the inconstant mutability of this uncertain world! The common people
always desiring alterations and novelties of things for the strangeness
of the case; which after turneth them to small profit and commodity.
For if the sequel of this matter be well considered and digested, ye
shall understand that they had small cause to triumph at his fall. What
hath succeeded all wise men doth know, and the common sort of them hath
felt. Therefore to grudge or wonder at it, surely were but folly; to
study a redress, I see not how it can be holpen, for the inclination
and natural disposition of Englishmen is, and hath always been, to
desire alteration of officers, which hath been thoroughly fed with long
continuance in their rooms with sufficient riches and possessions;
and they being put out, then cometh another hungry and a lean officer
in his place, that biteth nearer the bone than the old. So the people
be ever pilled and polled with hungry dogs, through their own desire
of change of new officers, nature hath so wrought in the people, that
it will not be redressed. Wherefore I cannot see but always men in
authority be disdained with the common sort of men; and such most of
all, that justly ministereth equity to all men indifferently. For where
they please some one which receiveth the benefit of the law at [their]
hands according to justice, there doth they in likewise displease the
contrary party, who supposeth to sustain great wrong, where they have
equity and right. Thus all good justices be always in contempt with
some for executing of indifferency. And yet such ministers must be, for
if there should be no ministers of justice the world should run full
of error and abomination, and no good order kept, ne quietness among
the people. There is no good man but he will commend such justices as
dealeth uprightly in their rooms, and rejoice at their continuance and
not at their fall; and whether this be true or no, I put it to the
judgment of all discreet persons. Now let us leave, and begin again
where we left.
When he was with all his train arrived and landed at Putney, he took
his mule, and every man his horse. And setting forth, not past the
length of a pair of garden butts, he espied a man come riding empost
down the hill, in Putney town, demanding of his footmen who they
thought it should be? And they answered again and said, that they
supposed it should be Sir Harry Norris. And by and bye he came to
my lord and saluted him, and said "that the king's majesty had him
commended to his grace, and willed him in any wise to be of good
cheer, for he was as much in his highness' favour as ever he was, and
so shall be." And in token thereof, he delivered him a ring of gold,
with a rich stone, which ring he knew very well, for it was always the
privy token between the king and him whensoever the king would have
any special matter dispatched at his hands. And said furthermore,
"that the king commanded him to be of good cheer, and take no thought,
for he should not lack. And although the king hath dealt with you
unkindly as ye suppose, he saith that it is for no displeasure that
he beareth you, but only to satisfy more the minds of some (which he
knoweth be not your friends), than for any indignation: and also ye
know right well, that he is able to recompense you with twice as much
as your goods amounteth unto; and all this he bade me, that I should
show you, therefore, sir, take patience. And for my part, I trust to
see you in better estate than ever ye were." But when he heard Master
Norris rehearse all the good and comfortable words of the king, he
quickly lighted from off his mule, all alone, as though he had been
the youngest person amongst us, and incontinent kneeled down in the
dirt upon both his knees, holding up his hands for joy. Master Norris
perceiving him so quickly from his mule upon the ground, mused, and
was astonied. And therewith he alighted also, and kneeled by him,
embracing him in his arms, and asked him how he did, calling upon him
to credit his message. "Master Norris," quoth he, "when I consider your
comfortable and joyful news, I can do no less than to rejoice, for the
sudden joy surmounted my memory, having no respect neither to the
place or time, but thought it my very bounden duty to render thanks to
God my maker, and to the king my sovereign lord and master, who hath
sent me such comfort in the very place where I received the same."
And talking with Master Norris upon his knees in the mire, he would
have pulled off his under cap of velvet, but he could not undo the
knot under his chin; wherefore with violence he rent the laces and
pulled it from his head, and so kneeled bare headed. And that done, he
covered again his head, and arose, and would have mounted his mule,
but he could not mount again with such agility as he lighted before,
where his footmen had as much ado to set him in his saddle as they
could have. Then rode he forth up the hill into the town, talking
with Master Norris. And when he came upon Putney Heath, Master Norris
took his leave and would have departed. Then quoth my lord unto him,
"Gentle Norris, if I were lord of a realm, the one half thereof were
insufficient a reward to give you for your pains, and good comfortable
news. But, good Master Norris, consider with me, that I have nothing
left me but my clothes on my back. Therefore I desire you to take this
small reward of my hands;" the which was a little chain of gold, made
like a bottle chain, with a cross of gold hanging thereat, wherein
was a piece of the _Holy Cross_, which he wore continually about his
neck next his skin; and said furthermore, "I assure you, Master Norris,
that when I was in prosperity, although it seem but small in value, yet
I would not gladly have departed with it for the value of a thousand
pounds. Therefore I beseech you to take it in gree, and wear it about
your neck for my sake, and as often as ye shall happen to look upon
it, have me in remembrance to the king's majesty, as opportunity shall
serve you, unto whose Highness and clemency, I desire you to have
[me] most lowly commended; for whose charitable disposition towards
me, I can do nothing but only minister my prayer unto God for the
preservation of his royal estate, long to reign in honour, health,
and quiet life. I am his obedient subject, vassal, and poor chaplain,
and do so intend, God willing, to be during my life, accounting that
of myself I am of no estimation nor of no substance, but only by him
and of him, whom I love better than myself, and have justly and truly
served, to the best of my gross wit." And with that he took Master
Norris by the hand and bade him farewell. And being gone but a small
distance, he returned, and called Master Norris again, and when he was
returned, he said unto him: "I am sorry," quoth he, "that I have no
condign token to send to the king. But if ye would at this my request
present the king with this poor Fool, I trust his highness would
accept him well, for surely for a nobleman's pleasure he is worth a
thousand pounds[158]." So Master Norris took the Fool with him; with
whom my lord was fain to send six of [his] tall yeomen, to conduct
and convey the Fool to the court; for the poor Fool took on and fired
so in such a rage when he saw that he must needs depart from my lord.
Yet notwithstanding they conveyed him with Master Norris to the court,
where the king received him most gladly.
After the departure of Master Norris with his token to the king, my
lord rode straight to Asher, a house appertaining to the Bishoprick of
Winchester, situate within the county of Surrey, not far from Hampton
Court, where my lord and his family continued the space of three or
four weeks, without beds, sheets, table cloths, cups and dishes to
eat our meat, or to lie in. Howbeit, there was good provision of all
kind of victuals, and of drink, both beer and wine, whereof there was
sufficient and plenty. My lord was of necessity compelled to borrow
of the Bishop of Carlisle, and of Sir Thomas Arundell, both dishes
to eat his meat in, and plate to drink in, and also linen cloths to
occupy. And thus continued he in this strange estate until the feast of
All-hallown tide was past[159].
It chanced me upon All-hallown day to come there into the _Great
Chamber_ at Asher, in the morning, to give mine attendance, where I
found Master Cromwell leaning in the great window, with a Primer in his
hand, saying of our Lady mattins; which had been since a very strange
sight[160]. He prayed not more earnestly than the tears distilled
from his eyes. Whom I bade good morrow. And with that I perceived
the tears upon his cheeks. To whom I said, "Why Master Cromwell, what
meaneth all this your sorrow? Is my lord in any danger, for whom ye
lament thus? or is it for any loss that ye have sustained by any
misadventure?"
[Illustration: THOMAS CROMWELL,
EARL OF ESSEX.
ENGRAVED BY E. SCRIVEN, AFTER
THE ORIGINAL PICTURE BY HOLBEIN.
_London, Published Jan. 1, 1825, by Harding, Triphook & Lepard._]
"Nay, nay," quoth he, "it is my unhappy adventure, which am like to
lose all that I have travailed for all the days of my life, for doing
of my master true and diligent service." "Why, sir," quoth I, "I trust
ye be too wise, to commit any thing by my lord's commandment, otherwise
than ye might do of right, whereof ye have any cause to doubt of loss
of your goods." "Well, well," quoth he, "I cannot tell; but all things
I see before mine eyes, is as it is taken; and this I understand
right well, that I am in disdain with most men for my master's sake;
and surely without just cause. Howbeit, an ill name once gotten will
not lightly be put away. I never had any promotion by my lord to the
increase of my living. And thus much will I say to you, that I intend,
God willing, this afternoon, when my lord hath dined, to ride to
London, and so to the court, where I will either make or mar[161], or
I come again. I will put myself in prease[162], to see what any man is
able to lay to my charge of untruth or misdemeanour." "Marry, sir,"
quoth I, "in so doing, in my conceit, ye shall do very well and wisely,
beseeching God to be your guide, and send you good luck, even as I
would myself." And with that I was called into the closet, to see and
prepare all things ready for my lord, who intended that day to say mass
there himself; and so I did.
And then my lord came thither with his chaplain, one Doctor Marshall,
saying first his mattins, and heard two masses on his knees. And then
after he was confessed, he himself said mass. And when he had finished
mass, and all his divine service, returned into his chamber, where he
dined among divers of his doctors, where as Master Cromwell dined also;
and sitting at dinner, it chanced that my lord commended the true and
faithful service of his gentlemen and yeomen. Whereupon Master Cromwell
took an occasion to say to my lord, that in conscience he ought to
consider their truth and loyal service that they did him, in this his
present necessity, which never forsaketh him in all his trouble.
"It shall be well done, therefore," said he, "for your grace to
call before you all these your most worthy gentlemen and right
honest yeomen, and let them understand, that ye right well consider
their patience, truth, and faithfulness; and then give them your
commendation, with good words and thanks, the which shall be to them
great courage to sustain your mishap in patient misery, and to spend
their life and substance in your service."
"Alas, Thomas," quoth my lord unto him, "ye know I have nothing to
give them, and words without deeds be not often well taken. For if I
had but as I have had of late, I would depart with them so frankly
as they should be well content: but nothing hath no savour; and I am
ashamed, and also sorry that I am not able to requite their faithful
service. And although I have cause to rejoice, considering the fidelity
I perceive in the number of my servants, who will not depart from me
in my miserable estate, but be as diligent, obedient, and serviceable
about me as they were in my great triumphant glory, yet do I lament
again the want of substance to distribute among them." "Why, sir,"
quoth Master Cromwell, "have ye not here a number of chaplains, to whom
ye have departed very liberally with spiritual promotions, in so much
as some may dispend, by your grace's preferment, a thousand marks by
the year, and some five hundred marks, and some more, and some less; ye
have no one chaplain within all your house, or belonging unto you, but
he may dispend at the least well (by your procurement and preferment)
three hundred marks yearly, who had all the profit and advantage at
your hands, and other your servants none at all; and yet hath your poor
servants taken much more pains for you in one day than all your idle
chaplains hath done in a year. Therefore if they will not freely and
frankly consider your liberality, and depart with you of the same goods
gotten in your service, now in your great indigence and necessity, it
is pity that they live; and all the world will have them in indignation
and hatred, for their abominable ingratitude to their master and lord."
"I think no less, Thomas," quoth my lord, "wherefore, [I pray you,]
cause all my servants to be called and to assemble without, in my
great chamber, after dinner, and see them stand in order, and I will
declare unto them my mind, according to your advice." After that the
board's end was taken up, Master Cromwell came to me and said, "Heard
you not, what my Lord said even now?" "Yes, sir," quoth I, "that I
did." "Well, then," quoth he, "assemble all my lord's servants up
into the great chamber;" and so I did, and when they were all there
assembled, I assigned all the gentlemen to stand on the right side of
the chamber, and the yeomen on the left side. And at the last my lord
came thither, appareled in a white rochet upon a violet gown of cloth
like a bishop's, who went straight into the great window. Standing
there a while, and his chaplains about him, beholding the number of
his servants divided in two parts, he could not speak unto them for
tenderness of his heart; the flood of tears that distilled from his
eyes declared no less: the which perceived by his servants, caused the
fountains of water to gush out of their faithful hearts down their
cheeks, in such abundance as it would cause a cruel heart to lament.
At the last, after he had turned his face to the wall, and wiped his
eyes with his handkerchief, he spake to them after this sort in effect:
"Most faithful gentlemen and true hearted yeomen, I do not only lament
[to see] your persons present about me, but I do lament my negligent
ingratitude towards you all on my behalf, in whom hath been a great
default, that in my prosperity [I] have not done for you so much as I
might have done, either in word or deed, which was then in my power to
do: but then I knew not my jewels and special treasures that I had of
you my faithful servants in my house; but now approved experience hath
taught me, and with the eyes of my discretion, which before were hid, I
do perceive well the same. There was never thing that repented me more
that ever I did than doth the remembrance of my oblivious negligence
and ungentleness, that I have not promoted or preferred you to condign
rooms and preferments, according to your demerits. Howbeit, it is
not unknown to you all, that I was not so well furnished of temporal
advancements, as I was of spiritual preferments. And if I should have
promoted you to any of the king's offices and rooms, then should I have
incurred the indignation of the king's servants, who would not much let
to report in every place behind my back, that there could no office
or room in the king's gift escape the cardinal and his servants, and
thus should I incur the obloquy and slander before the whole world.
But now it is come to this pass, that it hath pleased the king to
take all that ever I have into his possession, so that I have nothing
left me but my bare clothes upon my back, the which be but simple in
comparison to those that ye have seen me have or this: howbeit, if
they may do you any good or pleasure, I would not stick to divide them
among you, yea, and the skin of my back, if it might countervail any
thing in value among you. But, good gentlemen and yeomen, my trusty and
faithful servants, of whom no prince hath the like, in my opinion, I
most heartily require you to take with me some patience a little while,
for I doubt not but that the king, considering the offence suggested
against me by my mortal enemies, to be of small effect, will shortly, I
doubt not, restore me again to my living, so that I shall be more able
to divide some part thereof yearly among you, whereof ye shall be well
assured. For the surplusage of my revenues, whatsoever shall remain at
the determination of my accompts, shall be, God willing, distributed
among you. For I will never hereafter esteem the goods and riches of
this uncertain world but as a vain thing, more than shall be sufficient
for the maintenance of mine estate and dignity, that God hath or shall
call me unto in this world during my life. And if the king do not thus
shortly restore me, then will I see you bestowed according to your
own requests, and write for you, either to the king, or to any other
noble person within this realm, to retain you into service; for I
doubt not but the king, or any noble man, or worthy gentleman of this
realm, will credit my letter in your commendation. Therefore, in the
mean time, mine advice is, that ye repair home to your wives, such
as have any: and such among you as hath none, to take this time to
visit your parents and friends in the country. There is none of you
all, but once in a year would require licence to visit your wives and
other of your friends: take this time, I pray you, in respect thereof,
and at your return I will not refuse you, if I should beg with you.
I consider that the service of my house hath been such, and of such
sort, that ye be not meet or apt to serve [any] man under the degree
of a king; therefore I would wish you to serve no man but the king,
who I am sure will not reject you. Therefore I desire you to take your
pleasures for a month, and then ye may come again unto me, and I trust
by that time, the king's majesty will extend his clemency upon me."
"Sir," quoth Master Cromwell, "there is divers of these your yeomen,
that would be glad to see their friends, but they lack money: therefore
here is divers of your chaplains who have received at your hands great
benefices and high dignities; let them therefore now show themselves
unto you as they are bound by all humanity to do. I think their
honesty and charity is not so slender and void of grace that they would
not see you lack where they may help to refresh you. And for my part,
although I have not received of your grace's gift one penny towards the
increase of my yearly living, yet will I depart with you this towards
the dispatch of your servants," and [therewith] delivered him five
pounds in gold. "And now let us see what your chaplains will do. I
think they will depart with you much more than I have done, who be more
able to give you a pound than I one penny." "Go to, masters," quoth he
to the chaplains: in so much as some gave to him ten pounds, some ten
marks, some a hundred shillings, and so some more and some less, as at
that time their powers did extend; whereby my lord received among them
as much money of their liberality as he gave to each of his yeomen a
quarter's wages, and board wages for a month; and they departed down
into the hall, where some determined to go to their friends, and some
said that they would not depart from my lord until they might see him
in better estate. My lord returned into his chamber lamenting the
departure from his servants, making his moan unto Master Cromwell, who
comforted him the best he could, and desired my lord to give him leave
to go to London, where he would either make or mar or he came again,
which was always his common saying. Then after long communication with
my lord in secret, he departed and took his horse, and rode to London,
at whose departing I was by, whom he bade farewell; and said, "ye shall
hear shortly of me, and if I speed well, I will not fail to be here
again within these two days." And so I took my leave of him, and he
rode forth on his journey. Sir Rafe Sadler, (now knight), was then his
clerk, and rode with him.
After that my lord had supped that night, and all men gone to bed,
(being All-hallown day), it chanced so, about midnight, that one of
the porters came unto my chamber door, and there knocked, and waking
me, I perceived who it was; [and] asked him, "what he would have that
time of the night?" "Sir," quoth the porter, "there is a great number
of horsemen at the gate, that would come in, saying to me, that it is
Sir John Russell, and so it appears to me by his voice; what is your
pleasure that I should do?" "Marry," quoth I, "go down again, and make
a great fire in your lodge, against I come to dry them;" for it rained
all that night the sorest that it did all that year before. Then I
rose and put on my nightgown, and came to the gates, and asked who was
there. With that Master Russell spake, whom I knew by his voice, and
then I caused the porter to open the gates and let them all in, who
were wet to the skin; desiring Master Russell to go into the lodge to
the fire; and he showed me that he was come from the king unto my lord
in message, with whom he required me to speak. "Sir," quoth I, "I trust
your news be good?" "Yea, I promise you on my fidelity," quoth he,
"and so, I pray you, show him, I have brought him such news that will
please him right well." "Then I will go," quoth I, "and wake him, and
cause him to rise." I went incontinent to my lord's chamber door, and
waked my lord, who asked me, "what I would have?" "Sir," said I, "to
show you that Sir John Russell is come from the king, who is desirous
to speak with you;" and then he called up one of his grooms to let me
in; and being within I told him "what a journey Sir John Russell had
that night." "I pray God," quoth he, "all be for the best." "Yes, sir,"
quoth I, "he showed me, and so bade me tell you, that he had brought
you such news as ye would greatly rejoice thereat." "Well, then," quoth
he, "God be praised, and welcome be his grace! Go ye and fetch him unto
me, and by that time I will be ready to talk with him."
Then I returned from him to the lodge, and brought Master Russell from
thence to my lord, who had cast on his nightgown. And when Master
Russell was come into his presence, he most humbly reverenced him,
upon his knee, [to] whom my lord bowed down, and took him up, and bade
him welcome. "Sir," quoth he, "the king commendeth him unto you;" and
delivered him a great ring of gold with a Turkis, for a token; "and
willeth you to be of good cheer; who loveth you as well as ever he did,
and is not a little disquieted for your troubles, whose mind is full
of your remembrance. In so much as his grace, before he sat to supper,
called me unto him, and commanded me to take this journey secretly to
visit you, to your comfort the best of my power. And Sir, if it please
your grace, I have had this night the sorest journey, for so little a
way, that ever I had to my remembrance."
My lord thanked him for his pains and good news, and demanded of him
if he had supped; and he said "Nay." "Well, then," quoth my lord to
me, "cause the cooks to provide some meat for him; and cause a chamber
with a good fire to be made ready for him, that he may take his rest
awhile upon a bed." All which commandment I fulfilled; and in the
meantime my lord and Master Russell were in very secret communication;
and in fine, Master Russell went to his chamber, taking his leave of
my lord for all night, and said, "he would not tarry but a while, for
he would, God willing, be at the court at Greenwich again before day,
for he would not for any thing that it were known, his being with my
lord that night." And so being in his chamber, having a small repast,
rested him a while upon a bed, whilst his servants supped and dried
themselves by the fire; and then incontinent he rode away with speed
to the court. And shortly after his being there, my lord was restored
again unto plenty of household stuff, vessels, and plate, and of all
things necessary some part, so that he was indifferently furnished much
better than he was of late, and yet not so abundantly as the king's
pleasure was, the default whereof was in the officers, and in such as
had the oversight of the delivery thereof; and yet my lord rejoiced in
that little in comparison to that he had before.