As about this Time, it being stark Winter, Tib Pyebaker went near to burn the House down after the Manner following. She took some red-hot Coals between two Saucepan-lids to warm her Bed therewith; and, whenas she deemed it heated enow, she would needs not be at the Pains of carrying the Coals down again, but hid them under the Stairs in a Broom-cupboard. And by Reason of the undermost Lid-handle making the Lid to lose its Balance, it fell Topside-t'otherway, and the lighted Coals were spilled, whereof I passing the Cupboard, was made ware by the strong Smell of burning. And, looking therein and moving sundry Rags that were already Tinder, I found the Boards beneath them just ready to burst into a Flame. Whereupon, without running for Water, I cast my Gown thereon and crushed it out with my Hands. Now, could I have hidden my Burns, I might have saved Tib's Credit; whereas the Thing could not be hid, seeing I could not so much as cut my Meat; and Mistress Fraunces bruiting it abroad, it came to the Ears of the Bridge Wardens, who, because of the imperilling of the whole Bridge, would not be hindered of setting Tib in the Cage, as a Warning to other careless Servants. I was grievous for her, the Place was so publique; and a Lot of 'Prentice Boys were staring at her all Day, and offering her Eatables and then plucking them away. Also Miles made no end of Pretences for going of Errands past that End of the Bridge, and always feigned to look away from Tib, yet took Care to spy her in her Trouble, out of the Corner of his Eye, all the Time.
I never knew one Woman treat another with more silent Contempt than Damaris expressed for Tib, after this Affair of the Cage. It was a long Time afore the 'Prentices (who now called me Fire-and-Water,) left off asking of Tib where she now kept her Warming-pan, and whether she cast her hot Ashes out on the Boats that shot the Bridge. For this, she would sometimes catch them by the Ears and pull them well; but then they would cry "Clubs!" and a Score of Lads were over their Counters in a Minute, and she had to run for it and dart breathless into the House, whither they dared not follow her. Howbeit, when the pleasant Month of May came, and the Damsels danced before their Masters' Doors to the Timbrels, Tib, who well loved to pound away with the Rest, was so cross that she would not come forth.
During the last few Months, Tomkins had been much eased of his Lameness; and the worn Look of Suffering had altogether departed, leaving him a much younger looking Man than before this Relief. One day, to my great Surprise, he told me he was going to be married. I asked him, to whom; and he said, to an old Acquaintance of his he had long lost Sight of, but had fallen in with in St. Magnus' Church ... one who would gladly have had him when they were many Years younger, but who was kind enough to care for him and wish to make him happy now. He added, reflectively, when he had told me this, "There are a great many good Women in the World."
So he removed his Loom to a tidy Lodging in Shoreditch, which Master Hewet furnished for him; and Mistress Fraunces gave him his Wedding Dinner, and Miles and I helped to eat it. The Wife, though middle-aged, had a pleasant Aspect; and I thought Tomkins had done a very good Thing for himself; but his Attick looked very dreary without him.
The Marching Watch was revived with great Splendour this Year by the Lord Mayor, Sir John Gresham, both on St. John's Eve, and the Eve of St. Peter: and the Array was augmented by three Hundred Demi-lances and light Horse, prepared by the City to be sent into Scotland for the Rescue of the Town of Haddington. Five Hundred of the Cressets were furnished by the great Companies, the other two Hundred by the Chamber of London, and every Cresset had two Men, one to hold, and one to trim it: and every Cresset-bearer had Wages, his Breakfast, a Badge, and a Straw Hat. And, what with Halberdiers, Billmen, etc., there mustered about two Thousand. There were also many City Feasts, some of which Master Hewet and Mistress Fraunces attended very richly dressed.
It was some little Time after this, that I, copying a Letter at my Master's Behest, could not hinder myself of hearing the following Address made to him by Mistress Fraunces.
"William, I have been laying up thy black Velvet Suit with Care, this Morning, thinking thou wouldest have no more present Occasion for it.—How well thou becamest it, I thought! And so thought Mistress Beatrix. She said she had never seen a Man look so well since thou warest thy white Sarcenet Coat in the great Muster for King Harry."
"Sarcenet Speeches, Sister," sayth Master Hewet.
"Nay, I know not what you mean by Sarcenet Speeches," returns she, "I am sure they were sincere enough; and truly I think, Brother, if you pushed your Fortune a little in that Quarter, you might have Success."
Finding he uttered no Word, she, after a little waiting, saith, "Dear Alice hath now been long in her Grave, and would, I am certified, wish you to be happy."
—"And what is to make me so?" asks he, huskily.
"Nay, Brother, a good Wife."
"I've had one," quod he, "and one is enough to my Share.—Are you tired of keeping House for me? What would you do, now, if I set a Lady above you at my Table?"
"Oh," quod she cheerfully, "I would gladly take the second Place. Or, if she preferred my Room to my Company, I would take Pattern by the old Lady at the Bridge End that lives all alone by herself with her Cats."
"No, dear Fraunces" sayth he,—and I have Ground for thinking he kissed her,—"you shall need neither Alternative—Alice shall have no Successor in mine House, since she can never have one in my Heart ... and, as to happy,—why, except for that one great Loss, am I not happy as Man can be? Believe me, I am content with the Present, and trustful for the Future. I hope to see...."
But what he hoped to see, I heard not.
About this Time, Miles had formed close Acquaintance with some Lads on the Bridge, who gave their Masters more Trouble than enough. I suppose he thought it spirited of them, and worthy of all Imitation. One Night, I awoke out of my first Sleep, and lay listening to the Uproar of the Winds and Waters, which seemed quite to drown Miles' Snoring, when the Door suddenly opened, and my Master, with a Lamp in his Hand, sayth, "Ned, are you in Bed?" I say, "Yes, Master." "Then," quod he, where is Miles?" I said, "In Bed too, Master." But he turned his Light on Miles' Bed, and it was empty. Then quod he, "The Bridge Watchman hath just called under my Window to say one of my 'Prentices was abroad, but he wist not which, for in chasing him, he stumbled over an Heap of Rubbish before a House under Repair, and lost him in the Dark."
Then he left me, and I lay wondering how Miles could have got out, since Mistress Fraunces kept the House-key, and what Account he would give of himself when he came back. Master Hewet, I afterwards learnt, found the Key in the Door, outside, and took it in, and locked the Door. And so, sate in Wait a good While, till at length some one tries the Door from without, then gropes about the Ground for the Key, then loudly whispers through the Keyhole, "Tib! Tib!"
Thereupon the Door is opened, but not by Tib; and my Master, collaring Miles, strikes him, but not so severely as for him to do what he did, which was to fall all along on the Ground and emit one or two hollow Grones. Master Hewet, witting him to be scarce hurt, waxed very angry, and pulling him up, would know how he got out, but Miles would not tell. Then he would know why he called on Tib through the Keyhole, as though expecting her to be at Hand; and he made Answer, Because her Name came readiest, and he was less afeard of her than of any else, but she wist not of his being out. My Master said, That should be seen to, and how did he get the Key? He said Mistress Fraunces had forgotten to take it up. But Mistress Fraunces, when called up, remembered well to have laid it on her Toilette ere she went to Bed, and was avised Tib must have fetched it while she was asleep. But, on going to Tib, Mistress Fraunces found her sleeping so heavily, that after much shaking, all she could get out of her was, "Thieves! Thieves!" So the Matter stood over; Master Hewet putting it to Miles whether he wist not that he might have him up before the Wardens, and see him hardly dealt with. So Miles came back to his Bed, sullen enough.
But a Woman's own Tongue is oft her worst Enemy. The next Morning, though Nothing could be got out of Miles nor of Tib, yet Mistress Fraunces, being in her own Bed-chamber, instead of at Market, as Tib supposed, hears Tib, who was concluded to be making my Master's Bed, a talking from his Window to the Maid in the corresponding Window across the Strete. And although, by Reason of the two Tenements being so very few Feet apart in their upper Stories, there was hardly need for Tib to speak above her Breath, yet Mistress Fraunces, quickened by Curiosity, could hear almost every Word, and how that Tib had come into her Chamber when she was asleep, and took the Key and lent it to Miles, who had promised her a tawdry Ribbon for it: and how the Watchman saw him go forth, and aroused my Master, who set on him when he returned, and beat him within an Inch of his Life. And how Mistress Fraunces—But here Mistress Fraunces spoiled all, in her Anxiety to hear the Particulars of her own Character; for, advancing a little too near the Casement, that she might not lose a Syllable, she was caught Sight of by the Neighbour's Maid, who, without Doubt, made a Signal to Tib. Whereupon, Tib, after a Moment's Pause, added, and how that if Mistress Fraunces were not the sweetest and mercifullest of Ladies, there would be no Chance of her forgiving such a Misdeed when she came to hear it, as Tib meant she should the very first Time she could find Heart to confess it to the sweetest and best of Ladies.
Oh what Potence hath a flattering Tongue! Here was Mistress Fraunces ready to fly out upon Tib and give her Warning on the Spot, and, in a Minute, in a Breath, her Wrath was allayed and brought within Compass by the Commendation of an artful Woman. She goeth to the Stair-foot and calleth, "Tib! Tib! come down with thee this Instant!" but by the Time Tib appeared with her Apron at her Eyes, she had lost all Mind to cast her, characterless, forth of the House, and it sufficed her to bestow a severe Chiding. Whereat Tib wept, and took Shame to herself, and made her Peace; and so was kept on. Which I ever thought an ill-advised Thing. Where there's no Fidelity, there's no Safety.
And Jacob served Laban for Rachel seven Years; and they seemed unto him but so many Days, for the Love he had unto her." Albeit I was not serving my Master for my Master's Daughter, yet her being in the House helped, I wot, to make the seven Years speed like seven Days. Sure, never was so gracious a Creature! Her Nature was so excellent, and her Countenance, which was the Index of her Mind, was so full of Sweetness and Goodness, that one could scarce look upon her without blessing Him who had created her so lovely.
Meantime my Master's Fortune and Credit from small Beginnings had risen mightily, as is often the Case in this commercial and prosperous City. He had gone through the three Degrees of Wardenship of his Company, had been elected of the Common Council, and was now Alderman of the Bridge Ward Without. And if he still lived and went plain, he laid by and laid out in Commerce the more: there was no Shew, nor no Stinting.
Yes: those were happy Days! All the fairer they seem now, for the dark ones that were coming. The only Sorrow among us that I remember was when the Pestilence brake out, in the fifth Year of our young King, which at first only prevailed in the North, but at length reached London, where it raged with prodigious Fury, carrying off eight Hundred Souls the first Week, and mostly after a Sickness of only twelve or twenty-four Hours. We had it not on the Bridge, which was attributed to the free Access of fresh Air to our Dwellings; howbeit, Mistress Anne (like a ministering Angel as she was,—such a Child, too! only in her twelfth Year!) must needs go about, relieving poor Wretches in their Dwellings; whereby she caught a low Fever that brought her to Death's Door, and filled the House with Tears. If my Master, a Man in Years, forbare not to weep, Reason was, a Lad such as I should weep too. Howbeit, through the Grace of God, she recovered: but for a long Time she was too enfeebled to walk, wherefore Master Hewet took her much on the Water during the long Summer Evenings, after we had been nigh stifled by the Day's sultry Heat. For the eastern Side of the House was close; and the western, though open, yet was much exposed to the Glare of the Sun on the River. We shut it out with Blinds and Lattices all we could; but still, the Crown of the Day was after Sundown on the Water. Master Hewet liked his 'Prentices to pull; and sometimes we fell into the Wake of some Court Barge with Horns and Sackbuts, and lay on our Oars; Mistress Anne full silent, resting her Head, for Weakness, against my Master's Shoulder, and with the Tears sometimes stealing down from her large, bright Eyes. My Master carried her down to the Boat, but 'twas my Portion, for I will not say Burthen, to carry her up. How light she was! She did not much like it, and managed presently to ascend slowly, with the help of my Master's Arm; but I remember the Goodness and Sweetness with which, with a sweet Blush on her Face, she sayth, "Do you remember the first Time? But for thee, I had not been here now."
As she strengthened, we kept out longer, and went up to Chelsea and Fulham, and rambled about the pleasant Fields; eating Curds and Cream at Milkhouses, and returning by Moonlight; Miles and I singing, "Row the Boat, Norman."
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"Eating Curds & Cream"
Then Master Hewet carried her down into the Country, to the Hall of his Brother the Squire; and there she abode till she was quite well. When she returned, the Leaves were falling, and Master Hewet would walk with her of an Evening to Finsbury Fields, and stand with her at a Distance to see us young Men shoot the long Bow, leap, wrestle, cast the Stone, and practise our Shields; in all which, Miles came in for his full Share of Praise; and I was always well content to be thought equal to him. Sometimes I overshot him, sometimes he overshot me; sometimes I outleaped him, sometimes he outleaped me; but we loved the Game beyond the Competition; there was never any ill Blood between us.
'Twas on All Saints' Day, this Year, that the new Service Book, called of Common Prayer, was first used in Paul's Church, and the like throughout the whole City. Dr. Ridley, Bishop of London, performed the same in Paul's, in his Rochet only; and in the Afternoon preached at Paul's Cross before the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Livery Companies, which Sermon, being on the Subject of the new Service, lasted till five o' the Clock, so that, the Days being short, we returned by Torch-light.
Then had the Church great Rest. The Enemy, knowing his Time was at Hand, lay mighty quiet: and, for the Multitude of notable Foreigners that resorted to us for Safeguard, England might have been called Christi Asylum. Howbeit, the Canker was already i' the Bud!
The King, earlier in the Year, had ta'en the Measles; and during the Summer, had ridden a Progress with greater Magnificence than ever he had done before. In the January following, whether procured by sinister Practice or natural Infirmity, he fell into an Indisposition of Body which soon grew to a Cough of the Lungs. Perhaps it had been happy if Lord Robert Dudley (now my Lord of Leicester,) had not recently been sworn one of the six Gentlemen of the King's Chamber ... we must not speak ill, Hew, of them that are set high in Authority, save upon great Conviction and Certitude: howbeit, you and I know what the private Report of that Gentleman is—When I'm sick, don't give me a Leicester Cordial, that's all!
The common Talk was, that a poisoned Nosegay had been given the pretty Boy at New-year's-tide, which brought him into this slow but deadly Languishment. To think, what Poison may lie 'neath Flowers! At all Events, the Duke of Northumberland, now the powerfullest Man in the Realm since he had swallowed up his unhappy Rival Somerset, beginneth to aim at nothing short of Crown matrimonial for his young Son Lord Guilford Dudley, lately espoused to the Lady Jane Grey; therefore inculcateth on the kingly Boy now a-dying, how much it concerned him to have a Care for Religion, not only during Life, but after his Death; which could not be preserved in its Purity to the Realm should the Lady Mary succeed; and, if he set aside one Sister, he might as well put away the other also, and devise his Crown to her who after them was his next Kinswoman, the good and godly Lady Jane.
So soon as this was obtained of him, he might die as soon as he would—the sooner the better—and, to help Matters, the Leeches were dismissed, and a Gentlewoman (thought to have received her Instructions before hand,) set over him; under whose Applications his Pulse presently failed, his Skin changed Colour, and other Symptoms speedily appeared of Mortal Dissolution. Turning his Face then to the Wall like good Hezekiah, he was heard by one that sate behind the Curtain to say, "O Lord God, deliver me out of this miserable and wretched Life! O Lord, thou knowest how happy it were for me to be with thee; yet, for thy Chosen's Sake, if it be thy Will, send me Life and Health that I may truly serve thee!" After a little Space, again he sigheth, "O save thy People England!" Then, turning about, and noting some one behind the Curtain, "I had thought," saith he, "I was alone." "Sir," sayth the Attendant, "I heard you speak, but heard not what you were saying." "Nay," sayth he, "I was but praying to God. Oh! I am faint! faint unto Death! Lord, receive my Spirit!" And forthwith breathed out his white, innocent Soul. Early ripe, early gathered!
Thus we sometimes see the Nation's prime Hope, the Desire of all Eyes, cut off as a sweet Rose snaps its Stalk; and we mourn, thinking the Lord hath forgotten to be gracious and will no more be entreated, and his Mercy is clean gone from us for ever; not knowing that, after he hath tried and purified his own, yea, like Silver over the Fire, till the thick Scum separates and he seeth his own Image reflected in the bright Metal, he will return unto us and be gracious, like as a Father pitieth his Children, and make our latter Day better than our Beginning. Had we not known the early Setting of this young Hesperus, we had not now sunned ourselves in the Light of our bright Occidental Star.
And now, the bright Boy being dead, the Duke of Northumberland took upon him to sit at the Stern, and order all Things according unto his Pleasure. The Demise of the Crown was kept close that Day and the next, he hoping to obtain Possession of the Lady Mary, who, however, learned the Secret, and rode off to the Coast. Meantime, he took heed to occupy and fortify the Tower; and, on the second Day, sent for the Lord Mayor, six Aldermen, not including Master Hewet, six Merchants of the Staple, and as many Merchant Adventurers, to attend the Council at Greenwich, where they were advised of the King's Death and how he had ordained for the Succession by Letters Patent, to the which they were sworn, and charged to keep the Matter secret.
When my Master presently heard of this from one of his brother Aldermen, (for such Secrets are not long kept,) he said, in his own Family, that however he might desire a Protestant Succession, he was persuaded that this would not, nor could not, come to Good. "To say Nothing," quod he, "of the Lady Jane's questionable Birth; for the Duke, though few know it, had, when he married her Mother, a Wife living already."
Howbeit, at Three o' the Clock on the Monday Afternoon, the Lady Jane was conveyed, in Sight of us all, by Water from Syon to the Tower, and there received as Queen. At Five o' Clock, the King's Death and her Accession were proclaimed; but few cried "God save Queen Jane!" A Drawer at a Tavern within Ludgate said in the Hearing of some, that he thought the Lady Mary had the better Title; whereon he was incontinent arrested and set in the Pillory in Chepe, whereto both his Ears were nailed, and then clean cut off.
Meantime the Duke of Northumberland heareth that the Lady Mary's Party makes head, whereon he resolves to send Lady Jane's Father, the Duke of Suffolk, to put it down and seize her Person. Whereon the Lady Jane, who hath all along had no Mind to the Crown, weepeth sore, and begs her Father may be let off that Enterprize and that her Father-in-law will take it on himself; which he, after short Demur and much Flattery of his Bravery and Skill, consenteth to do. But his Heart misgiveth him, both as to what he goes to and what he leaves behind; and, sayth he to the Council, "Should ye in mine Absence waver in your Resolution, it may be ye will contrive your own Safety with my Destruction." Quod they, "Your Grace makes a Doubt of that which cannot be, for which of us all can wash his Hands clean of this Business?" So the Duke set forth with eight Thousand Foot and two Thousand Horse; and, as he rode along Shoreditch, quod he to Lord Grey, "See how the People press forward to see us! but not one of them sayth, 'God speed you!'"
In Truth, Gentle and Simple fell off to the Lady Mary, though Bishop Ridley preached at Paul's, to invite us to stand firm to Lady Jane. The Duke's Party melted away; and the Duke of Suffolk, learning how his Daughter's Partizans had defalked to the Lady Mary or been defeated and captivated, entereth the young Queen's Chamber and telleth her in brief, she must now put off her royal Robes and be content with a private Life. To which the meek young Lady made Answer, that she should put them off with more Contentation than she had put them on; and would never have done so but to please him and her Mother. And so ended her ten Days' Reign.
On the Third of August, the Lady Mary entered London as Mary the Queen; and truly she began to make short Work of it; for, the next Day, she restored Gardiner to his Bishopric of Winchester, and, a few Days later, made him Chancellor; and, on the Fifth, restored Bonner and Tunstall to their Sees. Ridley, Coverdale, Hooper, and the rest of our good reformed Bishops, of course, were removed; and all beneficed Men that were married, or would not abjure the reformed Faith, were put out of their Livings.
On the 13th, Miles and I went to hear what would be said at Paul's Cross. There was one Bourne, a Canon, who preached such arrant Romanism and Flattery of Bonner, now Bishop of London, to his Face, that the People hooted and cried, "Pull him down," and Miles, flinging his Cap with good Aim, hit him on the Nose. Another flung a Dagger, which just missed him, but caused him to quit his Post; and honest Master Bradford, stepping into it, spread forth his Hands with, "Good Christian People"—whereon there was great Quiet; and by his savoury and peaceifying Doctrine he allayed the Tumult. The same Day, an old Priest said Mass at St. Bartholomew's, albeit the People went nigh to pull him in Pieces.
The following Sunday, one Dr. Watson preached at Paul's Cross, and the Churchyard was lined with Soldiers, for Fear of like Tumult that was on the Sunday before. During the Week, Northumberland had been arraigned and condemned; and on the Monday next following he was to be beheaded; howbeit, he desired first to hear Mass and receive the Sacrament after the Romish Manner: thereby looking, maybe, to obtain Pardon, but in sooth only proving a Renegade and losing the Grace of a Confessor. The Lady Jane, looking forth of her Prison Window, saw him on his Way to Mass; a grievouse Thing to her pure Mind; whereof she spake next Day at Table, saying, "Wo worth him! Should I that am young and in my few Yeres, forsake my Faith for the Love of Life? Much more he should not, whose fatal Course could not long have lasted."
On the 14th Sept. good Master Latimer was sent Prisoner to the Tower. Seeing a Warder there whose Face he remembered, he cried cheerily, "What, old Friend! how do you? See, I am come to be your Neighbour again!" The good Cranmer was committed thither the same Day. But these Things were done privately: a Boat, more or less, privily shooting the Bridge and gliding aneath the Traitors' Arch, was ta'en no Note of; while the Stretes and Highways were all astir with Preparations for the Queen's Crownation, which was set for the 1st Octr. The Easterlings were providing her a mighty fine Pageant, at Gracechurch Corner, with a little Condyt that ran Wine: the Genouese had theirs in Phanechurchstrete, the Florentines at the farther End of Gracechurchstrete, with an Angel in Green and Gold, that, at pulling of a String, set a Trumpet to his Mouth and made believe to blow it,—only a real Trumpeter stood behind. With these and such-like Toys the City amused their Minds, and humoured themselves into receiving the Queen with due Loyalty.
But when she came forth ... alas! what an ill-favoured Lady! Sure, we are all as God made us, for Homeliness or Comeliness; but yet a sweet Nature may be discerned through the plainest Favour; but it could not be discerned here. And she declined her Head upon her Hand, as though for some Ache or Ail that constrained her to regard Everything done in her Honour askance and awry. 'Tis Pity o' my Life! when a Lady is so ill at Ease, she can't hold her Head strait on her Crownation-day. Doubtless crowned Heads are liable to Aches as well as those that own ne'er a Cap; and 'tis a heaven-sent Immunity when they are able as well as willing for all Public Occasions, like our Royal Lady that now rules the Land. With Bone-fires and Feastings, there were many private Families enjoyed that Day more heartily, I wot, than the Queen's Grace in her Chair of State. The Ceremonial was spun out beyond all Reason; and when she returned, 'twas with the three Swords of the three Kingdoms borne sheathed before her, and another unsheathed—alack! not the Sword of the Spirit.
Old Master Cheke dined with us next Day ... he was now a withered little old Man, with a frosty Bloom still on his thin Cheek, but no Fire in his Eye. He was mighty cast down at the late Imprisonment of his Nephew, who, though now set at large, had had a narrow Escape of it, and behoved to lie close. Wherefore, to the old Man's Thought, all Joy had vanished, the Mirth of the Land was gone: and he took up his Parable and prophesied evil Things.
"And who knows not," quod he, "whether we shall not shortly have a Romish King set over us? The Queen is in Love to Death with Reginald Pole; and although he will none of her, he may not be able to resist a matrimonial Crown. We shall have him sent for presently, and released from his Vows, as sure as London Bridge is built on Wool-packs."
Well I wot Master Cheke had the Truth on't. For the Queen's Grace, being now seven an' thirty Year old, had no Time to lose, if she minded to marry at all; and Reginald Pole, albeit now in his fifty-fourth Year, was the very handsomest Man of his Time; more by Token Michael Angiolo (the greater Shame to him!) had put in his Face for that of our Saviour in his Scholar's famous Picture of the Raising of Lazarus. Howbeit, e'en a Queen, it seemeth, may woo in vain. She sent for Pole with a legatine Power, and moreover writ private Letters unto him and to the Pope with her own Hand. But, albeit the Pope rejoiced in his Heart at the Thought of regaining England, Pole gave such manifest Signals of hanging back until the Queen were married, as that her Grace without more Ado entertained Proposals from Philip of Spain; she having, thirty Years before, been promised to his Father!
This Year, Master Hewet was made Sheriff. Well remember I young Mistress Anne, tripping down from her Closet in sky-blue Taffeta, and flirting a little Feather-fan as she passed me, crying, "Make Way for the Sheriff's Daughter! Oh, Ned, how grand I am!—
I said, "Sure, Mistress, the Sheriff in that Song came to no Good—I wist not ye had so much Pride."
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"Make way for the Sheriff's Daughter"
She looked about on me with her sweet, smiling Face, and said, "I've no Pride for myself, Edward, but I may have for him!—May I not? may I not?" playfully calling after me as I turned away. I said, "Oh, forsooth, Mistress, ye can do no Wrong."
"Is that in jest or earnest?" saith she, growing serious. "Am I proud, Edward?"
When I saw her wistful Look, and thought within me how much indeed she had to be both proud and vain of, yet was neither, I could carry it no farther, but said, "In sooth, sweet Mistress, you are not."
"All's right then," quod she gaily, and hastened to the Window to see the new Sheriff mount his gray Horse, richly caparisoned. Thereafter, Miles and I attended her and Mistress Fraunces to the River Stairs, where the Company were to embark on a Pleasure-party; I thought the Barge had a goodly and lovely Freight!
Meantime, the Rumour of the Queen's Match occasioned great Murmuring throughout the Land. And Sir Thomas Wyat, a Kentish Gentleman, concerted with the Duke of Suffolk and Sir Peter Carew to take Arms and promote a general Rising, so soon as the Prince of Spain should set Foot on English Ground. The Duke, no Doubt, looked for the Re-establishment of his Daughter, Lady Jane, now under Sentence, but allowed the Liberty of the Tower. Sir Thomas, Son to that Wyat of Allington Castle who writ good Verses, had oft been Ambassadour to Spain, where the Cruelty and Subtlety of the People made him tremble at the Thought of their obtaining a Footing in his native Land. But alack! Hew, how many crying Evils must conspire together to give any just Pretence for a Rising against constituted Authorities! And a defeated Rebellion always strengthens the Hands of Government. So it was in this Instance. We had not as yet been visited with Scourges nor whipped with Scorpions; 'twas only the Fear of what might be, (presaged, 'tis true enough, by many Foretokens,) that tempted Men to shed Blood and endanger their Heads for the Sake of their Country. Wherefore, a Bird of the Air, I suppose, carrying the Matter, Sir Peter Carew, finding the Plot bewrayed, takes Thought only for himself, and flies over Seas; and Wyat, thinking the Hour unripe, yet purposing rather to hurry forward than retreat, taketh Arms with the declared Aim of doing no Hurt to the Queen's Person, but of removing her evil Counsellors.
Thereon the City was all Confusion. Though the 'Prentices had pelted the Spanish Ambassadours with Snow-balls, and elder People had spoken against them under their Breath, yet that natural Loyalty there is in the City, save under the most aggravating Circumstances, drew every one together to make common Cause with the Queen so soon as 'twas bruited that Wyat was up in Kent. Five hundred of the Trained Bands were forthwith sent out against him, and the City began to be kept with harnessed Men.
The Lord Mayor, this Year, was Sir Thomas White, Merchant-taylor; he that founded St. John's College, Oxford. To him, at the Guildhall, cometh my Lord Treasurer, and prayeth him to have at the least two thousand Men in Harness at all Hours, for the Safeguard of the City. Now begin the young Men of every Degree to look out and furbish their Arms and Accoutrements; and the Hum of Preparation is heard throughout the Stretes. Post following hot upon Post bringeth Tidings that the Duke of Suffolk in Warwickshire, having with all his Industry gotten together but fifty Men, had given up the Game and betaken himself to a Tenant of his, who kept him three Days hid in a hollow Oak till he was taken; but that Wyat, with at least four thousand Men, (some made it fourteen thousand,) was marching fast upon Southwark, and the Trained Bands had gone over to him, which caused the Duke of Norfolk, sent against him, to retreat.
Here then was a Prospect for the Bridge! the only Access by which he could command the City. Thou shouldst have seen the Duke ride back, all crestfallen, with his Guard at his Heels, all smirched and tatterdemoiled, without Arrows or Strings to their Bows, or a Sword to their Sides, or a Cap to their Heads. Some of the Urchins cried after them, "A Wyat! a Wyat!" and got well cuffed for their Pains.
Then came the News of a Rising in Hertfordshire. On this the Queen cometh to Guildhall, with the Lord Chancellor and all her Council, guarded by a notable Company of Men at Arms; and, bespeaking the Lord Mayor and Aldermen, she pleaded sore they would stand by her against the Arch-traitor that aimed at removing her Counsellors and having the Custody of her Person; affirming and alleging that she would never once have entertained thought of her Marriage, had it not been infused into her by others that 'twas expedient for the Country. When I heard Master Hewet's Report of her Argument, I remembered the Saying of Master Askew the Draper to Lord Warwick's Man, 'That the City could sometimes better spare the Court than the Court the City.'
They protested they would stand by her—could they do less? And forthwith, Proclamation was made to this Effect:—Now then, let every Man that is disaffected, and every Man that is faint-hearted, and every Man that is of unstable Mind, be off as fast as he can. There's Wyat ready to welcome all Well-wishers, coming along the Kent Road; and London Bridge is just now open to all those that like to join him, which it will not be to-morrow; for the Draw-bridge is going to be sawn asunder and cast into the River, the Gates are going to be shut, the Gate-houses are going to be manned, the Cannons are going to be planted to defend them and to take the Range of the Borough, the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs in Harness are going to stand immediately behind the Gate, and every Man on the Bridge will close his Windows and stand in his Door with his 'Prentices armed and ready to do Battle. God save the Queen!
Not many crossed the Bridge after that. Those that did were glad to explain 'twas on necessary and lawful Business, or they got hooted and sometimes pelted. The Lord Mayor went with my Master into every House, to see its Condition and Defence. When they reached the Door of the old Lady that lived all by herself alone with her Cats, they could gain no Entrance, nor hear Sound of Life within save a dismal Mewing. Master Hewet was for departing, saying he believed the House safe enough though its Owner was shy of Strangers; but my Lord Mayor said a silent House was not always the safest, and there might be Spies and even harnessed Men shut up. So they persisted knocking; and at length a skinny old Woman, all trembling with Fear, peered forth and would wit what 'twas all about. When they told her the Bridge was going to be put in a State of Defence for Queen Mary, she cried, "God save her sweet Majesty!" and let them in, shutting and bolting the Door behind them. She sayth, "Oh! Sirs, I see ye be loyal and honourable Gentlemen, well affected to our blessed Queen, wherefore I fear not to trust you with my Secret—howbeit, I am not the only one in this House."
The Lord Mayor gave a quick Look at Master Hewet.
—"I was, you must know," continued she, "Sub-prioress of a small religious House at Mickleham in Surrey ... there were but six of us; we were harmless and happy enough; howbeit, the Eighth Harry, that called himself Defender of our Faith, turned us out Neck and Heels when he put down the lesser Monasteries; and my Father, to whom this House belonged, gave me Shelter in it during his Life, and left it to me at his Death. Whereby I have been enabled to give House-room and Board to my aged Superior, who otherwise would have been cast into the Strete, through all the evil Times; none witting she was under my Roof. And now that better Days are come, she is past any Advantage of them, being long Time bed-rid, as ye shall see."
So she hobbled up-stairs before them, followed by her half-dozen Cats, and led the Way into a Chamber having a bright Wood Fire kindled on the Hearth, but nearly bare of Furniture, beyond a Chair, a Table, a Crucifix, and a Couple of Tressel-beds, on one of which lay an old Woman, sleeping, on the utmost Verge of Life. She mutely pointed to her, then led them over the rest of the House, which was utterly disfurnished and chiefly shut up; she having got rid of the Moveables for what they would fetch, through the Agency of her only Confidant, Sir Tobias. So now you have the Story of the old Lady that was supposed to live all alone by herself with her Cats.
Miles' black Eyes kindled like Coals at the Thought of defending the Bridge.... I confess I felt a Glow within me, and handled my Bill and Bow with exceeding Complacence. The Mayor complimented my Master on having a Couple of such smart Lads, and said his Premises would be well defended. Also he said he wished he had such a fair Daughter as Mistress Anne, who served him with Bread and Wine.
If the Queen were ever popular, it was that Time! What joyous Smiles and brisk Words were exchanged as People ran along the Bridge!—what Glory attended the Guards that manned the Gates!—how we revelled in every Blow that cut down the Draw-bridge! Splash! it went into the River. Spontaneously we gave three Cheers. Just before the Approach was cut off, Lord William Howard, (since, Lord Howard of Effingham,) with fifty of his Men, rode over the Bridge to St. George's Church, Southwark, to note the State of Things, and so back. I remember his looking gaily over his Shoulder as he passed, crying out in Hearing of us all, "This Bridge hath to-day a Chance of being the Thermopylæ of London!"
J Jellicoe
"Rode over the Bridge"
A Messenger from the Rebels came to parley, and was led blindfold across the Bridge, to and from Lord Pembroke, Commander in Chief.
On Saturday Morning, Wyat was proclaimed Traitor, and a Price set on his Head. There was a grand Muster of Horse and Foot in Finsbury Fields. At three in the Afternoon, Wyat advanced upon London from Deptford; and, as soon as his Movement was perceived, an eight Pounder was levelled at him from the White Tower, the Shot of which took none Effect. Immediately my Lord Mayor and the Sheriffs made Haste to London Bridge: we gave them three Cheers. The Strete was presently choaked; People removing their Stalls and Wares, Shop Shutters putting up, young Men running up and down to Weapons and Harness, young Women beginning to shed Tears, Children and Maids shutting themselves up in the upper Stories.
My Hands trembled so with Emotion I could scarce fasten a Buckle. Mistress Anne, passing, sayth, "Let me do it for you—Ladies of old Time buckled on Knights' Harness and bade them good Speed, as I bid you.... But oh! Ned, I am in Fear for my Father." I said, "But he hath no Fear, unless for you. Therefore look not forth; the only Danger is in a random Shot."
Then she asked me what I thought would happen if the worst came to the worst. I told her I had not thought about it, so sure was I the best would come to the best. She said she thought so too; at least she hoped so; and bade me tell every Word of News I heard through the Wicket. Presently I heard that Wyat, with his Army, was close beyond the further Bridge Gate; and had pointed two Pieces of Ordnance against the Bridge: which I thought needless to tell Mistress Anne.
He was a fine Fellow, Hew, in his Way, there's no gainsaying. He thought to free his Country from Harm; and, when he heard a Price was set upon his Head, he wrote his Name on a Slip of Paper and set it on his Cap.
My Master was a-foot and in Harness on the Bridge all Night. The Women kept close and quite still above-stairs, while Miles and I kept Watch below, but, I wot, they were as wakeful as ourselves. Towards Daydawn my Master comes in: Mistress Anne, in her white Wrapper over her Dress, leans over the Rail at the Stair-head, and cryeth, "Is all well?" "All well, my Heart!" returns her Father. "Oh! thank God," cries she; and meeting him half-way down the Stair, casts herself into his Arms.
'Twas Sunday Morning; and maybe, a Day of much Prayer, if of little Church-going: but scarcely a Day of Rest. A Banner of Defiance was unfurled a-top of the Tower, and a heavy Piece of Ordnance discharged when they changed the Watch.
Lord Howard was walking to and fro on the Bridge, his Sword clanking at every firm, heavy Tread; and anon he goeth to the Gate at the Southwark End, and calleth in a loud, determined Voice, "Wyat!"
Presently some one makes Answer, "What would ye with him?"
"I would speak with him," sayth my Lord.
Answereth the other, "Our Captain is busy; if ye have any Message for him, I will bear it."
"Marry," sayth my Lord, "ask of him what he meaneth by this Invasion; and whether he continue in his Purpose or no."
The Messenger departed; and in about three Quarters of an Hour returned with a weighted Purse, containing Master Wyat's Answer; which, being flung over the Gate, was received and read by my Lord, who tare it up, as good for Nought. On the Saturday Afternoon, all Boats had been brought to the City Side of the River, not to be taken therefrom on Pain of Death.
My Lord Howard turning in to our House about Noon, for Refreshment, looketh fixedly on Miles, and sayth, "So you are young Osborne." "No, my Lord," quod I, stepping forward, "I am he;" thinking he had Somewhat to say unto me; but he only looked hard at me, and said "Oh."
At Table, my Master helping him to Wine, he sayth, "That is a rare Brilliant on your little Finger, Master Hewet—may I be favoured with a nearer View of it?" "My Lord," sayth Master Hewet, "it is a Token-ring: I never take it off.—However," quod he presently, "you shall see it, and read the Posy inside; connecting it with the Matter we spake of just now." I noted a singular Smile on my Lord Howard's Face as he returned it.
That Night, like the last, was spent in Harness, but passed not, like the last, without Event. The Weather was piercing cold; and a good Watch-fire was kept up just within the Gate, whereat my Lord Howard, Sir Andrew Judd, the Lord Mayor, Master Hewet, and others, stood and warmed themselves. Meantime, Master Wyat, anxious to reconnoitre, breaks down the Wall of a House adjoining the Gate on his side the Draw-bridge, by which Breach he ascendeth the Leads of the Gate-house, and thence coming down into the Porter's Lodge, it being about eleven o' the Clock, he findeth the Porter sleeping, but his Wife, with sundry others, watching over a Fire of Coals. On beholding Wyat they suddenly started; but he commanded them to keep quiet as they valued their Lives, and they should sustain no Hurt; so they having no Courage to oppose him, he went forth of the other Side the Gate-house to look across to the Bridge. There, beyond the Chasm, within the second Gate, he noteth my Lord Deputy, the Lord Mayor, and the Rest standing about the Fire in their Clokes. After noting them well, and seeing there was no Hope of taking them by Surprise, he returneth whence he came, and doeth his Party to wit how the City strengthened itself and is on the Alert. Peradventure to make farther Proof thereof, the Men of Kent thereon made an Uproar as it were in Sign of assaulting the Bridge, and fired two Field Pieces. Whereat we were all alive and to Arms in an Instant; and the Cries that ran along the Bridge shewed the Insurgents we were ready for them.
On Monday we were heartened, and doubtless Wyat was disheartened, by the Bruit of Lord Abergavenny's marching upon him from Blackheath with three Thousand Men. Thereon ensewed Diversity of Councils, in the End whereof, Master Wyat decided to march along the Thames next Day, to get Access to Middlesex by Kingston Bridge. One of the Lieutenant's Men of the Tower being despatched on special Charge across to the Bishop of Winchester's Palace, a Waterman of the Tower Stairs prayed him for a Cast in his Boat, which he granted. Seven of Wyat's Men being on the Look-out, levelled their Arquebusses at the Boat, charging them to re-land, which they not complying with, the Men discharged their Pieces with mortal Effect; for the poor Waterman fell dead, and the Sculler with much Terror rowed back, through the Bridge, to the Tower Wharf. The Lieutenant, in a mighty Heat at what had happened, levelled seven great Pieces of Ordnance full against the south End of the Bridge and against Southwark, besides all the Guns on the White Tower, and over the Watergate, so that the Men and Women dwelling in Southwark rushed confusedly to Master Wyat, and prayed him to take Pity on them, or they should be utterly undone and destroyed. Whereat, he, partly abashed, said, "I pray you, Friends, have Patience a little, and I will presently relieve you of your Fears." And so, gave Orders to march; and cleared out of Southwark about eleven of the Clock on Shrove Tuesday, without leaving a Penny unpaid to the Inhabitants, or doing the least Damage beyond sacking and destroying the Bishop of Winchester's Palace and Library. Thus ended our three Days' Beleaguerment. Now, leaving the Bridge in sufficient Guard, Master Hewet's Post lay at one of the City Gates: and a general Muster in St. James's Field was proclaimed for Six o' the Clock next Morning.
At four o' Clock, however, the Drums called to Arms, Wyat having crossed at Kingston and being already at Brentford. The Law-Serjeants went to Westminster Hall, that Morning, with Harness under their Gowns, and the Queen's Chaplain sung Mass before her with Harness under his Vestments. By ten o' the Clock my Lord Pembroke's Troop of Horse hovered about Wyat's Party, and Ordnance began to be fired on both Sides; whereon the Screams of Women and peaceable People at Charing Cross, as well as the Firing, could be heard at the Tower. Wyat drove back my Lord Chamberlain's Guard, and marched on to Ludgate in disorderly Array. There he knocked at the Gate; and my Lord Howard from within asked who knocked: and on his giving his Name, cried, "Avaunt, Traitor! thou enterest not here." Sundry of his Men cried, "Queen Mary hath granted our Request, and given us Pardon!" but 'twas known for a Feint; so they had Nought for it but to return whence they came; and at Charing Cross the Fight was renewed and waxed hot. At length, a Herald called on Wyat to yield rather than shed more Blood, and trust to the Queen's Mercy. Whereon, he, astonied and dejected, replied, "Well, if I must, let me yield me to a Gentleman." Sir Morrice Berkeley bade him leap up behind him; and two others picked up young Cobham and Knevet, and so carried them off, and the Fight was ended. They lay, that Night, in the Tower.
There was Somewhat mighty kindling, Hew, in that Defence of the Bridge: and we all felt triumphant and thankful when the Fight was over; but thereafter came great Gravity and Sadness, to muse on what might have been, and on what would shortly befal those Men in the Tower. A grievouse Thing is a Civil War.
Then Master Hewet,—ah! what a Shrievalty was his! but yet he thanked God in After-time that it fell not a Year or two later—he must be present at the beheading the poor guiltless Boy Guilford Dudley, and also of the Lady Jane. That same Day, Hew, there was set up a Gallows at every Gate in London, and at the Bridge-foot; three or four at Charing Cross and in many other Places. About four hundred Rebels were condemned in one Day. The Prisons were so o'er-crowded that they were kept in Ward in Churches. The Lady Elizabeth was committed to the Tower; daily, new State Prisoners went in, and they that came forth, 'twas but to their Scaffolds. Suffolk, Wyat, the Greys—'twas an awful Time to be Sheriff! There were City Feasts; but Men met to look one another in the Face and ask what would come next, rather than for Potacion and Refection.