One of the [Privy] Council, [Sir WILLIAM KNOLLYS] my Lord of
[BANBURY] that now is [see page 526], whispered the [Knight]
Marshal in the ear, and told him, If I came; they would stay me, and
send some other in my stead.
The [Knight] Marshal got from them; and met me coming to them, between
the two Gates. He bade me, Be gone! for he had learned, for certain,
that if I came to them, they would betray me.
* * * * *
I returned, and took horse between nine and ten a clock; and [by] that
night rode to Doncaster [_162 miles from London; and 235 miles from
Edinburgh_].
The Friday night [the 26th], I came to my own house at Widdrington
[_298 miles from London; and 99 miles from Edinburgh_]; and presently
took order with my Deputies [of the Middle Marches, HENRY WIDDRINGTON
and WILLIAM FENWICK; see page 499] to see the Borders kept in quiet;
which they had much to do: and gave order [that], the next morning, the
King of Scotland should be proclaimed King of England [at Widdrington];
and at Morpeth [_289 miles from London_] and Alnwick [_306 miles from
London_].
Very early, on Saturday [27th March 1603], I took horse [at
Widdrington] for Edinburgh; and came to Norham [_331 miles from London,
8 miles South of Berwick, and 66 miles from Edinburgh_], about twelve
at noon. So that I might well have been with the King at supper time:
but I got a great fall by the way [_i.e. after leaving Norham_]; and my
horse, with one of his heels, gave me a great blow on the head, that
made me shed much blood. It made me so weak, that I was forced to ride
a soft pace after: so that the King was newly gone to bed by the time I
knocked at the gate [of Holyrood House, Edinburgh].
* * * * *
I was quickly let in; and carried up to the King's Chamber. I kneeled
by him, and saluted him by his title of "England, Scotland, France, and
Ireland."
He gave me his hand to kiss; and bade me welcome.
After he had long discoursed of the manner of the Queen's sickness, and
of her death; he asked, What letters I had from the [Privy] Council?
I told him, "None": and acquainted him how narrowly I [had] escaped
from them. And yet I brought him a blue ring from a Lady,[16] that I
hoped would give him assurance of the truth that I had reported.
He took it, and looked upon it, and said, "It is enough. I know by
this, you are a true messenger."
Then he committed me to the charge of my Lord HOME; and gave
straight command that I should want nothing.
He sent for his Chirurgions to attend me; and when I kissed his hand,
at my departure, he said to me these gracious words:
"I know you have lost a near kinswoman and a loving Mistress: but take
here my hand, I will be as good a Master to you; and will requite you
this service with honour and reward."
So I left him that night, and went with my Lord HOME to my lodging:
where I had all things fitting for so weary a man as I was. After my
head was dressed, I took leave of my Lord and many others that attended
me; and went to my rest.
The next morning [Sunday, 28th March 1603], by ten a clock, my Lord
HOME was sent to me from the King, to know how I had rested:
and withal said, That His Majesty commanded him to know of me, What it
was that I desired most that he should do for me? [and] bade me, Ask,
and it should be granted.
I desired my Lord to say to His Majesty from me, That I had no reason
to importune him for any suit; for that I had not, as yet, done him
any service: but my humble request to His Majesty was to admit me a
Gentleman of his Bedchamber; and hereafter, I knew, if His Majesty saw
me worthy, I should not want to taste of his bounty.
My Lord returned this answer, That he [_the King_] sent me word back,
"with all his heart, I should have my request."
And the next time I came to Court, which was some four days after
[Thursday, 1st April 1603], at night, I was called into his Bedchamber:
and there, by my Lord [the Duke of LENOX, _afterwards_ Duke]
of RICHMOND, in his presence, I was sworn one of the Gentlemen
of his Bedchamber; and presently I helped to take off his clothes, and
stayed till he was in bed.
After this, there came, daily, Gentlemen and Noblemen from our Court;
and the King set down a fixed day [Tuesday, 5th April 1603] for his
departure towards London.
* * * * *
Upon the report of the Queen's death, the East Border broke forth into
great unruliness; insomuch as many complaints came to the King thereof.
I was desirous to go to appease them; but I was so weak and ill of my
head, that I was not able to undertake such a journey [_expedition_]:
but I offered that I would send my two Deputies, that should appease
the trouble and make them quiet; which was by them, shortly after,
effected.
* * * * *
Now was I to begin a new World: for by the King's coming to the crown,
I was to lose the best part of my living. For [with the death of the
Queen] my Office of Wardenry ceased; and I lost the pay of 40 Horse:
which were not so little, both [of them] as £1,000 per annum.
Most of the Great Ones in Court envied my happiness, when they heard
I was sworn of the King's Bedchamber: and in Scotland I had no
acquaintance. I only relied on GOD and the King. The one never left me:
the other, shortly after his coming to London, deceived my expectation;
and adhered to those that sought my ruin.
[Illustration]
[Footnote 16: _The account of the blue ring which Lady ELIZABETH
SPELMAN gave to Lord CORKE was this:_--
King JAMES kept a constant and private correspondence with several
persons of the English Court, during many years before Queen
ELIZABETH died. Among them was [PHILADELPHIA] Lady SCROOPE [see
page 478], sister of Sir ROBERT CAREY: to whom His Majesty sent,
by Sir JAMES FULLERTON, a sapphire ring; with positive orders to
return it to him, by a special messenger, as soon as the Queen was
actually expired.
Lady SCROOPE had no opportunity of delivering it to her brother
Sir ROBERT, whilst he was in the Palace of Richmond; but waiting at
the window till she saw him at the outside of the Gate [see page
480], she threw it out to him; and he well knew to what purpose he
received it.
S.E.B. [Sir S. E. BRYDGES.] _Memoirs of the Peers of England during
the reign of JAMES I._, p. 413. Ed. 1802. 8vo.]
The
True Narration
of the
Entertainment of His Royal Majesty, from
the time of his departure from
Edinburgh till his receiving
at London:
with all, or the most special, Occurrences.