His {128} co-rival was Thomas Radcliffe, Earl of Sussex, who in his
constellation was his direct opposite, for indeed he was one of the
Queen’s martialists, and did her very good service in Ireland, at her
first accession, till she recalled him to the Court, whom she made Lord
Chamberlain; but he played not his game with that cunning and dexterity
as the Earl of Leicester did, who was much the fairer courtier, though
Sussex was thought much the honester man, and far the better soldier, but
he lay too open on his guard; he was a godly gentleman, and of a brave
and noble nature, true and constant to his friends and servants; he was
also of a very ancient and noble lineage, honoured through many descents,
through the title of Fitzwalters. Moreover, there was such an antipathy
in his nature to that of Leicester, that, being together in Court, and
both in high employments, they grew to a direct frowardness, and were in
continual opposition, the one setting the watch, the other the guard,
each on the other’s actions and motions; for my Lord of Sussex was of so
great spirit, which, backed with the Queen’s special favour and support,
{129} by a great and ancient inheritance, could not brook the other’s
empire, insomuch as the Queen upon sundry occasions had somewhat to do to
appease and atone them, until death parted the competition, and left the
place to Leicester, who was not long alone without his rival in grace and
command; and, to conclude this favourite, it is confidently affirmed
that, lying in his last sickness, he gave this _caveat_ to his friends:—
“I am now passing into another world, and I must leave you to your
fortunes and the Queen’s grace and goodness; but beware of gipsy”
(meaning Leicester), “for he will be too hard for you all; you know not
the beast so well as I do.”