An English Garner: Ingatherings from Our History and Literature (4 of 8)
History
An English Garner: Ingatherings from Our History and Literature (4 of 8)
English literature
Afterwards, there was liberty granted to Her Grace to walk in a little
garden, the doors and gates being shut up; which, notwithstanding, was
as much discomfort unto her, as the walk in the garden was pleasant
and acceptable. At which times of her walking there, the prisoners on
that side straightly were commanded not to speak, or look out at the
windows into the garden, till Her Grace were gone out again: having in
consideration thereof, their keepers waiting upon them for that time.
Thus Her Grace, with this small liberty, contented herself in GOD, to
whom be praise therefore.
* * * * *
During this time, there used a little boy, the child of a man in the
Tower, to resort to their chambers, and many times to bring Her Grace
flowers; which likewise he did to the other prisoners that were there.
Whereupon naughty and suspicious heads thinking to make and wring out
some matter thereof, called, on a time, the child unto them, promising
him figs and apples, and asking, "When he had been with the Earl of
DEVONSHIRE?" not ignorant of the child's wonted frequenting unto him.
The boy answered that "He would go by-and-by thither."
Further they demanded of him, "When he was with the Lady ELIZABETH?"
He answered, "Every day!"
Furthermore they examined him, "What the Lord DEVONSHIRE sent by him to
Her Grace?"
The child said, "I will go [and] know what he will give to carry to
her." Such was the discretion of the child, being yet but three years
of age.
"This same is a crafty boy!" quoth the Lord Chamberlain; "what say you,
my Lord CHANDOS?"
"I pray you, my Lord! give me the figs ye promised me!"
"No, marry," quoth he, "thou shalt be whipped if thou come any more to
the Lady ELIZABETH, or the Lord COURTNEY!"
The boy answered, "I will bring the Lady, my Mistress, more flowers!"
Whereupon the child's father was commanded to permit the boy no more to
come into their chambers.
And the next day, as Her Grace was walking in the garden, the child,
peeping in at a hole in the door, cried unto her, saying, "Mistress! I
can bring you no more flowers!" Whereat, she smiled, but said nothing;
understanding thereby, what they had done.
Wherefore, afterwards, the Lord Chamberlain rebuked his father highly;
commanding him to put him out of the house.
"Alas, poor infant!" quoth the father.
"It is a crafty knave!" quoth the Lord Chamberlain. "Let me see him
here no more!"
The 5th day of May [1554], the Constable was discharged of his office
of the Tower; one Sir HENRY BEDINGFIELD being placed in his room. A man
unknown to Her Grace, and therefore the more feared: which so sudden
[a] mutation was unto her, no little amaze.
He brought with him a hundred soldiers in blue coats; wherewith she
was marvellously discomforted; and demanded of such as were about her,
"Whether the Lady JANE's scaffold were taken away or not?" fearing, by
reason of their coming, least she should have played her part.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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