Letters of the Court of James I 1618

                    13th August 1618. London. John Chamberlain (age 65), Esq., to Sir Dudley Carleton (age 45). 
                
                    I wrote this day sennight by Harman, the post, and meant not to write again till I should go out of town, about the middle of this next week, unless Dickson had been despatched, who, upon Mr. Secretary's promise to send a packet for you after you, waits diligently at Whitehall; or else he had come down to you to the seaside, and given account of his journey to Salisbury. But now it is very likely you shall hear of him shortly, for Secretary Naunton and some others of the council are expected here this day. 
                
                    I was sorry to understand by your letter from Margate that you found no readier passage, for I know how tedious it is to be wind-bound, specially when business doth press. I was likewise a diligent observer of the wind, and saw there was no possibility to get over, unless you took the course to Calais, and so over land.

[13th August 1618]. The commission I wrote of, held on Wednesday at the Guildhall, where there were none but poor snakes indicted for the riot committed at the Spanish ambassador's. Seven were found guilty, and adjudged to six months ' imprisonment, and to pay £ 500 a-piece. The other two were acquitted. There were likewise certain Brownists fined and imprisoned, for following conventicles.

[13th August 1618]. Captain Babbe, a man not unknown to you, was sentenced last week at the sessions to stand in the pillory, for cozenage, and telling of fortunes and other knaveries. The pillory was set up for him in Cheapside, but he came not, whatsoever the matter was, unless it be that such companions many times find more favour than honester men.

[13th August 1618]. Sir Walter Raleigh (age 64) went to the Tower on Monday, having attempted the night before to make an escape and get over sea. But he was presently bewrayed, or, in a sort, betrayed, by Sir Lewis Stukeley, who had the charge of him, and brought him back by certain boats, that waited for him at Woolwich. Sir Lewis did nourish him in the humour, with promise to assist and accompany him; but it was a foul pas de clerc for an old cozener to be so cozened and overtaken.

Note 1. His mind, as we have said, was a little disordered, so that it was easy for such a consummate rascal as Stukeley to deceive. From the expression "old cozener," the feeling of the courtiers towards this distinguished man is sufficiently indicated. The fact is, Raleigh was a living reproach to the effeminate coxcombs who clustered round their effeminate king, and they readily shared in his prejudices against the favourite of his predecessor.

[13th August 1618]. This week the Lord Coke (age 66), the attorney-general, and solicitor, by order from the king, went to the Lady of Shrewsbury to offer her the oath of allegiance, which she, absolutely refusing it, run, they say, into a præmunire, and so in danger, if the king deal rigorously with her, to lose all she hath.

[13th August 1618]. Here was a great funeral on Tuesday, for Sir William Craven (deceased), where there was above five hundred mourners.

[13th August 1618]. The lord chief justice (age 55), and all his brethren, go down on Monday toward Bath, to the burial of the Bishop of Winchester (deceased).

[13th August 1618]. The Lady Winwood hath lost her elder daughter Betty (age 4), who died of a burning fever on Tuesday last, and was brought up the next night to be buried by her father. No doubt, it is a great affliction to the good lady; for this child was her only jewel, and she more fond of it than of all the rest.

[13th August 1618]. The new Countess of Buckingham (age 48) went on Monday to dinner to the lord chancellor's at Gorhambury or Verulam, to see her patent sealed and delivered.

[13th August 1618]. Here is loud speech of ill measure offered by the Hollanders to our people, both in the East Indies and in Greenland. If matters be so foul as they are made, it will be hard to reconcile them; and in the mean time it breeds ill blood.

[13th August 1618]. The court is far off, and either there is nothing, or we hear nothing, from thence worth the relating. As I was closing this letter, I hear that Babbe was on the pillory all this morning in Cheapside, in as sound a shower of rain as we had any this year.

20th August 1618. London. John Chamberlain (age 65), Esq., to Sir Dudley Carleton (age 45).

I was bold to recommend this gentleman, Mr. Henry Sibthorpe, upon Mr. West's request, who is his uncle, and wishes well to him, and would have been glad he might have been for your service. But seeing you were so well provided that he could not be of use to you in that kind, his suit now is that you would be pleased to see him well placed in some company; and that you would carry a favourable eye toward him, for his sake, and as he shall deserve. He hath a good opinion of him upon my knowledge, and means well towards him; so that whatsoever favour you shall do him cannot be better bestowed than upon so honest and kind-hearted a man as Mr. West.

[20th August 1618]. The lord chancellor came to town on Monday, who, together with other of the council hereabouts, have sat every day since at Whitehall; but I hear nothing yet of Secretary Naunton (age 55).

[20th August 1618]. It is generally thought, that Sir Walter Raleigh (age 64) shall pay this new reckoning upon the old score¹; the rather for that it is believed, the pitiful plight he is in with boyls and botches was done by art; as likewise a counterfeiting awhile to be distracted, if all be true that is reported from good hands but yet he hath made a long apology for himself; and his friends excuse him all they may; wherein, though the world be not satisfied, yet Sir Lewis Stukeley is generally decried.

Note 1. This means that he was to be condemned for the crime for which he had suffered his previous long imprisonment and confiscation. He had gained his liberty, with the king's consent, obtained by means of a heavy bribe.

[20th August 1618]. Sir George Calvert (age 38) is lately gone to the court from the council here, at whose return we shall see what will become of him. His lady [Anne Mynne] should have been committed to Sir Thomas Lowe's; but he excusing himself upon his many children, which, though they be married, live with him altogether in one family, she was permitted to keep her own house, with a strict guard set upon her and her little son, which some interpret to be lest she should convey away the wealth and jewels, which are thought to be more than perhaps will be found upon the upshot. Once I have no opinion of any great matter.

[20th August 1618]. The king draws hitherward, and will be at Farnham the next week. We hear he was lately distempered for two or three days by some surfeit of fruit; but found a fair riddance by the benefit of nature every way, which no doubt was better physic than any of his doctors, or Mayerne himself, whom he believes most in, could have given him. He is lately come out of France, where he was not well seen, but ordered to be gone, upon discourse of some practice, as is pretended, with those of the Religion: which yet they profess to believe proceeded from himself, without order or instruction from hence.

[20th August 1618]. While the court was at Bewley, a Scottishman stabbed and killed a servant of Humfrey's, that discovered the pot aux roses touching the courses of the Lord (age 56) and Lady Suffolk (age 54). The fellow is to suffer for it, if he be not hanged already at the court gate. Sir John Bingley is, like enough, for aught I hear, to pass well through his business, and so may the Lord of Suffolk², seeing there pass many letters 'twixt the king and him; which some think to be about the parting with Audley End [Map], for the which he is to have £ 2000 land a-year; and as much more as the grounds or lands about it came to.

Note 1. "discover the pot aux roses" i.e. to discover a secret.

Note 2. Accused of corruption in his post of lord treasurer, and many other misdemeanors.

[20th August 1618]. We talk still of a new treasurer, and the Lord Coke (age 66) is in some consideration. But the most general and likely voice goeth with the lord chamberlain (age 38), who seems nothing fond of it; unless he might leave his place to his brother Montgomery (age 33). But he hath two strong competitors, the Marquis Hamilton, and the Viscount Doncaster (age 38), the one for favour, and the other per ragion di stato, like to over-sway him, if they could agree between themselves. Sir Lionel Cranfield (age 43) is not yet master of the wardrobe, nor like to be, unless he give a viaticum to the Lord Hay, who, they say, stands upon £ 9000.

[20th August 1618]. Here is much ado about buildings, both in suppressing great numbers that have been built heretofore, and in exacting such as are now in hand to be done, according to a proclamation come forth since your going; which makes divers stand at a stay now they are more than half way up. Divers patents or licenses have been lately granted, yet breed much speech; as, a groat upon every chaldron of sea-coal; a certain rate (I know not what) for every ton of shipping, that passes toward the northern coast, for maintenance of lights, as is pretended; for the prohibiting of pedlars, or petty chapmen, unless they be authorised under the great seal; but not so much as Archy [the King's fool], the Dizzard, hath engrossed by the making of tobacco-pipes, to him, his heirs, deputies, or assigns: which, though it seem a small matter, yet they say it concerns a number of poor men.

28th August 1618. Hague. Sir Dudley Carleton (age 45) to John Chamberlain (age 65).

It was Tuesday night, by reason of a strong contrary wind, before we arrived at this place; and betwixt this and Rotterdam (where I was met by Sir Horace Vere (age 53) and much good company) we were overtaken with the most terrible tempest of thunder, lightning, and rain, that any man of us had ever met with, so as it was a common speech amongst us that it must needs prognosticate somewhat; which fell out the day following, our great man, Monsieur Barnevelt, with two of his chief instruments, Hogerbots and Grotius, the one pensioner at Leyden, the other of Rotterdam, being then arrested prisoners in the Prince of Orange's lodgings by order of the States-General, where they remained two days, until the lodgings in the court, where the Amirante of Arragon lay last, were prepared for them. I account it in some regard ill luck to come à la vieille of such a feast; at which though there are many make good cheer, (and I may well say the most in this country) yet there being some mal diners, they lay no small blame upon me, and so speed it by public voice, as if I had given fire to this mine by certain intercepted letters, which I should have brought with me out of England. Their apprehension proceeded chiefly of certain difficulties and traverses they sought to cast in the way of the national Synod, after they had offered themselves at the Prince of Orange's return from Utrecht to concur with the States-General and his excellency; which they perceiving, and that this business would prove Penelope's web, unless these men were laid holden, not only took the resolution for them, but for one Leyden-burgh, the secretary of Utrecht, who had the same authority in that province, as Barnevelt, in Holland, and was there held on the day after they were taken. Vander Mile, who married Barnevelt's daughter, was with me at the instant that his father was taken, and went from me to the council, not knowing any thing of the matter until the news was publicly sent to the council, by the States-General; which may seem very strange, that he, his father, and the rest of that party, who had the chief managing of the affairs, should have so small knowledge or apprehension of what hung over their heads; this course having been almost a year in speech, and it was known to forty in this town the night before it was put in execution.

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5th October 1618. London. Reverend Thomas Lorkin to Thomas Puckering 1st Baronet (age 26).

This day, news arrived of my Lord de la War's death, in his voyage to Virginia. This day was fatal to my Lord Clifton (age 48), who, at his lodgings in Holborn, stabbed and murdered himself. The last week, the French agent [Le Clerc] was interdicted the court, for being appeached by a companion of his, already in prison for the same crime, to have projected and offered means of Sir Walter Raleigh's (age 64) escape; and, though he protested against it, and sought to justify himself by writing, yet served it not his turn; for in the same terms he remains still, and hath (as I hear) written the news thereof to the king his master, petitioning either for a revocation or a reintegration, by his means, into his former condition.

[5th October 1618]. The current runs strong here, that Sir Fulk Greville (age 64) shall be treasurer, but the grounds of that conjecture are not certain. An assured thing they say it is, that the Marquis of Buckingham (age 26) hath gotten the survivance of the Admiralty granted him, in a joint patent with the lord admiral that is; and the same hath passed the seals already. Sir Robert Cary (age 58) hath now perfected his suit concerning Killingworth [Map], and intends a new voyage thither soon after Allhallowtide. I have renewed my former motions concerning you, and he promises the accomplishment.

[5th October 1618]. The treaty with Spain, about the match that is pretended, they say, is likely to proceed. Sir John Digby (age 38) is to be employed anew in an embassy to that purpose, and is to stay there till he see a final issue; that either the infanta (age 12) be to be brought over, or the business utterly quashed. Presently after Christmas he undertakes the voyage, but the king hath not declared him as yet. It is kept as a great secret in the interim, and so imparted unto me, who am offered the condition of the chaplain, if I should think fit to accept it. I shall take time to consider, and humbly entreat you to favour me with your advice. But whatsoever I have communicated touching this embassy, I beseech you bury it in your own bosom till his majesty's declaration open a vent.

[5th October 1618]. If you have not yet seen Sir Walter Raleigh's (age 64) Apology, if you please to send me word, I will procure you a copy.

20th October 1618. London. Reverend Thomas Lorkin to Thomas Puckering 1st Baronet (age 26).

What I wrote concerning Sir Fulk Greville (age 64), the last week, holds current still; there is some alteration about his successor; for, instead of Sir Allen Apsley (age 51), they now nominate Sir Henry Spiller to be the only man. I formerly signified how his majesty, upon good grounds, had forbidden the French agent the court. To pay us back in the same coin (though not upon so just a cause), the French king hath dismissed, likewise, Mr. Becher, and means, as we hear, to second that disgust by another of more importance, the cashiering of the Scots guard.

There is, I hear, a new commission granted; first, to inquire what jewels of the crown have been embezzled; whereby the Earl of Suffolk is like to be called to a further account. There is heating at the Lord Knollys's also; but he resolves stoutly to stand upon his own just position, and hath directly told the marquis as much; with putting him in mind, further, that these precedents may one day prove leading cases to himself.

[20th October 1618]. Sir Dudley Digges is returned, without performing aught. He alleges, that at his arrival, the Russians had received a great overthrow by the Polac; the country much infested by freebooters, & c., and no convoy sent to conduct him; so that the journey being altogether useless for himself, and the money he carried being like rather to become a prey to the enemy, than serve for the relief of him for whom it was sent, he thought best to come back the same way he went, and bring the money with him. There is newly arrived here a bassa, in quality of ambassador from the Grand Signor; but what his errand is, is yet rather guessed at than known.

[20th October 1618]. Upon Friday next, Sir Thomas Lake (age 51) is like to come to hearing; and the common voice hath already given a very heavy sentence against him. I have herewith sent you a copy of Sir Walter Raleigh's (age 64) Apology, which you may please to peruse at your own commodity, and afterwards return it hither to me, because it is another man's, and I shall at better leisure write out a fair one for you.

31st October 1618. London. John Chamberlain (age 65), Esq., to Sir Dudley Carleton (age 45).

I remember, that in my last letter, I said that Sir Walter Raleigh (age 64) was not secure. But now he is past all peradventure; for, upon Thursday morning [29th October 1618], he was be-headed, in the old Palace at Westminster, 'twixt the Parliament House and the church. On Wednesday, he was brought from the Tower to the King's Bench bar, as they say, the manner is when a man lives above a year and a day after he is condemned; and there demanded what he could say for himself, why the sentence pronounced against him at Winchester should not be put in execution. The sum of his answer was, that the king had employed him in his service, and given him a commission, wherein he styled him "his loyal subject;" and withal given him potestatem vitæ et mortis; which did amount to a pardon. For in all reason he must be master of his own life, that hath power over other men's. The judges replied, that there is no pardon for treason by implication. Wherefore, he must find a better plea, or undergo the sentence. Thus he spoke of his trial at Winchester, and avowed that all, or the far greater part of those that were present, did acquit him in their consciences; and that the king's gracious forbearing him so long, and, but for this late accident, longer would have done, even to a hundred years, if nature could have drawn out his life so long, did show that his majesty approved his innocence. But, in conclusion, he was willed to prepare himself, and so was delivered to the sheriffs of London, and conveyed to the Gatehouse, where he spent the rest of that day in writing letters to the king, and others, and in prayer with the Dean of Westminster, who came the next morning at five o'clock, and ministered to him the communion; and, when he had broken his fast, about eight o'clock, came to the scaffold, where he found the Earls of Arundel, Oxford, Northampton, the Lord of Doncaster, and divers others. He made a speech of more than half an hour, wherein he cleared himself of having any intelligence with France, which had been objected to him, more than to save his life, and hide himself from the king's indignation. Then, that he never said any ill intent words towards his majesty, not so much as in thought. That he had no other pretence, nor end in his last voyage, than the enriching of the king, the realm, himself, and his followers. That he never had any undutiful speech concerning his majesty with the runagate French physician, nor ever offered to Sir Lewis Stukely £ 10,000 to go with him into France, nor told him that the Lord Arran had given him advice to be gone; and that he and the Lord of Doncaster would maintain him in France, of which points he had been accused by them. And, though he protested not only to forgive them, but to pray God to forgive them, yet he thought fit to give men warning of such persons. To all this, and much more, he took God, so often, and so solemnly to witness, that he was believed of all that heard him.

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[31st October 1618]. He spake somewhat of the death of the Earl of Essex, and how sorry he was for him; for though he was of a contrary faction, yet he foresaw that those who esteemed him then in that respect, yet would cast him off, as they did afterwards. He confessed himself the greatest sinner that he knew; and no marvel, as having been a soldier, a seaman, and a courtier. He excused the disfiguring of himself, by the example of David, who feigned himself mad, to avoid danger, and never heard it imputed to him for a sin. In conclusion, he spake and behaved himself so, without any show of fear or affectation, that he moved much commiseration; and all that saw him confessed that his end was, as far as man can discern, every way perfect.

[31st October 1618]. It will not be amiss to set down some few passages, of divers that I have heard. The morning that he went to execution, there was a cup of excellent sack brought him, and, being asked how he liked it, "As the fellow,"said he, " that, drinking of St. Giles's bowl, as he went to Tyburn, said, that was good drink if a man might tarry by it." As he went from Westminster Hall to the Gatehouse, he spied Sir Hugh Beeston in the throng, and, calling to him, prayed he would see him die to-morrow. Sir Hugh, to make sure work, got a letter from Secretary Lake to the sheriffs, to see him placed conveniently; and meeting them, as they came near to the scaffold, delivered his letter, but the latter, by mishap, had left his spectacles at home, and put the letter in his pocket. In the mean time, Sir Hugh being thrust by, Sir Walter bade him farewell, and said, "I know not what shift you will make, but I am sure to have a place." When the hangman asked his forgiveness, he desired to see the axe; and, feeling the edge, he said, that was a sharp medicine, to cure him of all his diseases and miseries. When he was laid down, some found fault that his face was westward, and would have him turned. Whereupon, rising, he said, "It was no great matter which way a man's head stood, so his heart lay right." He had given order to the executioner, that, after some short meditation, when he stretched forth his hands, he should despatch him; ´after once or twice putting forth his hands, the fellow, out of timorousness (or what other cause), forbearing, he was fain to bid him strike, and so, at two blows, he took off his head, though he stirred not a whit after the first. The people were much affected at the sight, insomuch that one was heard to say, that we had not such another head to cut off. Another wished the head and brains to be upon S. N.'s shoulders.

[31st October 1618]. There was great means made for his life; and I hear the queen (age 43) wrote very earnestly to the king, as he tendered her health, to spare him, for that she had received great good by his receipts. I hear not so much of her recovery of late, as when I wrote last, but rather that she goes peggiorando¹, insomuch that it is doubted whether the king will come hither to-day from Theobalds, or go direct to Hampton Court, where she lies.

peggiorando i.e. getting worse.

[31st October 1618]. The Spanish Dominican, lately come hither, is said, likewise, to have laboured for Sir Walter Raleigh (deceased), as finding his death would much alienate the minds of our people, as if he were sacrificed to the malice of the Spaniards. But it is verily thought, some unseemly speeches fathered upon him, whether truly or falsely, by those two fellows, ' were the principal motives of his ruin. It was said, we should have some declaration set out, touching the causes of his execution at this time; but whether his protestation and manner of dying may alter the case, God knows, for he died very religiously, and every way like a Christian, insomuch that the Dean of Westminster (they say) commends him exceedingly, and says he was as ready and able to give as take instruction. His execution was the more remarkable, for that it fell out the day of the lord mayor's triumph, though it began with a tragedy; and, being a reasonable fair morning, grew very foul all the day after.

[31st October 1618]. Monsieur Clerc, the French agent, went away this day sennight; and I heard yesterday that Mr. Beecher and the Lord Wemyss were come out of France. I am sorry we should have nobody there to see how matters pass, for we are possessed here that the States ' fight runs very strongly that way.

[31st October 1618]. On Wednesday, Sir Humphrey Tufton (age 34) was censured in the Star Chamber, for bastinadoing Christopher Nevil (age 34), the Lord of Abergavenny's (age 68) son, in a jealous humour that he made love to his wife (age 32), whom he caused to write him a letter, and so drew him into the trap. His whole fine, for himself and his men, one way and other, comes to almost £7000. Besides, he is to make some submission in that court, and some satisfaction to Nevil, as the earl marshal shall award. His two men are to stand in the pillory, and to be whipt. Mr. Nevil is to have £1000 of this fine for his costs.

                    3rd November 1618. London. Reverend Thomas Lorkin to Thomas Puckering 1st Baronet (age 26).
                
                    My last letter intimated a warrant that was formed for Sir Walter Raleigh's despatch. his end. 
                
                    Upon Wednesday, therefore, he was brought to Westminster, to receive sentence anew from the lord chief justice, to comply with certain formalities, I hear, in law, for that those who pronounced it were dead. Being presented at the bar, he demanded for what offence he was proceeded against? Answer was made, it was his majesty's pleasure to take his life for the first; and that the cause of his coming again to the bar now was, to declare the former condemnation to stand still in force. He offered to speak somewhat for himself, but it was not permitted. The attorney (age 52) told him that he had lived like a star, and like a star must he fall, when it troubled the firmament. Then he was delivered into the sheriff's charge, and by him carried from thence to the Gatehouse; and the day following (which was, by all good tokens, the lord mayor's day), in the Old Palace Yard, executed. His warning was short; for he had no word to prepare himself for death, till that very morning he was convented before the judge. He sued for four or five days longer, under pretence of having somewhat to communicate with his majesty, in writing, for his behoof and service, which in so short a time could not be performed; and something, I hear, he hath written to the king to that purpose. Yet it was conceived as a device to gain time, that his friends might the more effectually intercede for his pardon, so that suit would not be granted. Whereupon he prepared himself for death. The Dean of Westminster visited him, and, after some · conference between them two, he, at his hands, received the sacrament; and, the night before his execution, made his own Epicedium, or funeral song, which I have here sent you. 
                
                    He had the favour to die a gentleman's death, and to be beheaded. His end was, by the general report of all that were present, very Christian - like; and so full of resolution, as moved all men to pity and wonder. In going from the prison to the scaffold, amongst others that thronged about to see him, one old man, that was bald, pressed very forward, insomuch as Sir Walter Raleigh took notice of him, and asked him whether he would have aught of him. To whom the old man answered: " Nothing but to see him, and to pray to God to have mercy upon his soul." "I thank thee, good friend," replied Sir Walter; "and I am sorry I have no better thing to return thee for thy good will: but take this night-cap" (which was a very rich one, that he wore, for he had had two fits of a fever), " for thou hast more need of it now than I. " 
                
                    Being come to the scaffold, he saw the lords seated in a place that was provided for them, somewhat far off, and, fearing lest his voice should not well reach them, desired them that they would approach, because what he had then to say, he wished the whole world should take notice of. And so they did, and heard a most grave, Christian, and elegant discourse, as they commonly qualify it. In it he laboured to clear himself from three main aspersions. The first, of atheism; which he did by a worthy profession of his faith, and profession of his hope to be saved thereby. The second was concerning my Lord of Essex's death, whom he was reported to have insulted upon at his death, taking tobacco in a bravery before his face and to have procured and practised his ruin. Against both which he solemnly protested; adding further, that he acknowledged himself to be, indeed, of a contrary faction, because my Lord of Essex had refused him, whom he first sought; but that he was so far from triumphing at his death, as he never was more affected with grief for any man's, and expressed the same with tears, to his prejudice, in the opinion and friendship, as it proved afterwards, of the adverse party. The third was concerning those last occasions wherein he stood charged with a disloyal intention in the voyage he undertook, and with further accusations since his return. The former seemed grounded upon a report that went, of great sums of money which he secretly transported with him to the value of £ 10,000, and the extraordinary provision of artillery he carried with him; both which he satisfied, by showing the falsehood of the first (all his own store not exceeding the sum of one hundred and fifty pieces, whereof he sent back part to his wife), and the necessity of the second, in regard of the Spaniard, upon whose friendship he had no occasion to presume. 
                
                    Touching the other accusations, they all respected Sir Lewis Stukeley as their author (whom he professed to forgive, by the way, with all his heart, but yet thought fit to désagencer the world, both the better to justify himself, and to teach every man how to trust him). And, whereas, he first accused him to have practised with the French agent about his escape, he protested he never saw him but once, in the gallery at Whitehall, before he undertook his voyage; neither ever had aught to do with him since. Secondly, whereas, Stukeley charged him to have offered him £ 10,000 if he would consent to his escape; he likewise therein proclaimed him false, sith his largest promises in that kind never exceeded the payment of Stukeley's debts, which he confessed to have undertaken for him. Thirdly, whereas the said Stukely accused him to have laid to Sir Edward Parry's charge, where he was entertained in his coming up to London, the poisoning of him; he took his death upon it that it was most calumnious. He used, indeed, art to counterfeit a poisoning upon himself, ' which he thought was warranted by David's example, who feigned himself, in a case of like danger, mad; but that he had ever fathered it upon him, who had ever been his noble and worthy friend, he utterly disavowed it under a solemn execution. Lastly, whereas his accuser testified against him, that he had, for his encouragement to give way to his escape, assured him that my Lord of Doncaster and Lord Arran were privy to the design, and favourers of it, he assured the contrary under a deep oath; adding that he knew how fearful and dangerous a thing it was to call God to witness to a lie at any time, much more at the hour of a man's death, but he had herein satisfied the obligation of a good conscience.
                
                    This done, he embraced all the lords, and other of his friends there present, with such courtly compliments of discourse, as if he had met them at some feast. They then cleared the scaffold; which being done, he takes up the axe and feels the edge, and finding it sharp for the purpose, "This is that," saith he, "that will cure all sorrows;" and so kissing it, laid it down again. After that he went to three several corners of the scaffold, and, kneeling down, desired all the people to pray for him, and conceived a long prayer for himself. Then he began to fit himself for the block, without permitting any help, and first laid himself down, to try how the block fitted him. After rising up, the executioner knelt down, and desired him to forgive him; which, with an embrace, he protested he did, but entreated him not to strike till he gave a token, by lifting up his hand; "and then fear not," said he, "but strike home." So he laid himself down to receive the stroke, and the hangman directed him to lay his face towards the east. "No matter how the head lie," answered he, "so the heart be right." After he had lain a little while upon the block, conceiving some prayers to himself, he gave the watchword, and the executioner, it seems, not minding it, he called aloud unto him, asking him why he did not strike. "Strike man!" said he, and so in two blows was delivered from his pain. 
                
                    In all the time he was upon the scaffold, nor before, there appeared not the least alteration in him, either in his voice or countenance, but he seemed as free from all manner of apprehension, as if he had been come thither rather to be a spectator than a sufferer. Nay, the beholders seemed much more sensible than did he; so that he hath purchased here, in the opinion of men, such honour and reputation, as, it is thought, his greatest enemies are they that are most sorrowful for his death, which they see is like to turn so much to his advantage. 
                
                    Štukeley, notwithstanding, hath been at court since, offering to his majesty, by way of his own justification, to take the sacrament upon it, that what he laid to Sir Walter Raleigh's charge was true; and to produce two other witnesses, free from all exception, that would do the like. Why, then," replied his majesty " the more malicious he to utter those speeches at his death." But Sir Thomas Badger, who stood by and heard it, "Let the king," said he, "take off Stukeley's head, as he hath done the other's, and let him at his death take the sacrament, and his oath upon it, and I'll believe it; but otherwise I shall credit Sir Walter Raleigh's bare affirmative before a thousand of his oaths." And it is strange to see how every man at court declines that Stukeley's company, as treacherous. 
                
                    Thus I have related at large the discourse at court; whereunto I shall briefly add, for farther news, that the prince, a little before they came from Royston, resigned up his pretensions to the Admiralty (whereof he had received a grant from the king long since) to the Marquis of Buckingham.

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That Sir Thomas Lake's day of hearing is prolonged further; that the queen continues still very much indisposed; that Mr. Martin, the new recorder, is already dead of the smallpox, and Shute like to succeed him in his place; that a new Venetian leiger is here arrived, not above twenty - three or twenty - four years old; which the king, discoursing of it to my Lord Arundel and Sir John Digby, seemed to censure as a weakness in any state to send a leiger ambassador so young; and that from such a one nothing could be expected but shame unto the nation; but this you will please to keep unto yourself. When you have read this side, I should esteem it a favour if you burn it.