1 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. FR. BACON. 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 Exam. per Jo. POPHAM, CHR. YELVERTON, 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. 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 afterwards, and he himself likewise at his death. Exam. per Jo. POPHAM, 66 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 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 Smith's house he said he was advertised out of Ireland : and arraignment he derived from Mr. Secretary, at sheriff 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 NorTINGHAM, 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. Ro. CECIL, Exam. per NOTTINGHAM, 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 made this or the like answer: That I would that night co sider of it; which I did. con 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 An Abstract out of the Earl of Essex's confession 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, 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 God, 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, ABDY ASHTON, his chaplain. 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, 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 extraordinary 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. 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 hazard of my discretion, I shall yield unto you. 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 perhaps 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 such a master, who by his wisdom and goodness is as free from the malice or envy of his subjects, as, I think, I may truly say, ever any king was, who hath sat upon his throne before him. But I am confident his majesty hath cast his eyes upon you, as finding you to be such as you should be, or hoping to make you to be such as he would have you to be; for this I may say, without flattery, your outside promiseth as much as can be expected from a gentleman; but be it in the one respect or other, it belongeth to you to take care of yourself, and to know well what the name of favourite signifies. If you be chosen upon the former respects, you have reason to take care of your actions and deportment, out of your gratitude for the king's sake; but if out of the latter, you ought to take the greater care for your own sake. You are as a new-risen star, and the eyes of all men are upon you; let not your own negligence make you fall like a meteor. [Remember well the great trust you have undertaken; you are as a continual sentinel, always to stand upon your watch to give him true intelligence. If you flatter him, you betray him; if you conceal the truth of those things from him which concern his justice or his honour, although not the safety of his person, you are as dangerous a traitor to his state, as he that riseth in arms against him. A false friend is more dangerous than an open enemy: kings are styled gods upon earth, not absolute, but " Dixi, Dii estis ;" and the next words are, "sed moriemini sicut homines;" they shall die like men, and then all their thoughts perish. They cannot possibly see all things with their own eyes, nor hear all things with their own ears; they must commit many great trusts to their ministers. Kings must be answerable to God Almighty, to whom they are but vassals, for their actions, and for their negligent omissions: but the ministers to kings, whose eyes, ears, and hands they are, must be answerable to God and man for the breach of their duties, in violation of their trusts, whereby they betray them. Opinion is a master wheel in these cases: that courtier who obtained a boon of the emperor, that he might every morning at his coming into his presence humbly whisper him in the ear and say nothing, asked no unprofitable suit for himself: but such a fancy raised only by opinion cannot be long-lived, unless the man have solid worth to uphold it; otherwise, when once discovered it vanisheth suddenly. But when a favourite in court shall be raised upon the foundation of merits, and together with the care of doing good service to the king, shall give good despatches to the suitors, then can he not choose but prosper.] The contemplation then of your present condition must necessarily prepare you for action: what time can be well spared from your attendance on your master, will be taken up by suitors, whom you cannot avoid nor decline without reproach. For if you do not already, you will soon find the throng of suitors attend you; for no man, almost, who hath to do with the king, will think himself safe, unless you be his good angel, and guide him; or at least that you be not a "malus genius" against him: so that, in respect of the king your master, you must be very wary that you give him true information; and if the matter concern him in his government, that you do not flatter him: if you do, you are as great a traitor to him in the court of heaven, as he that draws his sword against him: and in respect of the suitors which shall attend you, there is nothing will bring you more honour and more ease, than to do them what right in justice you may, and with as much speed as you may for, believe it, sir, next to the obtaining of the suit, a speedy and gentle denial, when the case will not bear it, is the most acceptable to suitors: they will gain by their despatch; whereas else they shall spend their time and money in attending, and you will gain, in the ease you will find in being rid of their importunity. But if they obtain what they reasonably desired, they will be doubly bound to you for your favour; "Bis dat qui cito dat," it multiplies the courtesy, to do it with good words and speedily. That you may be able to do this with the best advantage, my humble advice is this; when suitors come unto you, set apart a certain hour in a day to give them audience: if the business be light and easy, it may by word only be delivered, and in a word be answered; but if it be either of weight or of difficulty, direct the suitor to commit it to writing, if it be not so already, and then direct him to attend for his answer at a set time to be appointed, which would constantly be observed, unless some matter of great moment do interrupt it. When you have received the petitions, and it will please the petitioners well, to have access unto you to deliver them into your own hand, let your secretary first read them, and draw lines under the material parts thereof; for the matter, for the most part, lies in a narrow room. The petitions being thus prepared, do you constantly set apart an hour in a day to peruse those petitions; and after you have ranked them into several files, according to the subject matter, make choice of two or three friends, whose judgments and fidelities you believe you may trust in a business of that nature; and recommend it to one or more of them, to inform you of their opinions, and of their reasons for or against the granting of it. And if the matter be of great weight indeed, then it would not be amiss to send several copies of the same petition to several of your friends, the one not knowing what the other doth, and desire them to return their answers to you by a certain time, to be prefixed, in writing; so shall you receive an impartial answer, and by comparing the one with the other, as out of "responsa prudentium," you shall both |