the Earl of Essex did intend to make his forces so strong, that her majesty should not be able to resist him in the revenge of his enemies. And saith, That the Earl of Essex was most inward with the Earl of Southampton, Sir Christopher Blunt, and others; who have of long time showed themselves discontented, and have advised the Earl of Essex to take other courses, and to stand upon his guard: and saith, That when the Earl of Essex was talking with the lord keeper, and other the lords sent from her majesty, divers said, The lord keeper did often call to the Earl of Essex to speak with them privately, thinking still that his meaning had been so, until the earl brought them into his back chamber, and there gave order to have the farther door of that chamber shut fast. And at his going forth out of that chamber, the lord keeper pressing again to have spoken with the Earl of Essex, the earl said, "My lords, be patient a while, and stay here, and I will go into London, and take order with the mayor and sheriffs for the city, and will be here again within this half-hour;" and so departed"My lord, they mean to abuse you, and you lose from the lord keeper, &c., leaving the lord keeper, &c., and divers of the gentlemen pensioners in that chamber, guarded by Sir John Davis, Francis Tresham, and Owen Salisbury, with musket shot, where they continued until Sir Ferdinando Gorge came and delivered them about four of the clock in the afternoon. In the mean time, we did often require Sir John Davis, and Francis Tresham, to suffer us to depart, or at the least to suffer some one of us to go to the queen's majesty, to inform her where and in what sort we were kept. But they answered, That my lord, meaning the Earl of Essex, had commanded that we should not depart before his return, which, they said, would be very shortly. THOMAS EGERTON, C. S. EDWARD WORCESTER, JOHN POPHAM. The examination of ROGER, Earl of RUTLAND, the 12th of February, 1600, taken before Sir THOMAS EGERTON, Lord Keeper of the Great seal; the Lord BUCKHURST, Lord High Treasurer; the Earl of NOTTINGHAM, Lord High Admi- | ral; Sir ROBERT CECIL, principal Secretary; and Sir Jo. POPHAM, Lord Chief Justice of England time." And when the earl came to sheriff Smith's, he desired him to send for the lord mayor that he might speak with him; and as the earl went in the streets of London, this examinate said to divers of the citizens, that if they would needs come, that it was better for their safety to come with weapons in their hands: and saith, That the Earl of Essex, at the end of the street where sheriff Smith dwelt, cried out to the citizens, that they did him harm, for that they came naked; and willed them to get them weapons; and the Earl of Essex also cried out to the citizens, that the crown of England was offered to be sold to the Infanta: and saith, That the earl burned divers papers that were in a little casket, whereof one was, as the earl said, a history of his troubles: and saith, That when they were assaulted in Essex House, after their return, they first resolved to have made a sally out; and the earl said, that he was determined to die; and yet in the end they changed their opinion, and yielded: and saith, That the Earl of Southampton, Sir Christopher Blunt, and Sir John Davis, advised the Earl of Essex, that the lord keeper and his company should be detained: and this examinate saith, That he heard divers there present cry out, " Kill them, kill them :" and saith, That he thinketh the Earl of Essex intended, that after he had possessed himself of the city, he would entreat the lord keeper and his company to accompany him to the court. He saith, he heard Sir Christopher Blunt say openly, in the presence of the Earl of Essex and others, how fearful, and in what several humours they should find them at the court, when they came thither. He saith, that at his coming to Essex House on Sunday morning last, he found there with the Earl of Essex, the Lord Sandys, and the Lord Chandos, and divers knights and gentlemen. And the Earl of Essex told this examinate, that his life was practised to be taken away by the Lord Cobham, and Sir Walter Raleigh, when he was sent for to the council; and the earl said, that now he meant by the help of his friends to defend himself: and saith, that the detaining of Exam. per TH. EGERTON, C. S. the lord keeper and the other lords sent to the earl from the queen, was a stratagem of war; and saith, That the Earl of Essex told him that London stood for him, and that sheriff Smith had given him intelligence, that he would make as many men to assist him as he could; and farther the Earl of Essex said, that he meant to possess himself of the city, the better to enable himself to revenge him on his enemies, the Lord Cobham, Sir Robert Cecil, and Sir Walter Raleigh. And this examinate confesseth, That he resolved to live and die with the Earl of Essex; and that T. BUCKHURST, RUTLAND. Ro. CECIL, Jo. POPHAM. The confession of WILLIAM, Lord SANDYS, of the parish of Sherborne-Cowdry, in the county of Southampton, taken this 16th of February, 1600, before Sir JOHN POPHAM, Lord Chief Justice, ROGER WILBRAHAM, Master of the Requests; and EDWARD COKE, her majesty's Attorney General. He saith, That he never understood that the earl did mean to stand upon his strength till Sun day in the morning, being the 8th of this instant February and saith, that in the morning of that day this examinate was sent for by the Earl of Essex about six or seven of the clock: and the earl sent for him by his servant Warburton, who was married to a widow in Hampshire. And at his coming to the earl, there were six or seven gentlemen with him, but remembereth not what they were; and next after, of a nobleman, came my Lord Chandos, and after him came the Earl of Southampton, and presently after the Earl of Rutland, and after him Mr. Parker, commonly called the Lord Montegle: and saith, That at his coming to the Earl of Essex, he complained that it was practised by Sir Walter Raleigh to have murdered him as he should have gone to the lord treasurer's house with Mr. Secretary Herbert. And saith, that he was present in the court-yard of Essex House, when the lord keeper, the Earl of Worcester, Sir William Knolles, and the lord chief justice, came from the queen's majesty to the Earl of Essex; and the lord chief justice required the Earl of Essex to have some private conference with him; and that if any private wrongs were offered unto him, that they would make true report thereof to her majesty, who, no doubt, would reform the same: and saith, That this examinate went with the earl, and the rest of his company, to London, to Sheriff Smith's, but went not into the house with him, but stayed in the street a while; and being sent for by the Earl of Essex, went into the house, and from thence came with him till he came to Ludgate; which place being guarded, and resistance being made, and perceived by the Earl of Essex, he said unto his company, "Charge;" and thereupon Sir Christopher Blunt, and others of his company gave the charge, and being repulsed, and this examinate hurt in the leg, the earl retired with this examinate and others to his house called Essex House. And on his retire, the earl said to this examinate, That if sheriff Smith did not his part, that his part was as far forth as the earl's own; which moved him to think that he trusted to the city. And when the earl was, after his retire, in Essex House, he took an iron casket, and broke it open, and burned divers papers in it, whereof there was a book, as he taketh it, and said, as he was burning of them, that they should tell no tales to hurt his friends and saith, That the earl said, that he had a black bag about his neck that should tell no tales. WILLIAM SANDYS. Exam. per Jo. POPHAM, ROGER WILBRAHAM, The examination of the Lord CROMWELL, taken the 7th of March, 1600, by Sir J. PoPHAM, Lord Chief Justice; CHRIST. YELVERTON, her ma jesty's serjeant; and FR. BACON, of her majesty's learned counsel. *At the sheriff's house this examinate pressed in with the rest, and found the earls shifting themselves in an inner chamber, where he heard my Lord of Essex certify the company, that he had been advertised out of Ireland, which he would not now hide from them, that the realm should be delivered over to the hands of the Infanta of Spain, and that he was wished to look to it; farther, that he was to seek redress for injuries; and that he had left at his house for pledges, the lord keeper, the Earl of Worcester, Sir William Knolles, and the lord chief justice. EDW. CROMWELL. per Jo. POPHAM, CHR. YELVERTON, Exam. FR. BACON. Sir CHRISTOPHER BLUNT, knight, at the time of his arraignment, did openly at the bar desire to speak with the lord admiral and Mr. Secretary: before whom he made this confession following; which the Earl of SOUTHAMPTON confirmed after. wards, and he himself likewise at his death. He confesseth, that at the castle of Dublin, in that lodging which was once the Earl of Southampton's, the Earl of Essex purposing his return into England, advised with the Earl of Southampton and himself, of his best manner of going into England for his security, seeing to go he was resolved. At that time he propounded his going with a competent number of soldiers, to the number of two or three thousand, to have made good his first landing with that force, until he could have drawn unto himself a sufficient strength to have proceeded farther. From this purpose this examinate did use all forcible persuasions, alleging not only his own ruin, which should follow thereof, and all those which should adhere to him in that action; but urging it to him as a matter most foul, because he was not only held a patron of his country, which by this means he should have destroyed; but also should have laid upon himself an irrevocable blot, having been so deeply bound to her majesty. To which dissuasion the Earl of Southampton also inclined. This design being thus dissuaded by them, then they fell to a second consideration: and therein this examinate confesseth, That he rather advised him, if needs he would go, to take with him some competent number of choice men. He did not name unto him any particular power that would have come to him at his landing, but *This examination, as appeareth by the date, was taken after Essex's arraignment, but is inserted, to show how the speech, of the realm to be sold to the Infanta, which at his arraignment he derived from Mr. Secretary, at sheriff Smith's house he said he was advertised out of Ireland: and with this latter concur many other examinations. assured himself that his army would have been quickly increased by all sorts of discontented people. He did confess before his going, That he was assured that many of the rebels would be advised by him, but named none in particular. The examination of the Earl of SOUTHAMPTON after his arraignment; taken before the Earl of NoTTINGHAM, Lord High Admiral; Sir ROBERT CECIL, principal Secretary; and Mr. JOHN HERBERT, second Secretary of Estate. Sir Christopher Blunt being hurt, and lying in the castle of Dublin, in a chamber which had been mine, the Earl of Essex one day took me thither with him, where being none but we three, he told us, He found it necessary for him to go into England, and thought it fit to carry with him as much of the army as he could conveniently transport, to go on shore with him to Wales, and there to make good his landing with those, till he could send for more; not doubting but his army would so increase in a small time, that he should be able to march to London, and make his conditions as he desired. To which project I answered, That I held it altogether unfit, as well in respect of his conscience to God, and his love to his country, as his duty to his sovereign, of which he, of all men, ought to have greatest regard, seeing her majesty's favours to him had been so extraordinary: wherefore I could never give any consent unto it. Sir Christopher Blunt joined with me in this opinion. Exam. per NOTTINGHAM, Ro. CECIL, J. HERBERT. The speech of Sir Christopher Blunt, at the time of his death, as near as it could be remembered, March 18, 1600. My lords, and you that be present, although I must confess, that it were better fitting the little time I have to breathe, to bestow the same in asking God forgiveness for my manifold and abominable sins, than to use any other discourse, especially having both an imperfection of speech, and, God knows, a weak memory, by reason of my late grievous wound: yet, to satisfy all those that are present, what course hath been held by me in this late enterprise, because I was said to be an instigator and setter on of the late earl, I will truly, and upon the peril of my soul, speak the truth. It is true, that the first time that ever I understood of any dangerous discontentment in my Lord of Essex, was about three years ago, at Wanstead, upon his coming one day from Greenwich. At that time he spake many things unto me, but descended into no particulars, but in general terms. After which time he never brake with me in any matter tending to the alteration of the state, I protest before God, until he came into Ireland, other than I might conceive, that he was of an ambitious and discontented mind. But when I lay at the castle of Thomas Lee, called Reban, in Ireland, grievously hurt, and doubted of my life, he came to visit me, and then began to acquaint me with his intent. [As he thus spake, the sheriff began to interrupt him, and told him the hour was past. But my Lord Gray, and Sir Walter Raleigh, captain of the guard, called to the sheriff, and required him not to interrupt him, but to suffer him quietly to finish his prayers and confessions. Sir Christopher Blunt said, Is Sir Walter Raleigh there? Those on the scaffold answered, Yea. To whom Sir Christopher Blunt spake on this manner:] Sir Walter Raleigh, I thank God that you are present: I had an infinite desire to speak with you, to ask you forgiveness ere I died, both for the wrong done you, and for my particular ill intent towards you: I beseech you forgive me. Sir Walter Raleigh answered, That he most willingly forgave him, and besought God to forgive him, and to give him his divine comfort: protesting before the Lord, That whatsoever Sir Christopher Blunt meant towards him, for his part he never had any ill intent towards him; and farther said to Sir Christopher Blunt, "I pray you without offence let me put you in mind that you have been esteemed, not only a principal provoker and persuader of the Earl of Essex in all his undutiful courses, but especially an adviser in that which had been confessed of his purpose to transport a great part of her majesty's army out of Ireland into England, to land at Milford, and thence to turn it against her sacred person. You shall do well to tell the truth, and to satisfy the world." To which he answered thus: Sir, if you will give me patience, I will deliver a truth, speaking now my last, in the presence of God, in whose mercy I trust. [And then he directed himself to my Lord Gray and my Lord Compton, and the rest that sat on horseback near the scaffold.] When I was brought from Reban to Dublin, and lodged in the castle, his lordship and the Earl of Southampton came to visit me; and to be short, he began thus plainly with me: That he intended to transport a choice part of the army of Ireland into England, and land them in Wales, at Milford or thereabouts; and so securing his descent thereby, would gather such other forces as might enable him to march to London. To which, I protest before the Lord God, I maue this or the like answer: That I would that night con sider of it; which I did. And the next day the earls came again: I told them, That such an enterprise, as it was most dangerous, so would it cost much blood, as I could not like of it; besides many hazards, which at this time I cannot remember unto you, neither will the time permit it. But I rather advised him to go over himself with a good train, and make sure of the court, and then make his own conditions. And although it be true, that, as we all protested in our examinations and arraignments, we never resolved of doing hurt to her majesty's person, for in none of our consultations was there set down any such purpose; yet, I knew, and must confess, if we had failed of our ends, we should, rather than have been disappointed, even have drawn blood from herself. From henceforward he dealt no more with me herein, until he was discharged of his keeper at Essex House. And then he again asked mine advice, and disputed the matter with me; but resolved not. I went then into the country, and before he sent for ine, which was some ten days before his rebellion, I never heard more of the matter. And then he wrote unto me to come up, upon pretence of making some assurances of land, and the like. I will leave the rest unto my confessions, given to that honourable lord admiral, and worthy Mr. Secretary, to whom I beseech you, Sir Walter Raleigh, commend me; I can requite their favourable and charitable dealing with me, with naught else but my prayers for them. And I beseech God of his mercy, to save and preserve the queen, who hath given comfort to my soul, in that I hear she hath forgiven me all, but the sentence of the law, which I most worthily deserved, and do most willingly embrace; and hope that God will have mercy and compassion on me, who have offended him as many ways as ever sinful wretch did. I have led a life so far from his precepts, as no sinner more. God forgive it me, and forgive me my wicked thoughts, my licentious life, and this right arm of mine, which, I fear me, hath drawn blood in this last action. And I beseech you all bear witness, that I die a Catholic, yet so, as I hope to be saved only by the death and passion of Christ, and by his merits, not ascribing any thing to mine own works. And I trust you are all good people, and your prayers may profit me. Farewell, my worthy Lord Gray, and my Lord Compton, and to you all; God send you both to live long in honour. I will desire to say a few prayers, and embrace my death most willingly. With that he turned from the rail towards the executioner; and the minister offering to speak with him, he came again to the rail, and besought that his conscience might not be troubled, for he was resolved; which he desired for God's sake. Whereupon commandment was given, that the minister should not interrupt him any farther. After which he prepared himself to the block, and so died very manfully and resolutely. An Abstract out of the Earl of Essex's confession under his own hand. Upon Saturday, the twenty-first of February, after the late Earl of Essex had desired us to come to him, as well to deliver his knowledge of those treasons, which he had formerly denied at the bar, as also to recommend his humble and earnest request, that her majesty would be pleased, out of her grace and favour, to suffer him to die privately in the Tower; he did marvellous earnestly desire, that we would suffer him to speak unto Cuffe, his secretary: against whom he vehemently complained unto us, to have been a principal instigator to these violent courses which he had undertaken. Wherein he protested, that he chiefly desired that he might make it appear that he was not the only persuader of those great offences which they had committed; but that Blunt, Cuffe, Temple, besides those other persons who were at the private conspiracy at Drury House, to which, though these three were not called, yet, they were privy, had most malicious and bloody purposes to subvert the state and government: which could not have been prevented, if his project had gone forward. This request being granted him, and Cuffe brought before him, he there directly and vehemently charged him; and among other speeches used these words: "Henry Cuffe, call to God for mercy, and to the queen, and deserve it by declaring truth. For I, that must now prepare for another world, have resolved to deal clearly with God and the world: and must needs say this to you; You have been one of the chiefest instigators of me to all these my disloyal courses into which I have fallen." Testified by THO. EGERTON, C. S. The Earl of Essex his confession to three ministers, whose names are underwritten, the 25th of February, 1600. The late Earl of Essex thanked God most heartily, that he had given him a deeper insight into his offence, being sorry he had so stood upon his justification at his arraignment, for he was since that become another man. He thanked God that his course was so prevented: for if his project had taken effect, God knows, said he, what harm it had wrought in the realm. He humbly thanked her majesty, that he should die in so private a manner, lest the acclamation of the people might have been a temptation unto him. To which he added, that all popularity and trust in man was vain; the experience whereof himself had felt. He acknowledged, with thankfulness to Goo that he was thus justly spewed out of the realm. He publicly in his prayer and protestation, as also privately, aggravated the detestation of his offence; and especially in the hearing of them that were present at the execution, he exaggerated [explained to us, that it was a leprosy that had init with four epithets, desiring God to forgive him fected far and near. his great, his bloody, his crying, and his infectious sin; which word "infectious" he privately had THOMAS MONFORD, WILLIAM BARLOW, ADVICE TO SIR GEORGE VILLIERS, AFTERWARDS DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM, WHEN HE BECAME FAVOURITE TO KING JAMES; RECOMMENDING MANY IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS HOW TO GOVERN HIMSELF WRITTEN BY SIR FRANCIS BACON, ON THE IMPORTUNITY OF HIS PATRON AND FRIEND. NOBLE SIR, You know, I am no courtier, nor versed in state affairs: my life hitherto hath rather been contemplative than active; I have rather studied books than men; I can but guess, at the most, at these things in which you desire to be advised; nevertheless, to show my obedience, though with the What you requested of me by word, when I last waited on you, you have since renewed by your letters. Your requests are commands unto me: and yet the matter is of that nature, that I find myself very unable to serve you therein as you desire. It hath pleased the king to cast an extra-hazard of my discretion, I shall yield unto you. ordinary eye of favour upon you, and you express yourself very desirous to win upon the judgment of your master, and not upon his affections only. I do very much commend your noble ambition herein; for favour so bottomed is like to be lasting; whereas, if it be built upon the sandy foundation of personal respects only, it cannot be long-lived. [* My lord, when the blessing of God, to whom, in the first place, I know you ascribe your preferment, and the king's favour, purchased by your noble parts, promising as much as can be expected from a gentleman, had brought you to this high pitch of honour, to be in the eye and ear, and even in the bosom of your gracious master: and you had found by experience the trouble of all men's confluence, and for all matters, to yourself, as a mediator between them and their sovereign you were pleased to lay this command upon me; first, in general, to give you my poor advice for your carriage in so eminent a place, and of so much danger, if not wisely discharged. Next, in particular, by what means to give despatches to suitors of all sorts, for the king's best service, the suitors' satisfaction, and your own ease. I humbly return you mine opinion in both these, such as a hermit, rather than a courtier can render.] Yet in this you have erred, in applying yourself to me, the most unworthy of your servants, to give assistance upon so weighty a subject. *What is found in crotchets is borrowed from the original edition, published in 4to, 1661. Sir, in the first place, I shall be bold to put you in mind of the present condition you are in. You are not only a courtier, but a bed-chamber man, and so are in the eye and ear of your master; but you are also a favourite; the favourite of the time, and so are in his bosom also. The world hath so voted you, and doth so esteem of you; for kings and great princes, even the wisest of them, have had their friends, their favourites, their privadoes, in all ages; for they have their affections as well as other men. Of these they make several uses; sometimes to communicate and debate their thoughts with them, and to ripen their judgments thereby; and sometimes to ease their cares by imparting them; and sometimes to interpose them between themselves and the envy or malice of their people; for kings cannot err; that must be discharged upon the shoulders of their ministers; and they who are nearest unto them must be content to bear the greatest load. [Remember then what your true condition is. The king himself is above the reach of his people, but cannot be above their censures; and you are his shadow, if either he commit an error, and is loath to avow it, but excuses it upon his ministers, of which you are first in the eye; or you commit the fault, or have willingly permitted it, and must suffer for it; and so per haps you may be offered a sacrifice to appease the multitude.] But truly, sir, I do not believe or suspect that you are chosen to this eminency out of the last of these considerations; for you serve i such a master, who by his wisdom and goodness |