THE ARREST.
Amongst those who were considered disaffected to the church,
complaints were made to Nix, Bishop of Norwich, that Lord De Freston
of Freston was a notorious heretic; that he fostered Bilney, Arthur,
Bale, Latimer, and half the seditiously disposed, and spoke
disrespectfully of the Cardinal as Legate, and accused him of
depravity.
It is one thing to be accused of a crime, and another to be guilty of
it. Fear under an accusation lest the world should think there might
be some truth or foundation for the report, has made many an innocent
person shrink from defending himself.
But De Freston, conscious of his loyalty, integrity, faith, and good
intentions, received the news of his impeachment without any fear of
consequences.
Wentworth's orders were taken by the bailiffs and constables to seize
the body of De Freston of Freston, and convey him without any further
let or hindrance into my lord's court at Westminster.
All Ipswich was in a commotion at the intelligence. The reformers
rose and formed a formidable body to go to Freston.
Some talked of pulling down Bourne Bridge, by which the officers of
attachment were to proceed, and a riot would have taken place but for
the interference of the junior Mr. Daundy, who was then as
influential as his father had previously been, and who, in this
instance, displayed the courage and wisdom of a good man. As it was,
he could scarcely prevent the mob from impeding the progress of
Wentworth to Freston Tower.
Bourne Bridge, which until the year previous, had been but a narrow
horse-bridge, had been enlarged for heavy carriages, and was then a
stout brick and stone structure. The beginning of riot was only
required to have it soon levelled with the Orwell.
Good sense, however, prevailed, and the multitude, though
accompanying the Bailiff and messengers to arrest De Freston, were
overruled and persuaded to keep order and submit.
It was not until they were told that any rioting on their parts would
probably prove fatal to the cause of De Freston, that they subsided
into a settled determination to show their respect to that good man,
by not giving way to the vengeance of popular excitement.
De Freston and his friends were seated in the tower, conversing about
the early days of the Cardinal, and calling to mind his youthful
vivacity, his liberality of opinion, his love, his philanthropy, his
erudition, his distinguished talents, and his wonderful advance to
power, when Ellen espied the people coming in a mass along the shore,
and with astonishment exclaimed:
'All Ipswich is coming to the tower!'
The friends looked out of the bay window, and a sudden paleness
spread over the face of the father, as he said to his daughter:
'Depend upon it, Ellen, they are coming for me.'
'For what, father?'
'To take me to prison. I can see the scarlet robe of authority which
the Lord Wentworth wears, and I have known too well his marked
displeasure against me, not to perceive that such a multitude would
not be at his heels, if he did not come upon some obnoxious matter
concerning the reformers.
'He is active and generous by nature; but of such an absolute and
fiery disposition, that whereinsoever he conceives an offence, he is
sure to put the law in execution without mercy. Hark! I can hear
their murmurs! open the window!'
It was done, and distinctly the sound of voices, raised is short and
gibing tones could be distinguished, and as they drew near,
'Shame! shame to the Cardinal!'
'Long live his noble patron!'
'Success to the Reformers! Hail to the truth!'
And 'Down with persecutors!' came sweeping upon the wind to the ears
of the terrified Ellen.
'Oh, my dear father! will you not fly whilst there is time? Cross
the waters to Fastolf's Halls. Take ship, and avoid a
dungeon--perhaps the stake, oh! my father!'
'Hush! my child, calm thyself. Fear not, put thy trust in God. Have
faith in Him. It is too late to flee, and too late in life for me to
be afraid of death. Hush! hush!'
'But a dungeon! a dungeon! four years' imprisonment like that of Sir
Amias Pawlet! Oh! my father, I cannot bear the thought of it.'
'I suffer, my child, nothing for myself, but only for the thought of
thee. But let us not judge too prematurely. Come, let us descend to
the castle, and if they do take me, let them take me prepared. Come,
child, your arm. William, is it not best to be resigned?'
Latimer's spirit was too full of agitation to reply as he could wish.
He felt a sudden fearfulness which made him think it was no easy
thing to be a martyr. He suppressed the bitterness of his feelings,
and followed his dear friends to the castle.
It was not long before acclamations reached their ears, and coming
from the very vicinity of the walls; and the commissioner, with his
authority, soon entered the court.
De Freston received them courteously; he looked at their credentials.
The seal of authority was upon them and he submitted.
'As thou art thyself obedient to our authority, canst thou not warn
thy people of disobedience?' said Wentworth.
'I will do what I can,' and what he said and did, proved sufficient;
for the multitude became as patient as a child, and submitted to the
guidance of him whom they respected.
Lord De Freston had a severe struggle with his daughter in which she
proved successful. She determined to accompany her father, together
with her husband, to London.
She did so, of which the next chapter will give more ample detail.
'She was a daughter and a wife,
Loving her father, and beloved through life.