<g>William</g>, his eldest son, and third Earl of Worcester, accompanied the Marquis of Northampton into France, to present King Henry II. with the royal insignia of the Garter. And again, in 1573, he was sent by Queen Elizabeth as her representative at the christening of a daughter of Charles IX., on which occasion, in the name of his royal mistress, he presented a font in pure gold. He married Christian, daughter of Lord North of Earthlodge. <g>Edward</g>, his only son and heir, was sent ambassador to the Court of Scotland, to offer the Queen’s congratulations to King <g>James</g> on his return from Denmark; and ten years later he was appointed Master of the Horse. At the accession of King James, he continued in the same office, and was also named one of the commissioners for executing the office of <g>Earl-Marshall</g>, the Duke of Norfolk being then under sentence in the Tower.[208] He was afterwards Lord Privy Seal; and dying on the third of March, 1628, ætatis 79, was buried in the family vault in Windsor Castle.[209] In his youth, as recorded by his colleague Sir Robert Naunton, “this earl was a very fine gentleman, and the best horseman and tilter of his times, which were then the manlike and noble recreations of the Court, which took up the applause of men, as well as the praise and commendation of ladies. And when years had abated these exercises of honour, he grew then to be a faithful and profound counsellor. He was the last liver of all the servants of her favour, and had the honour to see his renowned Mistress, and all of them, laid in the places of their rest; and for himself, after a life of very noble and remarkable reputation, he died rich, and in a peaceful old age--a fate that befel not many of the rest; for they expired like lights blown out--not commendably extinguished--but with the snuff very offensive to the standers by.”[210] Sandford describes him as “a great favourer of learning and good literature.” [Illustration: Procession.--Morning of the Tournament.] <g>Henry</g>, his son, the fourth earl, married Anne, daughter of John Lord <g>Russell</g>, heir apparent to the Earl of Bedford; and, in 1642, was created Marquess of Worcester. And this brings us down to the period, when the family fortunes--like the fortress they inhabited--were destined to undergo a lamentable change.