by Paul Walker
‘We have learned much from the questioning of prisoners. The plot was devised by Henry of Guise and some of those captured were of the Catholic League. There were also some Hispanics in their number, and it would seem that Spain funded the conspiracy on condition of the inclusion of plans to foil Hawkins’ venture to the New Lands. The printer of the pamphlets has been disclosed under fierce questioning and he has been arraigned.’
Mother enters the chamber and the talking stops. John advises that my mother is aware of the nature of the conspiracy and vouches for her discretion.
Walsingham acknowledges her with a stiff bow and continues, ‘The man of extreme build who led their combatants was one Pierre Gaspard, who is a trusted lieutenant of Guise. You are to be commended on your brave killing of a dangerous man, William.’
I say, ‘Have the interrogations in The Tower been completed?’
‘The prisoners are detained, but will soon be squeezed dry of any further information they can offer.’
‘Has the Earl of Oxford been held?’
Walsingham looks to Burghley who answers. ‘We have both talked with the Earl. He admits his grievous error and is contrite.’
John puffs in indignation. ‘The man deserves more than a cursory admonishment’
‘Rest assured, Doctor Foxe,’ answers Walsingham, ‘He will suffer for his mischief. He understands his near encounter with the axe and he will be useful to future gathering of intelligence for our security.’
Burghley says, ‘Her Majesty has been informed of the conspiracy and its ending. There has been no mention of Oxford in connection with this affair. It would cause too much distress for her to learn of a favourite’s treachery, but she will be fed scraps of knowledge about the Earl that will bring him low in her regard.’
No doubt, there is also a reluctance for Burghley to contemplate a sudden and ignominious end to his son-in-law.
Mistress Hilliard enters with hot, spiced wine and plates of sweetmeats. The conversation turns to lighter matters and the festivities enjoyed by the court at Greenwich. Burghley mentions the Queen’s amusement at an entertainment created by a man named Thomas Kyd. John dislikes to dwell on frivolous diversions such as this and I recall his Christmas oration at St Giles. In truth, it was dreary stuff, but I feign enthusiasm in order to keep the peace. Walsingham shares John’s mistrust of dancing, games and mummery, but I see that Burghley is more open in his enjoyment. There is a period of quiet as we drink and eat.
I say, ‘How does Captain Askham fare?’
‘He is well and rests his injury in the company of his family,’ answers Burghley. ‘He was introduced to Her Majesty who was enchanted by his telling of the action on the North Quay.’
‘I owe my life to his wounding of Gaspard.’
‘Her Majesty was gracious in rewarding the Captain with a small estate in Norfolk for his loyalty and valour.’ Burghley pauses and looks at me directly. ‘Your name was given by both Captain Askham and Sir Francis as deserving of commendation. Our Queen expressed her admiration for your quick mind and bravery in her service. We are here, primarily to inform you of this, and to enquire if there is a preferred way that your vital assistance in this endeavour can be recognised.’
I am rendered speechless by this offer. How should I answer? A demurral would be impolite, but I have no ambition for an estate and to suggest coin would be mercenary. My silence has been too long.
‘There is a benefit you could provide, if I am not over-bold in its asking. Would you accompany me now to Leadenhall?’
*
We arrive at the Morton house in full pomp with our escort of richly-attired yeomen. Sir George will have been alerted of our coming and stands at his door with an expression of bafflement. He narrows his eyes as he sees me, then bows graciously to Burghley and Walsingham. We are led inside through to a chamber, which is lively with musicians, dancing and chatter. The place quietens as the entrance of the two most powerful men in the land is noted. I scan the faces arrayed before us. Hawkins is here, Gilbert… and there is Helen next to Jane. I smile and incline my head to her. She stares at me, switches her attention to Burghley and Walsingham, and then returns to me with an expression of bewilderment.
Burghley takes Morton by the arm and speaks to him in low voice. Morton claps his hands, announces that he must leave for an urgent consultation and begs the merry-making should continue in his absence. He makes to go with Burghley, taking Hawkins and Gilbert. I murmur an aside to Walsingham. He obliges me by taking Helen’s arm and follows me in our passage to another chamber.
When we are gathered together, Morton addresses Hawkins and Gilbert. ‘I am honoured and somewhat mystified by this unexpected event. Lord High Treasurer Burghley has offered to speak on a matter that concerns all here.’ He notes Helen’s presence and eyes me with suspicion.
‘Thank you for receiving us so warmly Sir George and our apologies for this intrusion on your Christmastide entertainments. We have come from Greenwich by order of Her Majesty to honour a great service performed by Doctor Constable.’ Burghley pauses to let the weight of his mission take effect. ‘A monstrous conspiracy has been foiled, both to our state and your great adventure. It pains me to disclose, Sir George, that your man of business, Darby Wensum was one of the conspirators, now held in The Tower.’
There are murmurs of disbelief and outrage, stopped suddenly by Helen’s loud exclamation of ‘Oh, William!’ Burghley looks kindly on her and continues to detail the dual strands of the conspiracy and entreats them to forgive my arrangement of the rude, but necessary, interrogation by John and Askham. Morton, Hawkins and Gilbert are all full of questions. I hear only fragments, as my attention focuses on Helen. Her head is bowed, but I can sense a contentment in her pose.
The chatter subsides and Morton says, ‘William Constable, I see now that I was hasty in my judgement of your action and you are restored, nay enhanced, in my regard. You have gone to a deal of trouble to plan an eloquent and substantial submission on your behalf. I am sure I speak for Sir Humphrey and the Captain General, when I say we are happy to renew your association with our great adventure to the New Lands.’
‘My thanks to you, Sir George. I beg your forgiveness, but I would ask for more.’ He must have fair notion of my intention, but he waits for me to give voice to my request. ‘I declare my deepest affection and love for your daughter, Helen, and beg that you consider my suit for her hand in marriage.’
There is an unnatural delay as he stands tight-lipped and considers my plea. Helen has moved quietly to my side and takes hold of my hand. He breathes deeply, then responds.
‘I do not doubt that your suit is well-meant, but she is all that I hold most precious in this world. I will not deny your suit, but say I will consider it more worthy if you will first join with the sailing of our great adventure and prove the value of your invention.’
He presents me with a troubling choice. My suit is accepted with alternative pathways to fulfilment. Marry now with a threat that Sir George will not be wholehearted in his approval of our future life together. Or, embrace the hazards of a two-year voyage and return from a successful adventure with high reputation as a deserving husband. What of a homecoming marked as a failure – or no return? Helen squeezes my hand. What does that signify? I could request a period to consider my decision, but that may be taken as an indication of weak character.
No, I am decided.
End Notes
This book is a work of fiction. William Constable and Helen Morton are imagined characters, but they do encounter historical figures and the story mentions ‘real life’ events. A very brief description of some of the relevant people, incidents and practices in sixteenth-century England is outlined below.
In 1578, Elizabeth I (1533 – 1603) was 45 years old and had been on the throne for 20 years. There were many plots to depose her and senior ministers such as Sir Francis Walsingham and Baron Burghley were involved in uncovering conspiracies. Rumours about her love life circulate
d throughout her reign. Catholic opponents challenged her virtue and far from being the ‘Virgin Queen,’ hostile observers branded her the ‘whore’ of Europe.
Speculation about an illegitimate child of Elizabeth persist to the present day with most naming Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester as the father. Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford has been referred to as both a lover and son of Elizabeth. Francis Bacon has also been mentioned as a son. None of these claims convince.
Sir Francis Walsingham (1532 – 1590) was Principal Secretary to Queen Elizabeth from 1573 until his death and is popularly referred to as her spymaster. A firm believer in the Protestant faith, he sanctioned the use of torture against conspirators.
William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley (1520 – 1598) was Elizabeth’s chief advisor for most of her reign, twice Secretary of State (1550–1553 and 1558–1572) and Lord High Treasurer from 1572.
John Foxe (1516/17 – 1587) was a historian, Puritan and the author of Actes and Monuments (popularly known as Foxe's Book of Martyrs), an account of Christian martyrs throughout Western history. Widely owned and read, the book helped to mould popular opinion about the Catholic Church for several centuries. He was said to be unworldly and had a hatred for cruelty, which was in advance of the age.
John Dee (1527 – 1608 or 1609) was a mathematician, astronomer, astrologer, occult philosopher and advisor to the Queen. He devoted much of his life to the study of alchemy, divination, and Hermetic philosophy. In 1578 he married Jane Fromond (1555–1604/5). Jane was a lady in waiting to the Countess of Lincoln, a position she gave up when she married Dee. His house in Mortlake was vandalised and his library ruined while he was travelling abroad.
Edward Kelley (1555 – 1597) was an occultist, spirit medium and alchemist. He is best known for working with John Dee in his magical investigations. At some point in their relationship, Kelley declared to Dee that the angels instructed that they should share wives.
Francis Mylles (? – 1618) was one of Walsingham’s most important servants.
Sir Thomas Heneage (1532 – 1595) was an English politician and courtier.
John Hawkins (1532 – 1595) was a slave trader, naval commander and administrator, merchant, navigator, shipbuilder and privateer. He was appointed as Treasurer of the Royal Navy on 1 January 1578. He was one of three main commanders of the English fleet against the Spanish Armada in 1588.
Sir Humphrey Gilbert (1539 – 1583) was an adventurer, explorer, member of parliament and soldier who served during the reign of Elizabeth I and was a pioneer of the English colonial empire in North America.
Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford (1550 – 1604) was a courtier of the Elizabethan era. Oxford was a court favourite for a time, lyric poet and court playwright. He was noted for volatile behaviour, reckless spending and was suspected of Catholic sympathies. He has been suggested as an alternative candidate for the authorship of Shakespeare's works.
Blanche Parry (1507/8 – 1590) held the offices of Chief Gentlewoman of the Queen's Most Honourable Privy Chamber and Keeper of Her Majesty’s Jewels.
Robert Huicke (? – 1581) was a chief physician to the Queen.
Henry, Duke of Guise (1550 – 1588), founded the Catholic League, was a key figure in the French Wars of Religion and avowed opponent of Elizabeth. He is suspected of plotting the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre in Paris, at which Walsingham was present as Elizabeth’s French Ambassador.
The Ridolfi Plot, named after an international banker, Roberto Ridolfi, was a conspiracy in 1571 to assassinate Elizabeth and replace her with Mary, Queen of Scots. The Duke of Norfolk (a pupil of John Foxe) was implicated and executed. Ridolfi escaped overseas and Guerau de Espes, the Spanish ambassador, was expelled from the country. Hawkins helped to uncover the plot by pretending to be a Catholic sympathiser.
Astrology had a significant influence as a way of explaining and controlling the life of Elizabethans. Natal astrology was used to examine and predict events based on a birth chart. Medical astrology was used to determine an individual's weakness, diagnose illness, and prescribe cures. It was a prerequisite to healing and taught in every major university. It was not always clearly distinguished from astronomy, which described the motion of the stars and their influence on tides, weather and navigation.
The art of navigation developed rapidly in the sixteenth century in response to explorers who needed to find their positions without landmarks. Instruments were used to determine latitude, but longitude required accurate timepieces and these were not yet available. Instead, navigators used educated guesswork or ‘dead reckoning’ by measuring the heading and speed of the ship, the speeds of the ocean currents and drift of the ship, and the time spent on each heading.
A cross-staff was in common use in the mid-sixteenth century as an instrument to calculate latitude. This device resembled a Christian cross. The vertical piece, the transom or limb, slides along the staff so that the star can be sighted over the upper edge of the transom while the horizon is aligned with the bottom edge. The major problem with the cross-staff was that the observer had to look in two directions at once – along the bottom of the transom to the horizon and along the top of the transom to the sun or the star.
A more advanced instrument was the Davis Quadrant or backstaff. The observer determined the altitude of the sun by observing its shadow while simultaneously sighting the horizon. Captain John Davis conceived this instrument during his voyage to search for the Northwest Passage and is described in his book Seaman’s Secrets, 1594. One of the major advantages of the backstaff over the cross-staff was that the navigator had to look in only one direction to take the sight – through the slit in the horizon vane to the horizon while simultaneously aligning the shadow of the shadow vane with the slit in the horizon vane.
The shadow staff in the book is an imagined forerunner of the backstaff.
For those of you who have enjoyed this book, further episodes in the life of William Constable will follow. Look for the next instalment later in 2019.
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