Her Grace needed not to doubt [_fear_] any such tyranny, for GOD would
not suffer any such treason against her person."
Wherewith, being contented, but not altogether satisfied, she asked,
"What Sir H. BEDINGFIELD was? and whether he was of that conscience or
not, that if her murdering were secretly committed to his charge, he
would see the execution thereof?"
She was answered that "They were ignorant what manner of man he was."
Howbeit they persuaded her that GOD would not suffer such wickedness to
proceed.
"Well!" quoth she, "GOD grant it be so! For Thou! O GOD! art the
withdrawer and mollifier of all such tyrannous hearts and acts! and I
beseech Thee! to hear me thy creature! which am Thy servant and at Thy
commandment! trusting by Thy grace ever so to remain."
* * * * *
About which time, it was spread abroad, that Her Grace should be
carried from thence; by this new jolly captain and his soldiers; but
whither, it could not be learned. Which was unto Her Grace a great
grief, especially for that such a kind of company was appointed to her
guard: requesting rather to continue there still, than to be led thence
with such a rascal company.
At last, plain answer was made by the Lord CHANDOS, that "There was
no remedy; but from thence she must needs depart to the Manor of
Woodstock, as he thought."
Being demanded of her, "For what cause?"
"For that," quoth he, "the Tower is like[ly] further to be furnished."
Whereat she, being more greedy, as far as she durst, demanded,
"wherewith!"
He answered, "With such matter as the Queen and Council were determined
in that behalf: whereof he had no knowledge." And so departed.
In conclusion, the 16th day of May she was removed from the Tower: the
Lord Treasurer [_the Marquis of WINCHESTER_] being then there, for the
lading of her carts, and discharging the Place of the same.
* * * * *
Where Sir HENRY BEDINGFIELD, being appointed her goaler, did receive
her with a company of rakehells to guard her; besides the Lord
of DERBY'S Band [_servants_] wafting in the country about, for
the moonshine in the water[!]. Unto whom, at length came, my Lord
[WILLIAMS] of Thame, joined in Commission, with the said Sir HENRY for
the safe guiding of her to prison. And they together conveyed Her Grace
to Woodstock, as hereafter followeth.
The first day [_16th May_], they conducted her to Richmond, where she
continued all night: being restrained of her own men, which were laid
out in chambers; and Sir HENRY BEDINGFIELD his soldiers appointed in
their rooms, to give attendance on her person.
Whereat she, being marvellously dismayed, thinking verily some secret
mischief a working towards her, called her Gentleman Usher, and desired
him with the rest of his company to pray for her, "For this night,"
quoth she, "I think to die."
Whereat he being stricken to the heart, said, "GOD forbid that any such
wickedness should be pretended [_intended_] against your Grace!"
So comforting her as well as he could, he at last burst out in tears;
and went from her down into the court where were walking the Lord
[WILLIAMS] of Thame, and Sir HENRY BEDINGFIELD; and he staying aside
the Lord of Thame, who had proffered to him much friendship, desire to
speak with him a word or two.
Unto whom, he familiarly said, "He should with all his heart."
Which when Sir HENRY standing by, heard, he asked, "What the matter
was?"
To whom the Gentleman Usher answered, "No great matter, sir, but to
speak with my Lord a word or two!"
Then when the Lord of Thame came to him he spake in this wise, "My
Lord! you have always been my good Lord, and so I beseech you to
remain. Why I come to you at this time, is to desire your Honour,
unfeignedly to declare unto me, whether any danger is meant unto my
Mistress this night or not? that I and my poor fellows may take such
part as [it] shall please GOD to appoint. For certainly we will rather
die, than she should secretly and innocently miscarry."
"Marry," said the Lord of Thame, "GOD forbid that any such wicked
purpose should be wrought! and rather than it should be so, I, with my
men, are ready to die at her feet also."
And so, GOD be praised! they passed that doubtful night, with no little
heaviness of heart.
* * * * *
The next day [_17th May_] passing over the water [_i.e., the Thames_]
at Richmond, going towards Windsor; Her Grace espied certain of her
poor servants standing on the other side, which were very desirous to
see her. Whom, when she beheld, turning to one of her men standing by,
said, "Yonder, I see certain of my men; go to them! and say these words
from me, _Tanquam ovis!_"
So, she passing forward to Windsor, was lodged there that night, in the
Dean of Windsor's house: a place indeed more meet for a priest, than a
Princess.
And from thence [_on 18th May_] Her Grace was guarded and brought the
next night, to Master DORMER's house; where much people standing by
the way, some presented to her one gift, and some another. So that Sir
HENRY was greatly moved thereat, and troubled the poor people very
sore, for shewing their loving hearts in such a manner; calling them
"Rebels!" and "Traitors!" with such like vile words.
Besides, as she passed through the villages, the townsmen rang the
bells, as being joyful of her coming; thinking verily it had been
otherwise than it was indeed: and as the sequel proved after, to the
poor men. For immediately the said Sir HENRY hearing the same, sent his
soldiers hither: who apprehended some of the ringers, setting them in
the stocks, and otherwise uncourteously misused some others for their
good wills.
On the morrow [_18th May_] Her Grace passed from Master DORMER's, where
was, for the time of her abode, a straight watch kept; came to the Lord
of Thame his house [_at Thame_] where she lay all the next night; being
very princely entertained, both of Knights and Ladies, gentlemen and
gentlewomen. Whereat Sir HENRY BEDINGFIELD gronted [_grunted_] and
was highly offended, saying unto them that "They could not tell what
they did, and were not able to answer to their doings in that behalf;
letting them to understand that she was the Queen's Majesty's prisoner,
and no otherwise; advising them therefore to take heed, and beware of
after claps!"
Whereunto, the Lord of Thame answered him in this wise, that "He was
well advised of [_in_] his doings, being joined in Commission as well
as he," adding with warrant, that "Her Grace might, and should, in his
house, be merry."
After this, Sir HENRY went up into a chamber, where were appointed for
Her Grace, a chair, two cushions, and a foot-carpet, very fair and
prince-like; wherein presumptuously he sat, calling for BARWICK, his
man, to pull off his boots: which as soon as it was known among the
ladies and gentles, every one musing thereat, did laugh him to scorn;
and observed his indiscreet manners in that behalf, as they might very
well.
When supper was done, he called my Lord, and willed him that all the
Gentlemen and Ladies should withdraw themselves; every one to his
lodging: marvelling much that he would permit there such a company;
considering so great a charge was committed to him.
"Sir HENRY!" quoth my Lord, "content yourself! All shall be voided,
your men and all."
"Nay, my soldiers," quoth Sir HENRY, "shall watch all night."
The said Lord of Thame answered, "It shall not need."
"Well," said he, "need or need not, they shall do so," mistrusting,
belike, the company; which, GOD knoweth, was without cause.
The next day [_19th May_] Her Grace took her journey from thence, to
Woodstock; where she was enclosed, as before in the Tower of London;
the soldiers guarding and warding both within and without the walls,
every day to the number of three score, and, in the night, without the
walls forty; during the time of her imprisonment there.
At length, she had gardens appointed for her walks, which were very
comfortable to Her Grace. Always when she did recreate herself therein,
the doors were fast locked up, in as straight a manner as they were
in the Tower; there being at the least five or six locks between her
lodging and her walks; Sir HENRY himself keeping the keys, trusted no
man therewith.
Whereupon she called him "her gaoler:" and he, kneeling down, desired
Her Grace not to call him so, for he was appointed there to be one of
her Officers.
"From such Officers," quoth she, "good Lord, deliver me!"
* * * * *
And now, by way of digression, or rather of refreshing the reader (if
it be lawful in so serious a story to recite a matter incident, and yet
not impertinent to the same) occasion here moveth or rather enforceth
me to touch briefly what happened in the same place and time, by a
certain merry conceited man, being then about Her Grace. Who (noting
the straight and strange keeping of his Lady and Mistress by the said
Sir HENRY BEDINGFIELD, with so many locks and doors, with such watch
and ward about her, as was strange and wonderful) spied a goat in the
ward where Her Grace was; and (whether to refresh her oppressed mind,
or to notify her straight handling by Sir HENRY; or else both), he took
it up on his neck, and followed Her Grace therewith, as she was going
to her lodging. Who, when she saw it, asked him, "What he would do with
him?" willing him to let it alone.
Unto whom, the said party answered, "No, by Saint Mary! if it like
your Grace! will I not! For I cannot tell whether he be one of the
Queen's friends or not. I will, GOD willing! carry him to Sir HENRY
BEDINGFIELD, to know what he is."
So, leaving Her Grace, went, with the goat on his neck, and carried it
to Sir HENRY BEDINGFIELD; who, when he saw him coming with it, asked
him half angrily, "What he had there?"
Unto whom the party answered, saying, "Sir! I cannot tell what he is.
I pray you, examine him! for I found him in the place where my Lady's
Grace was walking, and what talk they have had, I cannot tell. For I
understand him not, but he should seem to me to be some stranger: and I
think verily a Welshman, for he hath a white frieze coat on his back.
And forasmuch as I being the Queen's subject, and perceiving the strait
charge committed to you of her keeping, that no stranger should have
access to her, without sufficient license: I have here found a stranger
(what he is, I cannot tell) in the place where Her Grace was walking;
and, therefore, for the necessary discharge of my duty, I thought it
good to bring the said stranger to you to examine, as you see cause."
And so he set him down.
At which his words, Sir HENRY BEDINGFIELD seemed much displeased, and
said, "Well! well! you will never leave this gear, I see." And so they
departed.
* * * * *
Now to return to the matter from whence we have digressed.
After Her Grace's being there a time [_i.e., about a year_], she
made suit to the Council, that she might be suffered to write to the
Queen; which, at last, was permitted to Her Grace. So that Sir HENRY
BEDINGFIELD brought her pen, ink, and paper; and standing by her, while
she wrote, which he very straitly observed; always, she being weary,
would carry away her letters, and bring them again when she called for
them.
In the finishing thereof, he would have been messenger to the Queen of
the same; whose request Her Grace denied, saying, "One of her own men
should carry them; and that she would neither trust him, nor none of
his thereabouts."
Then he answering again, said, "None of them durst be so bold," he
trowed, "to carry her letters, being in her present case!"
"Yes," quoth she, "I am assured I have none so dishonest that would
deny my request in that behalf; but will be as willing to serve me now
as before."
"Well," said he, "my Commission is to the contrary; and may not suffer
it."
Her Grace, replying again, said, "You charge me very often with your
Commission! I pray GOD you may justly answer the cruel dealing ye deal
with me!"
Then he kneeling down, desired Her Grace to think and consider how
he was a servant, and put in trust there by the Queen to serve Her
Majesty: protesting that if the case were hers, he would as willingly
serve Her Grace, as now he did the Queen's Highness.
For the which answer, Her Grace thanked him, desiring GOD that she
might never have need of such servants as he was: declaring further
to him that his doings towards her were not good or answerable, but
more than all the friends he had, would stand by; for in the end, she
plainly told him, they would forsake him.
To whom, Sir HENRY replied, and said that "There was no remedy but his
doings must be answered; and so they should, trusting to make a good
account thereof."
The cause which moved Her Grace so to say, was for that he would not
permit her letters to be carried, four or five days after the writing
thereof. But, in fine, he was content to send for her Gentleman from
the town of Woodstock, demanding of him, "Whether he durst enterprise
the carriage of Her Grace's letters to the Queen or not?"
And he answered, "Yea, sir! That I dare, and will, with all my heart."
Whereupon, Sir HENRY, half against his stomach, took them to him, to
the effect aforesaid.
* * * * *
Then, about the 8th of June [1555] came down Doctor OWEN and Doctor
WENDIF, sent by the Queen to Her Grace, for that she was sickly;
who ministering to her, and letting her blood, tarried there, and
attended on Her Grace five or six days: who being well amended, they
returned again to the Court, making their good report to the Queen and
Council, of Her Grace's behaviour and humbleness towards the Queen's
Highness; which Her Majesty hearing, took very thankfully. But the
Bishops thereat repined, looked black in the mouth, and told the Queen,
they "marvelled she submitted not herself to Her Majesty's mercy,
considering that she had offended Her Highness."
Wily champions, ye may be sure! and friends at a need! GOD amend them!
* * * * *
About this time, Her Grace was requested by a secret friend, "to submit
herself to the Queen's Majesty; which would be very well taken, and to
her great quiet and commodity."
Unto whom, she answered that "She would never submit herself to them
whom she had never offended! For," quoth she, "if I have offended,
and am guilty; I then crave no mercy, but the law! which I am certain
I should have had, ere this, if it could be proved by me. For I know
myself, I thank GOD! to be out of the danger thereof, wishing that I
were as clear out of the peril of my enemy; and then I am sure I should
not be so locked and bolted up within walls and doors as I am. GOD give
them a better mind! when it pleaseth Him."
About this time [_i.e., after the Queen's marriage on 3rd July 1555_]
was there a great consulting among the Bishops and gentlemen, touching
a marriage for Her Grace: which some of the Spaniards wished to be with
some stranger, that she might go out of the realm with her portion.
Some saying one thing, and some another.
A Lord [_Lord PAGET_] being there, at last said that "the King should
never have any quiet common wealth in England; unless her head were
stricken from the shoulders."
Whereunto the Spaniards answered, saying, "GOD forbid that their King
and Master should have that mind to consent to such a mischief!" This
was the courteous answer of the Spaniards to the Englishmen speaking,
after that sort, against their own country.
From that day, the Spaniards never left off their good persuasions to
the King, that the like honour he should never obtain as he should
in delivering the Lady ELIZABETH's Grace out of prison: whereby, at
length, she was happily released from the same.
Here is a plain and evident example of the good nature and clemency
of the King and his Councillors towards Her Grace. Praised be GOD
therefore! who moved their hearts therein.
Then hereupon, she was sent for, shortly after, to come to Hampton
Court.
* * * * *
In her imprisonment at Woodstock, these verses she wrote with her
diamond, in a glass window.
_Much suspected by me,_
_Nothing proved can be,_
_Quoth ELIZABETH the prisoner._
[In the Second Edition of his _Actes_,&c., published in 1570
under the fresh title of _Ecclesiastical History, p. 2,294_; JOHN
FOX gives the following additional information of the Woodstock
imprisonment.
And thus much touching the troubles of Lady ELIZABETH at Woodstock.
Whereunto this is more to be added, that during the same time the Lord
[WILLIAMS] of Thame had laboured for the Queen, and became surety for
her, to have her from Woodstock to his house, and had obtained grant
thereof. But (through the procurement either of Master BEDINGFIELD, or
by the doing of [the Bishop of] WINCHESTER, her mortal enemy), letters
came over night, to the contrary: whereby her journey was stopped.
Thus, this worthy Lady, oppressed with continual sorrow, could not
be permitted to have recourse to any friends she had; but still in
the hands of her enemies, was left desolate, and utterly destitute of
all that might refresh a doleful heart, fraught full of terror and
thraldom. Whereupon no marvel, if she hearing, upon a time, out of her
garden at Woodstock, a certain milkmaid singing pleasantly, wished
herself to be a milkmaid, as she was: saying that "Her case was better,
and life more merry than hers, in that state she was."]
* * * * *
Sir HENRY BEDINGFIELD and his soldiers, with the Lord [WILLIAMS] of
Thame, and Sir RALPH CHAMBERLAIN guarding and waiting upon her, the
first night [_July 1555_] from Woodstock, she came to Rycot.
The next night to Master DORMER's; and so to Colebrook, where she
lay all that night at the _George_. By the way, coming to the said
Colebrook, certain of her gentlemen and yeomen, to the number of three
score met Her Grace, much to all their comforts: which had not seen
Her Grace of long season before, neither could: but were commanded,
in the Queen's name, "immediately to depart the town," to Her Grace's
no little heaviness and theirs, who could not be suffered once to
speak with from them. So that night all her men were taken her, saving
her Gentleman Usher, three gentlewomen, two Grooms, and one of her
Wardrobe; the Soldiers watching and warding round-about the house, and
she shut up close within her prison.
The next day Her Grace entered Hampton Court on the back side, unto the
Prince's Lodgings. The doors being shut to her; and she, guarded with
soldiers as before, lay there a fortnight at the least, ere ever any
had recourse unto her.
* * * * *
At length, came the Lord WILLIAM HOWARD, who marvellously honourably
used Her Grace: whereat she took much comfort, and requested him to be
a means that she might speak with some of the Council.
To whom, not long after came the Bishop of WINCHESTER, the Lord of
ARUNDEL, the Lord of SHREWSBURY, and Secretary PETRE; who, with great
humility, humbled themselves to Her Grace.
She again likewise saluting them, said, "My Lords! I am glad to see
you! For, methinks, I have been kept a great while from you, desolately
alone. Wherefore I would desire you to be a means to the King's and
Queen's Majesties, that I may be delivered from prison, wherein I have
been kept a long space, as to you, my Lords, is not unknown!"
When she had spoken, STEPHEN GARDINER, the Bishop of WINCHESTER kneeled
down, and requested that "She would submit herself to the Queen's
Grace; and in so doing he had no doubt but that Her Majesty would be
good unto her."
She made answer that "rather than she would do so, she would lie in
prison all the days of her life:" adding that "she craved no mercy at
Her Majesty's hand, but rather desired the law, if ever she did offend
her Majesty in thought, word, or deed. And besides this, in yielding,"
quoth she, "I should speak against myself, and confess myself to be an
offender, which I never was towards Her Majesty; by occasion whereof,
the King and Queen, might ever hereafter conceive an ill opinion of me:
and, therefore, I say, my Lords! it were better for me to lie in prison
for the truth, than to be abroad and suspected of my Prince."
And so they departed, promising to declare her message to the Queen.
On the next day [_July 1555_] the Bishop of WINCHESTER came again unto
Her Grace, and kneeling down, declared that "The Queen marvelled that
she should so stoutly use herself, not confessing to have offended; so
that it should seem the Queen's Majesty wrongfully to have imprisoned
Her Grace."
"Nay," quoth my Lady ELIZABETH, "it may please her to punish me, as she
thinketh good."
"Well," quoth GARDINER, "Her Majesty willeth me to tell you, that you
must tell another tale ere that you be set at liberty."
Her Grace answered that "She had as lief be in prison with honesty and
truth, as to be abroad suspected of Her Majesty. And this that I have
said, I will stand to. For I will never belie myself!"
The Lord of WINCHESTER again kneeled down, and said, "Then your Grace
hath the vantage of me and the other Lords, for your long and wrong
imprisonment."
"What vantage I have," quoth she, "you know; taking GOD to record, I
seek no vantage at your hands, for your so dealing with me. But GOD
forgive you, and me also!"
With that, the rest kneeled, desiring Her Grace that "all might be
forgotten," and so departed, she being fast locked up again.
A sevennight after [_July 1555_], the Queen's Majesty sent for Her
Grace, at ten of the clock in the night, to speak with her. For she
had not seen her in two years before. Yet for all that, she was amazed
at the so sudden sending for, thinking it had been worse for her, than
afterwards proved; and desired her gentlemen and gentlewomen to "pray
for her! for that she could not tell whether ever she should see them
again or not."
At which time, coming in with Sir HENRY BEDINGFIELD and Mistress
CLARENCIUS [_p. 216_], Her Grace was brought into the garden, unto
a stairs' foot, that went into the Queen's Lodging; Her Grace's
gentlewomen waiting upon her, her Gentleman Usher and his grooms going
before with torches. Where her gentlemen and gentlewomen being all
commanded to stay, saving one woman; Mistress CLARENCIUS conducted her
to the Queen's bedchamber, where Her Majesty was.
At the sight of whom, Her Grace kneeled down, and desired GOD to
"preserve Her Majesty! not mistrusting, but that she should try herself
as true a subject towards Her Majesty as ever any did," and desired Her
Majesty even so to judge of her; and said "she should not find her to
the contrary; whatsoever false report otherwise had gone of her."
To whom, the Queen answered, "You will not confess your offence; but
stand stoutly in your truth! I pray GOD! it may so fall out."
"If it do not," quoth she, "I request neither favour nor pardon at your
Majesty's hands."
"Well," said the Queen, "you stiffly still persevere in your truth!
Belike, you will not confess but that you have wrongly punished!"
"I must not say so, if it please your Majesty! to you!"
"Why, then," said the Queen, "belike you will to others."
"No, if it please your Majesty!" quoth she, "I have borne the burden,
and must bear it. I humbly beseech your Majesty to have a good opinion
of me, and to think me to be your true subject; not only from the
beginning, hitherto; but for ever, as long as life lasteth."
And so they departed [_separated_], with very few comfortable words of
the Queen in English. But what she said in Spanish, GOD knoweth! It is
thought that King PHILIP was there, behind a cloth [_tapestry_], and
not shewn; and that he shewed himself a very friend in that matter, &c.
Thus Her Grace departing, went to her lodging again; and the sevennight
after, was released of Sir HENRY BEDINGFIELD, "her gaoler," as she
termed him, and his soldiers.
So Her Grace, set at liberty from imprisonment, went into the country,
and had appointed to go with her, Sir THOMAS POPE, one of Queen MARY's
Councillors; and one of her Gentleman Ushers, Master GAGE; and thus
straitly was she looked to, all Queen MARY's time.
And this is the discourse of Her Highness's imprisonment.
* * * * *
Then there came to Lamheyre, Master JERNINGHAM, and NORRIS, Gentleman
Usher, Queen MARY's men; who took away from Her Grace, Mistress ASHELEY
to the Fleet, and three others of her gentlemen to the Tower; which
thing was no little trouble to Her Grace, saying, that "she thought
they would fetch all away at the end." But God be praised! shortly
after was fetched away GARDINER, through the merciful providence of
the LORD's goodness, by occasion of whose opportune decease [_13th
November, 1555_] the life of this so excellent Prince that is the
wealth of England, was preserved.