2nd February 1554
In this space, upon the Friday, which was
Candlemas day 2nd February ,
the most part of the householders of London, with the mayor and aldermen, were in harness, so that ye should have seen the
streets very full of harnessed men in every part.
This day the
Earl of Pembroke Sir William Herbert ,
general of the queen’s army overall, with the Lord William Harvard, Lord deputy, and the Lord Clinton with not past
one of their servants unharnessed, went over the bridge into the borough of Southwark, up to Saint Georges, and so returned
again into the city.
Note, this same Friday, being the second of February, the Lord Cobham (leaving his two sons with Mr. Wyatt) at midnight
came to the gates of the bridge, and there was let in at midnight, and the next morrow was brought to the Council, where
he remained at the Earl of Pembroke’s until afternoon, and then was brought to the Tower as prisoner.
This day there came a gentleman named ---- , and a drum, in message; who was received in Southwark and blindfold brought
through the city unto the Earl of Pembroke’s at Coleharbert,
where he remained until afternoon that he was conducted and so brought again into Southwark, where at Saint George’s
church his horse was delivered him, and so departed with the drum which came with him.
On Saturday in the morning, being the third of February, there came forth a proclamation, set forth by the Queen’s
Council, wherein was declared that that traitor Wyatt seduced simple people against the Queen. Wherefore, she willed all
her loving subjects to endeavour themselves to withstand him; and that the Duke of Suffolk, with his two brethren, were
discomfited by the Earl of Huntingdon, and certain of his horsemen taken, and the Duke and his two
brethren fled in serving man’s coats ; and that Sir Peter Carew was fled into France : and that Sir Gawen Carew,
Gibbs, and others, were taken, and remain in Exeter : and that the whole city of Exeter and commons thereabout, were at
the queen’s commandment with their power, to the death. And that she did pardon the whole camp except Wyatt, Harper,
Kudestone, and Isley: and that whosoever could take Wyatt, except the said four persons, should have an hundred pounds a
year to them and to their heirs for ever.
Note, this day before noon all horsemen were by a drum commanded to be at Saint James’s field, and the footmen
commanded to be in Finsbury field to muster. This day, about three of the clock, Sir Thomas Wyatt and the Kentishmen
marched forward from Deptford towards London with five auncientes, being by estimation about two thousand men ; which
their coming, so soon as it was perceived, there was shot of out of the White tower a six or eight shot
but missed them, sometimes shooting over, and sometimes shooting short. After the knowledge thereof once had in London,
forthwith the drawbridge was cut down and the bridge gates shut. The mayor and the sheriffs harnessed themselves, and
commanded each man to shut in their shops and windows, and being ready in harness to stand every one at his door, what
chance soever might happen. Then should ye have seen taking in wares of the stalls in most hasty manner ; there was
running up and down in every place to weapons and harness; aged men were astounded, many women wept for fear; children
and maids ran into their houses, shutting the doors for fear; much noise and tumult was everywhere; so terrible and
fearful at the first was Wyatt and his armies coming to the most part of the citizens, who were seldom or never wont
before to hear or have any such invasions to their city.
At this time was Wyatt entered into Kent Street, and so by Saint George’s church into Southwark. Himself and part
of his company came in good array down
Barmesey Bermondsey Street.
Note, they were suffered peaceably to enter into Southwark without repulse or any stroke stricken either by the inhabitants
or by any other; yet was there many men of the country in the inns, raised and brought thither by the Lord William, and
other, to have gone against the said Wyatt and Kentishmen, but they all joined themselves to the said Kentish rebels taking
their parts; and the said inhabitants most willingly with their best entertained them. Immediately upon the said
Wyatt’s coming he made a proclamation that no soldier should take any thing, but that he should pay for it, and
that his coming was to resist the coming in of the Spanish king, &c. At his coming to the bridge foot, he laid
forthwith two pieces of ordnance, and began a great trench between the bridge and him ; he laid another piece at Saint
George’s, another going into Barmesey Street, and another towards the bishop’s house.
Note, that on Sunday the 4th day of February it is said that the
Lord William Howard should call at the gate and say, “Wyatt?” At last one answered him, “What would
ye with him?” and he said, “I would speak with him.” And the other answered, “The captain is
busy; if ye will anything to him, I shall show him.” “Marry (quoth the Lord William), know of him what he
meaneth by this invasion, and whether he continue in his purpose or no?” The messenger departed to Master Wyatt,
and within three-quarters of an hour returned with a purse, and therein Master Wyatt’s answer, which being thrown
over the gate, was received and read by the said Lord William, and his proclamation was cast over. Note, that from
Saturday at noon all boats being brought to London side over the water, was commanded there to stay, and in pain of
death none to go over to them.
Upon the 4th of February there was set out of the Tower top a banner of defiance, and at morning and evening at the
changing of the watch, was shot off a great piece of ordnance accustomably.
This day Sir Nicholas Poynings, as it is said, being an assistant at the Tower, was with the queen to know whether
they should shoot off at the Kentishmen, and so beat down the houses upon their heads. “Nay,” said the
queen, “that were pity, for many poor men and householders are like to be undone there and killed. For,”
sayeth she, “I trust, God willing,” saith she, “that they shall be
fought with tomorrow.” Note, that Sir John of Bridges, the night before, said to the Watch in the Tower,
“ I much muse they are not fought withal. By God’s mother! I fear there is some traitor abroad that they
be suffered all this while ; for surely, and if it had been about my country, I would have fought with them myself,
by God’s grace !” Note, that that night the Kentishmen made a noise as it were a sign of assault at the
bridge, and shot off two half-hacks. This day the queen’s company assembled in Saint James’s Park. Note,
that it is said that the said Master Wyatt, upon the
proclamation that whosoever will take him should have a hundred pounds in ----- , did cause his name to be fair
written by the name of Thomas Wyatt, and set it on his cap.
Note, that this fifth day the noise was that the Lord Warden, the Lord of Burgenye, Sir Richard Southwell, was come
to Blackheath and Greenwich with three thousand men against the said Master Wyatt.
Note, that on Shrove-tuesday, being the 6th of February, Master Wyatt departed out of Southwark towards Kingston bridge,
before eleven of the clock before noon, in good array they marched forwards. A little before his departing he shot off
two pieces of ordnances, the more to cover his departure so much as it might be, And when he departed, it is said he
paid all his soldiers their
wages, and made proclamation in Southwark that if any of his soldiers ought a pony to any person there, that they should
come to him and he would see them paid ; but there was non complained ; all men the inhabitants said that there was never
men behaved themselves so honestly as his company did there for the time of their abode.
Note, that the night before, by chance, as the lieutenant’s man of the Tower was rowing with a sculler over against
Winchester Place, there was a waterman of the Tower Stairs desired the said lieutenant’s man to take him in, who
did so : which seven
arquebusiers as musketeers carried muskets so these men carried an
arquebus ,
of Wyatt’s company spying the boat departing from land, called to them to land again, but they would not; whereupon
each man discharged their piece, and so one of them by chance killed the said waterman, the which falling forthwith down
dead, the sculler, with much pain, rode through the bridge to the Tower Wharf with the said lieutenant’s servant
and the dead man in the boat. This thing was no sooner known to the lieutenant, but the same night and the next morning
(whether he had commission so to do is not known) bent seven great pieces of ordnance, that is to say,
culverings a type of cannon
and demi-cannons, full against the foot of the bridge and against Southwark, and the two steeples of Saint Olaves and Saint
Mary Ovaries;
6 besides all the pieces on the
White Tower, one culvering on the Devil’s Tower, and three
falconettes a light cannon over the Watergate,
all being bent towards Southwark. Which thing so soon as the inhabitants of Southwark had intelligence of, certain men,
and also many women, came to the said Wyatt in most lamentable wise, saying, “Sir, we are like to be utterly
undone all and destroyed for your sake or default; our houses, which are our 1ivings, shall be by and by thrown down
upon our heads, and our children, to the utter desolation of this borough, with the shot of (the Tower) laid and charged
towards us; for the love of God, therefore, take pity upon us !” At which words he being partly abashed, stayed
awhile, and then said these or much-like words : “I pray you, my friends, content yourselves a little, and I will
soon ease you of this mischief ; for God forbid that ye, or the least child here, should be hurt or killed in my behalf.”
And so in most speedy manner marched away. It is said he should say he would pay his soldiers no more until he paid
them in Cheapside, Some reported he knocked at the gate when he went, saying, “Twice have I knocked and not been
suffered to enter; if I knock the third time I will come in, by God’s grace !”
And as he marched towards Kingston he met by chance a merchant named Christopher Dorrell, whom he called, saying,
“Cousin Dorrell, I pray you commend me unto your citizens the Londoners, and say unto them from me, that when
liberty and freedom was offered them they would not receive it, neither would they admit me to enter within their gates,
who for their freedom, and the disburdening of their griefs and oppression by strangers, would have frankly spent my
blood in that their cause and quarrel : but now well appeareth their unthankfulness to us their
friends, which meaneth them so much good; and therefore they are the less to be moned hereafter, when the miserable
tyranny of strangers shall oppress them.” And so he went forward. That night he marched so fast that it is said
he came to Kingston by night, where the bridge was broken and kept on this side by
two hundred or thereabouts of the queen’s party; which bridge so soon as the said Wyatt perceived to be broken,
and the men keeping it, went back, and did fetch a piece or two of ordnance and laid on the bridge, by the reason whereof
he forced the other to flee, and leave the bridge unkept. Then caused he three or four of his soldiers to leap into the
water and swim to the other side, who loosed the Western boats, which there lay tied, and so brought them over to the
other side, and by that means he passed the water.
It is a strange matter what pains he took himself coming on foot amongst them; neither did they stay any whit all that
night, but came almost to Brainford or ever they were descried by the queen’s scouts, who there by chance meeting
Brett and his company, the said Brett said to the scout, “Back, villain : if thou go further to discover any
company here, thou shalt die out of hand.” The scout returned in great haste.
Note, the said day of his departure the Londoners many were much joyous. The same day towards night there was laden ten
or twelve carts with ordnance, as bills, morice pikes, spears, bows, arrows, gunstones, powder, shovels, mattocks,
spades, baskets, and other munition, and there went out two culverings, one
sacre saker - a type of cannon ,
three faucons, and a
fauconet culverings, faucons and fauconets are all types of
cannon ;
all which the same night stayed in Paul’s churchyard. The same night, also, about five of the clock, a trumpeter
went along, warning all horse and men of arms to be at Saint James’ field, and all footmen to be there also by
six of the clock the next morning.
The next morning Sir George Harper was taken.
It is thought that the haste the said Wyatt and his company made that night was partly for lack of victuals and money,
which was then near spent; and partly for that he hoped of better aid of the Londoners than he had before, if he might
come to that part of the city.
Some said his intent was to have been in London, if he had could, before day; but hearing that the Earl of Pembroke was
come into the fields, he stayed at Knightsbridge until day, where his men being very weary with travel of that night
and the day before, and also partly feeble and faint, having received small sustenance since there coming out of
Southwark, rested.
The queen’s scout, upon his return to the court, declared their coming to Brainford, which sudden news was so
fearful that therewith the queen and all the court was wonderfully affrighted. Drums went through London at four of
the clock, warning all soldiers to arm themselves and to repair to Charing Cross. The queen was once determined to
come to the Tower forthwith, but shortly after she sent word she would tarry there to see the uttermost. Many thought
she would have been in the field in person.
Here was no small ado in London, and likewise the Tower made great preparation of defence. By ten of the clock, or
somewhat more, the Earl of Pembroke had set his troop of horsemen on the hill in the highway above the new bridge
over against Saint James; his footmen was set in two
battailles possibly battle lines
somewhat lower, and nearer Charing Cross. At the lane turning down by the brick wall from Islington-ward he had set
also certain other horsemen, and he had planted his ordnance upon the hill side. In the
mean season meantime?
Wyatt and his company planted his ordnance upon the hill beyond Saint James, almost over against the park corner;
and himself, after a few words spoken to his soldiers, came down the old lane on foot, hard by the court gate at
Saint James’s, with four or five
auncientes elders, old retainers? ;
his men marching in good array. Cuthbert
Vaughan, and about two auncientes, turned down towards Westminster. The Earl of Pembroke’s horsemen hovered
all this while without moving, until all was passed by, saving the tail, upon which they did set, and cut off. The
other marched forward and never stayed or returned to the aid of their tail. The great ordnance shot off freely on
both sides. Wyatt’s ordnance overshot the troop of horsemen. The queen’s ordnance one piece struck three
of Wyatt’s company in a rank, upon their heads, and, slaying them, struck through the wall into the park. More
harm was not done by the great shot of neither party. The queen’s whole battayle of footmen standing still,
Wyatt passed along by the wall towards Charing Cross, where the said horsemen that were there set upon part of them,
but were soon forced back.
At Charing Cross there stood the Lord Chamberlain, with the guard and a number of other, almost a thousand persons,
the which, upon Wyatt’s coming, shot at his company, and at last fled to the court gates, which certain pursued,
and forced them with shot to shut the court gates against them. In this repulse the said Lord Chamberlain and others
were so amazed that men cried Treason! treason! in the court, and had thought that the Earl of Pembroke, who was
assailing the tail of his enemies, had gone to Wyatt, taking his part against the queen. There should ye have seen
running and crying of ladies and gentlewomen, shutting of doors and such a screeching and noise as it was wonderful
to hear.
The said Wyatt, with his men, marched still forward, all along to Temple Bar, also through Fleet Street, along
’til he came to Ludgate, his men going not in any good order or array. It is said
that in Fleet Street certain of the Lord Treasurer’s band, to the number of three hundred men, met them, and
so going on the one side passed by them coming on the other side without any whit saying to them. Also this is more
strange: the said Wyatt and his company passed along by a great company of harnessed men, which stood on both sides,
without any withstanding them, and as he marched forward through Fleet Street, most with their swords drawn, some
cried “Queen Mary hath granted our request, and given us pardon.” Others said, “The queen hath
pardoned us.” Thus Wyatt came even to Ludgate, and knocked calling to come in, saying, there was Wyatt. whom
the queen had granted their requests : but the Lord William Howard standing at the gate, said, “Avaunt, traitor
! thou shalt not come in here.” And then Wyatt awhile stayed, and, as some say, rested him upon a seat (at)
the Bellsavage Gate ;
9
at last, seeing he could not come in, and belike being deceived of the aid which he hoped out
of the city, returned back again in array towards Charing Cross, and was never stopped until he came to Temple Bar.
Where certain horsemen which came from the field met them in the face : and then began the fight again to wax hot,
till an herald said to Master Wyatt, “Sir, ye were best by my counsel to yield. You see this day is gone
against you, and in resisting ye can get no good, but be the death of all these your soldiers, to your great peril
of soul. Perchance ye may find the queen merciful. and the rather if ye stint so great a bloodshed as is like here
to be.” Wyatt herewith being somewhat astonished (although he saw his men bent to fight it out to the death),
said, “Well, if I shall needs yield, I will yield me to a gentleman ;” to whom Sir Maurice Berkeley came
straight up, and bade him leap up behind him ; and another took Thomas Cobham and William Knevett; and so carried
them behind
them upon their horses to the court. Then was taking of men on all sides. It is said that in this conflict one pikeman,
setting his back to the wall at Saint James, kept seventeen horsemen off him a great time, and at last was slain. At
this battle was slain in the field, by estimation, on both sides, not past forty persons, as far as could be learned
by certain that viewed the same; but there was
many sore hurt; and some think there was many slain in houses.
The noise of women and children, when the conflict was at Charing Cross, was so great and shrill, that it was hard to
the top of the White Tower ; and also the great shot was well discerned there out
of Saint James’s field. There stood upon the leads there the Lord Marquess, Sir Nicholas Poyner, Sir Thomas Pope,
Master John Seamer, and other. From the battle when one came and brought word that the queen was like to have the
victory, and that the horsemen had discomfited the tail of his enemies, the Lord Marquess for joy gave the messenger
ten shillings in gold, and fell in great rejoicing.
Note, that when Wyatt was perceived to be coming to Ludgate, and the mayor and his brethren heard thereof, thinking all
had not gone well with the queen’s side, they were much amazed, and stood as men half out of their lives, and many
hollow hearts rejoiced in London at the same.
At five of the clock this Wyatt, William Knevett, Thomas Cobham, the Lord Cobham’s son, two brethren named the
Mantells, and Alexander Brett, were brought by Master Jernyngham, Chamberlain, by water to the Tower as prisoners;
where Sir Phillip Deny received them at the bulwark; and as Wyatt passed by he said, “Go, traitor ! There was
never such a traitor in England !” To whom this Wyatt turned, and said, “I am no traitor. I would thou
should well know, thou art more traitor than I : and it is not the part of an honest man to call me so ;” and
so went forth. When he came to the Tower gate the lieutenant took in first Mantell through the wicket, and took him
by the bosom, and
shook him, and said “Ah! thou traitor ! What wickedness hast thou and thy company wrought !” But he, holding
down his head, said nothing. Then came Thomas Knevett, whom Master Chamberlain, gentleman porter of the Tower, took by
the collar very roughly. Then came Alexander Brett, whom Sir Thomas Pope took by the bosom, saying, “Oh traitor !
how couldest thou find in thine heart to work such villainy, as to taking (the queen’s) wages, and, being trusted
over a band of men, to fall to her enemy, returning against her in battle?” Brett answered, “Yea, I have
offended in the case by all this.” Then came Thomas Cobham, whom Sir Nicholas Pomes took by the bosom, and said,
“Alas, Master Cobham, what wind headed you to work such treason?” And he answered, “Oh, sir ! I was
seduced.” Then came in Sir Thomas Wyatt, who Sir John of Bridges took by the collar in most rigorous manner, and
said these or much-like words, “Oh! thou villain and unhappy traitor ! how couldest thou find in thine heart to work
such detestable treason to the queen’s majesty, who being thy most gracious sovereign lady, gave the thy life and
living once already, although thou didst before this time bear arms in the field against her? and now to make such a
great and most traitorous stir, yielding her battle, to her marvellous trouble and fright And if it was not (saith he)
that the law must justly pass upon thee, I would strike thee through with my dagger.”
And in so saying, having one hand upon the collar of the said Master Wyatt, and the other on his dagger, shaked his
bosom; to whom Wyatt made no answer, but holding his arms under his side, and looking grievously with a grim look upon
the said lieutenant, said, “It is no mystery now.” And so they passed on. This Wyatt had on a shirt of mail
with sleeves very fair, and thereon a velvet cassock, and an yellow lace, with the windless of his dagger hanging thereon,
and a pair of boots and spurs on his legs; on his head he had a fair hat of velvet with broad bonework lace about it.
William Knevett had also a shirt of mail and a velvet coat; so had Thomas Cobham and Brett.
John Harrington and Master Smethwick brought to prison.
The morrow and the next day following were brought to the Tower as prisoners, George Cobham, Sir William Cobham, Anthony Knevett,
Hugh Booth, Thomas Vaughan, Robert Rudestone, Sir George Harper, Edward Wyatt, Edward Fog, George More, and Cuthbert Vaughan ;
which Cuthbert Vaughan being a very handsome man, Master Thomas Bridges, at his entry into the Tower gate, did wonderfully reproach
him, calling him rank traitor, and said that hanging, drawing, and quartering was too good for him. To whom this Vaughan made answer
very soberly, with stout courage, saying, “I pray God, sir, to send you charity; and I would you and all men knew it, I am as
true a man to the queen’s majesty and the commonwealth as any man that I shall here leave behind me ; and as to death, I do
not much care, I am already determined to die.” And with that they went forward.
On Saturday, being the tenth of February,
the Earl of Huntington, and other gentlemen, to the number of three hundred horse, brought into
the Tower as prisoners the Duke of Suffolk and the Lord John Grey, from Coventry, where he had remained a three days after his taking,
in the house and custody of Christopher Warren, alderman there.
On Sunday the eleventh day of February the Bishop of Winchester preached in the chapel before the queen, beginning at three of
the clock with
exhortemur, the sixth chapter of the second epistle to the Corinthians : wherein he treated first, that
man had free will; next, that Lent was necessarily appointed by the church for Christian men; thirdly, that works were a means
or way to heaven, and thereby the sooner we might obtain the fruition of our redemption by Christ : fourthly, that the preachers
for the seven years last past, by dividing of words, and other their own additions, had brought in many errors detestable unto the
church of Christ; fifthly and lastly, he asked a boon of the queen’s highness that like as she had before time extended her
mercy, particularly and privately, so through her leniency and gentleness much
conspiracy and open rebellion was grown, according to the proverb
nimia familiaritas parit contemptum; which he brought
then in for the purpose that she would now be merciful to the body of the commonwealth, and conservation thereof, which could
not be unless the rotten and hurtful members thereof were cut off and consumed. And thus he ended soon after; whereby all the
audience did gather there should shortly follow sharp and cruel execution. Note, he prayed for King Edward the Sixth in his
sermon, and for the souls departed.
This day Sir Harry Isley, who was late fled, was brought to the Tower as prisoner in an old friese coat
7 and an old pair (of) hose, all his apparel not worth
by estimation four shillings. The same day came in also as prisoners two of the Culpeppers, one Cromer, and Thomas Rampton the
Duke of Suffolk’s secretary.
The Monday, being the twelfth of February, about ten of the clock, there went out of the Tower to the scaffold on Tower Hill,
the Lord
Guildford Dudley, son to the late Duke of Northumberland, husband to the Lady Jane Grey, daughter to the Duke of Suffolk, who at
his going out took by the hand Sir Anthony Brown, Master John Throckmorton, and many other gentlemen, praying them to pray for him;
and without the bulwark
Offley Sir Thomas Offley
the sheriff received him and brought him to the scaffold, where, after a small declaration, having no ghostly father with him, he
kneeled down and said his prayers ; then holding up his eyes and hands to God many times; and at last, after he had desired the
people to pray for him, he laid himself along, and his head upon the block, which was at one stroke of the axe taken from him.
Note, the
Lord Marquess of Northampton
stood upon the Devil’s Tower, and saw the execution. His carcass thrown into a cart, and his head in a cloth, he was brought
into the chapel within the Tower, where the Lady Jane, whose lodging was in Partridge’s house, did see his dead carcass taken
out of the cart, as well as she did see him before on live going to his death, — a sight to her no less than death.
By this time was there a scaffold made upon the green over against the White Tower, for the said Lady Jane to die upon. Who with
her husband was appointed to have been put to death the Friday before, but was stayed ’til then, for what cause is not known,
unless it were because her father was not then come into the Tower.
The said lady, being nothing at all abashed, neither with fear of
her own death, which then approached, neither with the sight of the dead carcass of her husband, when he was brought in to the
chapel, came forth, the lieutenant leading her, in the same gown wherein she was arraigned, her countenance nothing abashed,
neither her eyes anything moisted with tears, although her two gentlewomen, Mistress Elizabeth Tilney and Mistress Ellen,
wonderfully wept, with a book in her hand, whereon she prayed all the way ’til she came to the said scaffold, whereon
when she was mounted. &c.
JGN —So far, our Diarist’s narrative of this judicial tragedy has been adopted, somewhat abridged, by Stowe and Holinshed.
The latter chronicler then proceeds thus (copying Grafton),
“Whereon when ,she was mounted, this noble young lady, as she was indeed with singular gifts both of learning and knowledge,
so was she as patient and mild as any lamb at her execution, and a little before her death uttered these words,” (then giving
her address to the people assembled).
Whether our Diarist’s conclusion, “when she was mounted, &c.” was intended to lead on to some other paper,
written by himself or another, it is impossible to decide; but it seems not very improbable that he was also the writer of the
account of the Lady Jane’s execution, which begins with the same words, and which was originally published in a small
black-letter pamphlet entitled:
The End of the Lady Jane Dudley, daughter of the Duke of Suffolk, upon the scaffold, at the hour of her death.
First, when she mounted upon the scaffold, she said to the people standing thereabout: “Good people, I am come hither to die,
and by a law I am condemned to the same. The fact, in deed, against the queen’s highness was unlawful, and the consenting
thereunto by me: but touching the procurement and desire thereof by me or on my half, I do wash my hands thereof in innocency,
before God, and the face of you, good Christian people, this day,” and therewith
she wrung her hands, in which she had her book. Then she said, “I pray you all, good Christian people, to bear me witness
that I die a true Christian woman, and that I look to be saved by none
other mean, but only by the mercy of God in the merits of the blood of his only son Jesus Christ: and I confess, when I did know
the word of God I neglected the same, loved my self and the
world, and therefore this plague or punishment is happily and worthily happened unto me for my sins; and yet I thank God of his
goodness that he hath thus given me a time and respite to repent.
And now, good people, while I am alive, I pray you to assist me with your prayers.” And then, kneeling down, she turned
to Fecknam, saying, “Shall I say this psalm?” And he said, “Yea.”
Then she said the psalm of Miserere mei Deus in English, in most devout manner, to the end. Then she stood up, and gave
her maiden Mistress Tilney her gloves and handkerchief, and her book to Master Bruges, the lieutenant’s brother; forthwith
she untied her gown.
The hangman went to her to help here off therewith; then she desired him to let her alone, turning towards her two gentlewomen,
who helped her off therewith, and also with her
frose paste head attire worn by brides
and neckerchief, giving to her a fair handkerchief to knit about her eyes.
Then the hangman kneeled down, and asked her forgiveness, whom she forgave most willingly. Then he willed her to stand upon the
straw: which doing, she saw the block. Then she said,
“I pray you dispatch me quickly.” Then she kneeled down, saying, “ Will you take it off before I lay me down?
” and the hangman answered her, “ No, madam.” She tied the kerchief about her
eyes; then feeling for the block, said, “What shall I do? Where is it?” One of the standers-by guiding her thereunto,
she laid her head down upon the block, and stretched forth her body and said: “Lord, into thy hands I commend my spirit!”
And so she ended.
The above is here copied from a reprint edited by the Rev. John Brand in the 13th volume
of his Archæologia. I have not been able to find a copy of the original. It was incorporated
into the narratives of Grafton and Foxe, with some variations ...
The same day, within half an hour after, was brought into the Tower as prisoner, by the Lord Chamberlain and two hundred of the
guard, the Earl of Devonshire, or Lord Courtney, by water, who as he passed by said to the lieutenant, belike who asked him the
cause of his thither coming, “Truly, I cannot tell, except I should accuse myself : let the world judge.” This much
was heard by him then spoken.
This day was there set up at every gate of London a gallows, and at the bridge-foot one. in Southwark two pair, at Leadenhall one,
two in Cheapside, in Fleet Street and about Charing Cross three or four pair, and in many other places about the city. In Kent also,
and many places more, there was raised gallows, a great sort. That day and on Thursday there was condemned of the rebels to the
number of three hundred or thereabouts. All the prisons of London was so full that the(y) were fain to keep the poorest sort, by
fourscore on a heap, in churches. On Wednesday following was hanged in sundry places of the city to the number of twenty-six or more.
On Thursday, in Southwark, and other places of the suburbs, there was hanged a great number; this day, being the fifteenth of
February, there was ten prisoners out of the Tower arraigned and cast, whose names do follow. (The names were not added.) It was
said that Brett should say and Vaughan. at their arraignment, that they ought to have their lives according to the law, for,
said Brett. “There was promised a pardon to me and my company, by an herald in the field, or else 1 would never have yielded.
but died presently : and if the queen’s pardon promised by a herald,
which in the field is as her own mouth, be of no value or authority, then the Lord have mercy upon us!” The like was alleged
by Cuthbert Vaughan, who as it is reported said moreover to the Lord
William Paulet, Lord High Treasurer, sitting there, (and who) gave sentence, “ It forceth not, my lord, since we shall go
before, and you shall not be long after us.”
Saturday the 17th day of February the Duke of Suffolk was carried to Westminster and there arraigned, being fetched from the Tower
by the clerk of the cheke and all the guard almost; who at his going out went out very stoutly and cheerfully enough, but (at)
his coming here he landed at the water gate with a countenance very heavy and pensive, desiring all men to pray for him. (The
Lord Courtney, lying in the Bell Tower, saw him both outward and inward.)
It is said, the Earl of Arundell sitting upon him in judgement, he should save that it was no treason for a peer of the realm as
he was to raise his power and make proclamation only to avoid
strangers out of the realm; and thereupon he asked the sergeants standing by whether it was not so or no, which they being abashed,
they could not say it was treason by any law. Then it was laid
to his charge he met with two hundred men the queen’s lieutenant in arms, being the Earl of Huntingdon, which was treason
against the queen, forasmuch as the said lieutenant represented her own person. To the which he made answer that he knew not the
said Earl to be no such lieutenant. “But,” saith he, “I met him indeed but with fifty men or thereabouts, and
would not have shrunken from him
if I had had fewer.” And by these words he confessed himself guilty of treason. Moreover he partly accused his brother
the Lord Thomas, who he said had persuaded him rather to fly into his country then to abide, saying, that “it was to be
feared he should be put again into the Tower; where being in his country, and amongst friends and tenants, who durst fetch
him?” (Further) touching the other articles laid to his charge, he said, that he never knew anything thereof, saving that
once he should say at his table over his supper that he would undertake, for need, only with a hundred gentlemen, to set the
crown upon Courtney’s head ; and so he was condemned and brought back to the Tower again. The same day the Queen set out
a proclamation that all strangers not borne within her highness’s dominions should, within twenty-four days after the said
proclamation. avoid the realm, free-denizens, merchants known, and the servants of ambassadors only excepted, upon pain of
forfeiture of all their goods, with imprisonment of their bodies, and their lives at the queen’s pleasure, as in
the said proclamation appeareth at large.
This day, or the morrow following, Alexander Brett, with twenty other prisoners, were carried down towards Kent by the sheriff
to execution. This Brett at his going out of the Tower embraced Master Chamberlain the gentleman porter, and desired him to
commend him to Sir Thomas Wyatt. Then praying all men to pray for him. he said, “And I am worthy of no less punishment
then I do now go to suffer, for beside mine offence I refused life and grace three times when it was offered; but I trust
God did all for the
best for me, that my soul might repent, and thereby after this life (attain) to the more mercy and grace in his sight.”
And so he went onward.
On Sunday the 18th day of February there came in as prisoner one ---- . The same day there was proclamation made in Cheapside
by a trumpeter, that if any man had any of the said rebels, or knew where they were, should bring them unto the Marshalsea,
or else if they were hurt, sick, or cold not come in persons. their names should be brought to the Marshalsea the morrow
following, upon pain of disp(leasure?)
Monday the nineteenth day of February there went out to be arraigned at Westminster Sir William Cobham, Master George Cobham,
Thomas Cobham, all being the Lord Cobham’s sons, ----- Wyatt, ----- of the which came home uncondemned Sir William
Cobham and George Cobham, some say as reprieved ; the rest being condemned to die.
This day a number of the Earl of Pembroke’s men and soldiers, to the number of three hundred in armour, and array,
with their drums, came up Foster Lane ; whether they were going to was not known.
About this time there went a tale that there had been a skirmish between the Scots and Englishmen in the north parts, and
that the Frenchmen had skirmished with some of the soldiers at Guynes. It was said also that the Frenchmen had made a trench
before Guynes; and that the Lord Grey wrote thereof to the queen, desiring to have some soldiers, part of such as were
condemned to be hanged.
There was also a saying at this time that the French king, who indeed had prepared a great navy upon the sea, to meet, as it
was thought, the prince of Spain, had surrendered his title of the crown of France to his son, meaning with all his power in
person to be admiral of his ships on the sea for the voyage aforesaid.
At this time, or a little before, the Lady Elizabeth was sent for of
the queen by Sir John Williams, with a great number of men, to come up from ----- , about twenty seven miles from London, to the
court immediately. And she saying she was very sick, desired the said Sir John Williams to depart, and that she would most
willingly, in as speedy a manner as she could for her sickness, repair to the queen’s highness with her own company and
folks only. Many men diversely thought of her sending for.
Tuesday the 20th of February the Lord John Grey rode to Westminster, who having the gout could not go on foot, to be arraigned ;
whence he came about two of the clock again to the Tower, condemned to die.
This day was Master William Thomas, late clerk of the council, brought into the Tower as prisoner; so was Master Winter and Sir
Nicholas Throckmorton the same night.
Wednesday the 21st of February was brought into the Tower as prisoners out of the country Sir James Crofts, the Lord Thomas Grey,
and two other ; the one a spy, the other a post.
Friday the 23rd of February, anno 1553,
8
the Duke of Suffolk was beheaded at Tower Hill. His words at the coming on the scaffold were these following, or much like:
“Good people, this
day I am come hither to die, being one whom the law hath justly condemned, and one who hath no less deserved for my disobedience
against the Queen’s highness, of whom I do most humbly
ask forgiveness, and I trust she doth and will forgive me.” Then Master Weston, his confessor, standing by, said,
“My lord, her grace hath already forgiven and prayeth for you.” Then said the Duke, “I beseech you all,
good people, to let me be an example to you all for obedience to the queen and the magistrates, for the contrary thereof
hath brought me (to this end). And also I shall most heartily desire you all to bear me witness that I do die a faithful
and true Christian, believing to be saved by no other but only by almighty God, through the passion of his son Jesus Christ.
And now I pray you to pray with me.” Then he kneeled down, and Weston with him, and said the psalm of
“Miserere mei Deus,” and
“In te, Domine, speravi,” the Duke one verse and Weston
another. Which done, he did put of his gown and his doublet. Then knitting the kerchief himself about his eyes, held up
his hands to heaven, and after lay down along, with his head upon the block, which at one stroke was stricken off by the
hangman.
This day there was household Cuthbert Vaughan, Hugh Booth, and other.
Saturday the 24th day of February was brought into the Tower as prisoner Sir Nicholas Arnold knight, Sir Edward Rogers,
and one Master Doynett, &c.
This day Thomas Rampton, a prisoner, and the late Duke of Suffolk’s secretary, was carried into the country to
Coventry, there to be arraigned and to suffer death.
Sunday the 25th of February was brought into the Tower prisoner Sir William Sentlow, a man that came in with a wonderful
stout courage, nothing at all abashed. This day, and all the senight and more before, there sat in council in the Tower,
upon the examination of the prisoners, Sir Robert Southwell, Sir Thomas Pope, and others. About this time was the first
bruit rumour
that the queen would keep the term and parliament at Oxford. The 26th of February William Thomas had almost slain
himself the night before, with thrusting himself under the paps with a knife.
The same day there came into the Tower one Master Medley, brother-in-law to the Duke of Suffolk.
Wednesday the 28th day of February, 1553,
8
Anthony Knevett, William Knevett, Sir Harry Isley and his cousin, the two Mantells, George More, and Cuthbert Vaughan,
went down by water in a barge toward Kent, to be put to death. It is said that one of them, at his going out of the Tower,
answered to one that took him by the hand, and said he was very sorry for his death, “Well, (quoth he,) I thank you
therefore, but this is God’s ordinance, and cause ye have as well to be sorry for yourselves and your country as
for me, for I now shall leave all wretchedness, and I trust by death to enter into a better life : whereas you and others
may live longer in most troublesome tribulations and overthrows of this world, pass your days in cares and heavy miseries
(without God’s help) which is growing over you; and yet at the last die as well as I, when ye shall have, by your
longer life, much more to answer for in God’s sight then and if you died presently with me.” And with such
and like words he departed.
This day came Master Honings in as prisoner.
Friday, the second of March, 1553, there was brought into the Tower in the forenoon as prisoners ----- , and in the afternoon
Sir Gawen Carew and Master (William) Gibbs were brought out of Devonshire as prisoners into the Tower.
Saturday the Lord Courtney was removed out of the Bell Tower into the tower over the gate, The fifth of March came into the
Tower as prisoner one Master John Fitzwilliams as prisoner. The sixth of March certain boys, some took Wyatt’s part
and some the Queen’s, and made a combat in the fields, &c. The ----- day of March the Lord Thomas Grey, the late
Duke of Suffolk’s brother, was condemned. He alleged at the bar that as God should judge his soul he meant none other
thing but the abolishing of strangers, and if that were high treason the Lord be merciful, there were no (?)
At this time came out the articles to the clergy,. wherein the chief est points were the supremacy to be left out,
aucthoritate regia, and the dissevering of married priests from their wives, &c.
Saturday the tenth of March Master Leonard Digges and Nayler were brought into the Tower, out of the counter, being
condemned.
The same day was a proclamation that the French crown and the Burgundian crown to go for 6s.4d. and the ryal 5s.
Monday the 12th of March Cuthbert Vaughan was brought again out of Kent into the Tower, by the importable suit of his
wife.
This day Cranmer, the Bishop of Canterbury, the late Bishop of London, Ridley, and Master Latimer, went out of the
Tower prisoners toward Oxford; and out of the Fleet went Hoper with them.
The ----- of March the Bishop of York was at the Lord Chancellors out of the Tower, and there was deposed of his
bishopric.
The same day came Strangwish the Rover to the court, who was come from the French king, and had brought with him
one ship laden with shirts of mail, and another laden with other munition, and submitted himself and all to the
queen’s mercy.
Wednesday the 14th day of March, the Earl of Bedford, Lord Privy Seal, chief ambassador, and the Lord Feewater,
commissioners, set forward in embassy to the King of Spain, to fetch him into the realm; the(y) went westward to take shipping at ---- .
They were accompanied with Sir Henry Sydney, &c.
The fifteenth day of March Sir Thomas Wyatt knight was arraigned at Westminster of treason and rebellion : there
sat in commission as chief the Earl of Sussex, Sir Edward Hastings, Master Bourne the secretary, &c.
After his inditement these, or much like, were his words, as it is reported. Touching the said inditement, some
part thereof he denied, and some part granted: “Now,” said he, “since I am in
this place to answer for myself, I will, 1 trust, purge me of all conspiring the queen’s death, whereof I am
guiltless; and mine whole intent and stir was against the coming in of strangers and Spaniards, and to abolish them
out of this realm. And as for me, though I bear the name. I was but the fourth or fifth man. The Earl of Devonshire
wrote unto me by Sir Edward Rogers to proceed as I had begun; but touching the queen’s death (saith he), I
never consented. The first deviser thereof (he said) was William Thomas, who broke the matter to Master John
Fitzwilliams, that he should have done the deed; this Fitzwilliams denied the same; at last he was half determined
to show the same to Sir Nicholas Arnold, and did, who much discommended the fact, and told it to Master Crofts, who
also told it to Master Wyatt; and they both detesting the horribleness of the crime, the said Wyatt wore, under his
long gown, a great
waster possibly a cudgel ,
four or five days hanging at his girdle, as he said, to beat the said William Thomas with, that he would have left
him for dead. Being asked why he concealed the same, he said that he so did was because he knew himself able enough
to have corrected and restrained Master William Thomas, &c. Touching Courtney he said that Sir Edward Rogers went
between Courtney and him, and that he sent him word to proceed in the same. Touching my Lady Elizabeth’s grace,
he said, that indeed he sent her a letter that she should get her as far from the city as she could, the rather for
her safety from strangers; and she sent him word again, but not in writing, by Sir William Seyntlow, that she did thank
him much for his goodwill, and she would do as she should see cause, &c.
The
18th of March Palm Sunday ,
being 1553,
8 the Lady Elizabeth’s grace, the
queen’s sister, was conveyed to the Tower from the court at Westminster about ten of the clock in the forenoon by
water; accompanying her the Marquess of Northampton and the Earl of Sussex.
There was at the Tower to receive her the Lord Chamberlain. She was taken in at the drawbridge. It is said when she came
in she said to the warders and soldiers, looking up to heaven: “Oh Lord!
I never thought to have come in here as prisoner; and I pray you
all good friends and fellows bear me witness, that I come in no traitor, but as true a woman to the queen’s majesty
as any is now living; and thereon will I take my death.” And so going a little
further, she said to my Lord Chamberlain, "What are all these harnessed men here for me ?” and he said, “No,
madam.” “Yes (she said, I know it is so; it needed not for me, being, alas ! but a weak
woman.” It is said that when she was in, the Lord Treasurer and the Lord Chamberlain began to lock the doors very
straightly, then the Earl of Sussex, with weeping eyes, said, “What will ye do,
my lords? What mean ye therein? She was a kings daughter, and is the queen’s sister ; and ye have no sufficient
commission so to do; therefore go no further than your commission, which I know what it is.”
Note, the 24th of March, anno 1553,
8
there was let out of the Tower from imprisonment the Lord Marquess of Northampton, the Lord Cobham, Sir William Cobham,
Master John Fitzwilliams, one Master Culpepper of Bedsbery, Master Henry Vane, John Harrington, ---- Corbett.
The first of April were created six bishops at Saint Mary Ovaries, Bishops of London and Winchester, &c.
Note, the third of April the parliament began, as well at Oxford as at Westminster.
Note, the fifth of April there was taken six great fishes called porpoise, in Sussex.
Between Easter and the 7th of April was no notable matter, but only choosing officers for the king of Spain; the master of
his horse being Master A. Brown.
The Lord of Cardiff sworn of his privy chamber.
The same day was made Sir John of Bridges, Lord Chandos of Sudeley, and Sir John Williams, Lord Williams of Thame, and Sir
Edward North, Baron of Catledge].
The 11th of April, being Wednesday, was Sir Thomas Wyatt beheaded upon the Tower Hill. Before his coming down out of the
Tower, the Lord Chamberlain and the Lord Shandos carried him to the tower over the watergate, where the Lord Courtney lay,
and there he was before Courtney half an hour and more. What was spoken is not yet known. Then he was brought out with a
book in his hand ; and at the garden pale the Lord Chamberlain took his leave of him, and likewise Master Secretary Bourne,
to whom Master Wyatt said: “I pray you, sir, pray for me, and be a mean to the queen for my poor wife and children;
and if it might have pleased her grace to have granted me my life I would have trusted to have done her such good service
as should have well recompensed mine offence; but, since not, I beseech God have mercy on me.” To the which Master
Bourne made no answer. So he came toward the hill, Weston leading him by the one arm and the Lord Chandos by the other.
When he was up upon the scaffold he desired each man to pray for him and with him, and said these or much-like words in
effect:
“Good people, I am come presently here to die, being thereunto lawfully and worthily condemned, for I have sorely
offended against God and the queen’s majesty, and am sorry therefore. I trust God hath forgiven and taken his mercy
upon me. I beseech the queen’s majesty also of forgiveness.” “She hath forgiven you already,”
saith Weston. “And let every man beware how he taketh any thing in hand against the higher powers. Unless God be
prosperable to his purpose, it will never take good effect or success, and thereof ye may now learn at me. And I pray God
I may be the last example in this place for that or any other like. And whereas it is said and wished abroad, that I should
accuse my Lady Elizabeth’s grace, and my Lord Courtney; it is not so, good people, for I assure you neither they nor
any other now
yonder in hold or durance was privy of my rising or commotion before I began; as I have declared no less to the
Queen’s Council. And this is most true.”
Then said Weston at those words, interrupting his tale, “Mark this, my masters, he sayeth that that which he hath
shewed to the Council in writing of my Lady Elizabeth and Courtney is true.” And whether Mr. Wyatt, being then
amazed at such interruption, or whether they on the scaffold plucked him by the gown back or no, it is not well known,
but without more talk he turned him, and put off his gown and
untrussed his points untied the cords which held his clothing
; then, taking the (Earl of) Huntingdon,
the Lord Hastings, Sir Giles Stranguesh, and many other by the hands, he plucked off his doublet and waistcoat, unto his
shirt, and kneeled down upon the straw, then laid his head down awhile, and raise on his knees again, then after a few
words spoken, and his eyes lift up to heaven, he knit the handkerchief himself about his eyes, and a little holding up
his hands suddenly laid down his head, which the hangman at one stroke took from him. Then was he forthwith quartered
upon the scaffold, and the next day his quarters set at divers places, and his head upon a stake upon the gallows beyond
Saint James. Which his head, as is reported, remained not there ten days unstolen away.
This day also and the day before the Lord Admiral and ----- went toward the sea, with many soldiers, all trimmed in coats
and
sloppes trousers
of white and green, the Queen’s colours.
The morrow following the Lord Chancellor, the Lord Treasurer, the Lord Chamberlain, and others (of) the Council, was at
the Tower with the Lady Elizabeth.
At this time was two stark knaves set on the pillory in Cheap[side], for saying that Wyatt had cleared my Lady Elizabeth,
&c.
The 17th of April, 1554, were led to the Guildhall, to be arraigned, Sir Nicholas Throckmorton and Sir James Crofts,
Master Robert Winter and Cuthbert Vaughan being also led thither to witness against them; where that day was no more
arraigned but Sir Nicholas Throckmorton, who tarrying from seven of the clock until almost five at night, was by
verdict quit, whereat ??ny people rejoiced. Sir Nicholas Throckmorton’s talk at the bar was this: he pleaded not
guilty. and that he was consenting to nothing, &c.
The jury’s names is ----- , which quit him; wherefore they were commanded to be ready before the Council at an
hour’s warning, on the loss of five hundred pounds a piece. On Saint Mark’s day, being the 25th of April,
they were before the Council in the Star Chamber, and thence, about two of the clock,
Whetston Thomas Whetston, haberdasher
and
Lucar Emanuell Lucar, merchant taylor
were sent to the Tower, and the rest to the Fleet, prisoners. The 27th day the Lord Thomas Grey was beheaded at Tower Hill,
who said, &c.
The 28th day Sir James Crofts was condemned. He could not be found (guilty?) of the quest which was warned passing
eight (jurors?), so they were fain to send for Hartopp and certain couriers and others.
The words of a Spaniard at Bristow.
The (Saturday 19th) day of May the lady Elizabeth was carried out of the Tower by water to ----- , and thence to Woodstock,
where she remaineth as prisoner, safe kept by the Lord Williams.
The 25th day of May was the Lord Courtney, in the morning, conveyed to (Fotheringay?), there as prisoner in safe keeping
of ----- .
In this month Master Winter and Master York were delivered.
The 18th day of May was Master William Thomas drawn to Tyburn, and there hanged and quartered, who said he died for his
country with the three points declared.
The ----- day of June the gallows taken down in London.
The same day the cross began to be new gilded again.
This month Master Thomas Bridges took upon him the lieutenantship of the Tower.
The ninth day of June the Queen removed to Richmond.
The tenth day a gun shot at Pauls.
The Lord John Grey, the eleventh day, carried to Westminster and condemned.
At this time a
bruit rumour
of redb.(?) in Stepney, and the first talk of the making the Bishop of Winchester a cardinal.
The ----- day of July there was a commotion in the town of Antwerp against the lords of the town.
Thursday the 19th of July, Philip Prince of Spain landed at Hampton, and the Monday following the Queen removed to Winchester t
o meet him.
Note, the Sunday before that, on the fifteenth of July, there was twelve carts laden with treasury out of the Tower
towards Winchester.
The same day a poor maid stood at Paul’s Cross for speaking in a wall at Aldgate.
On Saint James’s day, being the 25th of July, the king and queen were married at Winchester, and from thence they
removed to Basing and to Windsor, and from thence to Richmond, where they continued ’til Friday the 17th of August,
at which time they came from Richmond by water to Southwark, accompanied with the noblemen and ladies; the king in one
barge and she in another; and land at Saint Mary Overies, at the Bishop of Winchester’s place, and there, after
they had drunk, they passed the little park into Suffolk Place, alias Southwark Place, in which park they killed by the
way certain bucks, and so rested there all night, and the next day till three of the clock at afternoon, at which hour
they did set forward through Southwark over the bridge, and so through London to Whitehall, where they lodged. The arms
at the gate of the bridge foot was new gilded, and there stood at the drawbridge two great images of giants holding
these verses (omitted). The conduit in
Gracious now Gracechurch
Street was new painted and gilded, and about the winding turred was finely portrayed the nine worthies and King Henry
the Eighth and Edward the Sixth in their tabernacles, all in complete harness, some with maces, some with swords, and
some with pole-axes in their hands ; all saving Henry the Eighth, which was painted having in one hand a sceptre and in
the other hand a book, whereon was written
Verbum Dei;
[this passage is crossed out in the manuscript]
but after the king
was passed, the Bishop of Winchester, noting the book in Henry the Eighth’s hand, shortly afterwards called
the painter before him, and with vile words calling him traitor, asked why and who had him describe King Henry with a
book in his hand, as is aforesaid, threatening him therefore to go to the Fleet. And the painter made answer, that he
thought he had done well, and that no man bad him do the contrary “for (sayeth he) if I had known the same had
been against your lordship’s pleasure, I would not so have made him.” “Nay, (said the bishop,) it
is against the queen’s catholic proceedings,” &c. And so he painted him shortly after, in the stead
of the book of Verbum Dei, to have in his hands a new pair of gloves.
At the end of Gracious Street, towards Leadenhall, was a very
fair pageant, made by the Estilliard, of a great bread hanging, garnished many goodly storys with images of the (seven
cardinal virtues), and their names written under the theatre: and then, at the end of the pageant, was a high gatehouse,
fair painted; on the top whereof was made the image of a fair horse and a man in harness riding thereon, which,
(when) the king came by, by a pretty device, was made to mount and turn round about.
At the end of Cornhill, by the stocks, there was a pageant of a great height, having seats, whereon sat four Phillips, that
was Phillipus rex Macedoniæ, Phillipus bonus, Phillipus imperator, and Phillipus audax; and over them sat,
under a rich cloth of state, in the top of the pageant, Phillip and Mary, &c.
Beyond the great conduit was a pageant made like a mount, replenished with leaves and herbs, in the top whereof was
a great bush of green birch and hawthorn, wherein in a seat sat Orpheus with his harp, having at his feet these verses,
&c. And about the lower end of the mount sat divers children playing of divers instruments : and when the king came
by they came out of the mount, as it were dancing, all manner of beasts, as lions, wolves, bears, apes, &c.
The Cross of Cheap clean new gilt; it cost a fifteenth through the city.
At the little conduit was a very pretty pageant, being but slight, but marvellous fair, made in manner of a vine or tree
of roses, the root whereof was Lord ----- and so at every branch’s end sat a child in a king’s or
queen’s apparel, declaring the descent of the king and queen, until they came to the top, where they sat both
together in the top of the said pageant. From thence the king
went to Pauls and offered. At the conduit in Fleet Street was also a very handsome pageant made in manner of a castle,
having the arms of all Christian realms. and very pretty
poesies poetry verses , &c.
Over the gate at Temple Bar was painted two men of ----- bigness having in their hands a table, wherein was written these sentences, &c.
Note, there was two swords carried before them, and two horses led after them. At their going through London non appeareth . . . , &c.
At the coronation Vashan ....
The queen removed the ----- day of August to Hampton Court.
At this time the French king retired.
At this time there was so many Spaniards in London that a man should have met in the streets for one Englishman above
four Spaniards, to the great discomfort of the English nation. The halls taken up for Spaniards.
About this time there was half a rising at Ipswich in Suffolk.
In September the noblemen did ask licence to repair every man into his country, whether for avoiding their expenses or
any other cause is as yet unknown.
The king’s words for the riding of the guard at his coming aland.
His words touching the nobility.
The ---- of September Sir Anthony Brown discharged of the mastership of the horse for the king, and so made a lord
by the name of the Lord Montacute.
Brought into the Tower four out of Suffolk for an insurrection there, and certain executed.
The fifth of September a talk of twelve thousand Spaniards coming more into the realm, they said to fetch the crown.
The sixth of September, or thereabouts, there was cut off in the king and queen’s household from the common
ordinary above twenty-two mass of meat, by report.
At this time there was a talk that the Bishopic of Canterbury and metropolitanship of England (because a Spanish
friar lay there) was given to a Spanish friar ; and the Lord Williams was out of
his chamberlainship, and secretary Petre out of his office, and that the Lord Treasurer had given the queen Basing.
Md. that the tenth of September there was a rumour that my
Lord of Westmorland Sir Henry Neville, 5th Earl
and other kept a council at York, and that the Earl of Pembroke, the Earl of Shrewsbury, and the Earl of Westmorland
were proclaimed traitors at the court at Hampton.
At this time were the new coins, with the
double face the two profiles of the king and queen ,
devised by Sir John Godsalve and Thomas Egerton.
Friday the 14th of September were set out by the Bishop of London to be enquired of throughout his diocese by four
substantial persons thereto by him appointed, in every ward. a book containing 126 articles, as well touching the
misdemeanour of the clergy as the laity. (Note, to amplify it)
The last day of September 1554, the Bishop of Winchester preached at Paul’s Cross, and there brought him to
the cross the Bishop of London with his crozier staff before him. There sat under the Lord Mayor the Earl of Arundell
and all the Peter Bourne mates and all the Council. The effect of the bishops
sermon was all of charity; he deceanded of heresy preached at that place; he spoke of tales at the council at York;
he praised the king and his dominions and riches, and willed all so obediently to behave themselves that he might
tarry still with us, &c.
Upon Tuesday the 2nd of October there came to the Tower in twenty carts made for the show, accompanied with certain
Spaniards of the king’s guard, fourscore and seventeen little chests of a yard long and four inches broad,
of silver, which will make by estimation one thousand pound.
