The Works of William Harrison Ainsworth

by William Harrison Ainsworth

  But these appearances were deceptive. Strict watch was kept night and day on tower and rampart, and on every part of the castle.

  That officers and men found this inactive life wearisome is certain. They would have preferred annoying the enemy by an occasional sortie, but Major Farrington, acting upon the countess’s instructions, would not permit them. She was resolved not to provoke assault. It surprised her that the enemy allowed her to remain quiet so long, but she would not precipitate matters.

  CHAPTER II

  How Captain Markland brought a Letter from Sir Thomas Fairfax to the Countess

  AT length an event occurred that brought about the attack the countess had been so studious to avoid.

  Her chief enemy was Colonel Alexander Rigby, an active Parliamentary officer, who harboured a strong vindictive feeling against the Earl of Derby, and now sought to gratify it.

  The traitor Bootle, who had only been severely wounded in his attempt to capture the queen, and had since joined Rigby, was sent by him to plunder the countess’s tenants and neighbours, and arrest all who attempted to take refuge in the castle.

  Hitherto, Don Fortunio and his daughter had been allowed to remain without molestation at Knowsley, whither they had removed about a month ago, but now they were taken prisoners by Bootle, who intended to carry them off to Wigan, but was prevented. Having learnt his design Standish attacked him with a small party of horse, rescued the captives, and conveyed them safely to Lathom.

  In this skirmish, several of Bootle’s men were wounded. Deeply resenting the affront, as he conceived it, Colonel Rigby immediately represented the matter to Sir Thomas Fairfax, general of the Parliamentary forces in Lancashire, who was then in Manchester.

  Reluctant to disturb the countess, Fairfax at length yielded to Rigby’s importunities, and called a council of war, at which Colonel Holland, the Governor of Manchester, Colonel Assheton of Middleton, Colonel Moore of Bank Hall, and Rigby himself were present.

  After some discussion, it was resolved that a strong force should be sent against Lathom, and the countess summoned to surrender.

  Immediate warning of their design was given to the countess, who had a spy among the enemy, and she was enabled to prepare for them. The three Parliamentary leaders, however, gave out that they were about to march to Bolton and Wigan, and thence to Westmoreland, but her ladyship was not surprised to find they had fixed their quarters at various points round the hall.

  Next day, Captain Markland, the Parliamentary general’s aide-de-camp, attended by a small guard, presented himself at the gate of Lathom House and desired admittance, stating that he had a letter for her ladyship from Sir Thomas Fairfax.

  This being reported to the countess, she gave orders that the messenger should be admitted, but his attendants must remain outside.

  The gate was then opened, and Captain Markland rode into the court-yard, and was shortly afterwards ushered by Major Farrington into the presence of the countess.

  Captain Markland was tall, strongly built, and well equipped. A motion with a ridge on the top, a gorget, cuirass, and taches met by immense gambado boots formed his accoutrements, and he had a large cutting sword by his side.

  On approaching the countess, he made her a military salute, which she haughtily returned.

  “You come from Sir Thomas Fairfax, as I understand, sir,” she remarked.

  “I am the bearer of a despatch from the general to your ladyship,” he replied.

  Taking a letter from his belt, he gave it to Major Farrington, who handed it to the countess.

  Calmly and without any change of countenance, Lady Derby read the letter, and then said to the messenger:

  “I presume you are aware of the purport of this missive?”

  Captain Markland replied in the affirmative.

  “It is a requisition from Sir Thomas Fairfax,” he said, “enjoining your ladyship to yield up Lathom House on such honourable conditions as he shall propose.”

  “Does Sir Thomas Fairfax require immediate compliance with his injunction?” she asked.

  “Even so, madam,” replied Markland, “And I trust I may be able to carry him back an answer to that effect.”

  “You are in a strange hurry, sir,” remarked the countess. “Think you I can decide at once upon a matter of such import. My lord has left me in charge of this mansion, and I cannot yield it up without due consideration. I require a week’s delay.”

  “I am not prepared to say the delay will be granted, madam,” replied Markland, “but I will deliver your answer to the general. Do you hold out any promise of compliance at the expiration of that time?”

  “I hold out nothing,” replied the countess. “Put any construction you deem proper on my words. I shall consult with my advisers,” she added, glancing at Major Farrington and her three chaplains who were standing near.

  “I trust they will counsel you to submit to necessity, madam,” observed Markland.

  Major Farrington would have spoken, but the countess checked him by a look and said haughtily to the messenger:

  “Take back my answer, sir.”

  Upon this, Captain Markland bowed and retired, and was conducted to the courtyard by Standish.

  As he mounted his steed, the Parliamentary officer remarked:

  “We shall soon be masters here.”

  “Not so soon,” rejoined Standish, contemptuously.

  CHAPTER III

  How Captain Markland brought a second Letter from Sir Thomas Fairfax, and in what Manner the Countess replied to it

  AFTER this visit, the countess was allowed to remain in peace for a few days, but from the summit of the lofty Eagle Tower she perceived that her enemies were increasing in number, and drawing the cordon of troops still more tightly around her.

  Colonel Assheton was stationed at Burscough Priory and Blyth Hall — Colonel Moore was near Cross Hall — and Colonel Rigby at Newburgh.

  As to Sir Thomas Fairfax, she learnt from her scouts that he had taken up his quarters at Knowsley.

  During this interval, she restrained her soldiers from making an attack on the enemy.

  Hitherto, fresh provisions had been regularly brought by her tenants, but now these were almost entirely cut off, and the countess was most unwilling to have recourse to her stores. Parties of the enemy were constantly on the watch to cut off supplies.

  The utmost enthusiasm prevailed in the garrison; officers and men were in excellent spirits. The heroic countess had inspired them all with an ardour and zeal akin to her own, and they longed for an opportunity of distinguishing themselves. As we have said, the utmost regularity was observed. The men were daily inspected by Major Farrington, accompanied by Standish or some other officer, and no one was ever found absent from his post. The horses were regularly exercised in the court-yard, and thereby kept in health and good condition. Nothing, in short, was neglected.

  The routine of the countess’s life was exactly the same that it had been. Twice in each day, sometimes thrice, service was performed in the chapel by Archdeacon Rutter, Doctor Brideoake, or Mr. Lake, and she always attended with her family. All the officers of the garrison, and such of the men as were not actually employed, together with part of the household, likewise attended.; and nothing could be more impressive than the service — nothing more striking than the picture presented by the chapel filled with armed men surrounding the noble lady and her daughters. Their deportment was most serious and devout. At these services Gertrude Rosworm was always present.

  On the third day after Captain Markland’s visit to the countess, another letter was brought her by the same officer from Sir Thomas Fairfax.

  In this despatch the Parliamentary general regretted that he could not accord her ladyship the delay she required, but he added, with some courtesy:

  “Since nothing can be arranged without a conference, I hope your ladyship will come in your coach to Knowsley, where I and my three colonels will meet you, to discuss the terms of surrender. You need have no
apprehension. I guarantee your personal safety.”

  The countess read this letter with great indignation.

  “In sending this message,” she said, scornfully, “Sir Thomas Fairfax has forgotten what is due to my lord and to myself. I decline to meet him and his colonels at Knowsley. If they desire to confer with me they must come here. It is meet they should wait on me, not I on them.”

  “I will deliver your ladyship’s message,” replied Captain Markland.

  Later on in the same day he returned, bringing another letter from General Sir Thomas Fairfax, to say that he did not desire to put her ladyship to inconvenience, and would, therefore, wait upon her next day, at Lathom House.

  CHAPTER IV

  How Sir Thomas Fairfax came to Lathom House, and what passed between him and the Countess

  NEXT day, about noon, in accordance with the message he had sent, Sir Thomas Fairfax, attended by a troop of horse, arrived at Lathom House.

  Leaving his guard at a short distance from the castle, he rode up to the gateway, accompanied only by Captain Markland, thus showing the perfect reliance he had on the countess’s honour.

  The distinguished Parliamentary general was then about thirty-three, but looked, perhaps, a little older. Tall, and well-proportioned, he had handsome, but strongly-marked features, characterised by a grave and sombre expression. He had more the air and manner of a Cavalier than a Roundhead; but he had no sympathies whatever with the Royalist cause.

  Though of noble birth on both sides, being the son of Lord Fairfax by Mary, daughter of the Earl of Mulgrave, Sir Thomas preferred a democratic form of government, and hated the Court. Having served in Holland under Lord Vere, he was a thorough soldier. He was likewise highly accomplished, and though not learned, well read.

  Already he had played an important part in the Civil Wars, and at the period in question promised to become the foremost man in the Parliamentary party, though he was subsequently overshadowed by the bold and crafty Cromwell.

  Sir Thomas Fairfax’s accoutrements were a steel cuirass, with cuisses, and buff boots, and his sword was sustained by a richly ornamented baldrick. Instead of a steel head-piece, however, he wore a broad-leaved hat with a black feather.

  As Sir Thomas Fairfax rode up to the mansion he was quite surprised at the formidable appearance it presented. Suddenly it had become a fortress, and a very strong one. Hitherto, as we have shown, it had been the policy of the countess to conceal her defensive preparations from the enemy, but she now ostentatiously displayed them. The aspect of the place was altogether changed. It looked threatening and defiant. A broad banner floated from the summit of the Eagle Tower, bearing the proud motto of the Stanleys — SANS CHANGER. The large pieces of ordnance on the high turreted gateway, and in the numerous towers on the ramparts, were unmasked. The engineers were at their posts, and the walls were thronged with musketeers,

  Scanning the place with a curious eye, Fairfax saw the strength of its position, and how well it was garrisoned.

  But another surprise awaited him.

  When the drawbridge was lowered, and the gates were thrown open to admit him and his aide-de-camp, an imposing spectacle was presented.

  Two hundred stalwart musketeers, fully armed and equipped, and having their lieutenants with them, were ranged in double lines, extending from the gate to the doorway of the mansion.

  On his entrance into the court, Fairfax was received by Major Farrington and Captains Standish and Chisenhale, all three fully accoutred, and as soon as he had dismounted, he was conducted by the major along the living avenue we have described to the entrance.

  As he marched along, the musketeers were struck by his looks and martial bearing, but they allowed no admiration to appear, and regarded him sternly.

  Very few words passed between the Parliamentary general and his conductor, but they were courteous towards each other. More musketeers were on the steps, and the doorway was environed by officers of the household.

  Ceremoniously conducted to the presence-chamber, Fairfax perceived the countess at the upper end, seated like a queen on a high chair, with her daughters beside her. Near her were her three chaplains, and Captains Rawsthorne and Molineux Radcliffe were in attendance.

  “The countess keeps a court, I perceive, at Lathom,” observed Sir Thomas Fairfax to Major Farrington. “I did not expect to be treated with so much ceremony.”

  “Her ladyship desires to do you honour, general,” rejoined the other.

  As Sir Thomas approached, the countess arose, and received him with stately courtesy, praying him to be seated.

  “You are welcome to Lathom, Sir Thomas,” she said, “albeit you come as an enemy.”

  “I thank your ladyship for your welcome,” he rejoined. “You have surprised me. I own I did not expect to find you so well prepared.”

  “Doubtless you expected to find me ready to submit, Sir Thomas,” she said, with a haughty smile; “but such is not my intention.”

  “Resistance to the forces I can bring will be useless, madam,” he remarked. “I hope, therefore, your ladyship will listen to the conditions I have to propose.”

  “Let me hear them,” she rejoined.

  “From the display I have just seen, I find your ladyship has a large stock of arms, and I doubt not abundance of ammunition. These stores must be delivered up to me.”

  At this demand the countess’s attendants exchanged glances. She answered calmly but firmly:

  “When I procured the arms you have just seen, Sir Thomas, and such munitions of war as I possess, it was to defend myself against my enemies, and not to attack them. Unless my house had been strongly garrisoned, I should have long since been driven from it. I have been subjected to every kind of provocation and annoyance from the soldiers of the Parliament, but I have not retaliated, and have restrained my own officers and men as much as possible.”

  “I have heard otherwise, madam,” rejoined Fairfax. “I am told that your soldiers have been in the habit of stripping the country round about, and if your garrison is well provisioned, such must have been the case. I am also informed that some of your officers have seized upon several persons well affected to the Parliament, and brought them as prisoners into this stronghold, demanding large sums for their ransom.”

  “Whoever said so has belied me,” remarked the countess.

  “I can give a positive denial to that statement, Sir Thomas,” interposed Major Farrington. “No such thing has occurred.”

  “It is an invention of the false traitor Bootle,” remarked the countess. “My soldiers are not marauders.”

  “I will not dispute the point, madam,” said Fairfax. “I repeat that the arms and ammunition in this fortress — for such it is — must be delivered up to me. On your compliance with this condition, I engage that your ladyship and all your family and household, with all officers, soldiers, and others, composing your garrison shall be suffered to depart to Chester, or any other town they may select in that county — but not in Lancashire.”

  “I will answer for the whole garrison, Sir Thomas,” observed Major Farrington. “Unless by her ladyship’s commands — not an officer — not a man will depart.”

  “And we, her ladyship’s chaplains,” added Archdeacon Rutter, “refuse to leave her unless in obedience to her injunctions.”

  “And such injunctions I shall never give,” said the countess.

  “Neither your chaplains nor any of your household are required to leave you, madam,” said Fairfax. “They will be allowed to reside with you at Knowsley, which will be placed at your ladyship’s disposal on your submission to the Parliament.”

  At this proposition all the countess’s pride was aroused, and she said haughtily and indignantly:

  “And think you, Sir Thomas, that I would act disloyally to my sovereign, and undutifully to my lord and husband, to obtain any favour from the Parliament? No! I reject the offer — scornfully reject it.”

  “Have patience, madam, and hear me to an end,�
�� said Fairfax. “If you prefer it, you shall be allowed to rejoin the earl, your husband, in the Isle of Man, and take with you your family and household.”

  “Hear me, Sir Thomas,” cried the countess. “Much as I desire to behold my lord and husband again — greatly as I suffer at my prolonged separation from him — I will not swerve for a moment, even in thought, from my duty. Unless my lord himself commands me, I will never leave Lathom House. I will rather perish than relinquish my charge.”

  “Consideration for others may move you, madam,” remarked Fairfax. “Your daughters, I doubt not, would fain be with their father.”

  “You are mistaken, Sir Thomas,” said the Lady Henriette Marie, with great spirit. “We will never leave our dear mother, the countess.”

  “Never!” cried the two others with equal spirit.”We will perish with her.”

  “You hear, Sir Thomas,” said the countess with a proud smile. “We are all of the same opinion.”

  “So I find, madam,” replied Fairfax, “and I much fear I may be compelled to have recourse to extremities, which I am most anxious to avoid. However, in the hope that you may yet change your mind, I will give you two more days for reflection, and during that interval I shall be willing to receive any proposition you may think fit to make to me. You have able advisers with you,” he added, glancing at Major Farrington and the three divines, “and will do well to profit by their counsel.”

  “I should counsel nothing that the Earl of Derby himself would not approve,” observed Major Farrington. “And I am certain he would never advise a surrender.”

  The interview then terminated.