For King and Kent. 1648. A true story of the Great Rebellion ... With notes

Prologue

AND

Epilogue

BY THE EARL OF CLARENDON.) BEING THE NARRATIVE OF E. L., A LONDON APPRENTICE— AFTERWARDS VICE-ADMIRAL TO THE REVOLTED FLEET,— OF THE STRANGE EVENTS OF THAT TEAR, AND OF THE CRUEL TYRANNIES OF THE WESTMINSTER JUNCTO (CAUCUS) AND THEIR MINIONS. WITH NOTES. BY COLONEL COLOMB, F.S.A., AUTHOR OP " DONNINGTON CASTLE," ETC. VOL. II. NEW EDITION. LONDON: W. H. ALLEN & CO., 13 WATERLOO PLACE, PALL MALL. S.W. 1886. (AU Itifihts nenerred.) CONTENTS. CHAP. PAGE 1. Recovery from Sickness ... ... ... ... i II. Of Sarah Skelhorn, &c 8 III. A Visit from Faithful 15 IV. Coronation Day ... ... ... ... ... 23 V. How the City was to be Cozened... ... ... 29 VI. The Prentices Provoked to Rise ... ... ... 41 VII. The Glorious Tenth of April 50 VIII. Concerning Margaret Gray ... ... ... 57 IX. To the Compters 69 X. To Kent Once More 77 XI.

At Bocton Malherbe 84 XII. More Perils and more Pranks ... ... ... 98 XIII. Of Three Gallants in Love 109 XIV. Of a Duel to be Fought 118 XV. Canterbury Trial 133 XVI. To Tunstall 148 XVII. A Menace and a Retort ... ... ... ... 159 XVIII. Before the Committee 164 XIX. L' Estrange his Advice to Hales ... ... ... 179 XX. Of a Young Presbyterian Lord 187 XXI. Divers Strange Things ... ... ... ... 195 XXII. How Sir Michael Retreated 207 XXI11. Jack Gayer his Relation 215 XXIV. To Sittingborne Church 220 XXV. Of Margaret Gray 228 XXVI. Of the Lady Anne 237 XXVII. To the Church at Tunstall 242 XXVIII. A Wedding and Three Late For't 253 XXIX. In tbe Shooter's Meadow 263 XXX. Furthering Loyal Designs ... ... ... 271 XXXI. Sir Anthony his Summons Answered ... ... 277 XXXII. Riding Up and Down for the Petition 287 XXX11I. The Prince of Wales at Sandwich 290 XXXIV.

Margaret in Tears 299 XXXV. Sir Michael on Parole 303 XXXVI. Aboard of the Vice-Admiral 309 XXXVII. A Court of War on Mutineers 317 XXXVIII. Someone to be Hanged 322 XXXIX. More of the Prince 341 XL. Grave Deliberations ... ... ... ...

Chapter I. Recovery From Sickness

" What and where am I ? " was the first thought that did occur to me when I broadly awake from a long trance, chequered only by confused visions of being watched by my bedside, and sundry per plexing imaginations. The last of these was the wild delusion that my head was the concave of the sky, and that a burning star confined therein did roll about from end to end, to my great trouble and disturbance. Now all such monstrous fancies had subsided. But, as I said, I am now broadly awake. I see some phials of physic — a bowl of broth standing in a jelly on a small table near — a chair beside the bed with an open book on it back uppermost — a cake of wax floating in a pewter basin on a stool. While idly gazing, and lazily wondering, I heard a sound as it were of a key turning in the wall, which was of wainscot, wbere — after a little VOL. II.

B twisting back and forward — a door flew open, and a fellow jumps into the room crying — " I thought it did lead somewhere ! Ha ! " he adds, seeing some one in bed, " what have we here ? " And he stands rooted in the floor, regarding me, I thought, with no favourable eye. But gradually, as I look, his features become fami liar, and I recognise the strong-knit frame and swart face of Jack Gayer, my former companion, the restless leader of all mischief at " The Cradle." "Odds boddikins ! Rupert Lendall, how the plague came you into this place ? " says he. " That is more than I can tell you/' said I, " nor do I know where I am." " Lord ! " says he, coming close to me, "you are for all the world like a jack-a-lent — a piece of mist with a brace of rushlights going out at one end thereof. Tour eyes are half sunk in your head.

O', my conscience, you must have been buried since last I saw you, and dug up again." " Tell me, Jack Gayer, I beseech you, where am I?" " In Queen Street." " In Queen Street — where ? " " At Master Gray's. Sure you know that well enough. Confess the truth." " At Gray's in Qaeen Street," echoed I vacantly. " No, truly I did not know it. Go not away, Jack -Gayer ; sit you down till I recollect myself." RECOVERY FROM SICKNESS. 3 He sat at the foot of the pallet, and contem plated me with more wonder than pity. " Do you mean to pretend," quoth Jack Gayer, " that you have been brought here without vour knowledge ? It passes belief." But now past events, beginning to be remem bered by me, come back as it were with a rush, especially the cruel murder of Burley. I put my hand to my head ; the hair was short, about an inch from the top of my forehead.

"I know what it is," said I; "feel here. I did receive a wound." And I tell him briefly of Burley's business. He knew of it either from having read of it in the diurnals, or heard of it at " The Cradle." " I have had a fever, Jack Gayer," said I, casting an eye upon the physic bottles. "And a nurse too," says Gayer, who had lifted the open book lying turned down on the chair, and having twirled the leaves about, put it where he found it. I desired to look forth of my window, and found, though weak, I could manage to sit up in my bed without help. " Ho ! " said I, dizzily gazing. " What ! are the peach trees in blossom ? " for I saw them upon a brick wall shining red in the early sun. " Sure they are early ? " " Somewhat," said he, " but 'tis nigh the end of March." " Indeed ! " said I. Looking about me, I now remember to have been in this place before.

It was a secret closet where Gray did keep many important documents ; also his strong box containing the greater part of his treasure, but I knew not the door whereby Jack Gayer had entered. Then I laid down again, and as I did, the appearance of Gray, and his accusation men tioned at the end of my last chapter was re membered. " Do you know aught of a lad called Faith ful ? " said I. " I never did hear of him," says he. I was about to tell him how Faithful helped me out of prison at Winton, but changed my mind. " What employment have you here, Jack Gayer ? " " I am prentice to Gray — the place you had," says he. "What took him to Winton ? Were you there with him ? " " No," says he ; " 'tis reported he was to the Isle of Wight with money from the Council of State to reward the soldiers for seizing Captain Burley, and to Winton with £1,000 to Wild for hanging of him."

" I would I knew how my sister is," said I_ "Know you where Margaret is ? " RECOVERY FROM SICKNESS. " Locked fast in her own chamber, for run ning away with a youth of her acquaintance," replied Gayer, looking at me curiously. " Ha ! indeed ! " said I, and thought to my self, " Here is the mystery of Faithful being -explained. Do you know the real name of the youth ? " " No," says he " but perchance you do ? 'Tis said she tried to put it off upon Sir Michael Livesey." " Sir Michael is rascal enough for anything," said I, pondering over former conversations with Faithful. " It puzzles me to know how I came hither, Jack Gayer. How is old Gray?" " 111 of the sweating sickness, Rupert Len dall." " Alas ! wretched man ! I am sorry to hear it," said I. " I have heard it said," replied Gayer, " that Margaret took advantage of his illness to keep a lover concealed in this house, but I never believed it till now."

" What mean you, Jack Gayer? " " Why," says he, with a half-malicious laugh, " I mean that thou art a mighty cunning fellow, Rupert Lendall, to carry on thy amours so secretly." " With whom ? " said I. He took the book from the chair and held it up, looked at me hard, and laid it down again. " I understand you not," said I. He laughed. " Come," says he, " I must begone. I will say nothing, but I must tell yon that when you are well, Rupert, I will cuff you soundly. I have a fondness for Margaret Gray myself, and fairly con fess that I am angry at your success." "Jack Gayer," said I, "you are mistaken in your surmises. I am not in a condition to make love. I told you long ago that I did worship a fair and noble lady in Kent. I care not for Mar garet. You talk of coming to cuffs with me when I am well, but two will be able to play at that, and my good friend Faithful will perhaps not be sorry if you get the worst of it, for what you do prowling thus early in the morning about the secret passages of this house I know not."

"Secret passages?" says he. "It only leads into the garden house yonder, and so into the street ; but who the divel is ' Faithful ' you talk so about ? " I told him briefly something of him. He seemed as if a new light had fallen upon him, and he said — " Rupert Lendall, I ask yonr pardon. I have wearied you, and truly I have said things I meant not. Peace ; I will never say a word more. I have jumped upon wrong conclusions ; I humbly ask forgiveness." And he very frankly pressed my hand. RECOVERY FROM SICKNESS. "There is no offence," said I, "Jack Gayer. Now let me rest, for I am very tired." " Say nothing of this passage or of me," says Gayer, "to Gray or to any in the house. I was playing of pranks last night and got locked out, but took with me some keys I found in Gray's drawer. They will serve another time.

Whither does that door lead ? " " On to the lobby of the first floor." " Farewell a while ! " And out he goes by the proper door of entrance. As soon as he was gone, I stretched forth my hand and took the book off the chair. The letters danced before my eyes. I found it to be the story of " The Golden Legacy," * but some writing on the inside of the cover did account for Jack Gayer his suspicious language, for the writing was this, " Margaret Gray, her book," and I remember she had, a long time ago, lent it me to read. Anon a new notion started in my head. Gayer had said that Gray was sick, and that it was reported that Margaret had a lover concealed in the house. Was I tended there for a blind ? While puzzling over the matter, I fell asleep with Margaret's book in my hand. *"Rosalynd, Euphue's Golden Legacy," by Thomas Lodge. A romance upon which Shakespeare founded his play of As you Like it.

Chapter II. Of Sarah Skelhorn, Etc

I went to sleep, as I told you, with Margaret's book in my hand. I awoke presently with some noise, and saw a figure which I thought might be Margaret — though it was something taller than I remembered her — making a retreat from the door. Then I hear footsteps flying away through the house and voices eagerly talking, as if in some delight. Master Pyle* (of Covent Garden), chirurgeon, came presently in. I will not trouble you with a description of his person or what he said, except that he pronounced me to be mending fast. He had had doubts of my recovery before, he said ; but I had been well watched and attended. He took Margaret's book off the bed, and said he could not permit me to read. He told me to take my broth. When he was gone there entered one I knew very well, for it was old Gray's housekeeper, a very excellent housewife and a kind woman.

She was a little too busy in some matters, and once believed herself great in magic, and it was thought affected * A real personage, afterwards a Royalist agent. OF SARAH SKELHORN, ETC. "to be a white witch, and to be able to undo the evil spells of some ; but having been frighted when some old crones were burnt for their crimes, she forsook her books, and though she still would assert that most of her dreams came true, did not attempt any divination. Her name, which I have mentioned before, was Sarah Skelhorn. "Lord love you, Master Lendall," cries she, "I had been in before, but was to the market. I heard from Mistress Margaret that you had re covered your wits, for she found you reading in her book, and Master Pyle says, too, you will do well. Bless your dear handsome face — pale and thin though it now be — there are others, Master Lendall, who are as glad as I, and who are crying as much for your recovery as they did at your falling ill."

"I pray you," says I, not knowing well what she said, " do you know aught of my sister, Mrs. Burley?" " I think I did hear she was entertained by a friend in the Isle of Wight," says Sarah Skel horn. " Ah," said I, " that will be Frances Trattle no doubt; and how bears she her sad affliction? Alas ! Mistress Skelhorn, but that her husband is now a crowned martyr, his fate were too horrible to think on." "And yet some say, Master Lendall, that he was an enemy to the truth." " The truth, the truth, woman ! — peace ! — you know not what you speak of," said I, angrily ; then adding, " tell me, however, if you know how my sister does ? " " Truly I know not, yet I think I have heard that she is not ill." " I wish her friend and mine were here," said I ; " he could give you tidings, Sarah Skelhorn.

You must bid him come hither." " Who ? " says she. " Faithful," says I. " I know of no Faithful," says she, looking hard at me, "but perchance Mistress Margaret could tell you." " I perceive, Sarah," says I, " that you would fain keep the truth from me ; yet, mistress, you know full well that Margaret has a lover concealed in this house." " Yes," says she, laughing, " and yet there is no such great mystery in it neither." " And does Master Gray know of it? " " Perchance he does, and perchance he does not," quoth Sarah. "Is it true he is ill of the sweating sickness?" " Yes," says Sarah, " he hath never been well since he was to Winton — whether it was the sudden surprise of finding his daughter in a male factor's cell there, or whether it was a cold he took on the journey, I know not." OF SARAH SKELHORN, ETC.

" I pray you," said I, " give me a relation of the finding of his daughter." " Why, you see," says Sarah, " it was thus : — Master Gray going to the Isle of Wight, as I hear, with money to reward the soldiers that seized Captain Burley, came by Winton with a thousand pounds for Judge Wild for his care and pains in condemning the said captain. Here he learnt of the riot at the place of execution, and that you were prisoner in the Castle as one of the leaders thereof; whereupon being informed, as Mistress Margaret believes, by Cornelius Evans — who, by the way, is known to me " — " Known to you, Sarah Skelhorn ? " " Ay, he was son to the great astrologer Evans, a friend of the great Master Lilly. Well, Gray being informed by Cornelius, is full of fury against you, goes to Wild and Steel, and one — Rains borough, I think it was " — " Yes," said I, " Admiral Rainsborough."

" And desires to have you brought forth of the cell, to accuse you to your face of conveying away his daughter." " Conveying away his daughter ! I did nothing of the kind." " True," says Sarah here, " I know it. Well, to cut short myrelation," continues she, " to the door of the cell comes Wild, Steel, and Rainsborough, with Master Gray. " ' You had best take care, Master Gray,' says Rainsborough, 'for the villain is hardy and des perate, and if he breaks loose may do you some bodily harm.' " Good Master Gray's fury moderating on this caution, he ventures not into the cell, but feels disposed to rely on some stout constables there present. " ' Now, master jailor,' quoth Wild, ' you may unbar your doors, and you four constables go in, and seize and bring forth the villain for Master Gray to examine, and take heed that you hold him fast.' " The prisoner is then brought forth with his hat slouched over his face.

Master Gray snatches it off, but no sooner has he done so than he calls out, in great amazement, ' My daughter ! ' and then tearing away the cloak, and seeing the apparel she was in, adds, ' and in gallant's clothes ! ' " "What, Sarah Skelhorn," said I, "was it indeed Mistress Margaret, and not Faithful, that was in the cell ? " " Sure," says Skelhorn, " you know very well that it was." " I remember Gray said something of this when he accosted me in the wood the night of my escape. But it seems passing strange that Mar garet should have succeeded in saving Faithful in the same way that Faithful saved me." " Master Lendall," says Sarah, " you act your OF SARAH SKELHORN, ETC. 13 part very well, but you cannot deceive me. I am sure you know right well what correspondence there is between Faithful and Margaret."

"Yes," said I, "I do, and I am anxious for the welfare of both ; and it is my earnest hope, Sarah Skelhorn, that Faithful will be as true to Mar garet as Margaret is to Faithful." " Why one would think to hear you talk, Master Lendall, that you believed there was really a person called Faithful." " Sarah Skelhorn, I perceive you have more deceit about you than I supposed. Though I have but a friendly feeling towards Margaret, and have no right to set myself up as her champion, I think you act a very doubtful part in allowing her to conceal a lover in this house without her father's consent." At this, Sarah Skelhorn regards me steadfastly, and incontinently bursts out a laughing. "You may laugh, Sarah Skelhorn," says I, "but I consider this is no matter for mirth." But louder and louder titters Sarah ; and she is at pains to stuff the corner of the coverlet into her mouth to suppress the noise she was making.

" Verily," says she " you would make me believe that you did not know that Faithful was only a cozen." "His being a cousin, Sarah Skelhorn, does not mend the matter." Here a call sounds from Gray's chambers, and forth she goes still laughing immoderately. " Oh, what a wanton housewife is this Sarah Skelhorn ! " says I to myself, " she not only con ceals this lover of Margaret in the house, but has the hardihood to laugh at the deceit."

Chapter III

A VISIT FROM FAITHFUL. Bt-and-bte comes back Sarah Skelhorn with more strong broth, and with her, Master Pyle, to see how I can eat it. After some conversation they leave me, and I fall into a deep sleep, from which I am awakened about dusk by the sound of a song to the accompaniment of a lute, which sounded from an apartment above. I shall here set it down for the edification of those who delight in such things with this preface that it hath been ascribed to Lovelace, though I believe that Will Shake speare — that great wit — must have the honour of having originated the same : — (1-) Take, oh, take those lips away, Which so sweetly are forsworn ; And those eyes, the break of day, Lights that do mislead the morn ; But my kisses bring again, Seals of love, but seal'd in vain ! (2) Hide, oh, hide that bosom's snow, Which no fondness e'er can warm ; All the love that lurks below Is as cold as winter's storm ; But my poor heart first set free Bound in icy chains by thee ! * * It will be observed that this song, which some fancy to be hy Marlowe and not by Shakespeare, differs from the received version.

I had no sooner heard the first bar of this song than I recognised the voice of Margaret ; for I had heard her sing it some years before. But the manner of her singing it was so pathetical as to affect me very much in my then weakly state — moving me even to tears. For I thought of Anne Wotton in days of old, and of the kisses she had once given me of her own free-will, and afterwards by compulsion at our last parting at Canterbury ; and so falling into a reverie, after twilight some one steals softly into my chamber and gently ap proaches my bedside. It was too dark to see, but guessing that it might be Faithful, I inquired if it was. "Oh, dear Rupert," cried a voice, which I recognised as his, "thou art thyself again. May Heaven be thanked for this mercy." And the kind friend pressed my hand between both of his in a very affectionate manner ; and seemingly much moved, for a short space sits by my bedside without having a word to say.

Full of curiosity to know how Faithful was dis posed towards Margaret, 1 was the first to break the silence. "That was Margaret whose voice I heard sing ing not long since in a neighbouring chamber? " said I. " Yes," said he in a hesitating manner. " It affected me to a most pathetical sadness," said I, "for I bethought me, Faithful, of my A VISIT FROM FAITHFUL. •entirely beloved Anne Wotton, and of the kisses which once I had from her. Ah ! Faithful," said I, " the pain I have suffered in the affairs of love makes me now feel more compassion for others." Then did Faithful, embracing me with more tenderness than was fitting, commence to weep after a fashion that perplexed me. " What, Faithful ! " cried I, " art thou also un fortunate in the affairs of love ? — nay, pluck up thy spirit, poor youth."

" What the plague is this," thinks I to myself. " I hear Margaret sing a sad song, as it were com plaining of a faithless lover, and here is cousin Faithful concealed by her contrivance blub bering and lamenting over an unrequited suit? What a pair of fools ! — but it is ever thus with lovers who, while they are dying to be locked fast together, take a pleasure in vexing and tor menting each other — and, as in a game of see-saw when one is in the air the other is grovelling in the dust. Oh, oh ! I see what it is. This effeminate youth is afraid to declare his passion, and Margaret? — but hold, why should Margaret be downhearted too ? " " Faithful," said I, " dry your eyes and refrain from further grief; weeping will not mend your misfortune. Though you have not the good fortune to be beloved by one you like best, take pattern by me; who though my suit to the Lady Anne Wotton seems hopeless, yet do not despair.

Am I VOL. II. c not "as ill off as you ? We both love where it is impossible to be loved again. 'Twere better far you should suck comfort out of Sarah Skelhorn, who, from what I see of her, seems to mock at her master's daughter fdr keeping a young man in the house, saying she' knows that Faithful is but a cousin — and indeed she did laugh at the whole matter in such an incomprehensible way as some what amazed me. For a woman who can do so in the case as it now stands can have no feeling. But, Faithful, it is a marvel thou hast lost favour with Margaret seeing she did — if Sarah Skelhorn speaks true — rescue thee from prison, as thou didst rescue me, only with this difference, that Margaret did entirely change suits with thee. Pluck up, man, thy case cannot be hopeless, for — for a maid to put on gallant's apparel is the greatest proof of affection.

But being a thing in itself very im modest it is only excusable on such an occasion as to save a lover from death. I am sure nothing else would make the Lady Anne Wotton do such a thing. For mine own part, I cannot at all tolerate a maid in gallant's clothes. Doubtless the device of Margaret was infused into her mind by Thomas Lodge, his book, which I may mention, 1 found here anon, it having been left here, either by you, Faithful, or by Margaret herself. I remember her once giving me the book to read. I set little store by it ; for, I repeat, I deem it a mannish and forward thing in a girl to dress in A VISIT FROM FAITHFUL. 19 gallant's clothes as Rosalind does in the story ; and I marvel that Rosader could have relished her afterwards." Perceiving that Faithful said nothing, to soothe his spirit in case any jealousy might vex him, I said, taking his hand — " Faithful, deem not that I can rival thee in thy regard for Margaret.

In good sooth, I affect her not at all, if that is any comfort to thee. Indeed, Faithful, when I am well I must go seek Anne Wotton again, and I would I had news of her now, for it would go far to make me recover my health." But here Faithful, as if he were rather dis pleased than otherwise, quits the chamber some thing abruptly. Though the reader of these last two chapters may understand the mysteries they treat of, I can assure every one that I did not. " Sarah Skelhorn," said I, as soon as I was left alone, " is as mad as a hare in March, and Faith ful is no whit more sensible." This much must however be told. The next time I see Sarah Skelhorn she is exceeding cold and taciturn ; and when I questioned her as to the cause of her immoderate laughter, she said — "Forsooth, 'tis no laughing matter, Master Lendall, and you ought to be heartily ashamed of yourself.

What your behaviour has been to Mistress Margaret Gray you know best yourself. She is in a pitiable state, and all on your account." " On my account? " said I. " Yes," says Sarah. " Sarah Skelhorn," said I, " I know not what to make of you. Think not, however, to divert me from the loadstone that governs my heart. Let Mistress Margaret favour those who affect her. Nothing shall entice me from the queen of my affections — the peerless Lady Anne Wotton." " You ought to be ashamed of yourself," says Sarah Skelhorn, and out she flounces in a huff. " Sarah Skelhorn mad," said I, " Faithful mad, and Margaret mad — that makes three." It was a relief to me to see Jack Gayer, and make him the repository of my doubts and surmises, but he gave me but little comfort, for when I explained to him my suspicion of the madness of Sarah Skelhorn, Faithful, and Margaret, it was very plain that he presently concluded me to be mad myself.

Dr. Pyle coming in to pay me his evening visit, Gayer takes him aside, and very evidently imparts his idea to the doctor, who calls in Sarah and chides her for talking to me, saying that it is of the last importance that I should be kept quiet. So for two or three days, though I rapidly im prove, I am debarred from conversation, for Sarah -was the only one who visited me, and, in obedience to Dr. Pyle's command, she did maintain a very strict silence. Sixty ftwscrtptton. To THE LADY MABEL LINDSAY. CHAPTER TV. CORONATION DAY. . t A few days after this was the King's coronation day,* and Jack Gayer having told me of the pre parations for its celebration, nothing would serve me but 1 must go secretly forth to observe what went on. Jack Gayer had prepared a very hideous mask for his face, and knowing that I had more reason to disguise myself than he— who only feared lest Master Gray should hear that he was out of the house after hours — I prayed him to pro cure me a mask like unto his, which he did.