by the great and admirable applause and affections of all good men from the highest to the lowest of England And declaring his constant resolution for the maintenance of Religion deferred his Coronation till Saint Iames day In the meane time some vnquiet spirits entred into a conspiracy their vaine hopes for aduancing of their Religion failing their designe as is said was to surprize the King and Prince Henry Of forces they presumed meaning to retaine them prisoners in the Tower and with treasures therin to maintaine their intent or to carry them to Douer Castle and there by violence either to obtaine their owne pardons a tolleration of Religion and a remouall of some Counsellors of state or else to put some other proiect in execution To conceale this treason Watson the Priest deuised oathes for secrecie and himselfe with Clark another Priest taught that the act was lawfull being done before the Coronation for that the King was no King before hee was annointed and the Crowne solemnly set vpon his head The other persons inuolued in this practise were Henry Brooke Lord Cobham Thomas Lord Gray of Wilton Sir Walter Ralegh Sir Griffin Markham Sir Edward Parham George Brooke Bartholomew Brookesby and Anthony Coply All which were apprehended and committed The sicknesse being then rife in London the Tearme was kept at Winchester the place designed for their arraignement whether they were conueied vnder strong guard The first brought to triall was George Brooke brother to the Lord Cobham Sir Griffin Markham Sir Edward Parham Brooksly Coply Watson and Clark The inditement was that they had conspired first to destroy the King then to raise rebellion to alter Religion to subuert the State to procure forraine inuasion These their intents they had made known to the Lord Gray whom they intended to make Earle Marshall of England Watson Lord Chancelour Georke Brookes Lord Treasurer Markham Secretary that with the King the Lords also should be surprized in their Chambers at Greenwich and the Lord Maior and Aldermen of London should be sent for and so shut vp in the Tower George Brooke answered that he had commission from the King to doe that he did onely to trie faithfull subiects but being required to shew his Commission hee could produce none Sir Griffin Markham excepting onely the imputation of bloud confessed his offence penitently alledging it was through a discontented minde and desired the Lords to bee a meane to the King for mercy Watson and Clark the former of which confessed that he had drawne all those Gentlemen into those plots like true Roman Priests auerred that they held the King for no King vntill hee was crowned and therefore it could not be treason alledging that Saul was no King till hee was chosen in Mispeh though hee had beene annointed in Ramoth by the Prophet Samuel Neither Ieroboam who in the dayes of Salomon had beene confirmed by the Prophet to raigne ouer Israel vntill the people made him King vpon the foolish answere of Rehoboam making no difference betweene the mediate and ordinary succession of lawfull Kings in Common-wealths established and those which God himselfe extraordinarily aduanced to be scourges to an vngratefull land It was tould them that in England the King neuer dieth that there is no interregnum that the Coronation is but a ceremony to shew the King to the people Two dayes after was Sir Walter Ralegh brought to the barre hee was indited for combining with the Lord Cobham his accuser as it was said in the foresaid designes he pleaded not guilty and so stood for his purgation Hee pleaded for himselfe a long time and with some admiration of men who thought that a man of such vnderstanding would hardly bee drawne into a plot so foule and so foolish yet hee was found guilty and had sentence of death The like iudgement a few dayes after passed vpon the Lord Cobham and Gray arraigned on two seuerall dayes The former was indited for combining with Sir Walter Ralegh and George Brooke to procure forces from the King of Spaine and the Arch-Duke for inuasion the other for ioyning with the foresaid Priests Knights and Gentlemen in their conspiracies Sir Edward Parham was only acquitted by the Iury. Of the rest onely three died Watson Clark and George Brooke Watson had before in Print laid open at large the treasonable practises of the Iesuites and at his death left this suspition on them that they in reuenge had cunningly drawne him into this action which brought him to his end After this the Lords Cobham and Gray and Sir Griffin Markham were by a Warrant to be executed the Friday next But the King inclined to mercy sent at the day appointed a Pardon for them the manner whereof was such as gaue vnexpected ioy to them that looked for nothing but death The Pardon was brought to the place where they were to be executed by Master Gibb a Gentleman so secretly that none present vnderstood any thing thereof Sir Griffin Markham was first brought to the Scaffold erected in the Castle Greene and made himselfe ready for the stroke of the Axe When secretly Master Gibb deliuered to the High Shiriffe the Kings warrant to the contrary who vnderstanding his Maiesties intent tooke backe the prisoner as if he were first to confront the two Lords vpon some seruice of the King and brought him vnto the Castle Hall Then was the Lord Gray brought forth who hauing poured out his prayers vnto God at length kneeling downe for the stroke of death the Sheriffe bad stay telling the Lord that some further seruice was expected of him and thereupon led him likewise into the Castle Hall The Lord Cobham was last brought forth who being in preparation and prayers the Lord Gray and Sir Grâ—ffin were brought backe againe All the three prisoners appearing together on the Scaffold the Sheriffe notified his Maiesties warrant for the stay of the execution At which example of Clemency vnexpected both of the prisoners and spectators there arose great shoutes of the people crying God saue the King The condemned wished that they might sacrifice their liues to redeeme their faults and to repurchase so mercifull a Prince his loue This attempt seemed to be a matter of lesse danger because there appeared neither strength to act the businesse intended nor heads to carry it But our thankfulnesse must appeare to God for our least deliuerances It is certaine by their confessions that a great mischiefe was intended howsoâ—uer they might seeme vnable to effect it And this we may obserue that no treason was euer attempted without a Romish Priest The treasons attempted in England haue that proper and peculiar marke to haue a Priest in the practise CHAPTER XVI NOw I enter vpon a Narration which may fully open our aduersaries to the world wherein appeareth the profundity of malice and cruelty and vngodlinesse and whereby all men may vnderstand by what spirit these men are led The Histories of former times containe no example
deliverance of the Scots Queene but it appeareth that his intention was for himselfe as the Duke Dalva vnderstood it This is evident by that which we haue mentioned out of Catena For Duke Dalva was in some feare that if Queene Elizabeth were overthrowne yet the Kingdome of England might not fall to the Spanyard but to the French So that it was in their intention certainly to be cast vpon the French or Spanyard and here was no reckoning made of the Queene of Scots So that howsoever the pretence was for her deliverance yet there was another thing intended For seeing Queene Elizabeth was excommunicated and deposed if she could once be ouerthrowne then they made no other reckoning but that England would fall to the strongest Now the Spanyard thinking himselfe the stronger sought this prerogatiue for himselfe and therefore he ceased not to raise troubles to the Queene and the rather because he held it a thing impossible for him to recover the Low-Countries vnlesse he had England But because he found it a matter of great difficultie to set vpon England his first enterprise was to set vpon Ireland But when that succeeded not at last with all Forces that might be raised with many yeares preparations he set openly vpon England But these things are to be spoken in order Onely this I premise that we may know from whom all our troubles haue proceeded Many conspiracies brake out one after another vnder pretence of delivering the Queene of Scots To effect this thing Thomas Stanly and Edward his brother the yonger sonnes of the Earle of Darby Thomas Gerard Rolston Hall and other in Darâ—yshire conspired But the sonne of Râ—lston which was Pensioner to the Queene disclosed the conspiracy And they were imprisoned all except Hall who escaped into the 〈◊〉 of Man From whence by the commendation of the Bishop of Ross he was sent to Dumbrâ—toâ— Where when afterward the Castle was wonne he was taken and brought to London where he suffred death Before the Duke of Norfolk was beheaded there were that conspired to deliver him out of Prison The Bishop of Ross at this time a dangerous instrument against England and as dangerous against the Scots Queene for whom he laboured gaue desperate counsell to the Duke that with a choice company of Gentlemen he should intercept the Queene of a suddain and â—rouble the Parliament To shew that this was â—asâ—e he gaue some reasons But the Duke abhorred to heare of that counsell as pernicious and dangerous Sir Henry Percy at that time offred to the Bishop of Ross his helpe to free the Scots Queene so that Grange and Carr of â—ernihurst would receiue her at the borders and his brother the Earle of Northumberland might be delivered out of Scotland But when he was suspected for the inward faâ—iliaritie which he had with Burghly and deâ—erâ—ed the matter a longer time this counsell came to no effect As did also that of Powell of Samford one of the Gentlemâ—n Pencioâ—ariâ—s and of Owen one that belonged to â—he Earle of AruÌ„dell These two vndertooke the same busines also for the Scots Queenes deliverance but the Bishop of Ross stay'd that because he tooke them for men of a meaner ranke then to be â—it for â—hat busines After the Duke was the second time imprisoned many were for this matter imprisoned also The Earles of Arundell Southampton the Lord Luâ—ly the Lord Cobham Thomas his brother Sir Henry Percy Banister Lowther Godier Powell and others were committed who in hope of pardon told that they knew Barnes and Muthers ioyned with Herle in a bloudy practise to deliver the Duke and kill certaine of the Privy Councellers But Herle being the châ—efe in the villany opened the Proiect. When Bâ—rnes was brought before him found Herle to be the accuser he smiling vpon him said Herle thou hast prevented me if thou hadst stayed but one houre longer I should then haue stood in thy place the accuser and thou in my place to be hanged When Iohn Duke of Austria came into government of the Low-Countries he found the States strong The cruelty that the Duke of Dalva and others had vsed was so farre from bringing them into a servile subiection that it rather armed them with resolution to defend their liberties their lawes their religion and their liues Which may admonish great Princes to vse moderation in government for much hath beene lost by crueltie nothing gotten by it but nothing can serue to moderate restlesse spirits such a spirit brought Don Iohn with him into the Low-Countries who beholding the vnlucky ends of them that stroue to deliver the Queene of Scots he notwithstanding sought to worke her deliverance and to marry her and so to enioy both England and Scotland But to hide his purpose the better he made show of a perpetuall Edict for Peace as he called it and for that purpose sent Gastellus to Elizabeth Who throughly vnderstanding the Dukes meaning yet as if she had beene ignorant sent Daniel Rogers to Don Iohn to congratulate for his perpetuall Edict of Peace Albeit she certainly knew that he had resolved to deliver and marry the Scots Queene and in his conceit had devoured the Kingdomes of England and Scotland by the perswasion of the Earle of Westmerland and of other â—ugitiues and by favour and countenance of the Pope and the Guyses And that Don Iohn had a purpose out of hand to surprise the â—le of Man in the â—rish Seas that he might haue a fitter opportunitie to invade England out of Ireland and the North coast of Scotland where the Scots Queene had many at her deuotion and the opposite parts of England as Cumberland Lankyshire Cheshire Northwales had many that as he was informed favoured Popery The truth is Don Iohn of Austria as it was knowne from Peresius Secretary to the King of Spaine being before this carried away with ambition when he was disappointed of the hope which he had of the Kingdome of Tunis practised secretly with the Pope for the ouerthrow of Queene Elizabeth marrying of the Scots Queene and subduing of England That the Pope might excite the King of Spain to warre against England as out of a desire of the publique good Don Iohn before he came out of Spain to goe to the Netherlands did fâ—rward this motion in Spaine what he could and afterward sending Esconedus out of the Netherlands to Spaine did desire to haue the havens in Bisâ—ay whence a Navie might invade England But King Philip happily reserving England as a morsell for his owne mouth neglected Don Iohn as a man too ambitious Queene Elizabeth vnderstood not these things vntill the Prince of Orange opened them to her Don Iohn in the meane time prosecuteth the matter of the marriage with secresie And to dissemble the matter sent messengers to Queâ—ne Elizabeth to hold her with a tale of perpetuall peace but of a sudden brake out into warre and tooke divers Townes and
acknowledge that they who are thus punished â—or their mad tricks may not be accompted Martyrs but yet they will say that these things ought not to belong to the Emperour to punish Iust as the Papists say the punishment of their Clergie belongeth not to the Magistrate I demand then sayth Augustin Whether they thinke that the superior powers ought not to haue care of Religion of punishing false religion The Apostle saith The works of the flesh are manifest which are adaltery fornicatioÌ„ vncleannes wantonnes idolatry witch-craft hatred debate emulation wrath contentions seditions heresies envie murthers drunkennesse gluttony and such like What reason can these men render why it should be justice for the Empeperours to punish Idolaters Murtherers and such and not by the same reason to be like justice in them to punish heretiques When as they are accompted in the same fruits of iniquitie Someruill was found strangled in the prison For feare belike that he might haue discovered moe Ardern being condemned was hanged the next day This is the common end that Priests bring such Gentlemen vnto who are willing to heare them and be perswaded by them The next yeare after for seldome did any yeare passe without some treason some English Gentlemen began to practise the deliverance of the Queene of Scots Francis Throgmorton fell first into suspition by certaine Letters intercepted written to the Queene of Scots As soone as he was committed to prison and beganne to confesse something presently Thomas Lord Paget and Charles Arundell a Courtier secretly fled the land and went into France These men meeting with other devoted to the Roman Religion did much complaine recounting their sorrowes among themselues that the Queene was estranged from them without their fault by the cunning of Leicester and Walsingham that them selues were exposed to vnworthy contumelies ignominies that singular tricks were found out and secret snares laid so cunningly that improvident men will they nill they must needs be intangled in such snares that to remaine at home there could be no safety for them It was thought at this time that some cunning was practised to feele mens affections and that counterfeit Letters were written vnder the name of the Scots Queene and of some fugitiues knowne traytors to the State which Letters might be left in the houses of Recusans and that spies were sent abroad to gather rumors and to catch suspitions Diverse were drawne into snares Among others Henry Earle of Northumberland and his sonne Philip Earle of Arundell was commanded to keepe his house his wife was committed to Sr Thomas Shirly to be kept and Henry Howard the Dukes brother was often examined of Letters sent from the Scots Queene from Charles Paget and from one Mope then vnknowne Some blamed the narrow searching of things and the manner of drawing men into danger Others thought that all the means that might be vsed to prevent the Queenes danger and to saue her life was but necessary And indeed the outragious maliciousnes of the Papists against the Queene brake out daily for by Bookes imprinted they exhorted the Queenes maides and Ladies of honor to doe the same against the Queene which Iudith did against Holofernes The Author of that Booke was not found Gregory Martin was suspected a man learned in the Greeke and Latin tongues and chosen by the Duke to be the bringer vp of his children Carter the Stationer that caused the Books to be Printed was punished for it The Queene that was much traduced for crueltie knowing her owne mildnes and desirous to leaue a good remembrance of her name behinde her was much offended with the Iudges of the Papists apprehended if they passed any cruell sentences against them which might be iniurious to her honor Insomuch that they were forced to excuse themselues by publike writings wherein they protested that the Priests were much more mildly vsed then they deserved that no question of Religion was moued to them but onely of such pernicious machinations against their Country against their Prince whereof they were either found guiltie or by the discovery of others suspected That Campian was never so racked but that presently he was able to walke or to subscribe to his confessions But for Briant who stubbornly denied to vtter by speech or by writing who was the man that wrote these secret things which were found about him to this man meat was denied vntill by writing he would aske it For all this the Queene was not satisfied and therefore she commanded the Examiners to abstaine from tormenting men and the Iudges from punishing And short after she commanded seventie Priests to be sent out of England whereof some were condemned to die all of them were intangled within the danger of the lawes The chiefe of these were Gasper Haywod the sonne of Haywod the Epigrammatist who of all the Iesuites first entred England Iames Bosgraue which was also a Iesuit Iohn Hart the most learned among them with whom Doct Reinolds had conference and Edward Rishton a wicked and vngrateful man who wrote a Booke presently after shewing forth the poyson of a cankred heart against the Queene to whom he owed his life The Lord Paget and Arundell who went into France were narrowly observed there by Edward Stafford the Ambassadour Leiger there for Queene Elizabeth but he could not find out what they practised yet he dealt with the French King that they Morgan and some other English fugitiues who were knowne to be practisers against their Prince and their Country might be thrust out of France But it was answered that if they practised any thing in France the King would by law punish them but if they had practised any thing in England that of such things the King could take no notice nor by law punish them that all Kingdomes were free for fugitiues that it behooued Kings to maintaine their owne liberties That Elizabeth not long before had admitted into her Kingdome Montgomery the Prince of Condie and others of the French Nation and that Segneres Ambassadour of the King of Navarre was in England practising of some things that concerned the French state In the meane time Bernardinus Mendoza the King of Spaine his Ambassadour for England stole fecretly into France fretting and fuming that he was thrust out of England by a violation of the right of an Ambassadour When as indeed he was a man of a troublesome spirit and had abused the reuerend right of Ambassadours by the practises of treason against this State wherein he was He was commanded to depart out of the realme whereas many thought fit that he should haue beene with some severity censured for violating the office of an Ambassadour For he had practised with Throgmorton and others to bring in strangers into England to invade the land and to remoue the Queene And being gently reprooued for these things he was so far from offering to excuse these things with a modest answer that he began to accuse the
shall be thy Nurces In these things we can lift vp our hearts to God and giue him the glory and thankes for all his goodnesse But can our adversaries doe the like whose practises against these noble Princes were wicked and malicious and by God confounded Let men see and confesse the hand of God in maintaining them that maintaine his truth and dishonouring them that dishonour him The next yeare that is An 1585. there was a Parliament held wherein there was in the lower house a Law proposed against Iesuites Which was iudged needfull and accepted of all without contradiction saving only William Parry a welch man obscure of meane fortunes yet a Doctor of the civill Law he spake against that law which then was exhibited and said it was a cruell bloudy law and desperate and pernicious to the English Nation Being required to shew his reasons for that strange opinion of his he obstinately refused so to doe vnlesse it were before the Queenes councell Wherevpon he was committed to prison But after his reasons were heard and his submission made he was againe admitted into the assembly Presently after he was accused by Edward Neuâ—l who chalenged the inheritance of the Neuils and the title of the Lord Latimer as next heire male Edward Neuil charged him for practising the Queenes death This Parry some two yeares before returning out of Italy to the end that he might win favour and credit with the Queene declared secretly to her what Morgan and other fugitiues had practised to her destruction Making semblance to the Queene that he was conversant with them for no other end but onely to search out their secret purposes that so he might the better be a meanes to provide for the Queenes safety Wherevpon the Queene did not easily giue credit to Neuil the accuser Yet she commanded Sr Fancis Walsingham to aske Parry whether he had not dealt with some person discontented and suspected of that matter onely to try the man Which thing being demanded he vtterly denied The foole saw not that by this meanes the Queenes lenity opened a way for him to escape the danger for surely if he had signified that onely for to try the man he dealt with Neuil whom he knew to be a man discontented and suspected as he had foretold the Queene he might haue avoyded the danger but they who in their heart once haue given intertainment to wickednesse and treason though otherwise they be of wit and sharpe vnderstanding are made blind by a iust iudgement of God Now when as Neuil had no witnesse against Parry there was no great difference betweene Parry his word and his But Parry after some sharpe wordes had passed betweene them was imprisoned in the Tower Where he freely confessed thus much In the yeare 1570. said he I was admitted a sworn servant to the Queene I remained devoted to her Maiestie till the yeare 1580. At what time I fell into great danger of my life with great ignominy for he had broken into the chamber of Hugh Hare in whose debt he was and wounded him wherevpon being condemned by law his life was saved by the Queenes pardon after that I liued much vexed in my minde and getting leaue to trauell I went into France and had no purpose to returne because I had given my selfe to the Catholike Religion At Paris I was reconciled At Venice I had communication with Benedict Palmius a Iesuit touching the afflicted Catholikes in England and I signified that I had found out a way to helpe them if the Pope or some learned Divines would avouch it to be a lawfull course He commended this thing as pious He commended me to Campegius the Popes Nuntio at Venâ—ce and Campegius to the Pope I moued that I might come to Rome with safetiâ— Wherevpon Letters of publike credence were sent to me by the Cardinall of Come but these were not large enough and therefore other more large were sent But then was I returned into France Where meeting with Morgan he signified that there was an expectation that I should performe some especiall service to God and to the Catholike Church I answered that I was most ready to kill if it were the greatest subiect of England O but said he and why not the Queene her selfe I said that this also might be easily done so that it might appeare to be lawfull For Watt a Priest whose advise I asked in this matter suppressing the names told me plainly that it was not lawfull and Creighton the Iesuit is of the same opinion teaching that evill must not be done that good may come that God is more delighted with aduerbs than nounes and the thing that is done well and lawfully pleaseth him better then a thing good and that by the destruction of one many soules are not to be redeemed without an expresse commandement of God Yet for all this seeing I had in Italy bound my selfe by Letters and promise I could not goe backe if the Pope did approue it and would grant me a plenary indulgence Which I requested in my Letters to the Pope by Ragazonius the Popes Nuntio in France Who commended the interprise and sent my Letters to Rome Being returned into England I gat accesse to the Queene And all being remoued I opened the whole conspiracy yet hiding many things with as great art as possibly I could She heard it vndaunted vnterrified I departed daunted and terrified Neither can I forget that which she said that no Catholikes were to be brought into question for Religion or for the Popes supremacy so that they carry themselues as good subiects In this time whilst I stayed daily in Court seeking to be preferred with the mastership of S. Katharines I received Letters from the Cardinall of Come wherein the attempt was commended and I was absolved in the Popes name These Letters I shewed the Queene how they did worke with her I know not but with me they wrought so farre that they set a new courage in me to attempt the interprise and tooke all scruple out of my mind yet it was not my minde to offer any force if by any reasons she might be perswaded to deale more gently with Catholikes And to the end I should not commit slaughter alwayes when I had accesse to her I layd aside my dagger So oft as I considered her and her Princely vertues I was distracted by an ambiguous care for my vowes were in heaven my letters and promises with men And to my selfe I revolved these things in my minde She never deserved well of me It is true she pardoned my life but for such a cause to take away my life were tyrannicall Thus not content with my state I departed from Court and I light vpon Doct. Alans Booke written against the iustice of England Who teacheth that Princes being excommunicate for heresie are to be despoiled of their Kingdomes and liues that Booke did very sharply stirre me vp to finish mine attempt I read this Booke
troubles that he in the meane time might the better proceed in his intentions for England These desperate courses drew the Scots Queene into more danger At this time a most desperate and pernicious conspiracy brake out which as by the free confessions of the conspirators appeareth was thus Some English Divines of the Rhemish seminary whilst they seemed to admire as men astonished or rather doting an omnipotency in the Pope did labour to perswade themselues that Pius V. his bull against Queene Elizabeth was indâ—ted by the Holy Ghost and that it was a thing meritorious to kill excommunicated Princes yea and that it was martyrdome to loose their liues in that quarrell Giffard a Doctor of Theologie Gilbert Giffard and Hodgeson Priests did so hammer these devises into the corrupt head of Iohn Sauage who they say was a Bastard that he being heady and bloudy a fit instrument for â—esuites made a vow to kill Queene Elizabeth At the same time they set out a Book for no other purpose but with great cunning to draw the Queene and Councell into securitie and to lay their vngracious plots more deeply and so with more ease to come to that mischievous end they shot at In which Booke they admonish the Papists in England that they practise no hurt to the Queene for that they were onely to vse such weapons as are lawfull for Christians to vse that is â—eares spirituall armour daily prayers watchings fastings against their adversaries this was their â—ox craft And withall they spred a false rumour by their whisperers that George Giffard one of the Queenes Gentlemen Pencionaries had sworne to kill the Queene and for that cause had wiped the Guise of a great summe of money At Easter following Iohn Ballard a Priest of the Remish seminary who had assayed the mindes of many Papists to whom he travelled to conferre with through England and Scotland was now returned into England This man had dealt with Bernardin Mendoza now the ordinary Spanish Ambassadour in France and with Charles Paget for an invasion of England Declaring that now was the fittest opportunitie for that service whilst the military men were absent being then imployed in the Low-Countries A fitter time could never be hoped for as much as the Pope the Spanyard the Guise the Duke of Parma had resolved to invade England to turne the Warres from the Netherlands And albeit Paget had made it evident that as long as the Queene liued the invasion of England would be in vaine yet was Ballard sworne and sent into England to procure all the helpe that might be to the conspiratours and the liberty of the Scots Queene At Pentecost following that silken Priest came into England in a Souldiers habit with a feigned name called Captaine Foscue This man had conference in London with Antony Babington a Gentleman of Darbyshire yong rich wittie and learned aboue the expectation of his yeares and being addicted to the Romish Religion had a little before got into France without leaue Where he had familiar conversation with Thomas Morgan and with the Bishop of Glasco the Scots Queenes Ambassadour These men extolling the heroick vertues of the Scots Queene made to him great ostentation of assured hopes of honor by her meanes to be obtained The ambitious yong man was easily drawne to take hold of that faire glistering estate proposed by them And they were as ready cunningly to set him forward and before he had well thought of the matter they commended him by Letters to the Scots Queene For when he was returned into England she saluted him favourably with her Letters from that time Morgan vsed his helpe in sending Letters to her vntill she was committed to the custodie of Amice Paulet For after that the yong man finding the danger ceased With this Babington Ballard had conference of the things aforesaid But he thought assuredly so long as Queene Elizabeth liued that the invasion of England would come to nothing But when Ballard signified to him that Queene Elizabeth would not long be aliue for Sauage who had vowed to kill her was now come into England Babington thought not good that so great a matter should be committâ—d to Sauage onely least he might be stopped from the enterprise But rather to sixe valiant and resolute Gentlemen in which number Sauage should be one that he might not be condemned for not performing his vow Wherevpon Babington tooke a new course for the invasion touching the ports where the strangers might land and the forces that should be ioyned with them and the delivering the Scots Queene and the Tragick slaughter of Queene Elizabeth as he called it Whilst he was fixed in these cogitations he received Letters by an vnknowne boy written from the Queene of Scots in that familiar character which was vsed betweene them She blamed him but mildly for his long silence and willed him to send her the Packet of Letters sent from Morgan and delivered by the French Ambassadors Secretary Which he did accordingly And by the same messenger sent to her a Letter wherein he excused his silence for that he wanted opportunitie of sending since that she was in the custodie of Amice Paulet a puritan a meere Leicestrian and a most bitter enemy of the Catholike faith He declared what he had resolved with Ballard that sixe Gentlemen were chosen to performe the tragicke slaughter and that himselfe with an hundreth other would deliver her He intreated that to these Heroick Actors so he called them rewards might be proposed or to their posteritie if they should faile in the action The twentie-seventh of Iuly answer was made to these Letters Babington his forward desire of promoting the Catholike Religion was commended He was warned that it might be vndertaken considerately and that nothing be moued before they were sure of externall forces that an association among them might be made as if they feared the Puritanes that some trouble might be stirred in Ireland whilst the stroke might be given here at home that Arundell and his brethren and Northumberland should be drawne to the side VVestmerland Paget and others might be secretly called home The way to deliver her was also prescribed either to overturne a Coach in the gate or to set the Stables on fire or to intercept her whilst she rode to take the ayre betweene Chartley and Stafford Last of all Babington was warranted to vndertake for rewards and to pawne his credit to the six Gentlemen and others Now had he gathered about him certaine Gentlemen inflamed with a fiery zeale of the Romish Religion Of whom the chiefe were Edward Windsore brother to the Lord Windsore a yong Gentleman of a soft disposition Thomas Salisbury of a Knights house in Denbigh-shire Charles Tilney an ancient Gentleman the onely hope of the Familie one of the Queenes Pencionaries whom Ballard had reconciled to the Roman Church both proper yong men Chidioc Tychburn of Hampshire Edward Abington whose father was the Queenes Cofferer Robert Gage
some small Barkes to the next English shore to supply the provision And deuided all his Navy into foure squadrons The first was vnder his owne government the second Drake governed the third Hawkins the fourth Forbisher And he appointed out of every squadron certaine little shippes which on divers sides might set vpon the Spanyards in the night but a suddain calme tooke them and so that advise was without effect The 25 day being S. Iames day S. Anne the Galeon of Portugall not being able to hold course with the rest was set vpon by some small English shippes For whose ayd came in Leua and Didacus Telles Enriques with three Galeasses which the Admirall and the Lord Thomas Howard espying made in against the Galeasses the calme was so great that they were drawne in by boates with cordes and did so beat vpon the Galeasses with great shot that with much adoe and not without great losse they hardly recouered the Galeon The Spanyardes reported that the Admirall of Spaine was that day in the hindmost company and being nearer the English shippes then before was sore beaten with the English great ordinance many men slaâ—e in her her great mast overthrowne And after that the Admirall of Spaine accompanied with Râ—caldus others did set vpon the English Admirall who by the benefit of the winde turning escaped The Spanyardes hold on their course againe and send to the Duke of Parma that with all speed he should ioyne his shippes with the Kings Fleet. These things the English knew not who write that they had iâ—ricken the Lâ—ntern from one of the Spanish shippes the stemme from another and had sore beaten a third doing much harme to her That the non Parigly and the Mary Rose fought a good while with the Spanyards and the Triumph being in danger other shippes came in good time to helpe her Thus it is in battell they who are present and actors report not alwayes the same of the same things each reporting what himselfe observed The next day the Lord Admirall knighted the Lord Thomas Howard the Lord Sheffield Roger Townsend Iohn Hawkins and Martin Forbisher for their valour well imployed in the last fight After this they resolued not to set vpon the enemy vntill they came into the straight of Calis where Henry Seimor and William Winter stayed for their comming Thus with a faire gale the Spanish Fleeâ— goeth forward and the English followed This great Spanish A mado was so farre from being 〈◊〉 invincible in the opinions of the English that many yong noble men and gentlemen in hope to be partakers of a famous victory against the Spâ—nyards provided ships of their owne châ—rges and ioyned themselues to the Englâ—sh Fâ—eet among whom was the Earles of Essex of Northumberland of Cumberland Thomas and Robert Câ—cilles Hâ— Brookes Charles Blunt Walter Raleigh William Hatton Robert Cary Ambrose 〈◊〉 Thomas Gerard Arthur Gorge and other Gentlemen of name The 27 day at even the Spanyardes cast anchors neare to Calis being admonished of their skilfull sea-men that if they went any farther they might be indangered by the force of the tyde to be driven into the North Ocean Neare to them stood the English Admirall with his fleet within a great guns shot To the Admirall Seimor and Winter now ioyne their shippes so that now there were 140 shippes in the English Fleet able and well furnished for fight for saile and to turne which way was needfull and yet there were but 15 of these which bore the burden of the battell and repulsed the enemie The Spanyard as often he had done before so now with great earnesâ—nesse sent to the Duke of Parma to send fortie Flie-boats without the which they could not fight with the English because of the greatnesse and slownesse of their owne shippes and the agilitie of the English shippes And intreating him by all meanes now to come to sea with his army which army was now to be protected as it were vnder the wings of the Spanish Armado vntill they tooke land in England But the Duke was vnprovided and could not come out at an insâ—ant The broad ships with flat bottoms being then full of â—hinks must be mended Vittails wanted and must be provided the mariners being long kept against their wills began to shrink away The portes of Duâ—kerke and Newport by which he must bring his army to the sea were now so beset with the strong shippes of Holland and Zealand which were furnished with great and small Munition that he was not able to come to sea vnlesse he would come vpon his own apparant destruction and cast himselfe and his men wilfully into a headlong danger Yet he omitted nothing that might be done being a man eager and industrious and inflamed with a desire of over-comming England But Queene Eâ—izabeth her providence and care prevented both the diligence of this man and the credulous hope of the Spanyard For by her commandement the next day the Admirall took eight of their worst shippes and dressed them with wild-fire pitch and rosen and filled them full of brimsâ—on some other matter fit for fire and these being set on fire by the ministery and guiding of Yong and Prowse were secretly in the night by the helpe of the winde set full vpon the Spanish fleet as they lay at anchor When the Spaniards saw them come neare the flame shining and giving light over all the sea they supposing those ships besides the danger of the fire to haue bin also furnished with deadly engines to make horrible destruction among them lifting vp a most hiddeous woefull cry some pull vp anchors some for haâ—â— cut their cables they set vp their sailes they apply their ores and stricken with a pannick terror in great hast they fled most conâ—usedly Among them the Praetorian Galeas floating vpon the seas her rudder being broken in great danger of feare drew towards Calis and sticking in the sand was taken by Aâ—ias Presâ—on Thomas Gerard and Haâ—ueâ—â— Hugh Moncada the governour was killed the souldiers and mariners were either killed or drowned in her there was found great store of gold which fell to be the prey of the English The ship and ordnance fell to the share of the governour of Calis The Spanyards report that the Duke when he saw the fiery shippes comming commanded all the fleet to pull vp their ancâ—ors but so as the danger being past every shippe might returne againe to his station And he himselfe returned giving a signe to the rest by shooting off a gun Which was heard but of a few for they were farre off scattered some into the open Ocean some through feare were driven vpon the shallowes of the shore of Flanders Over against Graueling the Spanish â—leet began to gather themselues together But vpon them came Drake and Fenner and battered them with great Ordnance to these Fenton Southwell Beeston Crosse Riman and presently aâ—ter the Lord Admirall Thomas Howard and Sheffiâ—ld came in and all
time was rather spent in taking of booties and friuolous parlies then in any memorable exploit The one looking still for fitter opportunities and the other expecting daily his promised succours from Spaine To spare the shedding of bloud the Queene commanded her Commissioners the Treasurer and chiefe Iustice to conferre with Tyrone who complained of wrongs offered to him by Sir Henry Bagnall Marshall and thereupon exhibited a petition in humble manner containing that himseâ—fe and all his followers might be pardoned and be restored to their former estates that they might freely exercise their Romish Religion that no Garrison souldiers Shirriffe or other officer should intermeddle within the iurisdiction of his Earledome that the company of fifty Horsemen with the Queenes pay might be restored to him in the same state that formerly he had led them that the spoilers of his Countrey and people might be punished and that Sir Henry Bagnall should pay him a thousand pound promised in dowry with his Sister whom Tyrone had married and who was now deceased Others also laid out their grieuances conceiued such were Odonell Brian Mac Hugh ogâ— Mac Mahun and Euer Mac Conly They receiued reasonable answers to their demands But vnto them the commissioners proposed certaine Articles That they should forthwith lay downe their Armes disperse their forces submâ—ssiuely acknowledge their disloialties admit the Queenes Officers in their gouernment re-ediâ—ie the forts they had defaced suffer the Garrison to liue without disturbance make restitution of spoiles tâ—ken confesse vpon their oathes how far they had dealt with forraine Princes and renounce all forraine aid These propositions the Rebels liked not but departed with a resolution to maintaine their owne demands Which moued Generall Norrice aided with the Lord Deputy to march with his Army to Armagh when Tyrone heard of his approach in great perplexity he forsooke the Fort of Blacke-water set on fire the villages about and plucked downe the towne of Dungannon with part of his owne house bewailing his state to be past reâ—ouery The countrey thus wasted and no victuals to be had Norrice set a Garrison in the Church of Armagh strengthned Monahan and proclaimed Tyrone Traitor in his owne territories Tyrone to gaine time presented to him a fained Petition signed with his owne hand cast himselfe downe at the Queenes Pictures feet vngirâ—â—s sword and craued pardon vpon his knees And in the meane time dealt for aides out of Spaine wherein hee preuailed so farre that King Philip sent messengers with capâ—tulations that at a praefixed time hâ—â— would send him a competent Armie to ioyne with the Irish that all conditions of Peace with the English should be reiected and that the Rebels should be furnished with munition from Spaine Hereupon though there was a cessation from Armes he began to hurry and wast the country and burne villages and driue away booties And hauing done this put on the vizard of dissimulation againe sued for pardon which to effect hee sent the Letters of King Philip his promises to the Lord Deputy with the causes of his owne discontents so he shuffled that by his dissimulation or by the negligence of others most part of Connaught and all Vlster were reuolted and in a rebellion In which estate Thomas Lord Burrough was sent Lord Deputy into Ireland he was no sooner arriued but Generall Norrice being crossed at the Court or discontented died as was thought through griefe The Lord Deputy set presently forward to meet with the Rebels whom hee encountred at Moiry and defeating them tooke the Fort of Black-water The enemies seeking to rescue it were defeated by the Earle of Kildare but Tyrone thinking all his hope was gone if he lost that Fort beleaguerd it The Lord Deputy preparing straightway to rescue the place was suddenly taken with sicknesse and died Tyrone lay still before the Fort of Blacke-water for the raising of his siege Sir Henry Bagnall was sent with fourteene Ensignes of the choisest troupes These the Earle met neare to Armagh being most eagerly bent against S â— Henry by his exact care and diligence or by the others negligence he got the victory wherein Sir Henry lost his life the English had not receiued such an ouerthrow since their first setting foot in Ireland 15. Captaines were killed and 1500. Souldiers were routed and put to flight The Garrison of Blacke-water hereupon surrendred and the Rebels were thereby furnished with Munition and Armour and Tyrones glory extolled By this the strength of the rebellion was increased In this desperate estate stood Ireland when Robert Earle of Essex was sent thither Lord Lieuetenant and Lord Gouernour Generall he led twenty thousand Soldiers sixteene thousand foot the rest horse-men as soone as hee came he called a councell touching the affaires It was thought fittest that Monster should bee first cleared of those petty Rebels lying nearest whereupon contrary to his owne opinion and his directions receiued from the Queene hee made first to Monster and cleared those parts though with more losse of time and men then was well liked of the state here from thence he went into Leâ—nster against the O Conars and O Neiles whom he vanquished Thence he sent Sir Coniers Clifford against Orork himselfe taking another way to distract the Forces of Tyrone Sir â—â—niers Clifford was defeated and slaine whereupon the Lord Generall made towards Vlster and came to Louth Tyrone shewed himselfe vpon the hills on the other side of the Riuer And falling vnto his wonted vaine of dissimulation desired a parley with the Lord Lieuetenant but hee reiected it answering that if hee would conferre with him hee should finde hâ—m the next morning in the head of his troupes on which day after a light skirmish a horseman of Tyrones troupes cryed with a loud voice that Tyrone was not willing to fight but to parley vpon peace with the Lord Generall which thing was againe denied The next day as the Lord Lieuetenant was in his march forward one Hagan sent from Tyrone met him and declared that the Earle most humbly desired to haue the Queenes mercy and peace and besought that his Lordship would be pleased to afford him audience which if hee would grant then would he with all reuerence attend at the foord of the Riuer not farre from Louth To this motion at last he consented and sent to discouer the place and hauing a troupe of horse vpon the next hill came downe alone to the Riuer Tyrone attending on the other side as soone as he saw his approach rode into the Riuer vp to the Saddle and with semblance of reuerence saluted the Lord Lieuetenant And hauing had some conference together the space of an houre both returned to their companies after this Tyrone making suit for a further conference the Lord Lieuetenant taking with him the Earle of Southampton Sir George Bourchier Sir Warram Saint Leger Sir Henry Danâ—ers Sir Edward Wingfield and Sir William Constable went to the Foord where Tyrone with his
an heedfull eye yet in outward appearance with but a carelesse and racklesse countenance he presently addressed himselfe to the King in the said priuy Gallery where in the presence of the Lord Treasurer the Lord Admirall the Earles of Worcester Northampton and Salisbury he made his report what he had seene and obserued there Noting that Monteagle had told him that hee no sooner heard Thomas Percy named to be the possessour of that house but considering both his backwardnesse in Religion and the old dearenesse in friendship betweene himselfe and the said Percy he did greatly suspect the matter and that the Letter should come from him The Lord Chamberlaine also told that he did not wonder a little at the extraordinary great prouision of wood and coale in that house where Thomas Percy had so seldome occasion to remaine as likewise it gaue him in his minde that his man looked like a very tall and desperate fellow This could not but increase the Kings former apprehension and iealousie Whereupon he insisted as before that the house was narrowly to bee searched and that those Billets and Coales would bee searched to the bottome it being most suspitious that they were laid there onely for couering of the powder Of this same minde also were all the Councellors then present But vpon the fashion of making the search was it long debated For on the one side they were all so iealous of the Kings safety that they all agreed that there could not be too much caution vsed for preuenting the danger And yet on the other part they were all extreame loath and dainty that in case this Letter should proue to be nothing but the euaporation of an idle braine then a curious search being made and nothing found should not onely turne to the generall scandall of the King and the State as being so suspâ—tious of euery light and friuolous toy but likewise lay an ill-fauoured imputation vpon the Earle of Northumberland one of his Maiesties greatest Subiects and Councellors this Thomas Percy being his kinseman and most confident familiar And the rather were they curious vpon this point knowing how farre the King detested to be thought suspitious or iealous of any of his good subiects though of the meanest degree And therefore though they all agreed vpon the maine ground which was to prouide for the security of the Kings person yet did they much differ in circumstances by which this action might bee best carried with leaâ—t dinne and occasion of slander But the King himselfe still persisting that there were diuers shrewd appearances and that a narrow search of those places could preiudice no man that was innocent he at last plainely resolued them that either must all the parts of those roomes be narrowly searched and no possibility of danger left vnexamined or else hee and they all must resolue not to meddle in it at all but plainely to goe the next day to the Parliament and leaue the successe to fortune which he beleeued they would be loath to take vpon their consciences for in such a case as this an halfe-doing was worse then no doing at all Whereupon it was at last concluded that nothing should be left vnsearched in those houses And yet for the better colour and stay of rumor in case nothing were found it was thought meet that vpon a pretence of Whinyards missing some of the Kings stuffe or hangings which he had in keeping all those roomes should bee narrowly ripped for them And to this purpose was Sir Thomas Kneuet a Gentleman of his Maiesties priuie Chamber imployed being a Iustice of Peace in Westminster and one of whose ancient fidelity both the late Queene and our now Soueraigne haue had large proofe Who according to the trust committed vnto him went about the midnight next after to the Parliament house accompanâ—ed with such a small number as was fit for that â—rrand But before his entry into the house finding Thomas Percyes alleadged man standing without the doores his Cloathes and Bootes on at so dead a time of night he resolued to apprehend him as he did and theâ—eafter went forward to the searching of the house Where after hee had caused to be ouerturned some of the Billets and Coales he first found one of the small Barrels of powder and after all the rest to the number of thirty sixe barrels great and small And thereafter searching the fellow whom he had taken found three matches and all other instruments fit for blowing vp the powder ready vpon him which made him instantly confesse his owne guiltinesse declaring also vnto him that if hee had happened to be within the house when he tooke him as he was immediately before at the ending of his woâ—ke hee would not haue failed to haue blowne him vp house and all Thus after Sir Thomas had caused the wretch to be surely bound and well guarded by the company he had brought with him he himselfe returned back to the Kings Pallace and gaue warning of his successe to the Lord Chamberlaine and Earle of Salisbury who immediately warning the rest of the Councell that lay in the house as soone as they could get themselues ready came with their fellow Councellors to the Kings Bed-chamber being at that time neere foure of the clocke in the morning And at the first entry of the Kings Chamber doore the Lord Chamberlaine being not any longer able to conceale his ioy for the preuenting of so great a danger told the King in a confused hast that all was found and discouered and the traitor in hands and fast bound Then order being first taken for sending for the rest of the Councell that lay in the toâ—ne the prisoner himselfe was brought into the house Where in respect of the strangenesse of the accident no man was staied from the sight in speaking with him and within a while after the Counceâ—â— did examine him Who seeming to put on a Roman-resolution did both to the Councell and to euery other person that spake to him that day appeare so constant and setâ—ed in his grounds as they all thought they had found a new Mutius Scaeuola borne in England For notwithstanding the horrour of the fact the guilt of his conscience his sudden surprising the terrour which should haue strucken him by comming into the presence of so graue a Councell and the restlesse and confused questions that euery man all that day did vexe him with â—et was his countenance so farre from being deiected as hee often smiled in scornefull manner not onely auowing the fact but repenting onely with the said Scaeuola his failing in the execution thereof whereof hee said the diuell and not God was the discouerer answering quickly to euery mans obiections scoffing at any idle questions which were propounded to him and iesting with such as he thought had no authority to examine him All that day could the Councell get nothing out of him touching his complices refusing to answer to any such questions which he thought
might discouer his plot laying all the blame vpon himselfe Whereunto he said he was moued onely for Religion and conscience sake denying the King to be his lawfull Soueraigne or the annointed of God in respect he was an Heretike and giuing himselfe no other name then Iohn Iohnson seruant to Thomas Percy But the next morning being carried to the Tower hee did not there remaine aboue two or three dayes being twice or thrice in that space re-examined and the racke onely offered and shewed vnto him when the maske of his Romiâ—h fortitude did visibly begin to weare and slide off his face And then did he begin to confesse part of the truth and thereafter to open the whole matter Out of his conscience and especially out of the confession of Thomas Winter haue we drawne the praeceding narration The confession of Fawkes was taken presently after his apprehension The confession of Winter was taken the 23. of Nouember before the Lords of the Councell They that were first in the treason and laboured in the mine were Robert Catesby Robert Winter Esquires Thomas Percy Thomas Winter Iohn Wright Christopher Wright Guido Fawkes Gentlemen and Bates Catesbyes man They that were made acquainted with it though not personally labouring in the mine nor in the cellar were Euerard Digby Knight Ambrose Rookewood Francis Tresham Esquires Iohn Grant Gentleman and Robert Keies The newes was no sooner spread abroad that morning which was vpon a Tuesday the 5. of Nouember and the first day designed for that session of Parliament but some of those conspirators namely Winter and the two Wrights brethren thought it high time for them to hasten out of the towne for Catesby was gone the night before and Percy at foure of the clocke in the morning the same day of the discouery and all of them held their course with more hast then good speed to Warwicke-shire toward Couentry where the next day morning being Wednesday and about the same houre that Fawkes was taken in Westminster one Grant a Gentleman hauing associated to him some others of his opinion all violent Papists and strong Recusants came to a stable of one Benock a rider of great horses and hauing violently broken vp the sâ—me carried along with them all the great horses that were therein to the number of seauen or eight belonging to diuers Noblemen Gentlemen of that country who had put them into the riders hands to be madâ— fit for their seruice And so both that company of them which fled out of London as also Grant and his complices met altogether at Dunchurch at Sir Euerard Digby his lodging the Tuesday at night after the discouery of this treacherous attempt The which Digby had likewise for his part appointed a match of hunting to haue beene hunted the next day which was Wednesday though his minde was Nimrod-like vpon a farre other manner of hunting more bent vpon the bloud of reasonable men then of bruit beasts This company and hellish society thus conuened finding their purpose discouered and their treachery preuented did resolue to runne a desperate course and since they could not preuaile by so priuate a blow to practise by a publike rebellion either to attainâ— to their intents or at least to saue themselues in the throng of others And therefore gathering all the company they could vnto them and pretending the quarell of Religion hauing intercepted such prouision of armour horses and powder as the time could permit thought by running vp and downe the Country both to augment peece by peece their number dreaming to themselues that they had the vertue of a snow-ball which being little at the first and tumbling downe a great hill groweth to a great quantity by increasing it selfe with the snow that it meeteth in the way and also that they beginning first this braue shew in one part of the Country should by their sympathy and example stir vp and incourage the rest of their Religion in other parts in England to rise as they had done there But when they had gathered their force to the greatest they came not to the number of fourescore And yet were they troubled all the houres of the day to keepe and containe their owne seruants from stealing from them Who notwithstanding of all their care daiâ—y left them being farre inferâ—our to Gedeons host in number but fâ—rre more in faith and iustnesse of the quarrell And so after that this Catholike troupe had wandred a while through Warwickshire to Worcestershire and from thence to the edge and borders of Staffordshire this gallantly armed band had not the honour at the last to be beaten with a Kings Lieutenant or extraordinary Commissioner sent down for the purpose but onely by the ordinary Sheriffâ— of Worcestershire were they all beaten killed taken and dispersed Wherein ye haue to note this following circumstance so aâ—mirable and so â—iuely displaying the greatnesse of Gods iustice as it could not be concealed without betraying in a manner the glory due to the Almighty for the same Although diuers of the Kings Proclamations were posted downe after these traitors with all speed possible declaring the odiousnesse of the bloudy attempt the necessity to haue had Percy preserued aliue if it had beene possible and the assembly of that rightly-damned crew now no more darkened conspirators but open and auowed Rebels yet the farre distance of the way which was aboue an hundreth miles together with the extreame deepnesse thereof ioyned also with the shortnesse of the day was the cause that the hearty and louing affections of the Kings good Subiects in those parts preuented the speed of his proclamations For vpon the third day after the flying downe of these Rebels which was vpon the Friday next after the discouery of their plot they were most of them all surprised by the Sheriffe of Worcestershire at Holbeach about the noone of the day in manner following Grant of whom mention was made before for the taking of the great horses who had not all the praeceding time stirred from his owne house till the next morning after the attempt should be put in execution he then laying his accompt without his Host as the prouerbe is that their plott had without failing receiued the day before their hoped-for successe tooke or rather stole out those Horses for inabling him and so many of that soul-lesse society that had still remained in the Country neare about him to make a sudden surprise vpon the Kings elder daughter the Lady Elizabeth hauing her residence neare to that place whom they thought to haue vsed for the colour of their treacherous designe his Maiestie her Father her Mother and male-Children being all destroyed aboue And to this purpose also had that Nimrod Digby prouided his hunting-match against the same time that numbers of people being flocked together vpon the pretence thereof they might the easilier haue brought to passe the sudden surprise of her person Now the violent taking away of those horses