CHAPTER THIRTEEN.
ACCESSION OF QUEEN ELIZABETH.
Once again the fires at Smithfield, as well as in other parts of thecountry, never long together extinguished, burned up brightly andfrequently.
The people submitted, though with an ill grace.
One day A'Dale came and told me there was to be another great burning.We had heard that several persons--priests, laymen, and women--wereabout to be committed to the flames.
"The people have been murmuring more than ever, and would, I believe, ifled on by bold men, attempt to rescue the prisoners. What say you,Verner? I am ready to risk my life if there is a prospect of success."
"And I likewise," I answered, after a moment's thought. "Well then,there is no time to be lost. Get your cloak and sword, and if there isan opportunity we will not let it pass by."
We hurried on. Large crowds were collecting from all quarters. It isstrange that human beings should desire to see the sufferings of theirfellow-creatures. Many, however, were going, we hoped, like ourselves,to sympathise with the sufferers, or to afford them assistance. As wewent along, we judged from the words we heard uttered that we should notlack support.
I have had so often before to describe the scenes at Smithfield, that Iwill not do so again.
As we arrived at the place, we found the wide space entirely surroundedby a dense crowd, while every window and other elevated spot in theneighbourhood was thronged with people, who might gaze upon what wasgoing forward. There was the platform with the great officers who hadbeen directed to superintend the executions, and the pulpit for thefriars who were to preach, and the stakes with chains and piles offaggots.
We heard it again asserted by other bystanders that two priests were tobe burned, and some said there was a little girl. On hearing this,A'Dale and I started, and inquired earnestly of the speaker if he knewthat what he said was true.
"Too true, I fear me, young masters," he answered. "These people wouldburn infants if they could get no others to burn."
"Are men with hearts in their bosoms, and swords in their hands, to seesuch things take place, and not attempt to prevent it?" exclaimedA'Dale, in a determined voice.
I seconded him; for at once the fearful suspicion came across me thatour little Aveline might be the child spoken of. We were rejoiced tofind that several bystanders echoed our sentiments. The feeling thatsomething should be done to rescue the prisoners spread through thecrowd. I wondered that such had not been done before: it might havesaved the lives of many innocent men; for those tyrant priests wouldnever have dared to inflict punishment on their victims if the nationhad boldly risen up against them.
We were at too great a distance from the platform clearly to distinguishthe features of the prisoners; but when the guards opened out a little,so as to expose them to view, we saw two persons in the dress ofpriests, and in a group of women a young girl, whose figure was exactlythat of Aveline. My heart sank as I saw her, and then it seemed to riseagain and throb and boil with indignation. I felt capable of daring anddoing everything to save the dear little girl. Even should it not beAveline, I would do much; but I would risk liberty and life, and runevery prospect of suffering the same fate, for the sake of rescuing her.
And now the priests were led up to the platform, where stood a Bishop--whom we supposed to be Bonner himself--with several other ecclesiasticsround him. These seized the unhappy priests, and tore their robes fromtheir backs, and then scraped on the crown of their heads and the tipsof their fingers: this being to signify that the oil of anointing wasscraped off. This operation occupied some time. It seemed as if theBishop and his vile myrmidons took pleasure in prolonging the torment oftheir victims. Fierce words were spoken to the priests in loud tones.Though we could not hear the words, we knew this by the gestures and bythe occasional sounds which reached our ears.
At length, one by one, the martyrs were led down again from the platformtowards the stakes to which they were to be secured for burning.
Again they were asked if they would recant.
Their reply was a stern refusal to give up what they knew to be thetruth. Having stirred up the people round us, A'Dale and I, knowingfull well the risk we ran, worked our way up still nearer to theplatform, waiting here and there to ascertain the temper of themultitude. As far as we could judge, they were all in the same mood;all equally hating Rome and its fearful proceedings. As we got nearer,we had no longer any doubts as to who were the intended victims. In oneof the priests I recognised my friend Overton; in the other, FriarRoger, whom I had wrongfully suspected; and there too stood with thefemales our little Aveline. She seemed perfectly undismayed. Her eyeswere cast upward, and, so it seemed to me, an angelic smile played overher countenance. Could those demons in human shape have the heart toburn so young and innocent a creature? A'Dale and I, seeing this, beganto speak more boldly to the people round us. We asked them if they weremen to submit to such tyranny. Would they wish to see their owndaughters, and wives, and sisters, burn before their eyes?
"You see those innocent people about to be put to a cruel death!"exclaimed A'Dale; "after burning them, the same men will proceed on toburn those you love. Strike a brave blow now, and you will make themquail before you."
The people applauded us, but few seemed disposed to move. They had noweapons except thick sticks, and the guards were well-armed. Whethernotice of the temper of the crowd reached the ears of the authorities, Iknow not, but they seemed eager to hasten on with the executions. Aband of vile ruffians, who for wretched pay would commit any atrocity,were engaged in surrounding each stake with faggots. In a few minutesmore, fire would be set to the piles.
"There is no time to be lost!" I exclaimed to A'Dale; "we must make theventure now, or it will avail nothing."
"Men, Englishmen, countrymen, will you allow those innocent ones toperish before your eyes, and not endeavour to save them?" exclaimedA'Dale. "On, men, on!" but the crowd stood back.
A few bold spirits joined us in urging on the rest; but unless a generalrush were made, nothing could be done. I felt as if my heart wouldburst with indignation and dread--indignation that strong men should seeinnocent ones suffer, dread lest our efforts might be unavailing.A'Dale and I rushed among the crowd, calling on them to come on. Ouractions were perceived, though our words may not have been heard, bythose in authority. Guards were advancing towards us. The magistratesordered the executioners to proceed with their work.
Already the victims were chained to the stakes, and the ruffianassistants hurried forward with faggots. We shouted--we implored thepeople to face the guards, and to rescue the prisoners. All ourefforts, we feared, would be in vain. The magistrates shouted to theexecutioners to bring forward the torches. Happily they had beenforgotten, and no one was ready with a light. The Bishop and thepriests stormed and raged. At length some ruffians were seen in thedistance, waving torches and hurrying on towards the stakes, where thevictims were thus cruelly kept. But their hearts were lifted up inprayer, their eyes turned towards heaven. They heeded not what wastaking place around them. The young Aveline knew that there her saintedmother had yielded up her life, and she was sure that the pathway shewas about to tread would carry her in the same direction.
And now there was a loud cry, and a man on horseback was seen gallopingtowards the spot. We could not hear the words spoken, but there seemedto be great agitation among the magistrates and priests. The crowdswayed to and fro to let the horseman pass.
"Stay the execution! Stay the execution!" he shouted, seeing that themen with torches were about to cast them on the piles of faggots. "Icommand you in the Queen's name. She will have no more burning inSmithfield!"
"This is an impostor!" exclaimed the Bishop. "Our good Queen would nothinder so holy a work."
"What Queen sends you?" asked the magistrate.
"Queen Elizabeth!" cried the herald. "Queen Mary is dead! And by thecommand of our new Queen, Sir William Cecil despatched me instan
tly toput a stop to these murderous proceedings. Long live Queen Elizabeth!"
The cry was taken up by the crowd, who, rushing forward, dragged awaythe faggots from round the prisoners. The magistrates and the priestsfled, the guards dispersed. Those who had charge of the garments of theprisoners brought them. A'Dale and I rushed forward to assist Aveline,who threw herself, weeping, upon my shoulder. When the friars' garmentswere brought to Overton and Roger Upton--such was his name--they putthem aside.
"No, no; we will never again use those habits of the worst ofslaveries," they answered; and, on hearing this, some kind people in thecrowd brought them cloaks and hats, which they thankfully put on. Ofthe other persons who were about to suffer death, I need not makemention. They all had friends, who joyfully came forward to receivethem. The cruel cords which had bound Aveline's ankles and wrists tothe stake had so hurt her that she could with difficulty walk. A'Daleand I were about to lead her off, though she was in a sad plight to passthrough the streets, when a female in the crowd stepped forward, and, ina gentle voice, begged that her servants might be allowed to carry her.
"I have a hand-litter close by; she is not fit to be taken to her homein any other way."
We were thankful to accept this offer. The lady was, from herappearance, evidently of rank. Two men who attended her lifted Avelineup, and carried her off amidst the crowd. Just as they were going, thebody of the guards returned, and seeing Overton and Upton still there,took them again into custody.
"We have no order for your release," they said; "and it will not do tolet all our prisoners escape us."
"As you will, my masters," said Overton; "we would rather have had ourliberty, but we will not resist your authority."
I heard that they were to be carried to the Fleet, and had just time tobid them farewell, and hurry after Aveline.
"You are right to be watchful over the young girl," said the lady, whenI overtook them, "as you cannot tell what treachery might be played her.I came, however, to this terrible place in the hopes of being able toassist some poor person who might perchance escape the flames. Many ofthose I loved on earth have been cut off during the late unhappy reign,and I have devoted myself to soothe and comfort those who are about tosuffer, or those who might escape death."
The lady now asked me in what direction Aveline desired to go. I toldher to Master Gresham's house in Lombard Street. She seemed wellpleased at hearing this, and hastened onwards. I was in fear, however,all the way lest those who had taken Overton and his companion intocustody might come in search also of Aveline. On what account they didnot seek her, I could not tell; but thankfully we reached MasterGresham's house in safety. Lady Anne's joy on seeing Aveline was verygreat, for news had been brought her of the fearful fate to which shehad been destined. On seeing the lady, she greeted her with muchrespect, appearing to know her, although she did not address her byname. The lady, after exchanging a few words with Lady Anne, took herdeparture.
"She desires not to be known," observed Lady Anne, when I inquired whoshe was.
Richard's delight on the recovery of Aveline was very great; he scarcelyliked to let her out of his sight. The young girl had suffered greatly,and it was necessary to have a physician to attend on her. He orderedthat she should be kept perfectly quiet, and sent some cooling draughts,by which her nerves might be quieted. Lady Anne wisely forborequestioning her as to how she had been carried off, or what hadafterwards happened to her.
Next morning, I went to the Fleet, where I was able without difficultyto gain access to Overton. He told me that he had been seen by some ofBonner's spies when he entered London, that he had been followed fromplace to place, and that the most convenient opportunity of seizing himhad occurred when he was speaking to Aveline. His friend, Roger Upton,had been seized at the same time, and very speedily condemned to death,a fate to which Bishop Bonner had also doomed his young niece.
The next day Master Gresham summoned me to attend him to Hatfield, wherehe was about to pay his respects to her Majesty. We arrived there earlyin the day, when my patron was at once admitted to an audience. He wasvery cordially received by Queen Elizabeth, who promised to attend tohis interests. He did not fail also to give her Majesty wise counsel.Among other things, she promised him that, when he was abroad on herbusiness, she would not only keep one ear shut to hear him on hisreturn, but also that should he do her even as much service as he haddone to King Edward and to Queen Mary, she would give him as much landas they both had done. These two promises greatly inspirited my patron.Before he took his departure, the Queen desired him to proceedforthwith to Antwerp, where there was business of importance for him toperform. As the journey was a hurried one, and he would not be longabsent, he did not on this occasion take me with him.
In the meantime Aveline had recovered from the effects of her cruelimprisonment, and the great terror of her life into which she had beenput. Through the intervention of Master Gresham, Overton and hisfriends were liberated, he liberally offering them an asylum in hishouse until they could obtain employment.
Great was the happy change which the nation experienced. It was soonknown that Queen Elizabeth was no friend to the Romish customs.Directly she came to the throne, she refused to attend mass. This wason Christmas Day. The Queen had gone to the chapel as usual, and thereshe sat while the Gospel was read; but as soon as it was concluded,having seen a Bishop preparing himself by putting on his robes in theold form, she and her nobles left the chapel and retired to her privychamber. Two days after this, a proclamation was issued, forbidding theelevation of the host. It was also ordered that the Gospels andEpistles, the Creed, and Lord's Prayer, the Ten Commandments, and theLitany should be used in English. Her respect for the Bible, and herdesire to have it spread throughout her realms, was still more clearlyshown on the occasion of her progress from the Tower to Westminster, theday before her coronation, on the 15th of January, 1559.
I cannot describe the magnificent way in which the City was decorated,nor the numerous pageants which were prepared to do her honour. Fromone, a child--who was intended to represent Truth--let down, by a silklace, an English Bible, richly bound, before the Queen. She kissed bothher hands, with both her hands she received it, afterwards applying itto her breast, and lastly, standing up and thanking the City for itsgifts, promised to be a diligent reader thereof. When any good wisheswere cast forth for her virtuous and religious government, she wouldlift up her hands towards heaven, and desired the people to answer"Amen."
My patron was not long absent. I had been labouring in the shop thatday, and at supper had joined the family, my master, who had been absentat court, having just returned, when Sir John Leigh came in. Theconversation turned on various matters abroad. News had just beenreceived that King Philip had actually quitted Flanders and gone toreside for the future in Spain. The Queen's ministers had thereforeresolved to send an ambassador resident to his court. For this officeSir Thomas Chaloner, who had hitherto been in Flanders, was appointed.
"And I understand my friend Sir Thomas Gresham is to fill his place atBrussels in the capacity of an ambassador," observed Sir John Leigh,bowing to my patron.
"What!" exclaimed Lady Anne. "You are not joking with my husband?"
"No, assuredly," answered Sir John; "this very day he has received thehonour of knighthood, and as I came here I heard of the appointment Ihave mentioned."
"Sir John speaks the truth, my dear wife," said my patron, turning toLady Anne. "I have received that honour from the Queen's Majesty, but Iwished that another might tell you of it rather than myself. I am readyto devote my powers to the service of our good Queen, and thereforegladly accept the office she has put upon me, albeit it may be rather tomy loss than profit."
I will not repeat the congratulations of Lady Anne, or of the guests whowere present. No time was to be lost, as the matter was pressing; and Iwas well pleased to find that I was to accompany my patron in thecharacter rather of a secretary than a page. Truly he had
been kind andgenerous to me.
The Golden Grasshopper: A story of the days of Sir Thomas Gresham Page 13
