February

'precious boat had seemed to be on the verge of destruc- CHAP XIX 'tion; yet, by the power of the Lord, the raging waves 1570 'had been stayed, and the ship had come out from perse'cution, strengthened by the violence which had threa'tened it with ruin. It might be that the Lord Jesus 'Christ, who made old things new and new things old, 'had resolved to build again the Church of that realm by 'the hands of the two noblemen whom he was addressing 6 -men illustrious alike in their blood and in their zeal 'for the faith, who had endeavoured to save themselves ' and their country from the foul tyranny of female sensuality. They had desired to submit themselves ' again to the Holy Apostolic See. He applauded in the 'Lord their pious purpose as it deserved. He gave ' them his blessing. He received them under the shelter of his authority. He exhorted them to be constant and 'to persevere. He was assured that the Almighty Lord, 'whose works were all perfect and who had moved them 'to the defence of the Catholic faith, would give them the 'aid of His powerful arm. Should they lose their lives ' in His service, it was better for them to pass at once into 'Paradise through a glorious death, than to be the mean 'slaves of a licentious woman, and lose their immortal 'souls. The Bishops who had been flung into dungeons ' rather than forsake the truth, had followed in the footsteps of the blessed Thomas of Canterbury. Let the Earls also imitate that admirable saint. They were his beloved children in Christ, and he prayed them, for 'no perils by which they might be threatened, to desert 'the cause which they had taken in hand. The God in 'whom they trusted, the God who cast Pharaoh and his 'chariots into the sea, was able to destroy the might of

เ

'De la subjeccion de la torpe y feminil incontinencia.'

1570

CHAP XIX their adversaries. The Pope himself would not only move the Princes of Christendom in their behalf, but February would send them at once all the money which he could 'provide, and in this and all other ways would assist them in their holy purpose to the utmost of his power."1 The letter never reached its destination, but fell into the hands of the Spaniards. The Bull was carried to Paris, and lay waiting for the moment when it was hoped that a war would break out between France and England, and that Catherine de Medici and the King would give their sanction-without which even the Cardinal of Lorraine was afraid to act-to the publication of it before the world.2

1 La carta que su Santidad escribió á los Condes de Northumberland ó Westmoreland, Feb. 20, 1570.

-MSS. Simancas.

2 Philip, who was generally credited with having advised Elizabeth's excommunication, was more than innocent of it. He was surprised, displeased, and suspicious, believing that it was connected in some way with a design on the part of the French Government to make an attempt upon England. Don Guerau sent him a copy of the Bull.

'The instrument which you have forwarded to me,' Philip wrote in reply, the instrument declaring the Queen of England deprived of her realm, was the first which I had heard about the business. His Holiness took the step without communicating with me, and I assure you I am not a little surprised at it. Knowing as I do so intimately the condition of that realm, I could have given him better advice than others whose counsels he seems to have followed. He is zealous, and per

haps thinks that only this was wanting to bring about what he desires. I shall be very happy to find that he is right, but my fear is that not only the effect will not be favourable, but that so sudden and ill-advised a measure will only embitter men's humours there and drive the Queen to extremities.'-Philip to Don Guerau, June 20. MSS. Simancas.

To his ambassador in Paris, Philip expressed himself yet more vehemently. The Pope,' he said, 'should have consulted me before taking this step. I cannot but feel uneasy that it was concealed from me. It means mischief, and we must get to the bottom of it. We must find out especially what the French are after -their usual tricks no doubt. there be anything of this kind, we may credit it to the Cardinal of Lorraine, whose actions show that you have done him no injustice in the opinion which you have formed of his character.'-Philip to Don Francis de Alava, June 26.-TEULET, vol. v.

If

1570

The opportunity might easily be near: the attitude CHAP XIX of the French Court towards England had varied during the past year between almost a declaration of hostilities February and almost friendship. So long as Mary Stuart and the English Catholics were coquetting with Spain, the French Ambassador had held aloof from the conspiracy; when it became clear that Spain did not mean to interfere, the place of protector of the oppressed was again open with its contingent advantages. France could make use of the resentment which would be provoked naturally by the apathy of Alva and Philip, and the death of Murray had created a fresh chance for the recovery of French influence in Scotland. The Huguenots were not expected to rally from the effects of Moncoutour. The Guise influence was in the ascendant, and Catherine leant as usual to the policy of the predominant party. Accordingly, during the first weeks of the year, the despatches of Sir Henry Norris from Paris were filled with warnings of approaching danger. Elizabeth was to be punished for the encouragement which she and her subjects had given to Coligny. The open talk at Paris was of war with England, for the release of the Queen of Scots and the toleration of Papistry.' The Queen-mother told Norris'that she thought God had sent the beginning of a rebellion to warn his mistress how she assisted rebels against their Princes; if the first lesson sufficed not, she must look for sharper scourges.' An army was to be thrown across the Straits, which the Duke of Anjou was to lead, and the Duke was to be rewarded with the hand of the Queen of Scots. The success of Bothwellhaugh had been so encouraging, that the Cardinal of Lorraine engaged a party of assassins to attempt a similar service on Elizabeth. He offered Alva a

CHAP XIX share of the enterprise, and requested him to make a diversion in Scotland, while Anjou moved on London and Tutbury.

1570

That Alva would accept a second part in such a business was exceedingly unlikely. The marriage of the Queen of Scots and the Duke of Anjou was one of the most alarming spectres in Philip's imagination. Don Guerau, however, suggested that, under shelter of the expected French enterprise, the Duke might attempt the surprise of Tutbury on his own account; it was of great importance that the Queen of Scots should be at liberty, and equally so that she should not fall into the hands of the French. He had ascertained that she was left to herself between two o'clock at night and nine the following morning; and if Alva would send a ship well manned to some secluded spot on the east coast, with a sufficient number of horses, means could be found, with the help of Leicester, whose service it seems had been secured by Chapin,2 to carry her off to the sea. With a view to an

1 'Parece cosa muy conveniente procurar la libertad de la Reyna de Escocia, porque con tenerla presa tiene creydo la Reyna de Inglaterra que ningun Principe Catolico le hará guerra por no poner en peligro la dicha Princesa; y asy tambien es mejor que su libertad no sea por via de los Françeses ni venga á poder dellos, por lo que han mostrado desear de casarla con el Duque de Anjou; antes seria muy al proposito que viniese en poder de su Magd, porque se casase á su voluntad, pues para el bien de la religion y seguridad de los Payses Baxos y de V. My la navegacion importaria mucho.'-Don Guerau to Alva, March

7.

3

MSS. Simancas.

2 Don Guerau, speaking of some one who was to be sent first to survey the ground where the relays of horses were to be placed, says: 'Puede traer una carta del Marquis para el Conde de Leicester para procurar la dicha facultad.' Leicester had perhaps deceived Chapin, in order to learn his secrets and betray them; or, as usual, he may have been making his game for all contingencies. No one can tell. Only wherever we come upon his name in these underground passages it is always connected with infamy or treachery of some kind.

3 Don Guerau to Alva March 7.

underplot of this kind, and to throw Catherine off her CHAP XIX guard, Alva did not answer with entire coldness 1570 to the Cardinal of Lorraine's proposals. Sir Henry March Norris intimated his fears that there was danger from Flanders as well as from France, unless in some way the Queen of Scots could be got rid of. I pray you assure yourself,' he wrote to Cecil on the 9th of March, 'that except they fail of their purpose, they intend the ruin of her Majesty; as you tender her Majesty's preservation, let the Queen of Scots be removed out of the country."

Don Guerau had been scrupulously secret about the intended escape; but a hint of the plot reached Cecil from Paris. On enquiry at Tutbury, suspicious 'practices' were discovered among the servants, and the guard at the castle was instantly doubled. The locks were taken from the Queen's door, that her rooms might be examined at any hour of the day or night, if 'sudden danger should chance;' and a significant intimation was given to her, that if she tried to fly it might be dangerous.2 Elizabeth herself, too, prepared for the worst. Though knowing nothing of the excommunication, she had reason enough to believe that the warnings of Sir Henry Norris might be well founded. There was a general impression that on the events of the year that was opening the fate of the Reformation depended—and with the Reformation, her own throne. La Mothe Fénelon continued to demand the release or the restoration of Mary Stuart, and it seemed only too likely that a declaration of war would follow unless

1 Norris to Cecil, Jan. 2, Jan. 27, March 1, March 9, March 15. Norris to Elizabeth, Feb. 5, March 9.-MSS.

France, Rolls House.

2 John Bateman to Cecil, March 1570.-MSS. QUEEN OF SCOTS.