Abridgment of the Book of Acts and Monuments by Timothy Bright, Volume 2 · Book 12 · Account 4 – Account 5
The miraculous preſeruation of Lady Elizabeth, now our moſt gratious Queene of England.
QVéene Mary before ſhe was crowned ſhewed great fauour to the Lady Elizabeth, and would go no whether but would hauehave her by the hand, and ſend for her to dinner and ſupper: but after ſhée was crowned, ſhée neuer ſhewed her any ſuch kindneſſe,The affliction of Lady Elizabeth, our moſt gratious Queene. but kept her ſelfe aloofe from her.
After this, it happened immediatly vponupon the riſing of Sir Thomas Wiat, that the Lady Elizabeth, and the Lord Courtney, were charged with falſe ſuſpition of Syr Thomas Wyats riſing. Wherevpon, the next day after the riſing of Wyat, the Quéene ſent for her from her houſe at Aſhridge, by thrée of her Counſellers, Syr Richard Southwell, Sir Edward Haſtings, then maiſter of the horſe, and Syr Thomas Cornwallis, with their retinue, and troupe of horſemen, to the number of 250: who at the ſame time found her ſore ſicke in her bedde. It was ten of the clocke at night before they came, and they were ſo boiſterous, yt being deſired to ſtay and come in the morning to ſpeake with her, they came haſtelie ruſhing into her Graces chamber, as ſoone as the Gentlewoman, that was to doe the meſſage frō them to her. And comming in vntounto her, they declared the Quéenes pleaſure, which was, that ſhe ſhoulde be at London the ſeuenth day of that preſent MonethMonth. Adding moreouer vntounto her, that their Commiſſion was ſuch, that they muſt néedes bring her with them, either quick or dead. And thereupon called for Phiſitions, Doctor Owen, and Doctor Wendie, and demaunded of them whether ſhe might bée remoued from thence with life, or no. Whoſe anſwere was, that ſhe might.
So in concluſion they willed her to prepare againſt morning at ix of the clock, to goe with them.
On the morrow (at the time preſcribed) they had her foorth as ſhe was, very faint and féeble, and in ſuch weake caſe, that ſhe was readie to ſowne thrée or foure times betwixt them.
So (all ſicke in the Litter) ſhe came to Redborne, where ſhe was garded all night. From thence to Saint Albons, to Sir Rafe Rowlets houſe, where ſhe taried that night, both féeble in bodie, and comfortleſſe in minde. From that place they paſſed to Maſter Doddes houſe at Mimmes. Where alſo they remayned that night. And ſo from thence ſhe came to Highgate: where (being very ſick) ſhe taried that night, and the next day. From that place ſhe was conueyed to the Court.
Now when ſhe came to the Court, her Grace was there ſtraightway ſhutte vp, and kept as cloſe Priſoner the ſpace of a fortnight: which was, till Palme-ſunday, ſéeing neyther King, nor Quéene, nor Lorde, nor friende, in all that time, but onelie the Lorde Chamberlayne, Sir Ioh. Gage, and the Vicechamberlayne, who was attendant vntounto the dores.
The Friday before Palme-ſunday, the Biſhop of Wincheſter, with ninetéene of the Counſel, came vntounto her grace,L. Elizabeth falſly accuſed. from the Quéene, & burdened her with Wiates conſpiracie, and charged her alſo with the buſineſſe made by Sir Peter Carewe, and the reſt of the Gentlemen of the Weſt Countrey. Which ſhe vtterly denied, and cléered her innocencie therein.
In concluſion, they declared vntounto her, that it was the Quéenes pleaſure ſhe ſhould goe to the Tower, vntill the matter were further examined, and then they departed.
Within the ſpace of an houre, or little more, came foure Lordes of the Counſell, which were, the Lorde Treaſurer, the Biſhoppe of Wincheſter, the Lorde Stewarde, the Earle of Suſſex: with the Garde, who warding in the next Chamber to her, ſecluded all her Gentlemen and yeomen, Ladies and Gentlewomen, ſauing that one Gentleman Vſher, thrée Gentlewomen, and two Groomes of her chāber, were appointed in their roomes, & three other men of the Quéenes, and thrée wayting women, to geue attendance that none ſhould hauehave acceſſe to her Grace. At which time, there were an hundred of Northerne SouldiersAn hundred northren ſouldiers watch ye L. Elizabeth. al in white coates, wayting about the gardens all that night, and likewiſe two Lordes watching there alſo with their bands and companie.
VponUpon Saterday folowing, two Lords of the Counſel (the one was the Earle of Suſſex) came and certified her grace, that forthwith ſhe muſt goe vntounto the Tower.
The barge being prepared for her, and the tide now redie, in heauie moode her Grace requeſted the Lords, that ſhe might tary another tide. But one of them replied, that neither tide nor time was to be delayed.
And when her Grace requeſted that ſhe might write to the Quéene, he made anſwere, he durſt not permitte that. But the other Lorde, the Earle of Suſſex, knéeling downe, tolde her Grace that ſhee ſhoulde hauehave libertie to write, and as he was a true man, he woulde deliuer it to the Quéenes Maieſtie, and bring her Grace an anſwere thereof againe, whatſoeuer came thereof.
Whereupon (being not permitted to ſpeake with the Quéene) ſhe wrote vntounto her Maieſtie. On Palmeſunday about nine of the clocke, thoſe two Lordes returned again, declaring, that it was time for her grace to depart. So ſhée tooke her Barge with the two Lordes, thrée of the Quéenes Gentlewomen, and thrée of her owne, her Gentleman Vſher, and two of her Groomes, lying, and hoouering a certaine ſpace vponupon the water, becauſe it was yet dangerous for them to ſhoote the Bridge. At the length, comming to the ſtaires, when ſhe lāded, and comming out of the barge, hauing one foote vponupon the ſtaiers. Here landeth (ſaid ſhe) as true a ſubiect being priſoner,The Lady Elizabeth had none other friends but God. as euer landed at theſe ſtayers: and before thée O God I ſpeake it, hauing none other fréends but thée alone. After ſhée came to the Tower & was impryſoned, the doores were bolted, and forted vppon her.Lady Elizabeth priſoned in the Tower. At which time ſhée called to her Gentlewoman for her booke: deſiring God not to ſuffer her to buylde her foundation vppon the ſandes, but vppon the rocke: whereby all blaſtes of bluſtering weather ſhould hauehave no power againſt her.
Within fiue daies after commeth Stephen Gardiner, the ruler of the roſt, with diuerſe other of the Counſaile, and examined her of the talke that was at Aſhridge betwixt her and Sir Iames a Croft, concerning her remouing thence to Dunnington caſtle.
To whom ſhe ſaid, ſhe remembred that M. Hobby and her Officers, and Sir Iames a Croft had ſuch wordes: but what is that to the purpoſe, my Lord (ſaid ſhee) but that I may goe to mine owne houſes at all times.
That day or there about, diuers of her owne Officers brought prouiſion for her meate: offering, and making requeſt to the Lord Chamberlaine, Conſtable of the Tower, they might ſerue the ſame. Whoſe requeſt, he with great indignation, and threatnings refuſed, ſaying: for that ſhée is a priſoner, ſhe ſhould be ſerued with none other, but ye Liefetenants men.
VponUpon this occaſion, her graces officers made ſute vntounto ye Counſaile, that ſome might be appointed to bring her diet vntounto her: which was graunted, and thereupon were appointed one of her Gentlemen, the Clark of her kitchen, and her two purueyors, to bring in her prouiſion once in a day. And vponupon the ſame ſute of her Officers, were appointed to waite vponupon her Grace, two Yeomen of her Chamber, one of her Robes, two of her Pantrie, and Ewrie, one of her Butterie, and another of her Sellar, and likewiſe, two of her kitchen, and one of her larder: all which continued with her the time of her trouble.
After this ſort hauing lien a whole monethmonth there in cloſe priſon, and beyng very euill at eaſe, ſhe deſired of the Lord Chamberlaine, and the Lord Shandoys, that ſhe might hauehave libertie to walke in ſome other place, becauſe ſhe felt not her ſelfe well at eaſe. This requeſt could not be granted till the next day the Lord Shandoys had obtained of the Counſaile, that ſhe might walke into the Quéenes lodgings: ſo that he and the Lord Chamberlaine, and thrée of the Quéenes gentlewomen did accompany her, the windowes being ſhut, and ſhe not ſuffered to looke out at any of them.
Afterward there was libertie graunted her to walke in a little garden, the doores and gates ſhutte. At which times of her walking there, the Priſoners on that ſide were ſtraightly commaunded not to ſpeake or looke out into the garden, till her Grace were gone away: hauing to that purpoſe their kéepers to waite vppon them for that time.
The L. Chamberlaine harde to the Ladie Elizabeth.During this time, there vſed a little boy, a mans child of the tower, to bring her Grace flowers: who was forbidden any more to do ſo by the Lord Chamberlaine.
The next day as ſhe was walking in the garden, the childe peeping in at a hole in the doore, ſaide vntounto her, Miſtreſſe, I can bring you no more flowers. Whereat ſhée ſmyled, vnderſtanding thereby what they had done.
The fifth day of May the Conſtable was diſcharged of his office in the Tower, and one Sir Henrie Benefield Sir Henrie Benefield.placed in his roome. He brought with him an hundred Souldiers in blewe cotes, which did much amaze her: ſo that ſhee aſked, whether he were of that conſcience or no, that if her murdering were ſecretely cōmitted to his charge he would ſée the execution thereof. They perſwaded her, that God would not ſuffer ſuch wickedneſſe to procéede: ſaying, they knew not what maner of man he was. Well (quoth ſhee) God grant it be not ſo: for thou O God canſt mollifie all tyrānous harts, & diſapoint al ſuch cruell purpoſes, & I beſéech thée heare me thy creature, which am thy ſeruant, & at thy commandement, truſting by thy grace euer ſo to remaine.
On Trinitie Sunday being the 19. of May, ſhe was remooued from the Tower, the Lord Treaſuror beyng then there for the loading of the cartes, and diſcharging the place of the ſame: where ſir Henry Benefield, (being appointed her gailor) did receiue her with a company of rakehels to garde her, beſides the Lord of Darbies band, vntounto whom at length came the Lord of Tame ioyned in Commiſſion with ſir Henry, for the ſafegarding of her perſon,Lady Elizabeth to Woodſtocke. and they together conueyed her grace to Woodſtocke.
The firſt day they conducted her to Richmond, where ſhe continued al night, beyng reſtrained of her owne men: and Benefields ſouldiers appointed in their roomes, on which night ſhe looked for none other but to hauehave béene murthered,Lady Elizabeth in great feare. and paſſed the ſame night in great feare.
Afterwards paſſing ouer the water at Richmond, going towards Windſore, her grace eſpied certaine of her poore ſeruants ſtanding on the other ſide, who were very deſirous to ſée her: whom when ſhée beheld, turning to one of her men ſtanding by (ſhée ſaid) yoonder I ſée certaine of my men, go to them, and ſay theſe wordes, Tanquam ouis. Tāquam ouis.So paſſing forward that night, ſhe was lodged at Windſore at the deanes houſe. From thence ſhe was garded the next night to Maiſter Dormers houſe.
On the morrow her grace paſſing from M. Dormer (where was for ye time of her abode there, a ſtraight watch kept) ſhée came to the Lord of Tames houſe, where ſhée lay all the night, beyng very Princely entertayned both of Knights and Ladies, Gentlemen & Gentlewomen: whereat Sir Henry grunted, and was offended. Wherevnto the L. of Tame anſwered: that he was well aduiſed of his dooings, being ioyned in Commiſſion aſwell as he: adding with warrantiſe that her grace ſhould bée merrie in his houſe.
The next day, as ſhe ſhould take her iourney towardes Woodſtocke, the Lord of Tame with another Gentleman being at tables playing, and dropping vie Crownes, the Lady Elizabeth paſſing by, ſtaied and ſaid ſhe would ſée the game out: which ſir Henry would ſcarſe permit.
After this ſir Henry went vp into a chamber, where was appointed for her grace a chayre, two cuſhions and a foote carpet very faire and princely, wherein preſumptuouſly he ſat,S. Henry Benefield preſumptuous & vnciuill. and called one Barwicke his man to pull of his bootes. When ſupper was doone, hée called my Lord, and willed him, that all the Gentlemen and Ladies ſhould withdraw themſelues, eueryevery one to his lodgyng, maruelling much that hée would permit ſuch a company, conſidering ſo great a charge committed to him. Sir Henry, quoth my Lord, content your ſelfe, all ſhall be voided, your men and all. Nay my Souldiors, quoth Sir Henry ſhall watch all night. The Lord of Thame anſwered, it ſhall not néede. Well ſaid hée, néede or néede not, they ſhall ſo doo.
The next day ſhe was carried to Woodſtocke, where ſhe was incloſed as before in the Tower of London.
At length ſhe had gardens appointed for her walke: but alwayes when ſhée did recreate her ſelfe therein, the doores were faſt locked vp, in as ſtraight manner as in the Tower, being at the leaſt 5. or 6. lockes betwéene her lodging & her walkes: Sir Henry kéeping the keyes and truſting no man therewith. Wherefore ſhe called him her gailer.
After ſhe had bin at Woodſtocke a while, ſhe was permitted by the Counſell to write vntounto the Q. and ſo ſhe did, ſir Henry alwaies at hand to obſerue what ſhe wrote: neither would he permit her letters to be carried, 4. or 5. daies after ye writing thereof, till at the laſt, he deliuered them to one of her Gentlemen. Then about the 8. of Iune, came downe D. Owen, and Doctor Wendie to miniſter phiſicke to her, for that ſhe was ſickly. Whereof ſhe being amended, they returned againe to the Court: making there good report to the Q. of her Graces behauiour, & humblenes towards the Quéenes maieſty: which the Q. tooke very thankfully.
About this time, was there a great conſulting among the B. & gentlemen-touching a marriage for her Grace. Which ſome of the Spaniards wiſhed to be with ſome ſtraunger, that ſhe might go out of the Realme with her portion.
A Lord being there, at the laſt ſaid, that the King ſhoulde neuer hauehave any quiet common wealth in England,The Spaniards are againſt the murdering of Lady Elizabeth. vnleſſe her head were ſtricken from her ſhoulders. Wherevnto the Spaniards anſwered, God forbid that their king, and maiſter, ſhould hauehave that minde to conſent to ſuch a miſchiefe. Frō that day ye Spaniards neuer left their good perſwaſions to the king, that the like honor he ſhould neuer obtaine, as he ſhould in deliuering the Lady Elizab. grace out of priſon.L. Elizabeth deliuered out of priſon. Wherby at length ſhe was happily releaſed from the ſame.
Herevppon, ſhortly after ſhee was ſent for to come to Hampton Court, from her comfortleſſe captiuitie in Wodſtocke, where ſhe was at ſundry times in great daunger of life: firſt through fire, which began to kindle, betwéene the boords, & ſéelings vnderunder the Chamber where ſhe lay: done of purpoſe, as it was credibly thoght, of a knight who was ioyned in commiſſion with Sir Hen. It was thought, and alſo was affirmed of one Paule Peny, a kéeper of Woodſtocke, a notorious ruffian, & butcherly wretch, that he was appointed to kill the Lady Elizabeth, who both ſaw the man oft in her ſight, and alſo knew thereof.
An other time, one of the priuie chamber, a great man about the Quéen, and chiefe dearling of Stephen Gardiner, named maiſter Iames Baſſet, came to Blandebridge, a myle from Woodſtocke, with 20. or 30. priuy coates, and ſent for Sir Henrie to come and ſpeake with him. But ſo it happened, a little before, Sir Henrie was ſent for by Poſt to the counſel, leauing ſtraight word behind him with his brother, that no man whatſoeuer he were, though comming with a bill of the Queenes hande, or any other warraunt, ſhould hauehave acceſſe to her before his returne againe. By reaſon whereof maiſter Benefields brother comming to him at the bridge,God deliuereth L. Eliza. would ſuffer him in no caſe to approch nigh: who otherwiſe (as is ſuppoſed) was appoynted to murder the innocent Ladie.
Her Grace being in the Tower of London, a writ came downe, ſubſcribed with certaine hands of the Counſaile for her execution: but that God ſtirred vp maiſter Bridges the Lieftenaunt the ſame time of the Tower, to come in haſte to the Quéene, to giuegive certificate thereof, and to knowe further her conſent touching her ſiſters death. Wherevppon, the deuiſe (which was Wincheſters diuelliſh platforme) was diſappoynted. Moreouer, during her impriſonment, one maiſter Edmund Tremanie was on the rack, and maiſter Smithwike, and diuers others in the Tower were examined, and diuers offers made them to accuſe the innocent Ladie. Which when ſhée heard of, departing from Woodſtocke, ſhe wrote theſe verſes with her diamond in a glaſſe window. Much ſuſpected by me: nothing proued can be: quoth Elizabeth priſoner.Elizabeth priſoner.
Now departing from Wodſtocke, Sir Henrie and his ſouldiers, with the Lorde of Thame, and Syr Rafe Chamberlaine garding her: the firſt night ſhee came to Rocet. In which iourney ſuch a mightie wynd did blow, that her ſeruantes were faine to hold downe her clothes about her: inſomuch yt her hood was twiſe or thriſe blown frō her head. Whereuppon, ſhee deſirous to returne to a Gentlemans houſe néere there, could not be ſuffered by Sir Henrie, but was conſtrayned (vnderunder an hedge) to trimme vp her head, ſo well as ſhe could.
After this, the next night they came to M Dormers, and ſo to Colbrooke, where ſhe lay all that night, at the George. On which night, all her men were taken from her, ſauing her Gentleman Vſher, thrée gentlewomen, two Groomes, and one of her wardrobe: the ſouldiers watching & warding about the houſe, and ſhe cloſe ſhut vp. This was, becauſe certaine of her Gentlemen and Yeomen (to the number of 60.) came to méete her, and ſalute her.
The next day folowing, her Grace entred Hāpton court, on the backſide, into the Princes lodging, the dores being ſhutte to her, and ſhe garded (as before) with Souldiers. Shée lay there a fortnight at the leaſt, before any body had recourſe vntounto her. At the length came the Lorde William Howarde, who marueylous honourablie entertayned her. And not long after, came the Biſhoppe of Wincheſter, the Lorde of Arundell, the Lorde of Shrewſburie, and Secretarie Peter, whom ſhe required to be a meane for her deliuerie out of priſon. S. Gardiner requeſted her to ſubmit her ſelf to the Quéene, and to craue pardon. Which ſhe ſaid, ſhée would not doe, hauing neuer offended: and that ſhe had rather lie in priſon all the daies of her life: requiring lawe, if ſhe had offended.
The next day he came againe to her, and vſed perſwaſions to hauehave her acknowledge her ſelfe faultie. She againe refuſeth: adding, that it were as good for her to be in priſon with honeſtie and trueth, as abroade, ſuſpected of her Maieſtie. And this that I hauehave ſaid, I wil (quoth ſhe) ſtand vntounto, for I will neuer belie my ſelfe. So Wincheſter, and the reſt (knéeling downe) prayed that all might be forgotten: and ſo departed, leauing her faſt locked as before.
A ſeuennight after, the Quéene ſent for her Grace at ten of the cloke in the night, to ſpeake with her: for ſhe had not ſéene her in two yeres before. So Miſtreſſe Clarentius conducted her to the Quéenes bedchamber, where her Maieſty was. At the ſight of whom, her Grace knéeled downe, and deſired God to preſerue her Maieſtie: ſaying, ſhe miſtruſted not, but ſhe ſhould proue her ſelfe as good a Subiect to ward her Maieſtie, as euer did any. And deſired her Maieſtie euen ſo to iudge of her. To whom the Quéene anſwered, you will not confeſſe your offence, but ſtande ſtoutly to your trueth. I pray God it may fall out ſo. If it doe not (quoth the Lady Elizabeth) I requeſt neither fauour, nor pardon at your handes. Thus her Grace departing, went to her lodging againe, and the ſeuennight after, ſhee was releaſed of Sir Henry her Gaoler. And ſo (being ſette at libertie) ſhee went into the Countrey, and had appointed to goe with Sir Thomas Pope, a Counſeller, and one of the Quéenes Gentlemen Vſhers.
Then there came to Lamheire, Maſter Iermingham, and maſter Norris, gentleman Vſher, Quéene Maries men, and tooke away from her Grace, Miſtres Aſhley to the Fléete, and thrée other of her gentlewomen, to the Tower.
Shortly after God tooke away Gard. Gardiner dieth.her mortal enemy: and after him, other of her enemies dropped away, one after another: and her libertie ſtill increaſed, till at the length, in the MonethMonth of Nouember, & the ſeuentéene day of the ſame, thrée yeres after the death of Gardiner, died Quéene Mary. Queene Marie dieth.Of which Quéene this may truely be affirmed, that before her, was neuer read in ſtorie of any king or Quéen of England, ſince the time of king Lucius, vnderunder whom (in time of peace) by hanging, heading, burning, and impriſonment, ſo much Chriſtian bloud was ſpilled within this Realme, as was vnderunder the reigne of Quéene Marie, for the ſpace of iiij. yéeres to be ſéene.
The vnproſperous ſucceſſe of Q. Marie, while ſhe perſecuted the children of God.
FIrſt, incontinently after ſhe had receiued the Pope, the faireſt & greateſt ſhip ſhe had, called great Harrie, was burned. A veſſel not matchable in al theſe parts of Europe.
Then fel there ſuch a dearth, that her poore ſubiects were faine to eate Acornes for want of corne. Moreouer, Calice was loſt in her time: beſides the ill lucke ſhee had in her childbirth: and her huſband for ſaking her, and in the end her ſhort raigne, euen the ſhorteſt of any King or Quéene ſince the conqueſt, onelyonly excepted king Richard the third.