[Transcriber's note: Odd, inconsistent, and sometimes incorrect, spellings have been retained as printed. A Contents has been added for reader convenience.] [Illustration: Cover art] FRESTON TOWER: A TALE OF THE Times of Cardinal Wolsey. BY THE REV. R. COBBOLD, A.M., R.D., Rector of Wortham, AUTHOR OF "MARGARET CATCHPOLE," "MARY ANNE WELLINGTON," "ZENON THE MARTYR," ETC. WARD, LOCK AND CO. LONDON: WARWICK HOUSE, SALISBURY SQUARE, E.C. NEW YORK: BOND STREET. TO THE REVEREND JOHN CONNOP, IN ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF HIS UNSOUGHT AND UNMERITED KINDNESS TO THE AUTHOR AND HIS FAMILY, THIS HISTORICAL Record of Piety connected with the County of Suffolk, IS WITH UNFEIGNED PLEASURE, Dedicated AS A MEMORIAL OF FRIENDSHIP, BY THE AUTHOR. Contents Preface I. Genius II. Rivalship III. The Greeting IV. The Conversation V. The Castle and Company VI. The Excursion VII. The Visit VIII. The Event IX. College Career X. Ellen and Her Suitors XI. The Conversation XII. The Palace XIII. The Reception XIV. The Recluse XV. The Judgment XVI. Judgment Continued XVII. St. Ivan's Warning XVIII. The Fall of the Palace of Wykes XIX. St. Ivan's Funeral XX. A Memorable Night XXI. The Pain of the Swimmer XXII. Wolsey XXIII. Changes XXIV. Affections XXV. The Letter XXVI. The Journey XXVII. The Interview XXVIII. The Marriage Procession XXIX. The Marriage Ceremony XXX. The Revelation XXXI. The Punishment XXXII. The Monasteries XXXIII. The Reformers XXXIV. The Arrest XXXV. The Letter XXXVI. The Summons XXXVII. The Arrival XXXVIII. The Departure XXXIX. The Change XL. The Interview XLI. The Argument XLII. Enjoyment XLIII. Hospitality XLIV. The Fall XLV. The Courtier XLVI. Goldwell Hall XLVII. Pride XLVIII. The Plot XLIX. The Fool L. Christmas Day LI. The Incendiary LII. The Conflagration LIII. The Pursuit LIV. The Last Visit to the Tower LV. The Last Event [Illustration: Preface headpiece] PREFACE. Upon the banks of the beautiful river Orwell has stood for centuries, and still stands, Freston Tower. Every sailor belonging to the port of Ipswich knows it well; every traveller in the county of Suffolk, who has any love for the tranquil in nature, must have noticed, if he has sailed from Ipswich to Harwich, this picturesque object towering above the trees, and looking upon the widest expanse of water which the river scene affords. Thousands of conjectures have been formed as to its origin and use. After many years of promised hope to unravel the mystery, the present work will afford an entertaining and instructive record of its origin.