king's zeal, in preffing the bill containing the
iix bloody articles. The archbiihop argued
boldly in the houfe againft the fix articles
three days together ; and that fo ftrenuoufly,
that, though the king was fo obftinate in pall-
ing the ad, yet he defired a copy of his rea-
fons againft it ; and fliewed no refentment to-
wards him for his oppofition to it. The king
would have perfuaded him to withdraw out of
the houfe, fince he could not vote for the bill ;
but, after a decent excufe, he told his majefty,
that he thought himftif obliged in confcience
to ftay and (hew his diifent.
When
THOMAS CRANMER, ii
When the bill pafled he entered his proteit
againft it ; and foon after he fent his wife pri-
vately away to her friends in Germany. The
king, who loved him for his probity and cou-
rage, fent the dukes of Norfolk and Suffolk,
anc the lord Cromwell, to acquaint him, and
to affure him, of his favour, notwithdanding
the paffing of the act.
In 1 5 40, the king ifllied out a commiilion
to the archbiihop, and a feled number o^f
bifnops, to infpe^^ into matters of religion,
and explain fome of the chief doftrines of it.
The biihops drew up a fet of articles favouring-
the old fuperilitions ; and meetino; at Lam-
beth, vehemently urged the archbiihop, that
they might be eftabliihed, it being the king's
will and pleafure. But neither by fear nor
flattery could they prevail upon him to confenc
to it : no, though his friend the lord Crom-
well lay then in the Tower, and himfelf was
fuppofed to lofe ground daily more and mvore
in the king's affedions, he went himfelf to
the king, and expoiluhned with him, and fo
wrought upon him, that he joined with the
archbifnop againii the reil of the commiffioncrs;
and the book of articles was drawn up and
palled according to Cranmer's judgment.
In this year the largeil volume of the EnallHi
Bible was publifhed, with an excellent preface
of thearchbilhop's prefixed to it; and Bonner,
then newly co;-fecrated bifliop of London, fet
up fix of them in the moil convenient places
of his cathedral of St. Paul's, for the peoole
B 6 'to
12 BRITISH PLUTARCH,
to refort unto and read. So different were his
ientiments then from what they afterwards Jip-
pearedin queen Mary's days.
After the fall of the lord Cromwell, archbi-
(hop Cranmer, obferving the reiUefs fpirits of
his adverfaries, and how they were upon the
watch for an opportunity to bring him into
trouble, thought it prudent to retire for a fea-
fon, and to live in as great privacy as the du-
ties of his llation would permit him. Not-
withilanding which, his implacable enemy,
bifliop Gardiner, was daily contriving his ruin j
and he, having procured one Sir John Goft-
wicke to accufe the archbiihop in parliament,
of encouraging novel opinions, and making
his family a nurfery of herefy and fedltion,
divers lords of the privy-council moved the
king to commit the archbiihop to the Tower,
till enquiry (hould be made into the truth of
this charge. The king, who perceived that
there was more malice than truth in thefe cla-
mours againil: ^anmer, one evening, under
pretence of diverting him.felf on the water,
ordered his barge to be rowed to Lsmbeth
jjde. The archbil"hop's fervants acquainting
their lord of his majefty's being fo near, hia
lordfhipcame to the water-fidc,. to pay his re-
fpetls to the king, and to invite him into his
palace. The king commanded the archbiihop
tacome into the barge, and made him iit dowH
dole by hiip. Having (o done, the king be-
gan to complain to him, of the nation's being
ever-ran by herefy and new notions of divini-
ty*
THOMAS CRANMER. 15
ty, which he had reafon to fear might be of
dangerous confequence, and that the faftion
might in time break out into a civil war : to
prevent which, his majeity told him^ he was
reiolved to look after the grand incendiary,,
and to take him off by foine exemplary pu-
nidiment : ana then proceeded to aik the arch:-
bi'hop what his opinion was of fuch a refolu-
tion.
Though Cranmerfoon fmelt the meaning of
that quelHon, yet he fieely, and v^ithoat the
lead appearance of conC£;rn, replied. That his
majelly's refolutioa was much to- be com-
mended : bat then he cautioned the kin?;, not
to charge thofe with herefy who made the di-
vineiy infpired fcriptures the rule of their faith^
and could prove their doftrines by clear tefti-
monies from the word of God. Upon this
the king came clofer, and plainly told him.
He had been informed by many, that he was
the grand herefiarch who encouraged all this*
heterodoxy ; and that his authority had occali-
oned the fix articles to be fo pubacly contclled
in his province. The archbilhop ruodeftly
replied, That he could not but acknowledge
himfelf to be of the fame opinion, in refoecl of
thofe articles, as he had declared himfelf of
when the bill was paffmg ; but that, notwith-
ftanding, he was not confcious to himfelf of
having offended againft the acl.
Then the king, putting on an air of plea-
ikntry, afiied him. Whether his bedchamber
would
14 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
would fiand the tell: of thofe articles ? The
archbifhop gravely and ingenuoufly confeiled,
that he was married in Gernnany during his
embaily at the emperor's court, before his
promotion to the fee of Canterbury : but, at
the fame time, affured the l^ing. That, on
paffing that aft, he had parted with his wife,
and fent her abroad to her friends. His an-
fwering thus, without evafion or refervc, fo
pleafed the king, that he now pulled f JF the
mafk, and allured him of his favour; and
then freely told him of the information pre-
ferred againft him ; and who they were that
pretended to make it good. The archbiiliop
faid, that he was not afraid of the llridl-fl fcru-
tiny ; and therefore was willing to fibmit
himfelf to a legal tryal. The kinjr affured
him, he would put the caufe into his own
hands, and trufc him entirely with the ma-
nagement of it. This the archbifnop remon-
ftrated, would becenfured as partiality, and the
king's juftice called in queftion: buthismajefty
had fo rtrong an opinion of Cranmer^s inte-
grity, that he was refolved to leave it to his
eondudl; and, having farther affured him of the
entire confidence he lepofed in him, difmifTed
him.
The archblihcp immediately fent down his
vicar-general and principal regiftary to Can-
terbury, to make a thorough enquiry into
the affair, and trace the progrefs of this plot
againfl him. in the mean time his adverfa-
ries
THOMAS CRANMER. n;
ties importunately prefTed the king to Tend
hJm to priion, and oblige him to anfvver to
the charge of herefy.
At length his majefty refigned fo far to
their foUicitations, as to confent, that, if the
■archbifnop could faiily be proved guilty of
any one crime againft either church or Itate,
he fliould be fent to priion. In this the king
acled the politician, intending, by tlias feem-
ingly giving countenance to the profecution,
to difcover who were Cranmer's chief adver-
faries, and what was the length of their de-
iign againft him. At midnight he fent a gen-
tleman of his privy chamber to Lambeth, to
fetch the archbilliop ; and, when he was come,
told him, how he had been daily importuned to
commit him to prifon, as a favourer of he-
refy; and how far he had complied. The
archbiihop thanked his m^jefty for this timely
notice, and declared himfelf willing to go to
prifon, and ftand a trial ; for, being confcious
he v»/as not guilty of any offence, he thought
that the beft way to clear his innocence, and
jemove all unreafonable and groundlefs fufpi-
cions. The king, admiring his fimplicity,
told him, he was in the wrong to rely fo much
on his innocence ; for, if he were once under
a cloud, and hurried to prifon, there would
be villains enough to fwear any thing againft
him ; but, while he was at liberty, and his
charadler entire, it would not be fo eafy to
fuborn witnefies againft him : " and, there-
fore," continued he, " iince your own un-
guarded
i6 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
guarded fimplicity makes you hfs cautious
than you ought to be, I will Tugg^ft to you
the means of your prefervati-on. To morrow
you will be fent for to the privy- couuciJ, and
ordered to prifon : upoa this you are to re-
quell, that, fmce you have the honour to be
one of the board, you may be admitted unto
the council, and the iniorrners againil: you
brought face to face; and then, if you cannot
clear yourfelf, you are willing to go to pri-
fon. If this reafonable requeil i^^ dciiied you,
appeal to me, and give theni ihis fign, that
you have my authority for fo doing." Then
the king took a ring of great value off his
finger, gave it to the archbifnop, ar:d difmif-
i'ed him.
The next morning, the archbifhop v.'as
fummoned to the privy-council ; and, when
he came there, was denied admittance into
the council-chamber. When Dr. Batts, one
of the king's pliyficians, heard of this, he
came to the archbifhop, who was waiting in
the lobby amocgft the footmen, to ihew his re-
fpeO, and to protedi him from infults.
The king ioon after fent for the doftor,
who acquainted his majeily With the fhameful
. indignity put upon the archbifliop. The king,
incen ed rhat the prima. e of all England fhould
be uftd in fo contumelious a manner, imme-
diately fent to command them to admit the
archbilhop into the council-chamber. At his
entrance he was- faluted with an heavy accufa-
tion of having infeded the whole realm, with
herefy ;
THOMAS CRANMER. 1/
herefy ; and commanded to the Tower till the
whole of this charge was thoroughly examined.
The archbiiliop defired to fee the informers
againrt: him, and to have the liberty of defend-
ing himfelf before the council, and not to be
fent to prifon on bare fufpicion : but, when
this was abfolutely denied him, and finding
that neither arguments nor intreaties would
prevail, he appealed to the king; and pro-
ducing the ring he had given him, put a Hop
to their proceeding?.
When they came before the king, he fe-
verely reprimanded them ; expatiated on his
obligations to Cranmer for his fidelity and in-
tegrity ; and charged them, if th^y had any
afFeftion for him, to exprefs it, by their love
and kindnefs to the archbifhop.
Cranmer having efcaped the fnare, never
fhevved the leafl refentraent for the injuries
done him ; and, from this time f^^rwards, had
fo great a (hare in the king's favour, that no-
thing farther was attempted again ft him.
And, now I ara upon this fubjedl of the arch-
bifhop's readinefi to forgive and forget inju-
ries, [ cannot but take notice of a pleafant
ftory which happened fome time before this :
^ The archhifhop's firll wife, whom he mar-
ried at Cambridge, lived at the Dolphin inn. ;
and he often reforted thither on that accoont.
The pcpifti party had raifed a ftory, that he
was oftler of that inn, and never had the be-
nefit of a learned education. This idle llory
a Yorklhire prieft Had, with great confidence,
affeited
i3 BRITISH PLUTARCR
afTerted in an ale-houfe he ufed to frequent ;
railing at the archbifhop, and faying, that he
had no more learning than a goofe. Some of
the pariili, who had a refped for Cranmer's
character,' informed the lord Cronuveii of this,
v.'ho immediately fent for the piiefl, and com-
mitted him to the Fleet prifon. When he had
been there nine or ten weeks, hs fent a rela-
tion of his to the arclibiHiop, to beg his par-
don, and humbly fue to him for a difcharge.
The archbifhop inilantly fent for him, and,
after a gentle reproof, afeed the prieU, Whe-
ther he knew him? to which he anfvvered, No.
The archbifnop expoflulated with him, why he
ihould then make fo free with his chara(5ier.
The priell excufed himfelf by being in drink ;
but this, Cranmer told him, was a double
fault; and then let him know that, if he had a
mind to try what a fcholar he was, he fnould
have liberty tooppofe him in whatever fcience
he pleafed. The priell allied his pardon, and
confefTed himfelf to be very ignorant, and t»
underlland nothing but his mother- tongue.
«* No doubt, then," faid Cranmer, ** you are
well verfed in the Englilli Bible, and can an-
fwer any queftion of that : Pray tell me vvho
was David's father ?" The prieft flood ftill a
while to confider ; but at laft told the archbi-
fhop, he could not recoiled his name. " Tell
me then," fays Cranmer, " vvho was Solo-
mon's father?" The poor priefl replied, that
he had no fkill in genealogies, and could not
tell. Then the archbifhop advifed him to fre-
quent
THOMAS CRANMER. 19
quent alehoufes lefs, and his ftudy more ; and
admonifned him, not to accufe others of waiit
of iearning tiil he was mafter of fome himfelf,
difcharged him out of cuftody, and fent him
home to hi^^ cure.
The fame lenity he fhesved towards Dr.
Thornton, the fuffragan of Dover, and Dr.
Barbar ; who, though entertained in his fa-
mily, and entruiled with his fecrets, and in-
debted to him for many favours, had ungrate-
fully confpired v.'ith Gardiner to take away his
life. When he firfl difcovered their treachery,
he took them afide into his fludy ; and tell-
ing them he had been bafely and faifely abufed
by fome, in whom he had always repofed the
greateil confidjnce, defired them to advife
him how he (hould behave himfelf towards
them. They, not fufpe£ling themfelves to be
concerned in the queftion, replied, That
fuch vile abandoned villains ought to be pro-
fecuted with the utmoft rigour; nay, deferved
to die without mercy. At this the archbifnop,
lifting up his hands to Heaven, cried out,
** Merciful God, whom may a man truit V^
and then, pulling out of his bolom the letters
by which he had difcovered their treachery,
afked them if they knew thefe papers. When
they faw their own letters produced againfl
them, they were in the umcft confufion ;
and, falling down on their knees, humbly
fued for forgivenefs. The archbilhop told
ihem, that he forgave them, and would pray
for
20 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
for them ; but they murt not cxpedl hini ever
to truft them for the future.
It cannot be denied, that thejufl; zeal of
fome of 'our reformers againft the ufurped pa-
pal fjpreniacy, cariied them too far, and
made them ilretch the regal power to fuch an
exorbitant length as was inconfjflent with the
divine commiiijon of the clergy, and feemed to
reduce the church to be a mere creature of the
ftate. That archbiihop Cranmer ran into this
extreme is plain, not only from his anfwers to
fome qiiellions relating to the government of
the church, firft publiihcd by Dr. Stillingfleet,
m his mifchievous Irenicum, but from the
commifTion which he took from Edv\'ard VI.
whom he petitioned for a revival of his jurif-
dii^ion ; and that, as he had exercifcd the
funftions of an archbilhop, during the former
reigns ; fo that auihonty determining v.dth
king Henry's life, his majeily would trurthim
with the fame jurifdiclion. On this error of
the archbifhop, the modern papills make tra-
gical outcries, forgetting, that it was the com-
nion miHake of thofe times ; that it is ufual
for men, m the firil: heat of their zeal againft
any pernicious error, to run too far the con-
trary way ; and that Bonner not only took out
the lamecommiffion now, but had before taken
out another in the reign of king Henry ; in
which the king vva^ ded-ared the fountain of
all authority, civil and ecclefiaflical ; and
thofe who formerly exercifcd ecckfiauical ja-
rifdittion
THOMAS CRANMER. 21
rirdidlon, are faid to have done itprecarioufi}',
and at the courtefy of the king, and that it
was lawi'ul for him to revoke it at pleafure.
And therefore, fince the lord Cromwell,
the king's vicar-general in ecclefiaftical af-
fairs, was fo far employed in matters of ftate,
as not to be at leifure to difcharge his func-
tions every- where, the king gave Bonner au-
thority to exercife epifcopal jurifdidion in
the diocefe of London. This feems to have
been the precedent, after which the new com-
miilions were now formed, Mr. Strype, in-
deed, confidently affirms the archbiihop to
have had a hand in drawing them up ; but the
very words which he quotes to prove it, are
manifefdy taken from the preamble to Bon-
ner's commiiTion. But from thefe imprimi-
tive and uncatholic notions, our archbid.op
was happily recovered by that luminary of
cur reformed church, bilhop Ridley. Henry,
who died in the Roman communion (though
his imperfedlions are fo freely charged en the
reformation, by the papifls; iiad. In his will,
left fix hundred pounds per annum, for mafies
for his ioul, with provificn for four folemn
obits every year ; but by th^ influence of the
archbiihop, who was one of i\ip regents, this
fuperftitious part of his will, nctwithftanding
his firidl and folemn charge for its execution^
was rejeded. On the twentieth of February,
the coronation of king Edward v/as folemnized
at Wellminfter Abbey. The ceremony was
performed by archbifnop Cranmer, who m.ade
an
22 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
&n excellent fpeech to the king ; in whieh,
after the cenfiire of the papal encroachments
on princes, and a declaration, that the folemn
ceremonies of a coronation, add nothing to
the authority of a prince, vvhcfe power is de^
rived immediately from God ; he goes to in-
form the king of his duty, exhorts him to fol-
low the precedent of good Jofias, to regulate
the worihip of God, to fupprefs idolatry, re-
ward virtue, execute juflice, relieve the poor,
reprefs Violence, and punifli the evil doer*
It may not be improper, to tranfcribe what he
fays concerning the divine original of kingly
power, in his own words, to redlify fome pre-^
vailing notions amongft us, " The folemn
rites of coronation (fays he) have their ends
and utility,yetrieitherofdire£t force or necefll-
ty ; they be good admonitions to put kings
in mind of their duty to God, but no in-
creafement of their dignity : for they be
God's anointed, not in refpedl of the oil,
which the bifhop ufeth, but in confideration
of their power, which is ordained, of the
fword v/hich is authorifed, of their perfons
which are eledted of God j and indued with
the gifts of his Spirit, for the better ruling
and guiding of the people. The oil, if added,
is but a ceremony ; if it be wanting, the
king is yet a perfeft monarch notwithHanding,
and God's anointed, as well as if he was in-
oiled." Then follows his account of the king's
duty ; after which he goes on, " Being
bound by my fun^ion, lo lay thefe things
before
THOMAS CRANMEk. 2j
before your royal highnefs ; yet I openly de-
clare, before the living- God, and before the
nobles of the land, that I have no commiffion
to denounce your majefty deprived, if your
highnefs mifs in part, or in whole, of thefe
performances.'* This fpeech had fo good an
eflecl on the young king, that a royal vifita-
tion was refolved on, to redify the diforders •
of the church, and reform religion. The vi-
fitors had fix circuits afTigned them; and
every divifion had a preacher, whofe bufmefs
it was, to bring oiF the people from fuper-
ftition, and difi^ofe them for the intended al-
teration. And to make the impreiTions of
their doftrine more lafting, the archbifliop
thought it highly expedient to have fome ho-
mih'es compofed ; which ihould, in a plain
method, teach the grounds and foundations
©f true religion, and corredl the prevailing er*
rors and fuj erftitions. On this head he con-
fulted the biiliOp of Winchefter, and defired
his concurrence ; but to no purpofe. For
Gardiner, forgetting his large profefiions of
all future obedience to the archbifhop, was
returned with the dog to his vomit, and
wrote to the prctedor, to put a ftop to the
reformation in its birth. When Cr^nmer per-
ceived Gardiner obUinate, he wei.u.n without
him, and fet forth the iiril book of homilies,
in which himfelt had the chief hand. Sfeon
after, ^rafmus's paraphrafe on the new Tef-
tament was tranflated, and placed in every
church," for the iniiruition of the people.
On
24 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
On the fifth of November, 1547, a con-
vocation was held at St. Paul's, which the
archblfliop opened with a fpeech ; in which
he put the clergy in mind ofapplying them-
felves to the iludy of the holy fcriptures, and
proceeding according to that rule, in throw-
ing off the corrupt innovations of popery.
But the terror of the fix articles being a check
on the majority, they acquainted the a^ch-
bi(hop with their fears ; who reporting it to
the council, prevailed to have chat aft repeal-
ed. In this convocation, the communion was
ordered to be adminiHeredin both kinds, and
the lawfulnefs of the m.arriage of the clergy
afnrmed by a great majority. In the latter
end of January, the archbifliop wrote to
Bonner, to forbid, throughout liis diccefe, the
ridiculous procefiions, which were ufual in the
popifti times, on Candlemas-day, Alh-wednef-
day, and Palm-funday ; and to caufe notice
thereof to be given to the ether neighbouring
bilhops, that they might do the fame. He
was alfo one of the committee appointed to
ir.fptd the ofHces of the church, <ind to re-
form them according to fcripture and the
pureft antiquity : and by them a new office
for the holy communion was drawn up, and
fct forth by authority. This year was alfo
publifhed the archbi(hop*s catechifm, in titled,
A fiiort imlrudion in ChriHian religion, for
the fiijgular profit of children and young
people ; and a Latin treatife of his againll
unwritten verities. From this catechifm,
it
T'HOMAS CRANMEU. 25
it IS plain, that he had now recovered himfelf
from thofe extravagant notions of the regal
fcpremacy, which he h^d once the rr.isfortune
to run into ; for here he ftrenuouliv aiferts the
divine commilTion of bilhops and priefis, in-
larges on the efficacy of their abfol-ution and
fpiritual cenfures, and earnefily v,'ilhes for the
reftoring of the primitive penicentiary difci-
pline. Hence it appears, with what infmce*-
rity Dr Stillingfleet adled, when in his Ireni-
cum he endeavoured to impofe upon the world
the contrary dodirines, as the lail judgment of
the archbiihop on this fubjedl. The licence,
which was given to men of learning and judg-
itient, freely to preach at.d v/rite againft the
popifh corruptions, now began to be abufed by
men of great confidence and ignorance; who
took this opportunity to vend many dangerous
herefies and blafphemies : to prevent Vv'hich,
they were convened before the archbifhop,
and prevailed on to recant, and abjure their
pernicious opinions. Only one Joan Becher,
continued deaf to all arguments, and perverfe-
ly obftinate to all perfuafions. The archbi-
fhop thought it neceiTary to make her a fevere
example, to terrify all others from the like
cbfdnacy, and crufh thefpirit of herefy now in
irj beginnings. To which end he iirfc ex-
communicated her, and then delivered her
over to the fecular powers ; upon which flie
was condemned to be burnt. But thefe rigo-
rous proceedings were very inconfillent with
the merciful aiid tender fpirit of the king ; he
VaL. Ill C long
z6 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
long withilood the figning a warrant for her
execution : and when over-awed by the au-
thority and reafonings of Cranmer, he at lail,
with great reluftancy, confented to do it ; and
-with tears in his eyes, faid to the archbiihop,
** My lord, if I do amifs in this, you mufl
an fwer for it to God." When the popiih fac-
tion broke out in 1549, into a dangerous re«
bellion, demanding, in the mofiiinfolent terms,
the revival of the fix article a.i\, the reftitutions
of the old fuperflitions, and that cardinal Pole
fhould not only be pardoned, but ferit for home,
and be made a privy conncellor ; and that the
abbey and chauntry lands fnoukl be rellored :
the archbifiiop drew up a large and full an-
fwer to their demands, clearly Ihewing how
unreafonable they were, how prejudicial to the
real intcrefts of the nation, and of what mif-
chievous confeqnence to religion ; juftly ex-
pofmg the abufes and corruptions of popery,
and demonftrating the necefTity of a reforma-
tion, Biihop Bonner was fufpeded to be a
Secret approver and encourager of this rebel-
lion : and one of the rebel's chief pleas being,
that, during the king's minority^ the ftate had
no authority to make laws ; Bonner was en-
joined to preach on this very fubjeft, to fhew
the falibood and danger of fuch pernicious te-
nets, and alTert the king's juft power. But,
inflead of obeying, in his difcourfe he caft
bitter refle£lions on the reformation, and
threw out fome fly infmuations againft the
government ; and information being given
thereof
THOMAS CRANMER. 27
tliereof by Latimer and Hooper, a commidion
was ifllied out to archbifhop Cranmer, bifhop
Ridley, and others, to proceed againft him.
When he appeared before the commiilicners,
he refufed to give any diredl anfwer to the
charge laid againil him ; pretending that tne
canfe of his prefent trouble was, his afTerting
in his fermon, the real prefence of Chrill's
tody and blood in the facrament of the altar.
Then he began in a moft audacious and in-
folent manner to quellion the archbifiiop, con-
cerning his belief in that point i but was told
that they came not there to difpute, but to
hear what anfwer he could make to the crimes
laid Co his charge.
The archbil"hop, with incredible patience,
bore with his unparalledinfolence, no lefs than
feven feflions fuccelTively; but then finding him
incorrigible, and that he was refolved not ti
anfwer to the articles alledged againft him ;
but inftead of that to revile and calumniate his
judges ; he, in the name of the reft of the
commifijoners, pronounced him contumax,
and proceeded to the fentence of deprivation.
Bonner protefted againft the validity of this
fentence; becaufe he did not appear before
them of his own free will, but was a prifoner,
and conftrained to appear. To which the
archbiftiop replied, that the fame plea might
be made by any traitor and rebel, fmce no
criminal is willing to be brought to juftice.
The next year bilhop Gardiner, alfo, was,
for his obftinate oppofition to the refonnation,
C z cit;;d
28 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
cited before the archbilhop, and other com-
miiTioners. At his firfl: appearance he protefl-
ed againft the authority of the judges, and ex-
cepted againfl the legality of their commifTion:
he protelled alfo againfl the perfons who ap-
peared againll him ; and behaving himfelf in
the fame haughty and arrogant manner as
Bonner had done bofore, he was at laft de-
prived, after they had borne with his infolence
so lefs than two and twenty feffions at different
places, from the 15 th of December, to the
14th of February. This year the archbifliop
pubiifiied his defence ** of the true and ca-
tholic dodrine of the facrament of the body
and blood of our Saviour Chrift." He had
iiow, by the aihllance of bilhop Ridley, over-
come thofe flrong prejudiceshe had long la-
boured under, in favour of the corporeal pre-
fence ; and in this treatife, fjK)m fcripture and
reafon, excellently confuted it. 7"hepopifh party
were alarmed at the publication of it; and
foon after two anfwers to it were publifhed,
•the one v/rote by do£lor Smith, the other by
Gardiner. The archbifhop defended his book
againfl them both : and was allowed by all
impartial readers, vaflly to have the fupe-
liority in the argument. The archbifhop's
book was afterwards tranflated into latin,
by Sir John Cheke, and was highly efleemed
by all learned foreigners, for the great know-
ledge in fcripture and ecclefiaflical antiquity
■therein difcovered. The next material oc-
-jcurience relating to the archbifhop, was the
publication
THOMAS CRANMER. 2g
publication of the forty two articles of reli-
gion ; which, with the afTiftance of bifnop
Ridley, he drew up for preferving and main-
taining the purity and unity of the church.
They were alfo revifed by feveral other bi-
fliops and learned divines ; and, after their
corredions, farther enlarged and improved by
Craiimer. Thefe articles were agreed to in
convocation, and were afterwards publlfhed
by royal authoritv, both in Latin and tnglifh.
The archbifhop had formed a defign, in the
reign of the late king Henry, to review and
purge the old canon law from its popilli
corruptions, and had made fome progrefs in
the work : but by the fecret artifices cf
Gardiner and others, the king \va> pre-
vailed upon not to countenance or encourage
it. In this- reign he refumed his defign, and
procured a commifiian from the king, for
himfelf, with other learned divines and law-
yers, diligently to examine into the church-
laws ; and to compile fuch a body of laws as
they thought moft expedient to be pradifed
in the ecclefiaflical courts, and moil conducive
to order and good difcipline. The archbifoop
profecuted this undertaking with great vigour,
and had the principal hand in it : but v/hen a
diredl and complete draught of it was finiilied
and prepared for the royal afient, the unhap-
py death of the good king blalled this great
defign, and prevented its coniirmation. The
book was publilhed by archbifhop Parker, in
C 3- tlis
30 BRITISH PLUTARCH,
the year 1^71, intituled, " Reformatio legura
cccleliafi:icarum."
King Edward was now far gone in a con-
fumption, he had been perfuaded by the arti-
fices of the duke of Northumberland, to ex-
clude his fiflers, and to bequeath the crown to
the lady Jane Grey, who was married to
Northumberland's fon. The archbiiliop did
his utmoll to oppofe this alteration of the fuC'
ceiTion : he argued againft it with the king,
telling him, that religion wonted not to be
defended by fach unrighteoufs methods ; that
it was one of the grofs errors of the papiUs,
to juftify the excluding or depofmg princes
from theirjuil rights, on account of religion ;
and, let the confequence be what it would,
juRice ought to take place, and the protedlion
of the church committed to the care of that
righteous providence, which was never known
to give a blefiing to thofe who endeavoured to
preferve themfelves from any imminent danger
by unlawful means. But his majcfty being
over-perfuaded by Northumberland's agents,
was not to be moved from bis refolution :
the will was made, and fubfcribed by the
council and thejudges. The archbifhop was
feut for lafl of al], and required to fubfcribe:
but he plainly told them he could not do it
without perjury, having fworn to the entail of
thecrown on the two princefles, Mary and Eli-
zabeth. To this the king replied, that the
judges, whobeft knew the conilitution, fiiould
be m.oft regarded in this f>ointj and they had
informed
THOMAS CRANMER. 31
informed him, that notvvithftanding that en-
tail, he might lawfully bequeath the cro.vn to
the lady Jane. The archbifnop defired to
difcourfe with them himfelf about this matter;
and they all agreeing, that he might lawfully
fubfcribe to the king's will, he was, after many
perfuafions, prevailed upon to reiign his own
private fcruples to their authority ; and at laft,
not without great reludlancy, he fet his hand to
it.
On the fixth of July, in the year cf our
Lord 1553, it pleafed almighty God to ra^ie
to himfelf this pious and good prince, king
Edward ; and the archbifhoo having fubfcribed
to the king's will, thought himfelf obliged,
by virtue of his oath, to join the lady Jane.
But her (hort- lived power foon expired, and
queen Mary's title was- univerfaily acknow-
ledged, and fubraitted to,-. Not long after her
accelTion, a falfe report was raifed, that arcn-
bilhop Cranmer, in order 10 make his court 10
the queen, had offered to rellore the Latiii
fervice, and that he had already faid mafs iti.
his cathedral church at Canterbury. To vin-
dicate himfelf from this vile and bafe afper-
tion, the archbilhop publifhed a declaration,
in which he not only cleared himfelf frora
that unjuft imputation.- but offered publickK'
to defend the Englilh liturgy, and prove it
confonant to fcripture and the purefl antiquity ;
and challenged his enemies to a difputation.
This declaration foon idl into the hands of
the council, who fent a copy of it to the
0-4^. queen V
^2 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
queen's com miiTioners ; and they immediately
ient /or the archbifhop, and quellioned hiai
about it. Cranmer acknowledged it to be his ;
but complained that it had, contrary to his in-
tent, liolen abroad in To imperfedl a condi-
tion : for his defign was to review and cor-
real it ; and then, after he had put his feal to
it, to fix it up at St. Paul's, and on all the
church doors in London. This bold and ex-
traordinary anfwer fo irritated them, that they
fent him to ths Tower,, there to be confined,
till the queen's pleafure concerning him was
known. Some of his friends whoforefaw this
llorm, had advifed him to confult his fafety by
retiring beyond fea ; but he thought it wculd
refled a great dilhonour on the caufe he had
efpoufed, if he fnould defert his flation at
fuch a time as this ;. and chofe rather to hazard
his life, than give fuch jufl caufe of fcandal
and oitence.
In the middle of November, archbiiliop
Cranmer was attainted by the parliament, and
adjudged guilty of high treafon, at Guildhall.
His fee was hereupon declared void: and on
the tenth of December, the dean and chapter
of Canterbury gavecommiffions to feveral per-
fons to exercife archiepifcopal jurifdiclion ia
their name, and by their authority. Arch-
bilhop Cranmer wrote a very fubmiffive letter
to the queen, in the moft humble manner ac-
knowledging his fault, in confentiiig to fign
the king's will; acquainting her v./hat prefiing
inllances he, made to the king againll it; ar.J
excufing
THOMAS CRANMER; 53
excufing his fault, by being over-ruled by the
authority of the judges and lawyers, who, he
thought, underftood the conilitution better
than he did himfelf. The queen had par-
doned fo many already, who had been far
more deeply engaged in the lady Jane's ufur-
pation, that Cranmer could not for fhame be
denied ; fo he was forgiven the treafon : but,
to gratify Gardiner's malice, and her own
implacable hatred againft him for her mother's
divorce, orders were given to proceed againil
him for here fy.
In April, i)44, the archbilhop was removed
from the Tower to Windfor, and from thence
to Oxford, todifpute with fome feledl perfons
of both univerfi ties. At the firlt appearance
of the archbilhop in the public fchools, three
articles were given him tofubfcribe; in which
the corporeal prefence, by tranfubftantiation,
wasaifertcd, and the mafs afHrmed to be a
propitiatory facrifice for the fins of the living
and dead. Thefe, he declared freely, he
eileemed grofs untruths ; and promifed to give
an anfwer concerning them in writing.
Accordingly he drew ic up ; and, when he
was brought again to the fchool-s to difpute,,
"he debvered the writing to Dn Weilon, the
prolocutor. At eight in the morning the dif^
putation began^ and held till two in the after-
noon : all which time the archbilhop conftantly
maintained the truth, with great learning and
ct)urage, againft a multitude of clamorous and
infoknt opponents : and three davs after, hj
C c:
34 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
was again brought forth to oppofe Dr. Harp{l
field, who was to refpond for his degree ia
divinity ; and here he acquitted himfelf
fo well, clearly fhewing the grofs abfurdities,
and inextricable difficulties of the dodrine of
tranfubftantiation, that Weflon himfelf, as
great a bigot as he was, could not but difmifs
him with commendation, in thefe difputa-
tions, with other flanderous reproaches, the
archbifhop was accufed for corrupting and fal-
fifying a pafiage which, in his book of the Sa«
crament, he had quoted from St. Hilary. In
anAver to which, he replied, that he had
tranfcribed it verbatim from the printed book ;
and that Dr. Smith, one of their own divines,-
there prefent, had quoted it word for word
aire. But Smith made no reply, being con-
fcious that it was true.
When the difputation was over, one Mr;
Heleot remembring that he had Smith's book,
went directly to his chamber in Univerfity-
ccllege ; and comparing it with Cranmer's,
found the quotations exadly to agree. He af-
terwards looked into a book of Gardiner's,,
called, ** The Devirs SophiHry," where the
il;me pafTage was cited ; and both the Latin
and Englifh agreed exactly with Cranmer's
quotation and tranllation. Upon this he re-
foived to carry the fiid books to the archbi-
Otop in prifon, that he might produce them in
his own vindication.
When he came thither, he was Hopped and
brought before Dr. Weflon and his collegnes,
who.
THOMAS CRANMER. 3>
who, upon information of his defign, charged
him with treafon, and abetting Cranmer in
his herefy ; and committed him to prifon.
The next day he was again brought before
them, and they threatned to fend him to biihop -
Gardiner, to be tried for treafon, unlefs he
would fubfcribe to the three articles concern-
ing which the difputations had been held.
This he then refufed ; but, being fent for
again, after the condemnation of Cranmer,
through fear he confented to it ; yet not till
they had alTured him, that, if he fmned by fo
doing, they would take the guilt upon them-
ielves, and anfwer for it to God : and yet
even this fubfcription, of which he afterwards
heartily repented, could not prevail for th»2
refi-oring his books, left he fhould Ihew them
to their ihame ; nor for his entire difcharge,
the mailer of Univerfity-college being com-
manded to keep a ibid watch over him till
Gardiner's pleafure concerning him was known ; ;
and, if he heard nothing from him in a fort-
night's time, then to expel him the college
for his offence.
On the twentieth of April, Cranmer was
brought to St. Mary's, before the queen's
commiffioners • and refufmg to fubfcribe, was *
pronounced an heretick, and fentence of con-
demnation read againil him as fuch : upou
which he told them, that he appealed fronr
their unjuft fentence and judgment to the judg-
ment of the Almighty ; and that he truilcd t;.<
bs received to his prefence in Heaven, foi
C 6 mair.iainino
j6 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
maintaining the truth of whofe fpiritual pr2>-
fence at the altar he was there condemned.
After this his fervants were difmilTed from their
attendance, and himfelf clofely confined in
prifon. The latter and a popifh convoca*-
tion met, and did archbifhop Cranmer the
honour to order his book of the Sacrament
to be burnt, in. company with the Engliik
Bible and Common-Prayer-Book.
Cranmer, in the mean time, fpent his me-
lancholy hours in writing a vindication of his
treatife concerning the Euchariil", from the
objedions of Gardiner, who had publiflied a
book againft it under the feigned name of
Marcius Antonius ConHantius. Many of the
learned m.en of the Romifti perfuafion came to
vifit him in prifon, and endeavoured, by dif-
putations and conferences, to draw him over
to their church, but in vain.
In 1555, a new commiiTion was- fent from
Rome for the trial of archbiftiop Cranmer for
herefy ; the former fentence againft him being
void in law, becaufe the authority of the pope
was not then re eflablifhed. The commiffio.i*
ers were Dr Brooks, biihop of Gloucefter, the
pope'3 delegate, Dr. Stcric, and Dr. Martin^
dodors of the civil-law, the queen's commif^
fioners.
On the twelfth of September they met at
St. Mary's church ; and, being feated at the
high altar, commanded the archbifliop to be
brought before them. To the queen's com-
miiTioners, as reprefenting the fupreme autho-
rity
THOMAS CRANMEI^. 3^
nty of the nation, he paid all due rerpe(Ei, but^
abfolutely refufed to {how any. to-, the pope's?
delegate, leil he ftiould Teem to make the leaffe~
acknowledgment of his ufurped fupremacy.
Brooks, in a long oration, exhorted him to
conllder from whence he was fallen ;. adviiing;
him, in the moil eameft and pathetic manner,
to return to his holy mother, the Roman-ca-
tholic church ; and, by the example of his re-
pentance, to reclaim thofe whom his. pall eim
rors had mificd.
In this oration he betrayed great ignorance
both of fcripture and antiquity : of fcripture,
by affirming, that the Arlans had more texts,
by two and forty, to countenance their errors,
than the Catholics had for the maintenance of
the truth : of antiquity, by making Origin
write of Berengarius, who lived near eight
hundred years after him ; and, by confound-
ing the great St. Cyprian with another Cy-^
prian at Antioch, laying the magical Iludies
of the latter to the charge of the former.
When , he had finilbed hi& harangue, Dr*
Martin-, in a fhort fpeech, began to open the
trial, acquainting the archbifhop with the ar-
ticles alledged againft him, and requiring his
anfwer. The articles contained a charge of
perjury, incontinence, and herefy : firli, on
account of his oppoiition to the papal ty-
ranny ; the fecond, in refpedl to his marriage ;
and the lall, on account of the reformation in
the late reign,, in which he had the chief
hand.
The
SS BRITISH PLUTARCH.
The archbifhop having liberty to Ipeak,
after he had repeated the Lord's Prayer and
the Creed, began with a j unification of his
condudl in relation of his renouncing the
pope's fupremacy ; the admiiTion of which he
proved, by many iniiances, to be contraj-y to-
the natural allegiance of the fubjed, the fun-
damental laws of the realm, and the original
conflitution of the ChriiHan church : and, in
the clofe, he boldly charged Brooks with per-
jury for fitting there by the pope's authority,
which he had folemnly abjured. Brooks en-
deavoured to vindicate himfelf, and retort the
charge on the archbifhop, by pretending,
that he was feduced by Cranmer to take that
oath : but this, the archbifhop told him, was
a groi's untruth, the pope's fupremacy having
received the laid blow from his predecefibr, .
archbifhop Warham, by whofe advice -king
Henry had fent to both the univerfities, to ex-
amine what foundation it had in the word of
God : to which he replied, and gave it under
their feal, That, by the word of God, the
fuprem.acy was veiled in the king, not the
pope; and that Brooks had then fubfcribed
this determination ; and therefore wronged .
him, in pretending that he was f^^duced by
him. At this Brooks was in a great confu-
iion, and cried, " We came to examine you,
and, 1 think, you examine us." Then Dr.
Storic began to rail at the archbifhop in an in-
decent manner, for excepting againfl the au-
thority of his judge; and moved bifliop Brooks
to
THOMAS CRANMER. 39-
to require from the archbifliop a dire£l anfwer
£0 their articles, whereof he flood accufed j
or, if he continued to deny the authority of
the pope, and to decline anfwering, to pro-
ceed to fentence againfl him. After which.
Dr. Martin had a Ihort conference with the
archbifhop about his condudl in relation to the
fupremacy and the dodrine of the Ejacharifl i
and then they proceeded to demand his anfwer
to certain interrogatories concerning the crimes
laid to his charge : to which he replied in fo
full and fatisfadtory a manner, that Brooks
thought himfelf obliged to make another
fpeech, to take off the imprelTion his defence
might have made upon the people. It was
much unbecoming the gravity of a biihop,
confiding only of fcurrilous and unchriftian
railings, and uncouth and fophifdcal mifappli.i
cations of fcripture and the fathers.
After this, the archbifhop was cited to ap-
pear at Rome within fourfcore days, and there
to anfwer in perfon : to which he replied,
that he would very willingly confent, if the
queen would give him leave to go to Rome,
and juflify the reformation to the pope's face.
But this was only a mock- citation, for he was
kept all that time clofe confined ; and yet, at
the end of fourfcore days, was declared con-
tumax, for wilfully abfenting himfelf from
Rome, whither he was legally fummoned ;
and, in confequence thereof, was degraded>
as we fhall fee' hereafter.
In
4^ BRITISH Plutarch:
In the mean time, farther to manlfell the"
infincerity of Dr. Stillingfleet, and to vindi-'
cate thecharader of the archbifliop, I (hall fet
down his- laft judgment, concerning the ex-
tent of the regal fupremacy, as contained inr
his anfvver to Dr. Martin. When that do£lor
afk.ed him, Who was fupreme head of the
church of England ? The biihop anfwered,
** Chrift is head of this member, as well as of
the whole body of the catholic church."
When the doftor again demanded, Whether
he had not declared king Henry the head of
thechmxh? " Yes," faid the biihop, "of
all the people in England, as well ecclefiaftical
as temporal.'^ " What!*' fays Martin, " and
not of the church?'' **No," replied the archbi-
ihop ; " for Ghriil only is head of the church,
and of the faith, and religion of the fame."
The February following, a new commiffioff
was given to bifhop Bonner and biihop Thirl-
by, for the degradation of the archbiihop,-
When they came down to Oxon, the archbi-
fhop was broaght before them ; and, after
they had read their commiiTion from the pope,
Bonner, in a fcurrilous oration, infulted over,
him in a moil unchriftian manner ; for which
he was often rebuked by biihop Thirlby. In
the commiiTion it was declared, that the caufe
had been impartially heard at Rome; the wit-
neiTes on both fides were examined, and the
archbiihop's council allowed to make the beft
defence for him they could. At the reading
of
THOMAS CR AN ME R. 41
t>f this, the archbiiliop could not help crying
out, *' Good God, what lies are thefe 1 that
I, being continually in prifon, and not fuf-
fered to have council or advocate at home,
ftiould produce witnefles, and appoint my
council at Rome 1 God mufi needs puniihthis
open and fhamelefs lying."'
When Bonner had finifned his invedlive
againil him, they proceeded to degrade him ;
and, that they might make him as ridiculous
as they could, the epifcopal habit which they
had put on him, was made of canvas and old
clouts. Then the archbiftiop, pulling out of
his ileeve a written appeal, delivered it to them,
faying, " I aopeal to the next general coun-
cil."
When they had degraded him, they put on
him an old thread-bare beadle-gown, and a
tovvnfman's coat ; and in that garb delivered
him over to the fecular power. As they were
leading him to prifon, a gentleman came and
gave {om.e money to the bailiffs for the arch-
biihop : but this charitable aclion gave fuch
Ouence to Bonner, that he ordered the gentle-
man to be feized- and, had he not found great
friends to intercede for him, would have fent
him up to the council to be tried for it.
While the archbiihop continued in prifon,
no endeavours were omitted to work him over
to the church of Rome. Many of the moil
eminent divines in the univerfity reforted to
him daily, hoping, by arguments and perfua-»
fions, to work on him j but all in vain.; foi
hs
42 BRITISH PLUTARCH;
he held faft the profcfiion of the faith, without
wavering ; and could not be Ihaken, by any
of the terrors of this world, from his con-
ilancy in the truth : nay, even when he faw
the barbarous martyrdom of his dear compa-
nions, bi(hop Ridley, and bifliop Latimer, he
was fo far from ihrinking, that he not only
prayed to God to ftrength"en them, but alfo,
by their example, to animate' him to a patient
expedlation and endurance of the fame fiery
trial.
At laft the papiils bethought thcmfalves of a-
ftratagem which proved fatal to him ; they re-
moved him from prifon to the. lodgings of th*
dean of Chrift- church ; they tre^ited him with
the greateil: civility and refpect, and made him
great promifes of the queen's favour, and the
rellitution of his former dignities^ with many-
other honours and. preferments accumulated,
if he v/ould recant. And now, behold a moil
aftonilhing inftance of human frailty ! The
man, who had, with fuch undaunted refolu-
tion, fuch unfliaken conilancy, and fo tnxlj
primitive a fpirit of martyrdom, faced the ter-
ror of death, and defied the moft exquifite tor-
tures, finks under this lail temptation, falls a
prey to flattery and hypocrify, and confents to
recant 1 It is a vulgar error, even in our beil
hiliorians, to fuppofe, that the archbifhop ac-
knowledged the whole of popery at once, and
fubfcribed but one recantation. But this mif-
take is now redtified by the labour of the in-
duUrioub Mr. Strype, who has difcovered how
lubtilly.
THOMAS CRANMER. 43
fubtilly he was drawn in by the papiils to fub-
fcribe fix different papers ; the iirlc being ex-
prefled in ambiguous words, capable of a fa-
vourable conlbudlion ; and the five following
pr eteiided to be only explanations of the nrll.
It as very probable, that, had they ac-
quainted Cranmer with the whole of tlieir de-
fign at once, he would never have been fe-
duced to redeem his life with fuch a difho-
nourable compliance: but, when they had,
by their hypocrify and artifice, drav/n him in
to a firfl and fecond recantation, alhamed to
retradl after he had gone fo far, and unwillincr
to lofe the benefit of his pall fubfcriptions^
prevailed with him to go on. Hwing gained
ground upon him thus far, the/ grew bold
and barefaced; and, in the fifth paper (which
is in Fox*s Marty rology, and has been com*
monly thought to be his only recantation)
they required him to renounce and anathema-
tize all Lutheran and Zuinglian herefies and
errors ; to acknowledge the one holy catholic
church to be that whereof the pope is the
head ; and to declare him the fupreme bilhop,
and ChriU's vicar, to whom all Chriftians ought
to be fubjeft.
Then followed an exprefs acknowledgment
of tranfubllantiation, the feven facraments,
purgatory, and of all the doftrines of the
church of Rome in general ; with a prayer to
God to forgive his pall: oppofition to them ; and
an earneftintreaty to all, who had been milled
by his do<^rine and example, to return to the
unity
44 BRITISH PLUTARCFT.
unity of the church. And yet even this, fulf
iind exprefs as it was, did not give content ;
but a iixth was fall required j which was
drawn up in fuch flrong and ample term 5, that
nothing was capable of being added to it ;
containing a prolix acknowledgment of all the
popiih errors and corruptions, and a moH
grievous accuiadon of himfelf as a blafphemer,
.an enemy of Chrift, and a murderer of fouls;'
on account of his. being the author of king^
Henry's divorce ; and of ail the calamities,,
fchifms, and herefies, of which that u^s the
fountain. This laft paper he fubfcribed on-
the eighteenth of March; not in che leaft fuf-
peding that the papiils deiigned, notwith-
ftanding all thefe fubfcriptions, to bring hini
to the llake ; and that the writ was abeady
figned for his execution.
Thefe fix papers were, foon after his deatb,
fent to the prefs by Bonner ; and publiflied,
with the addition of another, which they had
prepared foi' him t&fpeak at St. Mary's before
his execution ; and, though he then fpake to
a quite, contrary eiiedt, and revoked all his
former recantations, yet Bonner had the confi-
dence topublifh this to. the world, as if it had
been approved and made afe of by the arch-
bilhop.
The day appointed for his execution was
the twenty-firil of March ; and Dr. Cole was
fent to Oxford to prepare a fermon for the cc-
cafion. The day before, Cole vifited him in
the prifon, \> hither he was now removed ; and
THOMAS CRANMEU: //^
sfked him, if he flood firm in the faith he had
fubfcribed ? To whi^h Cranmer gave a fatif-
faftory anfwer. The next morning Cole vi-
sited him again j exhorted him to cooftancy,
and gave him money to difpofe of to the poor,
as he faw convenient.
Soon after, he was brought to St. Mary's
church, and placed on a low fcaffoid over
againft the pulpit. Then Dr. Cole began his
fermon ; the chief fcope whereof was, to en-
deavour to give fome reafons why it was expe-
dient that Cranmer fhould fuffer, notwithftand-
ing his recantvation : and, in th€ clofe, he ad-
dreiTed himfelf particularly to the archbifhop,
exhorting him to bear up with courage againll
the terrors of death ; and, by the example of
the thief on the <rofs, encouraged him not to
defpair, fince he was returned, though late,
into the bofom of the catholic church, and
to the profelfion of the true apoflolical faith.
The archbifhop, who, till now, had not
the leall notice of his intended execution, was
ilruck with horror at the bafe inhumanity and
unparallelled cruelty (not to be exceeded in
the infernal regions 1} of their proceedings.
It is utterly impoflible to exprefs what inward
agony he felt, and what bitter anguifh his foul
was perplexed with. During the whole fer-
mon he wept incelTantly : fometimes lifting
up his eyes to Heaven, fometimes caftin^
them, dov.n to the ground, with marks of the
ctnioH dejection,
Vv'hea
46 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
When it was ended, being moved to make
a confeffion of his faith, and give the world
fatisfadlion of his dying a good cathoh'c, he
confented, and, kneeling down, began the
following prayer :
*« O Father of Heaven ! O Son of God,
Redeemer of the world ! O Holy Ghoft, pro-
ceeding from them both, three perfons and
one God ! have mercy upon me, the moft
wretched cai tiff and miferable fmner ! I, who
have offended both heaven and earth, and
more greivouHy than tongue can exprefs !
Whither, then, ih all I go ? or, Where fn all I
fly for fuccour ? To heaven, I am afhamed
to lift up mine eyes ; and, on earth, I find no
refuge !* What fnall I then do ? Shall I de-
fpair ? God forbid ! O, good God, thou
art merciful, and refufeft none who come
unto thee for fuccour ! To thee, therefore,
do I run ; to thee do I humble myfelf ; fay-
ing, O Lord, my God, my fins be great, but
yet have mercy upon me, for thy infinite mer-
cy ! O God, the Son, waft thou not m^ade
man ? this great m^yftery was not wrought for
few or fmall offences Oiily : neither didil thou
give thy fon to die, O God the Father, for
our fmaller crimes, but for the greateft fms of
the whole world ; fo that the finner return
unto thee with a penitent heart, as I do now
in this moment. Wherefore take pity on
me, O Lord, whofe property is always to have
mercy : for, though my fins be great, yet thy
mercy
THOMAS CRANMER. 47
^mercy is greater. I crave nothing, O Lord,
for my own merits, but for thy name's fake,
aiKi that it may be glorified thereby, and for
thy dear fon Jefus Chrifl's fake ; in whofe
words I conclude : Our Father, &c,"
Having finifhed the Lord's Prayer, he rofe
from his knees ; and, after he had exhorted
the people to a contempt of the vanities of this
-fmful and deceitful world, a patient obedience
to the queen, mutual love and chanty, and
bounty to the poor; he told them, that, be-
ing now on the brink of eternity, he would
freely declare unto them his real faith, and coi-
nion, without the leallreferve or difiimulation.
Then be repeated the Apoille's Creed, snd
profefTed his belief thereof, and of all things
contained in the Old and New Teiiament :
after which he declared his great and unfeigned
repentance, for having, contrary to his faith,
fubfcribed the popiih hereiies ; lamented,
with many tears, his grievous fall ; and de-.
clared, that the hand, which had fo offended,
fhould be burnt before the reft of his body.
Then he renounced the pope, in the mofi: ex-
prefs terms ; and profelTed his belief concern-
ing the Eucharift, to be the fame witli what
he had afferted in his book againft Gardmer.
This was a grievous difappoinmenc to the
papifts; they made loud clamojis, and
charged him with hypocrify andfalfliood. To
which he meekly replied. That he was a plaih
man, and neyer aded the hypocrite but when
he was feduced by them to a recantation. —
Upon
4^ :BRITISH PLUTARCH,
Upon this they hurried him to the ftake ; to
-which he approached with a chearful counte-
rance ; and, notvvithftanding the earnell folli-
citations of many of the papiiis, continued
Hill to declare his utter abhorrence of the po-
pifii errors, and hearty repentance for having
recanted.
After this, he kneeled down and prayed ;
and then, having midrefTed himfelf, and taken
leave of his friends, he was bound to the
llrake. As foon as the fire was kindled, he
ftretched forth his right arm, and held ity
ftedfaftly and without flirinking, in the flame
(only once he wiped his face with it) till it
was quite confumed, which was fome time be-
fore the f.re reached his body, nor expreffing
any great fenfe of pain. He often cried out,
*' This unworthy hand '. thi3 unworthy hand;"
and, lifting up his eyes to Heaven, expired,
with the dying words of St. Stephen in his
mouth : *' Lord Jefus receive my fpirit 1"
He wa-s a man naturally of a mild and gen-
tle temper ; not eafily provoked, and yet fo
eafy to forgive, and reward good for evil,
that it became a kind of proverb concerning
him, ** Do my lord of Canterbury a fhrewd
turn, and he will be your {riend as long as
you live."
His candour and fmcerity, faithful nefs and
integrity, mecknefs and humility, were ad-
mired by all who converfed with him : and,
when he was in power, his lenitf to the pa-
piiis was fo great, that he was charged wiui
remifnCiS
THOMAS CRANMER. 49
remlfnefs and negligence : but his reply was.
That men ought to have time allowed them to
difentangle themfelves from their prejudices;
and that, in the mean time, gentle ufage was
more likely to have a better influence on thera
than could be expeded from rigorous treat-
ment.
He had, by his interceflion with king
Henry, preferved the prefent queen's life,
when her father's anger was inflamed to fucli
an extravagant pitch, and her ruin feemed fo
irrevocably fixed, that neither the duke of
Norfolk, nor bifhop Gardiner, durll interpofe
a word in her favour, left they fliould perifli
with her : but the ungrateful queen, forget-
ing this noble fervice, and his eminent zeal
for her fucceiHon, could not refl till Ihe had
brought him to the Hake.
As to his learnirig, he was an excellent di-
vine. His knowledge in the fcriptures and
fathers was equalled by~few of his time : he
was alfo well read in the canoa and civil laws,
and not unacquainted with the more polite
part of learning. He had, in two folio vo-
lumes, made large coileclicns from the fcrip-
tures, fathers, councils, and fdioolmen ; and
digefled them into commoi; places : by which
he bravely juftifted the Englilh'ref •rmation,and
fhewed how fa^ the church of Rome had de-
generated from the dodririe, worfliip, and di-
fcipline, of the primitive church.
"^^-^1^.111. D Thefc
50 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
Thefe valuable remains, after they had been,
for fome time loft, th€ papifts endeavouring to
have them fupprefled, were, in the reign of
queen Elizabeth, happily recovered by arch-
bifliop Parker.
THE
STEPHEN GARDINER. 51
The LIFE OF
Stephen Gardiner.
THIS great man was an able lawyer, a
learned divine, and fhrewd ftatefoian?
being biihop of Winchefter, and chancellor of
England, in the fixteenth century. He was
born of obfcure parents at Bury St. Edmond,
in the county of Suffolk : but fome very good
authorities give us to underlland, that he was
the illegitimate fon of a prelate nobly de-
scended and royally allied, who took pains to
conceal a circumftance fo difcrediting to him-
felf, by bellowing his miflrefs on one of his
meaner fervants, whofe name this infant bore:
there appears to be the greatelt probability
that this was really the cafe : and, from an.
original pidture of his, painted by Holben,
we have good grounds to conclude, that his
birth ought to be fixed to 1483.
We know nothing of his education, or the
manner in which he pafied his youth ; but,
that he was fent to the univerfity of Cam-
bridge, where he fludied in Trinity-hall with
great diligence and fiiccefs. Pie was diftin*
guiflied there by his quick parts, his correal
pen, his elegance in writing, and fpeaking
D 2 Latiii
52 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
Latin, and for his extraordinary fiile in Greek,
which procured him very high compliments,
as to his acqulfitions in literature, when he
was in no condition to reward flatterers. In
procefs of time he applied himfelf entirely to
the civil and canon laws, for which that
learned foundation was very famous.
The reputation he -attained at Cambridge,
foon opened him a pa^ige into the favour and
confidence of feveral of the greateft men of
that age. Firll, a? fome report, he was taken,
under the proted\ion of that generous and po-
tent peer, Thomas, duke of Norfolk ; and
afterwards received into the family of the ftill
more potent cardinal Wolfey, in quality of
fecretary : but, v^hatever hopes he might en-
tertain of rifing at court, he had flill academi-
cal honours in view; and, in 1520, he re-
ceived the degree of dodlor of civil law; and,
the year following, he was made dodlor of
canon-law alfo. There is no queftion that,
as the cardinal of York's fecretary, he had a
good provifion made for him ; but this mult
have been by way of penfion or falary ; for
preferment, fo far as we find yet, he had
none.
In I '525, he was, by an accident, admitted
at once into the king's prefence and favour, ;
to the great fatisfa6lion of the powerful cardi-'
nal his mafter ; though afterwards, as the po-
liticians remarked, the cardinal funk in the
fame proporiion as this fervantof his rofe.
At
STEPHEN GARDINER. 53
At this JLinduie, the king's ciffairs at Rome
^•^'ere but in an untoward fituation, the Roman
ppntifF, Clement VII. having addiefs enough
((;) f^ed the king's agents with fair promifes,
^(rcording to the (landing maxims of that
c(>urt ; but, in effed, making no progrefs at
all towards the king's point ; which was his
Qptaining a divorce from his queen, Catharine
q[ Arra.gon. His majcfty refolved to knd fame
^^p•fon thither, in whom he eould entirely
c(^nh(ie, and of whcfe abiliiies and attach-
ly^en: he had a like opinion. After mack
cxfii flu era lion, he fixed upon our doclor, novv
beicome a mailer of Trinity-hall ; and, as bi-
{l;.op Burnet remarks, efreemed, at that time,
th^ ^tii civil lawyer in England ; to whom he
joined Edward Fox, provoH of King's Col-
lege, in Cambridge.
"i hefe commiiTioners departed in February,
ij'28. In their journey towards Iralv, they
e:)Jecuted a commiffion at the court oi' Paris,
yyjiere, by v/arm and vigorous recreientations
of what rheir mailer had done, and might d(j,
f(;i- king Francis, they obtained that monarch's
lifter to the pope, in as ftrong terms as could
b.j dcfired, in fupport of king Henry's de-
jj-j^nds. When they came to Ovieto, where
tii^ pope then v/as, Dr. Gardiner ufed free
larguage with his holinefs, Ihevved him the
tl^nger he v^^as in of lofing the king by play-
ing a double game ; and how much injury he
^vwuld do the cardinal if he failed his exped^a-
tjans. By thefe meafures alj was obtaiiied
D j • 'which
S-4 BRITISH RLUTARCe.
\v])ich Ills inilrudllons required, and a new
\:onimiiricn, directed to the cardinals Wolfey
and Campegius, v/asilTued.
In the courfe of this long embafTy, the pope,
U'hofemind was continually perplexed, and to
whom the imperial, French, and En^'fn mi-
Jiillers allowed no quiet, fell dangerou^^Sll i-
the difordeis of his afFedions operating ^o»
the humours of his body : and this, as might
he expcded, gave a new tui'n to the intrigues
ef R.ome.
Dr. Gardiner had as large a fnare in thefe
as any minifter ; for he laboured the caufe of
the cardinal of York, in cafe the pope's death,
made way for a new ele6\ion : he alfo ma-
naged the whole affair with his holinefs much
to the fitisfaction of the king, the cardinal, and
Anne Bullen ; all of whom vvrithim mod thank-
ful and aifedionate letters ; till, finding the
pope was determined to do nothing, Henry
called Gardiner from Rome, in order to make
life of him in the management of liis caufe be-
fore the legantine court.
Upon his return, he had the archdeaconry
of Norfolk beilowed upon hira by bifnop
Nyx, of Norwich, for whom he had obtained
fome favours from the pope. He was inflalled
on the firft of March, 1529 ; and this, as far
as appears, was his firll preferment in the
church : but in the ftate his growth was
quicker j for the king, having conftant need
of his fervice, and not efteeming it proper to
ufe it while hs belonged to another, took him
froia
STHEPHEN GARDINER. 5^-
from his mailer Wolfey, and declared him fe-
cretary of Hate.
In this fituation he wasconfickred as havino;
a large (liare in the management of all affairs ;
and was particularly advifed with by the king,
when cardinal Campegio declared that the
caufe was avoked to Rome.
When, in confequence ofthefe proceeding?^
Wolfey declined in favour, in his dillrers he
had recourfe to his old fervant, then fecretary;
and, though fome have infmuated the con-
trary, he met with as ilncere returns of grati-
tude and friendihip, as he could defire or ex-
pcft.
The year enfuing opened with the moll im-
portant fervice, at leall as his mailer con-
ceived it, that had been as yet rendered him
by Dr. Gardiner; and which, neverthelefs,
does more honour to his abilities than hij vir-
tue : and this v/as, to manage the univerfity
of Cambridge fo as to procure their declara-
tion in the king's caufe, after Dr. Cranmer's
book ihould appear in fupport of it. This,
in conjunction with Dr. Fox, he accom-
plilhed, though not without much artifice and
addref^, as his own letters ihews ; which fuf-
ficiently demonllrates, that men, and even
great bodies of men, have been much the fame
in all ages. After this great exploit, as it
was then thought, his afcent in the churCi. was
marveloufly quickened.
In the fpring of the year 153 i, he v/as 'n-
ilalled archdeacon of Leiceiler, refigning that
D ^ of
56 BRITISH PLUTARCH,
of Norfolk, which he had before ; and, to-
wards the clofe of the month of September
enfuing, he alfo refigned that in favour of his
coadjutor Dr. Edward Fox, who became af-
terwards biOiop of Hereford. In the month
of 06lober, he was incorporated at the uni-
verfity of Oxford ; and, on the twenty-feventh
of November, 153 1, he was confecrated bi-
iTiop of Winchefter, contrary to what many
writers afTert, that he was not promoted to
this fee till about three years after. On the
fifth of December following, the temporalities
were reftored ; which is a fufficient proof, that
the former is the right date.
Dr. Gardiner, it feems, was not apprized of
the king's intentions, who would fometimes
roall him found ly, and, at the inflant he be-
iiovved it, put him in mind of it. *' I have,"
faid he, *' orten fquared with you, Gardiner,
(a word he ufed for thefe kind of rebukes) but
1 love you never the worfe, as the bilhopric
I give you will convince you."
He fat with Dr. Cranmer, archbifliop of
Canterbury, when that prelate pronounced the
fentence of divorce again ft queen Catharine ;
or, rather, declared her marriage with the
king null and void, on the twentieth of May,
ir33. The fame year he was fent over to
Marfeilles, that he might have an eye to the
interview between the French king and the
pope ; from whence his mafter fufpeded fome
detriment might fpring : and there he inti-
mated the appeal of lienry VIII. to a general
council
STEPHEN GARDINER. 57
council, in cafe the pope fhould pretend to
proceed in his caufe : and he did the like on
the behalf of the archbiOiop of Canterbury,
who made a particular application to him for
that purpofe.
Upon his return to England, he was called
upon, as other bifiiops were, not only to ac-
knowledge and yield obedience to the king as
fupreme head of the church, but to defend it;
which he did : and this defefiCe, or court-fer-
mon, he publifhed : and this is that celebrated
piece entitled, " Of True Obedience." Ilispen
was made ufe of upon other occafrons, and he
never declined vindicsting the king's proceed-
ings in the bufinefs of the divorce, thei-fabfe-
quent marriage, or throwing off the dolnini-
on of the fee of Rome ; which writings then
acquired him the higheil reputation.
In the next year, 1535, he had fonie dif-
pute with archbifliop Cranmer, on account of
-his vifi ting his diocefe; upon which occafion
there appeared a good deal of he^^.t on both
fides. When he went over again to France,
to refum.e his embalTy, he had the ill luck to
differ with another archbifhop of Canterbury,
as he afterwards became, Dr. Reginald Pole,
then dean of Exeter, whom, zs king Henry's
bitterefl enemy, he prevailed on the French
king to remove out of his dominions ; v/hence
thofe difpute;? grew which afterv/ards became
public.
D M'hile
58 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
While he was thus employed, Cnmileie de^-
manded h/s opinion about a religious league
v/ith the princes of Germany ; which, on that
bottom, he difTuaded ; and advifed making an
alliance, grounded on political motives, and
• ilrengthened by fubfidies, which he thought
would lail longer, and anfwer the king's ends
"better. In 1538, he was fent ambafTador^
with Sir Henry Knevit, to the German Diet^
where he is allowed to have acquitted himfelf
well in regard to his commiffion; but either
fell into fome fufpicion, or was in danger of
having fomething faftened to him, in refpe(fl
to his fecret correfpondence with the pope,,
which at that juncture might have been his
ruin. It is averted, that he was chief inili-
gator of thofe feverities, and was the principal
author of all the cruelties committed, about
this time, upon heretics, as they were then
called ; which, being a matter of great confe-
quence, the reader may expeft fhould be more
clearly difcufied. The only way of doing this,.
will be to confider a few of thofe fanguinary
proceedings in which he is faid to have had
the chief hand ; for this will fliew us what
credit is due to the general fuggeflion, that
perfecution was the great objeft of his coun •
ciis.
Amongft thefe, the firft that occurs is the
cafe of Lambert, who was burnt for denying
the real prefence in the facrament, and which
is commonly attributed to the virulent fpirit
of the bifnop of Winchefter, The ftatute,
commonly
STEPHEN GARDINER. 59
commonly called the fix articles, and which,
it muft he owned, was the law on which many
were put to death, is attributed to his con-
trivance, and faid to have been paiTed by his
influence; having been warmly oppofcd, both
by the archbiihop, and the vicegerent Crom-
well ; but thole who ailedge he had no credit
with the king, and was little beloved by the
people, cannot expedl an implicit faith to at-
tend fuch an aHertion. That he was princi-
pally concerned in drawing it, and that he
was very earnell in promoting it in the houfe
of lords, in conjundion with the duk& of
Norfolk, and other lords fpiritiial and tempo-
ral, thofe mail have but little knowledge in
Engliih hillory who will attempt to deny. It-
was not long after this, that Robirt Barnes
fell under profecution, and, in the iffue, was
condemned tcv be burnt ; v/ho, becaiife he
fliewed particular fpleen againft biihop Gar-
diner, and was firft committed to prison for
want of refpedl to him in a fcrmon, he is fur-
Bufed to have been the author of all his fuf-
ferings, and the perfon by whofc power that
unfortunate fry ar was at length brought to the
flake ; which is mentioned as a fecond in-
fiance of his good will to perfecution. There
h no doubt, that, in the courf3 of this reign,
the biihop of Wincheller mud: have done
many things againll his inclination, and feve-
ral againft his confcience. He was obliged to
take a fhare in the divorce of Anne of
Cleeves, which was none of the moft honour-
D 6 able -,
6o BRITISH PLUTARCH,
able; and he was likewife obliged to bear a
part in that of queen Catharine Howard,
which, confidering his attachment to their
moil noble farfiily, could be no very pleafing
employment. But in thefe, and other com-
pliances, he had many companions, and the
excufes made for them by fome great pens,
may ferve for him ; or the reader will pais
fentence as he pleafes, fmce we have no
intention to difguife faults, but to diiclofe
truths.
Upon the death of Sir Thomas Crom.well,
earl of ElTex, he was eledled chancellor of
the univerfity of Cambridge, 1540; which
preferment was very acceptable to him. He
Hill preferved h:.^ maflerlhip of Trinity hall;
and it was well he did preferve it, iince, in
the next reign, this, in moil peoples opiriicn,
preferved the foundation. As he was eledled
chancellor of the uuiverfity of Carribridge^
without influence, he was very aiTidious in his
office, that he might conciliate the affeiftions
of its mem.bers, and did all he could to ?i5ll
them with his intereH at court, which, when
he had aone any great fervice, was very good.
Certain if is, that whatever power or prefer-
ments his compliances obtained under this
monarch were dearly purchafed, fiace they
were held in continual hazard^ and imbittered
with violent ilorms of royal refentment ;
which, though, as the prelate himfeif fays,
he knew how to fuflain v/ithout fmking,
mull, . neverthelefs, be exceedingly dillalleful.
In
STEPHEN GARDINER. 6i
In fomeconjunftures too, we are fatisjFied, they
filled him with many apprehenfions, and,
though he might be dextrous in fometimes
fhifting off the king's ill-humours, yet at
others, how great or how alert ibever his fpi-
rit might be, he was forced to bear flights
with patience, and even to fubmit to very
difagreeable fupplications and expreilions of
deep humility, and great fenfe of his own
failings, diretlly contrary to the conviftionof
his confcience and underlianding.
In the time of king Henry, thefe were indif-
penfable conditions of miniftcrial greatnefs ;
nor was there any fuch thing as enjoying court-
favours, without being expofed alfo to threats
and frowns. Bilhop Gardiner felt thefe, as
Cranmer and others did alternately; living,
now in the fun-fliine, and by and by in the
fliade, or rather, under a cloud. But, in the
latter end of the king's life, ihe profpe6l grew
darker than ever. In 1544, if we may rely
on the credit of John Fox, who afiures us he
had what he relates from one Morrice, who
was fecretary to archbiihop Cranmer, this pre-
late had a very narrow efcape from the great-
eft dangers to which he v.'as ever expofed in
his whole life. He had a fecretary, and a re-
lation, one German Gardiner, v.'ho is faid to
Lave been much in his favour, and who had
diftinguiihed himfelf by his conferences with
John Frith, the martyr, an account of which
he publifhed. This young clergyman being
fufpeded in the matter of the king's fuprema-
cv.
6i BRITISH BLUTARCH.
cy, aprofecation was commenced againft him 5
and, his cbftinacy being great, he was executed
as a tray tor, March 7, 1544. The enemies
of the bifhop, and, as Fox fays, the duke of
Suffolk particularly, fuggefted to the king,
that it was very likely, iiOtwithiHnding all he
had written, that he was of the fecretary's
opinion, and that, if he was once in the tower,
matter enough mJght he found againfl him ;
on which his majefty confented to fend him
thither. But the bifhop, having intelligence
of this, went immediately to the king, fubmit-
ted with the utmoil: humility, confeffed what-
ever hismajeity charged him with, and, to the
no fmall difappointment of his enemies, by
complying with the king's humour, and Hievv-
ing the deepeft concern for his real or pretend-
ed failings, obtained full pardon. Yet after
this, we may fuppofe, provoked by fuch ufage,
for, as Fox llates it, one cannot avoid feeing it-
was a deiign to dertray him at any rate; he
thought of lefigning upon this invention, and
of turning their own artillery upon his adver-
faries ; particularly a^ainil Cranmer, as we
have lliewn in that prelate's life, with thei/fue
of their difference.
After this, the king opening himfelf to-
bif^op Gardiner, upon fome iufpicions he en-
tertained of his laft queen, Catharine Parr,-
as inclined to herefy ; he fo far improved thefe
jealoufies, as to prepare a paper of articles
againft her, which the king figned, and it was
agreed to fend hsr to the. Tower; but the
* chan-
STEPHEN GARDINER. %
ehancfllor, who was entrufted with thb
paper, dropped it out of his bofom, and it
was immediately carried to the princefs. She
fo wrought upon the king's affeftions, as to
difpel his fufpicions ; and this brought fevere
reproaches upon the chancellor, and the king's
refentment againft the biihop grew fo flrongj
that he would never fee his face afterwards.
We need not wonder, if^ ftanding in thh
light with the king, when drawing towards
his latter end, he left him out of his will, and
did not appoint him one of the counfcilors to
prince Edward, as he once intended. Sanders
alledges another reafon for this, which was,
that Gardiner, taking Tome favourable oppor-
tunity, perfuaded the king to rellore the fu-
premacy to the pope, cither by a folemn de-
claration in parliament, if there was time to
call one, or by an authentic ad of his own,,
if there was not ; which would fufhciently
manifeft his intention. In this refpect, the
king, as he tells the ftcry, foon after changed
his mind; and thence proceeded his enmity to
Gardiner, But all is pure RCiiGnj for biihop
Gardiner himfeif, in a fermcn before king
Philip and queen Mary, mentions feme fuch
thoughts in the king during the northern re-
bellion ; and, had there been a grain of truth
in it, no doubt would have mentioned his in-
clination at this time. Befides, there actually
was a parliament then in being, which was
dilTolved at his death. Some other reafons
were afTigned for the king's excluding him in
his
64 BRITISH PLUTARCH,
his teflament with no better foundation. But
whatever ufage he might meet with, at any
time from his mailer, be (hewed, upon all oc-
cafions, very high refpedl for his memory, and
ever fpoke and wrote of him with great de-
ference ; and though Fox treats him •very
coarfely on that head, yet others have thought
there was in it as much of prudence as of
gratitude. For was his condusfl lefs wary in
the reign of king Edward VI. while he would
never fet a hand to the great work of refor-
mation ; though he would not oppofe it, far-
ther than by humbly remonilrating againil it.
However this could not prevent his imprifon-
ment, which, as a fenfible author obferves,
was in all refpefts extraordin^,ry, and out of
the common forms of jullice.
H"^ was fent for, u'hen in London, to attend
the council, three weeks before the vifitors,
then appointed, cam4e into his diocefe; and,be-
caufe he would not promife to'receive the homi-
lies, and pay obedience to whatever the king's
vifitors might require, the council, notwith-
fianding his clofe reafoning the point, as to its
connilency vviih law, and his earneft entreaty
to give him a little fpace to confider, commit-
ted him clore prifoner to the Fleet. He was
there, as we fee by his letters and petitions,
very ftridly kept, and veryindiiferently ufed ;
which mull have been by order, iince John
Fox has marked on the margin of one of his
applications for redrefs, that the warden of the
Fleet v/as his fiiend. In the end he v*as dif-
char?ed
STEPHEN GARDINER 65
charged like a common malefactor, under co-
lour of the king's general pardon, though
never charged judicially with any oifence.
The very dates prove thefe fads ; he v-as
committed September die twenty-fifth, the
parliament ailembled November the fourth,
was prorogued December the twenty-fourth,
and he was fet at liberty before the clofe, of
that year, 1547. Befides this, all that we have
advanced is fupported by unqueflionable au-
thorities. In the courfe of this imprifonment,
it came out, that the famous (late- book of re-
ligion, publifhed by authority, under the title
of " The Erudition of Chriftian Man," was
compiled chiefly by bilhop Gardiner. By com-
paring this v/ith'the religious fyflems in the
reign of Edward VI. the difference maybe ken
between his notions and thofe of Cranmer ;
and from hence we may difcern, the proba-
bility of his being in earnell in his declarations,
without fuppofing, as almofl all Vv'riters do,
mifled therein by the papifts themfelves, that
in his heart he was a bigot to popery. Arch-
bifhop Cranmer was once as well pi afed with
the book afore-mentioned as any body, and
had recommended it as ftrenuouily ; but now,
having changed his mind as to the real pre-
fence, he was not willing the world fhould
know its true author ; and Gardiner, being
touched with his infmuations, replied very ea-
gerly in defence of his book.
Upon his obtaining his liberty, the bifliop
went down to his diocefe, and there was fo far
from
66 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
from creating any trouble or difturbance, thar
he was rernaikably a<Stive and dilige'-<t in giv-
ing obedience, snd feeing that it was given,
to thelaws concerning religion; but thofe who
had a difiike to him, would not fuffer him to
be long quiet. They were no fooner in-
formed of his returning to town, than they
procured an order for him to come before the
council, where he was roughly treated, and
then direded to keep his houfe till he gave
fatisfadion, which v/as to be done in a fermon
preached before the king and his minilkrs, in
a public audience, for the matter of which,
he was direded, as well what he fhould not,
as what he fhould fay, by Sir William Cecil,
On St. Peter's day, the bifhop did accordingly
preach, but was fo far from -giving fari:sfac-
tion, that the very next day, June the thirtieth
1548, he was fent to the Tower, and continu-
ed there a prifoner during all that reign. It
was very near a year, notwithiianding repeated
applications; that he continued there, without
having fcarce any notice taken of him, his
chaplain having admittance but once when he
was ill, and then retrained becaufe his life
was not thought in danger. When the pro-
testor was depofed, or fome fmali time before
he had hopes given him of his releafe, and
from thofe it is likely who could have done it
if they had judged it proper. But finding
himfelf deceived, he took the freedom of ap-
plying himfelf, by letter, to the council, of
which
STEPHEN GARDINER. 67
which we have probably a true, though cer-
tainly a very unpolifhed, account from honefl
John Stov/e ; . who iikewife tells us, very plain-
ly, why he publifned it; which, in eifecl, was,
that no body elfe would.
When the duke of Somerfet, though re-
moved from his high oiiice, found means to
come again into power, and to oe called to
counciU'^the aiiair of biihop Gardiner was
brought once more on the carpet, and the
duke and others, by virtue of an order of that
board, went to confer with him in the Tower,
June the ninth 1550. It was propofed that
he fhould make a fubmiiHon for what was
paffed, Ihould teftify his approbation of all
that had been done in religion fmce he had
been laid afide, and that he fhould promife
obedience for the future. The two lait points
Winchefter readily anfvvered to, and adually
figned all that was expefted from him ; but
refund his aflent to the firft, infilling upon his
innocence. Much felicitation there was, with
what intent one cannotfay ; at lailjthe biihop,
perceiving they rofe in their demands, told
them roundly he would do nothing in aprifon;
and, that he did not feek either favour or pity,
but juiHce. On the nineteenth of July he
was brought to the council, and being allied,
whether he would fubfcribe the lall article or
not, he anfwered in the negative ; and it was
thereupon declared to him, that his bifnopric
ihould be fequellered ; and, if in three months
he did not comply, they would go llill farther.
V/hea
68 BRITISH P LUTARCH.
When the three months were fully expiree!,
and the bifhop remained in the fame fenti-
ftients, a refoludon was taken to proceed ju-
dicially againfl him, in order to deprive him
of the fee of Winchefter, and what other
preferments he had under the authority of the
king^^ commliTion, in which the archbiihop
preilded. Tliefe conimiffioners began their
proceedings December the fifteenth, and ended
them February the fourteenth following, hav"
ing had in all two and twenty felTions, when
the grand affair was f nifhed, and the bifhop
deprived, for irreverence to the king's autho-
rity; Though Gardiner very prudently laid
the weight of the whole on the delegator?,
who deprived him, and, by proteiling and
appealing to the king, fliewed plainly that ail
the hopes of redrefs he had, lay in the crown,
and mull fp:^ ~g from the exercile of that fu-
premacy to whr'ch they reprelented him. All
the remaining p..rt of his reign, however, the
bilhop remained in the fame ilate, that is, a
clofe prifoner ill rhe Tower; and yet, not fo
ftri^flly kept, at ieafl all the latter part of the
time, as the order of the council feemed to re-
quire ; for certain it is, that in this fpace, he
not only wrote many controverfial pieces, but
alfo compofed varietv of Latin poems, and
tranflated into verfe feveral beautiful paffages
in the books of Eccle iailes, Wifdom, job,
and other poetical parts of the Old Tella-
ment. He alfo kept up his fpirits all that
time, and was wont to fay very confidently,
as
STEPHEN GARDINER. 69
as either believing it, or defiring to be thought
to believe ii, that he il.ould live to fee another
turn, and another court, in which he fhould be
as great as ever.
On the death of king Edward, no donbt,
he forefaw that turn was near, notwithftanding
the new court fet up in his neighbourhood,
for that unfortunate lady, queen jane. On the.
nineteenth of July 1553? queen Mary was
publickly proclaimed by ti-at very council
which the day before owned the right of her
competitor, and gave her the ccarfe and inju-
rious title of bailard of Henry VIII. On the
third of Auguft the queen made her folemn
entry into the Tower, when biihop Gardiner,
in the name of himfelf and his fellow pri-
foners, the duke of Norfolk, the dutchefs of
Somerfet, the lord Courtney, and others of
high rank, made a congratulatory fneech to
her majelly, who gave them all their liberties.
On the eighth of the fame month he perform-
ed in the queen's prefence, the cbfequies for
the late king Edward, whofe body was buried
in Weiiminller, with the Engiilh fei vice, by
archbifnop Cranmer, the funeral fermon being
preached by bifliop Day. On the ninth, bi-
fhop Gardiner went to WinciiefiCr-houfe, in
Southwark, after a confinement of fomewhat
more than five years. On the twenty-third he
was declared chancellor cf England, though
his patent did not pafs *tiil the uventy-finl: cf
September. On the iirll of October he had
the honour of crowning the queen, and on
the
70 BRITISH PLUTARCH,
the fifth of the fame month he opened the firfl
parliament in her reign. By this time he was
in pofTeffion again of his academical honours ;
for as at the beginning of his misfortunes the
univerfity of Cambridge eledled in his place
the duke of Somerfet, and, on his fall, the
duke of Northumberland ; fo when he fell,
they chofe the bifhop of Wincheiler for their
chancellor, and reftored him aifo to his lord- '
fliip of Trinity-hall, then pofTeiTed by dodor
Mowfe.
At this jundure, the bifhop of Wincheiler,
either through the queen's elleem for, and
confidence in, him ; or, as fome fuggeft,
though without any great evidence, through
the recommendation of Charles V. was pof-
felTed of a larger compafs of civil and eccle-
fiallical power, than any Engliih minijler ever
enjoyed, except cardinal Woolfey; and in his
management of this, in all its various branches,
though taken from fo long an imprifonment,
and labouring under the weight of fo gnjat an
sge as feventy, his bittereil: enemies muft al-
low he gave indubitable marks of fuperior
talenis. If contriving to accompliih, and that
in a ihort time, things fo great and difficult,
as to furpafs ail men's expedations, be, as the
v/orld fee ins agreed they are, lure figns of fu-
perioi talents. The queen is faid, by moft of
our hiilorians, to have recommended three
o-reat points to the bifhop of Winchefter's care,
with eqnal concern, all of which were attended
with almoft equal difficulties ; the firit was,
the
STEPHEN GARDINER. 71
the clearing the legitimacy of her birth, and
annulling the div'orce of her rfiother ; though
this was apparently bailavdizing her filler,
and prefumptive fucceiTor. The next was,
reftoring the old religion, and reconciling the
nation to Rome, in the fame manner as be-
fore her father's defertion. The third was, ob-
taining the confent of parliament, to her mar-
riage with prince Philip ; which was fo un-
popular, that the former houfe of commons
prepared an addrefs to the queen not to marry
a fojeigner.
Amongft all the fecret and open obHacIes,
which were not a few, that our minifter had
to overcome in the profecution of thefe mea-
fures, none probably gave him more trouble
than getting over his diflike to'^ every one of
them. The procuring the divorce was the
firfl: fource he rendered the father, and now re-
verfmg this divorce, and branding all who
had been concerned in it, was the firfl fervice
required by the daughter. He had alfo ailif-
ted, promoted, and defended, the king's fu-
premacy, which made way for all that follow-
ed, as much or more than any in the king-
dom, and had the reputation alfo of pennino-
what was publifhed in defence of that prince's
marriage with Anne BuUen, and ail that hap-
pened thereupon, which was now to be con-
demned as null and illegal, Bcfides, fo far
as we are guided by unqueilionacle authori-
ties, this feems to have been going greater
lengths than he intended ; for hitherto he
had
72 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
had not entered into a correfpondence vvith
the pope, or done any thing in ecclefiaftical
sfFairs but in virtue of the queen's fupremacy,
an authority more agreeable to his fyftem of
divinity than that , of the Roman pontift'; but
in that particular the queen was inflexible,
and her paffion as Ilrong to relinquifh this
title to the pope, as her father's ambition had
been to take it from him. The Spaniih
match crcfTed the mind of Wincheller, as
much as it did that of the nation ; he forefaw
that many troubles would follow fvony^ff^ and
that the queen would enjoy none of that fe-
licity with which fhe flattered herfelf in the
profped. But he well knew what a temper
jhc inherited from her parents, and that flie
would find miniilers enough to carry into ex-
ecution all that Ihe propofed. Upon this con-
fideration, joined to a fenfe of his own dan-
ger from what was pafied, if a new revolution
happened, he refolved to remain where he
was, and employ his utmoft fiiill to render the
meafures of queen Mary's reign as beneficial
to herfelf, and as little burthenfome to her
people, as in their nature they could be.
The convocation being aflembled, he pro-
cured fuch queflions to be moved there, as he
judged conducive to the change he propofed
tojnake; yet went no farther thaifdeclaring
the real prefence in the facrament, which
made way for reviving the old fervice on the
twenty-firft of December. In parliament he
went the fame pace, repealing, by a Angle
law,
STEPHEN GARDINER. 73
law, more afts, pafTed in the reign of king
Edward, refpefting religion ; by which thofe
who were of that religion countenanced by-
king Henry, became as fafe as they could
wilh ; and even the groffsift papifts were out
of danger, yet not rellored to power. The
queen's legitimacy was eflabli(hed, the divorce
declared null and void, the whole fault being
thrown upon archbifliop Cranmer.
Thele extraordinary changes were wrought
rather by addrefs and fair fpeeches, than by
violence and corruption, though fome of our
writers fay the contrary. As to force, the
queen, a few guards excepted, had none; and
her care as to money was the fame, though
the bifhop of Wincheller was a frugal miniiler.
But what feems to put corruption out of the
queftion in this parliament, is, that after all,
the members could not be br-- ught to relifh
the queen's marriage to Don Philip; and there-
fore, the chancellor advifed the diflblving this
aflembly before the clofe of the year. And
thus two of the three great points were accom-
plifhed. But much greater difficulties were
to be furmounted before the third could be
brought to bear. The marriage treaty was
left entirely in the hands of biihop Gardiner,
and it is allowed he managed it very dex-
troufly. He made ufe of the great rcluftance
Ihevvn by the lall parliament, to procure fuch
articles as might fecure the nation againll the
ambition of Philip and his Spaniards ; and
forefeeing expen<:e3 might follow upon this
Vol, 111. E match,
74 BRITISH PLUTARCH,
match, notvvithftp.nding the hard bargain he
had made, he procured, as is faid, half a
million flerling from the emperor, to facilitate
the approbation of a new parliament. But
while thefe preparations employed thofe in the
cabinet, fuch as abhorred this match were
contriving very formidable meafures for its
difappointment. Sir Thomas Wiat of Kent,
and Sir Peter Carew of Cornwall, laid the
plan of a deep and dangerous infurredion,
in which the unfortunate duke of Suffolk had
juR (hare enough to bring his own head, and,
which was much more to be regretted, the
heads of lady Jane, and her huiband lord
Guilford Dudley, to the block. The whole
fcheme mifcarried by the ill management,
and, to fay the truth, the want of honefty in
the chiefs.
All infurre(5^ions, when fupprefTed, are ufeful
to thofe againft whom they are raifed, more
efpecially when managed hy men of parts
and dexterity. None knew better how to
procure, or to ufe advantages, than the bi-
fhop of Winchefter ; and he fo well managed
men's hopes and fear?, with every other help
he had, that when the queen's fecond par-
liament met, April the fecond JSS4-> ^^ ^^'^Y
foon appeared he might prevail on them to
give a fandion to his meafures, whatever they
were. The terms of the queen's marriage, as
he fettled them, met with very little oppofi-
tion ; and as for making fevere laws againll
heretics, it is allowed the bifliop had no other
trouble
STEPHEN GARDINER. 75
trouble than to reilrain them, which in feveral
inftances he did. His own and the wifer bi-
fliop's zeal, not flaming near fo high as that
of this houfe of commons. In the whole of
his conduft through this parliament, over
which he had as much influence as minifttr
ever had, there was nothing done that was ci-
ther unworthy of his flation, or injurious to
his country ; on the contrary, forefeeing that
fome who hadaccefs to the queen might make
an ill ufe of her confidence, and engage her,
by plaufible promifes, to countenance things
every way beneath her, and dangerous to her
fubjedls, he procured this to be put out of her
power, by a fliort law, drawn by his direflion.
But when the great meafures aimed at were
adjufted, the chancellor, fuppofing that what
remained for accomplifhing the whole of the
queen's plan, might be compaffed more effec-
tually after the marriage ; the queen, on the
fifth of May, came to the parliament, and,
having given her confent to fifteen bills, dif-
folved that aiTembly.
All obftaclcs to the marriage being now re-
moved, and the circumftances of the houfe of
Auftria making it neccfiary to haflen it, king
Philip put to fea, and arrived, towards the
clofe of July, at Southampton, efcorted by a
confiderable fleet, which, however, was oblig-
ed to pay homage to that of England, in the
narrow feas ; fuch was the temper of thcfc
times, and the vigour of that adminiflration.
He proceeded, with a numerous train of no-
E 2 billrv.
76 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
bility, from Southampton to Winchefter,
where he was received, and fplendidly enter-
tained, by the biihop; on St. James's day,
the tutelary faint of Spain, he was, by that
prelate, folemnly married to the queen, in the
cathedral, the emperor Charles V. refigning
to him the kingdom of the two Sicilies, and
many nominal fovereignties, upon the mar-
riage. In his way to London, the king t( ok
Windfor, where he was inilalled knight of the
garter, and made his entry into this capital oq
the eleventh of AuguH: 1554, with prodigious
magnificerice, and, like all new princes, with
univerfal acclamations.
The chancellor, well knowing this fair
weather would not continue long, refolved to
avail himself of it while it lafted; and, there-
fore, called a new parliament about the middle
of November the fame year. A very little time
after the feflion began, cardinal Pole came in-
to England, with the title of legate, not much
to the real good liking either of the king or
charcellor. '
By thefe gradations all things were brought
back to their old fituation ; and the fangui-
nary laws for reprefling herefy, revived and
carried into execution.
Thus the bilhop of Winchefter paid the
fall price of his exaltation to the miwiflry,
and ob ained, in fpite of all difficulties, all
that the queen had defired. Eat the joy in
this wa5'^^uickly troubled by the bloody perfe-
cution fet on foot in almoll all parts of the
kingdom.
STEPHEN GARDINER. 77
kingdom, whether by the advice, and with the
entire concurrence, of the bifhop of Winchef-
ter, as many liiftorians affirm, it is bucjuft
fhould be more largely difcuffed than the
bounds of this narrative will allow. Certain
it is, that, to this time, our prelate had not
difcovered any thing of this difpofition. He
is indeed reputed, by many of our hiftorians,
a great dilTembhr ; but in this a6led quite
another part. In all public tranfaclions he
profefTed himfeif always with the fam.e opinion
wi:h the council, and did not aim ar fciecning
himfeif from popular odium, by putting on a
cloak of moderation. But in all the trials,
where, by virtue of cardinal Po.e's coniniif-
lion, he was obliged to be, he was exceed ig-
ly afliduous to Oiew the prifoners, that, 'n tJie
matter of the real prefence, which was moil
infilled on, they might eafil\ fave their lives,
by complying Vvithfubfcriptions drawn in very
general terms ; till, by foul language, they
convinced him that he had to do with men vho
we: f- as little to be wheedled as frighted out
of their principles. This fuicly proves that
he was not defirous of fev'eriti-s, or perfecuted
for the fake of gratifying a cruel temper, or
to revenge pail injuries. And that fuch pro-
teflants as were of milder natures, and content
to referve themfelves for better times, when
driven to dillrefs were well received by him,
and not barely fcreened but encouraged and
protedled, without offering any violence to
their confciences, farther than locking them
E 3 up.
78 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
up,, and committing the key to the cuftody of
their own difcretions, we may very fafely af-
iirm is a point out of difpute. For towards the
clofe of the year, it was llrongly reported, and
Indeed generally believed, that the queen was
v/ith child ; for which rejoicings were made,
and prayers appointed for her fafe delivery.
The chancellor made a right ufe of this wrong
notion ; he perfuaded her majefty to fet feveral
prifoners at liberty, that had been near a year
in confinement, and for that purpofe went in
perfon to the Tower, January the eighteenth
Is; 5 5, and difcharged the archbifiiop of York,
Sir Edv/ard Rogers, Sir James Crafts, Sir
Nicholas Throckmorton, Sir Edward Warner,
Sir George Harper, Sir William Saintlow,
Sir Gawin Caiew, Sir Andrews Dudley, Wil-
liam Gibs, Carthbert Vaughan, John Har-
rington, Efqrs. Mr. Tremain, and others.
One of thefe had a little before taken the U--
berty of expoilulating with him very freely,
notwithftanding which he had (beyond his.
expeftations perhaps) his liberty amongft the
refl:. His fon has given us, in an account of this
adventure, fome paflages relating to bifhop
Gardiner, very well worth notice.
The three months next enfuing, bifhop
Gardiner was employed in carrying the laws
lately revived againR heretics, into execution ;
and fat often (to his eternal difgrace) by vir-
tue of a commiffion from cardinal Pole, as
the pope's legate, at Winchefter houfe in
Southwark, to examine fuch as were brought
before
STEPHEN GARDINER. 79
before him. Yet, we are told, he foon grew
weary, and would proceed no farther ; upon
which, the cruel and invidious talk was put
upon Bonner ; neither was it long before he
grew relax, till quickened by orders from the
council, and other meafures. But it faither
appears in favour of Gardiner, that during
his embafiy, about this time, to the king of
Frarice, the great feal was put into the hands
of William marquis of Winchefter; and from
the council-books it appears, good ufe was
made of it for llirring up the perfecution ;
for quickening of which, writ after writ was
iiTued, and letters dire6led to the nobility and
gentry, as well as clergy, exciting them to
give their attendance, with their fervants, at
the burning of heretics ; fo that we fee this
cruel flame raged molt when the bilhop was
abroad, and grew Hill higher after his death.
Upon his coming home, he declared plainly,
he would have no farther hand in feverities,
and therefore thofe apprehended in his diocefe
v/ere removed into that of London, and fo
put under the jurifdiclion of Bonner, who in
a fliort time fell oir again, and had frefh re-
primands from the king and queen for his
relaxation and lenity. We may, from thefe
inliances, perceive, that fome made their court
to the queen, by promoting thefe cruel pro-
ceedings, and that they were neither prefTed,
nor could be impeded, by the bifhop of Win-
chefler. In matters of government, his in-
fluence was iliU without diminution, and, ac-
E 4 cordii-g
8o BRITISH PLUTARCH.
cording to his advice, a parliament wasfum-
moned to meet in Odlober ; for it was one of
his maxims, to have (hort feffions and frequent
parliaments. He had projecled fome additional
fccurity for church and abbey lands, which,
by a well-timed addrefs from the convocation
to the cardinal, which he put into his hands
himfelf, he had, in fome meafure, preferved to
all who pofTeiTed them ; and this projcft was
afterwards brought to bear by his friend, Mr.
fecretary Peek. Odober the twenty- firil: 1558,
he opened the feffion, with a judicious fpeech,
and was there again on the twenty-third,
which was the lall time of his appearing in
that afiembly.
Towards the clofe of this month, he fell
ill, and continued to grow worfe and worfe to
the thirteenth of November 1555, when he
departed this life, about the age of feventy-
two He died at the royal palace of White-
hall, about one in the morning; and about
three the fame mcrning his body was carried
over to Winchefter-houle, from whence the fu-
neral was performed. His death was a great
lofs to the queen his milhefs, who found no
miniiler that could manage her affairs fo well,
or keep her on fo good terms with the parlia-
ments, from whom, during his adminiilration,
flie received nothing, but lived upon the fet-
tled ordinary revenue of the crown, with fome
help, it may be, from the treafure brought
over by king Philip. His pen alfo was of no
fmall ufe, fince in polemical writbgs he was
inferior
STEPHEN GARDINER. 8i
inferior to none of his contemporaries. The
fefhion of thofe times allowed more to exte-
rior cxpreffions of funeral forrow than ours,
and by entertaining the eyes of the vulgar
with a lugubrious fpeclacLe of a great man's'
lail journey, imprefiedon their minds a greater
degree of reverence than could be wrought by
words. In this point, there was a remarkable
attention paid to the bifhop; and an author has
taken the pains to leave the ceremonies of his
obfequies, ciearly, circumftancially, and me-
thodically fet dc ■ n ; but this was an age,
when there was i.;ore atte.Lticn pa^d to fight
than to all the leit of the lenle^; and more
money bellowed, and more diligence ufed,
in feii-ing out fuch a folemnity, than without
fuch a detail as the abcve-mentioied could be
eafily imagined. Many intrigues were iet on
foot at court, on this great prelate's death,
about filling his places, which occafioned
fome delay in difpofmg- of them. The great
feal was, in the mean time, put into the hands
of Sir Nichoh.s Hare, mailer of the rolls, and,
on Nevv'-year's-day ^ollowing^, given to Dr.
Nicholas i eath, archbilhop of York. In the
chanceilorihipof Cambridge he was fucceeded
by cardinal Pole, who had fome inclination to
have held his bi(hopric of Wincheiler, too, in
. commendam; but at length it was given to
Dr. White, bifhop of Lincoln, the modeft car-
dinal contenting himfelf with a penfion of one
thoufand pounds a year out of the revenue,
£ 5 for
82 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
*or the fupport of his dignity. As to themaf-
terfhip of Trinity-hall, Dr. Mowfe, who took
it as a good proteftant in king Edward's time,
was now become fo good a catholic as to take
it again in queen Mary's time ; and, in the
days of Elizabeth, had a prebend of York be-
llowed on him, being once more become a
proteflant. As to the private eflate of biihop
Gardiner, he difpofed of it by will, of which
his two old friends, Sir Anthony Brown vif-
count Montacute, and Dr. Thomas Thirlby
bithop of Ely, were the executors.
*^. * # * e^
The
C-nrt/o/^ui/ tiy^wY .
j'"^/-
CARDINAL POLE. S3
The life of
Cardinal Pole.
REGINALD POLE, cardinal, was
defcerided of royal blood, being a youn-
ger Ton of Sir Richard Pole, lord Mo tague,
knight of the garter, and coufin-german to
Henry VIL by Margaret, his wife, daughter
of George, diike of Clarence, younger bro-
ther to king Edward IV. He was born at
Tiverton, in StafFordfhiie, in the year 1500 ;
and, after the greateit care hsd been taken by'
his mother to form his mind and manneiS
from his cradle, he was'Tenr, at feven years of
age, to be mftruded in gi-amnjar by the Car-
thufians, in the monadery at Shene, near
Richmond, in Surry : and, at about the age
of twelve, became a nobleman of M^gdaleu-
coUedge, in Oxford, where an appartment
was provided for him in the preildent's lodg-
ings. The famous Linacre, and William La 7
timer, two of the greateH mailers of thofe
times in the Greek and Latin tongues, were
our young nobleman's principal preceptors ^
and he made a confiderable progrefs in his Iiu-
dies under them.
In June, 1515, he took the degree of ba-
chelor of arts, having firll kept ^the regular
E 6 exercife
84 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
exercife for it ; and the fame year fupplicatcd
the congregation for leave to wear fuch a habit
and robes as were fuitable to his birth, and to
be admited into the public library. Some
time afterwards he entered into deacon's or-
ders; and, on the nineteenth of March, 15 17,
was made prebendary ©f Rofcomb, in the
church of Salilbury ; to which was added the
prebendary of Yatminfter Secunda, in the fame
church, on the tenth of April, 1519; the
deanery of Wimbourne monaftcry, or mini-
jler, in Dorfetlhire ; and that of Exeter, in
Devonlhire, being conferred on him about the
fame time.
Thefe early promotions were no more than
the genuine cffeds of the munificent temper of
king Henry VI II. to whom he was related,
and who direded his breeding to the church,
with a defign to raife him to the higheft dig-
/lities in it. Nor was Pole undeferving of the
royal bounty. To a good ihare of natural
parts were joined a fweet and noble temper,
and a love of letters.
He was now nineteen years of age, and,
having laid a good ground- work of learning
at Oxford, it v/as determined, according to
the cuilom of thefe times, to fend him, for
further improvement, to Italy, where the li-
beral arts and fciences then flourifhed. This
deftination v^as very agreeable to him ; he had
himfelf follicited it, and a fupport fuitable to
his rank was provided by the king, who al-
lowed
CARDINAL POLE. ^5
lowed him a large yearly penfion, befides the
profits of his dignities.
He went, therefore, accompanied with a
learned attendance ; and, on his arrival, after
vifiting feveral other univerfities, he made, Pa-
dua his choice, then mod flourifliing for elo-
quence. Here he hired a handf(>me houfe,
and fettled a proper houfboid. Such a diftir^.
guiftied figure cou'd not fail of drawing the
eyes of all the learned men in the place upon
him ; and put it into his power to make the
befl advantage of their abilities towards per-
fefting the plan of h'- iludies. He like-
wife, at the fame time, became the delight
of that part of the world, for hi: learning, po-
litenefs, and piety. At the fame time he grew
not lefs the darling of his own country, wnere
every one endeavoured to heap favours on
him ; particularly Fox, bifhop of Wincheller,
made him fellow of the new-founded college of
Corpus- Chrifti in Oxford, on the fourteenth
of February, 1523. From Padua our noble-
man v;ent to Venice, where he continued for
fome time, and then vifited fome other parts
of Italy.
Having fpent five years abroad, he was re-
called home; but being very defirous to fee
the jubilee, which was celebrated this year
at Rome, he took a tour to that city ; and,
paffing by the way of Florence, he was re-
ceived honourably, 2nd had prefents made to
him there as well as at other places on tKe
road. At Rome, he was entertained with the
fame
86 BRITISH PLUTARCH,
fame refpefti and, after he had fadsfitd hl»
curiofity in vifitlng the court, the churches,
religious houies, ar^d raritie; , he returned to
England, before the expiration of 1525 ; and
was received with great affection and honour,
as well by the court as the nobility. But the
world, however alluring, had no charms for
his talle at prefent : devotion and lludy v/ere
his fole delight j and, in order to have a full
and free enjoyment of them, he refolved to
retire to his old habitation, among the Car-
thullans at Shcne, having obtained a grant
from the king of the apartment which Dr.
Colet had lately built for his own ufe in the
fame exercifes.
He had called two years with great pleafure
in this retirerMcnt, when king Henry Vilf. be-
gan ',0 i^art his fcruple5 about the lawfulnefs of
his marriage with qu^en Catharine of Spain in
order to a div -rce. Pole, forefeeing the
commotions whicli this incident mull occafion,
and that he fhould not efcape being involved
in them if he llaysd in the kingdom, refolved
to withdraw ; and, making ufe of the pretence
of compleating his ftud-'es, he obtained his
majefty's leave to go to Paris. Here, carrying
fome learned perfons in his train, he pailed Lis
time in that tranquility, which is fo much the
defire of, and is lb necelTary for, ftudious per-
fons ; till the king, profccuting the an'air of
the divivrce, fsnt to the moll noted univerfides
in Europe for their opinion on his cafe.
Wi^^
CARDINAL POLE. %j
On this occafion, Pole was fent to, and de-
lired to concur with the king's agents. This
threw him into fome perplexity for a while ;
but, at length, he refoived to leave the nego-
tiation wholly to thofe who were joined with
him in the commiffion ; and to excule himfelf
to the king, as unfit for employ, fince the
courfe of his ftudies had lain another way.
But Henry was fo much difpleafed, that,
when his kinfrnan returned home, not long
after, he was advifed, by all means, to clear
himfelf of all aifloyalty, and appeafe his ma-
jeily's anger : and, having averted the llorm
for the prefent, by his fubmiflion, he retired
to his former habitation at Shene ; where he
profecuted his ftudies and devotions undif-
turbed for the fpace of two years.
In the mean time, Henry, perceiving the
court of Rome's intentions to baffle his pro-
ceedings, carried on, under their authority,
againft Catharine, kindled into a refolution to
fhake oiF the yoke of that affumed authority,
and to rely wholly on his ovvnfubjeds. This
politic liep brought new troubles upon Pole :
he was now univerfaliy eileemed for his learn-
ing and piety; and v,'a5 befides of the royal
blood. It was obferved, therefore, that his
confent would be of great fervice as an exam-
ple to the reft. Accordingly, no means were
left untried to win him over ; and, being ir-
refiftibly prefled on every fide, he yielded, at
length, to the occafion ; and repaired to the
king, with a defign to give him fatisfai^ion :
but
88 BRITISH PLUTARCH,
but his confcience checking him the moment
he was about to fpeak, he was not able to ut-
ter a word. The extremity infpired him with
courage, and, quitting the former purpofe,
he fpoke his mind to the king ; which, be-
ing fuch as was not pleafing nor expected,
Henry, with a countenance full of anger, put
his hand, fometimes to his poniard hanging at:
his girdle, with an intention to kill him, but
was overcome with the fimplicity, humility,
and fubmiiTion of his kinfman's addrefs, and
difmiifed him in tolerable temper, without
urging the poi.it any more.
Pole, however, being apprehenfive that fur-
ther danger would inevitably accrue to him, if
he contiiued in England, laid hold of the
king's paciEc difpofition, to apply to him, by
fome friends, for leave to withdraw, under a
pretence for further improvement in the uni-
verfuies abroad ; which he obtained : and his
majeicy was fo far fatisfied at prelent, that he
contijaued his penlion for fome time.
The firft place Pole went to, was Avignon,
m France, which then fiouriflied in the ftudies
of the liberal arts and fci^nces. The town
was under the pope's jurildidion, and our au-
thor continued there unmolefted for the fpace
of a year ; but finding the air not to agree
wii^ his conftitutiony he left it, and went to
Padua, where before he had experienced a
better air, befides good company, and the bve
of learned men. In this beloved univerfityhe
fixed his jefidence the fecond time, making
excurfions
CARDINAL POLE. §9
excurfions now and then for diverfion to Ve-
nice. With regard to iludy, divinity had now
his principal attention, yet not (o as to exclude
the inferior fciences. At the fame time, learn-
ing and religion went hand in hand ; nature
had given him a ftrong turn to that kind of
devotion which is charaf^eriftical.lydiilinguinied
in the Roman church by the name of piety.
There was one Mark, a monk, faid to be a.
perfon of great learning, and greater piety,
who then taught theology ; with this mailer
Pole was exceedingly delighted, and attended
his leflures afiiduoufly. In the fame difpofi-
tion, he admitted into an iriimate familiarity
Cofmo Sherius, bifhop of Fano, a ci;y in
Umbria ; in whom, though young, he found
an eminent fund of knowledge in feveral
branches of literature, joined to afmgularho^
nefty in manners and tonverfation, and an ar-
dent defire of piety. A^t Venice alio our no-
bleman became acquainted with the famous
Gafpar Contarenus, who afterwards was elected
into the college of cardinals, as likew-f^ he did
with Peter CaraiFa, bifhop of Theate, who,
about that time, had founded a new religious
order at Venice, cal-ed Theatines, but became
afterwards the turbulent pope PaulIV. and an
enemy to Pole,
Several other perfons of the firft reputation
iri the republic of letters, are ranked mongft
his acquaintance : but, above all, there was
none fo familiar with him as a noble Venetian
ca lied
90 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
called Aloifius Priiiii. He was a pcrfon offin-
gular worth and integrity, and a friendfnip
was now bej^un between them which ended
not but with the death of Pole. Thus the
days pafTed veiy agreeably in Italy, but frefh
troubles were brewing in England.
Henry had not only divorced Catharine, but
married Anne Bullen, and refolved to throw
off the papal yoke, and aflert his right to the
fupremacy, with the title of Supreme Head
of the Church. To this end he had procured
a book to be written in defence of that title
by Dr. Richard Sampfon, billiop of Chice-ler;
and, obferving the high efleem in which Pole
was held, both at home and abroad, he was
not a little deCrous to have it coniirmed by
his kinfman. He therefore difpatched a cou-
rier with Dr. Sampfon's book and a letter, re-
quiring his opinion upon the matter. Na
body was better acquainted with the king's
vioiene temper in general than Pole ; the fate
of Sir Thomas More and billiop Fiftier par-
ticularly had reached his ears ; and, feeing
the method pradifed in order to bring him
over to acknowledge the new title, he per-
fuaded himfelf that the like means were de-
figned to bring on the like conclufion ; and,
that the prefent application was a fnare laid
purpofely to uflier him to the block. He
therefore contrived fome excufes for defering
his anfvver; and, when he found no delays
could prevail any longer, taking courage fron?
the
CARDINAL POLE. 91
die fecurity of the pope's protedlion, he not
only difapproved the king's divorce, and repa-
ration from the apoftolic fee, in aniwer for the
prefent, but iliortly after drew up his piece Pro
Unitate Ecclefiailica, and fent it to king
Henry. This confidence was a notorious proof
of his zeal and attachment to the fee of Rome.
Befides ufing very rude and indecent language
to biftiop Simpfon, he not only prelled the
king earneflly to return to the obedience he
owed to that fee, but excited the emperor to
revenge the injury done to his aunt, the di-
vorced queen, with a great many iTiarp reflec-
tions.
Henry was much difpleafed with this con-
dudl, and, knowing that the book could not
long lie concealed in Italy, though Pole had
promifed not to publKh it, fent for our author
to come to England, that he might explain
fome paffages of it to him : but Pole, well
aware that it was made treafon in England to
deny his majefty's fupremacy, which was the
principal fcope of his book, chofe not to obey
the call ; but defired the king, as now being
freed from her who had been the occafion of
all this, to take hold of the preient occafion;
and redintegrate himfelf with the pope, and
accept the council now fummoned ; whereby
he might have the honour of being the caufe
of the reformation of the church in doflrine
and manners; afluring him, that otherwife
he would be in great danger.
This
92 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
This was the laugu^.ge of a fuperior. It
was manifeil from what fountain he now drew,
and the king therefore refolved to keep ^mea-
fures with him no longer : accordingly, his
penfion was withdrawn ; he was flripped of
all his dignities in England ; and an adl of at-
tainder of hightreafon pafTed againft him :
but he was abundantly compenfated for thefe
loffes and fufferings by the bounty of the pope
and the emperof. He had been, as it is faid,
muc.-t agai'il: his own inclination, created a
cardiial, in January preceding, by the title
of S. Nereurand Achilleus; then of St. Mary,
in Cofmedin ; and, at length, of St. Prifca :
and foon after was fent by the pope, with the
charader of Nuncio, both to France and Flan-
ders ; that, being near England, he might
hold a correfpondence with the catholics tliere,
in order to keep them ftedfall in the faith of
that church.
At Paris he was received by the king very
honourably, but did net ftay long there; for
Henry, being informed of it, fent to demand
him of the French monarch ; which being no-
tified to him by that prince, he removed to
Cambray, and put himfelf under the protec-
tion of the biihop iSere. Yet neither was this
a place of fafety for him, by reafon of the
war then between France and the empire, in
which Henry wa3 engaged ; fo that the Engiilh
foldiers were continually harraffing thofe parts.
The nuncio was therefore very defirous to
leave
CARDINAL POLE. g^
leave the place, and the more for this reafon,
that he now heard of his being proclaimed a
traitor in England, and a price fet upon his
head.
During this perplexity, cardinal Erardas, a
Marchia, bifhop of Liege, inviting him thi-
ther, he immediately pofted from Cambray,
and was received as a bi other, and moll liber-
ally entertained. Here he continued fix n:onths,
waiting till all things fhould be amended in
England, according to the delire of France and
the emperor ; but thefe expedations proviiig
vain, our nuncio found himfelf ilill in danger
of being delivered up to Henry VII L Here-
upon he left Leige, and, by the pope's com-
mand, returned through Germany to Rome,
where he was- very gracioufly received ; and,
not long after, attendeu his holinefs to Nice,
to affift in making a peace between France and
the empire : after which, he was employed hy
the pontiff to thefe two princes, and fonie
others, to perfuade them *:o enter into a league
againft England, in order to reftore it to the
ancient ^-eligion, cleanfe it of herefy, and re-
lieve the devotees to the apoi.o'"c fee, then in
a lingering and groaning coi;.' cion, a thing
of greater neceff ty and merii than to war
againft the Turk.
To diipatch this embaffy with quicknefs,
and to avoid the toils of Henry Vlil. ^or car-
dinal went incognito, aid with a very fe.v'at-
tendants, firrt to the emperor, tlien at Toledo,
defigning to proceed from thence to France.
But
94 B RI T I S H- P LUTARCH.
But this projeft being counterworked by
Henry, the cardinal met with a cool reception
from his imperial majeliy ; whereupon he re-
turned by the fame road to Avignon, where he
acquainted the pope with his ill luccefs ; and,
■ receiving a letter from his hoHnefs to continue
in thofe parts, he took this opportunity of
making a vifit at Carpentras to his acquaint-
ance ana beloved friend cardinal Jacob Sado-
let ; with whom he fpent fix months much to
his fatisfai^ion, and in the utmcft fafety, this
place, as well as Avignon, being under the
pope's jurifdiftion ; and, being recalled hence,
and fent by the pope to Verona, he found
much friendihip and hofnitality from John
Matthew Gibert, bifhop of that place. At
length, his holinefs, confideriiig how to re-
ward his fervices, fent him legate to Viterbo,
an eafy employ, and near the city, where he
might refide entirely fafe, and out of the reach
of his enemies.
In this poll he Hill maintained his charafter
for piety and learning, and particularly ob«
tained the love of the people by his Sr.odera-
tion towards proteftants ; for which, however,
he was charged by the bigots with favouring
herefy. His eminency continued at Viterbo
till i)43» when the pope- having called thei
council of Trent, appointed him, together
with the cardinal of Paris, and cardinal John
Merene, his three legates there ; but, as the
council could not then afiemble, by reafon of
ihe wars which arofe in Germany, and other
Chrillian
CARDINAL POLE. 95
Chritlian countries, Pole returned to Viterbo ;
between which place and Rome he pa/Ted his
time, following his ftudies in great repofe and
tranquillity, till the pontiff, refolving not to
have his views in calling a council defeated,
ifiued a fecond citation for holding it at the
fame place, and appointed Pole again, but
with two different cardinals, his legates there.
Accordingly he attended in that council as
long as he was able ; but the bad Hate of the
air bringing a dangerous catarrh upon hiin, he
obtained leave to go to Padua for the benefit of
advice and a better air. After a while the
council alfo was removed to Bononia on the
fame account. About which time, our cardi-
nal, having recovered his health, returned to
Rome, and was received very gracioufly, as
ufual, by the pcpe, who made him his chief
councellor in matters relating to kings and
fovereign princes, and particularly when it was
concluded tc make a defence in writing, car-
dinal Pole was the penman. Thus, for in-
ftance, when the pope's power to remove the
council was c^ ntefled by the emperor's embaf-
fador, Pole drew up a vindication of that pro-
ceeding ; and, when the emperor fet forth the
Interim, the fame cardinal was employed to
anfwer it.
This was in 1548, and pope Paul III. dying
the next year, our cardinal was twice ele£led
to fucceed him, but rcfufed both the eledions;
one as being too haily, and without delibera-
tion ; and the other, becaufe it was done in
the
^6 BRITISH PLUTARCH,
the night-tin\e. Such an unexampled deli-
cacy dil'gufted feveral of his friends in the con-
clave. They thereupon joined with the party
of cardinal John Maria cle Monte, bilhop of
Poletrina ; who, by that means, being chofen
pope, took the name of Julius III. This hap-
pened on the thirtieth of March, 1550 ; and
the t*-anqnility of Rome being foon after much
diilurbed by the wars m France, and on the
borders ot Italy, Pole retired, with the pope's
leave, to a monallery of th?' Benedidines called
Magazune, fituated near the lake of Benacus,
in the territory of Verona.
In this pleafant retirement he continued till
the death of Edward VT. in July, 1553 : but,
on the acceflion of queen Mary, it was deter-
mined by the ceurt of Rome, that Pole fliould
be fent legate into England, as the fitteil: in-
ftrument, on all accounts, to eiFe6l the reduc-
tion of the king-''- u to the obedience of the
pope. The -undertaking, however, required
feme confideration. I'he aft of attainder,
wh'ch had pafled agc.jnft him under Henry
VIII. had been confirmed by Edward, and
confequently Hood ftiil in force, both thefe
princes were held in great efleem among the
people. Our legate therefore did nOw think it
fafe CO venture his perfon in England till he
undcrftood the true flate of things there.
However, it was not long before he received
full Utisfattion upon ali theie points, and ac-
cordingly fer out for England, by th.e way of
Germany, in the month of Odober tnis year,
1553:
CARDINAL POLE, 97
1553; but he had not proceeded far in the
emperor's dominions, when a mefiagc came to
him from that prince, to put a ftop to his far-
ther progrefs at prefent. Thefe were foon
followed by an exprefs from queen Mary to
the fame purpofe, who, to keep him in good
humour, fent him alfo the two afts that had
pafled, for the j unification of her mother's
marriage, and for bringing all things back to
theftaie they were in at her fatheT's death, de-
firing him likewife to fend her a lilt of fuch
perfons as fhould be made bifhops.
The cardinal being fatisfied, that the true
caufe of this delay was to prevent his arrival in
England before the queen's marriage to Philip
Hiould be completed, was not a little nettled
at it, and wrote a letter to her majeily, where-
in he faid, he knew this Hop to his journey
came chiefly from the emperor, who was for
purfuing fuch particular courfes now, as him-
felf had followed in the bufmefs of the iine-_
rim, being refoivcd to have the ftate fettled
before (he m.eddbd u'ith religion. That he
had fpoke to the empeior's confefibr about it,
and had convinced him of the impropriety of
fuch courfes, and fct him to work on his maf-
ter. He alfo told the queen, h*; was afraid
carnal pleafures might govern her too much,
and that fhe might thereby fall from her fim-
plicity in Chrift, wherein fhe had hitherto
lived : he encouraged her therefore to put oa
a fpirit of wifdom and courage, and trufl in
God, whc had preferved her fo long. He af-
VoL. III. F fured
•9B BRITISH PLUTARCH,
fured her, that he had wrote to micigate the
pope and cardinals, who, there was room
enough to think, would relent his being flop-
ped ; which, he had told them, was done on-
ly to wait till his attainder was taken off; and
to make a (hew of going forward, he had fent
his houHiold-rtuff to Flanders. With regard
to the ads, he found fault that no mention was
made in the fir fl of the pope's bulls, by the
authority -of which, only, it could be a lawful
marriage; and he did not like, that in the
other ad, the worihip of God, and the facra-
ments, were to be as they were in the end of
her father's reign, for then they were in a fiate
of fchifin, that the pope's interdict llill lay on
the nation, and till that were taken off, none
could, without fin, either ad minifier or receive
them. He confeffed he knew none of either
houfe fit to propofe the matter of rejeding the
fupremacy, and therefore he thought it befl
for herfelf to go to the parliament, having be-
fore-hand acquainted fome few, both of the
fpirituallty and temporality, with her defign,
and tell the houfe, fhe was touched with the
ichifm, and defired a legate to come over from
the apoftolic fee, to treat about ; and fhould
thereupon propofe the reveriion of his attain-
der. That whereas fome might apprehend
thraldom from the papacy, fhe might give
them affurance fhe would fee all things fo well
fecured, that there fhould no danger come to
the nation from it; and he affured them, that
he, for his part, v»'ould take as much care of
that,
CARDINAL POLE. .99
that, as any of all the temporality could de-
iire.
But the queen's marriage vvithPhilip, meet-
ing with great oppolition, it was refolved that
the legate fhould be kept at a diftance. There-
fore, by way of diverfion, another legation
%vas contrived for him, to mediate a peace be-
tween the empire and France. In obedience
to the pope's appointment he went to Paris on.
this errand, the bufinefs was m.oft agreeable to
-his natutal difpofition, and he laboured it very
ferioufly for feme time, till finding no profpedl:
of fuccefs, he returned to his former refidence
in a monaftery near BrufTels, where he had
refided befoxe his call to France. The truth
is, the real defign of this fecond embafiy was
now compieated, in the celebration of queen
Mary's nuptials with Philip, which was no
fooner finifhed, than her majefty fent the
lords Paget and Haftings to condud her cou-
iin into England. Accordingly, he fet out
in September 1554, but being detained by
'contrary winds at Calais till November, he did
not <'rof3 th« water till the twenty-firil of that
inontit 'j when, arriving at Dover, he went
t^ike by land to Gravefend, where, being
met by ^he bifhop of Ely, and the earl of
Saiifoury, who, prefenting him with the re-
peal of the aft of his attainder, that had paf-
€ed the day before, he went onboard a yatcht,
which carrying the crofs, the enfign of his
legation, at her head, conveyed him to White-
hall, where he was received with the utmoft
F 2 veneration
ISO BRITISH PLUTARCH.
veneration by their majefties ; and after a!I
polTible honour and refpedl paid to him there,
he was conducted to the archbi (hop's palace
at Lambeth, the deftined place of his reii-
dence, which had been fumptuoufly fitted up
■by the queen for the purpofe.
On the twenty-feventh he went to the par-
liament, and made a long and grave fpeechj
inviting them to a reconciliation with the
apoftolic fee, from whence, he faid, he was
fent by the common pallor of Chriftendom to
produce them, who had long llrayed from the
inclofure of the church. On the twenty-ninth,
the fpeaker reported to the commons the fub-
flance of this fpeech ; and a me/Tage coming
from the lords for a conference, in order to
prepare a fupplication to be reconciled to the
fee of Rome, it was confented to, and the pe-
tition being agreed on, was reported and ap-
proved by both houfes ; fo that being prefented
by them on their knees to the king and queen,
thefe made their interceflion with the cardinal,
who thereupon delivered himfelf, in a long
ipeech, at the end of which he granted them
abfolution. This done, all went to the royal
chapel, where Te Deum was fung on the oc-
cafion. Thus the pope's authority being now
reftored, the cardinal, two days afterwards,
made his public entry into London, with all
the folemnities of a legate, and prefently fet
about the bufinefs of reforming the church,
of what they called hercfy. How much fo-
ever he had formerly been fufpeded to favour
the
CARDINAL POLE. lo!
the reformation; yet he feemed now to be
much altered, knowing the court of Rome
kept a jealous eye upon him in this refpe^t.
He therefore expreffed great deteftation oi
them, nor did h^e converfe much with any that,
had been of that party. He came over into
England, much, changed from that tlreedom.:
of converfation he had formerly praO.ifed.
He was in referve to all, fpoke little, and put
on an Italian temper, as well as behaviour,,
making Priuli and Ormaneto, two Italians
whom he brought with him, his only confi-
dsnts.
In the mean time, the queen difpatched ambaf-
fadors to Rome, to make obedience, in the name
of the whole kingdom to the pope ; who had
already proclaimed a jubilee on that occafion*
But thefe meflengers had fcarce fet foot on Ita-
lian ground,, when they were informed of the
death of Julius, and the eledion of Marcellus
his fucceflbr ; and this pontiff dying foon af-
ter, the queen, upon the firll news of it, re-
commended her lanfman to the popedom, as
every way the fitted perfon for it; and dif-
patches were accordingly fent to Rome for the
purpofe, but they came too late ; _Peter Ca-
raffa, who took the name of Paul IV. being
elected before their arrival. This pope, who
had never liked our cardinal, was better pleaf-
ed with the biftiop of Winchefter, whofe tem-
per exaftly tallied with his own. In this dif-
poTition he favoured Gardiner's views upon
the fee of Canterbury ; nor was P/)Ie's no^
F 3 m^ nation
102 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
mination to that dignity confirmed by his ho-
linefs, till after the death of his rival. The
queen however, confiding in Pole for the
nianagement and regulation of ecclefiaftical
affairs, granted him a licence to hold a fynod
on the fecond of November 1554. In this
convention, the legate propofed the next year
a book he had prepared, containing fuch re-
gulations as he judged might be the beft
.means of extirpating herefy ; thefe were paf-
fed in the form of twelve decrees, and they
are fo many proofs of his good temper, which
difpofed him not to fet the clergy upon prO'
iecuting the heretics, but rather to reform
themfelves, and feek to reclaim others by a
good example.
However, he was prevailed upon to a£bin ma-
ny inftances afterwards, very unfuitably to the
temper of thefe decrees, as is confeffedbyBurnet^
who moreover plainly fuggefts his belief of the
report, that Cranmer's execution was of P0le*s
procuring ; whom he fucceeded in the arch-
i^ifhopric of Canterbury, the very next day af-
ter that prelate's death. In November, the
fame year, 1556, he was eledled chancellor of
the univerfity of Oxford, and foan after of
Cambridge ; and in the beginning of the year
following, he vifited both, by his commiffa-
ries, reforming them in the fenfe of thofe times,
but not without committing fome uncommon-^
ly inhuman profecutions.
We have already obferved, how unaccepta-
ble he was to Paul IV. who now fat in the
papal
CARDINAL POLE. 103
pt».pal chair, and the war which England was
djawn into with France this year, by king
Philip, furniihed the haughty pontiff with a
pretence for gratifying his ill-will to the le-
gate. He had paffionately efpoufed the quar-
rel of the French monarch, and being infiam-
ed to fee England fiding againft his fiend,
he refolved to revenge it on Pole. In this
point, having declared openly^ that it might
ROW be feen how. little the cardinal regarded
the apoftolic fee, when he faffered the (jueen
to affifl: their enemies againfl their fnends.
The firll made a decree in May, for the gene-
ral revocation of all legates and nuncios in
the king of Spain's dominions, cardinal Po7e
being m.entioned among the reft j by the re-
prefentation of Sir Edward Came, then the
Englifh ambaflador at Rome. Yet, upon the
fatal blow given to the French at St. Quiutin,
and the ill faccefs of his own forces in Italy,
his wrath burft out with frefh fury, he became
utterly implacable, accufed Pole as a fuipefted
heretic, fummoned him to P.ome to anl^vver the
charge ; and, depriving him of the legatine
powers, conferred them on Peyto, a Francifcari
fyyar ; whom he had fent for to Rome, and
made a cardinal for the purpofe, defigning
him alfo to the fee of Salifbury. This ap-
pointment was made in September, and tae
new legate was aftually on the road for Eng-
land, when the bulls came to queen Mary;
who, having been informed of their contents
by her ambaffador, laid tfeem up without o-
F, 4 _ ^Quin^
ic4 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
peiiing them, or acquainting her coufin with the
matter, in whofe behalf fhe wrote to the pope,
and afijming fome of her father's fpirit, ihe
wrote to Peyto, forbidding him to proceed on
his journey, and charging him on his peril not
to fet foot on Englifh ground,
Butnctyvithilandingali her caution to conceal
the matter from the cardinal, it was notpoffible
to keep it long afccret, and he no fooner became
acquainted with the holy fathei*spleafure, than
out of that implicit veneration, which he
conitnntly and unalterably preferved for the
apollolic fee, he voluntarily laid down the en-
figns of his tegatine power, and forbore the
cxercife of it ; difpatching his trufty minifter
Ormaneto to Rome, with letters, wherein he
cleared himfelf in fuch fubmiflive terms, as it is
faid even molified and melted the obdurate
heart of Paul . The truth is, the pontiff was
brought into a better temper by fome late
events, which turned his regard from the
French toward the Spaniards, and the ftorm
againll: Pole blew over entirely, by a peace
that was concluded this year, between his ho-
linefs and Philip ; in one of the fecret articles
of which, it was ftipulated, that our cardinal
ihould be reftored tc his legatine poweis. But
he did net live to enjoy the reiloration a full
twelvemonth, beting feized with a double
quartan ague, which carried him off the ftage
of life, early in the mornirg of the eighteenth
o'- November ic;8.
His
CARDINAL POLF. 105-
His death is faid to have been hailened by that
of his royal miitrers and kinfvvoman, queen Ma-
ry ; which, as if one iiar governed bath their
nativities, happened about fixteen hours before.
His body being put into a leaden coffin, laid
forty days in great Hate, at Lambeth ; after
which, it was conveyed thencewith as great,
funeral pomp to Canterbury, and interred
with folemnity on the north fide of Thomas
a'Becket's chapel, in that cathedra]. Over
his grave there was ere6led a tomb, on which
were infcribed only thefe three words, as fv''-
ficient to his fame, Depofitum Cardinali.^
Poli.
As to his chara»fler, in his perfon he was of
ainiddle flat^re and of acompa£t, though /len-
der habit; his complexion was fair, agreeablv
tinclured with red, and his beard yellow in
his youth. He bad a large open countenance,
enlivened with a chearful and pleafant eye, a
true index of the temper, which was fweel
and placid, of the inhabitant within. Though
his conflitution: was not llrong, yet, in genera!,
he enjoyed a good flate of health; which,,
however, was fometimes dift^rdered, by ar.'i-
tarrh that fell upon one of his arm€,,and
brought an inflammation into both eyes.
He ufed a. fp are diet, eating only on plain
difhes; though he always kept a table fuitabJe
to his flation and quai'.ity, which even rofe to
kingly magnificence, when there was occafion,.
Yet he was a good ceccnftmift, and his ex-
pencei,were conllantly proportioned, in gene-
P 5 i-air
io6 BRItrsH PLUTARCH,
ral, to his revenues. Inhifdrefs, he called for
little help; and often rofe out of bed and dref-
{ed himfelf without any attendants. In regard to
the qualitiesof his mind and manners, he was a
learned, eloquent, modeft, humble, and good-^
natured man ; of exemplary piety and charity,
Es well as a generofity becoming his birth.
Ihough, by nature, he was more inclined to
ftudy and contemplation than an adlive life ;
yet he was piudent and dextrous in bufmefs :
ib that he would have been a finifhed chara<5ler,
had not his fuperftitious devotion to the fee of
Rome carried him., againU his nature, to
commit feveral cruelties in profecuting the
Protefr-nfs.
During his laft illnefs, he made his will ;
wherein he appointed his bell beloved friend,
Aloyfi Priuii, his fole executor and tellamen-
tary heir. But that Italian was of a more no-
ble temper than to enrich himfelf by hie,
friend's wealth, whom, he furvived only twenty*
months ; v.'hich time was wholly fpent in col-
ledling the cardinal's effects, that lay difperfed
in divers countries ; and, having difcharged
all the legacies, he gave away the remainder
in fuch a manner as he knew to be moli agree-
able to the cardinal's mind ; referving to him-
felf only the Breviary and Diary, particularly
endeared to him by his friend's frequent ufe of
them.
Indeed, the cardinal was not a man to raife
a fortune; being, by the greatnefs of his
birth.
CARDINAL POLE. loj
,b?rth, and his excellent virtues, carried far
above fuch mean defigns. So that the arch-
bifliopric was, little advantaged by him, only
in a grant which he obtained from queen
Mary, of the patronage of nineteen parfonages
for it. All that he did behdes, was endowing it
with fomehoufes, built by liimfelf, and aground-
renton the eafi fide of Lambeth. Ho\vever,it :s
faid that he defigned, if he had lived, to have
built a {lately archbifiiop's palace at Canter-
bury; to which church he gave two filver can-
die-lticks gilt very heavy ; a filver incenfe-pot^
in the form of a ihip, partly gilt ; a filver mi-
tre, adorned with jeweh ; a filver paftoral-ftafF
and crofs, partly gilt; two pontifical rings,
fet^vith jewels of great value ; and a very large
Diver ciftern for the holv- water.
E o' The
:io8 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
The life of
Robert Dudley.
OBERT DUDLEY was the fifth
^ ^ Ion of John duke of Northumberland,
by Jane, the daughter and heirefs of Sir
ward Guilford. Under king Edward V
came to court, and was made one of h:. .i-o.>
j-slly's privy-chamber. Upon the king'- death,
he engaged with his father, in defence of the
]zdy Jane Grey, and attended upon iiiin in hi
expedition into Norfolk ; but upor his arreft ?jl
Cambridge fled to the queen^s . amp, from
whence he was brought up prifcncrto London,
and conhi.ed in the Tower, on the twenty-
iixth of July 1553, and on the hfteenth of
■anuary following, was arra'-nied of h'^^h trcia-
"ion at the Guild-hall -of Lo-^'on, conteued the
indidlmtnc, and was ^dJ rid red by the earl of
SufTex to be hanged, dawh, and qn .rtered«
But the lords inierced:;d 'for him with the
queen, who gave way to / their enueaty, ref-
tored him and his breth/.-en in b-^.od, except
only the lord GuiLf -d- received iiim into fa-
vour, and made hiin j-jaafle. oi: the Englifh
ordnance at th^ iiege^ oF St. Quintin. As
foon as queen LlizabetFt afrrnded the throne,
ihe advanced him to the highell honours,
5be
,T,'JSt^»fm^ fca^
fJTfe CMn {>/.^r^^r^/r?^ .
ROBERT DUDLEY. 109
She mRi^ie him mafter of the horfe in the firfl
ye^M- of her reign, and chofe him, to the ad-
piiiration of all men, into the order of the
garter.
Encouraged by thefe favours, he ^ave into
the opinion, that, could he get rid of his wife,
he need not defpair of foon rendering himfelf '
agreeable to her majefty. The lady was dif-
patched into the country, to the houfe of one
of his dependants, where, it is faid, he firft
attempted to have taken her off by poifbn ;
but, fliiling in this defign, he caufed her to be
thrown down from the top of a ilair-cafe,
and murdered by the fall. She was at firft
obfcurely buried, but that having given oc-
cafion to cenfure, he ordered her body to be
tak^n up, and fhe was interred again in the.
univerfity-chjrch of Oxford, with all imagin-
able pomp and folemnity.
His lordfhip, in the mean time, met with
a more favourable reception than ever from
the queen ; the management of all affairs was
principally entrufted to him, and though fhe
did not openly countenance his pretenfions of
marriage, yet fhe feemed not at all difpleafed
with the overture. But envy and emulation
are the fure attendants upon greatnefs, and
Dudley, by being thus diilinguiflied above the
reft in her majefty's favour, drew upon him-
felf the difinclination of the courtiers : and, it
is pofTible that about this time, the hiflory
of Reynard the Fox, now in the hands of
every child as a plaything, was written, as a
fatire againft his lordfliip,
But
no BRITISH PLUTARCH-/
But among, all Leiceiler's enemic^';, fg.
cretary Cecil was become the moil dangre,
rous ; who, to prevent his growing ablolute,
fuggefted to her majei^y the propriety of a
match between his lordiliip and the queen of
Scots, then about to form a foreign alliance,
which muil: be prejudicial to England. The
crown of Scotland in poiTeffion, and the right
of inheritance to the crown of England, was
an alluring bait to Dudley's ambition ; and
the fecretary kne\v> that fhould he be over-
earneft in the puvfuit; of the match propofed,
he would be infallibly lofl in the good graces
of the queen; and he was under noapprehen-
fion, from the known temper of the queen of
Scots, that a perfon of his iordfliip's extradlioa
could ever render himfelf acceptable to her.
Elizabeth, v.'hatever was her motiv.% gavp ear
to the fecretary's propo(al, and fent immediate
inftruclions to Randolph, her ambaliador in
Scotland, to open the matter to Mary ; but
that queen refolved to rejed the offer, though
fhe feared to come to an open rupture with
Elizabeth. She difpatched Sir James Melvil
to London, Vv'ith inftra6lions full of friendli-
nefs and regard. But when Elizabeth enquir-
ed if the queen of Scots had fent any anfwer to
the propofition of marriage ihe had made her,
the ambaffador gave an evafive anfwer.
Her majefty then entered upon the eommenda-
tion of lord Pvobert Dudley, declared fhe .
would marry him heifelf, if Ihe had not been
determined
ROBERT DUDLEY. iii
determined to end her days in virginity ; that
this match would remove all future animofity
and diflatisfaaion from between the two
Grown s : and farther, to convince the queen >
his miftrefs of the regard fhe bore him, (he
purpofcd to advr^nce him to the higheft ho-
nours before his departure for Scotland, On
the twenty- fixth of September he was ac- •
cordingly created baron of Denbigh, and the
day following earl of Leiceiler. The creation
was performed with great folemnity, the
queen herfelf affiled at the ceremony. And
not long after, upon the refignation of Sir
]. Mafon, he was made chancellor of the uni-
verfity of Oxford.
In the mean time, his lordfnip feemed ra-
ther to decline the match, than defre it; he
excufed himfelf to the Scottifh ambafTador, from
having ever entertained fo proud a pretence,
declared his fenfe of his own unworthinefs,
and begged her majelly would not be offended,
nor impute a matter to him, which the malice
of his enemies had devifed for his dedruclion :
within a few days after, Sir James Mel-
vil obtained his difpatch, with a more ample
declaration of the queen's mind, upon the
fub}e£lofhis embaffy.
In the mean time the earl of Leicefter
wrote letters to the earl of Murray, to ex-
cufe him to the queen of Scots. And that he
might the more recommend himfelf to her ma-
jefty's favour, heaccufed Sir Nicholas Bacon to
Elizabeth, that he had intermeddled in the
affair
jr2 BRITISH PLUTAR-CK;
affair of the fucceffion, and affifted in the pub-
lication of a book againii the Queen of '
Scots' title. The Queen was highly offended,.
the author, Hales, was taken up and imprifon-
cd, and Sir Nicholas Bacon would have infal-
libly ioil his ofiice, if Leiceller could have
perfuaded Sir Anthony Brownto have accepted
it.
In November foil-owing,, the earl of Bed-
ford and Mr. Randolph, the earl of Murray-
and fecretary Lidington, commifii oners on
both fides, met near Berwick, to treat of the
marriage, but with fie nderer offers, and lefs
effeftual dealing, than was expeded. The;
earl of Leicefter's behaviour, and the prudence-
and difcretion,. which appeared in the letters
he had written to the earl of Murray, had
made an impreffion upon the queen of Scots^ .
and Ihe feemed fo far to approve of che match,
that, queen Elizabeth began to bs afraid it
mic-ht take effect. Under thefe apprehenfions,,
and at the follicitation of fecretary Cecil, (he
gave leave to my lord Darnley to take a jour-
ney into Scotland, in hope, that hispreience-
might be more prevalent than Leicefter's ab-
fei-iCe. And the earl of Leicefler, perceiving .
the queen's inclination, wrote private ietters-
tO'the earl of Bedford, todefift from profecuting
it farther. The queen of Scots was ibon after -
folemnly married to lord Darndey, in the
royal chapel of Holyrood-houfe, and the next
day he was publickly proclaimed king, and,
aflbciated:
ROBERT DUDLEY. ^ji
alTociated with her majefly in the govt^.
nient. _ ^~
Hereupon application v/as again made to^
queen Elizabeth to think rerioully of a
h'.ilhand, ^y this means to weaken the party
of the queen of Scots in England, and
to ftrengthfin the interefl of the proteltant re-
ligion. The emperor Maximilian propofed
his brother, with very honjDurable conditions.
The earl of Suffolk favoured the match ; but
brd Leicerter, prefuming upon his power with
the queen, took pains to prevent it. This
oppofition was ill digefted by the earl of Suf-
fex', who was of an high fpirit, and nobly de-
fcended. The honefty of his nature led him
to a profefTed enmity, which divided the whole
court ; and whenever the two earls went a-
broad, they were attended with a retinue of
armed followers ; infomuch, that ^ the q ue-en
was obliged to interpofe her authority to make
up the breach : but SuiTex continued his aver--
fion till his death ; and, in his \?A ficknefs, is
faid to have addrefled his friends to this pur-
pofe : " I am now paflinginto another world,
and muft leave you to your fortunes, and to
the queen's grace and goodnefs ; but beware
of the gyp fie (meaning Leiceiter) for he wilt
be too hard for you all; you know not the
beail fo well as I do.**
We have already obferved, that the earl of
Leicefter was made chancellor of the univer-
fity of Oxford, towards the end o^ the laft
year.
,• ^ BRITISH PLUTARCH.
'jar. At his entrance upon this ofHce, he
i'ound the univerfity in a moft deplorable
condition: their difcipline had long been
neglected, and their learning moil miierably
impoverillied. The whole univerfity could
furnifn only three preachers;, and in the ab-
fence of two of them, the audience was fre-
quently put off with very lame performances.
To give the reader an inftance : The congre-
gation being one Sunday deftitute of a preacher,
Taverner of Woodeaton, the IherifF of the
county, enters St. Mary's, with his fword by
his fide, and his gold chain about his neck,,
mounts the pulpit, and haraugues the fcholars
in the following Ibain: *'. Arriving at the
mount of St. Mary's in the ftony ftage, where.
I now ftand, I have brought you fome fine
bifcuits, baked in the oven of charity,, careful-
ly conferved for the chickens of the church,
the fparrows of tiie fpirit,- and the {wtet
fwaliows of faivation." This Taverner, it
f^ems, had been brought up in the cardinal's
college, was an inceptor in arts, and in dea-
con's orders, and a perfon at that time in
efteem for his learning in the univerfity ; {o
that from this fpecimen it may appear to how,
low a character their ftudies vvere reduced.
The earl of Leiceller laboured by all pofli-
b.le means, to introduce an improvement in
literature, and give a new. turn to the face of
aiFairs in the univerfity. . By his letters he re-
commended to them the practice of religion
and learning, and prefied them to a more
clofa ,
ROBERT DUDL E Y. 115
clofe obfervance of their duty. This applica-
tion was not without its eireifl ; proyifion was
immediately made for reforming abufes in
graces and difpenfations, ledlures and publie
e.vercifes were enforced by fratu*-e, and the ha-
bits brought under regulation ; the earl con-
tinuing to patronize and regulate the univer-
fity upon every occafion.
fn the beginning of the year 1566, monfieur
Ramboullet was difpatched into England to
queen Elizabeth, by Charles IX. king of
France, with the order of St. Michael, to be
conferred on two Englifh noblemen, as fliould
be mofl: agreeable to her majefly. The queen
made choice of the duke of Norfolk and the
earl of Leicefter, the one diftinguiflied by his
high birth, and the other by her majcily's far
vour. And on the twenty-fourth of January
they were invelled in the royal chapel at
Whitehall, with very great folemnity ; no
Englifhman having ever been admitted before
into this order, except king Henry VIII.
king Edward VI. and Charles Brandon dukq
of Suffolk.
This fummer the queen took a progrefs in^
to the country, and upon her return made a"
vifit to Oxford. She was attended by the
earl of Leicefter, who informed the univerfity
of her defign, defired they would confult their
own credit upon this occafion, and make an
honourable provifion for her majelly's recep-
tion. On the twenty-ninth of Augufi his
iprdihip, with fome others of the nobility,
were *
ii6 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
were diipatclied before by her majefty, to give
notice, that Cie would be thpre within two
days. The vice-chancellop^and the heads of
houfes came out to meet them on horfeback^
and entertained them vvith Latin or?.tions ad-
drefled to their chancellor and fecretary Cecil.
Aind in the afternoon the lords returned to
Woodilock, where the court lay, and ex-
preiled their fatisfadlion in the entertain-
ment.
On the thirty-fir ft of Angnft in the fore-
noon, the earls of Leicefter and Huntingdon
were prefent at Dr. Humphreys*s Icflures in
the fchools, who read as queen's profefTor in
divinity, and then they attended at the public-
difputations. Towards eveni-ng, as her ma-
jefty approached, ftie was met at Wolvercote;.
where the jarifdidion of the univerfity ends,
by the chancellor the earl of Leicefter, by
four do6lors, and the vice-chancellor, in their
fcarlet robes and hoods; and by eight mafters
of arts, v/ho wereTieads of colleges or halls.
The chancellor then delivered the flaffs of
the three fuperior beadles into her majefty*&
hands, and having received thetn again from
her, and likewlfe reilored then^ to their refpec-
tive oSicers, the canon of Chrift-ch-urch made
an elegant fpeech to her majefly upon the oc-
cafion.. She then held out her hand to the>
orator and the doftors, and as Dr. Humphreys
drew near to kifs it, " Mr. dodor," fays the
queen, fmlling, '* that loofe gown become^'
you mighty well, I vvond>er vour notiOT^«
ihouia,
ROBERT DUDLEY. 117
iliould be fo narrow." This Humphreys, it
&ems, was at the head of the puritan party,
and had oppofed tlie ecclefiailical habits with
great warmth of zeal.
As fhe entered the town, the (Ireeta were
lined with fcholars from Bocardo to Quater-
vois, who, as her majcfty palTed along, fell
down upon their knees, and with one voice
cried out, *' Long live the queen !" At Qua-
tervois the Greek profeflbr addrefTed her ma-
jelly in a Greek oration, and the queen anfwer-
ed him in the fame language, and commended
'his performance. From hence llie was con-
veyed with the like pomp to Chrlft-church,
where fhe was received by the public orator;
who, in the name of the univerfity, congratu-
lated her majelly's arrival among them.
Forfeven days together the queen was mag-
nificently entertair^ed by the univerfity, and
expreffed an extreme delight in the ledures^
difputations, public exercifes, and fhews; which
fhe conftantly heard and faw. On the fixth
day llie declared her fatisfaftion in a Latin
fpeech, and alTured them of her favour and
protedlion. The day after fhe took her leave,
and was conduced by the heads as far as
Shotiver-hill, when the earl of Leicefter gave
her notice, that they had accompanied her
to the limits of their jurifdidion. Mr. Roger
Marbeck then made an oration to her majefty,
and having laid open the difiicuhies under
which learning had formerly laboured, he
applied himfelf to the encouragements it had
iately.
ii8 BRITISH PLUTARCH,
lately received, and the profpeft of its arifing
to the height of fplendor under her majelly's
moll: gracious adininiftration. The queen
heard him with pleafure, returned a very
favourable anfwer j and calling her eyes back
upon Oxford, with allpofiiblc marks oftender-
nefs and aifediion, (he bade him farewell. Here
it may not be amifs to obferve, that the
queen's countenance, and the earl of Leicef-
ter's care, had fuch an effed upon the dili-
gence of this learned body, that, within a few
years after, it produced more fhining inllances
of real worth, than had ever before been fent
abroad, at the fame time, in any age whatfo-
ever.
Upon the queen's return to London, the
parliament met on the firft of November, fell
into warm debates, and feemed refolved to in-
fill upon her majefty's immediate marriage, or
the declaration of a fucceifor. The earl of
Leiceller had earneilly follicited in behalf of
tlie queen of Scots ; but, not meeting with
the fuccefs he defired, he faid that an hufband
ought to be impofed on the queen, or a fuc-
ceiTor appointed by parliament againft her in-
clination. Wherein he was openly joined
by the earl of Pembroke, and more privately
by the duke of Norfolk. But the queen was
highly incenfed at this behaviour, and, for
fome time, they were all excluded the pre-
fence- chamber, and prohibited accefs to her
perfon : however it was not long before they
fubmitted, and obtained her majefty's pardon.
Durin?:
ROBERT DUDLEY. 119
During this difgrace, lord Leicefler is
charged with having entered into a traiterous
corrcfpondence with the Irifh, who had juft
"before broken cut into an open rebellion. His
letters are faid to have been found upon a per-
•fon of diltintTtion, who was killed in battle 5
but, before the difcovery could be made, he
was reconciled to the queen, and placed above
the reach of any private acciifation.
The next year, count Stolberg was dif-
patched into England, by the emperor, to
t3eat again of a marriage with the archduke
Charles. The earl of Suflex had not long be-
fore, been fent to his imperial majelly upon
this fubjedl, and ufed his utmoft efforts that
bcr majefty might be married to a foreign
prince : but Leiceiler took care to fupplant
him in his deligns, and privately engaged the
lord North, who attended him in his journey,
to be afpy upon his adlions, and to break the
meafures he fliould enter into, by contrary in^
fmuations. In the mean time, he difcouraged
her majefty from the attempt, by laying before
her the inconveniences that would necelTarily
arife from a foreign match : and the archduke
not long after married the daughter of the
duke of Bavaria.
About this time, the queen of Scots came
into England ; and Leiceiler appears to have
been weil-affe£led to her intereli. He Hands
charged with having entered into a confpiracy
againft fecretary Cecil, becaufe he fufpeded
him to favour the fucceflicn of the houfe of
Suffolk^
120 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
Suffolk, to Mary's difadvantage : and, wherj
the earl of Murray fuggelled the marriage with
the duke of Norfolk, the earl of Leiceficr ern-
biaced the propofal with eagernefs. He took
upon him to propound the matter to the duke;
extenuated the crimes fiie was accufed of; and
wrote letters to Mary in commendation of
Norfolk ; in which he earneilly perfuaded her
to approve of the marriage : and, farther, he
drew up certain articles, which he fent to her
b.y the biihop of RoiTe, promifmg, upon her
acceptance of the propofed conditions, to pro-
cure for her the crown of Scotland in prefent
poffeffion, and the crown of England in rever-
fion.
Whim affairs were in this fituation, and the
earl of Leicefler was waiting for a convenient
opportunity of opening the defign to his mif-
trefs, the earl of Murray fent fecret advice to
her majelly of the whole tranfad^ion, and
charged the duke of Norfolk with having en-
gaged in private pradices to get the prefent
poifefJion of the two crowns by means of this
marriage. This report, though very foreign
to the duke's inclinations, was fupported by
circumftantial evidence, and raifed the queen's
jealoufy, to a high degree, againfl the duke
and the lords that were concerned with him :
which, when Norfolk underftood, he would
have perfuaded the earl to impart the fcheme
to her majefty without delay ; but his lord-
fhip put it off from lime to time, till,
at
ROBERT DUDLEY. lu
at length ("aHing Tick at Titch field, or, at leafl,
pretending ficknefs ; being tliere vifited by the
queen, he declared the whole matter to her,
begging forgivenefs with fighs and tears: and,
not long after, the duke and the lords being
taken into cuflody, the carl of Leicefter was
examined before the queen and council ;
where he gave fuch an account of his proceed-
ings, and behaved in fuch a manner, that he
eafily obtained her majcHy's pardon.
The year after this there broke cut an open
quarrel between the earl of Leiceller and the
aichbifliop of Canterbury. A prebendary of
value in the church of York was lately fallen
void, and the advowfon of it had been pro-
cured by one Mr. Hammond, a gentleman of
a confiderable ellate in the county, for his Ton,
who was yet a child. This coming ♦■o the
ears of th.e bifiiop of London, who was aovv
eleft of York, he gave notice of it to the
archbifhop, and prefTed him not to grant his
difpenfation to any boy whatfoever. In the
mean time, the earl of Leiceller had made
application to his grace to beftov/ this preben-
dary upon one Brookes, a creature of his own.
The archbifhop fhevved fome unwillingnefs t»
yield, without the confent of the bifhop of
London. But Brookes anfwered, tha: the earl
of Leiceder defired only his grace's counte-
nance and recommendation to the queen, and
that he was already favoured by the bi(hop of
London. Upon which the archbiihop fig*-!ed
his hand. But now, when it was expeded
Vol. in. G that
i22 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
that Leicefter fhould have performed his pro-
inife, and difpatched this bufinefs with the
queen, his mind was changed ; and Mr.
Hammond had found means, as it is fuppofed,
by a prefent, to gain him over. He wrote
letters to the archbilhop, earneftly entreating
him to grant a difpenfation to Mr. Hammond's
boy, if he (hould think it meet : but the
archbifhop refufed to comply. Leicefter was
provoked at the refufal, and gave his grace a
deal of trouble. He procured an order of
council, to enquire, whether he had never
granted difpenfations to children before : but
the archbiihop wrote letters to the fecretary in
his own vindication ; complained of the unrea-
fonable demands of certain noblemen ; and
pointed at the earl of Leicefter, whom he
wiihed to have God always before his eyes.
" However," fays he, " fome noblemen will
be men."
The earl of Leicefter indeed ftands charged
with having had a gainful ihare in the difpofal
of all offices of profit. Of his rewards for
promoting to bishopries, take the following
ftory from Sir John Harington. " Of the
biftiops," fays he, " that lived in the firft:
twenty years of the queen's reign, when I was
at fchool, or at the univerfity, I could hear
little ; yet, at my firft coming to the court,
I heard this pretty tale ; That a bilhop of
Winchefter one day, in pleafant talk, com-
paring his revenue with the archbilhop's of
Canterbury, fhould fay, * Your grace's will
ihew
ROBERT DUDLEY. 123
ihew better in the rack, but mine will be
found more in the manger.' Upon which, a
courtier of good place faid, * It might be lo in
diebus illis ; but,* faith he, * the rack ftands
fo high in fight, that it is fit to keep it full ;
but that may be, fmce that time, feme have,
with a provideatur, fwept fome provender out
of the manger.* And, becaufe this metaphor
comes from the liable, I fufpeft it was meant
by the mafter of the horfe.**
The next y^ar. Sir Nicholas Throgmorton,
a zealous antagonift to fecretary Ctcil, in fa-
vour of our earl, departed this life. Being at
Leicefter's houfe, as he was at fupper, he was
feized, in a moil violent manner, by an im-
pollhumation in his lungs, and died in a few
days, but not without fufpicion of poifon. ' It
is faid, that, being lately re';onciied to the
fecretary, the earl was apprehenfive he might
make a difcovery of his lecret pra£lices, and
for this reafon took care to difpatchhim. And,
farther, he bore him a fecret grudge for a for-
mer meifage fent over to queen Elizabeth,
whilft her embaflador in France, that he had
heard it reported at the duke of Montmorency's
table, that her majeily was about to marry her
horfekeeper.
The day before his death, he 's faid to have
declared thecaufe of his diftemperto be a poi-
foned fallad ; and to have broke out into bit-
ter invedtives againil the earl of Leicefler*s
cruelty. The earl, however, made a mighty
fhew of lamentation over him; and, in alet-
G 2 ter
124 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
ter to Sir Francis Walfingham, then embafTa-
dor in France, he thus exprefTes himfelf upon
the occafion, '* We have loft, on Monday,
our good friend Sir Nicholas Throgmorton,
who died in my houfe, being there taken fud-
denly in great extremity on Tuefday before.
His lungs were perifhed, but a fudden cold he
had taken was the caufe of his fpeedy death.
God hath his foul, and we, his friends, great
lofs of his body."
About this time, a match was propofed be-
tween queen Elizabeth and the duke of An-
jou ; and the earl of Leicefter appears to have
laid ahde his pretenfions to the queen upon
this occafion, and to have follicited the mar-
riage with zeal. But the duke infilling upon
a toleration in the exercife of his own religi-
on, the queen abfolutely refufed to comply.
The defigns of Ridolpho, the Italian mer-
chant, and the confpiracy of the duke of Nor-
folk, being now difcovered, to prevent any
farther attempt in favour of the queen of Scots,
a law was made, prohibiting, under a fevere
penalty, the declaring any perfon whatfoever
to be heir or fucceffor of the queen, except it
were the natural iliue of her body. This ex-
preffion, as it was unaccuflomed in Hatutes of
this nature, and the term Natural was ufually
applied by the lawyers to fuch children as were
born out of wedlock, gave great occafion to
cenfure ; and loud clamours were raifed again ft
Leicefter, as though, by inferting this claufe
in the flatute; he had defigned to involve the
realm
ROBERT DUDLEY. 125
realm in new difputes about the fuccefllon :
for it was urged, that no poilible realbn could
be imagined, why the ufual form of Lawful
I/Tue fhould be changed into Natural Iffiie,
unlefs with a view to refted upon the honour
of her majefty, and to obtrude hereafter upon
the Englifa feme baflard fon of his own as the
Natural Iffue of the queen.
This year, at the folemnization of the mar-
riage between Henry, king of Navarre, and
the lady Margaret, the French king's filler,
the bloody maflkcre of the Proteilants was
wrought at Paris on the eve of St. Bartholo-
mew. If Mr. Camden is not miftakcn, the
earl cf Leieefler and the lord Burleigh were
invited to the nuptials under a pretext of ho-
nour, but were defigned to have been cut off
in cafe they had accepted of the invitation.
This tragedy was lamented by my lord of Lei-
cefter, in another letter he wrote to Sir Francis
Walfingham, with an uncommon drain of pi-
ety and concern.
In July, 1575, the queen made the earl of
Leicefter a vifit at his caftle of Kenilwonh,
which had been granted to his lordftiip and his
heirs, by the queen's letters patents, ever iince
the fifth year of her reign ; and his expence
in enlarging and adorning it amounted to no
lefs than fixty thoufand pounds. He enter-
tained the queen and her court with all ima-
ginable magnifieence.
At her firll entrance, a floating illand was
difcerned upon the pool, glittering with
G 3 torches J
126 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
torches; on which fat the lady of the lake,
attended by two n>'tnphs, who addrefTed her
majefly in verfe with an hillorical account of
the antiquity and owners of the caftle ; and the
fpeech was clofed with the found of cornets,
and other inftruments of loud mufic. Within
the bafe- court was erefled a flately bridge,
tA^'enty foot wide, and feventy foot long, over
which the queen was to pafs ; and on each fide
flood columns, with prefents upon them to her
majelly from the gods. Silvanus offered a cage
of wild-fowl, and Pomona divers forts of
fruits ; Ceres gave corn, and Bacchus wine ;
Neptune prefented fea-fiih, Mars the habili-
ments of war, and Phoebus all kinds of muii-
cal inftrtsments.
During her flay, variety of fports and
fhews v/ere daily exhibited. In the chafe was
a favage man v^dth fatires; there were bear-
baitings, fire-works, Italian tumblers, and a
country brideale, running at the qui tin, and
morrice- dancing. And, that no fort of diver-
iion might be omitted, the Coventry men
came, and ac^ed the ancient play, fo long fince
ufed in their city, called Hocks Tuefday, re-
prefentlng the deflruftion of the Danes in the
reign of king Ethelred ; v. hich proved fo
agreeable to her majefly, that fhe ordered
them a brace of bucks, and five marks in mo-
ney, to defray the charges of the feaft. There
were, befides, on the pool, a triton riding on
a mermaid eighteen foot long, and Arion up-
on adobhin.
An
ROBERT DUDLEY. 127
An ellimate may be formed of the expence
from the quantity of ordinary beer that was
drank upon this occafion, which amounted to
three hundred and twenty hogiheads.
Towards the clofe of this year, Walter
D'Evereux, earl of EiTex, was, by lord Lei-
cefter's management, commanded to refign his
authority in Ireland ; and returned into Eng-
land, after having fuftained a confiderable lofs
in his private fortunes. But expreffino his re-
fentment with too much eagernefs again ft Lel-
ceiler, to whofe under-hand dealings he im-
puted the whole caufe of his misfortunes, he
was again fent bick into Ireland by his pro-
curement, with the unprofitable title of earl-
marfhal of the country. And here he conti-
nued not long before he died of a bloody-flux
in the midil of incredible torments.
The death of this nobleman carried with it
a fufpicion of poifon, and was charged upon
the earl of Leicefter. Two of his own fer-
vants, are reported to have been confederates
in the murder : and it is faid, that a pious lady,
whom the earl much valued, was accidentally
poifoned at the fame time. It is farther al-
ledged, that his lordfhip's page, who was ac-
cuftomed to tafte of his drink before he gave
it him, very hardly efcaped with life, and not
without the lofs of his hair, though he drank
but a fmall quantity ; and that the earl, in
companion to the boy, called for a cup of
drink a little' before his death, and drank to
G 4 him
128 BRITISH PLUTARCH,
him in a friendly manner, faying, '• I drink
to thee, my Robin ; but ben't afraid, 'tis a
better cup of drink than that thou tookell to
tai^e when we both were poifoned."
This report was, however, contradi»5lcd by
Sir Henry Sidney, the lord-deputy of Ireland ;
yet the fufpicion was encreafed by lord Le'.cef-
ter's foon after marrying the widow to the earl
of EiTex, and putting away his former wife,
widow to the lord Sheffield, and daughter to
William lord Howard of Effingham : for that
fhe w?.s his wife, feems evident from the depo-
fitions made in the Star-chamber in the begin-
ing of king James's reign, in favour of the le-
gitimacy of Sir Lobert Dudley, the earl of
Leiceller's fon by the faid lady.
But all engagements gave way to Lis paffica
for lady Eifex ; of whom he became (o ena-
moured, that he offered his countefs no lefs
than feven hundred pounds a year in ihe
queen's garden at Greenwich to difov/n her
marriage : and there is caufe to believe, that,
finding her obftinately refolved not to comply
with his demand, he attempted to take her off
by poifon. " For 'tis certaiiv," fays Sir Wil-
liam Dugdale, " that fhe had fome ill potions
given her ; fo that, with the lols of her hair
and nails, fhe had hardly efcaped death.'* Af-
ter which, to fecure her life from any future
pradxes, fhe contra£led marriage with Sir Ed-
ward Stafford, a perfon of charailer and rej)u-
putation, and her majefty's embaflador into
France.
The
ROBERT DUDLEY. 129
The duke of Anjou was now eagerly prefT-
ihg for the match which had been propofsd.
between him and queen Elizabeth ever fince
he was duke of Alencon : and, at length,
came over Monfieur Simier, attended by a
large train of French nobility. He waited
upon the queen at Richmond, and was enter-
tained by her majefty with fuch marks of re-
gard, that the earl of Leicefter began to be
afraid the marriage might takeefFed. He had
fome time before engaged Aflley, one of the
queen's bed-chamber, to fearch out her difpofi-
tion towards him, and had met with an unfa-
vourable anfwer. For, when he was covertly
recommended to her majeily for an hafband,
fhe reply'd in a paiTion, '* Do you think that,
in chufing a huiband, I fnould be fo regardlefs
of my character, or unniindful of my royal
dignity, as to prefer my fervant, whom myfelf
have raifed, to the greateft princes of Chriiien-
dom. ?" Perchance he perceived, that, fhould
heinterpofe in the affair of the French match,
his oppofition would be conllrued to proceed
from'interefted motives, and might be a means
to promote, rather than prevent it. He there-
fore chofe to counterfeit ficknefs, and, under
pretence of taking phydck, he for fome time
became a voluntary prifoner.
But, as he was nearly concerned to break off
this alliance, he was all the while very bufy
durin^- his retirement, in contriving fome ef-
feflual means to put a flop to it. He call his
G s eves
I30 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
eyes upon his nephew Sir Philip Sidney, the
moft accompliihed young gentleman that
England ever bred, and engaged him to draw
up an addrefs to her majefly, wherein he laid
before her ajuil reprefentation of the ill con-
fequences attending on the marriage, and
preffed her to decline it ; and the queen was
pleafed with his remonftrance.
But Mr. Camden gives a different account
of lord Leiceller's confinement. He fays,
that Simier, apprehending the queen's affec-
tion for his lordfhip to be the greatefl bar to
his mafter's preteniions, endeavoured to throw
him out of favour, by revealing to her ma-
jefty his marriage with lady EfTex. The queen
broke out into intemperate language, and in a
pafTion commanded him not to ftir from the
caftle of Greenwich, defigning to have com-
mitted him to the Tower of London, if the
earl of EiTex had not difTuaded her from it.
It is faid, the earl of Leicefter refented this
ufage, and, in return, fuborned a ruffian to
cut off Simier : and it is certain, that, about
this time, the queen ordered, by a public
proclamation, that no affroat fhould be of-
fered to that embalTador, or any of his attend-
andants, under a fevere penalty. However,
as he was one day waiting upon her majefty in
her barge, a gun was difcharged from a neigh-
bouring boat, and one of the queen*^3 barge-
men wounded through both his arms. It was
Ibait fuggeftcd, this vras fome plot to difpatch
Simier :
ROBERT DUDLEY. 131
Simler : but the matter proving wholly acci-
dental, the man, who had immediately been
apprehended, was fet at liberty.
Some time after, the duke of Anjou came
over in perfon into England. As he was one
day entertaining hermajefty with amorous dii-
courfe, fhe drew a ring from olf her finger,
and placed it upon his, on certain private con-
ditions, which had been agreed between
them. The company prefent miilook it for a
contrail of marriage ; and the earl of Lei-
ceiler, and ths reit of his fafllon, who h.^d
fpared no pains to render the dcfign abortive,
cried. The queen, the realm, and r-ligion,
were undone. The ladies of honour, who
were all in his intereft, broke out into bitter
Jamenta ions, and fo terriiied the queen, that,
early the next morning, fne fent for the duke
of Anjou, and, after fome private converfa-
tion with him, difmilTed him her court, after
having flayed in England three months. To
do him honour, the queen attended him as far
as Canterbury, and ordered the earl of Lei-
cefter, and fome others of her nobility to v.'ait
upon him to Antwerp.
It was this year that the eftates in the Ne-
therlands, being greatly diflreiled, made ap-
plication to queen Elizabeth, and defired her
majefty to accept of the government of the
United provinces, and take them into hex*
protedion. The queen heard their deputies
with favour ; however, Ihe refufed the fove-
reignty, and only entered into a treaty, by
G 6 which
132 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
^^•hich fl:e obliged herfelf to furniih them with
a large fupply of men and money, which now
liie fcnt to them under the condudl of her ge-
neral the earl of Leicerter,
On the eighth of December he went on
board, attende\l by feveral perfons of dillinc-
tion. His fleet coniifted of iifty fail of fliips
iind tranfporls ; and, on the tenth, he ar-
lived at Flufl)ing, where, with his whole
train, he was magnlHcently entertained by
Sir Philip Sidney, governor of the town for
her mrjeily, and other noblemen : and, in
his progrefs from thence toDelph, his lordfhip
was treated with fuch magnificence as is fcarce
to be paralled : pafticularly, on the twenty-
third of December; his lordihip taking boat
from Dort to Roterdam, was drawn along a
narrow and pleafant river, by men or horfes,
an a very fwift and eafy manner. Towards
night he drew near the town, and was met
opon the water by three pleafure-boats, with
twelve failors in each of them richly drefled,
and great flore of rockets and fireworks.
They had all of them crefTets at the ftern,
which were heightened as the night came on,
and, by the refied^ion of the water, made a
delightful Ihew. On the banks flood ranks of
foldiers, with a torch or cr^ffet placed between
every four of them. And thus he was
brought by water to his lodging, the drums
and trumpets playing, and the foldiers dif-
charging large vollies of mufket-fhot as he
pafTed by. The Ibtes attended upon him at
fupper.
ROBERT DUDLEY. r.35:
fupper. And here the inhabitants were fo
overjoyed at the arrival of the Englifh fuc-
cours, that they entertained the whole army
at their own private expence ; whilft every ci-
tizen ftrove to go beyond his neighbour in all
the ofnces of friendlinefs and civility which-
could be fnewed to his welcome guell. It is-
faid that the famed flatue of Erafmus was
ereded in the market-place upon this occafion;.
where he is reprefented Handing in a pulpit, as
though he were preaching, and holding his
Paraphrafe upon the Four Gofpels in his hand>.
with this infcription underneath, Erasmus
ROTERODAMUS.
From hence the earl of Leiceiler made halle
towards Delph, attended by the ftates and a
magnificent train. He entered the town late,
but was lighted along the river by creffets
and fireworks. He was received at the port
by a file of mulketeers, who waited upon him
to his lodging, which was the houfe where
the prince of Orange was flain, and congra-
tulated his arrival by the cullomary difcharge
of their feveral pieces. Over the gate were
written, in Latin, verfes much to the honour
of his lordfhip and the Esiglifn nation.
On^he twenty-fifth of December, his lord-
fhip was nobly feafted by the ftates ; and the
next day he returned the compliment. Be-
fides the ftates and count Maurice, the princefs
of Des, with feveral ladies and gentlewomen,
graced the entertainment, Whilft they were
at table, they were diverted with a confort of
Dutch
134 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
Dutch mufic, orations in Dutch and Latin,
and all poffible expreffions of benevolence and
regard. On the twenty-feventh, his Joidfhip
removed from thence to Donhage, and there
he determined to keep his court.
He m?de his entry in the evening by the
light of torches and fireworks, accompanied
by a noble train of Engliihmen, with an hun-
dred and fifty of his guard, the ftates of Ro-
terdam and Delph, and was met upon the
water by the ftates of Donhage, and received
in triumph. Several magnificent (hews were
exhibited, as he entered, and addreifes paid
to him. Fiibermen were firil placed in the
harbour, reprefenting Peter, James, and
John, and our Saviour walking by them on
the water, and commanding them to call in
their nets a lecond time, according to the Gol-
pel of St. Matthew ; and, as they drew them
out laden with £ihes, thry made a fhew of
prefentment to the earl of Leicefler, who re-
turned his thanks as he pafled by. The next
reprefentation was of the poetical gods. Mars
and Bellona fate upon the river, and made a
congratulatory fpeech to his lordfhip upon his
arrival.
At his landing he was met by a troop of
horfe, dre/Ted in fantallic habits, who ran
many courfes before him, and, as the ftreets
grew narrow, marched oiF, As he entered
the principal ftreet of the town, there were
two galleries hung with black bays ereded on
each fidej on which iluod fifteen virgins
cloathed
ROBERT DUDLEY. 135
cloathed in white with palm-branches, and
lighted tapers in their hands, and paid their
refpedls to him as he went along. They ftood
about a fpear's length from each other, and
between every one of them was hang up a
glafs fconce with a lighted taper ; and at the
ends of each gallery were placed a champion
and a Moor ; the one fupporting the arms of
England, and the other the arms of Holland.
Frequent gates were raifed of rugged ilones,
adorned with tapers, and the arms of the prin-
cipal artificers of the town. The ftreets were
hung with broad cloths, on which abundance
of red croiTes were faftened, drawn on paper.
As the way turned, upon an high fcaffold
raifed over an arch, an imaginary battle was
fought between the Englifh and the Spaniards,
and the Englifh prevailing, an infcription was
written underneath to this effed, ** May our
fortune be, as 'tis here reprefented, and bring
freedom to ourfelves and fame to England."
And other lines in Latin, alluding to Britain,
were expofed to public view.
As he moved forward, a lofty fcaffold was
crefted, on which her majefty's arms were
placed at large : upon it ftood feven virgins,
reprefenting the feven provinces, each holding
a fpear, and fupporting the arms of the pro-
vince fhe was to denote ; and in the midft was
an armed Minerva, encompafTed with the arms
of England, on which the reft feemed to
rely : and thefe were all prefented to her ma-
jefty
156 BRITISH PLUTARCH,
jefty by an old champion named NecefTity.
At fome diilance, on a like fcafFold, feven-
perfons, exprefTing the feven liberal ftiences,
were prefented to the earl, as due to him by
Hierit. The itreets were all illuminated as he
palled along, and many agreeable inventions
devifed upon the occafion. A.morg the reft,
over againft his lordibip's gate, a barber had
fo difpofed above threefcore bafons of bright
copper, with a wax candle in every one of
them, as to make a moft glorious ibew ; afid
in the midll was placed the rofe and crown,
with a fuitable motto.
Upon his entrance into the court-gate, Ar-
thur of Britain, involved in a cloud, whom,
they compared to the earl, was difcerned upon
a fcafFold ; and within were entertainments of
all kinds of mufical inftruments.
Thus was he led in triumph through the
city ; and, as he entered the great hall, he-
was welcomed to his lodging with the dif.
charge of large vollies of fnot. Great rejoice-
ings were made in the town all the night long^
with variety of fireworks, as rockets, fquibs,.
wheels, and bails of fire, and an artificial
dragon, which call: out flames for near an hour
together.
The next day, on the river adjoining to his
lordfhip's lodging, a kind of tilting was per-
formed upon the water in the following man-
ner. From each end of the river came a boat
running with fix oars, and an armed man
itanding
ROBERT DUDLEY. i y;
iUnding in the Hern, with a llafF in his reft,
having a but-end of cork : as they met they
encountred, and both fell into the water,
where otlier boats flood ready to a&il them.
This diverfion was continued till my lord of
Leicefter grew weary of it, in compafiionating
the pain of the poor men that were thrown into
the river.
On the third of January, his lordfhip en-
tered Leyden with a large retinue of three
hundred horfe, very richly furnifned. He was
met upon the way by the chief townfmen, who
congratulated his arrival among them. The
firft that addreiTed him were twelve burgo-
mafters in long black gowns, with the nan^.e
of Leyden, in large letters of fdver, upon
their fhoulders. Thefe were followed by
twelve of the principal burgeffJjs, and a large-
train on horfeback, dreiTed all in black velvet.
From his entrance into the town, he v/as led
to his feat through a covered llreet of different
coloured faie, with a canopy borne over him ;
and, as foon as he was feated, two men, like
poets, on a llage over againil him, prefented
him with the following fpeftacle, reprefenting
the miferies tiiey had endured, whilft be«
fieged by the Spaniards about eight years be-
fore.
The firfl perfona^re that appeared, was a
fine woman richly drefled, denodng tlie town:
fne was long affaulted by Spaniards Vvdth falfe
fires of flict, in order of battle ; but not pre-
vailiMij, th?v retired, and c-ontirued the lieee
tlU.
nS BRITISH PLUTARCH,
till fuch time as provifion grew fcarce ; and
then entered Famine, in a proper attire ex-
preffive of want ; who was followed by men
rending afunder live cats and dogs, and feed-
ing upon them ; and foldiers bereaving the
women of their children and devouring them,
She was now attacked by Peftilence, which
was attended with heaps of carcafles, buried in
a diibrderly manner ; and at length with the
funeral of an officer, who had dilHngnilhed
himfelf in the fervice, and was carried over
the flage with dead marches, howling trum-
pets, colours wrapt up, trailed pikes, and
drawn pieces ; and, as he was laid in the
ground, was bid farewell with a volley of
fhot. The Spaniards were next reprefented as
compaffionating her miferies, and lending fr«.
quent meflages to exhort her to yield ; to
which fhe returned no anfwer. but, big with
the hopes of afliftance, ordered a light to be
fixed on the pinnacle of the higheft ileeple in
the town to give notice to the prince of
Orange, who lay at Delph, that fhe expelled
fuccour ; and he again, by the device of a
dove, fent back a promifed aid ; which was
returned with repeated afTurances that fhe
would flill hold out till it fhould pleafe Pro-
vidence to favour her. Providence then en-
tered the llage, upon whom (he leaned, and
feen>ed to repofe her utmoll confidence. By
the help of Providence, a part of the wall
was thrown down in the night with a vawmure
of fix and twenty poles. Upon this, the ene-
my,
ROBERT DUDLEY. 139
my, apprehending the prince of Orange was
entered with his force, have recourfe to flight,
are purfaed by the town, and as many as
were overtaken are put to the fvvord, whilll:
the lady and her attendants march off in tri-
umph. Another woman was then introduced,
armed like the former, and befieged by a
Spaniard, courted by a Frenchman, and flat-
tered twice by an Italian ; but rejedling the
Spaniard, fhe haftily leaped ofi^ the ftage and
hid herfelf under the earl of Leicefler's cloak,
and his lordfliip receiving her into his protec-
tion, the Spaniard put on an air of threatning
and walked off*. The earl led her home to
his lodging, and put an end to the (hew.
The next day he was publickly entertained
by the town, and on the fifth of January went
back to Donhage. Five days after he made
a mufter of part of his horfemen, to the num-
ber of five hundred and more, and diftributed
them into feveral garrifons, under fevcral go-
vernors, and nominated the earl of Efl'ex to be
general of the horfe. He then returned to
Leyden, and caufed a general faft to be pro-
claimed throughout Holland, Gelderland and
Frifeland, on the twelfth, which was obferved
with great folemnity and devotion. The lord
lieutenant fpent the day in hearing of fermons,
and in praver, in reading and finging of pfalms,
and neither eat himfelf, nor fuffered any be-
longing to him to tafte of meat till the even-
ing. On the twenty-fourth of January he was
vifited at Donhage by the prince of Portugal,
and
140 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
and on the twenty-fifth his lordHiip was in-
ftalled and fworn, and the llates took an oath
to the queen. I'he manner of the inllalment
was as follows : at the upper end of the great
haii the lord lieutenant was feated under the
arms of England, and on each fide of him,
in a defcent of two ikps, fat twelve of the-
principal fiates, and the reft to the number of
twenty were placed direftly before him, but
four or five iteps lower. On his lordihip's
rigiit hand flood the prince of Portugal, the
lord Morley, Mr. Noiris governor of Mun-
fter, Sir William RulTel, Sir Robert Germain,
and other perfons of diilinflion : on his left
were Grave Maurice, the earl of Effex, Sir
William Stanley, Sir Thom.is Parrat, and
fevcral others of rank and quality. A large
oration was then made in Dutch, declaring
thecaufe of the afiembly, and concluding with
acknowledgments to the queen and the lord
lieutenant. After this the agreement between
the ftates, the queen, and his lordHnip was read
in Latin, and being interchangeably delivered
by my lord to the llates, and by the iLites to
his lordfliip, he was defired to fwear to the
obfervance of the articles contained in it,
which, holding up his hand to heaven, he did ;-
and the fiates in like manner holding up their
liands, did the fame. And then again the
llates took an oath to the queen and her lord
lieutenant, and retiring to his palace,- were
nobly entertained by his lordfnip. In the be-
ginning of February he went to the Hague,-
vvierir'
ROBERT DUDLEY. 141
where the ftates general were afiembled, and
on the fixth day of the month a grant was
given him in writing of the chief govern-
ment and abfolute authority over the united
provinces. After which the lord lieutenant
applied himfeif to the buHnefs of his charge,
and nominated certain fuperintendants to act
under him in the feverai provinces ; all of
them natives of the country, and members of
the great council. But when nev/s was brought
to queen Elizabeth, how large an honour and
authority the Hates had conferred on his lord-
Ihip, and that he had accepted it, ihe very
highly refented his proceedings, and imme-
diately difpatched her vice chamberlain to him
with an expoftulating letter ; at the fame time
writing to the ftates general to turn Leiceller
out of that abfolute authority, whofe com-
miffion fhe had limited ; not that Ihe thought
their caufe unv^'orthy to be favoured and aiiift-
ed, but to provide for and fecure her own ho-
nour, which fhe efteemed more dear to her
than life itfelf.
The flates returned a fubmiflive anfwer, ex-
cufed v/hat they had done by the necelTity they
lay under, gave a fofter ienfe to the word
abfolute than was generally meant by it, and
laid before her theiiiconvenience of recalling a
power they had already given. The earl of
Leicefter, too, lamenting bis hard fate in hav-
ing difobliged her, fo wrought upon her eafy
diipcfition by his feigned forrow, that rae over-
looked
142 BRITISH PLUTARCH,
looked the offence, and acquiefced in the de-
claration of the ilates.
Upon the arrival of the Englifh fuccours,
the Dutch were infpired with new hopes ; and
the prince of Parma, the Spanifli general, who
had been raifed to an expectation of foon re-
ducing the Netherlands to the obedience of
the catholic king, found he had a more power-
ful enemy to cope with than he had yet en-
countered : in their firil attacks the Englifh
carried every thing before them ; and the earl
of Leicerter being then at Utrecht, in his pro-
grefs through the Provinces, he received an
account of his fuccefs againft the enemy, from
his lieutenant general N orris ; in confequence
of which good news, he kept the feaft of St.
George, then nigh approaching, with a pomp
and folemnity worthy of himfelf andhis coun-
.On the twenty- third of April, being St.
George's day, the ftreets of Utrecht were
ranked with eight enfigns of burghers richly
appointed, and wearing fcarfs upon their arms
knit like rofes red and white, in the midft of
whom the proceflion marched on hrrfeback
from the lord lieutenant's palace to the cathe-
dral church. Firftrode the trumpeters, cloathed
in fcarlet laced with filver, founding their in-
ftruments, their bannerols being difplayed and
richly limned with his lordihip's arms. Next
came the gentlemen, captains, colonels, and
her majefty's fworn men, to the number of
forty
ROBERT DUDLEY. 143
forty horfe, In gold and filver fluffs, and va-
rious coloured filks. Thefe were followed by
fix knights, four barons, the council of the
eftates, the earl of Eflex and the eleifloral bi-
fhop of Cologne, and the prince of Portugal
by himfeif. After whom marched the captain
of the Guard, the treafurer and comptroller of
the houlhold, bearing white (laves, two gen-
tlemen ufhers, and Portcullis herald in a rich
coat of arms of England. And laft of all
came the lord lieutenant inverted in the robes
of the order, and guarded by the principal
burghers of the town, who offered themfelves
to this fervice, befides his own guard, which
confided of fifty halberts in fcarlet cloaks,
edged with purple and white velvet. In this
flate he was conducted to the church, and pay-
ing his reverence to her majefty's feat, which
was fituate fome degrees lower. After prayers
and the fermon were ended, he proceeded to
the offering, firil for her majefty and then for
himfeif, which part of the fervice he perform-
ed with fuch a grace and majeftic deportment,
as procured him the applaufe of the whole
affembly.
From hence they returned to dinner, and
were very honourably entertained at his lord-
fhip's palace. At the upper end of the hall
was a fumptuous cloth and chair of ftate, de-
iigned for queen Elizabeth, with hermajefly's
arms and flile upon it, and before it a table
covered in the fame manner, as if her highnefs
had been prefent; and at the lov/er end of it on
the
144 BRITISH PLUTARCPf.
the left hand, were placed the llool and platfe
of the lord lieutenat, for he would have no
chair. The company being afiembled, his
lordfnip knighted Sir Martin Skencke before
the chair of Hate, for the many fervices he
had done to his country, and then the ufhers
marfhalled the feail. The difhes were brought
up into the hall with the found of trumpets,
were ferved on the knee, and carved and
tailed to her majeily's trencher.
The fide-tables were all furnilhed in filver
plate, and waited on by gentlemen, and upon
the removal of the firll courfc, and placing the
fecond upon the queen's board, the uihers
cried, '' A hall." which being made with
fome diihculty, by reafon of the cro,\d, they
brought up between them Portcullis herald,
invefted with the arms of England, who after
he had thrice paid his reverence to the chair
of ftate, pronounced in Latin, French, and
Englilh, the queen's ufual flile, of England,
France and Ireland, defend refs of the faith.
Sec, and then cried aloud thrice, '* LargefTe.'*
When dinner was over, there paiTed feveral
entertainments of dancing, vaulting, and
tumbling ; and after fupper feveral a6ls of
chivalry u'ere performed, wherein the earl of
Elfex dillinguilhed himfelf above the rell.
From Utrecht his excellency pailld to Arn-
heira with a confiuerablc force, defigning to
relieve Grave, then befieged. But before his
lordihip could bring up his luccours. Van
Hemart, the governor, furrenderred, and de-
livered
ROBERT DUDLEY. 14^
livered the town up to the duke of Parma,
to \^ hich capitulation they fay he was induced
by the perfuafions of a kept miilrefs ; how-
ever, his cowardice coft him his life. The
carl of Leiceller prefently ordered him to be
apprehended, and for an example of terror
caufcd him and two other officers concerned
with him, to be put to an ignominious dc^ath^
There were found in the town, as Strada re-
ports, twenty-feven pieces of cannon, an hun-
dred and eight barrels of gunpowder, and a
fufHcient quantity of provilion to fupport fix
thouiand men for a whole year. And, in the
mean time, the earl of Leiceller drew the Spa-
niards from their ftrong holds in other places.
It is not our purpofe, however, to give a
diRind recital of the feveral battles, fieges,
r.nd fkirmifhes, which happened between the
^panifn forces and thofe of the confederates.
The earl of Leicefier certainly, in many in-
Itances, fhewed himfclf a brave man, if not a
great general ; and the Englifii and Dutch, for
the moil: part, had the better of their enemies.
Yet, when the lord lieutenant came to the
Hague after his fecond campaign, where the
/lates of the country were then alfembled, they
received him with coldnefs, and fooa broke
cut in expoilulation ana complaint ; in a mo-
derate way defiring a redrefs. But he in re-
turn entered upon a juftification of his pro-
ceedings, ilrove to remove their fuppofed mif-
conftruftions and millakes, and at lad endea-
vcured to difiblve the aiTemblv ; but not be*
\'qu III, H ' inff
546 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
ing able to bring about his purpofe, he de-
clared his reiblution of returning to England,
^nd left the council in an angry mafiner.
However, he kems afterwards to have been
•brought to temper, and to have told the
lUtes, that by his journey into England, he
ihould be the more enabled to affill them in
iheir affairs, and provide a remedy to all
-their grievances.
When the day came for his departure, by
a public adl he gave up the care of the pro-
vinces into the hands of the council of ftate ;
but privately, the fame day, by an acl of re-
ilridion, he referved an authority to himfeif
over all governors of provinces, forts and
■cities ; and farther took away from the coun-
cil and the prefidents of provinces their ac-
cuftomed jurifdidion. And thus he fet fail for
England.
But whatever might be the pretence for
Leicefter's leaving the Low-Countries at this
conjunflure, his prefencein England feems not
to have been at all unacceptable to queen Eli-
^.abeth. The late confpiracies, which had
.been formed in favour of the queen of Scots,
had made a deep impreffion upon her majefly,
and ihe appears to have been now refolved to
4lifpatch her competitor ; but the difficulty lay
in what manner it ihould be done ; and fhe
knew ihe could fecurely rely upon Leicefter's
fidelity. When the matter was brought be-
fore the council, his lordihip is faid to have
iidvifed to ukQ her off by poifon ; but this
fcheme
ROBERT DUDLEY. 147
fcheme being openly oppofed hy fecretary
Walfingham, who had lefufed to give ear to
the private infinuations of a court- divine,
whom his lordfliip had fent to draw him into a
confent, it was at laft determined to proceed
againft her by a late aft in the twenty- feventh.
year of queen Elizabeth, which had been pur-
pofely made upon this occafion. And thus
the unfortunate queen was brought to hertry-
al, and lord Leiceller conftituted one of he?
judge?. After fentence of condemnation had
been pronounced againft her, queen Elizabeth
was no lefs perplexed, in what manner fhe
fhould proceed to her execution. She was de-
firous, as much as pofllble, to remove the
blame from herfelf ; and the earl ef Leicefter
obferving it to be her majefty's inclination,,
again advifed her to make her fecretly away.
And the queen feems fo far to have come into
his fentiraents, that fhe ordered her fecretaries
Davifon and Walfmgham to write to Fothc-
ringay, where the queen of Scots was then
imprifoned, to have her taken off by violence.
Btrt the keepers, detefting the a6lion, declined
the office, and her majefty, within a i'sw days
after, fell a public (acrifice by the hands of au
executioner.
In the mean time the affairs of the Low-
Countries were in a very unprofperous condi-
tion. And the governors of the provinces
gave in loud complaints againft the earl of
Leicefters adminiftration. During his ftay in
England they called together the ftates gene-
H 2 ral,
14^ BRITISH PLUTARCH,
ral, and to preferve their country, they agreed
to in veil prince Maurice with the full power
and authority of Stadtholder. And purfuant
to this determination, they obliged all the of-
ficers to receive a new commiihon from him,
and to take a new oath to the flates, and dif-
charged all recufants whatfoever from the fer-
vice.
Queen Elizabeth was highly dilpleafed with
thefe alterations in the government. She im-
mediately fent over lord Buckhurll: to enquire
into the matter, to complain of the innova*
tions they had introduced in the earl of Lei-
cefter's abfence, and to fettle all diiFerences
between them. The flates in return afTured
her majelly, that their proceedings were but
provifiona), and enforced through fear of a
general revolt in confequence of their lolTes ;
and that at his lordfhip's return they would
readily acknowledge both him and his authori-
ty ; for the dates were too well acquainted with
the fnare Leicefter bore in her majefty's afFec-
.tion, to attempt any accufation againft him.
But notwith Handing many outvv'ard profeflions
of regard, they inwardly hated him, and pri-
vately proceeded in the execution of their
projeds, to ftraiien his power.
Thefe proceedings however were by no
means agreeable to the majority of the people;
and the clergy, who were firm in the interell
of the earl of Leicefter, threatened to be
revenged of the ftates, if the queen (hould
take any offence at their alterations. The
fynod
ROBERT D-UDLEY. 149
fynod at Sneek, in particular, prefented a pe-
tition to lord Buckhurii to be tranfmitted to
Elizabeth, in which they invite her to come to
the affiftance of Chriil, who threv?/ himfeifand
his children into her armsj and implored her
protedlon.
And the preachers at Amflerdam had open-
ly inveighed againfc the magiftrates from the
pulpit, and the people f-t up libels againli: the
ilates. Bat as thcfe diforders v/ere at the point
of being carried to the utmoll: extremity, lord
Buckhurii fignified to them from her majeHy,
that it was her inclination to fend back tlie
earl of Leicefler into the Low-Ccuntrits,
which gave a check to their violence, and put
a farther i\op to the proceedings c^f the itates,
who then, both publickly and privately, af-
fured lord Buckhurfi: of all duty and ndelicy
to him; But the queen requiring, before ftie
could be prevailed on to give ccnfent to his
lordfnip's return, fome pro.iiifes and provifoes,
which the fiates refolutely refufed to comply
with ; Buckhurfi again declared, that he had
no commiffion from her majelly to promile
his lordlhip's return to them.
The demands made by the queen from the
Butch, increafed the indignation of the great
men of that country againit the e.ari of Lei-
celler. They now faw plainly, he fought not
fo much their advantage, as the gratilication of
his own ambidon. It was their part therefore
to provide for their own fecurity, and guard
H. 3 ' agairj:.
l5o BRITISH PLUTARCH.
againfl any future encroachments he might
hereafter attempt upon their coniHtution.
But while they were employed in this attempt
their perils from the Spaniards encreafed fo
continually upon them, that there feemed no
other poffible remedy to prevent their entire
rain and fubverfion, but a prefent governor,
atcendc'd with a prefent fupply of men and
money. Lord Buckhuril was not wanting to
notify their diibeffcs to queen Elizabeth, but
Leicefier's dem.ands were fo great from her
m.ajefty, that die continued doubtful for fome
t"me, whether fhe fhould again employ him
in that fervice. This engaged lord Buckhuril
to draw up a new fcheme for the government
of the united provinces, which offended the
earl of Lerctiler fo much, that he never for-
gave it. Yet Euckhurfl flill cominued to
make application to the court of England,
laid open the miferies to which the provinces
were reduced, and with prelling inilances re-
commended the coniideration of their neceflity
to her majefty. And in the end the queen's
trcafurer arrived with money, to the great joy
of his lordfhip, and th'e comfort of the dillref-
fed foldiers, who had long been wiLhout pay
and neceilaries.
Nothing now feemed wanting l^ut the earl
of Leiceiler's prefence. The queen at laft be-
came fenfible of the inconveniencies attending
•upon any farther delay, and after fome fruitlefs
endeavours towards a peace, gave confent t^
Jus
ROBERT DUDLEY, r^r
his lordfhip's return, aad ordered him ta
make ready for his journey. Before his de-
parture feveral letters palled between him and
the miniflers of South Holland, and one of
them was written in the manner following.
Gentlemen,
" That I did not return fuch an anfwer to
feveral of your letters as you defired and ex-
pefled, was not for want of a good-will to-
wards ferving the caufe of God, and defend-
ing the Door people ; but it was becaufe 1 had
not yet rfceived her majefiy's refolutions aboat
what was farther neceflary to be done for the.
fervice of your country. But the queen hav^
ing given me full directions with regard to the
forces fhg v/iil fend to your aifiHance, and
having laid her commands upon me to return ;
I therefore, poflponing all private viewf and
confideratioris, and abandoning all thofe ad-
vantages, which God has bellowed upon me
in this kingdom, intend to haften over, and
fatisfy the defires of a people, who have fo
often called for me ; to which the zeal and
good inclinations of fome have more induced
me, than the demerits of others, that fuffer
themfelves to be made tools for keeping me
back by flanders and detradlions ; which I,
iliail neverthelefs enter into my book of obli-
vion, that no harm may befal thofe, who feek
to do me fuch differvices ; and I hope I Ihall
H 4 never
15^ BRITISH PLUTARCH.
never give the people any caufe to diminiih
their good-'AilI and afFedion for me. In the
mean time, I intreat joa to go on in your du-
ty, and to admoniih and excite thofe under
your care to peace and unity, to the end thct
they may more and more deferve all the be-
nefits they receive. For the r<fil I refer my-
{qU^ to my arrival, and (o I recommend you,
gentlemen, to the protedion of the almighty,"
Your good friend,
X3iven at London,
Jan. 7. O. S. R. Leicester.
Cut as every thing ftood flill till his lord-
ihip's arrival in Holland, the Spaniards had
great advantage of the Dutch, who thought,
cr rather feared, they could not afl properly,
though for their own defence, till the earl of
X^eicefter came to head the Englifh forces.
The duke of Parma had befeged Sluys, and
the town was reduced to the utmoii extremity,
when Leicelier fet fail from England .with a
confiderable fupply both of horfe and foot.
Prince Maurice and the deputies of the ftates
attended upon him at Fiuining, to congratulate
his return, and left count Hollack to v;atch
the motions of the enemy. When they had
talked upon the fubjefl of raifing the fiege, it
was determined to attempt it by fea. To this
end they fitted out as m.any Oiips as were thought
expedient, and fent on board them about
"£ve thoufand foot and fix hundred horfe, with
ROBERT DUDLEY; 153-
all neceflary provifion, for the relief of the
town. Within a few hours after the fleet r.p-
peared in the channel, and the earl of Leicef-
ter made figns to the befieged, that he was
come to their affiftance : but upon flrider en-
quiry, finding the channel blocked up, and the
paffage iecure, he favv it would be in vain to-;
endeavour to proceed any farther. For thfee
days he continued in fufpenfe what flep he.
fliould take ; and at lad weighing anchor, he-
bent his courfe towards Oflend, with a refolu--
tion to fuccourthe befieged by land. But the
duke of Parma apprehending his defign, im-
mediately-Tent a reinforcement of horfe and
foot to oppofe his pr^grefs. As foon as the
earl of Leicefler had landed his men, he pre-
pared to attack a very important fort, and
joining the whole garrifon of OHend to his
army, marched up diredlly againll it, The
duke of Parma, therefore, leaving the liege
every where well provided, led the remainder
of his army to the defence of the fort againiV
his lordftip. The Englilh troops were upon
.the point to begin their batteries, but upon
fight of the enemy's army, they deferred
their hoiHlities, and after feme confakation
retired to oilend. From hence they re'turnt^d
v»-ith the fame fleet to the place where they
had formerly been at anchor, not far from
Sluys; and the duke of Parma, marching
fuddenly back, again prefented himfelf to
their view; and took from them all poffible
Mops of relieving the town. And thus they
■1^4 BRITISH PLUTARCfl.
found themfelves under a neceflity to retire
again, and never after attempt to be feen
theie anymore.
The lofs of Sluys, which foon followed-,
renewed the mifunderihnding between the earl
cf Leicefler and theitates, whilll the blame of
the aftion was thrown, by each party, upon
the mifmanagement of the other. And this
diiHitisfaflion encieafing, they refufed to re-
efiablilh him in that abfolute authority, which
had been conferred upon him at his firft arri-
val. The earl of LeiceHer openly expreffed
his difpleature againft the ilates, and is charged
with having entered into indired; pradHces.
'i'he magiibates of Leyden had private infor-
mation, that a fcheme VvEs formed to furprifa
the town, -and change the governors. And
ceUiin companies of Englifh foldiers had
inarched to IViaefiand, and Delfshaven, with di»
reciicni5 to feize upon the perfon of Olden-
barnevelt, advocate and counfellor to the flates
of Holland, whom his lordfhip had deiHned
to deihuctidn, with thirteen others of the prin-
cipal afTerters of the liberties of their country,
by the hands of an executioner. And prince
Maurice, upon the difcovery, left the Hague
the next day, to avoid the ruin which Teemed
to threaten him. But the common people
were fo overfwayed with the appearances of
.-piety and zeal in the earl of Leiceder, as to
'approve of all he did. Within a few days
*liis Lordmip went to- Utrecht, where he Was
very diligent to form an uucxeft among the
toivnfmea
-ROBERT DUDLEY. i^j
ttjwnfmen in his favour ; and from thence he-
inade a progrefs through the country,, conver-
fing chiefly with the minifters and private per-
fons, and fowing the feeds of difcord.and.di-
vifion wherever he came.
He is faid to have engaged in a defign againft
Amfterdam, but the magiftrates got notice of
his project, and prevented its execution. Up-
on this difappointment he direded his courfe
towards North-Holland, and call his eye upon
Enkhuyfen. And here he thought he was fe-:
cure of his purpofe, by-reafon the clergy had
a great influence over the town. But the
minifter took part with the magiftrates, and
recommended the duty of fabje&on in fuch
prefling terms from the pulpit, that the people
were all unanimous in fupporting their autho-
rity. With this encouragement they fent a
letter to his lorfhip, as he was upon his jour*
ney, deflring he would decline to vi fit them
upon this occafion. He anfwcred their letter,
and took no notice of his coming, but not-
AvithHanding went ou fhip-board at Hoorn,
and marched diredly towards them. Hereup-
on they aflTembled all the ofiicers of the mili-
tia, and after fome confultations about the
common fafety, agreed to place a guard at
their gates ; and when his lordfhlp was ad-
vanced within a league of the city, they, dif-
patched certain members of their feriate to
him, to dilTuade his proceeding any far-
ther. _
156 BRITISH PLX'TAHCH.
The deputies delivered their mellage wiih
{"ubmifTicn and refped ; but his lordfhip being
apprehenfive that the gates would be fnut
upon him, pafild the night at Streek, and the
next Hiorr.ing turned aiide to Medenblike.
About this time, a certain Fleming, who
had been placed as a fpy upon his lordfhip, and
had frequently difclofed his counfels, and given
ieafonable notice of his defigns, appears to have
been diicovered, and was never heard of any
more.
In the mean time, the minifters were every
-where very induftrious to promote the honour
and intercfts of his lordfhip. In the begin-
ing of Otftober, certain of them drew up a
memorial, in the name of the Dutch and Wal-
loon churches ; which they prefented to the
ftr;tes ; who heard them with patience, and ci-
villy told them. They would confider of their
memorial. But, within a few days after,
as the application cf the "minirters had been
public, the ftates judged proper to draw up a
public anfwer ; which they caufed to be
printed and diftributed to the magiflrates in
every town of Holland and Weft-friefiand,
with directions to fummon the clergy before
them, to put a copy of it into their hands,
and to bid them exhort their congregations to
unity and peace ; to give heed to teaching and
preaching ; and to leave matters of govern-
ment and policy to the ftates and magiflrates.
■Bu': this reproof feems to have b€€4i ill received
by
ROUEUT DUDLEY. 157^
fcy the minillers, who declared they had dons*
nothing but their duty, and did not exped fo
unkind a return.
About this time, Provink, a creature of the
earl of Leicefier's, attempted to ftir up the-
people of Dort to an infurreftion in his lord-
fnip's favour. To this end he had drawn up
a petition, to have been figned and prefented
by them to his lordlhip ; in which, after feve-
lal invedives againft the ftates, they promifed
to ftand by him with their lives and fortunes,
and toufe their utmoft power to the eftabliihing
his authority every where. This paper being
ihevvn to the miniller, he difTuaded the execu-
tion of the enterprize 3 and fo the projedl was
■dropped for that time. It afterwai^ds fell into
the hands of the magiflrates, who, though
moil of them inclined to favour the Engliih
intereft, thought proper to lay it before the
afTembly of the ftates, then fitting at Harlem.
But the fpirit of difcord and rebellion was
no where more prevalent than it was at Ley-
den. Many thoufands of Flemilh and Bra-
■banders, who had 'taken fhelter here during
-the late perfecutions, had contraded an aver-
iion to the ilates, upon an imagination that the
caufe of the church and the earl of Leicefler
were fo clofely united, that every diminution
of his lordfhip's authority was a difiervice to
religion.
The earl of Leiceller confidering this, fent
forCofmode Pefcarengiis, a native of Pied-
'■mont, who had been formerly a pawnbroker
At
tjS BRITISH PLUTARCH.
at Leyden, but was now a dilbanded colonel,,
and ready to engage in any defperate under-
ataking. He laid before him the inclinations-
of the people of Leyden to reduce the city to
his'obedience-; Ihewed him how eafy it was ta
acccmpliili their purpofe ; that nothing more
was wanting than an officer of refolution to-
head them ; and prefied Cofmo to affill in the
fervice. Cofmo, with little perfuafion, was
induced to comply, but he wanted his lord-
fhip to give him inftrudions in writing. But
my lord made anfwer. He would fupport his-
own work, that he would never forfake him, ,
but fly to his affiflance in cafe of difficulty,,
though at the expence of all his fortune.
When Cofmo was come to Leyden, he made
his application to Nicholas de Maulde, a young
officer of reputation, v/ho Ealonged to the gart.
rifon, and gained him over to the Engliih inte*-
refl. The fame day the chief of the fadicn
met at Cofmo's lodgings, to debate upon the
execution of their projeft, and , what was the
moH efficacious method of feizing upon the
magiftrates. And here it was agreed to make
ufe of De Maulde*s company, and the foldi-
.ers of one Heraugiere, which were to be
•brought from Delft upon this occafion. Some
few days after, Cofmo, upon fufpicion of fome
other>crime, was taken up and imprifoned.
This accident ftruck a terror into the reft of
the confpirators, who judged they were all
difcovered : but foon learning their miilake,
they fent Volmaer to the. earl of Leicefter, to
confuU -
ROBERT DUDLEY. i^^
confult with him what was farther to be done..
His lordfhip required them to go on, and ex*
prelled his difTatisfadlion at their delays.
Upon the return of their meiTenger, they
met once more at Meetkirke's houfe, and de-
termined to execute their defign on the Sunday:
following. Maulde, by my lord of Leicefter's
orders, was to afic leave of the magiftrates to.
draw his company out of the town the evening
before ; and, under this pretext, was, early
the next morning, to march his foldiers along
the] Broadiireet as far as the ftadthoufe, whers
he was to be flopped by fifty or fixty of the
armed citizens, who fnould declare that they
had taken up arms for the fervice of the church
and his excellency the earl of Leicefter. They
were then to feize the fladthoufe, and to pub-
liih a declaration, That the good Burghers
had been obliged to take up arms for the fer-
vice of the queen of England, for the main-
tainance of the true religion, and for re.-
eftabliihing the earl of Leicefler," &c.. And
their watch- word was to have been, *' Long
live the queen of England, and the earl o£
Leicefter^"
However, the day came, and nothing waiS
effected. They were afraid, it feems, lell: the
citizens, whom they had drawn into the con-
fpiracy, fhould be backward in the infurrec-
tion ; and thus the mifchief, which they had
defigned for others ihould revert on themftives.
In the mean time, one of the confpirators,
named Andrew Schott, difclofed the whole af-
fair
£6o BRITISH PLUTARCH,
iair to the magiilrates ; whereupon Volinaer:
was taken -up, Cofmo more ftridlly confineds
and captain Maulde apprehended at Woerden,
and carried back to Leyd^n. Volmaer con-
fefled all he was accufed of, but threw the
blame upon the earl of Leiceller. He was de«
fired to produce his commilTion; but he faid he-
had relied upon his lordfhip's honour, and aded
only by a verbal order. And,, when he was
told that the earl would deny his word,,
*' Why then,*' faid he, " I am a dead man.''
Cofmo declared that the earl of Leiceiler had
drawn him into this defign by the promife of
a reward. And Ds Moulde coniefTed, that he
was led afide by the infinuations of Cofmo,
the name of the earl of Leicefter, and the cre-
dit of Meetkirke, Cofmo only was expofed
to torture; and, as he was upon the rack,
cried out upon his lordihip, *' O excellence,
a quoy employez vous les gens r' The other
two were fentenced to be beheaded.
The earl of Leicefter was at Alkmae?-
when news was brought him of the fad fate
of his confederates, and is reported to have
faid, " 'Tis high time to take care of my own
head.*' And, not long after, he left the coun-
try, and returned into England, leaving tli^
adminiilration of the provinces to the fiate*
themfelves.
At his departure, he privately diilributed
among the members of his faction certain gold
medals, flamped with his own eitigies on one
-de J
ROBERT DUDLEY. 361
^de, and, on the reverfe, a dog ready to de-
part, looking back upon a flock of Iheep,
froiTi whence feme had ftrayed. Over the dog
was this inicription, ** Invitus defero ;" and
near the fheep, ** Non gregem, fed ingra-
tos"
Prince Maurice was immediately appointed
governor of the United Provinces in his lord-
Ihip's ftead; and the lord Willoughby made
general of the English forces in the Low-
Countries by her majedy. But, notwithftand-
ing his abfence, he is reported to have ilill
fomented divisions in the country. But the
cueen, confidering the dangers which now
threatened her from the preparations in Spain,
gave orders to my lord Willoughby to check
the feditious fpirit in the Low-Countries, and
reduce the difafFefted to a fubmiffion to the
ftates ; which, by the aiTiilance of prince
Maurice, he happily performed.
ft is faid, thst lord Leiceiler, upon Kis r^
turn, finding an accufaticn was preparing
againft him by Euckhurft, and others of his
enemies, for his mifcondu'fl in the Low-
Countries ; and that he was fumraoned to ap-
pear and give an account of his behaviour
*t)efore the council ; privately threw himfelf
at her majefly's feet, and implored her prc-
letflion : and, that the queen was fo pacified
with his expreffions of humility and forrow, a^
to pafs by the difpleafure ihe had conceived
againll him, and admit him into her former
grace and aifeclion.
Tlie
l52 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
The next day, when it was expected he
fliould have given in his anfvver, he took his
place at the council-table; and, when the fe-
cretary had begun to read his accufation, he-
rofe up and interrupted him, complaining of
the injuries that had been offered him, and
declaiing that his public commiffioa was li-
iniied by private inilrudions; and making his
appeal to the queen, he evaded the accufation,
and came off in triumph. But it fared not fo'
with lord Biickhuril j for Leiceller's aver-
£on to him, and power with the queen, fo far
prevailed, that a cenfure was paffed upon his
negcciation, and his lordiliip was confined to^
his houfe for feverai months.
The preparations in the ports of Spain had
already made a great noife, and there was na
doubt but their principal views weie direded
againil England. The queen was not negli-
gent in making all preparations requinte fo^r.
her defence. She fiited out a cor.fiderable
fieet under the command of the lord Howard
of Effingham, and farther lined the fouthera
coails with tv.'enty thoufand men. An army
of one thoufand horfe, and twenty-two thou-
fand foot, was commanded by her j^eneral the
€arl of Leiceller, and encamped at Tilbury^
near the m.outh of the Thames ; and another
of thirty-four thoufand foot, and two thoufand
horfe, was under the command of the lord
Hun^don, and kept as a guard upon the
queen's perfon.
Upoa
ROBERT DUDLEY. 163
tJpon the encampment at Tilbury, her ma-
jefty rode through all the fq^uadrons of her ar-
my, attended by the earls of Leicefier and Ef-
fex, and Norris, lord-marihal, on foot : and,
having viewed them all, (he exprefTed her fa-
tisfaction of their fidelity, and her {^vSq of
my lord of Lsicefter's merit, in a noble
fpeech.
But, notwithflanding her msjefly's com-
mendation, there was no opportunity for his
lordihip to exert his abilities on this occafion;
for the Spaniih army never landed on the fnore.
And this was th^ lail expedition in which his
lordiliip was engaged ,* for retiring foon after
to his caflle at Keniiworth, as hs was upon
his journey, he was taken ill of a ftver at
Cornbury Park, in Oxforufnire ; of which he
died on the fourth of September following.
'* He was efneemed," fays Mr. Camden,
" a mofc accomp-lifhed courtier, free and boun-
tiful to foldiers aadftudents'; a cunning time-
fervcr, and re feeder ©f 4iis own advantages ;
of a difpofition ready and apt to pieafe ;
■crafty and fjbtle towards his adverfaries ;
much given formerly to women, and in his
Jatter days doating extremely upon maniage.
But, whilft he preferred power and greatnefs,
which is fubjedl to be envied, before folid vir-
tue, his detradling emulators found large
matter to fpeak reproachfully of him ; and,
even when he was in his moil flourifhing con-
dition, fpared not difgracefuHy to defame him
164 BRITISH PLUTAxRCH.
by libels, not without a mixture of fome un-
truths."
It is faid, that he died in the queen's debt;
and, that her niajeily caufed his goods to be
fold at a public (ale, that payment might be
inade ; for, however favourable fhe might
have been i]i all other refpecls, the queen is
obfeived never to have remitted the debts that
were owing to her Treafury. From Coinbury
Park his corpfe was removed to Warwick,
where he was interred in our Lady's chapel,
adjoining to the choir of the collegiate-churchy,
and a very noble monoaient ere^d to his me-
inory.
Tiis
SIR FRANCIS DRAKE. 165
The life of
Sir Francis Drake.
THIS famous voyager was born near
South-Taveftock, in Devonfhire, his
father being a miniiler, who, for fear of the
fix articles, in the reign of Henry VIII. was
forced to fecure himfeif in the hull of a fnip,
where he had many of his younger fons, hav-
ing twelve in all, moll of them born on the
water.
After the death of Henry VIII. Mr. Drake
got a place to read prayers in the royal navy,
and bound his eldeft fon, Francis, apprentice
to a Ihip-marter, who traded to France and
Holland ; with whom he endured much hard-
ship. It isfaid, that, at the age of eighteen,
he was purfer of a ihip trading to the Bay of
Bifcay. At twenty, he made a voyage to
Guinea; and, at the age of twenty-two, w^s
appointed captain of the Judith ; and, in that
capacity, was in the harbour of St. John de
Uiloa, in the gulph of Alexico ; where he be-
haved very gallantly in the glorious a£ti'"^n un-
der Sir John Hawkins ; and returned with him,
to England with a high reputation, but flrip-
^3d of all, and very poor.
Soon
i66 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
Soon after this, he conceived a defign cf
making reprifals on the king of Spain; which,
according to fome, was put into his head by
the chaplain of the ihip : and, indeed, the
cafe was clear in fea-divinity, that the fubjefts
of the king of Spain had undone Mr. Drake,
and therefore he was at liberty to take the beft
fatisfadion he could on them in return. This
dodlrine, however roughly preached, was very
taking in England ; and, therefore, no fooner
did he publifh his defign, than he had num*
bers of volunteers ready to accompany him>
though not aduated by the fame motives, and
without any fuch pretence to colour their pro-
ceeding as he had.
In 1570, he made his firfl voyage with two
ihips, the Dragon and Swan ; and the next
year in the Swan alone : from which laft ex*
pedition he returned fafe, if not rich. The*
we have no particular account of thefe two
voyages, or what Drake performed in them.,
yet nothing is clearer than that captain Drake
had two great points in viev/ : the one was, to
inform himfelf perfedlly of the fituation and
ftrength of certain places in the Spanifh Weft-
Indies J the other, to convince his country-
men, that, notwithftanding what had hap-
pened to captain Hawkins, in his laft voyage,
it was a thing very practicable to fail into thefe
parts, and return in fafety : for it is to be ob-
lerved, that Hawkins and Drake feparated in
the Weft-Indies ; and, that the former, find-
ing
SIR FRANCIS DRAKE. t€y
ing it impolTible to bring all his crew home to
•England, had fee part of them, but with their
own confent, alliore in the bay of Mexico;
«nd, inde^ed, few of tliefe finding their way
home, the terror of fuch a captivity as they
were known to endure, had a prodigiou? efFed.
But captain Drake, in thefe two voyages, hav-
ing very wifely avoided coming to blows with
the Spaniards, and bringing home fufficient
returns to fatisfy his owneis, dilTipated theie
apprehenfions, as well as raifed his own charac-
ter : fo that, at his return from his fecond
voyage, he found it no difficult matter to raife
fuch a ftrength as might enable him to perform
what he had long meditated in his own mind,
which othervvife he never would have been
able to elfedt.
Having now means fufficient to perform
greater matters, as well as fkill to condudt
them, he laid the plan of a more important
defign ; which he put in execution on the
twenty- fifth of March : for, on that day, he
failed from Plymouth, in a fhip called the Pa-
feta, burden feventy tons ; and his brother,
John Drake, in the Swan, of twenty-five
tons ; their whole ftrength confifting of only fe-
venty.three men and boys : and with this fmall
force, on the twenty fecond of July, in the
year following, 1573, attacked the town of
Nombre de Dios, which then ferved the Spa-
niards for the fame purpofes as Porto- Bello
4oes now. He took it in a few hours by
floriB>
568 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
ilorm, notwithllanding a very dangerous
wound he received in the aftion ; yet, after
all, with little advantage, being obliged, af-
ter a very brilk aftion, to betake themfelvcs
to their ihips.
His next attempt was to plunder the mules
laden with filver, which paffed from V^era
Cruz to Nombre de Dios; but in this too he
failed : however, attacking the former town,
he carried it, and got feme little plunder. In
their return, they unexpeiflly met with fifty
mules laden v/ith plate ; of which they car-
ried off as much as pofTible, and buried the
reft. In thefe enterprifes he was very greatly
afiilled by a nation of Indians, perpetually en-
gaged in war with the Spaniards. The prince,
or captain, of this tribe, Vv'hofe name was Pe-
dro, captain Drake prefcnted with a fine cut-
lafs, of which he favv the Indian was very
fond. In return, Pedro gave him four large
wedges ^ of gold ; all which captain Prake
threw Into the common ftock, adding withaJ,
That he thought it but juft, that fuch as bore
the charge of fo uncertain a voyage, on his
credit, fhould fliare the utmoil: r^dvantages that
voyage produced. Then embarking his men,
with a very cor.fiderablc booty, he bore away
for England ; and, in twenty-three days,
failed from Cape Florida to the ifles of Scilly ;
and from thence arrived fafe at Plymouth oa
the ninth of Auguft.
His fuccefs in this expedition, joined to his
iipright behaviour towards his owners, toge-
ther
SIR FRANCIS DRAKE. 169
tlier with the ufe he made of his riches,
gained him a very high reputation ; for, in
1575, fitting out three frigates at his own ex-
pence, he failed with them to Ireland ; where,
ander Walter, earl of EfTex, (father to the
earl who had been beheaded) he ferved as a
volunteer, and did many glorious exploits.
After the death of his patron, he returned
to England, in IC76; where Sir Chriftopher
iiattoa, vice-chamberlain to queen Elizabeth,
took him under his protedlion ; introduced
him to her majefty, and procured him her
countenance. By this means he was enabled
to undertake that grand expedition which
will immortalize his name. The firll thing
he propofed was a voyage into the South -^eas,
through the Straits of Magellan, hitherto un-
attempted by any Englilhman. This project
was well received at court, and captain Drake
foon faw himfelf at the height of his wiOies;
for, in his former voyage, having had a diftant
profpeft of the South-Seas, he ardently prayed
to God that he might fail an Englifh fhip in
them ; which now he found an opportunity of
attempting, the queen, by her permifTion, fur-
niihing him with the means ; and his own
fame quickly drawing to him a fufficient force
for that purpofe.
While he meditated on this great delign in
his own breaft, without communicating it to
any, he took care to procure the bell lights, to
engage feveral bold and a(^ive men to ferve
VoL.IIL I under
170 BRITISH PLUTARCH,
under him where-ever he went ; and, by a
well-timed dilplay of public fpirit, made him-
felf known to, and gained, feme powerful
friends at court. But, in 1577, while he was
thus warily contriving what he afterwards fo
happily execu^ed, one John Oxenham, who
had gained great reputation by his gallant be-
haviour in the lall: voyage under him, believed
he had penetrated captain Drake's fcheme, and
theught to be before hand with him in the ex-
ecution of it. Accordingly, this man failed
in a bark of one hundred and forty tons, with
feventy brave fellows, to Nombre de Dios ;
vs/here, laying his bark up in a creek, he
marched acrofs the iflhmus with his compani-
ons ; got into the South-Seas with fome ca-
noes ; and took two Spaniih fhips with an
jmmenfe treafure in gold and filver : but, be-
ing without Drake's abilities and generofity,
though nothing inferior to him in courage,
fell out with his men ; which occafioned fuch
a delay in his return, that the Spaniards re-
covered their treafure ; dellroyed many of his
crew ; and, at length, took him, with foar
of his companions ; whom, for want of a
commiffion to juftify their proceedings, they
hanged as pirates.
Captain Drake, before he had any know-
ledge of the ilTue of this bufinefs, and be-
ing acquainted with no more than what was
public throughout all tnc weft of England,
that Oxe»ibam was failed upon fome fuch
defign.
SIR FRANCIS DRAKE, 171
defign, brought his own projefl to bear, thro'
the light of his own judgment, and at the ex-
pence of private perfons, who had an entire
confidence in him ; for the fleet with which he
failed on this extraordinary enterprize, con-
filled of the following fliips : viz. The Peli-
can, of one hundred tons, commanded by
himfelf; the Elizabeth, vice-admiral, of
eighty tons, under the command of captain
John Winter ; the Marygold, a bark of fifty
tons, under captain John Cheller ; and the
Chriftopher, a pinnace of fifteen tons, under
captain Thomas Moon. In this fleet the
whole number of hands embarked, but a-
mounted to no more than one btmdred and
fixty-four able men, with all neceflary provi-
fions for fo long and dangerous a voyaga ; the
intent of which was, however, not publicly
declared, but given out to be for Alexandria,
though it vyas generally fufpe^led, and m.any
ki.ew, that it was defigned for America.
On the twenty- fif:h of the fame month, he
fell in with the coafl of Larbary j and, on the
twenty-ninth, with Cape de Verd. The thir-
teenth of March he paflcd the line ; the fiftit*
of April he made the coail of Brazil, in ^o®
N. iat. and ei:.e:ed the river de la Plata, where
he loil the company of cyo of his fleet ; but,
meeting them again, and taking out all their
hands, and the provifions they had on board,
he turned them adrift. On the twenty-ninth
of May he entered the port of St. Julian's,
I 2 where
t-T BRITISH PLUTARCH,
where he executed Mr. John Doughty, who
was next in authority to himfelf; in which»
however,- he preferved a great appearance of
judicc.
It will, however, be neceiTary to give an
account of this affair, as it was one of the moll
renaarkablt paflages in our hero's life, with re-
gard to his moral charadler. After he had
continued about two months in port Sr. Julian,
lying within one degree of the Streights of
Magellan, to make the neceflary preparations
for paffing the freights with fafety, on a fud-
den having carried the principal pcrfons en-
gaged in the fervice to a defert ifland lying in
the ba^', he called a court-martial, where he
opened his commiffion ; by which the queen
granted him the power of life and death,
which was delivered him with this remarkable
exprefSon from her own mouth : " We do ac-
count that he, Drake, who flrikes at thee,
does flrike at us." He then explained with
that wonderful fluency of fpeech which, with
indifferent education, he was naturally mailer
of, the caufe of the aifembly ; and proceeded
next to charge Mr. John Doughty, who had
been fecond in command during the whole
voyage, firft, with plotting in his abfence to
murder him.
*' We had," faid he, " the firf^ notice of
this gentleman's intentions before he left Eng-
land, but was in hopes his behaviour would
have extinguiflied fach difpofitions, if there
had been any truth in the inforraauoB,"
He
SIR FRANCIS DRAKE. 173
He then appealed for his behaviour to the
v-'hole alTembly, and to the gentleman accuf^d:
he next expofed his pradlices from the time
•they left England, Vv'hile he behaved towards
'him with all the kindnefs and cordiality of a
brother; fupporting his charge by producing
papers under his own hand; to which Mr.
Doughty added a full and free confelTion. Af-
ter this, the captain, or, as he was then called,
the general, quitted the place, telling the af-
/embly he expelled that they fhould pais a vcr-
<li6l upon him.; for he would be no judge ia
-his own caufe.
Camden fays he was tried by a jury. Ths
accounts afiirm, that the whole forty perfons
of which the court confiiled, adjudged him to
death, and gave this in writing under their
hands and feals, leaving the time and manner
of it to the general. Upon this, captain
Drake, having maturely weighed the whole
affair, gave Mr. Doughty his choice of thres
things. Firll, to be executed on the ifiand
vvhere they were; fecondly, to be fet afhore on
■tlie main land ; or, laftly, to be fent home to
abide the juliice of his country. After defir'ng
till next day to confider of ihefe, he declared,
that he made the firll his choice ; and, havii:g
received the facrament with the general fjoni
the hands of Mr. Francis Fletcher, chaplaia
to the fleet, and made a full confelhon, hi"^
head was fevered from his body with an axe by
the provcft-marlhal, on the fecond of Julv,
1578.
I 5 Thii
174 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
This ifland had been the fcene of another
affair exadly of the fame kind, fifty eight
years before, when Magellan caufed John de
Carthagend, who was joined in commiffion
with him by the king of Spain, to be hanged
for the h'ke offence; and from hence it was
called the ifland of true juftice.
But to return to an account of captain
Drake's voyage ; en the twentieth of Augull,
1579, he entered the Streights of Magellan j
on the twenty-fifth he paffed them, having
then with him only his own iTiip, which, in
the South -Seas, he new named the Hind : on
the 2^th of November he came to Macao,
in 33^ lat. where he had appo nted a rendez-
vous in cafe his fnips were parted ; but captain
Winter having repafied the freights, returned
to England. From Macao, Drake continued
his voyage along the coafts of Chili and Peru,
taking all opportunities of feizing SpaniOi
(hips, or of landing and attacking them on
fhore, till they were fated with plunder ; and
then coafling North- America, to the height of
48^, he endeavoured to find a paffage back
into the Atlantic Ocean on that hde. — A con-
vincing evidence of his confummate ficill and
undaunted courage : for, ifeverfucha paffage
be found to the northward, this, in all proba-
bility, will be the me::hod.
Here, being difappointed of what he fought,
he landed, and called the country New Al-
bion ; taking poffeffion of it in the name, and
fqi
SIR FRANCIS DRAKE. i-
t<-)r the uf^^, of queen Elizabeth ; and, after
careening his fliip, fet fail from thence, on the
twenty-ninth of Septeraber, for the Molucca
iflands. He chofe this pafTage round rather than
to return by the Streights of Magellan ; partly
from the danger of being attacked by the Spa-
i>iards, and partly from the latenefs of the fea-
fon, when dreadful ilorms and hurricanes were
to be apprehended. Perhaps too, he gave out
amoKg his feamen, that ' he was deterred by -
the confident, though falfe, reports cf the
Spaniards, that the S:reights could not be re-
paired ; for it had actually been done by cap-
tain John Winter, though Drake and his com-
pany could know nothing of it then.
But that captain Drake could net apprehend
any impofribillty in the thing iticlf appe:its
from hence, that, in this very voyage he hud
not only pafTed them, but had alfo been driven
back again, not through the ftreights indeed,
but in the open fea ; of which Sir Richard
Hawkins gives the following account from the
captain's own mouth: *' In all the fireights it
ebbeth and flov/eth more or lefs. If a man
be furnitlied with wood and water, and the
wind good, he may keep the main fea, and
go round about the llreights to the fouthward ;
and this is the fliorter way. For, befides the
experience which we made, that all the fouth
part of the freights is but iflands, many times
having the fea open, I remember that Sir
Francis Drake lold me, that, having fhot the
I 4 freights,
176 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
flrelghts, a Horm took him, firll, at ncrth-
weft, and afterwards veered about to the
fouth-weft ; which continued with him many
cays with fuch extremity that he could not
open any fail ; and, that at the end of the
fiorm he found himfclf in £fty degrees :
which was fuffi'cient proof that he was beaten
round abv:ut the itreights; for the leaft height
of the freights is in 52*^ and 50', in which
ftand the two entrances, or mouths. And,
moreover, he faid, that, landing about when
the wind changed, he was not well able to
double the fouthernmoll ifland, and fo anchored
under the lee of it 3 and going afhore carried
a compafs with him; and feeking out the
fouthernmoft part of the ifland, call himfelf
down upon the uttermoft point, groveling, and
fo reached cut his body over it. Soon after,
he embarked ; wh^re he acquainted his people
that he had been upon the fouthernmoft knov/n
land in the world ; and further to the fouth"
ward upon it than any man yet known."
On the 13th ofOdober, Drake fell in with
certain iflands inhabited by the m.oft barbarous
people he had met with in all his voyage. On
the fourth of November he had fight of the
Moluccas ; and, coming to the ifland of Ter-
nate, was extremely well received by the king
of that ifland, who feems to have been a wife
and polite prince. On the tenth of Decem-
ber he made Celebes; where, his fhip running
on a rock, on the ninth of January they go:t
off
SIR FRANCIS DRAKE. 177
^ff and coiitinued their co^lTL^ Oli the fix-
teenth of March^ 1580, he arrived at Java
Major, thence intending to have proceeded to.
Malacca, he found himfelf obliged to think of
l-eturning home immediately. On the twenty-
Sfih he put this defign in execution ; and, on-
the fifteeath of June, doubling the Cape, he
-iad on board his fhip fifty-fevenmen, and but
three cafks of water. On the twelfth of July
tie crofied the Line; reached the coaftof Gui-
cey on the fixteenth, and there took in wa-,
ter. On the eleventh of September, he made
-the illand of Tercera; and, on the third of
November following, entered the harbour of
Plymouth,
In this voyage he completely furrounded the
globe, which Jio commander in. chief had done
before him,
Drake's faccefs in this voyage, and the im-
menfe treafure he brought home with him,
became the general topic of converfation, fome
highly commending, and others as loudly cen-
furing him. In this uncertainty matters con-
tinued during tJie remainder of this year,
]58i, and the fpring of the next ; when, at
length, on the 14th of April, .her majelty go-
ing to Deptfcrd, went on board Drake's fnipj
where, after dinner, flie conferred the hojiour
of knighthood on him, and declared her abfo^.
lute approbation of all he- had done. She
alfo gave diredions for the prefervation of his
ihip, that it wight remain z moniimeni both of
1 5 bijv,."
178 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
himfelf and his country. But time, that cJe-
ftroys all things, having made great breaches
in this veffd, which, for many years, had
been viewed with admiration at Deptford, was
at length broken up, and a chair made out of
the planks was prefented, by John Davies,
efq. to the univerfity of Oxford, where it is
ftill preferved.
In the year 1585, he again failed to the
Weft-Indies. In this expedition he took the
cities of St. Jago, St. Dominico, Carthagena,
and St. Auguftine; by which he even exceeded
the moflfanguine hopes of his warmed friends.
Yet the profits of this voyage were but mode-
rate, Sir Francis's defign being rather to
weaken the enemy than enrich himfel.^.
Two years afterwards he proceeded to Lif-
bon with a fleet of thirty fail ; and, receiving
intelligence of a confiderable fleet afiembled in
the bay of Cadiz, intended to make part
of the Spanilh, armada, he bravely entered
that port, and burnt upwards of ten thoufand
tons of fhipping : then, having advice cf a
large Caracca (hip expected at the ifland of
Teicera from the Eafl-Indies, he failed thither;
and, though his men were in great want of
provifions, he prevailed on them to go through
thofe hardfhips for a few days ; in which time
the Eaft- India fhip arriving, he took and car-
ried her home in triumph : fo that, during all
the war, no expedition was fo happily con-
dudted as this, either with regard to reputa-
tion
SIR FRANCIS DRAKE. 179
tion or profit : and therefore it is the lefs Air-
priling, that, upon his return, he was fome-
thing elated with the high applaufe he re-
ceived. In this he was, however, the more
excufable, as his pride always vented itfelf in
the ferv'ice of the public.
It is here to be obferved, that, though our
intrepid feaman in his voyage round the world
had the queen's commifrion, yet he commanded
none of her {hips ; but, in this expedition of
1587, Sir Francis was on board a man of war,
and his vice-admiral, Forbillier, was in ano-
ther ; befides which he had two more of her
majefty's (hips, together with twenty-fix fail of
feveral fizes fitted out by the merchants of
London.
In the year 1588, Sir Francis undertook to
convey water to the town of Plymouth, for
want of which, till then, it was greatly diftref-
fed ; and performed it by bringing thither a
flream from fprings at the diiiance of eight
miles, if the diftance be raeafured in a Ihait
line ; but in the manner by which he con-
duced it, the courfe it runs is upwards of
twenty miles.
This year alfo he was appointed vice-admi-
ral under lord Charles Howard of Effingham,
high- admiral of England : here he v/as as for-
tunate as ever, for he took a prize of a very-
large galleon, commanded by don Pedro de
Valdez, who yielded without flriking a blow
at the bare mention of his name. This don.
Pedro
igo BRITISH PLUTARCH,
Pedro remained above two years Sir Francri
Prake's prifoner in England, and, when h^-
was releafed, paid him for his own liberty, and
-that of his two captains, a ranfom of three
thoufand iive hundred pounds.
From the veiTel taken above, 5'o,ooo ducats
were diftributed among his failors and fol-
diers ; which liberal (hare not a little riveted
the affeflion they had for their valiant com--
mander, It muft, however, be owned, that,,
through an overfight of his, the adniiral ran a
great hazard of being taken by the enemy ;
for Drake was appointed, the firft night of the
engagement, to carry lights in his ihip for
the dire<5lion of the Engliih fleet ; but, being
in purfuit of fome hulks belonging to the
Hans towns, negleded it ; which occafioned
the admiral's following the Spanifh lights, and
in the morning found himfelf in the centre of the
enemy's fleet. But his fucceeding feivices fuf-,
iiciently attoned for this overfight, the greateft
execution done on the flying Spaniards being
performed by his fquadron.
Next year, 1589, Sir Francis Drake was
appointed admiral of the fleet fent to reilore
don Antonio, king of Portugal, and the com.
mand of the land-forces given to Sir Joha
-Norris. But the fleet was fcarce at fea before
the commanders differed; the occafion of
■which was this : the general was earnell for
landing at the Groyne ; whereas the admiral,
and fea^ofncers were for failing directly to
Lifbon y
SIR TRANCIS DRAKE. i8i
liifbon ; in which, had their advice been
taken, doubtlefs their enterprize had fuc-
ceeded, and don Antonio been rellored ; for
the enemy made fuch good ufe of the time in
fortifying Lifbon, that no impreflion could be
made. Sir John, indeed, marched by land
to Lifbon, and Sir Francis promifed to fail
•up the river with his whole fleet j but, up^
on per-ceiving the confeqtjences, he chofe ra-
ther to break his word than hazard the queen'«
navy; for which he was highly reproached by
Norris, and the mifcarriage of the whole af-
fair imputed to the failure in his promife.
Yet Sir -Francis fully juuified himfelf on his
•return; for he flievved the queen and council,
that whatever was done there or elfewhere,
for -the credit of the nation, was performed
folely by the fleet, and by his orders ; in
confequence of which, a large fieet, laden
with naval fcores from the Hans towns, was
taken, with a great quantity of ammunition
and artillery on board : that his failing up th«
nver of Lilbon would have fignified nothing t9
the taking the callle, which was two miles off?
and, that, without reducing it, there was no
-taking the city. He further fhewed, that,
had it not been for the fleet, the army mufi
have been ftarvedj and, that, if they had
ftayed any longer, neither fleet nor army could
liave returned home; and, that, when h$
found that he could not prevail on fome men
'^0 raanage their own affairs right, he con-
tented
iSz BRITISH PLUTARCH.
tented himfelf with managing as well as he
could thofe that were immediately within his
own province ; and with refped to thefe, even
thecenfurers of this expedition admit, that no
body could have managed them better.
The war with Spain flill continuing in
1)9,', and it being evident that nothing dif-
irefTed the enemy lo much as the loQ'cs they
met with in the Indies, a propofition was
made to the queen by Sir John Hawkins and
Sir Francis Drake, for undertaking a more ef-
feftual expedition into thofe parts than had
hitherto been attempted ; and at the fame
time they offered to be at a great part of the
expence themfelves, and to engage their
friends to bear a confiderable proportion of
the reft. The queen readily iillened to this
propofal, and furnifhed a flout fquadron of
Ihips of war, on board one of which, the
Garland, Sir John Hawkins embarked. Their
whole force confifted of twenty-feven (hips
and barks, and on board of them were two
thoufand five hundred men. The fleet was
detained fome time after it was ready on the
Englifh coalh by the arts of the Spaniards,
who receiving intelligence of its flrength and
deflination, gave out that they were ready
themfelves to invade England, and to render
this the more probable, afrually fent four gal-
lies to make a dcfcent or. Cornwall. This
ha.d the defired efled, for tne queen and the
nation being thereby aiarmed, thought it by
no
SIR FRANCIS DRAKE. 1^3
no means advifeable to fend fo great a number
of (hips on fo long a voyage at that critical
JLinOure. At laft this alarm b!owii:g over,
the fleet failed in conjunction for deilrcying
Nombre de Dios, a particular account of which
will be given in the life of Sir John Hawkins,
who died the day before Sir Francis made his
defperate attack on the (liipping in the har-
hour of Porto Rico on November the thir-
teenth, in purfuance of a refolution taken by a
council of war. This attempt was ended in-
deed with confiderable lofs to the Spaniards,
yet with little advantage to the Englifh, who,
meeting with a ftronger refinance and better
fortifications than they expecled, were oblig-
ed to fheer off. The admiral then {leered for
the main, where he took the town of Rio de
la Hache, which, a church and a fmgle houfe
excepted, he burnt to the ground. After this,
deftroying feme other villages, he proceeded
to Santa Martha, which he alfo burned. The
like fate had Nombre de Dios, the Spaniards
refufmg to ranfom thefe places; and in thern
an inconfiderable booty was taken. On the
twenty-ninth of December Sir Thomas Baf-
kerville marched vv'ith feven hundred and fifty
men towards Panama, but returned on the
fecond of January, finding the defign of redu-
cing that place wholly impradlicable : fo that
the whole of this expedition was a feries of
misfortunes. If they had gone at firft to Por-
to Rico, they had done the queen's bufinefs
and their own : if, when they had intelligence
of
i84 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
of the Spanifh fuccours being landed there,
they had proceeded diredly to the Ifthmus*
in order to have executed their defigns againil
Panama, before their forces had been weakened
by that defperate attack, they might pofiibly
have accomplifbed their firft intention; but
grafping at too many things fpoiled all. A
very ftrong fenfe of this threw Sir Francis
Drake into a deep melancholy, which occa-
fioned a bloody flux, the natural difeafe of the
country, that brought him to his end. His bo-
dy, according to the cuflom of the fea, was
funk very near the place where he firil laid the
foundation of his fame and fortune. Such v/as
the end of this great man, havng, according to
fome, lived fifty-five years, and according to
others only fifty-one. His death was general •
ly lamented by the whole nation, but more
efpecially by thofe of his native place, who had
great reafons to love him from the circum-
fiances of bis private life, as well as to eiiQtsn.
him in his public charader. He had been
eleded burgefs for the town of BoiHney in
Cornwall, in the parliament held the twenty-
feventh of queen Elizabeth, and afterwards
for Plymouth in Devonfliire, in the thirty-
fifth of the famereign. Having hitherto fpoken
of his public adions, we fhall now fay fome-
thing of his perfon and charadier.
He was low of ftature, but well fet, had a
broad open cheil, his eyes large and clear, of
a fair complexion, with a frefh chearful and
engaging countenance : as navigation had
been
SIR FRANCIS DRAKE. i^,
been his whole fludy, he was a perfed mafter
in every branch of it, efpecially allronomy,
and the application of it to the nautical art.
His voyage round the world is an inconteft-
able proof of his courage, capacity, patience,
and public fpirit; fince he performed every
thing that could be expefted from a man,
who preferred the honour and profit of his
country to his own private advantage : and it
is apparent, that if Sir Francis Drake amafled
a large fortune by continually expofing him-
felf to labours and perils, which hardly any:
other man would have undergone, for the fake
even of the greatell expedations, he was far
from being governed by a narrow and private
fpirit: on the contrary, his notions weie free
and noble ; and the nation ftands indebted to
him for many advantages which flie at prefent
enjoys, in arms, navigation, and commerce.
It was the felicity of our admiral to live iix
the time of a princefs, who always took care
to diftinguifh merit. Sir Francis therefore
was always her favourite ; and when his coun-
tryman Sir Bernard Drake, alfo a feaman,
whofe arms Sir P'rancis had afTumed, was fa
incenfed as to give him a box on the ear ; the
queen was pleafed to honour him with a new
coat, viz. fabk,^ a fefs wavy between two
pole-ftars, argent; and for his creft, a fhip on
a globe under a rufF, held by a cable with a
hand out of the clouds, and over it this motto,
AXJXiLio DiviNO ; underneath, sic parvus
MAGNA 5 in the rigging is hung up by the
he€b
i86 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
heels a wivern gules, which was the coat of
Sir Bernard. Her majefty's kindnefs however
did not reach beyond the grave, for fhe fuffered
his brother Thomas Drake to be profecuted
for a pretended debt to the crown, which
much diminifhed the advantao-es he other-
wife would have received from his brother's
fortune. This brother of his hnd accompanied
him in his laft expedition, as bis brothers
John and Jofeph had done in his hrfl voyages
to the Weil-Indies, where they both died.
The land eftate, purchafed by Sir Francis, was
very confiderable (for though on proper occa-
fions he was extremely generous, yet he was
alfo a good oeconomift) devolved to his ne-
phew Francis Drake, fon to his brother, the
aforefaid Thomas, who, in the fucceeding
reign, v,'as created a baronet. In the pof-
feffion of the lineal defcendant of his family,
viz. Sir Francis Henry Drake, baronet, is a
bible to be feen, with an infcription indented on
the edges, fignifying, that it made the tour cf
the world with Sir Francis Drake, as alfo many
other relicks preferved in the cabinets of the
curious in memory of this famQus perfon, as
a ftafF made out of his Ihip, before it was broke
up in that of Mr. Thoresby of Leeds. And
to this day is preferved in Berkley caftle, the
bed and curtains, of green fluff, on which he
lay during his whole voyage.
End of the Third Volume.
Rm
G. R.
WHEREAS Our trully and well-beloved
Edward DiLLY, of onr city of Lon-
don, Bookfeller, hath, by his petition, humbly
reprefented unto us, that he hath undertaken to
print and publifh a work called The Britijh
Flutarch^ or Biographical Enterinimr ; -beirig
*i kle<5l coileclion of the lives at large of ths
moft eminent men, natives of Great-Britain
and Ireland, from the reign of king Henry the
Eighth, to that of Our late Royal Grandfather,
both inclufive : in the profecution of which he
•hath been at great trouble and expence in pro-
curing accefs to antient records, memoirs, pa-
pers, and other authentic intelligence ; as well
as engaging feveral gentlemen of learning and
abilities, to compile from thofe materials, in
fuch a ftile and method, as to render that work
more amuiing and univerfally ufeful, than any
thing of the kind that has hitherto made its
appearance. And, being defirous of reaping
the fruits of his faid labour and expence, and
enjoying the full profit and benefit that may
arife from vending the above-mentioned valu-
ablf
able. work, without any other perfon's inter-
fering in his juft property : he hath therefore
moft humbJy prayed Us to grant him Our Royal
Licence, for the fole printing, publifhing, and
vending, the faid work. We do therefore, by
thefe Prefents, fo far as may be agreeable to
the ftatute in that cafe made and provided,
grant unto him, the faid Edward Dill y, his
executors, adminiftrators, and afligns. Our
Royal Licence, for the fole printing, publifh-
ng, and vending, the faid work, for the term
of fourteen years ; ftridly forbidding all Our
fubjecls, within Our kingdoms and dominions,
10 reprint, abridge, or publilh the fame, either
in the like, or any other volume, or volumes,
whatfoever; or to import, buy, vend, utter, or
diHribute,. any copies thereof reprinted beyond
the feas, during the aforefaid term of fourteen
years, without the confent and approbation of
the faid Edward Djlly, his heirs, executors,
and afligns, under their hands and feals firll
had and obtained, as they will anfwer the cOn-
trar.y at their peril. Wherefore the commif-
fiofiers, and other officers of, the cuftoms, the
marter, wardens, and company of flationers,
are to take notice, that due obedience may be
rendered to Our will and pleafure herein de-
clared.
Ginjen at Our Court at St. James's, this 7.0th
Day cf January, 1762, inthe fecondTear
of Our reign.
By His Majesty's Command,
EGRE.MONT.
THE ^
Biographical E^tert.vixer .
^////('v/ Select Collection c/'^
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Oftho mofi EmixextMex,
JS'^t/i?es oi Great 'Sntai?^ 2i\\ii Ireland;
From thi' RoignofHE^^RY\TII.to Geor(te1I,
BothiaoliifiA f :
^_:2" It hedfcr (/i/hnoui/hei/ as -^S^
SratrimenTT\^rri()rs, T Poets,
Patriots L Divines ,1 Pliilolophers .
^>l^onie^wid> Copperplates .)
- — - — ^^Ol.W, — ^=-
prtntrb b v^tiic It £^^> ^lutlioritv ,
ForED\r.\IlD l)lLLY,in tliePoiiitiv;
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t
»
-X'hrc/ f Xir/r/e{^/f.
CONTENTS
O F T H E ^
FOURTH VOLUME. ..
Page
VV iLLiAM Cecil, . - - - i
■ Francis Walfingham, - - • 42
^ Robert Deverenx, - - - • 4^
John Knox, - . - - - ^ p2
;^-Fldmund Spencer, .117
Sir John Perrot, 137
THE
BRITISH PLUTARCH.
The life of
WILLIAM CECIL.
Extra£ted from an Ancient Manufcript.
F^^^ILLIAM, lord of Burleigh, was
J^ ^ born at Bourn, in the county of
^ ^ Lincoln, on the thirteenth day of
%£ ^^ iJ September, 1521. His father,
^■^^-^ Richard Cecil, of Burleigh, in the
county of Northampton, eiqaire, being prin-
cipal officer of the robes in the time of Henry
VIIL and in great favour with the king. His
mother's name was Jane Heckington, daugh-
ter and heirefs of William Heckington, of
Bourn, in the> county of Lincoln j by whom
Vol. IV. B came
< BRITISH PLUTARCH.
.pricfcs, chaplains to O Neale, who was then
in court ; and talking long with them in La-
tn, he fell into difputation with the piiefts 5
Avherein he fhevved lb great learning and wit,
as he proved the poor p: iells to have neither ■;
who were fo call down that they had not a
•word to fay, but flung away in chafe, no lefs
■difcontented than afhamed to be foiled in iuch
a place by a lad, it was told the king, that
young Kir. Cecil had confuted both O Neal's
chaplains. The king called for him, 'and,
after long talk with him, being much delighted
with his anfwers, the king willed his father
to find out a fuit for him : whereupon he be-
came fuitor for a reverfion of the Cuflos Bre-
vium Office m the Common Pleas ; which the
king willingly granted.
After he had fpent fome time at the lav/, on
the eighth of Auguft, in the 33d year of
Henry VIII. he took to wife Mary Cheeke*
filler to Sir John Cheeke, knight, who lived
with him not a year and a quarter; by whom
he had his firil fon Thomas. Afterwards, on
the twenty-fiiH of December, five years follow-
ing, being twenty-four years old, he married
A'jiidred Cooke, one of the daughters of Sir
Anthony Cooke, knight, a wife and virtuous
lady, who lived with him many years after he
came to be treafurer of England. She was
excellently learned in the Greek, fo that fhe
•tiai.flated 2. piece of Chryfoftom into Englifn.
He had by her, Anne, Robert, and Elizabeth;
aiid Frances Cecil, a daughter, and William,
^nd William, who all three died young.
hi
TvTILLIAM CECIL. f
In the firfl year of king Edward VI. the
duke of Somerfet, then lord-proteaor, hear-
ing of Mr. Cecil, fent for him to be mafterof
his requerts ; and the fame year he went with.
the duke to Mufelborough-field, where he was
like to have been flain, but v/as miraculoufly
faved by one that-, putting forth his arm to
thruft iVIr. Cecil out of the level of the canon,
had it ftriken off. In the fecond year of king
Edward VI. he was committed to the Tower
about the duke of Somerfet's firft calling ia
qu2ition ; where he rem lihed a quarter cf a^
year, ?.vA was delivered.
The dukeof Somerfer perceiving the king%T
great liking of Mr. Cecil, aboi.it the third,
year of the king's reign, preferred him to be
fecretary of ftate, and a counfellor lo the king,
being but ti.venty-rj,ve vears old ; and, in the
fi^th year of Edward VI. he was made knight:
a rare thing fqr (o young a man to be called to-
fuch places of honour and edimation, wherein
he continued till the king's death.
The two dukes of Northumberland and So-
merfet drove to win him. tempting him wiih
great offers. He fliewed duty to both, hut-
would take gifts of neither; but, after the
king died, he was difgraced by the duke of
Northumberland for difliking the purpofe
touching the lady Jane ; yet he carried the
raatter fo. temperately as he kept his confcicnce
free, his truth to the crown, and himfelf from
cianger*
6 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
When queen Mary came in, (he granted Sir
William Cecil a general pardon; and, in
choofing her counfellors, faid, if he would
change his religion, hefliould be her fecretary
and counfellor : to which purpofe fome wife
men were underhand let to allure and difcover
his dirpofition ; but, like himfelf, he wifely
and chiiftianly anAvered, he was taught and
bound to i'crve God lirft, and next the queen ;
that Ihe had been his fo gracious lady as he
would ev-er ferve ar>d pray for her in his
heurt; and with his body and go-^ds be as
ready to ferve in her defence as any of her
loyal fubjef^s ; but hoped fhe would pleafe to
grant him leave to ufe his ccnfcience to him-
felf, and ferve her at large as a private man
rather than to be her greateft counfellor. Yet
the queen flill ufed him very gtacioufly, and
forbore either to hear his enemies, vvho were
many, or to difgrace himfelf ; for, in the fe-
cond year of her reign, he was fent to Bruf-
k-ls, with the lord Paget, to bring in cardinal
Pole.
In the parliament time there was a matter iu
queltion for fomething the queen would have
pafRd ; wherein Sir Anthony Kin^fton, Sir
William Courtney, Sir John Pollard, and
many others of value, efpecially weflern men,
were oppofite. Sir William Cecil being their
fpeaker,* having that day told a good tale
for them. When the houfe rofe, they came
to him and faid they would dine with him
WILLIAM CECIL. 7
that day. He anfwered they fhould be wel-
come, fo they did not fpeak of any matters of
parliament; which they promifed ; yet feme
bfgan to break promife, for which he chal-
lenged them.
This meeting and fpcech was knoww to the
counfel, and all the knig^hts and gentleniea
were Tent for and committed. Sir Wiiiiam
Cecil was alfo font for; bat h« defircd th^y
would not do by him as by the rert, which he
thought forr.ewhat hard ; that was, to con'i-
mit them firfl and to hear thehi after; but
prayed them firu to hear him, and then to com-
mit him if he were guiluy. *' You've fpoken
like a man of experience," quoth my lord
Paget J and, upon hearing the circumllsnccNj
he cleared himfelf, and fo efcaped imprifon-
ment and difgrace.
When queen Elizabeth began her reign^
Sir William Cecil, for his truth and tried kr~
vice to her, was worthily called and honour-
ably advanced by her majefly to be her fecre-
tary and counfellor ; and was firll fworn of
any counfellor fhe had, at Ha' field, where fne
lay at her fnfl coming to her crown.
At the firil: parliament holden in the "begin-
ing of the queen's reign, great diiHculties arcfe
in reforming and ahering religion, and for the
better fatisfaction of the Hate of parliament,
by his lord(hip*s advice, there was a conference
had in Weflminfler church, by the old and
new bifhops and other learned men, upon
B 4 fgiue
S BRITISH PLUTARCH.
forjie queflions and points devifed principally
by himfelf touching the exercife of religion ;
which was (o politicly handled, and wifely
governed, that fuch fatisfaftion v/as given,
that the queen and parliament, with one con-
fcnt, el^ablifhed the form of religion ever fince
pra"cifed.
Ey his politic advice, the coin, and mo-
nies of the realm, were brought to a ftandard
^if finenefs from bafenefs, being then one of
the richeft coins of the world, to the great
enriching of this realm and commonwealth ;
fcr he held a pofition, which undoubtedly is
true, that the realm c:;np.ot be rich whole coin
is poor or bafe
Jn the fecond year of the queen he was (ent
into Scotland to treat of peace; which, chiefly
by his wifdom, was efTtdled, with f^jme honors
sble conditions for the queen and realm. It
was ever obferved, as ore notable virtue in his
oifpoution, to be defirous to preferve peace
in the land ; which undoubtedly is the only
blefiing can tlill upon a r: tion.
In the third year of the queen*s reign, the
tenth of January, he was made mafter of the
wards, upon the death of Sir Thom.as Parry,
In the twelfth year of her msjefly's reign,
the rebellion of the north began ; wherein,
himfelf being fecretary alone, and thereby all
difpatches palling his hands, he took fuch care,
and gave fuch provident counfel, that matters
were ib quickly cjcpediied, and politicly car-
ried
WILLIAM CECIL. ^■
aed, and the rebels TupprefTed without blood-
or danger, to the konour of the queen and
weal of the realm.
But, in the time of this profperous r'fing^
the hearts of fome did ajfo rife againii his for-
tune 3 who were more hot in envying him,
than able to follow him ; detrading his
praifes, difcouraging his fervices, and plotting
his danger; as on a time a book, palFionately
penned againfl the nobility, came to his
hands, and was {^tn upon his table, by a great
man ; which book he had read with great dif-
like, noting many lies and faults of the
writer : yet there w^s a formal tale told to the
lords of the counfej, and divers other of the
nobility, infering it to be done or procured by
himfelf to difgrace the nobility. Whereupon
fuch a fire was kindled againft him among the
lords, as a plot was laid to cut him off. He
was thereupon called before the council with-
out the queen's knowledge, and charged ;-
which, though he fufficiently anfwered, yet
was it refolved he Ihould be f?ntto the Tower,
and then they would find matter enough
againft him. Whereof he having advertiie-
ment, wrote to the queen ; who commanded
nothing fnould be done againfl hira without
her privity. So th^ fire was covered, but not
quenched ; for, not long after, a villain w^s
hired to kill him, and fet at the flairs foot xo
difpatch him as he came from the queen ,• but
being warned of it, he went down anoiher way
Jvnd efcaped; and, as he had. fame foes zi
B c home.
10 BRITISH PLUTARCH,
home, fo he wanted not enemies abroad;
for, another time, a popilh villain was, by
feme feminaries, perfuaded to kill him ; and,
being v/ith him alone in his chamber, Handing
behind him leaning upon his chair, had not
the power to perform his villainy, though,
when he came in, he took his dagger ready in
his hand to do it.
As he continued his care, fo he grew in fa-
fcur with his prince and liking of the people,
and having twelve years ferved as fecretary,
he was by her majelly created baron of Bur-
liegh, upon Shrove Sunday the twenty-fifth of
February 1570; and in June 1572, he was
made knight of the garter ; and the fifteenth
of July following, he was made lord high
treafurer of England, upon the death of the
lord marqufs of Wincheller.
He grew now to fome greatnefs, carrying a
reputation and rule in the commonwealth,
fo that it was thought nothing was done with-
out him ; fo equally hearing, juftly cenfuring,
and carefully difpatching caufes, that few fuits
were fnfFered to linger long before him, but
were either ended by judgment, or ordered by
agreement, ufing onefingularcourfe in hearing
caufes; that if he found them diffi'cult, or ri"
goroufly to be cenfured, he would ever make
motions for arbitration, and either by his au-
thority or perfuafion, agree them ; fo that he
•ended more caufes in a term than were before
in a twelvemonth, infomuch as all men had
iuch an opinion of his jullice and indiiference,
that
WfLLIAM CECIL. it
tl:at they never thought themfelves fatis fied
ror their fuits well ended, that either had not
their caufe brought to his hearing, or his letter
in their behalf, which drew upon him multi-
tudes of fuits. For, befides all bufinefs in
council, or other weighty caufes, and fuch as
were anfwered by word of moutn, there was
FiOt a day in a term wherein he received not
threefcorc, fourfcore-, and an hundred peti-
tions, which he commonly read that night,
and gave every man an anfwer himfelf the
next morning, as he went to the hall ; wherein
one thing was cbferved of his excellent me-
mory, that reading thofe bills over-night,
there was not one petitioner came to him the
next morning, but fo foon as he heard their
names, he remembered their matter, and gave
them his anfwer. He would alfo anfwer the
pooreft perfon by word of mouth, appointing
times and places of purpofe fo long as he was
able; and sfter he grew weak and could not
go abroad, he devifed a new way, taking or-
der that poor fuitors ihould fend in their pe-
titions fealed up, whereby the pooreft mm's
bill came to him as foon as the richeft : upon
every petition he caufed his anfwer to be writ-
ten on the back, and fubferibed it with his
own name, or elfe they had his letter or other
anfwer, as the caufe required : by which cha-
ritable and honourable device there was none
ilaid for anfwer, but were fpeedily difpatched.
Thus held he on his courfe like hirafelf,
prayed for by the poor, honoured by the rich,'
■B 6 feared
BRITISH PLUTARCH.
.'c':,.L i by the bad, and loved by the good ; to
nii prince and country loyal, and to the Tub-
jccts rnofl pleafing, wondering at his great
wii'dom and gravity, and praifing his juilice
and integrity ; moll men honouring him with
the title of lather of the commonv.'ealth ; and
his diligent and lludious courfe of life was
fuch ascaufed all his friends to pity him, and
his very fervants to admire him; he was never
feen half an hour idle for twenty-four years
together ; for if there were caufe of bufinefs
he was occupied till that were done ; if he
had no bufinefs, he was reading or colleding ;
if he rode abroad he had fuitors ; when
he came in he dlfpatched them; when
he went to bed and flept not, he was
either meditating or reading ; and he ufed to
fay, he did penetrate farther into the depth of
caufes, and found out more refolutions in his
bed than when he was up ; he left fcarce time
for lleep or meals, or leifure to go to bed ;
yet fo long as his bufinefs went forward, and
his prince and country pleafed, he thought
his pains a pleafare, and all he could do too
little ; fo great was his care, and love to his
prince and country.
The parliament, liar-chamber, - and other
public places, there was not a fitting, but left
fome note of his wifdom, gravity, and juftice ;
all which his fpeeches and deeds (o exprefiied,
that when all men had fpoken to the purpofe,
as was thought, moft excellently, or in cafes of
difficulty moll doubtfully, yet when he came
to
WILLIAM CECIL. ly
to fpeak, he fo far exceeded, as his gravity,
wifdom, and eloquence fo weighed and reach-
ed to the depth, fo far above the reach of the
reft, as was no lefs admired than allowed of the
hearers ; all things perfedlly concluded and
all doubts exadly cleared ; and yet which was
obferved a ftrange thing in him, that for all his
long and public fpeeches, he was never feen to
ftudy a quarter of an hour, or to take notes,
or tome books for any of his fpeeches; his
long experience and pradice made him need
EO helps. And it was noted, that wherefoever
he fat in place of juftice, there wanted not
numbers that came only to hear him fpeak ;
which drew unto him fo great eftimation, as
all men, even his very enemies, thought him to
be the wifeft and graveft counfellor of his age,
the bell fort extolling his worthinefs, the reft
fearing his juftice and greatnefs. The queen
never refolved any caufe of eilate without his
counfel, nor feldom pafled any private foit
from herfelf, that was not firft referred to his
Gonfideration, and had his approbation before
it palh
As his eftimation was worthily great in his
own country, fo he was greatly famous in all
nations in Chriftendom, and other remote
parts of the world. As on a time a great man
of France, being in England, wrote a letter to
the French king, faying, he was the wifeft
and graveft counfellor of Chriftendom, that
in the court he was accounted Pater Patrix,
and among the common people, quafi Rex;
for
14 BRITISH PLUTARCH,
for his knowledge in treaties was fuel], that
when any ambaflador came to treat with him,
Jie would fo far exceed the reach of their wif-
tfems, as they rather reverenced him, than
flood in oppofition to him in any argument.
There was no form or manner of treaties that
he had not feen and had ready in his head ;
neither was there ever any went beyond him
in any point of treaty. Yet was he ever
more ready to prevent, than our enemies to
attempt ; and more provident to fecure us,
than they -were to offend us ; infomuch as
there was no enemy of England that feared
not the Treafurer, wi(hed his death, and prac-
tifed to purchafe it. There was no prince or
potentate, our friends, that did not reverence
him, fend to him, and feem to hold his friend-
Clip in eftimation. There v,'ere many demon -
^rations of the reputation many princes had of
him; as when Mr. William Cecil, traveliing in
Italy, was brought before cardinal Farnele,
a man of great authority, who finding Mr.
Cecil to be the grandfon of the high treafurer
•of England, he lodged him in his houfe, ap-
pointed divers gentlemen to attend him, and
his horfes to be at his commandment; fpeak-
ing moll reverently of his grandfather, and
never left enquiring of the manner of his life,
faihion, llature, fpeech, recreations, and fuch
like; delighting to hear it, and talk of him,
and at his departing gave him prefents and
money in his purfe. The like did the duke
of JflGrence to Mi , Edward Cecil, a younger
brother.
WILLI AM -CE CI L, 15
brother, and, which was an extraordinary fa-
vour, the duke gave him leave to ride his own
horfe ; and at his departure gave him gifts of
price.
By his place and greatnefs he had daily in-
telligence from many countries; and befides
foreign letters he received not fo few as twen-
ty or thirty other letters in a day, whereby he
hadfometimes good news and fometimes bad;
if it were good he would temperately fpeak
of it, if ill he kept it to himfelf. He was ne-
ver moved with pafTion in either, neither joy-
ful at the befl, nor daunted at the worft;
and it was noted in him, that though his bo-
<3y was weak, his courage never failed, as in
times of the greateft danger he ever fpoke
moll chearfully, and executed things moil
readily, when others feemed doubtful ; and
when fome talked fearfully of the greatnefs of
our enemies, he would ever anfwer, they
ihail do no more than God will fuffer them ;
whicn argued his whole truft in God, and a
courage in himfelf.
In caufes depending before him in juftice,
he regarded neither friend or enemy ; but if
he leaned any way, it was rather to the foe,
lead: he fhould be taxed of partiality ; and he
would very (harpiy reprehend his friends, rela-
tions, and fervants, for bringing fuits before
him, when they were not upon good grounds,
and would force them rather to compound
than fue. In cafes of juftice, none could ever
do him greater defpight than to oifer him any
thing-: ke was known to refufe s. buck, and
many
x6 BRITISH PLUTARCR
many pieces of plate at Nevv-years-tide ; ancf
to offer him money was to offend him (o as
they fared the worfe, ever faying, I will take-
nothing of you, having a caufe depending be-
fore me.
His careful courfe in the court of wards
was moll commendable, for he was always
careful both of her majelly's profit and prero-
gative, and to maintain the privileges and au-
thority of the court. Finding the revenue of
the court to abate, he began to look into the
caufe, writing letters to all the foedaries of
England, to look better to the queen's fervice,
for the increafing of her revenue. And though
no mafter of the wards ever rated male wards
above one year's valae, and females at two
year's value, according to their lands found by
office, his lordfliip increafed males to a year and
an half, and raifed much the rates of females.
And whereas other maftersof the wards, before
his lordfhip demifed ward lands at the value
found by office, and rated the fame at one year's
value, his lordfliip would fuffer no leafe to pafs be-
fore the lands were furveyed by the foedaries,
and rated the fines at a year and a half, ac-
cording to the improved values : though he
might have raifed things to a higher rate if
he had not refpefted her majefly's honour,
and regarded the eafe of the fubje^l.
His lordfhip hated fraudulent conveyances
to defeat the queen of wardfhip, and where he
found the fault, he did fharply punifh it.
He would alfo feverely punifti contemners of
the queen's procefs, commonly ufing thef©
words »
V/ I L L I A M CECIL. 17
words, Melior eft obedientia quam vifiima*
He ever endeavoured to commit wards to'
p^rfbns of found religion, and preferred na-
tural mothers before all others to the cuftody
of their children, if they were not to be touch-
ed v.ith any notable exception. He would
often remember caufes and orders paft twenty
or thirty years before, better than the coun-
fellors, clerks, and often than the parti-es
v.hom it concerned. At the arguing of any
great caufes, he not only obferved and heard
their arguments, but would alfo with great
judgment plead and argue himfelf, and vvhea
Ivc fct down orders, he would ever deliver
the rcafon of liis order. His commandments
we;e fnort, plain, and full, fo as a man of ve-
ry mean capacity, might both underftand and
efFeci them. He was fparing in commending
any, and yet would praife fome, but lightly ;
yet was the moft ready to cherifh the fufhcient.
He favoured not the granting of wards in the
f.ither*s lifetin e. He would never fuffer law-
yers to wrangle, but ever hold them to the
point jvvhich was a caufc of great reverence
and order in the court. He would fine fne-
rifi^s deeply if they were found negligent, and
would never fpare any indebted to the queen.
Yet was it imagined he made infinite gain by
fuch wards as he kept in his own hands ;. but
if it be narrowly fifted, it v/ill appear, that in
all the time he was mailer of the wards, he
referved to his own ufe but three, v/hereof he
had profit but of two ; and when he granted a
vvardlliip, as he did great numbers, he never.
took,
i8 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
took benefit of above four in a year, which
"tvas in this fort. If either the mother, or the
friends, wrote to him that they would give two
or three hundred pounds to have the prefer-
ment of a wardfnip, they had it without in-
denting, bargaining, or examining the value,
if it proved worth five times as much as they
paid for it. At other times, peradVenture
once or twice in a year, ar.obleman, lady, or
gentleman that had a ward of him worth five
hundred or a thoufand pounds, would feud
him, fome eight pounds, fonie an hundred
angelj, or a piece of plate at New-year's-day.
And here is all the the profit that, one year
with the other, he made of it, unlefs it were
by a chance. The reft he gave freely to
courtiers, to his friend?, to his feivants, to the
mothers, or the wards thcmfelves. ft was
found by the books of entries, that in two
years znd a half his lordfiiip gave about two
hundred wards, whereof a hundred and eighty
fell to courtiers; though he was not bound to
give any man a ward, without recompence to
himfelf ; yet people much diminilhed his de-
ferts.
His lordfhip kept two honfes, one at Lon-
don, the other at Theobalds, though he was
at charge, both at Burleigh and the court.
At London he kept ordinarily in houfhold,
fourfcore perfons, befides, his lordfhip and
fuch as attended him at the court, the charge
amounting to thirty pounds a week, and the
fum yearly to fifteenhundred and fixty pounds;
and in the term times, or when his lordlhip
lay
WILLIAM CECIL. 19
lay at London, his charge increafed ten or
twelve pounds a week. At Theobalds he
kept continually his houfhold lying at Lon-
don, twenty-fix or thirty perfons, the charge
being weekly twelve pounds : and alfo reliev-
ed there daily twenty or thirty poor people
at the gate, and befides gave weekly in money
by Mr. Neal, his lordlliip's chaplain, vicar of
Cheflhunt, twenty iliillings to the poor there.
The weekly charge in letting poor on work,
as vvooders, labourers, &;c. came to ten pounds,
and fo his weekly charge at Theobalds, his
houlhold being at London, was twenty- two
pounds ; and the yearly fum eleven hun-
dred and forty-four pounds; both fummed
together his yearly charge was twenty-feven
hundred and four pounds. When his lord-
fhip was continually at the court, Vv'hich you
may imagine much increafed at his lordfhip's
coming home, for I have heard his officers
affirm, that at his lordfliip's being at Theo-
balds, it colt him fburfcore pounds in a week.
The charge of his ftable, not here mentioned,
was yearly a thoufand marks at the lead. Be-
fides which certain charge he bought great
quantities of corn in times of dearth, to fur-
nifh markets about his own houfes at under*
prices, to pull down the price to relieve the
poor. He gave alfo for releafmg of prifoners
in many of his latter years forty pounds, and
iifty in a term ; and for twenty years together
he gave yearly in beef, bread, and money, at
Chriflmas, to the poor of Wellminfter, St.
Martin's
20 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
Martin's, St. Clement's, and at Theobald"?^
thirty five pounds, and Ibmetimes forty pounds
per annum. He gave alio yearly to twenty
poor men lodging in the Savoy, tv^enty fuits
of apparel. He gave alfo for three years be-
fore he died, to poor piifoners, and to poor
parifhes, in money weekly forty-five fhillings,
io as his certain alms, befides extraordinaries,
wascailup to be five hundred pounds )early,
one year with another.
With regard to the order and government
of his houie, the oScers were fo many, as are
ufuallyin the grearelc men's hoales. Theiewere
prayers every day {aid in his chapel at eleven
oi ,yie clock, where his lordfhip and all his
fiPfVants Vvcre prefcnt, and feldom or ever
went to dinner v^ithout prayers ; and fo llke«
wife at fix of the clock, before fupper; which
courfe was cbferved by his ftewaid in hi^
lordlhip's abfence. "When his lordfhip was
able to fit abroad, he kept an honourable ta-
ble for noblemen and others to refort unto;
but when age and infirmities grew on him,
he was forced to keep his chamber, where he-
was void neither of company nor meat, having
a.s many of his friends and children, as before
ke had firangers : his diet beirg then as.
chargeable weekly, as when he came abroad.
His lordfnip's hall was ever well furniihed
with men ferved with meat, and kept in good
order; for his fieward kept a Handing table-
/i)f gentlemen, befides two other long cables
Cjufiy umcc twice fet cut, one for the clerk c£
William cecil. 21
tlie kitchen, the other for yeomen. And vvhe-*
ther his lordQiip were abient or preient, all
his men, both retainers and others, reforted
continually to meat and meal, at their plea*
lure, which I have feldom feen in any houfe.
His lordlhip was ferved with men of quali-
ty and liability, for moll of the principal gen-
tlemen in England, fought to prefer their fons
and heirs to his fervice ; infom.uch as I have
numbered in his houfe attending on -the table,
twenty gentlemen of his retainers, of one
thoufand pounds per annum a-piece, in pof-
feffion and reverlion ; and of his ordinary men
as many, fome worth a thoufand pounds,
ibme three, five, ten, nay twenty thoufand
pounds, daily attending his lordlhip's fervice.
His lordftiip's extraordinary charge in en-
tertainment of the queen, was greater to him
than to any of herfubjefts ; for he entertained
her at his houfe twelve feveral times, which
coft him two or three thoufand pounds each,
lying there at his lordlhip's charge, fcmetimes
three weeks or a month. But his love to his
fovereign, and joy to entertain her and her
train, was fo great, as he thought no trouble,
care, nor coll, too much, and ail too little, fo
it were bountifully performed, to her majeily's
recreation, and the contentment of her train.
Her majelly fometimes had llrangers and am-
balTadors came to her at Theobalds, where
(he hath been feen in as great royalty, and
ferved as bountifully and magnificently, as at
an^ other time or place j all at his brdfiiip's
charge.
52 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
charge, with rich (hews, pleafant devices, and
all manner of fports, that could be deviled, to
the great delight of her majefty, and her whole
train, with great thanks from her, and as great
commendation abroad.
He built three houfes, one in London for
necelhty, another at Burliegh of compatency,
for the manfion of his barony, and another at
Waltham, for his younger Ton ; which at the
firft he meant but for a little pile j but after
he came to entertain the queen fo often there,
he was forced to inlarge it, rather for 'the
queen and her great train, and to (et poor men
to work, than for pomp or glory ; for he ever
faid, it would be too big for the fmall living
he could leave his fon. The other two are
but convenient, and no bigger than will fcrve
for a nobleman, sU of them perfefled, con-
venient, and to better purpofe for habitation,
than many others built by great noblemen,
being all beautiful, uniform, neceilliry, and
well feated; which are great arguments of
his wifdom and judgment. He greatly de-
lighted in making gardens, fountains, and
walks, which at Theobalds were perfe-f\ed,
moil: beautifully, ard pleafantly, ■'.vhere one
might walk two miles in the walks, before
he came to the end. He alfo built an hofpital
at Staniford near his houfe of Burliegh, all of
freellone, and gave one hundred pounds of
lands to it, for maintenance of twelve poor
men for ever, eftabliihing many good ordi-
nances and ftatutes, for the government there-
of.
WILLIAM CECIL. 23
of, In hope to continue it to the benefit of
the poor.
He gave alfo thirty pounds a year for ever,
to St. John's college in Cambridge, where
he was a fcholar ; he gave alfo fome plate to
remain to the houfe, for he entirely loved •
learning and learned men, whom he ever
held in reverence and regard, ever ufing his
credit and authority, to relieve and advance
men of learning and defert, all which proved he
was neither covetous or miferable. And for fur-
ther manifeftation of his honourable inclination,
fee but into his eftate at the time of his death,
there ihall you find proved that I have alledg-
€d ; for his land was never above four thou-
fand pounds a year, befide the land he gave to
the three young ladies, wherein he fhewed his
honourable kindnefs ; for he bought part of
my lord Oxford's lands, to give to my lord
of Oxford's own daughters : his money was
not above eleven thoufand pounds, divided
into many parts, whereof his eldefh fon had
not one penny : his plate was not above
fourteen or fifteen thoufand pounds,
divided into many parts, whereof a great
quantity v/as given away in legacies: his
houihold ftufFwas as mean as any r.obleman"s
of reafonable quality, and this was the great
wealth of fo great a counfellor, living forty
years together in his prince's favour, which
infallibly doth prove, he was neither covetous
to gain, nor miferable in his expences, though
the vulgar fort may think his wealth greater,
xneafuring his eftate rather by that he might
have.
^4 BRITISH PLUTARCH,
have, than by what he had; but his temperate
life, his wifdon], juftice, integrity, and honeil
actions, do more lively and truly difprove his
envious detradors, by his notorious and wor-
thy deeds, than can be devifed by any words
or invention of the moil eloquent writers.
There was never any man living in his
.place, did more refpeift and eileem the nobility
than his lordftiip ; and where he found any
tovvardnefs in a nobleman, it would as much
rejoice him as if he had been his own fon,
and would do all he coald to bring him for-
ward ; yet would flander report he hindered
men from rifmg ; but how true it is wife men
may judge, for it was in the queen to take
whom fhe pleafed, and not in a fubjed to pre-
fer whom he lifted.
But, above all things, great was his care for
the relief and maintenance of the poor foldiers,
which made the rich captain fay he loved not
a foldier. It is true, he loved not a bad cap-
tain that robbed the poor foldier; but he
took great care and good order for the foldier.
His Icrdihip was the firil devifed to apparel
them, and procured their weekly lendings to
be paid by pole, not before ufed ; for the cap-
tain was wont ro receive the whole pay for
all his foldiers, who were then neither fo well
paid nor pleafed, as by this new courfe, every
man to receive it himfelf; and the reafon why
his lordlhip miiliked a bad captain, was when
he gave not the foldier his due, who fometimes
ilarved for want, to the lofs of many a brave
foul,
WILLIAM CECIL. 25
foul, and the hindrance of her majefty's fer-
vice.
He was moil patient in hearing, ready in
difpatching, and mild in anfwering fuitorp.
When they had his denial, it was given with
fuch gentlenefs, it pleafed them as well as his
grant. If a caufe were bad he would hear it
with patience, and reform it with temperance ;
if it were good, he would adjudge it fo with
good words ; the worft fort and the beft were
anfwered with mildnefs, being neither offended
at the one nor partial in the other, infom.uch
as in thirty years together he was feldorn feen
moved with joy in profperlty, or forrow in
adverfity ; his temper ever noted as one of his
greatert virtues, until within three or four
years before his death, when age, the mother
ofmorofity, and continuance of fjcknefs, to-
gether with multitude of bufinefs for his
country, which not fucceeding nor forting to
his delires, altered his natural difpofition, and
gave way to age's imperfeclions; but his an-
ger was neither fudden nor furious ; his words
were but wind, no fooner fpoken than forgot-
ten, for he woyld prefently fpeak fair again ;
and if he had angrily fpoken to any of his fer-
vants, he would immediately fpeak fair, and
as it were feek to be friends with them; and
commonly he would fooneft do for fuch as he
had fallen out v^'ith.
When any attempts or fervices of impor-
tance were propounded, he would diligently
confider of the probabily and commodity of
, Vol. IV. C fuccefs.
26 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
fuccefs, which if he found good for the ftate,
he was never quiet till they were expedited ;
but if there were found any apparent doubt
or danger, he was fparing of his counfel to
put fuch forward ; he was (low in refolving,
but fpeedy to expedite good refolutions ; for
there was none more forward in any adlion
which promifed honour or wealth to his coun-
try ; yetv\ould envy fay, he hindered many
fervices with his fparing ; as though all refo-
lutions of fervice and charge palled not from
the queen and council, as well as from him.
But it was his misfortune to bear the biame of
the worit, and others to have the praile of his
fervice and pains; yea, faid fonie, but he
might have perfuaded the queen to do things
roundly, and then had they fucceeded happily.
But to the wife it will appear, that he was nei-
ther able at all times to rule the queen or
council, nor to diredl them, and therefore not
to be blamed for errors refolved by all, and not
by himleif only. And whofoever had feeu
his intolerable pains, would confefs he had
little reafon to draw all bufinefs to himfelf,
as wa5 faid of him ; and though all, or moft
part, of the bufinefs of ftate, paffed his hands
for a long time together, yet he fought it not ;
ior it was a thing he ever complained of, to
have fo many things thrown upon him ; he
was commanded to many things he was loth
to do, and would have refufed, but for offend-
ing. How could it then be his feeking ?
if fuch as faid fo, or thought fo, had feen his
inceffant
WILLIAM CECIL. 27
inceHant toil and continual care, they would
have rather pided him, than think that any
reafonable man, could defire fuch a laborious
life.
There wanted not envy and fpight, the com-
panions of profperity, to detract, and, as far
as they could, to blemifh the brightnels of his
virtues, though the chief ground of men's
grudgings, were the originals of his praifes ;
for when courtiers and others had fuits to her
majePcy, v. hich fhe ever referred to his con-
fideration, he finding them neither reafonable •
nor lawful, would v/iih them to take honeil
and lawful fuits, and then he Vv'ould do his
bed to further them, as he did many ; but
otherwife he would plainly tell them, the
queen might do what ihe pleafed, but he
would never recommend their fuit : as fome
would fue for monopolies, fome for conceal-
ments, fome for innovations ag^inft law ; all
which he proteiled againft, terming them
can!<ers of the commonwealth ; others to take
leafes and turn out the queen's ancient te-
nants, others to have fuch of the queen's lands
as were not fit to pafs from the crown, and
mnny fuch like ; which when he mifliked or
rejected, and that they had not even what they
lilled, then they railed on him, though he had
done them never fo many pleafures before.
He could never like or allovv- to put out any
of the queen's poor tenants; he would never
fpare any man for the queen's debts, faying
they deferved no favour ; for their detaining
C z the
23 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
the queen's money made her afk more of hef
fubjeds; whereby her majefty was deceived^
and the fubjed abuled and opprefled. His
care and courfe in getting in the queen's debts
was fuch, as there was never fo much brought
in, as fince he came in place. He would ne-
ver pay a penny of the queen's money without
her warrant, nor ever borrowed or took any
money out of the exchequer for his own ufe,
as many treafurers have done : neither did he
owe the queen a penny when he died. He
ever greatly commended the ftudy of the com-
mon law, above all other learning, faying,
that if he fhould begin again, he would fol-
low that ftudy. When he found any obfli-
nately bent to take advantage in extremity of
law, he would wifh not to fall into fuch a ty-
rant's hands, telling them to remember the fay-
ing of the fcripture, to do as they would be
done unto. He was fo careful in the admini-
ilration of juilice, as many times he favoured
the fubjeft in caufes of the prince ; as when
one Mr. Throgmorton had a cafe in the ex-
chequer, which was hardly recovered for the
queen upon a nice point, he would not fuffer
thejudgment to he entered, but with this con-
dition, to enter the reafons, and that it was a
cafe of the queen's prerogative, and not of
law.
He did never raife his own rents, nor dif-
place his tenants, but as the rents went when
he bought the lands, fo the tenants ftill held
►them i and 1 know feme of his tenants paid
him
WILLIAM CECIL. 29
him but twenty pounds per annum, for a
thing worth two hundred, which he enjoyed
during his lordfhip's life.
His care was not leaft, in prefering learned
and good men to the queen, to be judges and
officers ; for he would often fay, that honeft
counfellors and good judges and officers in
courts of juftice, were the pillars of the ftate,
and that the queen and the realm were happy
in this age, to have fo many.
He would often fay, he thought there v/as
never fo wife a woman born, for all refpeds,
as queen Elizabeth ; for fhe fpake and under-
ilood all languages, knew al) eilates and dif-
pofitions of ail princes; and fo expert in her
own, as no counfellor ftie had could tell her
that iTie knew not. She had fo rare gifts, as
v.'hen her council had faid all they could, Oie
would find out a wife council beyond all theirs,
and that ihe fliewed her wifdom and care of ^
her country ; for there was never any great
confultation, but fhe would be prefent herfeif,
to her great profit and praife.
He was defirous to prefer good and learned
men to be bilhiOps, and minivers, affirming it
to be the only foundation of the good and
peaceable eftate of a commonwealth, faying,
that where the people were well taught, the
king had ever good obedience cf his fubje«?ts ;
and where there wanted a good miniftry, there
•were ever bad people ; for they that knev/
not how to ferve God, would never obey the
king. He would fay there could be no firm
Q 3 n©r
30 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
nor fettled courfe in religion, without order
and government ; for without a head there
could be no body : and, if all were head^,
there Ihould be no bodies to fet the heads
npon : all muft not be alike ; fonie muft rule,
fome obey ; and all do their duties to God
and the church, like good pallors and teachers
in every function . He held there could be ro
government where there was ^divifion ; and,
that llate could never be in fafety, where there
was toleration of two religions ; for there is no
enmity fo great as that for religion, and they
that differ in the fervice of God, can never
agree in the fervice of their country.
His piety and devotion was fuch, that he
'never failed to ferve his God before he ferved
his country ; for he duly obferved his exercife
of prayer, morning and evening, all the time
he was fecretary, never failing to be at the
chapel in the queen's honfe every morning, (o
]cng as he could go; and afterwards, by his
irfirmity, not able to go abroad, he ufed,
every morning and evening, to have a cufhing
laid by his bed-fide, wh.ere he prayed on his
knees, without fail, what hrfte or bufmefs fo-
ever he had : but, v^hen he could" kneel no
more, he had then his book in his bed ; and
when himfelf could not fo well hold his book,
he had one to read to him ; fo as, one way or
other, he failed not his prayers.
Ke would never mifs ftrmon if he were able
but to be carried out, though to his great pain
and danger, nor ever failed the communion-
day
WILLIAM CECIL. 31
day every firft day in the month ; and com-
monlys in his latter time, there was never a
Sunday when he had been at a fermon^ but he
gave twenty (hillings to his chaplain, to be
bellowed on the poor, beildes all his ctiier
daily alms, which were great. Befides his
own devotion, his care was like for his fervants j
for, if he found any negligent or abfent from
prayers, as many times he would purpofeiy
enquire, he would more fharply reprehend thtm
for that than for any thing.
As he was, by nature, verv kind and cour-
teous, fo was he to his friends affable and
temperately kind ; ready to do them good
when he might do it of himfelf, without pre-
judice to others, and that not frequently j for,
where he faw any prefume of his favour, he
uas fure to have the lefs : and this was ever
found in him, that, though he had been never
fo familiar or merry with any of his friends, if
prefcntly they had moved a fuic to him, he
would look more ftrangely on them, and give
but a cold anfwer, til) he faw it v.'ere fie for
them to have and him to grant ; at laft tliey
had it, fometimes hardly, and fometimes with
good words ; yet ever fo as they had fniall
caufe to prefum.e of his familiarity or courteous
ipeech ; infomuch as they that were moll fa-
miliar with him, were moil afraid to move
him in any fuits ; which rule he obferved to
uphold his integrity.
To his enemies he was rather remifs than
rigorous, being often ufed to fay, *' I know !
C 4 have
52 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
have fome enemies who do malice me, but Co
do not I them ; God forgive them, and I
thank God I never went to bed oat of charity
with any man."
He was of the fvveetell, kind, and moil:
tradlable nature ; gentle and courteous in
fpeech ; Aveet in counienance ; and pleaiingly
fociable with fuch as he converfed : his kind-
nefs moft expreiTed to his children, to whom
there was never man more loving; and yet
with fuch wife moderation, that he was in-
wardly more kind than outA'ardly fond of
them J and which is ever a mark of a good
nature, if he could get his table fet round with
his young Hub children, he was theij in his
kingdom. It was exceecing pl:?arure to hear
what fport he would make Vv'iih them, and
how aptly and merrily he would talk with
them, with iuch pretty queiiions, and witty
allurements, as much delighted himfelf, the
children, and tlie hearers. Thus he Vv'as
happy in moit worldly things, but molt happy
in his children and children's children. He
had his own children, grandchildren, and
great-grand-children ordinariJy at his table,
fetting about him like the olive-brahches ; and
there was no degree in blood, or confangui-
niry, but was to be found fitting at his table;
wherein he would many times rejoice as in one
of God's great bieSings. There were, pro-
ceeding from his own Dody, and his mother
- might fee the fifth defcent from herfelf. A
happy motlier, and a bleffed fon ; for, as the
fcripture
WTLLTAM CECIL. 35
fcripture faith, he had feen his children's
children, and peace upon the land.
His temperate mind ever tempered all his
a6lion5 in fuch moderate carriage of his great
-fortune, that he liked and defired private
things, hating all pomp and glorious flioivs ;
for, if he might ride privately in his garden
upon his little moile, or lie a day or two at his
Jittle lodge at Theobald's, retired from bufi-
Tjefs, or too much company, he thought it his
greateft greatneis, and only happineis; or, if
he could get any of his old acquaintance who
could difcourfe of their youth, or of things pad
in old time, it was notable to hear what merry
/lories he would tell. It was faid of him,
that he could call to mind any thing he had
done, feen, or read ; for, when officers and
learned men often talked with him, either in
learning or caufes pafc, he would fo readily re-
member and repeat, either, that he heard or
read twenty, yea forty years before, as caufed
many to wonder at his great memory, having
-fo infinite other things in his head.
He was of fpare and temperate diet, eating
never but of two or three dift}es, drinking
never above thrice at a meal, and very feldom
wine. He would many times forbear fuppers
if he found his ftomach offended ; and, above
all things, what bufmefs foever was in his
head, it was never perceived at his table,
where he would be fo merry as one would
imagine Jie had nothing elfe to do ; diieiling
ills ipeech to all men according to their q uali-
■C i: ties
34 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
t t-^" and capacities, as he railed mirth out of
all men's fpeeches, augmenting it with his
own ; whereby he wanted no company fo long
as he was able to keep company. His fpeeches,
though they were merry, yet fo full of wif-
dom, as many came rather to hear his fpeeches
than CO eat his m:at ; for, even in his Ordi-
nary talk, he uttered fo many notable things,
as one might learn more in one hour's hear-
ing him than a month's reading. He loved
to be meiry himfelf. and liked and commended
all others that were of pleafant natures, being
dlfcrett with all.
His eloquence was his plainnefs in fami*
nilar common words, without afFeftation ;
wherein it was obferved in him, a thing
Arange, that, in fo plain terms as commonly
he ufed, his eloquence was fo excellent, as,
that he fpake was impoflible to be delivered
more rhetorically, clearly and fignificantly ;
eafy to be underfiood and remem.bred ; and
yet, beyond the eloquence of others, thought
to be mcft eloquent.
His recreation was chiefly in his books,
where, if he had time, he was more delighted-
than ethers with play at cards ; or, if he could
get a learned man to talk withal, he was
much pleafed. Books were fo pleafmg to
him, as, when he got liberty to go unto his
houfe to take air, if he found a book worth
the opening, he would rather lofe his riding
than his reading; and yet riding in his garden'
U'alks, upon his little moile, was his greateft
difport :
WILLIAM CECIL. r?
cUfport : but Co (oon as he came in he fell to
his reading again, or elfe to difpatching bufi-
nefs ; and this was all his recreation and couife
of life. He feldom or never played at any
game, for he could play at none. He would
fometimes look a while on (hooters or bowlers
as he rid abroad. He was delighted to talk
and be merry with his friends only at meals,
for he had no more leifure ; but he never had.
any favourites, as they are termed, nor any
inward companion, as great men commonly
have ; neither made he any man of his coun-
cil, nor any ever knew his fecrets ; fome not-
ing it a fault, but moll thinking it a praife of
his wifdom ; for, by trufting none with his
fecrets, none could reveal them ; nor opening
himfelf to none, there was none could look far
into him^ yet was there fome two or three
who frequented his company at meals, mora
than the reft, with whom he v/ould be moll
familiar and merry, ufmg them exceeding
kindly ; yet they neither knew his fecrets, nor
could, by their credit or familiarity with him,
draw him to do any thing in furthering or hin-
drance of any fuit, or any peribn, if their
caufe deferved it not.
His bell record was his experience, me-
mory, and notable invention, evxn to as
high perfedion as could be in any man. In
what learning was ht? ignorant ? What office
was there wherein he had not experience ?
What court of juftice whereof he knew not
the courfe ? Vv'hat province; county, city^
C 6 OF
36 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
or notable place in England, he could not de-
Icnbe ? Nay, What nobleman, or gentle-
man, and ihcir dwellings, matches, and pedi-
grees, did lie not know? and could many-
times uefcribe every particular place, perfon^
river, haven, park, and lordfhip, near any
gentleman, better than himfelf that dwelt
there. In what fervice, abroad or at home:,
was he ignorant, or not perfectly pradliled ?
He knew the ftate of all countries, the nature
ol all princes, their friends, foes, alliances,
matches, and pedigrees. He was privy to
their policies and pradifes, and often pre-
vented their purpofes. In weighty affairs of
council he was moil expert ; in policy of
peace, in directions of war, in provifions for
fo'ditrs and (hips, in proceedings of parlia-
ment, in all courts of jullice, in public
fpeeches, or private conference.
He took great pains and delight in pedi-
grees, wherein he had great knowledge, and
•wrote whole books of them with his own
Jiand; which greatly augmented his know-
ledge both abroad and at home. He obferved
all daily accidents, writing vvhatfoever paffed-
which he" continued from the time he was
nineteen years old even til! he died ; and, if
his notes .and v^'ritin.gs were v.eil perufed and
j-econciled, there would ht found notable
-matter for a good writer to ground an excel-
:leiit {lory of this time.
-Hie death was not fudden, nor his pain in
^cknefo ^reat; for Jbe ^continued .languilhirig
two
WILLIAM CECIL. 37
two or three months, yet went abroad to take
;air in his coach all that time ^ retiring himfelf
from the court, fonietimes to his houle at
Theobald's, and fometimes at London. His
greateft infirmity appearing, was the weaknefs
of his flomach. It was alfo thought his mind
was troubled that he could not work a peace
for his country, which he earneftly laboured
and defired of any thing, feeking to leave it a^
he had long kept it. He contemned this life,
and expeded the next ; for there was no earthly
thing wherein he took comfort, but in con-
templation, reading, or hearing the Scriptures,
Pfalms, and Prayers.
About ten or twelve days before he died,
"he grew weak, and fo driven to keep his bed,
complaining only of a pain in his breaft ;
which was thought to be the humour of the
gout, wherewith he was fo long poffeffed, fall-
ing to that place, without any ague, fever, or
-fign of dijlemper ; and that pain not great nor
-continual, but by fits ; and fo continued till
within one night before his death. At fix
o'clock at night, the phyficians finding no di-
ilemper in his pulfe or body, but aflhring his
life, affirming that it was impoffible he fliould
be heart-fickthat had fo good temper, and fo
perfeft pulfe and fenfes ; yet at feven o'clock
following, he fell into a convulfion like to the
■fhaking of a cold ague. ** Now," quoth he,
'* th-e Lord he .prriifed, the time is come ,**
and, calling for his children, bleiled them und
took his lead's, commanding them to ferve and
ie«
3? BRITISH fLUTARCH.
fear God, and love one another. He alio
prayed for the queen, ^^at ihe might live long
and die in peace.
Then he called P- Thomas Bellot, his
fleward, one of his executors, and delivered
him his will, faying, '* ^ have ever found thes
true to me, and I pow truft thee with all.'"
Who, like a goodly ^^"^^ ^^^' prayed his
lordlhip, as he had ^^^^d religioufly, fo now
to remember his S^^^i^ur Chrift, by whofe
blood he was to hav(2 forgivenefs of his fms ;
with many the like fpeeches ufed by his chap-
lains : to whom he aniwered, It was done al-
ready, for he was afTered God had forgiven his
fms, and would fave ^'^ ^^^^' Then he called
his chaplains, with ^^1 the company, to fay
prayers for him, hin^^elf faying after them all
the time they prayec^*
He continued lariS^'^^'^^g thus moft pair-
entlv, flill having memory perfed, till twelve-
o'clock ; lying pray^ig to bimfelf, faying the
Lord's Prayer in L^^in ; whereupon fome in-
ferred he was popifl^ 5 t)ut God knoweth the
contrary; for it ^'^s not flrange to hear
him pray in Latin* becaufe he never read
any books or prayers but m Latin,' French,
or Italian, very felc^o^^^^ i^ EngliOi. At twelve
o'clock his fpeech b'^ga" to fail him : then fiid
he, '* O Lord hav^ "^ercy on me, my fpeech
faileth me :" and ^"^ languifhmg till four
o'clock, fometimes wanting, and fometimes
having fpeech, he often faid, O what a heart
is this that will not ^^t me die ! Come, Lord
Jefui
WILLIAM CECIL. 39
Jefu; one drop of death, Lord Jefu ! and fo
lay prayinp; to himfelf, as we might hear him
Ipeak fottly : in which extremity you muft
imagine, the wailing of his children, friends,
and fervants, being twenty in the chamber ;
every one praying and devifing what to give
him, to hold life in him, if it were poiTible :
but when they flrived to give him any thing,
he came to hirnfelf, faying, *' O ye torment
me, for God's fake let me die quietly." Then
laying ftill, the ftanders by might hear him
fay foftly to himfelf, " Lord receive my fpi-
rit ; Lord have mercy upon me :" which were
the lafi words he was heard to fpeak. So he
continued fpeechlefs and fenfelefs, laying ftill
as it were in a fleep without pain, till it was
eight o'clock in the morning, and then died:
but, though many watched to fee when he
ftiould die, he lay looking fo fweetly, and
went away fo mildly, as in a fleep, that it
could fcarce be perceived when the breath
went out of his body.
Now might one fee all the world mourning;
the queen, for an old and true fervant ; the
council, for a wife and grave counfellor; the
court, for their honourable benefaclor ; his
country, and common ivealth, trembling as it
were at one blow, to have their head ftricken
off; the people, widows, and varus, lament-
ing to lofe their proteftof ; religion, her pa-
tron ; juftice, her true minilter ; and peace,
her upholder. His children b&wailing the
Icfs cf fuch a father, his friends of fuch a
friend.
40 BRITISH PLUTARCH,
friend, and his fervants of fuch a tnafter ; all
men rather bewailing his lofs, than hoping
ever to find fuch another. Yea, his very ene-
mies, who in his life- time could not abide
him, did now both forrow for hiis death and
Hviih him alive again.
He was the oldeil, the graveft, and greateU:
ilatefman of Chriftendom ; for there was, be-
fore his death, never a counfellor left alive in
Europe that were ccunfellors when he was firll
made.
He died on the fourth of Auguft, 1598;
and, if he had lived but till the thirteenth of
September following, he fhould have been
threefcore and feventeen years old; whereof
he lacked but a month and iive or fix days.
He was rather well proportioned than tall,
being of the middle fize, very ftraight and up-
right of body and legs, and, until age and
his infirmity of the gout furprifed him, very
^ftive and nimble of body. He was of vifagc
very well favoured, and of an excellent com-
plexion; infomuch as, even in his latter days,
when he was well and warm, or had new
dined or fupped, he had as good colour in his
face as moft fair women. His ftate of body
neither fat nor lean, but well flefhed. His
hair and beard .were all white, which hereto-
fore, as it Teemed, was of a brown colour^
his beard of a reafonable length, rather well
proportioned than too long or too big ; fair,
white, -and comely ; and, all parts r-eipeded
4o^etherj I tliinic there wer-e few that .knew
ihim
WILLIAM CECIL, 41
5iim but will fay, he was one of the Aveeteft
^,nd nioft well favoured, well mannered old
men that hath been feen.
From what hath been faid, it is left to the
reader's judgment, Whether England ever
produced a more able fcatefnian, or greater
patriot ? And yet, in thofe times (fach is the
fate of minifrers in power) there were fome
who, from their own ambitious defigns, en-
vied him the favour of hi^ royal miibefs ;
which he acquired by his profound knowledge,
inviolable integrity, and fupeaior merits.
MEMOIRS
42 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
MEMOIRS
O F
SirFrancisWalsingnam,
SIR Francis Walsingham, fecretary of
ftate in the reign of queen Elizabeth, was
defcended of an ancient and good fiimily, and
educated in the univerrity of Cambridge ;
whence he travelled into foreign countries,
whither he retired iikewife during the reign
of queen Mary, on account of religion.
In the year 1 5:70, he was fent embaiTador to
France, where he ferved queen Elizabeth with
great fidelity and addrefs : but, by his vail
expences in procuring intelligence in that cri-
tical period, involved himfelf fo deeply in
debt, that he was obliged to follicit for his
leave to return home ; which he at lall ob-
tained in April, 1572. His emineni abilities
raifed him to the poft of fecretary of Rate in
January following. In i^Si, he was again
fent embafiador into France; and, in 1583,
into Scotland, in order to advife king James
Vr. not to fufFer himfelf to be mifled by evil
counfellors, to the prejudice of both king-
doms 5 and was received by that king with
great
rarw^d ^^yruiH?i^jfi{:i/rn ,
FRANCIS WALSINGHAM. 45
great refpeci, though efieemed by his majefty
no real friend, either to himlelf orhis mother,
Mary, queen of Scots.
In 1586, he founded a divinity-Ieflure in
the univerfity of Oxford ; the reader of which
was to diicourfe on the fundamentals of reli-
gion and the holy fcriptures, hy way of com-
mon-place, that the controverfies arifing
thence might be more particularly difcuficd.
The fame year, by his peculiar fagacity and
management, he unravelled the whole plot of
Babingion, and others, againll the life of the
queen.
Soon after this, he was appointed one of the
commifiicncrs for the trial of the queen of
Scots, having before oppofed the advice of the
earl of Leicefter, who was inclined to difpatth
her by poifon, and had privately lent a court-
divine to fecretary Walfmgham, to perfuade
him to confent ; but the latter perliUed in his
opinion, that fuch a method of proceeding
was not only unjurt, but likewife dangerous
and diilionourabie to their royal miftrefs^
However, after the queen of Scots was con-
demned, and the warrant figned, on the firft
of February, 1586-7, for her execution, he,
with Davilon, the other fecretary of ftate, was
ordered by queen Elizabeth to write to Sir
Amias Powlet, and Sir Drue Drury, in whofe
cuitody queen Mary was, to make her fecretly
away ; but thofe two gentlemen thought pro-
per to decline fo odious an oftice.
la
44 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
In 1587, the king of Spain having made
vaft preparations, which furprifed and kept all
Europe in rulpenfe, not knowing on what na-
tion the ftorm would break, Walfingham
employed his utmoft endeavours for tlie difco-
veiy of this important fecret; and accordingly-
procured intelligence from Madrid, that the
king had informed his council of his having
fent an exprefs to Rome, with a letter from
his own hand to the pope, acquainting hira
with the true dcUgn of his preparations, and
begging his bleiiing upon it ; which, for
fome reafons, he could not difclofe to them
till the return of the courier. The fecret
being thus lodged with the pope, Walling-
ham, by the means of a Venetian prieft re-
tained at Rome as a fpy, got a copy of the
criginsl letter, which was liolen out of the
pope's cabinet by a gentleman of the bed-
chamber, who look the key out of the pope's
pocket while he fiept.
After this, by his dextrous management,
he caufed the Spaniards bills to be protefted at
Genoa, which .iliould have fupplied them with
money for their extraordinary preparations ;
and, by this means, he happily retarded this
formidable invafion for a whole year.
However, after all his eminent fervices to
bis country, this great man gave a remarkable
proof at his death (which happened on the
fixth of April, 1590,) how far he preferred
the public to his own intereft ; for, though,
belides his poft of fwcretary of Hate, he was
chancellor
FRANCIS WALSINGHAM. 45
chancellor to the dutchy of Lancailer, and of
the gai ter ; yet he died fo poor, that his
friends were obliged to bury him by night in
St. Paul's church, leil his body ihould be ar-
reted for debt.
He left only one daughter, famous for hav-
ing three hu (bands of the greateft diftindion :
firit, Sir Philip Sidney ; fecondly, Rob^^rt
Devereux, earlofEffex; and, laitly, Richard
Bourk, earl of Clanrickard, and afterwards
earl of St. Albans.
He was, at iirft, a favourer of the puritan
party; to whom he offered, in 1583, in the
queen's name, that, provided they would
conform in other points, the three ceremonies,
of kneeling at the communion, wearing the
furplice, and the crofs in baptifm, fhoald be
expunged out of the Common-Prayer. But
they replying to thefe concelTions, in the lan-
guage of Mofes, That they would not leave
fo much as a hoof behind; meaning that they
would have the church- liturgy wholly laid
afede, and not be obliged to the performance
of any ofSce in it ; fo unexpeded an anfwer
loft them, in a great meafure, Waifingham's
affedion.
He was undoubtedly one of the mod refined
politicians, and mod penetrating llatefmen,
that ever any age produced. He had an ad-
mirable talent both in difcovering and ma-
naging the fecret reCv-^ffes of h^]man nature:
he had his fpies in moil courts of Chrillendom,
and
46 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
and allowed them a liberal maintainance ; for
his grand maxim was, That knowledge is
never too dear.
He Ipent his whole time and faculties in the
fervice of the queen and her kingdoms : on
which account her majelly was heard to fay,
That, in diligence and fagacity, he exceeded
her expe<5lation.
He is thought to have had a principal hand
in laying the foundation of the wars in France
and Flanders ; and is faid, upon his return
from his embaiTy in France, when the queen
expreffed her apprehenfion of the Spanilh de-
figns sgainil that king;dcm, to have anfwered,
*' Madam, be content, and fear not. The
Spaniard hath a great appetite, and an excel-
lent digeilion ; but 1 have fitted him with a
bone for theie twenty years, that your m.ajefty
fliall have no caufe to dread him, provided,
that, if the fiie chance to flack which I have
kindled, ycu will be ruled by me, and cad
in fome of your fuel, which will revive the
flame."
He would cherifh a plot fbme years together,
admitting the confpirators to his own, and
even the queen's, preience very "fam/iliarly ;
but took care to have them carefully watched.
His fpies conliantly attended on particular
men for three years together ; and, left they
•(hould not keep the fecret, he difpatched them
into foreign parts, taking in new ones in their
room. His training of Parry, who defigned
the murder of the queen ; the admitting him,
under
FRANCIS WALSIxNGHAM. 47
under the pretence of difcovering the plot, to
her majeily's prelence ; and then letting him
go where he would, only on the fecurity of a
centinel fet over him ; was an inilancc of reach
and hazard beyond common apprehenfion.
The quten of Scots letters were all carried
to him by her own fervant, whom fhe trufted,
and were decyphered for him by one Philips,
and fealed up again by one Gregory ; fo that
neither that qaeen, nor any of her correfpond-
entF, ever perceived, either the feals defaced,
or letters delayed. Video taceo, was his fay-
ing before it was his miilrefs's motto.
He could as well fit the humour of king
James of Scotland with parages out of Xeno-
phon, Thucydidw6, Plutarch, or Tacitus, as
he could that of Henry, king o( France,
with Rabelais's Corceits, or the Hollander
with mechanic difcourles. He ferved himfeif
of the court factions as the queen did, neither
advancing the one nor depreiTmg the other.
He was familiar with Cecil, allied to Leiceiler,
and an oracle to RadclilTe, earl of Suffex.
His converfacion was innnuating and yet rc-
ferved. He faw every man, and none faw
him. " His fpirit," fays Mr. Lloyd, '* was
as public as his parts ; yet as debonaire as he
was prudent; 'and as obliging to the fofter
but predominant parts of the world, as 1 e
was ferviceable to the more {ever^ ; and no
lefs dextrous to work on humours, than to
convince reafcn. He would fay, he raud ob-
lerve the joints and textures of affairs ; and fo
could
48 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
could do more with a flory than others could
with an harangue. He always furprized bufi-
nefs, and preferred motions in the heat of
other diverfions ; and, if he mull debate it,
he woiild hear all, and with the advantage of
foregoing fpeeches, that either cautioned or
-confirmed his refolutions, he carried all before
him in conclufion, without a reply. To
him men's faces fpoke as much as their
tongues, and their countenances were in-
^exes of their hearts. He would fo befet
men with quellians, and draw them on, that
they difcovered tJiemielves, whechei they an-
fw^red or were filent.
" He maintained fifty-three agents and
eighteen fpies in foreign courts : and; for two
piltofp^^ tin order, had all the private papers
in iiurope. Few letters "Cfcaped his hands ;
and he couM read tneir contents without touch-
ing the fjals.
'^ Religion was the intereft of his coun-
trv, in his judgment, and of his foul; there-
fore he maintained it as fmcerely as he loved
it. It had his head, his purfe, and his
heart. He laid the great foundation of the
proteHant conilitution, as to its policy, and
the main-plot againil the popifh, as to its
ruin."
THE
CJu:ri/^t7/.v (^/'//VV^/^/
7
ROBERT DEVEREUX. 4^
The life of
Robert Deversux,
ROBERT Devereux, carlofEfTex, a gal-
lant foldier, and great favourite, in the
reign of queen Elizabeth, was foil to Walter,
earl of EfTex, and Lattice, daughter to fir
Francis Knolles, who was related to queen
Elizabeth. He was born on the tenth of No-
vember, 1567, at Netherwood, his father's
feat, in Hereford (hire, when that noble pcrfoii
had attained no higher title than that of vif-
count Hereford.
In his tender years, it is reported, there did
not appear any figns of an extraordinary geni-
us in him ; and one who was long in his fer-
vice, and could noc but be well acquainted
with the fecrets of the family, affures us, that
his father died but with a very cold conceit
of his abilities ; which, fome thou^crht, pro-
ceeded from his great affeflion for his youn-
ger fon, Walter Devereux, who, it feems,
had quicker and more livelier t-arts in his
childhood. Hov/ever, when he breathed his
laft in Ireland, he recommended this foii of his,
then in the tenth year of his age, to t e pro-
teAion of Thomas RadclilFe, earl ci -ufTex;
and to the care of William Cecil, Icrd Bur-
leigh, whom he appointed his guardian.
Vol. IV. D Mr.
50 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
Mr. Waterhoufe, then fecretary for Ireland,
a perfon equally favoured by his father and .Sir
Kenry Sidney, lord-deputy of Ireland, had the
immediate direflion of his perfon and ellate,
which, though not a little injured by his fa-
ther's public fpirit, was, however, very con fi-
dcrable ; and ths regard (hevi'n for his con-
cerns, by the mofl: powerful perfons at court,
was fo remarkable, that Mr. Waterhoufe made
no difficulty of affirming, there was not, at
that time, any man fo ftrong in friends as the
Jictle earl of Effex.
His application on the behalf of the young
earl, that he might be preferved in the pofTef-
fion of thofe honours which his father had en-
joyed in Vv^ales, and which were attended
with power and influence rather than profit,
had better fortune through the affillance of the
earl of SuflTex, who eafily procured from the
queen this mark of favour for a tender youth,
whofe father had deferved fo well.
In 1578, when he was about twelve years of
age, he A^as fent to the univerfity of Cambridge
by the lord Burle-gh, who placed him in Tri-
nity-college, under the care of Dr. Whitgit't,
then mailer, and afterwards a<chbi{hop of
Canterbury. He was educated there with
much flriilnefs, and applied himfelf to learn-
ing with great diligence; fo that, his quality
confidered, there were fe^v young men of his
flanding more dilHnguifhed, either for folidity
of judgment, or for an eafy and eloque.':t man-
ner of exprefling their fentiments,
Somf
ROBERT DEVEREUX. 51
Some bold writers have afTerted, that, as
Dr. Whitgift rofe in his preferments, he funk
In the elleem of his pupil, who, as they would
have us believe, conceived an early diflike to
biOiops; but fuch as knew the world well in
thefe days, and had the faireft opportunities of
knowing the earl, afTert the contrary, and that
he continued always to treat the archbifhop a5
his particular fiiend, and to refped him as hU
parent.
In 1582, having taken the degree of mailer
of arts, he foon after left Cambridge, and re-
tired to his own houfe at Lambfie, in South-
Wales, where he fpent fome time in privacy
and retirement; and was fo far from having
any thing of the eagernefs or impetuofity na-
tural to youth, thr:t, inllcad of being difpleafed,
he became enamoured of his rural retreat ; in-
fomuch that it was with difficulty he was pre-,
vailed upon to leave it.
His firil appearance at court, at leaii as a
candidate for royal favour, was in the feven-
teenth year of his age : however, when he
came thither, it is certain, he could not have
hoped, or even willied, a better reception.
He brought with him, amor.gft other Ibcng
recommendations, a line perfon, an aoreeable
behaviour, and an ^ability which procured
him many friends, befides the rare qualities
of true piety, unairesSled zeal for the public
welfare, and a warmth and fmcerity in his
friend Ihips which entitled him to univerfal
cHeem, He, by degrees, fo far overcame that
D 2 reladance
52 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
felu6lance which he is faid to have flievvn, to
tie the afllilance of the powerful eail of Lei-
cefter, that, towards the clofe of the year
1585, he accompanied hiip., with many
others of the nobility, to Holland ; where we
find him the next year in the field, with the
title of general of the horfe ; and, in this
quality, he gave the higheft proofs of perfonal
courage, in the battle of Zutphen, on the
twenty-fecond of September, 1586 , and, for
his gallant behaviour upon this occafion, the
earl of Leicefter conferred upon him the ho-
nour of a knight-banneret in his camp.
Oh his return to England, it very :pickly
appeared, that the queen not only approved,
but was defirous alfo of rewarding, his fer*
vices ; and his llep-fatber, the earl of Leice{^
ter, being advanced to the office of lord-itew-
ard of her mrjefty's houHiold, ihe, on the
twenty-third of December, 1587, made the
earl of Eiiex mafter of the horfe in his
room.
In the fucceeding year, he continued to
rife ; for, when her majefty thought fit to af'
femble the army at Tilbury, for the defence of
the kingdom, in cafe the Spaniards had landed,
and gave the command of it, under herfelf,
to the earl of Leicefter, (he created the earl of
Efiex general of the horfe : fo that, from
this time, he was confidered as the favourite
"declared ; and, if there was any mark yet
wanting to fix the people's opinion in that rc-
fped, it was (hev/n, by the queen's confering
Oft
ROBERT DEVEREUX. 53
on him, fhortly after, the moll noble order of
the garter.
We need not wonder that fo quick an eleva-
tion, and to lb great an height, fhould feme-
what afFefl the judgment of fo young a man ;
an therefore ther'^ will not appear any thing
ill • 're in the eager^iefs he is faid uo have fhevvn
in ir.;-->uting the queen's favour v.ith Sir Charles
E'' . t; who, in procefs of time, became lord
I'v. :.:oy and earl of Devonihire ; v^hich,
hov, c. ir, cofi him fome blood ; for that brave
r:?;ri, taking ii'alle of fomewliat the earl faid
€■ a i: 'Our bci.ovved upon him by the queen,
-caalr.-ed him, and, in Marybone-paik, af-
ter a Ihort difpute, wounded EiTex in the
knee; with which the queen, who did not
love to be controuled in her aftions, was fo
far :rom being difpleafed, that O^e fwore a
round oath, it was fit that fome 01.2 or other
Ciould take him down, otherwife there v^ould
be no ruling him. However, ihe reconciled
the rivals ; and it will remain an honour to
both their memories, that, profeffing them-
felves friends, they remained fuch fo long as
they lived together.
In the beginning of the year 1589, Sir
John Norris and Sir Francis Drake, had under-
taken an expedition for refloring Don Anto-
nio to the crown of Portugal; which the earl
beheld as an action too glorious for others to
perform, while he was a fpeflator only. He
followed the fleet and arm.y therefore to
Spain, and, having joined them at Corunna,.
V 3 grofs-
54 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
profccuted the rell of the expedition with
great vigilance and valour ; which, hovv'ever,
was not attended with much fuccefs, at the
fame time that it expofed him to the queen's
difpleafare.
At his return, however, he foon recovered
her majefly's good graces ; nor was it long
before this was tellified to the world, by his
obtaining new marks of favour, in grants of a
very conriderable value ; a circumftance in
which his credit with the queen ftemed much
fuperior to that of all her other flivourites.
He had now lofr the fupport of his llep-fa-
ther the earl of Leiceller, who died the pre-
ceding year; and who, though he was fup'
pofed to act the politician in prefering hmi ta
the queen's favour, (if, indeed, that was at all
his work,) yet {hewed the fmcerity of his af-
fection to him by feveral claufes in his will :
notwithttanding which lofs, he kept his
ground at court ; and, by carefling Mr. Cart-
wright and others, looked upon as puritans,
feemed to afted becoming the head of that
party, which adhered to the earl of Leiceiler
whiie living.
About this time he ran a new hazard of the
queen's favour, by a private, and, as it was
then conceived, inconfiderate, match with
Frances, only daughter of Sir Francis Wal-
fingham, and the widow of Sir Philip Sidney;
vt'hich her majelly apprehended to be, in fome
meafure, derogatory to the honour of the houfe
of
ROBERT DEVEREUX. 55
of EfTex; and, though, for the^prefcnt, this boi ,
finefs was pafTed by, yet it is thought that ic
was not fo fcon forgot.
In 1591, Henry JV. of France, having de-
manded frefh aillftance from the queen, tho'
he had already a body of her troops in his
fervice, fne was pleafed to fend the earl of Ef-
fex, with four thoufand men, a faiall train of
artillery, and a competent fleet, into Nor-
mandy ; where it was propofed that he fnoald
join the French army, in order to undertake
the fiege of Rouen. The French king, how-
ever, either through want of povser, the di-
flradicn of his affairs, or fome other caule,
negleded to psiibrm his promife, nctwith-
ftanding that KfTex made a long and hazardous
journey to his camp, at that monarch's re-
queft, in order to have concerted meafures fojr
giving the queen fatisfai^ion.
Upon his return from this journeyj which,
proved of liule confequence, EfTex, to keep
up the fpirits cf his officers, conferred the ho-
nour of knighthood upon many oj them : — A
circumitance with which the queen was much
offended. He iikewife made excurfions from
his camp to the' very wails of Rouen ; and the
earl, exponng his perfon very freely in thefe
feiimiilies, came ofFindecd unhurt himfelf, but
lofl there his only bsother, Waiter Devereux,
then in the fiowcr oi his age, being two years
younger than the earl
He returned fome time after, to give an ac~
CQuiU of the Hate of things to the queen i and
D 4 then
56 BRITISH PLUTARCH,
then came back to his charge ; the liege of
Rouen being formed, and the French king
expreilir.g a great defire to become mafter of it.
This winter fervice harrafling the troops ex-
ceedingly, provoked Eflex not a little, who
Ibllicited king Henry for leave to proceed in.
his manner, promifing to make a breach with
his own artillery, and -then to florm the place
with the F2ng]ilh troops; which the king, how-
ever, refufed, as being not at all defiroas of
having tliat rich place taken and plundered by
the Englilh in his fight.
Efiex, flill more difpleafed at this, and re-
folvcd not to continue in a place where no re-
putation v/as to be got, firfl: challenged the go-
vernor of Rouen, Mr. Villars ; and, upon his
refufing to fight, left the command of the En-,
glifh troops to fir Roger Williams, an ofRcei:
of great courage and experience ; and then
embarked for England, where his prefence was
become very necefiary, his enemies having re-
prefented his behaviour in a very different light
to the queen his miHrefs.
At this time he was exceedingly courted by
very different forts of people ; tor many of
the young nobility, who were defirous of en-
tering into the world under the patronage of
fome eminent perfon, preferred the earl ; as
well on account of his great affability to his
followers, as becaufe of his known interei^
witli the queen. All the military men, that
were not of very old ftanding, looked upon
him as their chief, and one from whole favour
they
ROBERT DEVEREUX. ^7
tliey were to derive preferment. The puritai
miniHers alfo,. and their dependants, conli-
dered him as the fucceltbr to the eari of Lei-
cefter, and, confequently, as their proLcftor.
One need not wonder, therefore, that, having
fuch power, he had fo many enemies ;, and,
that thefe fhould gain advantages over him in
his abfence : but, upon his return, he trium-
phed for the moll part ; and the q-ueen, wha
looked upon herfelf as tied to him by former
a<fls of kindnefs, feldom refufed him any new
marks of favour for which be was importunate
in his demands.
Vv^e find him prefenfcin the parliament which
began at V/eftminfter, on the nineteenth of
February, 1592-3 ; in which fclTion, chiefiy
through his intereft, Sir Thomas Perrot, who
had married his fifter, was reftored in blood;
which had been corrupted by the attainder of
Sir John Perrot, his father, who had been
lord-deputy of Ireland : and in this feffion it
was that tne houfe of peers paid a vzvy extra-
ordinary compliment to the earl of EfTex. The
queen alfo, who had given himfo many marks
of her favour, added to them a new honour ;
which was, at the fame time, a very high tef-
timony of her confidence, by caufing him to
be fworn one of the members of her privy-
cou ~ cil .
He met, however, in this, and in the fuc-
ceeding years, with variou* crnfss ofchagrki ;
partly from the loftinefs of his own tc;mDer,
D ; and
58 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
and partly from the artifices of thofe who ea-
vied his greatnefs.
A dangerous and treafonable book, written
abroad by a jefuit, ^vIis publifhed under the
name of Doleman, with intention to create
dilTention in England about fuccefSon to the
crown. This book, as the whole defign of it
was moll villainous, fo, from a fuperioi fpirit
of malice, it was dedicated to the earl of Ef-
fex, on purpofe to create him trouble ; in.
which it had its efFed.
But what chiefly grieved and broke his fpi-
rits, was, his perceiving, that, though he
could, in mort Tuits, prevail for himfelf, yet
he was able to do little or nothing for his*
triends ; as particularly appeared in the cafe
of Sir Francis Bacon : which, though the earl
bore with fome impatience, yet it gave him "
an opportunity of fnewing the greatnefs of
iiis mind, by giving that gentleman a fmall'
cftate in land, which ought to have bound him^
better to his fortunes.
Indeed, the earl of EfTex was never v/anting,
upon any occafion, to his friends, as many of
the writers of thofe times agree, and of which.
Camden gives us a remarkable inllapce in the
vear 159 S» 1^^ his attending the funeral of Sir
Roner Williams, an old experienced officer
whom he had icng encouraged and fupported,
thou^ h the roughnefs of his behaviour had ex-
pofed him to the diflike of Sir Walter Ra-
leigh, and o*:her confiderable perfons. Butj,
vvhat-
ROBERT D^VEREUX. 59
whatever difadvantages EfTex might labour
under from intrigues at court, yet, in times of
danger, the queen had commonly recourfe to
his alliftance.
Thus, in 1596, when the Spaniards, in the
month of April, laid fiegt to Calais, and the
difcharges of their batteries were heard at
Greenwich, an army was haftily raifed, and
marched to Dover, the command of which was
given to the earl of EfTex, the queen intend-
ing to have embarked thefe tro ps for the af-
fiftanceof the French : which, however, they
wifely declined, being willing rather to lei the
Spaniards keep Calais for a little while, than
fee it refcued from thern by the Engliih, who
would, prefuming on their old rights, pro-
bably keep it for ever.
The queen, however, t-king advantage of
that v/arm difpofitionvvhich appeared in ntr
people, to contribute, as far as in them lay,
to keep the war at a diflance, and to prevent
the Spaniards from meditating a fecond inva-
fion, ordered a fleet to be equipped for at-
tacking Cadiz, bell part of the expences being
born by the principal perfons engaged in that
enterprize.
The command of this array and fleet was,
with joint authority, intrufied to Robeit, earl
of Ellex, and Charles, lord Howard, then
lord high adm.iral of England ; with whom
went many of the moft dillinguiihed officers,
both for the land and fea iervice, thut were
then in England : the fleet, for its number of
D 6 fcipsj
6o BRITISH PLUTARCH.
fhips, and for the land foldiers and manners
aboard, being the moft confiderable that, in
thofe times, 'had been feen.
On the firfl of June they failed from Ply-
mouth, but were forced to put back by a con-
trary wind ; which changing, they took the
firll opportunity of putting again to fea. On
the eighteenth of the fame month they ar-
rived at Cape St. Vincent, where they met
with an Irifh bark, which informed them that
the port of Cadiz was full of fliips, and that
they had no notice whatever of the failing of
the Englifh fleet, or that fuch an expedition
was fo much as intended.
After this welcome news they purfued their
voyage, and, on the twentieth, in the morn-
ing, they anchored near St.Seballian's, on the
weft fide of the ifland of Cadiz, where the ad-
miral would have had the forces debarked, in
order to their immediately attacking the town ;
which EiTex caufed to be attempted, but found
to be imprafticable ; and, upon the advice of
Sir Walter Raldgh, defifted. Camden, in-
deed, charges this raftinefs upon Effex ; but
Sir Walter Raleigh, who is certainly better au-
thority in this point, ftates it the other way.
jt^as then propofed by the earl to begin
with attacking the fleet, which was a very ha-
zardous enrerprize, but, at lail, agreed to by
the lord -admiral ; on which Effex, when he
received the news, threw his hat into the
Tea for joy. The next day, this gallant refo-
luticn was execAited with all imaginable bra-
very.
ROBERT DEVEKEUX. 6r
very, and, in point of fervice, none did bet-
ter, or hazarded his perion mere, than the
earl of ElTex, who, in his own fhio, the Due
Repulfe, went to the afTillance of Sir Walter
Raleigh, and offered, if it had been neceffary,
to have feconded him in boarding the St, Phi-
lip. The Spaniards behaved very gallantly,
fo long as there were any hopes ; and, whea
there were none, fet fire to their fhips and re-
tired.
The earl of Effex then landed eight hundred
men at the Puntall ; and, having iiril taken
proper roeafures for deiboying the bridge,
next attacked the place with fo much fury,
that it was quickly taken ; and, the next day,
the citadel Surrendered upon a capitulation, by
which a great ranfom was ftipulated for the
town. An offer was then made of two mil-
lions of ducats to fpare the fliips, and more
might have been obtained ; but the lord high-
admiral faid. He came there to con fume, and
not to compound : of which when the Spani-
ards were informed, they refoived to have the
burning of their own fleet, which thty ac-
cordingly fet on fire j their lofs by which was
computed at twenty millions.
The earl was very defirous of keeping Ca-
diz, which he offered to have done with a
\'ery fmall garrifon ; but the council differed
from him in opinion : fo that, having plun-
dered the ifland and demolillied the forts, they
embarked on the fifth of July, and bore away
for the port of Farro, in Algarve, which they
plundered
ez BRITISH PLUTARCH.
plundered and deftroyed. Thence they pro-
ceeded to Cape St. Vincent, and, being
driven by a brifk wind out *o f::a, it feil under
CCiifi deration, whether they (Rould not fail for
the Azores, in hopes of intercepting the plate
ileet, which was cartied in the negative ; and
the earl's propoial, with two of her majefty's
&ips, and ten others, to make thi*^ attempt,
w;.s lejecled likewife : which Mr. Camden at-
tributes to the defire of fome of the officers,
v/ho had made large booties, to get their trea-
fure fafe on Ihore They looked in, however,
at Corunna, and the earl would have pro-
ceeded to St. Andreo and St. SebalHan ; but
others thinking they had done enough, the
fleet returned profperouily to Plymouth on the
eighth of Auguft following ; and the earl,
with his fquadron, two days after.
He was very well received by the queen,
and highly applauded by the people ; but, as
it was too common with him, not entirely fa-
tisfied in himfelf ; which induced him to write,
at a time when fome faults were imputed to
him, a kind of narrative of this exploit, and
a cenfure upon other mens condudl; which
gained him little credit, and did, him lefs
good.
Yet, whatever might be the fentiments of
the wifer part of the court, it appcais plainly
that, upon his return from this expedition, the
earl of ElTex Hood very high in the favour of
the queen and of the nation ; and, perhaps,
it might have gained hiai an aiCcefTion of fa*-
vour
ROBERT DEVEREUX, 6^
vour with the former, if the eari had not en-
joyed fomuch of the latter, or had feemed to
Value it lefs than he did : but, as he had little
of diflimulation in his temper, fo the warmth
with which he difcovered eiihef his afFetlion or
diilike, expofed him continually to the finifter
pratHces of hi^ enemies, who were thoroughly
fkilled in thofe arts which he knew leait
about;
They infinuaced, therefore, to the queen,
that, co;.fidering the earl's popularity, it
would not be at all expedient for-ner fer-
vice to receive fuch as he recommended to
civil employments ; and this they carried fo
far as to make even his approbation deftrudtive
to mens fortunes whom they had encouraged
and recommended themfelves. A thing hardly
to be credited if we had aot the higheft evi-
dence to prove it.
It was a natural confequence, that the earl
Ihould behave to thofe he took to be the au-
thors of fuch counfels with vn'ibie marks of
anger and difcontent ; and this conduil: of his
made him frequently upon bad terms even
with the queen herfelf, who was a princefs
very jealous of her authority, a d, ia cafes of
this nature, bore but very indiffeientiy with
a y expoftulations. However, as vveli out of
her natural kindnefs to him, a^ from a defire
of (hewing a jult acknowledgment lox his late
fervice, ftie was pleafed, o.i ihe nineteentii of
March, 1597, ^^ appoint him mailer of the
«id nance by patent.
64 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
This feems to have had a good efFefl, In
quieting the mind, and raifmg the fpirits of
this great nobleman, who, upon a report that
the Spaniards were forming a new fleet at Fer-
rol and Corunna, for thein^'afion of Ireland at
leaft, if not England, readily offered his fer-
vice to the queen, and chearfuUy declared, as
Camden aflures us, that he would either de-*
feat this new armada, which hau threatened
England for a year together, or perifii in the
attempt. The queen, well pleafed with this
propolal, gave it all the countenance that
could be defired, and caufed a confidcrable
fleet, though not fo confidcrable as the adiorv
required, to be equipped for this fervice ; and
the earl of Eifex was appointed general, ad-
miral, ai^d commander in ch/cf.
We may guefs ?t the irterefl which the
earl had in the fuccefs of this voyage by the
number of his friends who engaged thereia as-
volunieers; and, amongft them of the nobi-
lity, were the earls of Rutland and South-
ampton, and the lords Cromwell and Rich.
His fanguine hopes, however, were, in feme
meafure difappointed ; for, failing about the
ninth cf July from Plymouth, they met, at
fixty leagues diftance, with fo rough a ftorm,
and of four days continuance, that they were
obliged to put back to Plymouth, where they
Temained wind-bound for a month ; in which
time a great part of their provifions was con-
fumed.
V/hik
ROBERT DEVEREUX. 6^
While the fleet was thus laid up, the earl
of EfTex and Sir V/alter Raleigh fet out poft
for the court, in order to receive frefh inftruc-
tions. The propofals made by EiTex, even
after this difappointment, were very bold and
great; but, as Camden feems to infmuate,
very difficult and dangerous, if not impracti-
cable ; fo that the queen would not counte-
nance his projeds, but rather left the direftion
of the expedition to the comm.anders in chief,
according as the feafon and circumdances
might encourage or permit. The fame hiilo-
rian, and almoft all who have written upon
this fubjed after him, fpeaks of an old mif-
underilanding between Elfex and Sir Walter
before they left England, v/hich was produc-
tive of moft of the mifchiefs that afterwards
happened ; which there is good reafon, how-
ever, to believe a groundless imputation upon
both ; for, amongft other papers of a very
curious and inftruftive nature, which haveimce
been publiihed in a very valuable ccileclion,
are the letters of Rowland White, efq. to Sir
Robert Sidney, at that time governor of Flufli-
ing; and v/e learn from him, that, in the be-
ginning of the year 1597, there were great
intrigues at court, v/here iecr^tary Cecil was
the moil favoured counfeiior, had long private
conferences with the queen, and retarded or
advanced mens fuits at his pleafure. EHex, at
this time, was in fome difcontent, though a
great favourite likewife, and kept, or was faid
to
t6 BRITISH PLUTARCH,
to keep, his bed when he was not very fick ;
receiving frequent mefiages from the queen,
and hsving alio private audiences.
In the beginning of the month of March,
Sir Walter Raleigh had feveral private inter-
views with the earl, in order to bring about a
good underilanding between him and the fe-
cretary, which he urged would have feveral
good confequences; fuch as, making the queea
ea:y, removing a great obftacle in the ma-
. nagement of public affairs, and contributing
not a little to Lrwarding the fch'^mes concert-
ed for humbling tne common enemy. It is
eafv to fee from hence, that r.here could be no
pique b^^tween th;: e:^r] and Sir Walter Raleigh ;
for ir there had, Sir Robert Cecil was too wiie
a man toha-e employed him.
Whil^ this treaty was in negotiation, there
was a competition for the office of warden of
the Cinque Forrs, St Robert Cecil fupporting
the new lord Cobhain, and the earl of Eifex
re'-ommendir;g -Sir Robert Sidney firll, ahd»
fiudinrr that v^ouid not do, ilandino; for ithim-
felf; upon which it was propofed tha.. he
fhouid accpt oi" the maflerfhip o/ the ord-
nance; which he did. Soon after this. Sir
H^'nr; L-igii wi^;, at the recommendation of
the earl ot EHlx, made knight of the garter;
and the ea.l concurred in promoting the lord
Borovv3 10 the gov ernment of Ireland,
in Mr^y, thf treaty was in a manner con-
cluded ; the eatL by the mediation of Sir
Walter
ROBERT DEVEREUX. e-j
Walter Rakigh, was reconciled to the fecre-
tary, and they concerted together all the mea-
fares preparatory tx{ the iiland expedition :
and from the fame Tetters we learn, that Sir
Walter Raleigh, who was entrufled with the
care of VKftualing the fleet, had b^en remark-
ably civil to the earl of EfTeJc, in wliat related
to the provifion of his Ovvn fnip ; tnd, when
they were obliged to leturn by cont'-ary winds.
Mi. White reprefents their comii g to Lonaon
together, a: the effects cf their perfedl iiiel-
ligence, an 1 does net give th^ ieafl hiht of
any variarce between them.
As loo.: fe the ueet was repaired, pn I the
land forces debarked, tiiat., by th^- qactu s com-
mand, were to remai . at home, they failed
again from Plyn?.outh on the feventeentb of
Auguft; iiaving now two points in vicv, the
one to barn the Spaniihfl.-c; a their c-vn har-
bours, the ether to intercept the iliips they
expe<fied from rhe Well-lnc'ics. Cambdea
blames EfTex foi appearing openlv '"ilhin light
of the Spiniih coail, and theiecy alarming
the enemy ; but Sir Wuiiam Monion acquaints
us with the true realbn of ii\^ ear- . < -aducl ;-
which was, by making a ihow of a :;»/ iliips,
to craw out the enemy's fleet, it being- found"
impoifihle to burn them in port. H-t aiio in-
finuates, that Sir Walter Raleigh kept at n
diftance from the fleet; which -vas another dif-
couragement: but, from the bell account-, we
have, this alfo appears to be a grcunJiefs ima-
gination. Sir Walter is afterwards faid to
have
68 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
have feparated from the iieet by defign under
pretence of repairing his fhip ; but S.r Wil-
liam Monfcn tells us plainly, that thij repa-
ration was owing to an invf>luntary mifcarriage
in Eiiex himlelf. When they joined a:;riin at
the iilands, it appears plainly that Efitv and
Raleigh were very good friends notwithllanding
there were fome, on both fides, who laooured
all they could to incenfe them agaiuil each
other.
When they had refrefhcJ at Flores, Eflex
commanded Raleigh to fail for Fayall, which
he intended to attack with the whole iicet;
but Sir Walter coming there iirll, and appre-
hending that the fn»allell: delay might have
prevented their defign, very gallantly attack-,
ed, and very happily fucceeded, in making
himfelf mailer of the ifland before the arrival
of Effex with the reil: of the fleet. This gave
occafion to Sir Walter's enemies to reprefent
his vigilance and adivity in the light of difr.
obedience and contempt to EOex, which oc-
cafioned very high difputes ; but, by the in-
terpofidon of lord Thom.as Howard, ail tr.ings.
were compromifed ; Sir Wa'ter excufed what
had happened to the earl, and the earl acce ^ted
his txeufe. As the relations of this, which is
called The Ifland Voyage, already publifhed,
are vcyy exa<5t, and in themfelves larger thaa
this whole life, it cannot be expeded that we
{hould enter here into a,ll the particulars of
this voyage ; we Ihall therefore certent our'
fclves with obferving, that, notwithHanding^
die
ROBERT DEVEREUX. 6g
theSpanifli fleet efcaped, and fome other out-
ward accideiits happened, in which the earl
was not altogether without blame, yet three
Ihips from the Havannah, the cargoes of which
amounted to near one hundred thoufand
pounds, were taken ; by which, the bell part
of the expences of the undertaking were de-
frayed, and fo the fleet returned to England
towards the clofe of Odober. The earl of
EfTex immediately began to fhevv evident
figns of deep difpleafure, he retired to his
houfe at Wanflead, and, under pretence of
ficknefs, abfented himfelf from the fervice of
parliament then fitting. Cambden reports,
that his difiatisfa6tion arofe from the lord ad-
miral's being created earl of Nottingham in
his abfcnce, with fome particular claufes in the
preamble of his patent, which, as they were
highly honourable for that noble peer, E/Tex
conceived threw fome difparagement upon
himfelf. And, by way of fatisfadion, he was
created earl marfhal of England 5 on the twen-
ty eighth of December, 1^97 ; and took his
place in parliament accordingly, on Wednef-
day the eleventh of January following.
It is generally agreed, tiiat this noble per-
fon had nothing of diffimulation in his nature;
and therefore, having obtained this nev/ favour
of the queen, he was perfectly well pleafed,
and very readily promifed Sir Robert Cecil,
fecretary of flate, who was appointed to exe-
cute a commiifion of great importance to the
French king, that nothing to the prejudice of
his
70 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
his intereft ihould be done in his abfence, \vlth«
out which promife the fecretary would not
have gone : and this he not only performed
with the utmofl: punduality, but even dif-
charged the (ecretary's bufinefs, in his abf nee,
with care and vigilance. But, in the month
of May, 1598, Sir Robert Cecil returning to
England with new notions in relation to the
peace, there quickly arofe frelh difputes in the
council about the expediency of that meafure,
which was very earnellly, as well as eloquently
prefTed by the old and wife lord treafurer Bur-
leigh ; and as warmly decried by the carl of
Eflex, who wanted not very plaufible reafons
in lupport of what he faid. The treafurer,
at leiit;th, grew into a great heat ; infomuch
that he told the earl, that he ieemed to be in-
tent upon nothing but blood and (laughter.
Eflex explained himlelf upon tnis, that the
blood and daughter of the queen's enemies
might be very lawfully his intention : that he
was not againft a folid, but a fpecious and pre-=
carious pea'.e ; that the Spaniards were a fub-
tle and ambitious people, who had contrived
to do England more mifchief in time of peace
than of war ; and, that, as to -an. enemy,
whofe hands it was impoflible to bind by trea-
ty, It was better not to tie up our own. The
trcafur'^'r at lall drew out a prayer-book, in
which he il.ewed Ellex this expreffion, ** Men
of blood in juM not live out half their days."
As the earl kaew well enough, that various
methods would be ufed to prejudice the com-
mon
ROBERT DEVEREUX. 71
mon people againft him, more efpecially fuch
as io any degree got their living by trade, or
thought themielves opprefled by the taxes le-
vied for the fupport of the war, he refolved to
write a vindication of his own proceeJings,
and to deliver his own arguments, vvith all
the advantages that his own pathetic eloquence
could give them ; which he addreflTed to his
dear friend Anthony Bacon, and which ftill
remains a memorial of his great virtues and
admirable abilities. About this time died the
lord treafurer Burleigh ; which Wcis a great
misfortune to the earl of EfTex, fmce the re-
membrBnce of his father, the trull repofed in
him by committing this his eidell fon to his
care, and the refpeft and obedience which
had been fhewn him by the young lord for
feveral years, preferved in him a tendernefs
for his perfon, and a real concern for his for-
tunes : but, when that great counfellor was
gone, thofe who hated the ear!, ailed without
reftraint. croffed whatever he propofed, Hop-
ped the rife of every man he loved, and treated
all his projefts with an air of fup-'-cilious con-
tempt, except one, which they thought would
be his ruin.
By the death of the lord-treafurer Burle'gh,
the chanceliorlhip of the univerfity of Cam-
bridge became vacant ; upon wh ch, that
learned body chofe the earl of EiTex in his
room. Upon this account he went down 1:0
pay them a vifit, was en-c^rtained at Queen's-
CoUege with great magnificence ; and, as a
proof
72 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
p50of of their afFedion, the room in which he
lay was, long after, diftingui(hed by thename
of EfTex-chamber. We may account this one
of the lall inrtances of this great man's felicity,
for he was now advanced too high to lit at eafe ;
and thoie who longed for his honours and
employments, very bufily fludied how they
might bring about his fall.
The firfl (hock he had given him in the
queen's favour, was on the fcore of the perfon
he propofed to be fent over to Ireland, before
he was drawn to have thoughts of going thi-
ther himielf ; and though, in appearance,
he was reconciled and reilored to the queen's
favour, yet there is good reafon to doubt
whether it was ever recovered in reality ; or,
at leaft, to the degree in which he formerly
held it.
An event happened much about this time,
which fhewed the fentiments the enemies of
England had of this noblr p'jrfon, and ought
therefore to have endeared nim to fuch as bad
a real afFedtion for their country : there waa
one Edward Squire feized and imprifoned for
treafon, and his cafe came cut to be this ; he
had been a groom in the queen's fiables, weni
afterwards to fea with Sir Francis Drake, was
taken prifoner and carried to Spiin, where he
was perfuaded by a jefuit to undertake poifon-
ing the earl of EfTex, and afterwards queen
Elizabeth : for performing which he had poi-
fon given him in a biadd^^r. He found mean*
to rub this, as he was directed, upon the pom-
mel
ROBERT DEVEREUX. 73
mel of the queen's faddle ; got himfelf after-
wards recommended to ferve on board the
earl's fhip in the ifland voyage, where, in
like manner, he poiibned both the arms of
his great chair ; yet no effedl followed in
either cafe. Upon this, the Spanifh jefuit,
fufpedling the man and not his drug, caUieJ
information to be given in England againft
Squire, who, finding himfelf betrayed by his
confeflbr, opened the whole fcene, and plainly
acknowledged his endeavours to difpatch both
the queen and the earl j for which he was de-
fervedly executed.
The miferies of Irehtnd continued all this
time, or rather increafed ; and, when propo-
fals were made, in the queen's council, for
fending over a new governor, with certain re-
fliiclions ; EfTex took occafion of fliewing»
that nothing had been hitherto fo expenfive
as an ill-timed frugality ; and, that the Irifn
rebels had been the only gainers by the re-
ilramt put upon the Engliih deputies. Thofe
who hated this noble perfon, were not dif-
pleafed when they found him in this difpo^
fuioD, and, at length, took, in their turn, oc-
cafion from his objeftions, to fuggeil:, that the
total redudion of that ifland was to be ex-
pected from none but himfelf; which, at firfl,
he declined : but perceiving that he could
enjoy little quiet or comfort at home; that it
was with difficulty he maintaiiicd his credit;
and that, by failing the expectations of his
friends, he {houid gradually lofe them, he
Vol. IV, E conferred
74 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
confented to accept that fatal prefermenr, and
agreed to go over into that kingdom, which
had been the grave of his fathers's fortunes,
and which his bell friends forefavv would prove
ihe gulph of his own. It is indeed true that
he had a great army granted him, and t'lat
due care was taken for the payment of it;
that his powers were very large, and his ap-
pointments very great; but thefe were ob-
tained with many flruggles, and notice was
taken of every thing he promifed, or feemed
to promife, in order to obtain them ; .nd,
>\'hen all things were regulated, he was fo far
from going with alacrity, as to a place which
he had fought, and to a command which he
meditated for the fake of greater things, that
he ft-emed rather to look upon it as a baniih-
ment, and a place afligned him to retreat from
his fovereign's prefent difpleafure, rather than
a potent government beflowed upon him by
her favour.
The truth of this may be not only probably
collefted, but in fome meafure proved, from
an cpiftle of his to the queen, written after
his appointment to the government of Ireland,
and. before his going thither, of which there
is a very imperfed copy in the Cabala; but
that lofs is now fupplied, by the follo-^Aing
full and correal tranfcript of that valuable and
authentic paper, from the colledlions in the
Harleian library. Jf we confider the earl's
chara»fler, and how incapable he was of dif-
fembling, the weight of this evidence will be
the
ROBERT DEVEREUX. 7^
tlie greater ; but, without taking in that, the
very flile of the letter is fuch as will put all
fufpicion of artifice out of the cafe ; which
will teach the reader what to think of the de-
claration of his treafons, that ftaiids entirely
upon this bottom, that he had plotted a revo-
lution in England before he went to Ireland ;
and defired the lieutenancy that he might put
himfelf at the head of an army, and enter
into a confederacy with the rebels.
<« To the Queen.
<* From a mind delighting in forrow ; from
fpirits wafted with paffion ; from a heart torn in
pieces with care, grief, and travail, from a man
thathateth himfelf, and all things elfethatkeep
him alive ; what fervice can your majefty ex-
pert, fmce any fervice pafl deferves no more
than banilhment and profcription to the cur-
{edQ&i of all iflands ? It is your rebels pride
and fucceffion muft give me leave to ranfom
myfelf out of this hateful prifon, out of my
loathed body ; which, if it happen fo, your
majefty (hall have no caufe to miilike the fa-
shion of my death, fmee the courfe of my life
could never pleafe you.
" Happy he could finifh forth his fate
«* In fome unhaunted defert, moll obfcure
" From all fociety, from love and hate
<^ Of worldly folk; then fliould he lleepfecure;
E 2 ''■ Then
^6 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
** Then wake again, and yield God ever praife;
** Content with hips, and haws, and bramble-
berry ;
*' In contemplation paffing out his days,
** And change of holy thoughts to make him
merry :
*' Who, when he dies, his tomb may be abufh,
'* Where harmlefs Robin dwells, with gentle
Thrufh.
Your majefty's exiled fervant,
ROBERT ESSEX."
On the twelfth of March, 1598, his com-
miffion for lord lieutenant pafled the great-
feal ; and, on the twenty-feventh of the fame
month, about two in the afternoon, he fet out
from Seething lane, and palling through the
city in a plain habit, accompanied by many of
the nobility, he was attended by vail crowds
of people out of town ; and it was obferved,
with a view, perhaps, to prepare the world
to have a bad opinion of his conduft, that the
weather was exceeding fair when he took
horfe, but, by that time he came to Illington,
there v."as a heavy ftorm of rain, attended with
thunder and lightning. The like bad weather
he met with at fea, fo that he did not arrive at
Dublin, or take upon him his charge, before
the fifteenth of April, 1599.
He found things in that country in a Itate
very different from what he expefted, and
perceived that there was nothing to be done^
at leaU to any purpofe, till he was well ac-
quainted
ROBERT DEVEREUX. 77
qiiainted with the country in which he was to
art. He four, i, likewife, that the new-raifed
men ne had brought over were r.kogether un-
fit f r artion, liil they were teafoned to the
cou.itrv, and well acquainted with difcipline.
Theie confideraticns hindered him from march-
ing -iireftiy to Uiller, for fear Tir-Oen Qiould
make any advantage of his weaknelTes ; and
the council defiring that he would fuprrefs
fome diiorders in Muni>er, he thought tiiat a
fair occaiion of exerciUng his new troops, and
did it efFecfiually.
On his return to Dublin, that very day two
months on which he arrived at his government,
he wrote a letter to the queen, containing a
free, fair, and full reprefeiitacon of the Hate
of things in that country j which moil admira-
ble performance, pointing oat all the Heps that
were afterwards taken, and by which his fuc«
ceflbrmade an end of the war, remains upon
record in Ireland ; but, of the contents there-
of, not a fyllable is mentioned in Cambden
or the reft of our hiftorians. This letter he
feat over to the queen by his fecretary, in
hopes that from thence fhe might have de-
rived a juft notion of the ftate of things in
that ifland; but it produced no fuch effedt :
on the contrary, the queen was exceedingly
provoked that he had not marched into Ullter,
in order to attack Tir Oen, and repeated her
orders upon that head in very ftrona terms.
Before thefe arrived, hov/ever, Sir Henry Har-
rington, with fome of the freih troops, had
E 3 bee«
^8 BRITISH PLUTARCH,
been worlkd by the O'Brians ; which fo pro-
voked EiTex, that he caufed the remains of
thofe troops to be decimated; which, with
the throwing a foldier over board in his laft
expedition, with his own hands, are the only
inltances of feverity recorded of him.
When he received the queen's orders, and
was on the point of marching into Ulfter, he
was prevailed upon to enter the country of
Ophaly, to reduce the O'Connors and the
O'Moores ; which he performed; but his
troops were fo harrafled and diminilhed there-
by, thati with the advice and ccnfent of the
council of Ireland, he wrote home for a re-
cruit of two thoufand men. In the midft of
thefe croifes in Ireland, an army was fuddenly
raifed in England, under the command of the
earl of Nottingham ; no-body well knowing
why : but, in reality, from the faggeftions of
the earl's enemies to the queen, that he rather
jnediiated an invafion on his native country,
than the redadlion of the Irilh rebels.
At length, EfTex, intending for Uliler, fent
crders to Clifford, who commanded in Con-
naught, to march tov»ards the enemy on that
fide, that Tir-Oen might be obliged to di-
vide his forces ; which was executed, but with
fuch ill fortune, that the Englifh, being fur-
prifed, were beaten, with the lofs of their
commander in chief, together with Sir Alex-
ander Ra«;ii{Fe,. and one hundred and forty
men.
ROBERT DEVEREUX. 77
Upon the arrival of the fuccours which he
had demanded, he marched, though 'vith a
fmall force, againft Tir-Oen, in the latter end
of the month of Augull | but, on the eighth
of September following, was prevailed upon
to confer with him alone at the ford of Baila-
clynch ; and afterwards with counfellors on
both fides, when he concluded a peace for fix
weeks, and fo from fix weeks to lix weeks till
May ; provided that, on a fortnight's notice^
either party might be at liberty to refjme the
war.
He was led to this by the weak and dcipe-
rate refolution he had taken of returning to
England, whither he had once fome thoughts of
tranfporting a body of his forces, but was dif-
fuaded from it by his friends. However, up-
on receiving a Iharp letter, direfted to- him
and the council, from the queen, he deter-
mined to ftay no longer, fettled the govern-
ment in the bell manner he could, and, withr
a few of his friends, came over to England,.
He arrived before any notice could be re-
eeived of his defign; went directly to the
court at Nonfuch, and prefented himfelf to
the queen, on the twenty-eighth of September,
where he met with a tolerable reception ; but
was, foon after, committed, treated with a
mixture of kindnefs and feverity, till, upon
his abfolute fubmiflion, he was brought before
loine of the privy council ; feverely reprimand-
ed, difmiffed from the board, fufpended from
th/^ exerciie of all his great offices, except
E 4 that
5so BRITISH PLUTARCH.
that of matter of the horfe, and committed to
a keeper, Sir Richard Barkley, who was, not
long after, withdrawn.
Jn the fummer of the year 1600, he recover-
ed his liberty; and, in the autumn following,
he received Mr. CufFe, who had been his fe-
cretaiy in Ireland into his councils ; who la-
boured to perfuade him, that fubmiffion would
never do him any good ; that the queen was^
in the hands of a faciion, who were his ene-
mies ; and, that the only way to reftore his
fortune, was to ftnd the means of obtaining
an audience, in which he might be able to
reprefent his own cafe, let that means be
what it would. The earl heard this dange-
rous advice without confenting to it, till he
found there was no hopes of getting his farm
of the fvveet wines renewed ; then, it is faid,
thai, giving loofe to his paflion, he let fall
many vehement exprcffions; and, amor.gll the
reft, this fatal refieaion. That the queen grew
old and cankered, and that her mind was as
crooked as her carcafe. Cambden fays that
this was aggravated by fome of the court la-
dies, whom he had difappointed in their in-
tricrues. The earl of Claiendon feems to
Aifpecl the truth of it, but another great hif-
torian, who knew all the paifages of thofe
times well, is more clear in this refpeft. Thofe
enemies, who had exafl inteliigence of all he
propofed, having provided efreclually againft
the execution of his defigns, hurried him up-
•a his fate, by a mefTage fent on the evening
of
ROBERT DEVEREUX. 8i
of the feventh of February, requiring him to
attend the council ; which he declined, tie
then gave out that they fought his life, kept
a watch in ElTex-houfe all night, and fumrnon-
ed his friends, for his defence, the next morn-
ing.
The queen, being Informed of the great re-
fort of people of all ranks to the earl, fent the
lord-keeper Egerton, the earl of Wcrcefler,
Sir Francis KnoUes (his uncle by the mother's
lide) and the lord-chief-jallice Popham, to
know his grievances ; whom, after a ihort and
ineffeaual conference, he confined ; and then,
attended by the earls of Rutland and South-
umpton, the lord Sands, the lord Mo./teagle,
and about two hundred gentlemen, he went
into the city, where the earl of Bedford, the
lord Croniwell, and fome other gentlemen,
joined him j but his dependance on the popu-
lace failed him ; and Sir P.obe.t Cecil pre-
vailing upon his brother, the lord Burleigh,
to go with Sir Gilbert Dethick, then king at
arms, and proclaim ElTex and his adherents
traitors, in the principal Ibeets, the earl
found itimpoifible to recu.n to his houfe by
land; and, therefore, fending Sir Ferdinando
Gorges beio.e to releafe the ciiief juitice, who, ^
for his own fake, thought ftt to extend that
order to the reil of the privy coanfeliors ; the-
earl, with his principal attendants, rerurned
in boats to EsTex-houic; whica was quickly
inverted by the earl of Nottingham, lord-
admiral, with a great force 9 to whom, after
E 5 n:any
tz BRrrrsH plutarcht.
many difputes, and fome blood fpilt, he and
his adherents at lall farrendered.
EfTex was carried that night to the arch-
bifhop of Canterbury's palace at Lambeth^
v.'lth the earl of Southampton, and the next
day they were fent to the Tower. On the
nineteenth of the fame month they were ar-
raigned before their peers, and, after a long-
trial, they were found guilty, and fentence of
death pronounced by the lord Buckhurft, who
fat as iord-high-fteward. Upon this melan-
choly occafion, all that EfTex faid, was, <* If
her majefty had pleafed, this body of mine
might have done her better fervice ; however,
I fhall be glad if it may prove ferviceable to
her any way/*
After he was remanded to the Tower, there
were great pains taken to draw from him very
large and full confefiions ; which was the
more eafy, as he was truly and fincerely pious ;
and, after he was once perfuaded, that his
projeft was of a treafonable nature, he made
a point of confcience to difclofe all he knev*',
though it was highly prejudicial to his friends,
4nd could do no good to himfelf ; and, indeed,
he did not appear either to defign or defire ic.
Two reafons feem efpecially to have moved
fuch as fet on foot thefe pradlices, by which
the honefty of Effex was rendered fatal even
to his laft breath ; and they were fuch as be-
came politicians, who had nothing but felf-
intereft in view '; which, if they could pro-
mote, they had cot either confideration or pity
foy
ROBERT DEVEREtrx. 83
for others. The firft was, that, by his pro-
per confeffion, they might efFeclually eilablifh
the truth of his plot, increafe the number of
its circumftances, heighcen the apparent dan-
ger of its confequences, and thereby furnifh
plentiful materials for proclamations, fermons^
and declarations, which might remove from
the unhappy earl all means of obtaining mer-
cy ; excite in the queen the utmofl horror 5
and, at the fame time, terrify her with difmai
apprehenfions, while the nation in general
was aftoniflied, and their aifedlion for the un-
happy earl cooled, or, at leafr, confounded.
In all which, for a time, they gained theii;
end. The other motive was, finding out evi-
dence againfttii^ chief of his adherents, many
of whom were of great quality, and fom.c alfo
of great fortune, whom they meant to let ef-
cape out of the briars, provided neverthelefs"
that they left their fleeces behind them ; in
which they were like wife but too fuccefsful,
rendering highly profitable to themfelves that
clemency which their royal millrefs would
have extended freely.
After drawing ou: of EiTex all that he could
fey, and thereby rendering death more deiireabie
to him. than life, the twenty-fifth of February
was fixed for his execution ; as to which the
queen was irrefolute to the very laft ; (o that
fhe fent Sir Edward Gary to countermand it:
but, as Cam.bden fays, coniidering afterwards
his obftinacy, his refufmg to aiK her pardon,
and declaring that his life was inconfiilent
E 6 wi:h
§4 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
with her fafety, (he countermanded thefe or-
ders, and direiied he fhould die. There is a
iirange ilory current in the world about a
ring, which the earl of Clarendon fliles a loofe
report, that crept into difcourfe foon after his
miferable end ; yet a foreign writer of great
reputation, gives us this as an undoubted truth,
and that upon the authority of an Englifh mi-
nifter, who might be well prefumed to know
what he faid ; and therefore, in the words of
that writer, we fliall report it.
** It will not, I believe, be thought either
impertinent or difagreeable to add here what
prince Maurice had from the mouth of Mr,
Carleton, embafiador from England in Hoi-
land, who died fecretary of liate ; fo well
known under the name of my lord Dorchef^er,,
and who was a man of merit. He faid, that
queen Elizabeth gave the earl of EfTex a ring,,
in the height of her paflion for him, ordering
him to keep it, and that whatever he fhould.
commit, fhe would pardon him, when ha
fl-,ould return that pledge. Since that time,,
the earl's enemies having prevailed with the
qceen, who befides was exafperated a.gainfl
him for the contempt he fhe wed her beauty j.
which, through age, began to decay, ihe
caufed him to be impeached.
** When he was condemned, fhe expeded-
that he would fend her the ring, and Vv'ould
have granted him his pardon according to her
promife. The earl, finding himfelf in the
lull extremity, applied to admiral Howard's
lady.
ROBERT DEVEREUX. %
lady, who was his relation, and defired her,
by a perfon whom he could trull, to return the
ring ii.to the queen's own hands. But her
huiband, who was one of the eari's greatelt
enemies, and to whom ihe told this impru-
dently, would not lufFer her to acquit herfelf
of the commifTion ; fo that the queen confent-
ed to the earl's death, being full of indigna-
tion againft fuch a proud and haughty fpirit,
who chofe rather to die than to implore her
Hiercy.
" Some time after, the admiral's lady fell
fick, and, being given over by her phyficians,.
Ihe fent word to the queen, that Ihe had fome-
thing of great confequence to tell her before
Ihe died. The queen came to her bed-fide,
and having ordered ail the attendamsjo with*
draw, the admiral's lady returned her, but too
late, that ring from the earl oi EiTex, defiring
to be excufed that (he did not return it fooner,
having been prevented doing it by her huf-
band.
" The queen retired immediately, being
overwhelmed with the utmoft grief ; fie fighed
continually for a fortnight following, without
taking any nourifnment, lying a-bed. ent lely
dreffed, and getting up an hundred times
a-night. At laft ihe died with hunger and
with grief, becaufe ihe had conienred to the
death of a lover who had applied to her for
mercy.
'* This melancholy adventure fhews, that
there are frequent tranfuions from one paifion
to
m BRITISH PLUTARCH.
JO another ; and, that as love often change*
to hate, fo hate, giving place fometimes to
pity, brings the mind back again into its firft.
ftate."
Sir Dudley Carleton, who is made the au^.
tlior of" this flory, was a man who deferved'
thecharader that is given of him, and could
not but be well informed of what pafTed at
court : but, whoever confiders the age of
queen Elizabeth, at the time v/hen the earl of
Eflex firrt entered her prefence, will find it
difficult to helieve the queen ever confidered
him in the light of a lover^
This countefs of Nottingham was the
daughter of the lord vifcount Hunfdon, re-
lated to the queen, and alfo by his mother to
the earl of Eifex.
Before we part with this fubjeft, it nay not
be amifs to obfeive, that foinething of truth
there certainly is as to the queen's death be-
ing haflened by an accident relating to a I'ng,
and by her reiieding on the death of the earl
ef EfTex.
In the ceremony of her coronation,, (he wa?
wedded to the kingdom with a ring, which ihe
always wore, till, the fleSi growing over it,
it was filed off a little before her deccafe.
About the fame time obferving, that the lofs of
EfTex, and the confufion of his friends, had
put her entirely into the hands of thcfe a ho
began to negled her, and court her fuccefTor,
ihe could not help faying in an excefs of paf-
lion, " They have now got me in a yoke,
I have
ROBERT DEVERETJX. %j
f have nobody left me that I can truft ; ni)r
condition is the perfed reverfe of what it
was." It is alfo true, that a melancholy fenfe
©f this brought her to her end about twenty-
five months after the death of EiTex. ^t
The manner of the earl's fufFering deatit" "^
is fo largely related in Cambden, and others^ -
that we Ihall not meddle with it here, farther t^
than to obferve, that, as many actions of hi&
life fpoke him a hero, fo this laft action ihew* |
ed him a true Chriftian, by manifefting he was \
far lefs careful of his body than his foul, and \
much more afraid of his fin than his puniih- \
ment. |
" On the twenty -fifth of February, 1601, I
which was the day appointed for his executionj \
Thomas Mountford and William Barlow^ \
dodlors of divinity, with Afhton, the minifter ;
of the church in the Tower, were fent unt3 ■.
him early in the morning to adminilter chrif- \
tian confolation to his foul. In prefence of
thefe men he gave thanks to almighty God 't
from the bottom of his heart,, that his deiigns,- \
which were fo dangerous to the ftate, fucceed- \.
ed not. Ke told them, he had now looked ;.
thoroughly and ferioufly into his fin, and was- r^
heartily forry he had fo obftinately defended 1-1
an unjuft caufe at the bar. He thanked the fi
queen Ihe had granted he Ihould not be pub- ];
lickly executed, left his mind, which was now v
iettled and compoied, might be difturbed by
the acclamations of the people, protefting that .
he had now learned haw V2rin a thing the V'
blall ="1!
n BRITISH PLUTARCH.
blaft of popular favour and applaufe was. He
acknowledged how worthy he was to be fpued
out (thefe were his words) by the common-
wealth, for the wickednefs of his enterprize,
which he likened to a leprofy fpread far and
near, ar.d that had infeded many.
" The queen, in theoiean time, wavered in
her mind. One while relenting, (he fent her
commands by Sir F^dward Cary that he Ihould
not be executed ; but then remembering his
perverfe obftinacy, that he fcorned to afk her
pardon, and had declared openly that his life
would be the queen's deftiudion, fhe foon af-
ter fent a frefh command by Darcy, that he
fljould be put to death.
** Then he was brought forth between the
divines to a fcafFold ere£led within the court--
yard of the Tower ; near which fat the earls
of Cumberland and Her: ford, vHcount How-
ard of Binaon, the lord Howard of Waiden,
the lord Darcy of Ghiche, and ihe lord Comp-
ton There were prefent alio iome of the al-
dermen of London and Sir Waiter Raleigh,
who, if we may believe himfelf, came with
an intent to make aniwer if any thing fhouid
beobjeded agaii.fl him by the earl at his ceath;
but others thought he came to feed his eyes
with a fight of the earls fufferings, and to fa-
tiate h!s hatred with his blood. But bf ing ad-
nr.onifhied not ro prefs upon the ea-'l at his death
wiiich is the part rather of ignoble brutes, he
Withdrew himfelf further oiT, anu beheld his
execution out of the armory.
The
ROBERT DEVEREUX. 89
** The earl, as foon as he was come upon the
fcafFcld, uncovered his head, and, lifting up
his eyes to Heaven, acknowledged that many
and great had been the fins of his youth ; for
which, with moft fervent prayer, he begged
pardon of the eternal majeily of God, through
Chrift his mediator ; efpecially for this laft
fin, which he termed a bloody, crying, and
contagious fin, wherewith fo many had been
feduced to fin againft God, their prince, and
country. He beforght the queen and her mi-
nifters to forgive him, praying for her long
Hfe and profperous eftate ; protefting withal,
that he never intended to lay violent hands
upon her perfon. He gave God thanks that
he had never been atneift, or papili, but had
placed all his hope and confidence in the me«
rits of Chrift. He prayed God to ftrengthen
his mind againft the terrors of death, deliring
the ftanders-by to join with him in a ftiort
prayer; which, with broken fighs, and fer-
vent affedion oT inward devotion, he prefently
uttered. Afterwards, the executioner, afking
forgivenefs, he forgave him : he recited the
Apoftle's Creed, and then, laying himfelf
down, placed his neck upon the block ; and,
having repeated the firft verfes of the fifty- firft
pfalm, he faid, *' In humility and obedience,
I proftrate m)felf to my deferved punifhment :
Thou, O God, have mercy on Thy proftrate
fervant ; into Thy hands, O Lord, I com«
mend my fpirit*'*
Hii
50 BRITISH PLUTARCrr.
** His head was taken ofFatthe third ftroksy
but the firft took away all fenle and motion.'*
His charader is very fully drawn by Sir
Henry W'otton, very fairly by Sir Robert
Naunton, very freely by Cambden, and very
finely touched by the niafterly pen of the lord
Clarendon ; neither are there wanting fome
ufeful touches in Ofborne, Fuller, Lloyd».
Winilanle)^, and other writers of lefs fame»
It appears, from the comparifon of thefe, that,,
m refped to the public, he was truly a patriot,.
had a great regard to his fovereign's honour,,
and no lefh zeal for his country's fervice ; he
valued hi mfelf on loling a father and a bro-
ther, and in [pending a great part of his fub-
fiance in the caufe of both ; his projeds were
high, but verv honourable; and the difficulties
with which they were embarralied, feemed ra-
ther to invite than to dejecl him. He was,
however, too covetous of royal favour, and
fome fay, not reipedful enough to the
royal perfon ; and, if there was any truth in
this, his fault was inexcufable, the queen pre-
venting his merit by her favours, as well as.
rewarding it by honours ; nor did he feel the
funlbine only, but the dew of the court ;.
fince, if the lord tieafurer Buckhurll com-
puted right, and he was no enemy to my lord
of EffG:^, he received, in grants, penfions,.
and places, to the amount of three hundred
thoufand pounds ; but then, as he received all
this from, he fpent it for, the public ; and, it
he.
ROBERT DEVEREUX. 9^
he fometimes appeared covetous, it was, that
he might be always generous ; for, to his ho-
nour be it fpoke, learning never approached
him ungraced, merit unrewarded, or want
without receiving relief. His fovereign's fa-
vour he loft often ; the fidelity of his friends,
and the affeftion of the people, never ; yet he
fometimes trufted thofe who had been for-
merly his enemies, and was not fortunate in all
his enterprizes ; vvhicli renders the wonder
greater.
As to his perfon, he is reported to have
been tall, but not very well made ; his coun-
tenance referved ; his air rather martial than
courtly^ very carelefs in drefs, and very little
addicted to trifling diverfions. Learned he
was, and a lover of learned men ; wrote with
that facility which is the true mark of genius ;
with that clofenefs and perfpicuity, v/hich is
the happieft fruits of learning ; and that noble
iimplicity, which is the chara6ieriilic of a
great mind. Sincere in his friendfhip, but
not fo careful as he ought to have been ia
making a right choice ; found in morals, ex-
cept in the point of gallantry ; and thoroughly
well afFecled to the prcteftant religion, of
which he had very juft notions, defpifing alike
the meannefs of fuperilition and Lhe folly of
infidelity.
THE
S2 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
The life of
JOHN KNOX.
JOHN KNOX, the principal d^reaor of
the reformation in the Scotch church, was
deiccuded of an ancient and honourable fa«
mily ; and was born, in the year 1505. at
Gilford, near Hadingtoun, i" the county of
E: If Lothian, in Scotland. He received the
firll part of his education in the grammar-
fchool of Hadingtoun, and from thence ^as
removed to the univerfity of St. Andrews,
where he was placed under the tuition of the
celebrated Mr. John Mair ; and applied himfelf
with fuch uncommon diligence to the acade-
mical learning then in vogue, that, in a (hort
time, and while yet very young, he obtained
the degree of mafter of arts.
As the bent of his inclination led him
flrongly to the church, he turned the courfe of
his liudies early that way ; and, by the ad-
vantage of his tutor's inflrudions, foon became
remarkable for his knowledge in fcholaftic
theology ; fo that he took priefl's orders be-
fore the period ufually allowed by the canons :
and, from being a learner of them, began
himfelf to teach, with great applaufe, his be-
loved
X?/Vy/ f A /uKJf
r.F,,-^,,..,, ,..,
JOHNKNOX. 93
loved fcience. But, after fome time, upon a
careful pe; ufal of the fathers of the church, and
particularly the writings of St. Jerom and St.
Auftin, his tafle was entirely altered. He
quitted the cobweb fubtilty of the fchools, and
applied to a plainer and more fimple divi-
nity.
At his entrance upon this nev/ courfe of
flady, he attended the preaching of Thomas
Guilliam, a black-friar, whofe fermons were
of extraordinary fervice to him. This friar
was provincial of his order in I543» when
the earl of Arran, then regent of Scotland,
favoured the reformation; and Mr. George
Wifliart, mentioned in our life of Beatoun,
coming from England in the fucceeding year,
with the commiffioners fent from king Henry
VIII. Knox being of an inquifitive nature,
learned from him the principles of the Proteft-
ant? ; with which he was fo pleafed, that he
renounced the Romiih religion, and became a
zealous reformer, having left St. Andrews a
little before, being appointed tutor to the fons
of the lairds of Ormifloun and Languidry,
who were both favourers of the reformation,
Mr. Knox's ordinary refidence v.'as at Lan-
guidry, where he not only intruded his pu-
pils in the feveral parts of learning, but was
particularly careful to inilil into their minds
the principles of piety and the proteilant reli-
gion : but this coming to the ears of the bi-
fliop of St. Andrews, that prelate profecuted
him
$4 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
him with fuch feverity, that he was frequently
obliged to abfcond, and fiy from place to
place. Whereupon, being weaned with fuch
continual dangers, he refolved to retire to
Germany, in v/hich the new opinions were
fpreading very fail ; knowing that in England,
though the pope's authority was fuppreffed,
yet the greater part of his doctrine remained in
full vigour. But this <iefign being much dif-
liked by the fathers of both his pupils, they,
by their importunity, prevailed with him to
go to St. Andrews, about Eafter, 1547 ; and,
for his own fafety, as well as of that of their
■children, to take lliclter in the caftle, where
they might all be fecure from the efforts of the
Papifts, and he be in a condition to inllrud;
the young gentlemen.
Here he began to teach his pupils in his
ufual manner. Befides the grammar, and the
clafiical authors, he read a catechifm to them,
which he uL liged them to give an account of
publicly in the pariih- church of St, Andrews,
He iikewife continued to read to them the
gofpel of St. John, proceeding where he left
off at his departure from Languidry. This
leflure he read at a certain hour, in the cha-
pel within the cai.ie, whereat feveral of the
place were prefent. Among thefe, Mr. PIcnry
Bolnaveis, and John Rough, preacher there>
being plcafed with the manner of his doarine>
began earneftly to entreat him to take the
preacher's place : b-ut he abfolutely refufed ;
alledging.
J O H N K N O X. 9^
-alledging, that he would not run where God
had not called him ; meaning, that he would
ido nothing without a lawful vocation. Here-
ijpon they deliberating the matter in a confuI»
tation with Sir David Lindfay, of the Mount,
lyon king at arms, a perfon of great probity
and learning, it was concluded to give Mr,
Knox a charge publicly by the mouth of the
preacher. Accordingly, Mr. Rough, upon the
day agreed, preached a fermon concerning the
election of minillers ; and then addrefled
himfelf particularly to Mr. Knox, who was
by, and faid, " Brother, ye fhall not be of-
fended, albeit 1 fpeak unto you that which I
have in charge, even from all thefe that are
here prefent ; which i^ this : In the name of
God, and of his fon Jefus Chriil, and in the
name of thefe that prefently call upon you by
my mouth, I charge you that ye refufe not
this holy vocation ; but, as you tender the
glory of God, the increafe of ChrilVs king*
dom, the edification of your brethren, and the
comfort of men, whom ye underftand well
enough to be oppreffed by the multitude of la-
bours, that ye take upon you the public office
and charge of preaching, even as you look to
avoid God's heavy 'I'fpleafure, and defire he
/hould multiply his graces with you." Then
direding his fpeech to the audience, he faid,
** Was not this your charge to me, and do ye
not approve this vocation ?" They anfwered,
** It was, and we do approve it," Whereat
Mr,
96 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
Mr. Knox, abafhed, burft forth into moft
abunaant tears, and withdrew into his cham«
ber.
His countenance and behaviour from that
day to the day he was forced to prefent himlelf
in the public place of preaching, lufficiently
declared the grier" and trouble of his heart ;
for no man faw any fign of mirth in him,
neither had he pleafure.to accompany any man
for many days attervvards : but, on the Sun-
day appointed, afcending the pulpit, he
preached a fermon upon Dan. vii. 23---28 ;
from which text he proved, to the latisfa^lion
of his auditors, that the pope was Antichrill,
and that the doftrine of the Roman church
was contrary to the doctrine of Chrill and his
apoftles He likewife gave the notes both of
the true i:hurch, and of the antichriftian
church, A'c. of which he gives a full account
in his hiftory.
This fermon made a great noife ; and the
popilh cie.-gy being much incenfed at it, t!ie
abbot of Paiilcry, lately nominated to the fee
of St. Andrew's, and not yei confecrated,
wrote a letter to the fub-prior, who, {ede va-
cante, was vicar-general, exprciTing great fur-
prize, that fuch heretical and fchiTmatical doc-
trines were fuffered to be taught without oppo-
fition,
Upon this rebuke, the fub-prior called a
convention of grey and black friars, to meet
in St. Leonard's yard ; where, by our preach-
ers being convened, they were charged with
feverai
J O H N K N O X. 97
feveral offences. Then the articles of the
church were read, and the fub-prior entered
into a conference with Mr. Knox, who, after
that, difputed with one of the friars upon fe-
veral controverted points between the Papiib
and the Proteftants. Popery fenfibly loll-
ground by the difpute ; and the fupporters of
it found themfelves obliged to take another
method to maintain its reputation.
An order was pafTed, obliging every learned
perfon in the abby and univerfity to preach in
the parilh churches by turns upon Sundays^,
and, in their fermons, not to touch upon any
controverted points. But Mr. Knox rendered
this caution ineffeftual, by preaching on the
week days ; when he took occafion to praifc
God that Chrift Jefus was preached, and no-
thing faid publicly againfl the dodrine he had
taught them j protefting withal, that, if, in
his abfence, they ihould fpeak any thing
which they forbore while he was prefent,
that his hearers Ihould fufpend their judgment
till it ihould pleafe God they Ihould hear him
again. And he was fo fuccefsful in his work,
that all the people in the callle, and a great
number in ike town, openly profe^Ted the pro-
teftant doftrine, and tellified it by partaking:
of the Lord's Supper, in the fame manner i\
was adminiftered in the church of Scotland^
after the proteilant religion was eftablifhed by
law, anno 1560. " And this,** fays a learned
author, " in 1547, was, perhaps, the firft
time that the Eucharill was difoenfed with
VoL,iy, F * ',n
^S BRITISH PLUTARCH.
in Scotland in the way of the reformed
churches.
Mr. Knox continued thus in the diligent
difcharge of his miniftcrial work, till July in
that year, when the callle was furrendered to
tjje French.
Mr. Knox, with the rei}^ was carried to
Fiance, and remained a prifoner on board the
gallies till the latter end of the year 1549;
when, being fet at liberty, he pafied to Eng-
land ; and going to London, was there li-
cenfed, and appointed preacher, iiril at Ber-
wick and next at Newc^llle.
During this employ, he received a fummons,
in 1^51, to appear before Cuthbert Tonlial,
bifhop of Durham, for preaching againll: the
mafs.
In ijijz, he was appointed chaplain to king
Edward VI. and, the enfuing year, he had
the grant of forty pounds per annum till
fome benefice in the church (hould be conferred
on him. The fame year he came into fome
trouble on account of a bold fermon preached
at Newcaille, upon Chrillmas-day, againft
the obfiinacy of the Papiils : and, about the
latter end of the year, viz. 1^52, he returned
to London ; and, being well efteemed by his
majefty and fome of the court, for his zealous '
preaching againll the errors of the Romiih
church, he was appointed to preach before the
king and council at Weflminfter a little before
his majerty's departure thence.
la
JOHN i: N O X. 99
In this rermon he had feveral piercing
glances againil fome great men, who were
fecretly well wifhers to the old fuperftition,
though outwardly they fubmitted to the then
prefent eftablifhment. But, notwithiianding
that it mull have been about this time, that
the council ient to Cranmer, archbilhop of
Canterbury, to bellow the living of Allhal-
lows, in London, upon him, which accord-
ingly was offered him ; but he refufed it, not
caring to conform to the Engliih Liturgy as it
then ilood. However, he Hill held his place
of itinerary preacher; and, in the difcharge of
that office, going to Buckinghamlhire, was
greatly pleafed with his reception at fome
towns, particularly at Amerfliam, in that
county ; and he continued to preach there,
and at other places, fome time after queen
Mary's acceflion to the t-hrcne.
But, in February that year, he left England,
and, croffing the fea to Dieppe, in France*
went from thence to Geneva ; where he had
not been long, when he was called by the
congregation of the Engliih refugees, then
eftabliftied at Franckfort, to be preacher to
them. This vocation he obeyed, though un-
vv'illingly, at the command of John Calvin :
and he continued at Franckfort till fome of
the principal perfons of his congregation *
•finding it impoffible to psrfuade him to ufe
the Englifh Liturgy, refolved to eiFecl his re-
moval from the place.
F 2 U
100 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
In that view, they accufed him to the ma-
giftrates, of treafon, committed both againft
their fovcreign, the emperor of" Germany, and
alfo againft their own fovereign in |England,
queen Mary ; and the magirtrates, not having
it in their power to fave him, if he fliould be
required, either by the emperor, or, in his
name, by queen Mary ; gave him private no-
tice thereof : which he no fooner received,
than he fet out for Geneva ; where he ar-
rived on the twenty- fixth of March, 1555, but
(layed there only till Auguft following ; when,
refoiving, after fo long an abfence, to make a
vifit to his native country, he went to Scot*
land.
Upon his arrival there, which was in the
end of harveft, finding the profefTors of the
reformed religion much encreafed in number,
and formed into a fociety under the infpe^lion
of fome teachers, he aflbciated himfelf with
them, and preached to them. Prefently after
this, he accompanied one of them, the laird
of Dun, to his feat in the north ; where he
jflayed a month, teaching and preaching daily
to confiderable numbers who reforted thither ;
among whom were the chief gentlemen in that
country.
From thence returning to Lothian, he re-
fided, for the moft part, in the houfe of Cal«
der, with Sir James Sandilands, where he met
with many perfons of the firll rank ; viz. the
maiiler of Erikine, afterwards earl of Mar j
the
J O H N K N O X. JO!
the lord Lorn, afterwards the earl of Argyle ;
lord James Stewart, prior of St. Andrews, af-
terwards earl of Murray and regent of Scot-
land. With thefe noble perfonages he converfed
familiarly, and confirmed them in the truth of
the proteflant do£trine.
In the winter of 155^, he taught, for the
moft part, in Edinburgh. About Chriftraas,
1556, he went to the weft of Scotland, at the
defire of fome proteftant gentlemen, and
preached in many places in Kyle ; and in feme
he celebrated the Eucharift after the manner of
the reformed churches. He vifited likewife
the earl of Glencairn, at his houfe of Fyn-
laifton in the county of Renfrew, and admini-
ftered the facrament to his lordfhip's family.
From thefe weftern parts he returned to the
caft, and refided fome time in Caider, where
many reforted to him both for dodrine and the
benefit of the facraments.
From thence he went a fecond time to the
laird of Dun's houfe, in the county of Mearns,
where he preached more publicly than before,
and adminiftered the facraments to many per-
fons of note at their defire.
The popifti clergy being greatly alarmed at
this fuccefs of Mr. Knox, in protecting the
proteftant caufe, fummoncd him to appear
before them in the church of Black Friars in
Edinburgh, on the fifteenth of May, 1556;
and feveral gentlemen of diftindiion, among
whom was the laird of Dun, refolving to ftand
by him, he determined to obey the fummons.
107. BRITISH PLUTARCH.
Bat the profecLition was dropped when thebi-
fnops perceived fuch a conf.derable party in his
favour. However, he went to Edinburgh on
the day on which he was cited ; where he
preached to a greater audience than ever he
had done before ; and in the biihop of Dun-
kejd's great houfe he taught, both before and
after noon, to great numbers, for ten days.
At this time, the earl of Glencairn pre-
vailed with the earl marifchal, and his truftee,
Henry Drummond, to hear one of Mr. Knox's
iermons. They were extremely well fatisfied
with his difcourfe, and propofed to him to
v/iite to the queen-regent an earneft letter, to
perfuade her, if poffible, to hear the proteft-
ant dcftriiie. He complied with their defire,
and wrote to her in May, I5i;6, The letter
was delivered by the earl of Glencairn. The
queen read it, and gave it to cardinal Bea-
toun, v/iih this farcaftic expreilion, " Pieafe
you, my lord, to read a pafquil?'*
This gave cccafion to Mr. Knox to make
feme additions in his letter, which he printed
afterwards, with the additions, at Geneva, in
While our refoririCr was thus occupied in
Scotland, he received letters from the Englifn
congregation at Geneva, earneilly entreating
him to come thither j and, having ferioufly
confidered this invitation, he determined to
comply with it. Accordingly, in July, 1556,
he left Scot'and, went firlt to Dieppe, in
I'Vancc, and from ihence to Geiicva,
He
JOHN KNOX. IC5
He had no fooner turned his back, than the
blihops fummoned him before them ; and, up-
on his non-appearance, they pailed fentence
againll him for herefy, and burned him in ef-
figy at the crofs of Edinburgh, Againil this
he afterwards printed, at Geneva, in 1598,
his appeal from the cruel and moft unjuit
fentence pronounced againft him by the fciife
bifhops and clergy of Scotland, with his fup-
plication to the nobility, efiates. and coramo-
naHty of the faid realm.
On the tenth of March, 1557, feveral no-
blemen,, the chief promoters of the reforma-
tion at that time in Scotland, judging their
affairs to be in a pretty good poiture, and be-
ing fenfible of the ufefuinefs of Mr. Knox for
the purpofe, fent him an exprefs, earneftly de-
firing him to return home. This letter com-
ing to his hands in May, 1557, he immedi-
ately communicated it to his congregation,
who were very unwilling to part with him;
but, having confulted with Mr. Calvin, and
other minilrers, they gave it, as their opinion,
that he could not refufe fuch a plain call, un-
lefs he would declare himfelf rebellious t.j
God, and unmerciful to his country. The
congregation, upon this, yielded to his de-
parture ; and he wrote back by the meiTengert^
who brought the letter, that hevvould remrn
to Scotland with all rcafonable expedition.
Accordingly, having provided for his tlock
at Geneva, he left the7n in the end of vSep-
tember. and esme to Dieppe, in his way to
F ^ Scotlai-id^.
IC4 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
Scotland, on the twenty- fourth of Odober,
But there he unexpededly met with letters
from thence, contrary to the former, inform •
ing him, that new confultatrons were entered
into, and advifing him to ftay at Dieppe till
the conclufion of them. This was alfo farther
explained in another letter, diredled to a friend
of Mr. Knox, wherein he was told, thatmany
cf thole who had before joined in the invita-
tion, were beconjing inconftant, and began to
draw back.
Upon the receipt of thefe advices, Mr.
Knox wrote an expoftulatory letter to the lords
%vho had invited him, concerning their ralh-
riefs ; wherein he denounced judgments againf^
fuch as iliould be inconftant in the religion
they now profefTed. Befides which, he wrote
feveral other letters from Dieppe, both to the
nobility and profeffors of the reformed reli-
gion of an inferior degree ; exhorting them
to conftancy in that dodlrine, and giving fome
ufeful cautions againfl the errors of fedlaries^
which grew up about this time both in Ger-
many and in England.
In thefe letters he alfo enjoined them to
give due obedience to authority in all lawful
things : and fuch an effect had thefe letters on
thole who received them, that they, one and
ciil, entered into an agreement to commit
themfelves, and whatfoever God had given
them, into his hands, rather than fuffer ido-
latry to reign; ar.d the fubjec^s be defrauded
cf the only iced of their fouls? and, that
every
J O H N K N O X. 105
every one might be aflured the more of one
another, a common bond, or covenant, was
made and entered into by them, dated at Edin-
burgh, on the third of December, 1557.
Mr. Knox returned to Geneva in the begin-
ingof 15^8, and the fame year he printed there
his treatife, entitled, " The Firit Blaft of the
trumpet againft the mondrous regiment of
women," He defigned to have written a fub-
fequent piece, which was to have been called,
** The Second Blall :" but queen Mary of
England dying foon after, TheFirfl Blall was
publifhed ; and he, having a great elltem for
queen Elizabeth, whom he looked upon as an
initrumentraifed up, by the providence of God,
for the good of the Proteftants, he went no
farther.
In April, I5>9» he determined to return to
his native country; and, having a ftrong de-
fire, in his way thither, to vifit thofe in Eng-
land, to whom he had formerly preached the
Gcfpel, he applied to Sir William Cecil, his
old acquaintance, to procure leave for that
purpofe. But this petition was fa far from
being granted, that the meiTenger, whom he
fent to follicit that favour, very narrowly
efcaped imprifonment. Hereupon he made
the beil of his way to Scotland, where he ar-
rived on the fecond of May, 1559 ; and was
very aftivein promoting the reformation there,
as appears from the fecond book of his hiftory,
which contains a full account of his conduct
F 5 till
]o6 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
till the Proteftants were obliged to apply t<^
England. For carrying on which tranfadllon,
in July, this year, he was pitched upon to
meet Sir William Cecil incognito at Stamford j
but his journey being retarded by the danger
of paiTing near the French, who lay at Dun-
bar, he was afterwards fent, in company with
Mr. Robert HEmllton, another proteftant mi-
ll iiler, to negotiate thefe affairs between the
ProteftantG in Scotland and queen Elizabeth.
When they came to Berwick, they remained
fome days with Sir James Crofts, the gover-
nor, who undertook to manage their bufmefs
for them, and advifed them to return home,
which they did. Secretary Cecil fent alfo an
anfwer to the proteftant nobility and gentry,
concerning their propofals to queen Elizabeth;
which was fo general that they were very near
refolving to break off the negotiation, had not.
Mr. Knox interpofed with fo much earneftnefs
that they allowed him to write once more to
the fecretary. To this letter there was quickly
fent an anfwer, defiring that fome perfons of
credit might be fent to confer with the En-
glifh at Berwick ; and the fame letter in-
formed them, that there was a fum of money
ready to be delivered for carrying on the com-
mon caufe; affuring them, that, if the lords
of the congregation were willing to enter into
a league with queen Elizabeth, upon honour-
able terms, they Ihould neither want men or
money.
Upon
JOHN KNOX, 107
Upon this anfvver, Mr. Henry Balnavers, a
man well refpetled in both kingdoms, was ient
to Berwick, who Toon returned with a funi of
money, which defrayed the public expence till
November; when John Cockbarne, of 0^"
miftoun, being fent for thefecond fupport, re-
ceived it, but fell into the hands of earl Both-
well, who took the money from him.
In the interim, Mr. Knox was chofen mi-
nirie'r of Edinburgh in July • but, being
obliged to attend the lords, while the agree-
ment was in dependance, Mr. Willock was
left in Edinburgh to ofHciate in his room.
The efted of thefe negotiations was, the
fending of an army under the com.mand of
the duke of Norfolk ; which being joined by
almoft all the great men in Scotland, at lail
a peace was procured and concluded between
the two kingdoms, on the eighth of July,
1560.
The congregationers being freed by this peace
from any diilurbance, made feveral regulatious
towards propagating and eftablilhing the ne\v
religion ; and, in order 10 have the re formed
doctrine preached throughout the kingdom, a
divifion was made thereof into twelve difh ids,
(for the whole number of the reformed mini-
fters at this time was only twelve) ; whereby
the diltrid. of Edinburgh was aiilgned to Mr.
Knox. Thefe twelve miniilers compofed
a confeflion of faith, which was afterwards
ratified by parliament. T hey alfo compiled
the firii books of difcipline for that church.
F 6 Jn
-cS BRITISH PLUTARCR
In December, this year, Mr. Knox buried
Lis firft wife, Margery Bowes, an Eng!i(h wo-
man, for whofelofs he was much grieved. In
January, the following year, 1561, we find
him engaged in a difpute, concerning the con-
troverted points of religion, againfl: Mr. Alex-
ancer Anderfon, fub-principd of the king's
college at Aberdeen ; and Mr. John Leflie,
afterwards bifhop of Rofs. InMarch. 1560 i,,
IVIr. John Spottifwood was admitted fuperin-
tendaiit of I.othian by Mr. Knox. And the
fqme year, on the twentieth of Auguft, 5561,
Mary, queen of Scots, arrived at Leith from
France.
From her firll arrival, her majefiy fet up a
private mafs in her ( wn chapel ; which after-
wards, by her protedlion and countenance,
was much more frequented. This excited the
zeal of Mr. Knox, who cxprefied himfelf with
great warmth againft allowing it ; and an a(ft
of the privy-council being proclaimed' at the
market- crofs of Edinburgh, forbidding any di-
ilurbance to be given to this praftice, under
pain of death, on the twenty-fifth of' that
month, Mr. Knox openly, in his fermon the
■Sunday following, declared,, that one mafs
was more frightful to him than ten thoufand
armed enemies landed in any part of the
iealm.
This freedom of fpeech gave great offence
to the court, and the queen herfelf had a long
conference with him upon that and other fub-
,<jds . nt which times he is reported to have
gded
J O H N K N O X. 109
a£led a part not quite becoming the humility
of a fubjeft to his fovereign.
In 1562, we find him employed in recon-
ciling the earls of Both well and Arran; which
is an evidence how much he was regarded
by the moft eminent perfons in the kingdom,
and how much intereft he had with them.
The fame year, the queen, being informed that
her uncles were like to recover their former
intereft at the court of France, received the
news with great joy. Mr» Knox hearing of
her behaviour, and apprehending that the
power of her relations would produce difmal
efFeds, in prejudice of the reformed intereft
in thefe parts, he thought fit to preach a ier-
mon, wherein he taxed the ignorance, vanity,
and defpite of princes againft all virtue, and
againft all thofe in whom hatred of vice and
love of virtue appeared. This, and other
cxpreffions, in reproof of dancing for joy,
at the difpleafure taken againft God's people,
coming to the ears of the queen, her majefty
fent for him, and had a fecond conference
with him.
This year alfo he was appointed by the general
aflembly, commiffioner to the counties of Kyle
and Galloway ; and, by his influence, feveral
of the moft eminent gentlemen entered into a
covenant, which was fubrcribed on the fourth of
September, 1562.
From the fhire of Air he went to Nithfdale
*i>d Galloway, and had feveral conferences
about
no BRITISH PLUTARCH.
about matters of great importance with the
mailer of Moxwell ; and, from this county he
wrote to the duke of Chaterault, giving hinv
cautions both againft the bilhop of St. An-
drews and the earl of Huntley, whofe councils
he judged might prove obnoxious to the Pro-
tellants. At this time he accepted a challenge, -
madeby an eminent perfon among thePapifts,.
to a public difputation upon the mafs, which
continued the fpace of three days, and was af-
terwards printed.
In the beginning of the queen's firft parlia-
ment, Mr. Knox endeavoured to excite the
earl of Murray to appeal* with zeal and cou-
rage to get the articles of Leith eliablilhed
by law ; but finding him cooler than he ex-
pelled, there foilowed a ]>reach between
them, which continued for a year and a half:
and, after the bill was rejected, the parlia-
ment not being difiblved, he preached a
fermon before a great many of the members,
wherein he exprelTed his fenfe of that matter
with vehemency ; and, at the clofe, declared ^
his abhorrency of the queen's marrying a pa-
pirt. This gave gre':t offence to the court ;
and her majeily, fending for kim a third
time, exprefied much paffion, and thought to
have punifhed him, but was prevailed upon to_
defift at that time.
The enfuing year, lord Darnley being mar-
ried to the queen, was advifed by the Prnteft-
aiUs about court to hear Mr.- Knox preach,^ as
thinking
J O H N K N O X. I IT
tTrinking it would contribute much to procure
the good will of the people. At their defire
he went, on the nineteenth of A uguft, to the
high church ; but was fo much offended at the
fermon, that he complained to the council,
who immediately ordered Mr. Knox before
them, and forbid him to preach for feveral
days.
The general aflembly, which met in De*
cember this year, in their fourth feffion, ap-
pointed Mr. Knox to draw up a confolatory
letter in their name, to encourage the mini-
fters 10 continue in their vocations, which
many were under temptation to leave for
want of fubfiftance ; and to exhort the pro-
feffors of the realm to fupply their neceffities.
He was alfo appointed by this affembly to
vifit, preach, and plant, the kirks of the
fouth, till the next affembly, and to remain as
long as he could at that work. He requefted
the general afiembly, which met at Edin-
burgh, in December, I06, that he might
have leave to go to England to vifit two
cf his fons, and for otlrer neceffary affairs in
that kingdom ; ar.d the members being in-
formed, that fome worthy and learned divines
in England were profecuted by the bifhops,
becaufe they refufed to ufe the ecclefiallical
habits, caufed a letter to be written, and fent
by Mr. Kncx, wherein, with great earnefl-
nefs, they intreated, that they might deal
gently with fuch minifiers as were fcrupu-
lous.
In
lU BRITISH PLUTARCH.
In 1567, Mr, Knox preached a fermon at
the coronation of king James VI. of Scotland,
and afterwards the Firft of Great-Britain.
This year is very remarkable in Scotland,
upon account of the great turn of affairs there
by queen Mary's refigning the government,
and by the appointment of the earl of Murray
to be regent. The firil parliament which was
called by the earl met upon the fifteenth of
December. It was a very numerous conven-
tion of all the eftates, and Mr. Knox preached
a very zealous fermon at the opening of it ;
and he was extremely afflided at the regent's
death in 1569
In 1^71, the Hamiltons and others, who
had entered into a combination againfl the earl
of Lenox, then regent, bec-an to fortify the
town of Edinburgh. While they were thus
employed, a council was held by them in the
caftle on the fourth of May ; where the laird
cf Grange, captain of the caitle, propofed
that they might give fecurity for the perfon cf
Mr. Knox, which was alfo much defired by
the town^s people. The Hamiltons an-
fwered, That they could not promile him fe-
curity upon their honour, becaofe there were
many in the town v/ho loved him not, befides
other diforderly people that might do him
harm v^ithout their knowledge.
Upon this anfwer, which plainly fhewed r.o
good intention to Mr. Knox, his friends in
the tov.'n, with Mr. Craig, his collegue, at
their bead, entreated him to leave the place ;
m
J O H N K N O X. 113
in compliance with their requeds, he left Edin-
burgh on the fifth of May ; he went firft to
Abbotfhall in Fife, and thence to St. Andrew*s,
where he remained till the twenty-third of
Auguft 1572.
This year there was a convention of the
minifters at Leith, where it was agreed, that
a certain kind of epifcopacy Ihould be intro-
duced into the church, which was zealoufly
oppofed by our reformer. The troubles of
the country being much abated, and the pec*
pie of Edinburgh, who had been obliged to
leave it, being returned, they fent two of
their number to St. Andrews, to invite Mr,
Knox to return to them, and to afk his advice
about the choice of another minilter to affift
him during the time of the troubles. The
fuperintendant of Lothian was with them,
when they prefented the letter ; which, when
Mr. Knox had perufed, he consented to return,
upon this condition, that he fhould not be
defired in any fort to ceafe fpeaking againft
the treafonable dealings of thofe who held out
the caftle of Edinburgh ; and this he defired
them to fignify to the whole brethren, left
they fhould afterwards repent ; and, after his
return, he repeated thefe words more than
once, to his friends there, before he entered
the pulpit; they anfwered, that they never
meant to put a bridle on his tongue, but defired
him to fpeak according to his confcience, as
in former times. They alfo requefled his ad-
vice upon the choice of a miniiler ; and, after
fome
114 BRITISH PLUTARCH,
fome debates, they agreed upon Mr. James
Lawfon, fub-principal of the king's college
at Aberdeen.
Mr. Knox left St. Andjew's on the feven-
teenth of Auguft, and came to Leith on the
twenty-third. Upon the laft day of that
month, he preached in the great kirk ; but
his voice was become very weak, and there*
fore he defired another place to teach in,
where his voice might be heard, if it were
but by an hundred perfons; which was grant-
ed : after which Mr. Knox continued to
preach in the To! booth as long as he had-
ftrength ; but his health received a great fhock
from the news of the maiTacre of the protef-
tants at Paris, about this time. However,
he introduced it into his next fermon, with his
ufual denunciation of God's vengeance there-
on, which he defired the French ambafTador,
monfieur La Crocque, might be acquainted
with. On funday November the ninth 1572,
he admitted Mr. Lawfon a miniikr of Edin-
burgh. But his voice vv'as fo v/eak, that very
few could hear him ; he declared the mutual
duty between a miniiler and his flock; he
praifed God, that had given them one in his
room, who was now unable to teach, and de-
fired that God might augment his graces to
him a thoufand-fold above that which he had,
if it were his pleafure, and ended with pro-
nouncing the blefiing.
From this day. he hailened to his end.
Upon the eleventh, he was feized with a violent
cough
JOHN K NO X. 115
cough and great pains of the body ; fo that
upon tiie thirteeenth, he was obliged to give
over his ordinary reading of the fcriptures..
During his ficknefs he was viiited occallonally
by the earl of Morton, and others of the prin-
cipal nobility and gentry. But his decay liill
increafing, he re/igned his breath on Monday
the twenty fourth of November 1572, with
great piety, refignation, and truft in God;,
fjch as well became the principal director of
the reformation of religion in Scotland. He
was interred on the twenty fixth, in the kirk-
yard of Su. Giles's, the corpfe being attended
by feveral lords v^ho were then in Edinburgh^
and particularly the earl of Morton, that day
chofen regent, who, as foon as he was laid in
his grave, faid, " There lies a man v^ho never
in his life feared the face of a man, who hath
been often threatened Vv^ith dug and dagger,
but yet hath ended his days in peace and ho-
nour. For he had God's providence watch-
ing over him in a fpecial manner, when his
very life was fought.
As to his charader, he v/as one of thofe ex-
traordinary perfons, of whom fev/, if any,
are ohferved to fpeak with fufficient temper.
All that we find of him in this way, are either
extravagant encomiums on one hand, orfenfe-
lefs invedives on the other. We fnall there-
fore conclude what relates thereto in the words
of Mr. Stripe, who hath dealt candidly with
his memory;, and having froken of his refi-
dence in England and Geneva, clofes his ac-
count
ii6 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
count thus : ** In May 1559, he returned to
his own country to forward the reformation,
where he lived to the day of his death ;
but his violent methods and difloyal behaviour
towards the queen of Scots, is generally con-
demned. As to his family, he was twice
married ; firft, to Margery Bowes, an Englifii-
woman ; by whom he had two fons, Natha-
niel and Eleagan, and, we mull not omit to
mention that the ingenious Mr. Robertfon,
draws a favourable pidlure of John Knox,
and attributes mod of the exceptionable parts
of his charader to the fpirit of the limes he
lived in.
Thi
7
EDMUND SPENCER, n;
The life of
Edmund Spencer.
EDmund Spencer was born in Lon-
don, and educated at Pembroke-hall in
Cambridge. The accounts of the birth and
family of this great man are but obfcure and
imperfeft, and at his firft fetting out into life,
his fortune and intereftfeem to have been very
inconfiderable. After he had forae time con-
tinued at the college, and laid that foundation
of learning, which, joined to his natural ge-
nius, qualified him to rife to fo great an ex-
cellency, he ftood for a fellowfhip, in compe-
tition with Mr, Andrews, a gentleman in holy
orders, and afterwards lord bilhop of Win-
chefter, in which he was unfuccefsful. This
difappointment, joined with the narrownefsof
his circumftances, forced him to quit the uni-
verfity ; and we find him next refiding at the
houfe of a friend in the north, where he fell
in love with his Rofalind, whom he finely ce-
lebrates in his paftoral poems, and of whoie
cruelty he hath written fuch pathetical com-
plaints. It is probable that about this time
Spencer's genius began firft to diftinguifh it-
felf; for. The Shepherd's Calendar, which is
To full of his unprofperous paffion for Rofalind,
was
ti8 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
was amongll the iirll: of his works of notes
and the fuppofition is ftrengthed, by the con-
fideration of poetry's being frequently the
offspring of love and retirement. This work
he addrefled, by a fhort dedication, to the
Maecenas of his age, the immortal Sir Philip
Sidney, This gentleman was now in the
highefl reputation, both for wit and gallantry,
and the moil popular of all the courtiers of
his age ; and, as he was himfelf a writer, and
efpecially excelled in the fabulous or inven-
tive part of poetry ; it is no wonder he was
llruck with our author's genius, and became
fenfibJe of his merit. A ilory is told of him
by Mr. Hughes, which I (hall prefent to the
reader, as itferves to illuftrate the great worth
and penetration of Sidney, as well as the ex-
cellent genius of Spencer. It is faid that our
poet was a ftranger to this gentleman, when
he began to write his Fairy Queen, and that
he took occsfion to go to Leicefter-houfe, and
introduce himfelf, by fending in to Mr. Sid-
ney a copy of the ninth canto of the firfl book of
that poem. Sidney was much furprifed with
the defcriptlon of defpair in that canto, and
is faid to have fliewn an unufual kind of
tranfport on the difcovery of fo new and un-
common a genius. After he had read fome
ftanzas, he turned to his fteward, and bid him
give the pcrfon v/ho brought thofe verfes fifty
pounds ; but upon reading the next ftanza,
he ordered the fum to be doubled. The Rew-
ard was no lefs furprifed than his mafter, and
thought
EDMUND SPENCER. 119
thought it his duty to make fonie delay in exe-
cuting fo fudden and Isvilh a bounty ; but
upon reading one Hanza more, Mr. Sidney
raifed the gratuity to two hundred pounds,
and commanded the fteward to give it imme-
diately, left as he read further he might be
tempted to give away his whole eftate. From
this time he admitted the author to his ac-
quaintance and converfation, and prepared
the way for his being known and receiv-.
ed at court. Though this feemed a pro-
mi fin g omen, to be thus introduced to court,
yet he did not inftantly reap any advantage
from it. He was indeed created poet laureat
to queen Elizabeth, but heforfome time wore
a barren laurel, and pofTefled the place without
the penfion. Lord-treafurer Burleigh, under
Vvhofe difpleafure Spencer laboured, took care
to intercept thequeen's favours to this unhap-
py great man. As misfortunes have the moft in-
fluence on elegant andpoliihed minds, foit was
no wonder that Spencer was much depreffed by
the cold reception he met with from the great ;
a circumftance which not a little detrafts from
the merit of the minifters then in power : for
I know not if all the political tranfadlions of
Burleigh are fufficient to counterballance the
infamy affixed on his name, by profecuting
refentment againft diftrefied merit, and keep-
ing him, who was the ornament of the times,
as much diftant as poflible from the approach
of competence.
Thefe
120 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
Thefe difcouragements greatly funk our
author's fpirit, and accordingly we find him
pouring out his heart, in complaints of fo in»
jurious and undeferved a treatment ; which,
probably, would have been lefs unfortune to
him, if his noble patron, Sir Philip Sidney,
had not been fo much abfent from court, as by
his employments abroad, and the ihare he had
in the Low-Country wars, he was obliged to
be. In a poem, called, The Ruins of Time,
which was written fome time after Sidney's
death, the author feems to allude to the dif-
couragement I have mentioned, in the follow-
ing ftanza :
" O grief of griefs, O gall of all good hearts !
** To fee that virtue fhould dilpifed be,
»* Of fuch as firft were rais'd for virtue's parts,
** And now broad- fpreading like an aged
tree,
** Let aone fhoot up that nigh them planted
be;
** O let not thefe, of whom the mufe is fcorned,
*♦ Alive, or dead, be by the mufe adorned.
Thefe lines are certainly meant to refleft on
Burleigh for negle«5ling him, and the lord-
treafurer afterwards conceived a hatred to-
wards him for the fatire he apprehended was
levelled at him, in Mother Hubbard's Tale.
In this poem, the author has, in the moft live-
ly manner, pointed out the misfortune of de-
pending on court-favours. The lines which
follow are, amone: others, very remarkable.
^ " Full
EDMUND SPENCER. 121
** Full little knovveft thou, thathail not try'd,
*' What hell it is in fuing long to bide,
" To clofe good days,that nights be better fpent,
*' To wafte long nights in penfive difcontent ;
*' To fpeed to day, to be put back to-morrow,
*' To find in hope, to pine with fear and forrow;
" To have thy prince's grace, yet want her
peers,
" To have thy arming, yet wait many years.
*' To fret thy foul with crofles, and with care,
** To eat thy heart, through comfortlefs de-
fpair ;
*' To fawn, tocrouch, to wait, to ride, to run,
*' To fpend, to give, to want, to be undone."
As this was very much the author's cafe, It
probably was the particular pafTage in that
poem which gave offence ; for as Hughes ve-
ry elegantly obferves, even the fighs of amife-
rable man, are fometimes refented as an af-
front, by him who is the occafion of them.
There is a little flory, which feems founded
on the grievance juil now mentioned, and is
related by fome as a matter of fail: commonly
reported at that time. It is faid, that upon
his prefenting fome poems to the queen, 0)6
ordered him a grutuity of one hundred pounds,
bat the lord-treafurer Burleigh objefting to it,
faid, with fome fcorn, of the poet, of whofe
merit he was totally ignorant, " Wh;.t, ail
this for afong?" The queen replied, *' Then
give him what is reafon." Spencer for fome
time waited, but had the mortification to find
Vol. IV. G himfelf
122 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
himfelf diiappolnted of her majefty*s bounty.
Upon this he took an opportunity to preknt a
paper ,j queen Elizabeth, in the manner of
a petition, in which he reminded her of the
order fhe had given, in the following lines :
*' I was proniis'don a time
*' To have reafon for my rhime,
** From that time, unto this feafon,
** I receiv'd nor rhyme, nor reafon.
This paper produced the intended efFefl,
and the queen, after fiiarply reproving the
treafurer, immediately diredled the payment
of the hundred pounds fhe had firil ordered.
In the year 1579 ^^ ^^'^^ ^^"^ abroad by the
earl of Leicefler, as appears by a copy of
Latin verfes, dated from Leicefter-houfe, and
addreiTed to his friend Mr. Hervey ; but Mr.
Hughes has not been able to determinein v,'hat
fervice he was employed.
When the lord Grey of Wilton was chofen
deputy of Ireland, Spencer was recommended
to him as fecretary. This drew him over to
another kingdom, and fettled him in a fcene
of life very different from what he had for-
merly known, but, that he underflood, and
difcharged his employment with Ikill and ca-
pacity, appears fufficiently by his difcourfe on
the ftate of Ireland, in which there are many
folid and judicious remarks, that fhew him no
lefs quali.4ed for the bufmefs of the Hate, than
for the entertainment of the mufes. His life
was
EDMUND SPENCER. 123
was now freed from the difRciilties under
which it had hitherto ftruggled, and his Cer-
vices to the crown received a revved of a
grant from queen Elizabeth of three thoufand
acres of land in the county of Cork. His houfe
wasatKilcoIman, and the river Mulla, which he
has, more than once, fo finely introduced in his
poems, ran through his grounds. Much about
this time he contradled an intimate friendfhip
with the great and learned Sir Walter Raleigh,
who was then a captain under the lord Grey.
The poem of Spencer's, called, Colin Clout's
come home again, in which Sir Walter Ra-
liegh is defcribed under the name of the
Shepherd of the Ocean, is a beautiful memo-
rial of this friendfhip, which took its rife from
a fimilarity of tafte in the polite arts, and
which he agreeably defcribes, with a foft-
nefsand delicacy peculiar to him. Sir Walter
afterward promoted him in queen Elizabeth's
eileem, through whofe recommendations fhe
read his writings.
He now fell in love a fecond time, with
a merchant's daughther, in which, fays Mr.
Cooper, author of The Mufe's Library, he was
more fuccefsful than in his firft amour. He
wrote upon this occafion a beautiful epitha-
lamium, with which he prefenced the lady on
the bridal-day, and has configned that day
and her to immortality. In this pkafant, eafy
fituation our excellent poet finiihed the cele-
lebrated poem of The Fairy Queen, which
was begun and continued at different intervals
G 2 of
524 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
of time, and of which he at firil publifhed on-
ly the three firft books ; to thefe were added
three more, in a following edition, but the
lix laft books (excepting the two cantos of
mutability) were unfortunately lort by his
fervant, whom he had in haP.e fent before him
into England ; for though he palTed his life for
fome time very ferenely here, yet a train of
misfortunes itiil purfued him, and in the re-
bellion of the earl of Defmond he was plun-
dered and deprivedof his eftate. This diftrefs
forced him to return to England, where, for
the want of his noble patron, Sir Philip Sid-
ney, he was plunged into new calamities, as
that gallant hero died of the wounds he had
xcceived at Zutphen. It is faid by Mr.
Hughes, that Spencer furvivedhis patron about
twelve years, and died the fame year with his
powerful enemy the lord Burleigh, 1598.
He was buried, fays he, in Wellminfler-Ab-
bey, near the famous Geoffery Chaucer, as
he had defired ; his obfequies were attended
by the poets of that time, and others,
who paid the lail honours to his memory.
Several copies of verfes were thrown after him
into his grave, and his monument was ereded
at the charge of the famous Robert Devereux,
the unfortunate earl of EfTex.
This is the account given by the editor
of the death of Spencer, but there is fome
reafon to believe that he fpoke only upon ima-
gination, as he has produced no authority to
fupport his opinion, efpecially as 1 find in a
book
EDMUND SPENCER. 12 j
book of great reputation, another opinion,
delivered upon probable grounds. The in-
genious Mr. Drummondof Hawthronden, a
noble wit of Scotland, had an intimate cor-
refpondence with all the geniufes of his time
who refided at London, particularly the fa-
mous Ben Johnfon, who had fo high an opi-
nion of Mr. Drummond's abilities, that he
took a journey into Scotland in order to con-
verfe with him, and ftayed fome time at his
houfe at Hawthronden, After Ben Johnfon
departed, Mr. Drummond, careful to retain
what paiTed between them, wrote down the
heads of their converfation ; which he publifn-
ed amongft his poems and Hi/lory of the Five
James's, kings of Scotland. Amongft other
particulars there is this : '* Ben Johnfon
told me that Spencer's goods were robbed by
the Irifh in Defmond's rebellion, his houfe
and a little child of his burnt, and he and his
wife nearly efcaped j that he afterwards died
in King-lireet by abfolate want of bread ;
and, that he re'^ufed twenty pieces fent him by
the earl of EfTex, and gave this anfwer to the
perfon who brought them, That he was fure
he had no time to fpend them." Mr. Drum-
mond's works, from whence I extraifled the
above, are printed in a thin quarto, and may
be feen at Mr. Wilfon's, at Plato's head in the
Strand. I have been thus particular in the
quotation, that no one may fufpecl fuch ex-
traordinary circumftrinces to i^-e advanced upon
imagination. In the infcription on his tomb
G 1 in
126 BRITISH PLUTARCH,
ip Weftminfter-Abbey, it is faid he vvas born
in the year 1 510, and died in ic;g6; Cambden
fays 1598 : but in regard to his birth they
muft both be miftaken, for it is by no means
probable he was born fo early as i^ 10, if we
may judge by the remarkable circumftance of
his Handing for a feliovvlbip in competition
with Mr. Andrews, who was not born, accord-
ing to Hughes, till 1555. Befides, if this ac-
count of his birth be true, he mull have been
fixty years old when he firfl publifhed his
Shepherd's Calendar, an age not very proper
for love ; and in this caie it is no wonder that
the beautiful Rofalind flighted his addreffes ;
and he muft have been feventy years old when
he entered into bufinefs under lord Grey, who
was created Deputy of Ireland in 1580: for
which reafons we may fairly conclude, that
the infcription is falfe, either by the er-
ror of the carver, or perhaps it was put on
when the monument was repaired. There
are very few particulars of this great poet, and
it muft be a mortification to all lovers of the
mufes, that no one can be found concerning
the life of one, who vvas the greateft orna-
ment of his profeffion. No writer ever found
a nearer way to the heart than he, and his
verfes have a peculiar happinefs of recommend- '
ing the author to our friendlhip, as well as
raifmg our admiration ; one cannot read him
tvithout fancying ones fclf tranfported into
fairy-land, and there converfing with the
graces iu that inchanted region. Jn elegance
of
EDMUND SPENCER. 12^
of thinking and fertility of imagination, few
of our Engliili authors have approached him,
and no writers have fuch power as he to awake
the fpirit of poetry in others. Cowley own:;
that he derived infpiration from him ; and I have
heard the celebrated Mr. James Thompfon,
the author of the SeafonG, and juRly efteemed
one of our beft defcriptlve poets, fay, that he
formed himielf upon Spencer ; and how clofe-
ly he purfued his model, and how nobly he
has imitated him, whoever reads his Caftle ot
Indolence with Taile, will readily confefs.
Mr. Addifon, in his Charaders of the Englilh
poets, addreiled to Mr. Sacheverel, thusfpeaks
of Spencer :
*' Old Spencer next, warm'd with poetic rage,
*' In autient tales amus'da barbarous age j
** An age, that yet uncultivate and rude,
** Where'er the poet's fancy led, purfu'd
*' Thro' pathlefs fields, and unfrequented fioods^
*' To dens of dragons, and enchanted woods.
** But now the miilic tale, that pleas'd of yore,
*'• Can charm an underllandingage no more;
*' The long-fpun allegories, tuiibme grow,
*' While the dull mcjal lies too plain below.
*' We view well pleafed at diitance, all the"^
fights, I
" Of arms, and palfries, battles, fields, and '
fights, f
*' And damfels in diilrefs, and courteous |
knights. J
G 4. '' Bat
■i2-i BRITISH PLUTARCH.
*' But when we look too near, the fhades decay,
*' And all the pkafing landlcape fades away."
li\s agreed on all hands, that the diflrefTes
of our author helped to fhorten his days ; and
indeed, when his extraordinary merit is con-
iidered, he had the hardelt meafurc of any of
Gur poets. It appears from different accounts,
that he was of an amiable, fvveet difpofition,
humane and generous in his nature. Befides
the Fairy Queen, we lind he had written fe-
veral other pieces, of which we can only trace
cut rhe titles. Amcngft thefe the mofl con-"
fiderable were nine comedies, in imitation of
the commedies of his admired Arioiio, in-
fcri-bed with the names of the nine mufes.
The refl which we have mentioned in his let-
ters, and tnofe of his friends, are his Dying
Felicane, his Pageants, Stommata, Dudleyana,
The Canticles paraphrafed, Eccleliaftes, Se-
ven Pfaims, Houfe of our Lord, Sacrifice of
a Sinner, Purgatory, A Seven Night's Slum-
ber, The Court of Cupid and Hell of Lover?.
It is likewife faid he had written a treatife in
profe, called, The linglifli Poet ; as for the
epithalamium, Thamxcfis, and his Dreams,
both mentioned by himfelf in one of his letters,
iVlr. Hughes thinks they are flill preferved,
though under different names. It appears
from what is faid of the Dreams, by his friend
lAr. Hervey, that they Were in imitation of
i'etrarch's Vifions. To produce autliorilies
in
EDMUND SPENCIiR. 129
in favour of Spencer, as a poet, I ihould rec-
kon an affront to h^s memory ; that is a tribute
I fhall only pay to inferior wits, vvhofe highefl
honour it is to be mentioned with refpeft, by
geniufes of a fuperior clafs.
The works of Spencer will never perifh,
though he has introduced unnecefiariiy many
obfolete terms into them, there is a flow of
poetry, an elegance of fentiment, a fund of
imagination, and an inchanting enthufiafm,
which will ever fecure him the applaufes of
poiierity, while any lovers of poetry remain.
We find little account of the family which.
Spencer left behind him, only that in a few
particulars of his life, prefixed to the lad folio
edition of his works, it is faid, that his great-
grandfon, Hugolin Spencer, after the refiora-
tion of king Charles II. was reftored by the
court of claims to fo much of the lands as
could be found to have been his anceilor's.
There is another remarkable paffage, of which,
fays Hughes, I can give the reader muc'i bet-
ter afiu ranee : that a perfon came over front
Ireland, in king William's time, to follicit the
fame affair, and brought v\dth him letters of
recommendation, as a defcendent of Spencer.
His name procured him a favourable recep-
tion, and applied himfelf particularly to Mr.
Congreve, by whom he was generoufly recom-
mended to the favour of ihe earl of Haliii'ax,
who was then at the head of the treafury ;
and by that means he obtained his fuit. This
mail was fomev/hat advanced in years, and
G 5 fi^igj'-
130 BRITISH PLUTARCH,
might be the fame mentioned before, who
had poflibly recovered only fome part of his
eftate at firil:, or had been diilurbed in the
pofieluon of it. He could give no account of
the works of his anceflor's, which are want-
ing, and which are therefore in all probability
irrecoverably loft. The following ftanzas are
iaid to be thofe with which Sir Philip Sidney
was firil Ilruck.
From him returning, fad and comfortlefs,
As on the way together we did fare.
We met that villain (God from him me blefs
That curfed wight, whom I efcaped whylear,
A man of hell, that calls himfelf defpair ;
Who fn-ft us greets, and after fair areeds
Of tidings ftrange, and of adventures rare,
So creeping clofe, as fnake in hidden weeds,
Jnquireih of our Hates, and of our knightly
deeds.
Which when he knew, and felt our feeble
hearts
Kmboi'd with bole, and bitter biting grief.
Which love had lanced with his deadly darts,
With wounding words, and terms of foul
reprief,
He pluck'd from us all hope of due relief;
That crft us held in love of ling'ring life ;
Then hopelefs, heartlefs, 'gan the cunning
thief,
Perfuade us did, to ftint all farther ft rife :
To me he lent this rope, to him a rufty knife.
The
EDMUND SPENCER. 131
The following is the picture.
The daiklbn-ic cave they enter, where they nnd.
That curled man, low fitting on the groundr
Mufing full fadly in his fallen mind;
His greafy locks, long growing, and unbound,
Diforder'd hung about his fhoulders round,
And hid his face ; through which his hol-
low evne,
Look'd deadly dull, and liared as ailound -,
His raw-bone cheeks thro' penury and pine,
Were flirank into his jaws, as he did neverdine .
His garments nought, but many ragged clout^.,
With thorns together pinn'd and patched was
The which his naked fides he wrapt abcurs;
And him befide, there lay upon the grafs
A dreary corfe, whofe life away did pais,
All wallowed in his own, yet lukewarn.
blood,
That from his wound yet welled freHi alas ;
In which a rufty knife fail: fixed fiood»
And made an open pafTage for the gulhing flood
It would perhaps be an injury to Spencer
to difmifs his life without a few remarks oti
that great work of his which has placed him
among the foremoft of our poets, and difco-
vered fo elevated and fublime a genius. The
work I mean is his allegorical poem of the
Fairy Queen. Sir William Temple, in his
EfTay on Poetry, favs, " That the religion
G 6 of
i3i BRITISH PLUTARCH:
of the Gentiles had been woven into the con-
texture oFall the ancient poetry with an agree-
able mixture, which made the moderns afFe6l
to give that of Chriftianity a place alfo in
their poems ; but the true religion was not
found to become fidions fo well as the falfe
one had done, and all their attempts of this
kind feemed rather to debafe religion than
heighten poetry. Spencer endeavoured to fup-
ply this with morality, and to make inflruc-
tion, inllead of llory, the fubjeft of an epic
poem. His execution was excellent, and
his flights of fancy very noble and high. But
his dellgn was poor ; and his moral lay fo bare,
that it loft the efreft. It is true, the pill was
gilded, but fo thin, that the colour and the
lafte were eafily difcovered."-"- Mr. Rymer
<ifierts, that Spencer may be reckoned the
iuft of our heroic poets. He had a large
ipirit, a fharp judgment, and a genius for he-
roic poetry, perhaps above any that ever wrote
iince Virgil, but our mieTortune is, he wanted
a true idea, and loft himfelf by following an
unfaithful guide. Though beiides Homer and
Virgil he had readTaflb, yet he rather fufi^ered
himfelf to be mifled by Ariofto, with whom
blindly rambling on marvels and adventures,
he makes no ccnfcience of probability ; all is
fanciful and chimerical, without any unifor-
mity, or without any foundation in truth ;
in a word, his poem is perfeft Fairy-land."
Thus far Sir William Temple, and Mr.RymCx";
let us now attend to the opinion of a greater
EDMUND SPENCER. 133
ftarae. Mr. Dryden, in his dedication of Ju-
venal, thus proceeds : *' The Englifh have
only to boall: of Spencer and Milton in heroic
poetry, who neither of them wanted either
genius or learning to have been perfe6l poets,
and yet both of them are liable to many cen-
fures ; for there is no uniformity in the de-
fign of Spencer ; he aims at the accomplifli-
ment of no one aftion ; he raifes up a hero
for every one of his adventures, and endows
each of them v^'ith fome particular moral virtue,
which renders them all equal, without fubor-
dination, or preference : every one is valiant
in his own legend; only we muft do him the
juftice to obferve, that magnanimity, which
is the character of prince Arthur, fhines
throughout the whole poem, and fuccours the
reft; when they are in diftrefs. The original
of every knight was then living in the court
of queen Elizabeth, and' he attributed to each
of them that virtue which he thought moft con-
fpicuousinthem; an ingeniuus piece of flattery,
though it turned not much to his account. Had
he lived to have finiihed his poem in the remain-
ing legends, it had certainly been more of a
piece ; but could not have been perfe«3:, be-
caufe the model was not true. But prince
Arthur, or his chief patron, Sir Philip Sidney^
dying before him, deprived the poet both of
means and fpirit to accomplifh his defign.
For the reft, his obfolete language, and ill
choice of his ftanzas, are faults both of the fe-
Gond magnitude ; for notwithftanding the iirft^
he
134 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
he is ftill intelligible, at leaft after a little prac-
tice : and, for the lall, he is more to be ad-
mired ; that, labouring under luch difadvan-
tages, his verfes are (o numerous, fo various,
and fo hannonious, that only Virgil, whom
he has profefiedly imitated, hath furpafTed him
among the R.omans ; and only Waller among
the Engliih.-'
Mr. Hughe's, in his effay on allegorical po-
etry, prefixed to Spencer's works, tells us,
that this poem is conceived, wrought up, and
coloured Vv'ith Wronger fancy, and difcovers
more the particular genius of Spencer, than
any of his other writings ; and, having ob-
ferved that Spencer, in a letter to Sir Walter
Raleigh, calls it, a continued allegory, and
dark conceit, he gives us fome remarks on al-
legorical poetry in general ; defining allegory
to be a fable, or ftory, in which, under ima-
ginary perfons, or things, is (liadowed fome
real adlion, or inilru61ive moral; " as I
think," fays he, *' it is fomewhere very Ihortly
defined by Plutarch. It is that, in which one
thing is related, and another thing under-
ftood. It is a kind of poetical pidure, or
hieroglyphic ; which, by its apt refemblance,
conveys inftru<5lion to the mind by an analogy
to the fenfes ; and fo amufes the fancy while
it informs the underftanding. Every allegory
has therefore two fenfes, the literal and myfli-
cal. The literal fenfe is like a dream, or vi-
fion, of which the myftical fenfe is the true
meaning, or interpretation. This will he
more
EDMUND SPENCER. 135
more clearly apprehended by considering,
that, as a fimile is a more extended meta-
phor, fo an allegory is a kind of continued
limile, or an affemblage of (imilitades drawn
out at full length.
'* The chief merit of this poem, no doubt,
confifls in that furprifmg vein of fabulous in-
vention which runs through it, and enriches it
every where with imaginary defcriptions,
more than we meet with in any modern
poem. The author feems to be pofTeiTed of a
kind of poetical magic ; and the figures he
calls up to our view, rife up fo thick upon us,
that we are at once pleafed and diilradled with
the inexhauflible variety of them ; fo that his
faults may, in a manner, be imputed to his
excellencies. His abundance betrays him into
excefs ; and his judgment is oveiborn by the
torrent of his imagination. That which
feems the moil liable to exception, in this
work, is the model of it, and the choice the
author has made of fo romantic a ftory.
The feveral books rather appear to be fo many
feveral poems, than one entire fable. Each
of them hath its peculiar knight, and isinde-
pendant of the reil ; and, though fome of the
perfons make their appearance in ditFerent
books, yet this hath very little effed in con-
cealing them. Prince Arthur, indeed, is the
principal perfon, and has therefore a Ihare
given him in every legend : but his part is not
confiderable enough in any one of them. He
appears and vanifhes again like a fpirit ; and
we
136 BRITISH PLUTARCFT.
we lofe fight of him too foon to confider him
as the hero of ihe poem.
" Thefe are the mofl: obvious defedls in the^
fable of the Fairy Queen. The want of unity
in the flory makes it difficult for the reader to
carry it in his mind, and diftrads too much
his attention to the feveral parts of it ; and,
indeed, the whole frame of it would appear
monftrous, were it to be examined by the
rules of epic poetry, as they have been drawn
from the pradice of Homer and Virgil ; but, as
it is plain the author never defigned it by thefe
rules, I think it ought rather to be called a
poem of a particular kind, defcribing, in a
feries of allegorical adventures, or epifodes,
the mOil noted virtues and vices,
** To compare it the.efore with the models
of antiquity, would be like drawing a parcllcl
between the Roman and Gothic archite<^ure.
In the nrft, there is doubtlei's a more natural
grandeur and fimplicity ; in the latter we find
great mixtures oF beauty and barbarifm, yet
EiT.ftcd by the invention of a variety of infe-
rior ornaments; and, though the former is
more majeftic in the whole, the latter may be
very furpiifing and agreeabk in its parts."
THE
p /• <• %y/ifi ^y^/frt^ .
I
S IR JO HN PERU OT. 137
The life of
Sir John Per rot.
SIR John Perrot was the the fon of Tho-
mas Perrot, efq. of lilingrcon, in Pem-
brokefnire, in South Wales, by his wife Alice,
fole heirefs of John Pechton, efq. With re-
gard to his education, it was fuch as fuited
his quality and fortune till he was about
twelve years of age, when he was fent up to
London, to the marquis of Winchefter's houfe,
the lord high-treafurer under Henry VIII.
there being, at the fame time, under the mar-
quis's patronage, for their preferment, the
earl of Oxenford, and lord Abergavenny ;
the lall of which was fo fierce and hally, that
no fervant or gentleman in the family could
continue quiet for him : but, when young
Perrot came, who, to an uncommon ilrength
and luilinefs, added a ipirit equally bold, his
lordfhip was told there wa.-. now a youth ar-
rived who would be more than a match for
him. " Is there fuch a one ?" faid he. " Let
nie fee hirn." Upon v/hich, being brought
where Perrot was, for the firll falutadon. he
afked him, *' What, Sir, are you the kil^ cow
that Hiuil: match me r" *' No," faid Mr.
Perrot, " I am no butcher j but, if you ufe
CIS-
138 BRITISH PLUTARCH,
me no better, you fhall find I can give a
butcher's blow,'' ♦' Can you Co ?" faid he,
** I will fee that." And (o, being both an-
gry, they fell to blows, till lord Abergavenny
found that he had his hands full, and was will-
ing to be parted from him : after which, the
ferving-men, and others, when they found the
young lord unruly, would threaten him with
Mr. Perrot.
At length, however, tliey grew- into great
friendfhip, infomuch that they were feldom
afunder, tilt once they determined to make a
banquet, and invite their friends thereto. But
being not fo rich as to be owners of a cupboard
of plate, they provided good ilore of giafles.
Before their gueils came, they fell into fome
contention, and ihey took the glaffes and
broke them about one another's ears; that,
when the guelis came, they found, inftead of
wine, blood fprinkled about the chamber.
Thus the banquet was fpoiled, the two young
gentlemen ioft their friends thanks, and broke
the league that was begun betwixt them.
Shortly after, it was Mr. Perrot's fortune to
go into Southwark (as it was fuppofed to a
houfe of pleafure) taking only a page with
him, where he fell oat with two of the king's
yeomen. They both drew on him ; but he
defended himfelf fo valiantly, that the king,
being then at Winchefter- houfe, near the
place, was told how a young gentleman had
fought with two of his majefiy's fervants.
The king being defirous to fee him, fent for
him.
S I R 1 O H N P E R R O T. 259
him, demanded his name, country, and kin-
dred. This being boldly by him related, it
pleafed the king very well to fee fo much va-
lour and audacity in fo young a man ; and
therefore he defired him to repair to the court,
where he would bellow preferment on him.
But, not long after, king Henry died; fo
Mr. Parrot loft that hope, remaining, for a
time, till the coronation of king Edward, at
the marquis of Winchefter's houfe, as before;
where he ipent his time in fuch exercifes as
youth is accutlomed to. But, when Mr. Per-
rot came to king's Edward's court, for the ex-
traordinary comiinefs of his perfon, and the
forwardnefs of his fpirit, the young prince
took fuch a liking to him, that he caufed him
to be made one of the knights of the Bath.
The young king had a very good opinion of
Sir John Perrot, and he gained the good like-
ing of the whole court by his valour, adivity,
llrength, and expertnefs in afls of chivalry.
When the marquis of Southampton went into
France to treat of a marriage betwixt king
Edward and the French king's daughter. Sir
John Perrot accompanied him.
The marquis being a nobleman that de-
lighted much in all atlivities, keeping the
moft excellent men that could be found in rnoit
kinds of fport, the king of France underftand-
ing it, brought him to hunt the wild boar j
and, being in chace, it fell out, that a gen-
tleman, charging the boar, did not hit right,
fo that the beafl was ready to run in upon him.
Sir
140 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
Sir John Perrot perceiving him to be in dan-
gcr, came in to his refcue ; and, with a broad
Ivvord, gave the boar fuch a blow as almofl
parted the head from the fnoulders.
The king ot' France, who ftood in fight of
this, came prefently to him, took him about
the middle, and, embracing him, called him
Beaufoile. Now he fuppoled that the king
came to try his flrength ; fo, taking his ma-
jefiy alfo about the middle, he lifted him up
from the ground : with which the king was
nothing difpleafed, but proffered him a good
penfion to ferve him. Sir John Perrot, hav-
ing the French tongue, anfwered. That, he
humxbly thanked his majefty, but he was a gen-
tleman that had means of his own; or, if not,
he knew he ferved a gracious prince who would
not fee him want, and to whom he had vowed
his fervice during life.
Shortly after, Sir John returned from France,
and came to the court of England, where be
lived at too high a rate ; fo that he grew into
debt, and began to mortgage fome of his
lands. Yet he at length began to bethink
himfelf, and grew much agrieved at his own
prodigality ; infomuch that he once walked
out of the court, into a place where commonly
the king came about the fame hour ; and there
he began, (either as knowing that the king
would come that way, or elfe by chance) to
complain againll himfelf to himfelf; and en-
tered, as it were, into a difputation, whether
S I R J O H N P E R R O T. 14.1
lie were bcft to follow, or leave, the court ;
for he feared that, Ihould he continue, the
king being young, and under government, if
his majelly lliould be pleafed to grant him any
thing, in rccompence of his feivice ; yet his
governors, and the privy-council, might gain-
fay it ; and fo he fhould rather run into farther
arrears, than recover his decayed fortunes : but,
if he retired into the country, he might live
at lefs charge, or betake himfelf to the wars,
where he might get fome place of command to
fave his revenues and pay his debts.
As he was thus debating the matter, the
king came behind him, and overheard moll: of
what he faid. At length his majelly frepped
before him, faying, " How now, Perrot, what
is the matter that you make this great moan ?'*
To whom Sir John anfwered, " And it like
your majelly, I did not think that your high-
nefs had been there." ** Yes," faid the king,
*' we heard you well enough : and have yon
fpent your living in our fervice ; and is the
king fo young, and under government, that
he cannot give you any thing in recompence ?
•Spy out fomewhat, and you ihall fee whether
the king hath not power to beflow it on you."
Then he moil humbly thanked his majelly,
and fhortly after found out a concealment ;
which, asfoon as he fought, the king befiowed
it on him ; wherewith he paid the moll part
cf his debts, and ever after became a better
huiband,
This
142 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
This ftory Sir John would fometimes tell
his friends, acknowledging it a great blefT-
ing.
After the death of king Edward, queen
Mary, his fifter, coming to the crown. Sir
John Peirot continued ftill at court, and was
well accepted among the nobility. The queen
alfo favoured him, but would fay, He did
fmeli of the fmoak, meaning thereby his reli-
gion, for which he was called in queftion by
means of one Gaderne, the queen's fervant,
and his countryman ; who accufed Sir John,
That he kept certain Proteftants, then called
hereticks, at his houfe in Wales. Upon
which accufation, he did not deny hi? reli-
gion, but was committed to the Fleet; }et
being well friended, he was allowed to have
council come to him ; and, by means he made
to the queen, he was releafed.
Within a while he went to St. Quintin,
where he had a command under the earl of
Pembroke; who loved him fo far, that there
was never any unkindnefs betwixt them but
once; when queen Mary gave fpecial charge
to the earl, to fee that no hereticks fhould re-
main in Wales. When his lordfhip received
this command, coming home to his lodging,
where Sir John Perrot lay with his fon, Sir
Edward Herbert, the earl acquainted him what
the queen had given him in charge ; and told
him, as her mnjefty had laid this burden on
his back, *' I muft," faid he, ** coufin Per-
rot, eafe myfelf, and lay part of it on you for
tliofe
SIR JOHNPERROT. 145
tfiofe parts whereabouts you dwell." To
which Sir John anlwered, " My lord, I hope
you know you may command my life ; but
leave me to enjoy my confcience." To which
the earl replied foniewhat angrily, " What,
Sir John Perrot, will you be an heretic with
the red r" *' Not fo, my lord," faid he,
*• for I hope my religion is as found as yours,
or any man's :" and To, with fome other cho-
leric ipeeches, that conference ended.
In the morning Sir John rofe very early,
went abroad, and returned again by the time
the earl was making him ready, thinking that
all unkindnefs had been palled ; but Pem-
broke, as foon as he fpyed him, cry'd, " Sir
John Perrot, who fent for you r" He an-
fwered, " My lord, I did not think you would
have allied me that queiHon ; and, if I had
imagined fo much, you fliould have fent for
me twice before I had come once ; and (hall
do fo before I come hither again." As he
was turning about to go out of doors, the earl
called upon him to flay, for he would fpeak
with him ; fo they fell into foul words, and
from foul words to fuch foul play, that, if they
had not been parted, much hurt might have
been done. But Sir John Perrot v^as fain to
depart, not being able to make his party good
in that place.
This was not fo privately done, or fo fe-
cretly kept, but news thereof came fpeedily to
court ; and the caufe of the quarrel being
known to be religion, the queen was greatly
difp leafed ;
H4 BRITISH PLUTARCH,
difpleafed j infomuch, that Sir John, having-
at that time a fult for the caftle and lordlhip
cf Carew, and a promife of the grant being
given him j when he came next to the queen,
Ihe would icarce look on him, much lefs give
him any good anTv/er ; vyhich he perceiving,
determined not to be baulked with auflere
looks, but prefled fo near to the queen, that
he fell upon her train, befeeching her majeily
to remember her promife made to him for Ca-
rew ; wherewith ihe feemed highly offended,
and in angry fort afked, " What! Perrot, will
you offer violence to our perfon ?" Then he
befought of her pardon for his boldnefs ; but
fhe departed with much indignation. But,
within a ihort time, Sir John Perrot found
fuch friends about the queen, that fhe was con-
tent to remit what was paft, in hope he
would be reformed in religion, and to refer his
fuit unto the lords of the privy-council.
When he came before the lords of the coun-
cil to know their pleafures, whether he mould
have Carew, according to the queen's promife,
the bilhop of Wincheiler hegan very fharply
to cenfure him, faying, ** Sir John Perrot, do
you come to feek fuits of the queen ? I tell
you, except you alter your heretical religion,
it were more fit the queen faould bellow fag-
gots than any living on you ;" and fo he
paffed on with a very feverc lentence againit
him. But, when it came to the turn of the
earl of Pembroke to deliver his opinion*
h€
SIR JOHN PER ROT. 14^
he fpoke thus, as Sir John Perrot himfelf re-
lated it, " My lords, I muft tell you my opi-
nion of this man, and of the matter. For
the man, I think he would, at this time, if
he could, eat my heart with fait ; but yet>
notwithftanding his fcomach towards me, I
will give him his due; I hold him to be a
man of good worth, and one who hath de-
ferved of her majefty in her ferv^ice, as good
a matter as this which he feeketh ; and will,,
no doubt, deferve better if he reform his reli-
gion : therefore, fmce the queen hath pafied
her gracious promife, I fee no reafon but he
ihould have that which he feeketh." Whea
they heard the earl of Pembroke fo flivourable^
who they thought would have been mofl vehe-
ment againil him, all the refl were content;
and fo her majefty Ihortly after granted him his
fuit ; and he ever acknowledged himfelf much
beholden to the earl of Pembroke ; who, in
this, as in all things elfe, fhewed himfelf moll
honourable.
When queen Mary had run out the race of
mortality, her filler fucceeding her, Sir John
Perrot was appointed one of the four to carrv
the canopy over queen Elizabeth at her coro-
nation.
In the firll year of Elizabeth's reign, Fran-
cis II. king of France, was killed by accident
at a tournament ; which the queen having
fpeedy notice of, propofmg either to comfort
the French ambaffador, then at th-s court, for
Vol. IV. H the
146 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
the death of bis mafter, or to conceal the
matter from him as long as fhe coald, fince
he then feemed ignorant of it ; ihe took him
with her into the park at Greenwich, where
tents were fet up, and a banquet provided.
As fhe pafTed through the park gate, a page
prefented a fpeech to her, fignifying, that
there were certain knights come from a far
country, who had dedicated their fervices to
their feveral miftrefTes, being ladies for beauty,
virtue, and other excellencies, incomparable ;
and, therefore, they had voued to advance
their fame through the world, and to adventure
combat with fuch as fhouid be fo hardy as to
affirm, that there were any ladies fo excellent
as the faints which they fervcd. And, hear-
ing great fame of a lady Vv/hich kept her court
thereabouts, both for her own excellency, and
the worthinefs of many renowned knights
which fhe kept, they were come to try,
whether any of her knights would encounter
them for the defence of their millrefs's ho-
nour.
When this fpeech was ended, the queen
told the page, " Sir Dwarf, you give me
very (hort warning, but I hope your knights
ihall be anfwered." And then looking about,
fhe alked the lord-chamberlain, " Shall we
be out- bragged by a dwarf?" ** No, an it
like your m"ajelly," anfwered he : ** Let but
a trumpet be founded, and it fhall be feen, that
you keep men at arms enough to anfwer any
proud
SIR JOHN PERROT. 147
proud challenge." Then was the trumpet
founded, and immediately there ilTued oat of
the eaft lane at Greenwich, feveral penfioners
gallantly armed and mounted.
The challengers were, the earl of Ormond,
the lord North, and Sir John Perrot. Pre-
fently, upon their coming forth, the challen -
gers prepared themfelves. Amongfl: the reil:,
there was one Mr. Cornwallis, to whofe turn
it fell, at length, to run againft Sir John
Perrot. As they both encountered, Sir John,
through the unfteadinefs of his horfe, and un-
certainty of courfes in the field, chanced to
run Mr, Cornwallis through the hofe, razing
his thigh, and fomevvhat hurting his horfe ;
wherewith he being offended, and Sir John
difcontented, as they were both choleric, they
fell into a challenge to run with fliarp lances,
without armor, in the prefence of the queen ;
which her majefly hearing of, (he would not
foffer ; fo they were reconciled, and the
combat ended after certain courfes performed
on both fides by the challengers and defend-
ants.
After finiihing thefe exercifes, her majefty
invited the French embailador to a banquet
provided in a pavilion in the park; but he,
having received an account, while there, cf
the king his maimer's dehh, prayed pardon of
her majefty, and retired.
After this, Sir John Perrot continued, by
interchangeable courfes, fometimes at the
H 2 court.
148 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
court, fonietimes in the country, till the year
1572 ; at which time he was made firft lord-
prefident of MunRer, in Ireland ; being then
a province much difordercd and delblate,
wafted by means of the earl of Defmond, but
efpecially by the mercilefs Fitzmorris, the
earl's lieutenant, who was chief ador in all
thofe cruel devailations. He was a man very
valiant, polidc, and learned, as any rebel
had been of that nation for many years.
Sir John Perrot landed at Waterford the
firll of March, 1572, being St. David's day;
and, Vv'ithin three days, the rebel James
Fitzmorris burned the town of Kyllmalog,
hanged the fovereign, and others of the townf-
men, at the high crofs in the market-place,
and carried all the plate and wealth of the town
with him ; with which entertainment Sir John
Perrot, the rew prefident, was much difcon-
tented, and therefore hailed to Dublin to take
his oath of the lord-deputy. Sir Henry Sid-
ney, with purpofe to prefent the rebels with
(harp and fpeedy war at his return from Dub-
lin to Cork, which was about the tenth of
April following.
Pie firfi: gathered and lodged his own com-
panies there, having vvirh him. two companies
of foot, under the command of captain Bow-
ler and captain Furfe, befides two hundred
Irifh Ibldiers of Kerne and GalleglafTes ; alfo
he had with him his own troop of horfe, which
Vw'ere of the queen's entertainment ; and of
S I R J O H N P E R R O T, 1-9
his own fervants one hundred hon'e ; and
captain Abflovv commanded vmder him as
many.
With thefe he went to Kyllmalag, the late
■wafted town, where he lodged himfclf in a
hoafe hall burned ; and made a proclamation.
That as many of the townfmen as fied, fliould
return hon\e ; which they did accordingly, and
be^^^an to build their gates, to re 'air the tovvn
Walls and to re-edify tboir hc.ics.
Beicse the lord-prefident's d parture troin
Kyilmaio;.;, one night the cry of the country
was up, That the ebels had befet the lord
Roch's caiile, burned his cHrn, flain feme of
his people, and taken swav a great many of
his cattle. Upon which th? iord-prefident iud-
denly rofe, armed, took with him his own
troop of horfe and captain Abilow's, leaving
the foot bands to guard the town, and he
purfued the rebels, being in n amber two
hundred, whom he overtook at a place called
Knocklonga, v/ithin three miles of Arlanp-e
Wood. There the rebels run to the bogs, as
their bell fecurity, and left their prey. The
lord-prefident caufed his men to alight from
their horfes, to rip ofF their boots, and id
leap into the bogs, taking with them tlieir
petronels and light- horfemen's ftaves infteadof
pikes ; with which they charged the enemy,
overthrew them, and cut off ht'ty of their
heads J which they carried home with them
unto Kjllmalog, and put the heads round
H 3 crbcui:
150 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
about the crofs ; which were known by the
townfmen that the prefident fent for from
Lyiiibrick, who had lately loft their goods ;
and then he reftored to the lord Roch all hit
cattle.
The lord-prefident, after he had ftrength-
cncd and comforted the townfmen of ICyll-
ir.alog, departed towards Lymbrick j and,
on his way, came to a caftle of Fybot Burk,
who had been in aflion with James Fitzmor-
lis, but afterward they fiew one another.
There the prefident demanded the keys, and.
that he might enter , which they not only
denied, but fhut the prelident's people out of
the caftle, they having about forty foldiers in
it. The prefident thereupon eaufed the caftle
to be fo undermined that part of the wail fell
to the ground, and killed fome of the lebels
within. Whereupon the wife of Fybot Burk
yielded herfelf, with her fon and the caitlej^
into the hands of the prefident, who left
thirty Engliilimen to guard it, and de-
parted to Lymbrick, to receive the lords that
came to him ; as the earl of Tomond, O'
Hones, Delmond, and others ; as alfo to fet-
tle that part of the country.
From Lymbrick the lord-prefident went to
Cailiill ; and, on the way, there v>/as a caftle
held by the rebels, which he eaufed to be fet
on file by fnooting fire to the top, which was
covered with thatch. He commanded his
men to alight from their horfes to do the ex-
ecution.
S I R J O H N P E R R O T. r^ t
ecution, who left their horfes with their foot-
boys hard by to feed ; but the noife of the-
caille at its fall, and the fight of the fire, fo
terrified the horfes, that they broke loofe from
the boys and ran into the woods, where thty
were taken and carried away by the rebels ;
but ibortly aft^r the prefident recovered moft
of his horfes again.
When he came to Cafhill, he hanged feven
of the grafy merchants, being fuch as brought
bread and aquavita, and other provifions, to
the rebels ; the fovereign of the town hardly
efcaped that puniihment. From Cafhill the
lord-prefident went to Fether and Clomel, and,
to Sir Edward Butler's country ; where he
took his chief caille with pledges for his fide*
lity. He alfo took other holds, and fo went
up to Carick, the earl of Ormond's hcufe,.
whom he appointed, after fome abode there,
to meet him at Cork.
When the prefident came to Cork, he af-
fembled the chief lords of the province, as
the earl of Ormond, Clyncarty, and Tomond;
the lord Bury, the lord Roch, the lord Cor-
fey, Mackarty, Reuch, Gormond Mack-
Teage, and almoft all the lords, fave fuch as
were out in rebellion. He appointed them
to gather their forces, and to meet him within
a month after, meaning to follow the rebels
wherefoever they went ; and fo they did.
For, firft, the lord-prefident dr'ew all his
forces into the Vy^hite Knight's country, taking
H 4 t«i«.
152 :&RITISK PLUTARCH.
ivvo of his caflles, burned many of his hoiifes,
iind drove him inio the woods. From thence
he marched with his power unto Arlaugh
woods, being the rebels chief place of ftrength;
and following them there for a while, he re-
turned unto Cork to refrefh his men ; and they
went into Mack Swine's country ; there he
flew many of the rebels, and hanged as many
as he took ; fpoiied all the enemy's country ;
and, with continual travel, wore out their
provifion, having no corn left in the country
to make them bread, which the prefider.t
hi mfelf wanted for feveral days; their chief
f;jitenance being the milk of thoie cows they
had taken ; of which they brouoht twothou-
land five hundred with them to Cork, after
two months travel, putfuing the rebels from
place- to plscc.
James jFitzmorris, finding his forces weak-
ened, and, that, being fcilowed without in-
termifiion, he could not continue long, ex-
cept he were fupplied with fome foreign aid,.
dieA' over inio Iviunller five hundred Scotiih,
IriHi, or Red-fhanks, out of the iflands, with
whom he thought himfelf able to make re-
fiilance againft the prefident's power, having
one thoufand followers of his own. The pre-
fident heriring of this, fent for the lords, and
•others, with whom he went againil the rebels,
and met them in the woods Vv'ithin the county
of Limbrick, wherein they had, as, it were,
intrenched themfclvcs. The lord - prefident,
viev^^dng
S-IR JOHN PER ROT. i;5
viewing the camp, fent them word, that he
was come to give them battle, and would flay
for them in the plain, if they would come
forth and %ht with him ; but they being un-
willing, aniwered. That there they Hayed for
him, and from thence they would not go.
Which he perceiving, prepared his people ta
charge them. So he placed ihs Inili Lords^
and others of the better fort, within the body
of the main battle, telling them, that he was
not willing to expofe them to the atnioft dan-
ger J which he did oat of this politic conh-
dcratton, that the lords, if any of them were
ill-minded or fearful, fhould be kept from run-
ning away, and that their follovvers would
flick to it the better, fceir>g their lords en-
gaged. Which the preiident had the more
reafon to do, becaufe of eleven hundred then in
his company, three parts at leaft were Irifh : fo
with this good order and refoluticra he fet on
the rebels, who were about fifteen hundred^
ilrong, and broke thera, killing a hundred
and twenty of the rebels- and their aidjrs ;
vvhereupoa they made their retreat towards
the north, ar.d Ja^mes F'itzmOiri.s grew weak
again. From thenceforward the prefident fol-
lowed his good fortunes and his foes, with
fuch earneilnefs that they feldom would come
to f.o-ht him, except it were in lifrhtikirmifhes.
and that upon great advantage. Which iie
perceiving, purfued them night and day in
gerfoHj even, in thQ winter, and lay ait many
H. V " mi/Lti:
154 BRITISH PLUtARCH.
nights both in froft and fnow. Nay onccj
when following the Kernes through the woods,
where they could not ride, the lord-prefident
himfelf took fuch pains in marching, that with
earneflnefs of purfuing, and the depth of the
foul ways in ihe midft of winter, he loft one
of his fhoes, and fo went on a pretty way
without his fhoe, or without feeling the lofs of
it, till at length it began to pain him fo much,
that he refted on a gentleman's fhoulder, and
told him there was foraewhat hurt his foot,
fo lifting up his leg, the gentleman told him,
*' My lord, you have loft yourftioe.'* " 'Tis
no matter," faid he, " as long as the legs laft
v»e will find ftioes ;'* and {o, calling for ano-
ther pair, he marched on ftill. At another
time, being abroad in fervice, they encamped
Fear a wood, where the prefident lay in his
(t-rit, having for his guides fome of his fer-
wmts, and certain Gallyglafles. The Galjy-
rialfes had gotten a hog, which they roafted
pfter their manner, by a great fire, near the
president, and when they had half- roafted it,
with half the hair about it, they began to make
partition, and one of them in great kindnefs
reached a piece to one of the prefident's fer-
vants, a gentleman and a juftice of the peace
in his country, the prefident perceiving it,
faid, " James, this is good meat in fuch a
place.'* To whom the gentleman anfwered,
•* An it pleafe you, it is good meat here
annong ihefe men ; but if I were at home,
i would fcarce give it to my dogs.
James
SIR JOHN PERROr. 15^-
James Fitzmorris, Tcnowing that the lord-
prefident dcfired nothing more than the finilli-
ing of thofe wars, and tlie Cubduing the rebels,
made (hew that he alio was willing to finiih
the fame by fingle combat, and fent the lord-
prefident word, as believing that his expeila-
tion would keep him for a time from farther
adion ; and fo indeed it did : for Jam.es Fitz-
morris firft offered to fight with fifty of his
horfemen, againft the lord-prefident and fifty
of his, which his lordfhip willingly accepted ;
but when the tim.e came, Fitzmcrris fent word
that he would willingly fight with the iorcl-
prefident in fingle combat, hand to hand.
To which meffage the lord prefident fent an-
fwer, that he would willingly accept his
challenge ; the place appointed was at Amely,
an old town, fix miles from Killmallcck,
The weapons that were affigned to fight with
were, by Fitzmorris's appointment, fword and
target, and they (hould be both clad in Irifu
trolfes, which the prefident provided of fear-
let, and was ready according to appointment,
faying, *♦ That although he knew James
Fitzmorris to be his inferior in all refpeds,
yet he would reckon it a life well adventured,
to deprive fuch a rebel of his life." But after
all James Fitzmorris came not, but fent a cun-
ning excufe, by one Cono Roe Oharnan, an
Iriih poet, faying, " That he would not fight
with the lord-prefident at all, not fo much
for fear of his life, as becaufe on his life de-
pended the fafety of all his party.
H 6 When
156. BRITISH PLUTARCH.
When the lord prefident heard this, he vva3
much difcontented, that he had fufFered himfelf,
to be fo abufed, and vowed, without delay^
to " hunt the fox out of his hole." And be-
fjdes his own diligence, he earneftly encou-
raged all the noblemen of the country to ufe
their bed means for the fabduing of that dan-
gerous rebel. And prefently he fought after^
and at length found out. the ringleader, James
Fitzmorris, who now drew his breath by ihifts
and flights, and fent a falfe fpy to the lord-prefi-
dent, with proteilations and oaths, that he
Jknew where James Fitzmorris was lodged,
■with lefs than thirty perfons in hi^ company,
and that if the prefident would come with ex-
pedition, he might be fure to take him that
.viight, without danger ; and for confirmation
he offered not words alone, but the venture of
his life to go with him. This being after fup-
per, the prefident ordered fome of his people
to arm themfelves, and he with them took
liorie, left they fiiould lofe fo good an oppor^
tunity as they then hoped for.
They poftcd to the place where it was faid
the traitor v/as foflenderly guarded,, but Fitz-
morris lay in ambufli under a hill, with four
cr five hundred foot, and above four fcore
horfej v-thom the prefident could not fpy, till
two or three of his hor.femen were within
reach of the rebels, who charged them ; and
there the prefident's fecretr.ry, called Trew-
Wgg, being ouc of the foremoll:, was flain,.
and^
SIR JOHN PERROT. iSi
and about an hundred pounds of his mailer's-
money, which he carried with him taken.
Perceiving how they were intrapped, feme
would have retired ; but the prefident anfwer-
ed, That he would not do To, for he had ra-
ther die fighting than running away ; and
therefore he bid them charge home with, him,
and he was one of the foremoil himfelf ;. fa
that he encountered with one of the rebels,,
and run. him with his lance through a fldrt o£
mail, unhorfed, and ilood over him, ready to
flrike again as he arofe. In the mean time,
there came in another horfeman of the rebels
fide, thinking to. have run him through be-
hind with his llaff overhand, as the manner
of the Iriih was : but one Greame, a ca^Jtain,
came in to refcue the prefident, and ran the
rebel through before he could give that deadly
blovv» With that they charged others afreih,
and were furcharged themfelves with multi-
tudes, fo that the prefident's horfe was aimoft
fpent, and yet he would not give over.
Though he was left three times that morn-
ing one of the laft in the field, ftill encourag-
ing his men to come up and charge anew, fo
that he had, been ilain or taken, if an extra-
ordinary accident had not preferved him.
For one captain Bowler, with four m^ore that
made themfelves ready as foon as they might
come after from Killmallow, appearing upon
the top of a hill, Ficzmorris fuppofed that it
had hQ^n captain Bowlei* with his ccrnpanv,
and .
I5« BRITISH PLUTARCH.
and the reft of the Englifh forces that vvere
coming with a fupply. Whereupon he im-
mediately made his foldiers retire, fo that the
prefident was delivered. But he ceafed not to
follow the rebels with his forces, till fhortly
after he overtook Fitzmorris with his Kernes,.,
near a bridge, not far from a wood fide,
where the rebel finding that he could hardly
efcape, fent towards the prefident one, with a:
white cloth on the top of a fpear, in token of
parley ; which being perceived, the prefident
flayed his companies from marching ; this
ftrange herald, to delay time, offered certain
conditions of fubmiflion, but not fuch as the
lord -prefident expe(5led, or would accept of.
In the mean time, Fitzmorris conveyed his
Kernes, over the bridge into the wood, and fo
efcaped. Neverthelefs, this device but a very
little protradled time, and exafperated the pre-
fident, to follow him, and to finifh the wars,
which vvere now almoft at an end. For with-
in a fmall time, the prefident giving the rebels
no reft, or leaving them any means of main-
tenance, difperfed the power of Fitzmorris,
and made him glad to hide his head, without
any ftrength or number of men to accompany
him. So that he was forced to fue for pardon,
offering to fubmit himfelf to the queen's mer-
cy. Which at length the lord-prefident con-
fented to, and James Fitzmorris came to Killr
mallock, where in the church the lord-pre-
fident caufed him to lie proftrate, potting the
point
SIR JOHN PERROT. 1^9
point of his fword to his heart, in token that
he had received his life at the queen's hands.
Then he took a folemn oath to continue a
true fubjefl to the crown of P'ngland, where-
by the province of Munilerwas much quieted,
and maintained in as good peace as any part
of Ireland.
But the lord-prefident being too plain-deal-
ing a man, purchafcd much ill-will, whereby
there were heaped on him feveral caufelefs
complaints in England ; yet fometimes Iha-
do wed with fuch probability, and countenanced
by fuch great men, that in part they were be-
lieved ; and not being at hand to anfwer ob-
jedions, he had now and then Iharp letters
fenthim from the government, till at laft he
determined to come to England and clear
himfelf. And though he had no licence, yet
knowing that he left Ireland in quietnefs, he
prefumed that his fudden departure would be
the better excufed.
With this refolution, fetting things in order
for the prefent government of Munfter, and
making up his accounts, he departed thence
about the beginning of March 1573.
When Sir John came to court it was thought
that the queen would have been highly offend-
ed at his coming over without licence. Yet
as foon as he appeared before her, and had
related the ftate of Ireland, the particulars of his
fervice, and the caufe of his coming over; her
majefly commended his endeavours, anddefired
him
j6o BRITISH PLUTARCH,
him to return fpeedily to his charge, lefl in
his abfence feme difquietnefs might arife.
To which Sir John anf.vered. That for the ge-
neral ftate of the province, it was fo well fet-
tled, that no new commotion on a fiidden
need be feared. Yet there were m.any parti-
culars which might be amended without any
great difficulty : which being allowed by her
highnefs, he v/as ready to ferve her there
whenfoever it fhould pleafe her to appoint him-.
And that the fame might be the better under-
Hood, he prefented a plan to the queen to be
confidered by her majefly, and her privy-
counfel.
The plan contained feveral points ; as the
planting the proteftanc religion in the pro-
vince of Munfter, the due adrainiftration of
juftice according to the laws of England, the
keeping of the people in peace,, and the an-
fwering of her majelly's rents and revenues
more afTuredly, the fetting her lands at more
■certainty, the dividing the province into ihires
and Signiories ; the building of forts and ca^
ties, fome to bridle the rebels, ' and fome for
the ftate of prefidency ; the cutting down of
woods, which were then harbours of, and for-
treiles for thieves,- rebels, and outlaws ; and
the building of (lips out of th-e faid woods
for the queen's fervice.
The queen liked well of the plot, and fo
did ibme of hercouncii; but others mifliked it,
moiebecivufe it was lus defign than for any ds-
SIR JOHN PERROT. i6i
feft they found therein : yet he feemed to
fhew fome inconveniencies, and fo the thing
was hindered.
The queen, notvvith (landing, would have had
Sir John Perrot go over as prefident again ;
but he, fearing that in his abfence the com-
plaints of his adverfaries might prevail, ex-
culed the undertaking of that iervice, through
ill-health. And prayed that he might be
licenced to repair into the country for recove-
ry. Which being granted, arter leave talcen
of the queen, he departed to hishoufe.
But he had repofed himfelf but a few
years in the country, fometimes repairing to
court, as bis occafions ferved ; when he was
fuddcrily fent for by the queen to take charge
of feme fhipp, which were to be fent to
fea ; upon iptelligence that James Fitzmorris,
fmce his fubmiffion, had been in Spain, and
procured tne promife of (hips riP-d men to in-
vade Irelai.d, efpecially the province of Mun-
iler.
This bemg known to the queen arid her
privy-council, theyfeiU for Sir John Perrot to
take v.:i conmandof luch ihips and pinnaces
as Iho •; i be madf ready to intercept, or inter-
rupt t!ie king of Suam, his navy and forces,
which were dehqned for Ireland. Sir John
made i-dcA fpeed m his journey, that he came
from Perabrokelhire to Greenwich in lefs than
three days. The queen, when fhe faw him,
told hinif. ihe thought he had not heard from
heir
iSz BRITISH PLUTARCH.
herfofoon: yes, madam, anfwered he, and
have made as much hafte as I might to coine
unto your majefty. So methinks, fi^id the
queen, but bow have you dor.e to fettle your
affairs in the touniry ? An it like your ma-
jefty, faid Sir John, I have taken this crj-e for
all ; that fetting private bufmels afide, in ref-
pe£lof your majefly's fervice, I have appoint-
ed the white fiieep to keep the black : for I
may well enough venture them, when I am
willing to venture my life in your majelly's
fervice. With which anfwer the queen was
well pleafed, and (i\e conferred with him pri-
vately for fome time-; then difmiirmg him and
appointing him to receive farther diredions
for that fervice from> the lords of her privy-
council.
Then did Sir John Perrot prepare for that
voyage with all convenient fpeed; He had
with him fifty men in orange tawny cioaks»
whereof divers were gentlemen of good birth
and quality. Alfo he had a noyce of mufi-
cians with him being his own fervants.
All things being prepared, Sir John departed
from London about Auguft,. and went from
fhence by barge, with feveral noblemen and
gentlemen. As they lay againil Greenwich,
where the queen kept her court, Sir John fent
one of his gentlemen onlhore, with a diamond,
in a token to Mrs. Blanch Parry, willing him
to tell her, that a diamond coming unlooked
for, did always bring good luck with it :
whick.
S I R J O H N P E R R O T. 163
which the queen hearing, fent Sir John a fair
jewel hung by a white cyprefs; fignifying, that
as lorg as he wore that for her fake, fhe be-
lieved, with God's help he (hould have no
harm. The meflage and jewel Sir John re-
ceived joyfully, and he returned anfwer to
the queen, " That he would wear that for
his fovereign's fake, and doubted not, with
God's favour, to return her (hips in fafety,
and either to bring the Spaniards (if they
came in his way) as prifoners, or elfe to fmk
them in the feas. As Sir John palled by ia
his barge, the queen looking out at the win-
dow (hook her fan, and put out her hand to-
wards him, upon which he made a low obey-
fance, while he put the fcarf and jewel about
his neck : and, being arrived at Gillingham,
where the fliips rode. Sir John feafled the
company which came with him thither.
Sir John Perrot fet out from Gillingham to
to the Downs, and thence pafling by Falmouth,
and Plymouth put to fea for Ireland, where
they arrived at Baltimore. And by reafon of
his former government in that country, they
borefuch affection towards him, that the peo-
ple came in great numbers, feme embracing
his legs, all coveting to touch fome part of his
body: which the vice-admiral perceiving, and
thinking they came to do him hurt, determin-
ed to difcharge the cannon from his fhips;
but being informed that they came in love to,
faluje Sir John, he alttred his purpofe, and
knded i
i64 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
landed ; where they were all entertained as
well as the fafhion of the country could af-
ford.
After this. Sir John remained awhile upon
the coaft, till he faw the feafon of the year was
pad for attempting any thing againft Ireland,
and therefore failed homewaras, in his way
taking a defperate pirate, one Derryfold.
On the Downs alfo his fhip ftruck on the
Kentiih Knocks; where all the perfons that
were in her, flood in great danger to be caft
away; but at length getting fafe to fnore;
the admiral, having kifi'ed the queen's hand,
retired again to his fc^at in the country.
But though he continued there at times, he
was not unmindful of the court and fiate af-
fairs : for he not only received letters from
fome privy counfellors, touching things of
moment at that time, but gave anfv/ers which
were Ihewed to the queen, and flie liked them
much; till in the year 1 982 her majefly thought
proper to make him lord deputy of Ireland,
where Defmond was up in rebellion. And he
fet fail for that kingdom, in company with
the earl of Ormond, and arrived at Dublin in
January the fame year.
Within a week after his coming, he took
the oaths, and began to fettle courfes for the
quieting and government of the country, which
had been long infefted w^th civil contention ;
fo that, for the fpace of fixty years, the fword
was more in \>(<s than the laws ; which pro«
ceeded
S I R J O H N P E R R O T. 265
ceeded chiefly from the corruption and igno-
rance of the governors, which had given
great advantage to the ill-afFedled fubjeds ;
and that people in general vvhofe nature it is
to feek liberty, and prefer antient cuftoms be-
fore new ordinances, be they never (o whole-
fome. Yet, to fay the truth, the Irifli love to
be juftly dealt with by their governors, how-
foever they deal with one another ; and will do
more at the command of their governor,
v/hom they repute, and have found, to be
juft, then by the ft rid execution of the laws,
or conftraint of any force or power. They are,
for the moft part, naturally wife, and apt to
obferve the bell advantage and opportunity to
obtain their purpofes : ail which the lord-de-
puty knew, partly by his former experience,
when he was prefidentof Munfler, and by the
depth of his judgment : and he determined, ia
order to fettle the better difpofed in tranquil-
lity, by hearing complaints, and fettling a
regular government over the rebellious and fe-
ditious, immediately to travel thorough the
feveral provinces in perfon.
To this purpofe, he iirft took his journey into
Conaught, there to place Sir Richard Bing-
ham in his government. From Conaught he
travelled towards the province of Munfter;
but, when he came to Lymrick, he received
advertifement of a great number of inlanders,
or ScotiHi Irifh, landing at Maney, in O-
Neale's country. But the whole plot was dif-
covered
i66 BRITISH PLUTARCH,
covered by the archbifliop of Caftiill, who fent
to the deputy, by Sir Lucas Dyllon, certain
letters, which Torlough Lenough wrote him ;
wherein Torlough challenged the biihop to be
his follower borne, and therefore to be trufted ;
and, that he fl\ou]d find Ulfter his refuge when
all other parts failed ; and, finally, that he
ihould credit the mefienger.
After this, the bifhop came to Dublin,
where he declared that he found the meflenger
was appointed to pradlife with all the lords
and Iri(h captains of Munfter and Conaught,
to enter into rebellion whenever llrangers fhould
arrive: and this rneilenger being afterwards ap-
prehended at Athlone, he confefled, that he
was no common man, but one of great ac-
count with O-Neale, his foflerer, and a leader
of forty horfemen, and had under him two
thoufand head of cattle ; that he was fent to
deal with the earl of Clancarty, the lord Fitz-
morris, and all others of any account in Mun-
fter in Conaught, to require them to join
with his raalter againft the queen ; and to af-
fure them, that troops, under the king of
Spain, with other foreign aid, would enter
the kingdom with fuch force, that, before
Michaelmas, there fliould not be one Englifli
man left there. He likewife faid, that his mafter
was promifed to be made king of Ireland;
and, that he accepted of it, faying, He would
be king, although he died within an hour
after.
Thefe
SIR JOHN PER ROT. 167
Thefe things occurring, the lord-deputy
was forced to return to Dublin, to make
fpeedy preparation for refiftancC) and to give
over his intended journey for a time ; though,
in the fliort progrefs he had gone, he had
dealt with the O-Kellys, O-Conor Roe, O-
Conor Done, O Coner Slygo, Mac Willin
Onger, Morothe, Done Affluerty, the O-
Neales, the Burkes of Enter Conaught, the Mac
Dony Mahone, MacEnafpike, the earls ofTho-
mond and Clanrickard, the lord Bremingham,
both the Mac Nemaraes, the two Mac Mahons,
and every other lord of Conaught and Tho-
mond ; and took pledges for affurance of their
loyalty. He had alfo executed that traitor
Connough Beg Obrian, and fix of his follow-
ers ; and decided all controverfies. Alfo, the
fufpeded bilhop, Malachias Analone, and a
friar, being brother to Mac Wellin Enghter,
renounced the pope, and fvvore to the fupre-
macy. The friar put off his habit, and both
publifhed a profeffion of their faith and recan-
tation. The lord-deputy alfo encreafed clie
fchool-mafter's falary at (jalloway, without
the queen's charge: and entered into feme re-
formation of religion, which he propofed
fhould foon be better provided for by parlia-
ment.
When the lord-deputy had takfn this care
and order, he prepared fpeedily to go into the
north againft the foreign forces there landed,
and their adherents the traitors ; fetting for-
wards
tSB BRITISH PLUTARCH.
wards on his journey, with fach forces as he
could make, about the middle of Auguft,
1584: but the iflanders hearing of the depu-
ty's determination, and alfo underftanding
how well afFeded all the fubjeds of Leynller,
IVIunfler, and Conaught were j and how ready,
contrary to their expedations, to ferve againft
them ; they moft part fled before he came to
Newry, where he was met by Torlough Le-
Dough, having- neither protection nor pardon ;
and there the lord-deputy received his pledges,
he yielding himfelf in ail things, as he was re-
quired.
Whilfl the lord-deputy flayed at Newry,
underftanding that Sorleboy had entertained a
number of illanders, joined to him Okeham
and Brian Carraugh, and flood upon terms to
hold by force what he had gotten by the fame;
the lord-deputy thought it a great diihonour to
fuffer him proudly to countenance the inva-
fion of foreigners to eat out her majefly's na-
tural fubjeds. Whereupoii, entering into ac-
tion againft Sorleboy, and dividing his army
into two parts, to follow him on both fides of
the river Ban, the lord-deputy himfelf went
with the chief men, and half the forces,
on Clandaboy fide : ana i'ent Sir John Norris,
lordprefident of Munfter, accompanied with
the baron of Dongannon, to Tyrone fide,
with the other part of the army.
The lord-deputy, on the one fide, fpoiled
Brian Caraugh's country ; and Sorleboy being
driven
SIR JOHN PERROT. 169
driven over the Ban, to the bogs of Cloncora-
kine ; Sir John Norris, on the other fide^
overflipping Sorleboy, fell upon O-Chan, one
of his chiefs, and took from him two hun-
dred cows, which gave the army fome re-
lief, though many of them were embezzled in
the driving. Whereupon O-Chan fubmitting
himfelf, came in and made oiFer to ferve upon
Sorleboy ; and Brian Caraugh fued for mercy.
Now, becaufe Sorleboy fhunned the deputy's
fide, trufting to the bogs on the other, his
lordfhip fent over to the prefident fome of his
horfe, and footmen, with moll of his cat-
tle.
Then, with the reft of his forces, he en-
camped before Dunlufe, and befieged it, be-
ing one of the Arongeft places in Ireland ; for
it is fituated upon a rock, hanging over the
fea, divided from the main with a deep na-
tural rock-ditch, having no way to it but by
-a fmall neck of the fame rock, which is
alfo cut off very deep. It had in it tJifin a
ilrong garrifon, the captain being ^ .-Scot;
who, when the deputy fent to him to yield,
refufed ; and anfwered. That he would keep
it to the laft man ; which made the deputy
plant a battery before it, the cannon being
brought by fea to Port-Rulh, and drawn
thither by force of men ; wherein he fpared
not the labour of his own fervants : and,
when fmall fhot played fo thick out of the fort
that the common foldiers began to ihrink in
Vol. IV, X planc^
I70 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
planting of the artillery, the lord-deputy made
his own men fill the gabions with earth, and
make good the ground, till the ordinance
was planted and the trenches made.
This being done, the lord-deputy himfelf
gave fire to the firft piece of ordnance,
which did no great hurt ; but, the next morn-
ing, after the garriion liad over-night felt a
little the force of the "battery, they fent to the
deputy to be received to mercy ; which he con-
defcended to the lather becaufe he would fave
the charges of repairing again that place,
which otherwife he muft have beaten down ;
and becaufe he would not fpend the provifion,
weaken the forces, and hinder the reft of the
fervices then intended, by lying before one
fort ; and therefore he granted them life and
liberty to depart.
After Dunlufe, the lord-deputy took Don-
ferte, the garrifon being fled ; likewife ano-
ther pile by Port-Ruih, and all Sorleboy's
iilands and loughs ; fo that he had not a hole
left in the main land to creep into.
Thefe things being thus eftablifhed, and
garrifons planted at all proper ftations, viz.
two hundred footmen, whereof one hundred
were found by Magwylly, and feventy horfe-
men, at Colerane, under captain Carelile;
and two hundred foot-men, being of the old
bands, and fifty horfemen, whereof twenty-
iive were enlifted at Kockferyns, under Sir
Henry Bagnal, whom the Jord-deputy made
colonel
SIR JOHN fPER ROT. 171
colonel of the forces there, he took his way
through the woods of Kylultage and Kyi-
waren, and returned to Newry on the twenty-
eighth of September, where he remained ten
days to perfedl this fervice.
Here came to him Turlough O'Neale,
bringing with him Henry O'Neale, Shone
O'Neale's fon, that efcaped from Sir Henry
Sidney ; and to that place there came alfo all
the reft of the lords of Ulfter ; who, upon
their knees, fwore fidelity unto the queen,
and delivered in fuch pledges as the lord-de-
puty demanded ; and made like compofition
for finding of foldiers, and upon the fame
condition as O'Neale, O'Donel, and Ma-
groyly had done ; every one for the numbers
enfuing ; Hugh Oge and Shane Mac Brian.
for the Nether Clandaboy, eighty men j Sir
Magenes, for Huaugh, forty men ; the cap-
tain of Kylultagh, fifteen; the captain of
Kyi waren, ten ; Mac Garten, ten ; the baron
of Donganin, Forney, Mac Mahon, Fowes,
Dangutry, and O'Harilan, two hundred. In
all which, O'Neale's, O'Donel's, and Mac
Willie's, amounted to four hundred Englifli,
befides thirty to be maintained after the Irifh
manner by Donnel Corme.
' The lord-deputy perceiving fome queftions
for government amongft them, but efpecially
betwixt Turlough O'Neale, thebaronof Dun-
gannon, and the marlhal ; he fi?ft reconciled
all unkindnefs betweeen them, and then
thought good to divide the greater govern^
I 2 ments
«72 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
ments into fmaller, that none fhould be too
llrong.
The lord-deputy being returned to Dublin,
brought Turlough O'Neale's fon with him ;
but, becaufe his father might need him, being
become a good fubjeft, in all appearance, he
ihortly returned him back again, upon the re-
ceipt of four principal men, which he had ap-
pointed to be fent to him ; which fhould be
fure pledges both for her majefty upon O'
Neale, and for him upon his followers ; of
which Sir John wrote to the priry-council ia
England. At that time alfo Shan O'Neale's
fon, which came over with the Scots, made
iuit to be received into favour ; and, becaufe
they had lately taken one Mr. Lambert, an
Englilh gentleman, the lord-deputy the rather
inclined to hearken to them for that gentle-
man's fake y and ^ave order to the marihal ac-
cordingly.
But we mufl here remark, tliat Sir John
Perrot v^as of a very haughty ami choleric dif-
pofition ; by which, while he was working
the weal of Ireland, he gave great of-
fence to moft part of the inhabitants 5
but chiefly by his propoling in parliament a
fufpenfion of the famous law called Poyning's
Ad; which raifed a popular cry againft him,
at the fame time that, by allowing the lords
and commons to difcufs the propriety of re-
pealing the a6l too freely, he brought himfelf
into difgrace with the queen and privy-council
in
SIR JOHN PERROT. 173
in England ; and an impeachment againfl him
was furthered by the lord-chancellor and the
archbifhop of Dublin ; but, what particularly
efFeded his ruin, was, an unguarded and in-
decent expreffion he let fall fi-om him. Her
majefty, as he thought, had ufed him hardly
in abridging his authority on the reprefen-
tation of his enemies ; and he remonftrated
againil it to the council in very ftrong terms ^
upon which he received fome gentler letters
from t]..em, ** Look ye," faid he, as he read
tliem to the flanders by, " how the queen is
ready to be-pifs herfeif for fear of the Spani-
ards. I am her white boy again." Thefe,
and (uch like fpeeches, were often reported by
his Iccretary to his di fad vantage.
It now appeared, that, at the lord-deputy's
coming into Ireland, he found the north ready
to enter into rebelh'on, and to incite the lords of
Jvlunfter and Gonaught to combine with thena
therein. Thurlough O'Neale was ready to
join with the Iflanders, being brought in by
Sc;l:;bcv ; and they havine brought in with,
them Shane 0'Neale*s {on, to countenance
their caufe and their coming ; and, being
more in number, and better furnilhed, than
formerly, had alfo aid promifed and expcdled,*
which, no doubt, would have fpeedily followed
from Spain if they had found any fuccefs at
firft.
All thefe inconveniences the lord-deputy
had to encounter and prevent at his firft land-
J 3 ing»
174 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
ing, without any provifion againft them >
and yet all thefe perils he overcame within
lefs than ten weeks ; fettled the hearts and
eflates of the good fubjefls, fubdued, or ex-
pelled the bad ; took pledges for all fuch as
were fulpet^ed ; compounded all controverfies
betwixt the great lords ; drew the northern
lords to a compofition for the maintainance of
one thoufand two hundred foldiers, almoft all
on their own charges ; and palTed through the
five provinces within lefs than a quarter of a
year ; notwithftanding the impediments of the
fervices, and the foul weather which almoft
always followed him in the latter part of his
journey.
Thefe fervices feem ilrange to have been fo
fpeedily and fuccefsfuUy performed ; yet is
this truth inconteAably proved: fo that it
iliculd feem, induftry, prudence, and prof-
perity, llrove, at the firft entrance of Sir
John Ferret's government, which fhould gain
him the greateft honour and advancement ;
and how well his fervices were allowed of by
the Queen and orlvy. council cf England, as
fLifo how willing they were to grant his reafon-
able motions, for the better accomplilhment
of the fervices that he intended, appears by a
letter which their lordfhips wrote to the lord-
deputy, which was as full of commendation
and encouragement, though other letters and
meflages were afterwards fometimes fraught
with iharp cenfure and flri«St redraints, both
from
SIR JOHN PER ROT. 17s
from the queen his fovereign, and from others
of her privy-council, either by her direftion
or privity. Such is the fortune of governors,
to be fubjedl unto cenfure !
In the year 1584, the lord-deputy fent and
fet forth certain orders to be obferved by the
jurtices of the peace within their feveral li-
mits through the realm, containing ten arti-
cles ; which, to avoid tedioufnefs, are here
omitted. And alfo, for the farther confirma-
tion of all thefe concluiions, and for the addi-
tion of fome new laws, as for the abrogating
of fome of the old, if neceflity fhould fo re«
quire, the lord-deputy caufed a parliament to-
be fummoned ; in which moft of the nobility
©f that nation, and as many of the fpiritualty
and commonalty of that kingdom, as were
fufficient to fupply all the places of the three
ftates neceffary for the parliament, were there
afTembled..
To this parliamentary a/Tembly, there were
none, of any degree or calling, fuftered to
Gome in any cloaths out of the Englifti fafhi-
ons ; and, although it feemed both uncouth
and cumberfome for fome of them to be fo>
clad, who preferred cuftom before decency,
and opinion before reafon ; yet he conftrained
them that needed conftraint, to come in fuch
civil fort as beft became the place and the fer-
vice : and the better to encourage them, he
beilowed both gowns and cloaks of velvet and
iatten on fome of them, as Turlough, Le~
I 5 nough,
176 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
nough, and others, who yet thought not
themfelves (6 richly, or, at leaft, fo content-
edly attired, as in their own mantles, and
other, their country habits.
Amongft thefe, one, being put into Englifh
apparel, came to the lord-deputy, and be^
fought one thing of him, in a pleafant fort
of humour, as they are moll of them witty ;
which was, that it would pleafe his lordftiip
to let one of his chaplain's, whom he termed
his prieft, accompany him, arrayed in Irifh
apparel; '♦ and then," faid he, " they will
wonder as much at him as they do now at
me ; fo that I ihall pafs more quietly and un-
pointed at.*'
By this it (hould feem that they think, wher>
tney onCc \c2Vt their old cuHom?^ then all mea
wonder at them, and that then they are out of
all frame or good fafhion, according to that fay-
ing, *' They which are born in hell, think
there is no heaven."
In this parliament, 5s the lOiu-Qcpuiy naa
the chief place, fo was he the moil eminent
man that came thither, both in goodlinels of
ftature, majelly of countenance, and in all
things elfe that might yield ornament to Co
great and high a prefence ; for, as they wit-
nefs, who were eye-witnefles of it, they never
beheld a man of fuch comlinefs in counte-
nance, gellure, and gait, as he appeared to be
in his parliamentary robes : and, as aGermaa
lord affirmed, who was at that parliament, he
had
Slx^jdHNPERROT. 177
had travelled through Gerniany, Italy, France,
England, and Ireland ; but yet, in all thofe
countries, never did he fee any man compara-
ble to Sir John Perrot, the lord-deputy of
Ireland, for his porte and inajefty of perfon-
age, whofe pifture this German lord did
much defire to carry with him into that coun*
However, though he received great oppofi-
tions in his government, yetftillhe maintained
the Hate in firm peace ; fo that there was fcarce
any known rebel in Ireland befides O'Donel j
who, being fufpefted becaufe his people began
to play feme bad tricks, and himfelf flood,
upon terms not fitting for him, the lord-deputy
and council entered into confaltation how he
might be apprehended. Some advifed to Cend
forces into O'Donel's country, and to bring
him in by force : but the lord- deputy argued
againil that project, alledging that this could
not be done without an army of two, or
three thoufand men, which would be both ha-
zardous and chargeable ; '* yet," faid he,.
" you lliall give me leave to try one conclufion
which I have in hand; and, if that take not
eifeft, then let us fall to what oiher means we-
can devife for his apprehenfion.''
In confequence of this advice, he ordered a
Clip to be prepared with foip^ wines, and the
captain, being one chofen for the purpofe, he
had command to go into O'Donel's coun-
try, and fail as near his dwelling as he might,
there proffering hia wine to fell,
1. 5 M
i-S BRITISH PLUTARCH.
At his coming into the country, the people
hurried to the {hip, feme to drink, Tome to
price the wines, and all of them, according to
the captain's inftrudions,had what wine they
would drink for nothing, as a tafte ; with this
kind offer, that if O'Donell would come him-
felf, he fhould buy the beft wine at a reafon-
able rate. At length O'Donell came himfelf
to buy fome wines, whom they ufed fo cour-
teouily, that they gave him his full allowance,
and finding the wind fervewell for the purpofe,
which was to return back, and carry O'Do-
nell with them, they flowed him under hatches,
and fo brought him to Dublin. Which to
have been efFeded by force, would, by all con-
jedure, have coft much treafure, if not blood,
becaufe O'Donell at that time was one of the
ftrongeft and moft dangerous fubjefts in the
kingdom, by reafon of his alliance, his com-
mand, and the llrength of his country ; but
by this Uratagem he was brought in without
blows, and his country kept in quiet without
rebellion.
But the lord-deputy finding, that in fpite of
all his fervices the malignity againft him in-
creafed, receiving many nipping letters from
the queen, and fome rellraints againft dealing
in any thing of importance without the con-
fent of the Englifh counfel, he defired no-
thing more than to be removed from his go-
vernment : and to effeft his wishes, he wrote
feveral letters to his bcft friends in England.
^Al length it was obtained, but before he gave
#ver
SIR JOHN PER ROT. 17.9
over his command, it being a troublefome
time, when the Spani(h armada was expelled ;
in the year 1588, he fen t for the chief lords of
each country, requiring them to put in pledges
for the maintenance of peace, and defending
the realm againft foreign invafion ; to which
they all yielded willingly, of atleaft feemingly
fo, and the lord-deputy, to prevent fufpicion
of any miftruft againft them, made them a
fpeech to goodpurpofe, as the time then ftood.
Which began as follows :
" You that are here committed to cuftody
as pledges, and fuch as have put you in for
pledges, I would wifh neither of you to think
that this fecurity is required, fo much in dif-
truft of your particular fidelities, as for the
general quiet of the country, and for the parti-
cular good of yourfelves in a time fo dange-
rous : for if I were in your cafes, or was a
lord of any country in Ireland, I fhould at this
time, rather to be thus bounden than left at
liberty, becaufe whilfl any lord is confined, a^nd
not in his country, if any thing be done amifs
there, he hath the lefs to anfwer for it, &c.&c."
Which pledges, if they had been kept fafe
and carefully (as fome of them, whereof
O'Donell was one, were afterwards fufFered
to efcape) they had been good aflurances for
the quietnefs of the country, and had faved
the lives of many men, and the expence of
J ^ much
iS^o BRITISH PLUTARCH,
much treafure, which was afterwards fpent in
the wars, and by the revolt of thefe men and
many others which did follow, and adhere
unto them. And for conclufion of the lord-
deputy's fervices, a counfellor of Ireland wri-
teth thus, Subjugavit Ultoniam, pacificavit
Conaciam, relaxavit Mediam, ligavit Moniam,,
fregit Lageniam, extirpavit Scotos, refrsnavij:
Anglos,, et hijs omnibus per aeque vedligal
acquifivit Reginse. . .
Now the lord-deputy, leaving all things in
good order, and the country in tranquility,
prepared for his departure ; but before his de-
livery of the fword, he gave unto the city oi
Dublin a fair ftanding gilt bowl (which paf-
fetb from one mayor to another in Dublin,
yearly) with his arms engraven, and a parrot
on the top j about the beak v*'hereof were
written thefe words, " Relinquo in Pace ;"
I leave in peace. Which was well known to
be true; for at the delivery of the fword to
Sir William Fitzvvilliams (who fucceeded him
in the government) he faid thefe words in the
hearing of many honourable perfons, ** Now,
my lord-deputy, I have delivered you the
fsvord, with the country, in firm peace and
quietnefs ; my hope is, you will inform the
queen and the council of England thereof,
even as you find it ; for I have left all in peace,
and pledges fufBcient to maintain the peace."
To whom the nev/ lord deputy anfwered,
*' Sir John Perrot, I muft needs confcfs, that
1 find.
SIR JOHN PERROT. 18
I find the country quiet, and all things here
in good order ; I pray God I may leave it
half fo well, and then I fhall think that I
have done my queen and country good fer-
vice.'* Then Sir John Perrot replied, " My
lord-deputy, I will fay more to you before all
thefe witnelTes, that there is no ill-minded or
fufpected perfon in this kingdom, which can
carry but fix fwords after him into the field,
but if you will name him, and fhall defire to
have him, natwithllanding that I have re-
figned the fword, and with it all my authority,
yet I will (fo you ihall think it i>ecefiary)
fend for any fuch, and if they come not in on
my word, I will loofe the cred'-, and reputa-
tion of all my fervice." To which the lord-
deputy anfwered, " I know you can do t^is^
Sir John Perrot, but there is no ed thereof ;
for all is as vveii as it needs to be, and fo I
confefs it."
After this charge delivered up, and all
xxiiijgs cnc- ^r(_'vivic«a i^i <>u j^-M 1 -fiV^ ? de-
parture- he left Ireland, and it che day of his
departure out -^f Dublin, there w re many
noblemen and gentlemen rame thither to take
their leave of him; amongll whom were old
O'iNeale and Turlough Lenough, in the great
reverence and love they bore him, did not on-
ly come to Dublin to bid him farewel, but
took boat and faw him on (hi aboard, looking
after him as far as ever they could ken the
fhip under fail, and fhedding tears as if they
had
132 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
had been beaten ; the like did others of good
note and name at that time. Alfo a great
number of poor country people came at his
departure ; fome that dwelt twenty, fome
forty miles, or more, from Dublin; and many
of them, that had never feen him before,
ftrove, as he went through the llreets, to take
him by the hand, or to touch his garment ;
all praying for him, and for his long life : and
when he afked them why they didfo, they an>.
fwered, " That they never had enjoyed their
own with peace before his time, and doubted'
they fhould never do {o again, when he wa»
gone."
Such was the love of the countr)'in general
towards Sir John Perrot, that never did any
lord-deputy of Ireland depart thence, witL
more good liking of the commonsj nobility^
and gentry cfthat nation, whereof, and of ail-
that is here written touching his fervices, there,
are divers worthy of credit, who will bear
witnefs thereof,,
So Sir John Perrot having governed four
years, as lord-deputy of Ireland, departed
thence in the year 1588, and failed to his
caftle of Carew in Pembrokefhire ; where he
arrived, accompanied with as gallant a troop,
of gentlemen and ferving-men, as ever fol-
lowed any lord- deputy of his fortv
Thus far of Sir John Perrot's life is taken,
with very little alteration or omiffion, from a.
manufcript, written by an Englifti gentleman,
who
SIR JOHN PERROT. 183
\\howas in Ireland with him during the time
of his government; which manufcript was
firft brought over from that kingdom, about
fifteen years ago. It remains for us to inform
the reader, that ftiortly after Sir John's arrival
in England, a charge of high treafon was ex«
hibited againft him ; in confequence of which
he was taken into cuftody, and for fome time
coniined in the lord-treafurer's houfe ; from
whence, on the twenty-feventh of April 1^92,
he was brought to his tryal before a fpecial
commifTion, and received fentence of death
(after a moft fevere and cruel fcrutiny was
made into his adions, words, and evea
thoughts) by a law, long fmce happily re-
pealed.
The above gentleman feems to have had a great
tendernefs to Sir John Perrot, and therefore draws
a veil on that part of his life, v»'hich he judges too
melancholy to be expofed; and indeed h^ may
well be excufed for not carrying on the hiftory
farther, as from the ;im? of his retirement to
tne iffue of his enemies unwearied malice
(which had perfecuted him fo long, and with
fo much baibarity) his condemnation pafTed
not many months. Though the queen is faid
to have been fo welf fatisned of his innocence,
that being told of his condemnation, fhe cried
out, " Then by my troth they have found
guilty an innocent manj'* or words to that
eifea.
He
i34 BRITISH PLUTARCH.
He was returned to the Tower, where a
natural death foon put an end to all his trou-
bles, and his liberal miftrefs, queen Elizabeth,
bellowed that eftate on his Ton, which an entail
had long before fecurec to him, and which fhe
thought not fit to difpute ; in this indeed more
politic, as well as more commendable than Tome
of her fuccefTors ; though even here, accord-
ing to Cambden, the merit of having married
the earl of Eflex's filler, feems to have been na
inconfiderable motive. We fhall not entcF
further on the charader of this great man,
which has been drawn by fo many able ;ens,
the immortal Cam.bden, Sir Francis Newton,
and David Lloyd.
End of the Fourth Volume,
SEP 1
1930
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