The Royal Merchant; or, events in the days of Sir Thomas Gresham, as narrated in the diary of E. Verner, whilom his Page and Secretary, during the reigns of Queens Mary and Elizabeth

Front matter

i THE ROYAL MERCHANT OE EVENTS IN THE DAYS OF SIR THOMAS GEESHMI, KNT AS NARRATED IN THE DIARY OF ERNST VERNER, KSIrilom Iris Pagt anb Secrchrn, DURING THE REIGNS OF QUEENS MARY AND ELIZABETH et WILLIAM H. G. KINGSTON, ESQ., AUTHOR 'OP THE " MARTYR OF BRENTWOOD," "-PETER THE WHALER, " JOHN DEANE OP NOTTINGHAM," " HOUND THE WORLD," ETC, ETC. LONDON S. W. PARTRIDGE AND CO., 9, PATERNOSTER ROW. 1870. LONDON : B. BARRETT AND SONS, PRINTERS, MARK LANE. PAGE 22 34 48 CONTENTS.

Chapter II

Lady Anne takes charge of Ernst — Sir John De Leigh, the great traveller, visits Master Gresham — Banquet at Master Gresham's — Attempt to carry off Ernst and Richard — Martyrdom of Ernst's parents 9

Chapter III

Sir John De Leigh consoles Ernst — Account of Sir Thomas Gresham — Description of mercantile prosperity of Antwerp — News of Edward the Sixth's illness reaches Antwerp — Mary mounts the Throne of England — Master Gresham recalled — Journey to England — Visit to Calais, and its ruined condition — Ernst sees Queen Mary on her way to the Tower

Chapter IV

Ernst sent to St. Paul's School — Account of the School — Ernst mates the acquaintance of John Tobin and Andrew A'Dale — The latter stands up in his defence — The School attends the service of the Boy Bishop, and what happens on the occasion

Chapter V

Events at the commencement of the reign of Queen Mary — Count Egmont's retinue pelted with snowballs — A stranger sends Ernst to warn Master Gresham that danger threatens him — Landing of Count Egmont — Sir Thomas Wyat's army approaches London — Ernst and A'Dale join the insurgents CONTENTS. rvGE 62 120

Chapter VI

Execution of Lady Jane Grey, Sir Thomas Wyat, and many insurgents — Master Gresham returns home secretly — Philip and the Queen visit the City — Ernst and A'Dale seized and sent to the Fleet — Their reception by the jailor Go to Farmer Hadden's — Father Overton overhears Foxe expounding the Scriptures — Accompanies the party to Antwerp — Ernst attends Gresham to Brussels to witness the abdication of Charles V. — Brussels described — Ceremony of abdication — Banquet at Palace of Prince of Orange — Ernst attends the Prince on a falconry party in the forest of Soignies . . 102

CHAPTER X. ERNST VERNER BEGINS HIS JOURNAL.

Gresham's transactions at Antwerp — Ship military stores — We all sail for England — Pursued by a pirate — Arrive in the Thames — I go back to St. Paul's School — A grand procession — A'Dale and I meet Father Overton's friend — See a number of persons led to suffer martyrdom at Smithfield, and among them a lady, who confides to me an important document — Smithfield — I rush heartsick from the scene

CHAPTER XI.

Fall down in a swoon — Am found by Father Roger — Set off for Norwich, with Brocktrop and A'Dale, in search of Mistress Radford's daughter — Meet Master Overton — Discover Aveline in the care of a Flemish family ...... 163 _l_.__jri.__i_ vil. jife in prison — Hear a prisoner praying below them — Bishop Hooper — Account of him — Ernst and A'Dale taken before Gardiner — Rescued by Sir John De Leigh — Master Gresham pardoned and reappointed as Royal Agent .... 75

Chapter VIII

'isit from Foxe — Journey to Ipswich — Watched by the priests — Embark — A storm — Return to port — Encounter on landing the priest and his companion . . . . . . 89 CHAPTER CONTENTS. V PAGE

CHAPTER XII.

Return with Aveline to London — Lady Anne protects her — Master Gresham's constant journeys — King Philip persuades Mary to declare war against France — I persuade A'Dale not to accompany the troops — I leave school — How Cardinal Pole acted at the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge — Master Gresham's house in Lombard Street described — Overton appears, and Aveline disappears — We cannot learn what has become of her — Loss of Calais, and other public events . . . . . . . . . .152

CHAPTER XIII.

A'Dale and I hear of a burning at Smithfield — Overton and Aveline among the martyrs — Urge the crowd to rescue the prisoners — Death of Queen Mary announced — Aveline liberated and taken home by a lady — Attend Master Gresham to Hatfield, where he has an audience with Queen Elizabeth — Overton and his friend liberated — Account of Sir William Cecil — Happy changes when Elizabeth begins to reign — The Queen receives a Bible in the City — Master Gresham knighted — Proceeds as envoy to Brussels — I accompany him ......... 166

CHAPTER XIV.

I return with Sir Thomas to Antwerp — A Friar preaches against the Queen — Temporary tranquillity — Magnificent pageants at Antwerp — Fete of Ghent — Dinner at Jasper Schetz, when Count Egmont proposes to mock Cardinal Granvelle — The proceedings of Peter Titelmann — Persecutions — Death of Fabricius, the preacher — The Edicts enforced with fresh vigour — We ship munitions of war and various curious articles to England ........ 181

CHAPTER XV.

Arrival of Sir Thomas, with Aveline, A'Dale, and Richard — Master Cecil and his tutor come to Antwerp — I grow jealous of the former — I am sent by Sir Thomas to take charge of a valuable cargo for England — Discover a plot to capture it — A stranger offers us assistance — The captain does not believe the warning — The ship attacked — After some fighting we gain the victory — I am wounded . . . . .197 VI CONTENTS. 296 We are pursued by an enemy's squadron — Escape — Drop anchor off the Tower — Refugees hospitably received — Death of Richard Gresham — Bourse projected by Sir Thomas — My feelings with regard to Aveline — Return to Antwerp — State of affairs in the Netherlands — I witnesB the presentation of the petition — The petitioners are called Beggars . . 244

CHAPTER XIX.

Prince of Orange comes to Antwerp — Procession of Ommegang — Disturbance in the Cathedral — We are rescued by an old friend — The old seller of Papistical trickeries — Image-breaking in the churches of Antwerp ..... 258

CHAPTER XX.

Sir Thomas with a strange young lady expected — A'Dale and I ride out to meet them — Sir Thomas at Antwerp — A ride into the country, and the field preacher — Our adventure with the old witch 276

CHAPTER XXI.

Master Overton arrives from Switzerland — Sermon at the Cathedral — Accounts of Image-breaking in other places — Dine with the Prince of Orange — Sir Thomas receives petition from the Protestants at Antwerp — Battle outside the walls of Antwerp — Defeat of the Patriots — Count Marnix of Tholouse . __i__r _j__- __v_. PAGE Sail down the Scheld — Fear of being pursued — Joined by Captain Rover — Arrive in the Thames — Our short stay in England — A few public events noted — Return to Antwerp — Find Richard dying — Disorganised state of society in Antwerp — Receive a visit from Captain Rover — Plot against Sir Thomas Gresham — Captain Rover leaves me to receive some fugitives on board his ship .......... 214

CHAPTER XVII.

lir Thomas Gresham resolves to quit Antwerp — Sail in the Diamond — Fugitives escape — Pursued by the Romanists — A gale springs up — The ship springs a leak — The Falcon takes our passengers — I remain by the ship ..... 229 CHAPTER CONTENTS. VII FAGB 3E9 390

CHAPTER XXII.

The Duchess Margaret superseded by Alva — Arrival of the Spaniards — Citadel of Antwerp built — Egmont and others seized and condemned — Prince of Orange publishes his manifesto — First success of Count Louis and death of Aremberg — Wretched state of the country after Alva' s arrival . . 314

CHAPTER XXIII.

Overton — Private meetings of Protestants — We attend one, and are surprised — I escape with Aveline — Meeting of Aveline and Captain Radford — We go to the hall of meeting — Examine the slain — Visit the prison where our friends are shut up — 111 success of our interview with the Civil Governor — On our return find that Aveline has been carried off ... 325

CHAPTER XXIV.

We discover the house to which Aveline has been carried — Plans for her liberation — Monument to the Duke of Alva raised in the citadel — Jacob and I visit Barbara Trond - .. . 343 •

CHAPTER XXV.

Plan arranged with Captain Radford for the rescue of Aveline — He also proposes to force the gates of Overton's prison — Madam Clough set free, and quits the city — Our second visit to Dame Trond — Her plan for rescuing Master Overton, which I carry out — Aveline escapes, and I return to pay Dame Trond

CHAPTER XXVI.

I again visit Dame Trond — Find a number of refugees escaping — Pursued by the Spaniards — A brave defence — We gain the Falcon — Fugitives overtaken and slaughtered — Passing the forts 376

CHAPTER XXVII.

Escape the forts — Visit the fugitives on board the other vessels — The voyage — I am betrothed to Aveline — Chased by an enemy — Captured by Spaniards — We defend the cabin CONTENTS. Journey to London — Received at Gresham House — Sir Thomas regrets that A'Dale has left his service — Foxe — My marriage put off — Cardinal Chastillon — Spanish treasure ships detained — English subjects seized in the Netherlands — Arrival of an envoy from Alva — The great fleet sails for Hamburg, now selected as a mart instead of Antwerp — Sir John Leigh — He tells me of a plot to destroy Cecil, and re-establish Romanism 418

CHAPTER XXX.

Last days of Sir John Leigh — Death of Chastillon — Alva receives a hat and sword from the Pope as a reward, in acknowledgment of his services to the Church — Visit of Queen Elizabeth to the Exchange — I hope to marry, but am sent instead to Antwerp — State of Brussels — Dame Trond informs against me, and I with Jacob Naas fly from the city . . 435

CHAPTER XXXI.

Jacob aud I and my servant John are captured and carried prisoners to Brill — Life in prison — I try to bribe the jailor — Arrival of the Sea Beggars — Rescued by A'Dale — The commencement and proclamation of the Dutch Republic . .452 l_-J_t___X XIIiXVf __v_;-- V -IXJ.. pag: 'reserved from destruction by the Spanish Admiral — A young officer sent on board to defend us from insult — The Beggars of the Sea appear — The Spaniards overpowered — Shape a course for England, accompanied by the Gueux — The refugees land, and we set off for London ...... 40.

CHAPTER XXIX.

V>X_____J_J_ AAA11. persuade A'Dale to return with me to England — I marry, and so does A'Dale — Take up my abode in Lombard Street — Massacre of St. Bartholomew — Mons taken by Alva — Butchery at Naarden — Defence of Harlem — Alkmaar saved — Alva recalled to Spain — Death of Count Louis — Gresham College designed — Sir Thomas Gresham's other charities — Visit of Queen Elizabeth to Osterley — Death of Sir Thomas Gresham — Attempts on the life of Elizabeth — The Spanish fury — Assassination of the Prince of Orange — The Spanish Armada — Conclusion .........

Introduction

TO SIR THOMAS GRESHAM AND HIS FACTOR.

In the year of Grace 1551, Antwerp was not only the chief city of the Netherlands, but the commercial capital of the world. Its public buildings were also celebrated for the elaborate carving of their exteriors, for their richly-furnished interiors, and for their general architectural beauty. In one of the principal streets of that city there stood a handsome house, the property of that wealthy and highly-esteemed merchant — Jasper Schetz. In a private room, the walls richly adorned with carving and tapestry, sat at a dark oak writing table a gentle man in a black velvet suit, having a black cap of the same material on his head. On a high-backed chair near him hung his cloak and rapier, while at his side he had a short dagger, with a jewelled hilt, ready for use. He was still young, but his features were grave, and his brow full of thought.

His figure was tall and slight, though perhaps somewhat too stiff to be graceful. He was evidently a person of note, one more accus- B tomed to guide men by his counsels, perhaps, than to command them in the field — rather a financier or diplo matist than a military commander. Another person was in the room, standing at a high desk at a little distance. He was a somewhat older man than the former, shorter in figure, and more strongly built. His countenance also exhibited a considerable amount of intelligence, as well as firmness and decision of character. " Write to their lordships, Master Clough, that I have secured a loan from Lazarus Tucker of £10,000 for six months, with interest at the rate of 14 per cent. per annum. Acknowledge that the rate is somewhat high, but the loan could not be procured for less.

Say I have paid over to our good friends Schetz Brothers the sum of £1,000, according to the command of the King, as an acknowledgment to them for the last loan which they obtained for his Majesty." The gentleman first described continued dictating to the latter, his secretary, for some time, much in the same style. He then branched off into other subjects, and gave a sketch of the political events which had lately occurred in the Netherlands, then ruled by the Emperor Charles V. of Germany and King of Spain, his sister Queen Mary of Hungary acting as Regent for him. He continued : " Protestant principles have made great progress, even though the fatal Inquisition flourishes in the country more actively than heretofore. I doubt greatly whether any good will come from it, but rather much evil.

It is surprising indeed how the people can submit to the fearful tyranny exercised over them. The Emperor has just drawn up a new set of instructions for the guidance of the Inquisitors. These THE INQUISITION IN THE NETHERLANDS. 3 men are empowered to inquire, proceed against, and chastise all they call heretics, or persons suspected even of heresy, and their protectors. They are to gain every possible information with regard to infected or vehe mently suspected persons. They are authorised to summon all subjects of his Majesty, whatever their rank, quality, or station, and to compel them to give evidence, or to communicate their suspicions. They are to punish with death all who pertinaciously refuse such deposi tions. All presidents, judges, sheriffs, and other judicial and executive officers, are to render all assistance to the Inquisitors and their familiars in their holy and pious labours, whenever required so to do, on pain of being punished as encouragers of heresy.

Death is to be their punishment. Whenever the Inquisitors are satisfied as to the heresy of any individual, they are to order his arrest and detention by the judge of the place. Very few thus arrested have escaped death — many of them being ecclesiastics, to whom no mercy is ever shown. Persons even suspected, though not convicted of heresy, seldom escape chastisement. These Inquisitors are espe cially to make it known that they are not doing their own work, but that of Christ, and to persuade all persons of this fact. Now God forbid that such work of Christ may ever be carried out in our country of Eng land. The power of these Inquisitors is, indeed, un limited, for the judges dare not act against their wishes. Those against whom they bring their accusations are looked upon as lost men. It is dreadful to think of the power placed in the hands of these Inquisitors.

Already thousands of the inhabitants of the Netherlands have been burned, or drowned, or hung, or killed on the rack ; those who can taking to flight, till many parts are well-nigh depopulated. Nothing can be more dreadful than the system of torture employed. The accused person is carried off to prison, often without knowing the crime he is accused of, or his accusers. He is tortured to make him confess. The torture takes place at midnight in some gloomy dungeon, dimly lighted by torches. The victim, whether man, woman, or tender virgin, is stripped naked, and stretched upon a wooden bench. Water, weights, fires, pulleys, screws, all the apparatus by which the sinews can be strained without cracking, the bones bruised without breaking, and the body racked without giving up the ghost, is now put into operation.

If the victim, to escape further torture, confesses, he is at once carried off to execution ; if not, he is restored to prison to recover somewhat from the effects of the torture, when he is again brought back to suffer in the hopes of extorting a confession. However, I have already spun out my letter to too great a length, and I must bring it to a conclusion. Your lordships will see how differently situated the Netherlands are at the present time to our happy Eng land, under the rule of our gentle sovereign, King Edward." Master Clough having added some further remarks, closed the letter, and sealed it carefully with the signet ring of his employer, the Worshipful Master Thomas Gresham (the device on which was a grasshopper). Thomas Gresham at that time held the honourable post of Royal agent at Antwerp.

The letter being carefully done up with other papers in a silk covering, Richard Clough took it out of the room, and delivered MY MOTHER. 5 it into the hands of a special messenger who was to convey it to England. He soon returned, saying that a lady earnestly craved an audience. " I know her not," he added, " but she will in no wise receive a refusal. She is a matron of comely appearance, though her cheeks are pale, and her eyes betoken grief and anxiety. She is accompanied, too, by a young boy, who appears to be her son, and stands holding her hand, trembling as if lately put in great bodily fear." " Let her come up by all means, Master Clough," answered the merchant ; " if we can assist her in her dis tress, we are bound to do so. The Lady Anne will, I doubt not, if she finds her worthy, be interested in her case."

" I will obey you, sir," said Richard Clough, hurrying out. In a short time he returned with a lady, who although not young, yet retained many traces of beauty. She led by the hand a boy apparently about nine years of age, who, as Master Clough had remarked, looked completely terror-stricken. The merchant rose, and with becoming courtesy placed a chair for the lady opposite to where he sat. " Pray, madam, tell me how I can assist you," he said, " for I see at once that you are in distress." " Indeed, indeed, I am, sir," she answered. " I come to pray a great boon of you. I am your country woman, though married to a Netherlander. My husband, Karl "Van Verner, may not be unknown to you, as he is a wealthy and highly honoured burgher of Antwerp. My maiden name was Bertram, and my family, as well as that of my husband, have long been attached to the Protestant faith.

We had till lately worshipped God in private, according to the way we considered most ac ceptable to Him, not intruding, however, our opinions on our neighbours, but, alas ! my husband's wealth was coveted by those in power. Some secret enemy informed against us, and only this morning the officers of the Inquisition suddenly entered our house. We had just assembled for morning prayer. As my young boy beheld them seize his father, he cried out with terror, at the same time attempting to drag him out of their hands. I could not help at first giving way to my grief and terror. In vain my husband expostulated with them, and promised to accompany them quietly if they would set him at liberty. He contrived, however, to whisper to me, to place our boy in safety, and to endeavour to escape myself.

In spite of my tears and entreaties, my beloved husband was then dragged off by the officers of the Inquisition, and I hastened away to obey his directions. My husband's fate is, I fear, too certainly sealed. The Bible was found in his hands. He had long been known to be a consistent Protestant. What may be my fate, I know not, but my desire and hope is to share his. Again, I ask you, sir, will you, in the abundance of your compassion and charity, take charge of this boy, soon, 1 verily believe, to be an orphan. Ernst is his christian name. He will, in return, I feel sure, serve you well, and prove true and faithful to you." The merchant cast an eye of compassion on the boy. The mother saw the look, and trusted that she had gained an advantage. " Oh ! take him, sir, take him ! I implore you !

" she exclaimed, clasping her hands. " Should he be ERNST INTRODUCED TO HIS PATRON. 7 deprived of his father and me, as I feel sure he soon will be, though his life may be spared, he may be brought up by the priests in the fearful errors of the Romish faith. I appeal to you as a Protestant. Oh ! save him from such a fate ! I know no one else who is able to protect him, but you can do so fully and completely. I ask you not to bestow wealth on him. I will make over all we possess to you, if I have the power. Let him only labour for you, and be brought up in the Reformed faith." While the lady was speaking the merchant had been considering how far granting her request might im peril his own position where his business led him into constant intercourse with numerous Roman Catholics, and sometimes even with the very ministers of the Emperor.

Still his heart leaned towards the side of compassion. His features gradually relaxed as his feelings softened towards the distressed lady and her child. " Whatever the risk, I will befriend your boy, madam," he said. " Come here, Ernst, your mother wishes you to trust to me. Lady, I would gladly afford you, also, any assistance in my power," he continued, interrupted, however, by Madame Yerner, who poured out before him her feelings of gratitude. " I am resolved to share the lot of my husband," she answered. " While he lives I will not desert him." " You are a noble lady, and I would not interfere with your purpose," said the merchant ; " but consider that you will not be able to aid your husband, and you may only sacrifice your own life." " That I am prepared to do," said the lady, rising.

"May God reward you, as you protect my child." She pressed the boy to her bosom, again uttered an expression of gratitude to the merchant, and not daring to trust herself with another look at her child, hastened from the room. I was that little boy Ernst Verner. It was the last time I heard the voice of my beloved mother. I saw her, yes once, but oh ! my heart sickens even now as I bring the fearful vision to my sight. THE LADY ANNE AND HER SON. 9

Chapter II. Lady Anne Takes Charge Op Ernst

— SIR JOHN DE LEIGH, THE GREAT TRAVELLER, VISITS MASTER GRESHAM — BANQUET AT MASTER GRESHAM'S — ATTEMPT TO CARRY OFF ERNST AND RICHARD — MARTYRDOM OF ERNST'S PARENTS. Master Gresham, leaving Richard Clough at his desk, took Ernst Verner by the hand, and led him out of the room. They passed along a gallery with a richly carved balustrade on one side, and portraits of burgo masters, warriors, and stately dames, hanging from the wall on the other. Opening a door, several female voices saluted them. At one end of the room sat a tall and graceful lady, young and handsome, with an embroidery frame before her. Her head-dress was a small sort of hood, richly ornamented, with a veil falling behind. She had a long waist with an embroidered stomacher, and a handsome girdle which hung down in front. Her gown was open, showing a richly-decorated petticoat beneath, so long as completely to hide her feet when she stood up on the entrance of her husband, Master Gresham.

On either side of the room were several damsels with spinning-wheels and distaffs by their sides, or else actively plying their needles. A little boy, fair and delicate — a year or two younger than Ernst, he appeared — was playing on the ground near the couch on which the lady sat, with some of those wonderful toys for which Holland was already celebrated. The lady looked up as Master Gresham approached. " What child have you there, my dear lord ? " she asked. " One in whom perchance you will take an interest, Lady Anne, when you hear his history," answered Master Gresham ; and he detailed in a few words the visit of the boy's mother, and her petition that the child might be taken care of. " We cannot refuse the charge which Heaven has sent us," answered the lady. " He may be a companion and playmate to our little Richard, and I doubt not a blessing to us, if we are faithful to our trust."

From that day forward Ernst became one of the family of Master Thomas Gresham. In the house he had many amusements; but his life was a somewhat dull one notwithstanding, for he was never allowed to go abroad, unless in the company of his patron. The reason of this did not occur to him. Master Gresham, however, acted wisely. He knew that those who had seized the child's parents might seize the boy also, and though from his youth he might escape death, he would certainly be brought up as a Romanist — a proceeding which the honest Protestant Englishman greatly dreaded. There was no lack of company, how ever, in the house. Often entertainments were given to various guests. Seldom indeed was the merchant's hospitable board spread without several visitors being present. Soon after Ernst had become an inmate of Master Gresham's house, a personage arrived who was treated SIR JOHN DE LEIGH. 11 with great consideration.

He had come from the South, after having visited the Holy Land, and appeared to have seen much of the world besides. Indeed there were few countries about which he had not something to say. There was nothing very re markable about his appearance. He was slightly built, and of middle size ; but he had that hardy, wiry look, which showed that he was capable of undergoing great fatigue and enduring an excess of heat, without inconvenience, if not of cold. His ordinary dress was that of a simple gentleman, with a flat cap, having a coif tying beneath the chin and completely concealing his hair. His cloak, or gown, was of fine cloth, trimmed with rich fur, and having long sleeves. Beneath it was a closely-buttoned vest, while he wore long hose, and puffed breeches, reaching but a short way down the upper part of the leg.

The upper part of his shoes were pointed, a jewelled dagger hung to his waist by a belt, in which were stuck his gloves when not in use, and leathern purse also hanging to it. He was addressed by Master Gresham as Sir John De Leigh, and was treated by him as a person of consideration. A banquet indeed was given in honour of his arrival, to which a number of the principal merchants, magistrates, and other civil officers of Antwerp were invited. It made an impression on Ernst, young as he was, never forgotten. It took place in the grand hall on the ground floor of the house. With interest he watched the placing of the tables and the spreading of the cloths, while at one end the butler arranged on the buffet the rich pieces of plate and other vessels, giving a magnificent appearance to that part of the hall, and standing out well against the dark tapestry hung up behind them.

In the centre of the table was first placed a silver vessel of large size, containing salt ; and small round cakes of bread were arranged where each guest was to sit. Drinking cups also, of glass, were placed along the table, with a plate and napkin for each guest. About thirty guests had been summoned, among whom were a few dames to bear the Lady Anne com pany. At the further end of the hall was a gallery where the musicians were stationed ; while cushioned chairs were arranged on each side of the table and covered with handsome tapestry work. And now the guests beginning to arrive, the servitors came forward with basin, ewers, and towels, that each might wash his hands before sitting down to the meal. Master Gresham and Lady Anne received them with due courtesy, when each guest was conducted to the place assigned to him at the table ; Sir John De Leigh and other guests of distinction being seated at the upper part, while Master Clough and several other secretaries and attendants took their seats at the further end below the salt-cellar.