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Transcriber’s note:
Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_).
Chapters were framed by a decorative header and, if there
was sufficient space on the final page, a footer, both of
which are indicated here as [Illustration].
Minor errors, attributable to the printer, have been
corrected. Please see the transcriber’s note at the end
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There was no Table of Contents in this text. The following
table was prepared for the reader's convenience.
BOOK I
PHILIP OF SPAIN.
I. HOW A MARRIAGE WAS AGREED UPON BETWEEN MARY QUEEN 1
OF ENGLAND, AND DON PHILIP, PRINCE OF SPAIN.
II. HOW THE SPANISH FLEET ENTERED THE SOLENT SEA. 17
III. OF THE AFFRONT OFFERED TO THE SPANIARDS BY THE 22
LORD HIGH ADMIRAL; AND OF THE PRINCE’S ARRIVAL
AT SOUTHAMPTON.
IV. SOUTHAMPTON IN 1554. 36
V. HOW THE PRINCE OF SPAIN OBTAINED A SIGHT OF SIR 41
BEVIS OF SOUTHAMPTON AND HIS HORSE ARUNDEL, OF
THE GIANT ASCAPART, THE PRINCESS JOSYAN, KING
CANUTE, AND ANOTHER NOTABLE PERSONAGE.
VI. WHAT PASSED BETWEEN MASTER RODOMONT BITTERN AND 48
THE PRINCE.
VII. THE DEVOTEE IN THE CHAPEL OF THE DOMUS DEI. 53
VIII. OF THE MURTHEROUS ATTACK MADE UPON THE PRINCE IN 60
THE COURT OF THE HOSPITAL.
IX. DERRICK CARVER. 67
X. THE MEETING AT THE GUILDHALL. 71
XI. OF PHILIP’S PUBLIC DISEMBARKATION AT SOUTHAMPTON. 77
XII. HOW THE PRINCE HEARD HIGH MASS IN HOLYROOD CHURCH; 85
AND HOW HE ONCE MORE BEHELD SIR BEVIS AND HIS
COMPANIONS.
XIII. THE ABBESS OF SAINT MARY. 90
XIV. FATHER ALFONSO DE CASTRO. 98
XV. THE FRENCH AMBASSADOR. 102
XVI. THE EXAMINATION. 105
BOOK II
THE ROYAL NUPTIALS.
I. OLD WINCHESTER FROM SAINT CATHERINE’S HILL. 110
II. SAINT CATHERINE’S CHAPEL. 117
III. HOW THE PRINCE OF SPAIN RODE FROM SOUTHAMPTON TO 124
WINCHESTER; HOW HE HEARD HIGH MASS AT THE
CATHEDRAL, AND VISITED THE QUEEN PRIVATELY AT
WOLVESEY CASTLE.
IV. OF THE PUBLIC MEETING BETWEEN THE ROYAL PAIR. 130
V. HOW THE ROYAL NUPTIALS WERE CELEBRATED IN 136
WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL.
VI. HOW PHILIP, WITH FOUR-AND-TWENTY NOBLE GUESTS, 142
DINED AT ARTHUR’S ROUND TABLE IN WINCHESTER
CASTLE; AND HOW THE FEAST ENDED.
VII. OF PHILIP’S PUBLIC ENTRY INTO LONDON. 147
VIII. HOWING HOW CONSTANCE TYRRELL EMBRACED THE REFORMED 153
FAITH.
IX. IN WHAT MANNER CONSTANCE FLED FROM HAMPTON COURT 159
PALACE.
X. WHERE CONSTANCE FOUND A PLACE OF REFUGE. 164
XI. HOW CONSTANCE’S RETREAT WAS DISCOVERED. 171
BOOK III
LAMBETH PALACE.
I. HOW CARDINAL POLE ARRIVED IN ENGLAND, AND HOW HE 180
WAS WELCOMED BY THE KING AND QUEEN.
II. OF THE RECONCILIATION OF THE REALM WITH THE SEE OF 189
ROME.
III. OF THE EVENTS THAT FOLLOWED THE RESTORATION OF THE 194
PAPAL AUTHORITY.
IV. OF THE UNCEREMONIOUS VISIT PAID BY THEIR MAJESTIES 206
TO CARDINAL POLE AT LAMBETH PALACE.
V. BISHOP BONNER. 212
VI. HOW CONSTANCE TYRRELL WAS BROUGHT BEFORE THE QUEEN 218
IN THE LOLLARDS’ TOWER.
VII. AN ACCUSER. 223
VIII. HOW THE QUEEN CONFIDED HER GRIEFS TO THE CARDINAL. 229
IX. THE FRANCISCAN. 234
X. OF THE COUNSEL GIVEN TO OSBERT CLINTON BY THE 239
CARDINAL.
XI. HOW CONSTANCE PASSED HER TIME IN LAMBETH PALACE. 243
XII. HOW THE CARDINAL VISITED DERRICK CARVER IN HIS 247
CELL IN THE LOLLARDS’ TOWER.
XIII. HOW DERRICK CARVER FULFILLED HIS PROMISE. 255
BOOK IV
SMITHFIELD.
I. HOW A SOLEMN PROCESSION WAS FORMED AT SAINT 260
PAUL’S, AND SET FORTH TOWARDS SMITHFIELD.
II. THE HALT AT NEWGATE. 265
III. SMITHFIELD IN THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY. 268
IV. WHAT PASSED IN SAINT BARTHOLOMEW’S CHURCH. 272
V. THE PROTO-MARTYR OF THE PROTESTANT CHURCH. 278
BOOK V
THE INSURRECTION.
I. WHAT PASSED BETWEEN OSBERT AND CONSTANCE IN THE 283
SACRISTY.
II. HOW FATHER ALFONSO INTERPOSED IN CONSTANCE’S 287
BEHALF.
III. HOW OSBERT WAS INDUCED TO JOIN A CONSPIRACY. 292
IV. WHAT PHILIP HEARD WHILE CONCEALED BEHIND THE 294
ARRAS.
V. HOW THE QUEEN CONSULTED WITH THE CARDINAL. 304
VI. OF THE MIDNIGHT MEETING IN THE CRYPT BENEATH THE 308
CHAPTER-HOUSE.
VII. IN WHAT MANNER THE OUTBREAK COMMENCED. 316
VIII. HOW THE INSURGENTS PROCEEDED TO LAMBETH PALACE. 322
BOOK VI
THE LEWES MARTYR.
I. OF THE PARTING BETWEEN DERRICK CARVER AND 329
CONSTANCE.
II. HOW DERRICK CARVER WAS TAKEN TO LEWES. 334
III. HOW DERRICK CARVER WAS PLACED IN A VAULT BENEATH 339
THE STAR INN AT LEWES.
IV. THE PROCESSION TO THE CALVARY. 347
V. HOW CAPTAIN BRAND SOUGHT TO CAPTURE THE 352
CONSPIRATORS.
VI. THE MARTYRDOM OF DERRICK CARVER. 357
BOOK VII
THE TREASURE-CHESTS.
I. THE LOVES OF OG AND LILIAS. 361
II. OF THE MEETING BETWEEN OG AND LILIAS ON 368
TOWER-GREEN.
III. BY WHOM THE WEDDING BREAKFAST WAS INTERRUPTED. 373
IV. HOW THE TREASURE-CHESTS WERE CARRIED TO TRAITORS’ 377
GATE.
V. SHOWING WHO WAS CONCEALED IN THE JEWEL HOUSE. 382
VI. HOW THE PLOT WAS DISCOVERED BY XIT, AND DISCLOSED 385
BY HIM TO MAGOG.
VII. HOW THE CONSPIRATORS WENT IN AT TRAITORS’ GATE BUT 389
CAME NOT OUT AGAIN.
BOOK VIII
CONSTANCE TYRRELL.
I. OF THE IMPORTANT DISPATCH RECEIVED FROM THE 398
EMPEROR BY PHILIP.
II. HOW SIR HENRY BEDINGFELD CAME FOR OSBERT’S 406
DEATH-WARRANT; AND WHAT HE OBTAINED.
III. TWO LIGHTS EXTINGUISHED. 412
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Illustration: OSBERT CLINTON DEFEATS HIS ROYAL OPPONENT.
P. 188.]
CARDINAL POLE
Or
The Days of Philip and Mary
An Historical Romance
by
WILLIAM HARRISON AINSWORTH
With Illustrations by Frederick Gilbert.
London
George Routledge and Sons
Broadway, Ludgate Hill
New York: 416 Broome Street
1880
------------------------------------------------------------------------
BY W. HARRISON AINSWORTH.
_Uniform with this Volume._
----------
THE TOWER OF LONDON. │THE MISER’S DAUGHTER.
WINDSOR CASTLE. │JACK SHEPPARD.
ROOKWOOD. │BOSCOBEL; OR, THE ROYAL OAK.
THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. │OVINGDEAN GRANGE; A TALE OF
│ THE SOUTH DOWNS.
GUY FAWKES. │THE SPENDTHRIFT; A TALE.
SAINT JAMES’S; OR, THE COURT │THE STAR CHAMBER.
OF QUEEN ANNE. │
OLD SAINT PAUL’S; A TALE OF │PRESTON FIGHT; OR, THE
THE PLAGUE AND THE FIRE. │ INSURRECTION OF 1715.
CRICHTON. │THE MANCHESTER REBELS; OR, THE
│ FATAL ’45.
THE FLITCH OF BACON; OR, THE │THE CONSTABLE OF THE TOWER.
CUSTOM OF DUNMOW. │
MERVYN CLITHEROE. │THE LORD MAYOR OF LONDON.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
INSCRIBED
TO
My Friend
EDWARD WATKIN EDWARDS, ESQ.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Illustration]
CARDINAL POLE.
-------------------------------------------
BOOK I.
----------
PHILIP OF SPAIN.
-------------------------------------------
CHAPTER I.
HOW A MARRIAGE WAS AGREED UPON BETWEEN MARY QUEEN OF ENGLAND, AND DON
PHILIP, PRINCE OF SPAIN.
No sooner was Mary, eldest daughter of Henry VIII., securely seated on
the throne left vacant by the premature death of her brother, Edward
VI., than the Emperor Charles V., already related to her through his
aunt, Katherine of Aragon, determined to bring about a marriage between
the Queen of England and his son Philip. By the accomplishment of this
project, which had been conceived by the Emperor during Edward’s last
illness, the preponderance obtained in Europe by the House of Austria
would be largely increased, and Charles’s dream of universal dominion
might eventually be realised.
Philip, who was then a widower—his wife, Doña Maria, Princess of
Portugal, having died in 1545, in giving birth to a son, the unfortunate
Don Carlos—readily acquiesced in his father’s scheme, as he fully
recognised the vast importance of the match, and Mary alone had to be
consulted. But little apprehension could be entertained of her refusal.
All the advantages were on the Prince’s side. Eleven years younger than
the Queen, who was then thirty-eight, Philip was not merely in the very
flower of manhood, but extremely handsome, and, as heir to a mighty
monarchy, unquestionably the greatest match in Europe. No princess,
however exalted, on whom he deigned to smile, would refuse him her hand.
But there were difficulties in the way of the projected alliance, only
to be overcome by prudential management. For many reasons the match was
certain to be obnoxious to the English nation, which would not
unnaturally be apprehensive of being brought under a foreign yoke.
Neither was the Queen altogether her own mistress. Governed by her
council—especially by the Lord Chancellor, Gardiner—she could not act in
contradiction to their decisions; and some of her ministers would
infallibly be hostile to the alliance. However, the Emperor did not
despair of silencing the objectors. Neither treasure nor pains should be
spared to effect his darling scheme.
The moment, however, for entering upon public negotiations of the
marriage had not yet arrived. The realm was still agitated by
Northumberland’s abortive attempt to seize the crown for his
daughter-in-law, the unfortunate Lady Jane Grey; religious dissensions
prevailed, rendering the meditated re-establishment of the old worship
extremely hazardous; while the violent opposition certain to be
experienced from the whole Protestant party, might intimidate the Queen
and deter her from following her own inclinations.
Proceeding with the caution required by the circumstances, the Emperor
enjoined his ambassador at the English court, Simon Renard, a man of
great subtlety, in whom he had entire confidence, to sound the Queen
warily as to the marriage, but not to propose it to her formally until
assured of her assent. Acting upon these instructions, Renard soon
discovered that Mary’s affections were fixed on her young kinsman,
Courtenay, Earl of Devonshire, who had been long held captive in the
Tower during the reign of Edward, and whom she herself had liberated on
her accession. The wily ambassador instantly set to work to undo this
knot, and by his machinations succeeded in convincing the Queen that the
indiscreet and fickle young Earl was wholly undeserving of her regard,
as he had become enthralled by the superior fascinations of her sister
Elizabeth. Courtenay was therefore quickly discarded.
But another obstacle arose, which Renard had not foreseen. Ashamed of
the weakness she had just exhibited, the Queen began seriously to think
of uniting herself with Cardinal Pole, at that time attainted with
treason by an act passed in the reign of Henry VIII., and banished from
the realm. Regarding the Cardinal, she said, with feelings akin to
veneration, and owing him reparation for the many and grievous injuries
he had endured from her father, she would make him amends by bestowing
upon him her hand. As he was only a cardinal deacon, a dispensation for
his marriage with her could be easily procured from the Pope. She would
implore his Holiness to grant her request, and to send Pole as legantine
ambassador to England, when the nuptials might be solemnised. The union
was sure to meet with the approval of the Holy See, which would perceive
in it an earnest of the complete return of the realm to obedience to the
Church. Renard did not attempt to dissuade the Queen from her design,
feeling his efforts would then only be thrown away, and might serve to
confirm her in her purpose, but contented himself with acquainting the
Emperor with her Majesty’s design, suggesting that Pole should be
detained until after the marriage which they sought to bring about
should have taken place.
The hint was not lost upon Charles. At the hazard of incurring the
displeasure of the Sovereign Pontiff, Julius III., he determined to
prevent the Cardinal from passing into England.
No man of his time possessed higher and nobler qualities than the
illustrious Reginald Pole. Sanctity of manners, erudition, wisdom,
eloquence, combined to render him one of the most shining lights of the
age. Devout without bigotry, tolerant, strictly conscientious, and
pure-minded, he was utterly free from debasing passions. Guile and
hypocrisy formed no part of his character. Self-denying, abstinent, and
laborious, he was ever generous and charitable. Descended from the royal
house of York, his mother being Margaret, Countess of Salisbury daughter
of the Duke of Clarence, brother to Edward IV., Pole attached no undue
importance to this adventitious circumstance, but maintained an almost
apostolic meekness of deportment. At the advanced period of life he had
attained at the period of our history, his looks were in the highest
degree venerable and impressive, offering a complete index to his
character. A master of the Latin language, which he spoke and wrote with
facility and classical elegance, he had delighted in earlier years in
the Greek poets and philosophers, but of late had confined his studies
wholly to theology. At one time he had enjoyed the favour of Henry
VIII., who was fully alive to his great merits, but he incurred the
displeasure of the tyrant by the bold opinions he delivered as to the
injustice of Katherine of Aragon’s divorce and the King’s marriage with
Anne Boleyn. This opposition to his will was never forgiven by the
implacable monarch, and unable to get Pole, who had taken refuge in
Italy, into his power, he deprived him of his benefice and possessions,
declared him guilty of high treason, laid a price on his head, and
sought to procure his assassination. At last, unable to accomplish his
fell purpose, Henry wreaked his vengeance on the Cardinal’s mother, the
venerable Countess of Salisbury—the last of the whole blood of the royal
line of Plantagenet—on his brother Henry Pole, Lord Montague, Sir Edward
Nevil, Sir Nicholas Carew, and other of his friends, all of whom were
attainted of high treason, and brought to the block. The slaughter of
the aged and unoffending Countess, who was only put to death because she
was Pole’s mother, is perhaps the deepest stain on Henry’s character.
These wholesale murders deeply afflicted Pole, and cast a gloom over the
rest of his days; but he did not cry out for vengeance upon the
perpetrator of the foul crimes, knowing that Heaven would requite him in
due season. That the snares spread by the tyrant had failed to catch
him—that the daggers aimed at his breast had been turned aside—convinced
him he had work to do for which he was miraculously preserved. So he
resigned himself to the heavy calamity that had befallen him, but though
there was no show of grief on his countenance, the deep-seated wound in
his heart never healed. Raised to the Purple by Paul III., on the death
of that Pontiff, in 1549 (five years before the date of our history),
the eminent and virtuous Cardinal appeared the most fitting person in
the conclave to assume the tiara, and, in spite of the intrigues against
him, he was elected to the Pontifical throne; but when the news was
brought him at a late hour, he modestly bade the messengers wait till
the morrow, and his answer being construed into a refusal, another
election took place, when the choice fell upon Cardinal del Monte, who
took the title of Julius III.
This occurrence caused a little disappointment to Pole. He retired to
the Benedictine convent of Maguzano, on the margin of the Lago di Garda,
where he was visited by Commendone, a secret envoy from the Pope to
England, and made acquainted by this discreet messenger with the Queen’s
gracious intentions towards him. But with characteristic humility he
declined them, alleging that, apart from any other considerations, his
age and infirmities forbade him to think of marriage. Her majesty,
however, he added, might count upon his zealous assistance in the great
work she had before her, and the rest of his life should be devoted to
her service.
Appointed legate from the Holy See to the Queen of England, the Emperor,
and Henri II., King of France, with full powers and credentials, Pole
set forth on his mission, but by the Emperor’s order he was stayed at
Dillinghen on the Danube. After some delay, he was suffered to proceed
as far as Brussels, where he received a letter from Mary, telling him
that matters were not yet ripe for his advent, and that his appearance
in England might lead to a religious war. The Emperor also peremptorily
enjoined him to remain where he was, but assigned no reason for the
mandate.
Anxious to obtain some explanation, Pole besought an interview with
Charles, which, at last, was reluctantly accorded. When the Bishop of
Arras brought him word that his Imperial Majesty would receive him,
alleging some excuse for the delay, Pole replied, “Truly, I find it more
easy to obtain access to Heaven in behalf of the Emperor, than to have
access to the Emperor himself, for whom I daily pray.” The Cardinal
gained nothing by the interview, and could not even learn the cause of
his detention. Charles feigned anger, and taxing Pole with unnecessary
impatience, reiterated his orders to him not to leave Brussels.
Having secured Pole, who he fancied might interfere with his plans if
suffered to go into England, the Emperor wrote to the Queen, expressing
his entire approval of her rejection of Courtenay, and hypocritically
regretting that the Cardinal’s extraordinary indifference to worldly
honours rendered him insensible to the great dignity she designed for
him, concluded by offering her his son.
The proposal was well timed, Mary being in the mood to receive it. She
did not waste much time in consideration, but sent for Renard, who was
fully prepared for the summons, and saw at once by the Queen’s looks
that his point was gained. She entered upon the business in a very
straightforward manner, told him that, having always regarded the
Emperor as a father, since his Majesty had graciously deigned to choose
a husband for her, she should not feel at liberty to reject the
proposal, even if it were not altogether agreeable to her. So far,
however from that being the case, no one could please her better than
the Prince of Spain. She, therefore, charged his excellency to acquaint
the Emperor that she was ready in all things to obey him, and thanked
him for his goodness. Thereupon, she dismissed Renard, who hastened to
communicate the joyful intelligence to his imperial master.
But though the Queen had been thus won, much yet remained to be
accomplished, and all Renard’s skill was required to bring the affair on
which he was engaged to a triumphant issue.
Informed of the proposal of marriage which their royal mistress had
received from the Prince of Spain, the council, with the exception of
the old Duke of Norfolk, the Earl of Arundel, and Lord Paget, arrayed
themselves against it; and Gardiner, who had supported Courtenay,
earnestly remonstrated with Mary, showing her that the alliance would be
distasteful to the country generally, would alienate many of her
well-disposed subjects, and infallibly involve her in a war with France.
Finding it, however, vain to reason with her, or oppose her will—for she
was as firm of purpose as her royal sire—the Chancellor desisted, and
being really solicitous for the welfare and safety of the realm,
proceeded to frame such a marriage-treaty as should ensure the
government from all danger of Spanish interference, and maintain
inviolate the rights and liberties of the people.
So much obloquy having been heaped upon the memory of this great prelate
and statesman, it is right that his conduct in this important
transaction, and the care taken by him to guard the country from foreign
intervention, should be clearly understood. That Bishop Gardiner was
subsequently led into acts of unjustifiable severity towards the
adherents of the new doctrines, and became one of the chief instruments
in the terrible persecution of the Protestant martyrs, cannot be denied.
But it should be borne in mind, that he himself had suffered much for
his religious opinions, and the harshness and injustice with which he
had been treated in the late reign, chiefly at the instigation of his
enemy, Cranmer, the sequestration of his revenues, and long imprisonment
in the Tower, had not tended to soften his heart. Neither side when in
power showed much pity for its opponents. But whatever judgment may be
formed of Gardiner’s acts towards the Protestant party, and his desire
to extirpate heresy and schism by fire and blood, it must be conceded
that he was one of the ablest statesmen of the day, and that Mary was
singularly fortunate in choosing him for her chancellor and prime
minister. He speedily replenished an exhausted treasury, repealed
obnoxious taxes, and conducted the administration of the kingdom with so
much zeal and ability, that, making himself both feared and respected,
he obtained the greatest influence at home and abroad. The best proof of
his capacities is to be found in the confusion that reigned after his
death, and the impossibility on the moment of finding an adequate
successor. Even Cardinal Pole, who was by no means favourably disposed
towards him, declared that, as a minister, his loss was irreparable.
All-powerful as he was in the government, and high as he stood in the
Queen’s favour, Gardiner was not free from jealousy and distrust, and
Pole’s appointment as legate from the Holy See to England filled him
with uneasiness lest he should be superseded on the Cardinal’s arrival.
Like the Emperor, he did not give that lowly-minded man entire credit
for disinterestedness and disdain of worldly honours. Persuading his
royal mistress that the legate’s presence in the kingdom at a juncture
when nothing was settled, would be fraught with infinite peril to
herself and to the Church, Gardiner induced her to write to Pole to
delay his coming to a more convenient season; and her letter furnished
the Emperor with a plausible pretext for continuing to detain Pole at
Brussels.
Obviously it was Charles’s interest to win over Gardiner, who, if so
minded, might unquestionably mar the marriage-project, even though it
had gone thus far, and Renard was, therefore, instructed to spare no
pains, and to hesitate at no promises calculated to propitiate the
Chancellor. By the wily arts of the imperial ambassador, a certain
understanding was arrived at with Gardiner, who thenceforward withdrew
his opposition, and warmly promoted the match; satisfied he could do so
without sacrificing the interests of the country. The concurrence of
others was procured by promises of pensions and gifts, and Charles V.
remitted the vast sum of four hundred thousand crowns of the sun to his
ambassador for this purpose.
Matters, therefore, being in good train, an extraordinary embassy,
consisting of the Counts D’Egmont and Lalain, the Lord of Courrières,
and the Sieur de Nigry, were despatched by the Emperor to the English
Court, to demand formally the Queen’s hand in marriage. In anticipation
of their arrival, a treaty was prepared by Gardiner, its terms having
been already discussed with Renard.
The chief stipulations of this treaty were, that the government of the
realm should remain, as heretofore, absolutely and entirely with the
Queen, so that, although Philip would have the name of King, he would
have no regal authority whatever, and no power to dispose of lands,
offices, revenues, and benefices. Spaniards were to be strictly excluded
from the government, and from all court offices. The Queen could not be
taken out of her kingdom save at her own desire. A jointure of sixty
thousand pounds a year, secured on lands in Spain and the Netherlands,
was to be settled on her Majesty by Philip. If there should be no issue,
and Philip should survive his consort, he engaged to make no claim to
the succession. The crown was to descend as provided by the laws of the
country. A perpetual league was agreed upon between England and Spain,
and the league already subsisting between the former country and France
was not to be disturbed.
These conditions, insisted upon by Gardiner, and submitted to by the
imperial ambassador, were, it must be owned, sufficiently advantageous
to England. Count D’Egmont and his companions returned with the treaty
to the Emperor, who was well enough content with it, being determined to
obtain the throne of England for his son at any price.
So far all had gone tolerably smoothly, but a storm was brewing, and
soon afterwards burst forth, threatening to dash to pieces this
well-planned fabric.
Amongst the powers dissatisfied with the projected match, the most
adverse to it was France. Henri II., the reigning monarch of that
country, and the Emperor’s inveterate foe, had already secured the
youthful Queen of Scotland, Mary Stuart, for his eldest son; but the
union between Philip and the Queen of England would be more than a
counterpoise to his own anticipated aggrandisement. At all hazards,
Henri was determined to thwart the alliance.
He therefore secretly instructed his ambassador at the English court,
Antoine de Noailles, whose genius for intrigue eminently qualified him
for the task, to stir up a revolt among the discontented nobles, the
object of which should be to depose Mary, and place the Princess
Elizabeth on the throne. De Noailles was authorised to assure all such
as entered into the plan, that France and Scotland would lend them aid.
By this adroit intriguer’s machinations, aided by those of the Venetian
ambassador, an extensive conspiracy was soon formed to oppose Philip’s
landing, to marry Courtenay to the Princess Elizabeth, and proclaim them
King and Queen of England. Already indisposed to the match, the people
were easily set violently against it. Every imputation that could be
cast upon Philip and on the Spanish nation, was employed by the
conspirators to excite the popular animosity. An army of imperialists,
it was asserted, was about to invade the English shores and enslave the
people. The terrible Inquisition would be introduced into the country,
and atrocities worse than those committed by Torquemada, the first
inquisitor-general, who burnt eight thousand, eight hundred heretics and
Jews, would be perpetrated. By such representations as these, aided by
the undisguised hostility of the Protestant party, the nation became
greatly disturbed, and an insurrection seemed imminent.
The Duke of Suffolk, father of Lady Jane Grey, with his brothers, the
Lords John and Thomas Grey, entered into the plot. Courtenay, dazzled by
the prospect of a crown and the hope of wedding Elizabeth, engaged to
put himself at the head of the rebels, but, as the hour approached, he
shrunk from the perilous enterprise, and confessed the design to
Gardiner. Thus betrayed, the conspirators were obliged to precipitate
their plans, which were not intended to have been put into execution
till the arrival of Philip. A rising was attempted at Exeter by Sir
Peter Carew, but met with little support, and was quickly suppressed by
the Earl of Bedford. Several of the conspirators were apprehended, and
Carew fled to France. The Duke of Suffolk and his brothers were equally
unfortunate, and after a futile attempt to make a stand in
Leicestershire, were arrested and lodged in the Tower.
A far more successful attempt was made by Sir Thomas Wyat in Kent.
Speedily rallying a large force round his standard, he marched towards
London, and defeated the veteran Duke of Norfolk, who was sent to oppose
him. The rebellion had now assumed a formidable aspect. Wyat was in
Southwark, at the head of fifteen thousand men, menacing the metropolis,
in which he expected to find an immense number of supporters.
Undismayed by the danger, the Queen repaired to Guildhall, addressed the
Lord Mayor and citizens in language so stirring and energetic, that they
promised to defend her to the last; and when Wyat, designing to take the
city by assault, was prevented by the Tower batteries from crossing
London Bridge, but subsequently effected a passage higher up the river,
and so approached the capital from the west, his partisans became
alarmed at the vigorous preparations made for their reception, and began
to desert him. An engagement took place at Charing Cross, which resulted
in the defeat of the insurgents, and though Wyat gallantly fought his
way with a few followers to Ludgate, none rose to join him, and he was
compelled to retreat to Temple Bar, where he surrendered to Sir Maurice
Berkeley, by whom he was taken to the Tower.
By this rebellion, in which she had no share, the ill-fated Lady Jane
Grey was sacrificed with her husband. Even Elizabeth was placed in great
jeopardy. Both she and Courtenay were sent to the Tower, the dungeons of
which were crowded with those implicated in the conspiracy. The Emperor
counselled severe measures, representing to the Queen, through his
ambassador, that she would never be safe while those who could be put
forward by the disaffected as claimants of the crown were permitted to
live. But Mary, though thus urged by Charles, and by the imperial
faction in the council, was reluctant to put her sister to death, and
Gardiner encouraged her feelings of clemency, as well towards Elizabeth
as Courtenay. Neither of them, therefore, though their complicity in the
plot was indubitable, were brought to trial, but Elizabeth, after a
brief confinement, was sent under a strong guard, and in charge of Sir
Henry Bedingfield, to Woodstock, and Courtenay was taken to Fotheringay
Castle. The Duke of Suffolk, with his brothers, paid the penalty of
their treasonable acts with their lives, dying unpitied. But Wyat’s fate
excited much commiseration, his daring and gallantry having won him the
sympathy even of his opponents. Many rebels of lesser note were hanged
in different parts of the country, but multitudes received pardon on
expressing contrition for their offence.
In this manner was the insurrection crushed. Its contriver, De Noailles,
remained unmolested, though Renard denounced him to the council,
declaring that he had forfeited his privilege as an ambassador by
fomenting rebellion. But the Queen did not desire war with France, which
would have certainly followed the plotting minister’s arrest. Emboldened
by this apparent immunity from personal risk, and utterly regardless of
the calamities he might bring on others, De Noailles continued his
secret intrigues as actively as ever, encouraging faction, and hoping to
the last to defeat the alliance.
The rebellion, however, was serviceable to Mary. It confirmed her
authority, and enabled her to perform many acts which she had not
hitherto ventured upon. Above all, it elicited undoubted manifestations
of loyalty from the great body of the people, and though the dislike to
the Spanish match could not be extinguished, the Queen’s emphatic
declaration that regard for her husband should never interfere with her
duties to her subjects, was held a sufficient guarantee for the security
of the country.
The negotiations in regard to the marriage, so rudely interrupted by the
outbreak, were now renewed, and Count D’Egmont and the other ambassadors
returned to the English court, with the treaty duly ratified and signed
by the Emperor. Introduced by the Lord High Admiral and the Earl of
Pembroke to the royal oratory, they there found her Majesty surrounded
by the lords of the council. After an address from the Queen, delivered
with a dignity and feeling that powerfully moved the auditors, she
exchanged the ratification of the treaty with the Count D’Egmont, who
now acted as Philip’s proxy. No better representative of the proud
Prince of Spain could have been chosen than D’Egmont, himself one of the
first lords of the Low Countries, and as distinguished for graces of
person as he was for military genius and prowess in the field.
Kneeling at the altar beside the Queen, D’Egmont espoused her on the
part of the Prince; and at the close of the ceremonial, which was
performed by Gardiner, the Count placed on her Majesty’s finger a
diamond ring of great value, sent to her by the Emperor.
His mission completed, Count D’Egmont repaired to Spain to confer with
Philip, who was then at Valladolid.
Gardiner’s next step was to have an act confirming the marriage-treaty
passed by both Houses of Parliament, and this was accomplished without
delay. Lords and Commons were equally satisfied with the provisions of
the treaty, and unanimously agreed to it, assuring the Queen that the
Prince of Spain would be heartily welcomed on his arrival by all her
dutiful subjects.
All being now arranged, the Earl of Bedford, lord privy-seal, and Lord
Fitzwaters, with other noblemen and gentlemen, were sent to Spain to
conduct Philip to England. Landing at Corunna, the ambassadors proceeded
to Santiago, then the capital of Galicia, where they waited for the
Prince, who was journeying towards them, with a large train of
attendants, by easy stages from Valladolid. During their stay at
Santiago, the ambassadors were sumptuously entertained by the Marquis de
Sara, and by others of the Spanish nobility.
On Philip’s arrival at Santiago, high mass having been performed in the
ancient cathedral, containing the shrine of St. James of Compostella—the
patron saint of Spain—the Prince, in the presence of a large assemblage
of grandees, dignitaries of the Church, and other important officials,
received the treaty of marriage from the Earl of Bedford, ratified it,
and solemnly vowed to abide by its conditions.
After a day or two devoted to feasting and pastime, Philip set out for
Corunna, and on the 13th July, 1554, all being ready for his departure,
he embarked for England in the “Santissima Trinidada,” the finest vessel
in the Spanish navy. He was escorted by a hundred and fifty ships, well
provided with men and ordnance, and had with him many of the chief
nobility of Spain.
During all this time, De Noailles continued his intrigues, vainly
endeavouring to excite a fresh revolt, and to his agency may be traced
an imposture, which created an extraordinary sensation in London, and
might—if it had not been speedily detected—have led to dangerous popular
tumults.
A man and his wife, occupying an old tenement in the heart of the city,
forming part of a despoiled religious establishment, declared that from
a stone wall adjoining their habitation an unearthly voice was heard to
issue, proclaiming many strange and terrible things. Ere long, as may be
supposed, a curious crowd collected within the court, and the assemblage
was gratified by hearing the spirit denounce the approaching marriage of
the Queen, which it declared would be full of bale and mischief to the
realm. Some of the bystanders called out, “God save Queen Mary!”
whereupon the spirit was silent. When they mentioned the Prince of
Spain, a deep groan was the response; but when Elizabeth was named, the
voice loudly replied, “So be it!” Furthermore, on the question being
propounded, “What is the mass?” it discreetly answered, “Idolatry;” with
many other utterances to the same purpose.
A report of this wondrous circumstance quickly spread throughout the
city, and on the following day, upwards of seventeen thousand persons
assembled in the neighbourhood of the structure whence the mysterious
voice proceeded. Such as were able to get near the wall heard many
treasonable speeches against the Queen, and fresh denunciations of her
marriage, which they repeated to those further off, so that the sayings
of the spirit were circulated amongst the immense crowd. Much excitement
being caused and tumults apprehended, the persons belonging to the house
were arrested, and strict search being made, a girl, named Elizabeth
Crofts, was discovered, artfully hidden in a hole contrived in the
thickness of the wall, whence she had managed to speak through a
crevice, with the help of a small trumpet. The impostor was very
leniently dealt with, being only made to do public penance for the
offence at Saint Paul’s.
Another incident occurred about the same time, which, though ridiculous
in itself, is worthy of note, as showing that aversion to the Spanish
match pervaded all classes, and was even shared by the young. Some three
hundred boys, armed with clubs and staves, assembled in Finsbury Fields,
and got up a mock fight, which they styled “The Queen against Wyat.”
Though intended as a sport, the conflict was carried on with so much
good will, that several were wounded on either side, and the boy who
represented Philip of Spain, being taken prisoner by the opposite party,
was hanged to a tree, and only cut down just in time to save his life.
Calculating on the unconquerable antipathy to the match manifested in so
many ways, De Noailles pursued his schemes, persuaded that, when Philip
set foot on the English shores, the people by whom he was so much
detested would rise against him, and massacre him and his attendants.
Meanwhile, Lord Clinton, the Lord High Admiral, who himself had no
special liking for the Spaniards, or for the Spanish match, though he
was full of loyalty towards the Queen, was cruising about the Channel,
with eight-and-twenty of the tallest ships in the English navy, to
protect the Prince, in case any attempt should be made by the French to
attack him on his way, it being reported that four Gascon regiments had
been ordered to Rouen, to attempt a descent upon the Isle of Wight and
Portsmouth. Lord Clinton was accompanied by the Count de la Chapelle,
the Vice-Admiral of the Low Countries, with some fifteen ships, which,
however, the rough Englishman did not rate very highly, but called them
in derision “mussel-shells.”
As the time drew nigh when the Prince’s arrival might be expected, Mary
exhibited an impatience foreign to her character, but by no means
unnatural under the circumstances. Sumptuous presents had been provided
for her intended husband by her order, and preparations on a magnificent
scale were made for the marriage ceremonial, which it was arranged
should take place at Winchester. All the principal nobility were bidden
to the solemnity, and the chief officers of the royal household, and,
indeed, all connected with the court, had parts assigned them in the
grand reception to be given to the Prince, and in the celebration of the
nuptials.
Many, therefore, shared in the Queen’s anxiety for Philip’s safe and
speedy arrival. Up to this time the breezes had been propitious, but
contrary winds might arise, and delay the royal bridegroom on his
voyage. Some, indeed, prayed that the vessel that bore him might
founder, and would have exulted in such a catastrophe, and deemed it a
special interference of Providence.
Their prayers were unheard. Tidings were brought by the Marquis de las
Naves, the Prince’s avant-courier, who landed at Plymouth, to the effect
that his royal master might be daily looked for, and this welcome
intelligence was immediately communicated to the Queen, and served to
allay her anxiety.
Escorted by a strong guard, and attended by a sumptuous retinue, she
forthwith proceeded to Guildford, where the Marquis de las Naves was
presented to her by Renard, and gave her most satisfactory accounts of
the Prince. Next day she continued her journey, and, on reaching
Winchester, the loyal inhabitants of that fine old city welcomed her
with every demonstration of joy. Well pleased by her reception she took
up her abode at the Bishop’s palace, which had been prepared for her by
Gardiner.
At the same time, De Noailles, accompanied by some trusty agents, whom
he required for a dark scheme he had hatched, journeyed secretly to
Southampton, where the Prince meant to disembark.
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