The Valet's Tragedy, and Other StudiesLang, Andrew
History
The Valet's Tragedy, and Other Studies
Lang, Andrew
History; World history
Next we come, in Mr. Froude, to Amy’s funeral (September 22), and to
Elizabeth’s resolve not to marry Leicester (October 13, 14, 15?), and to
Throgmorton’s interference in October-November. Throgmorton’s wails over
the Queen’s danger and dishonour were addressed to Cecil and the Marquis
of Northampton, from Poissy, on October 10, when he also condoled with
Dudley on the death of his wife! ‘Thanks him for his present of a nag!’ *
On the same date, October 10, Harry Killigrew, from London, wrote to
answer Throgmorton’s inquiries about Amy’s death. Certainly Throgmorton
had heard of Amy’s death before October 10: he might have heard by
September 16. What he heard comforted him not. By October 10 he should
have had news of a satisfactory verdict. But Killigrew merely said
‘she brake her neck... only by the hand of God, to my knowledge.’** On
October 17, Killigrew writes to Throgmorton ‘rumours... have been very
rife, BUT THE QUEEN SAYS SHE WILL MAKE THEM FALSE.... Leaves to his
judgment what he will not write. Has therefore sent by Jones and
Summers’ (verbally) ‘what account he wished him to make of my Lord R.’
(Dudley).
*For. Cal. Eliz., 1560, pp. 347-349.
**Ibid., 1560, p. 350.
Then (October 28) Throgmorton tells Cecil plainly that, till he knows
what Cecil thinks, he sees no reason to advise the Queen in the matter
‘of marrying Dudley.’ Begs him ‘TO SIGNIFY PLAINLY WHAT HAS BEEN
DONE,’ and implores him, ‘in the bowels of Christ ‘... ‘to hinder that
matter.’* He writes ‘with tears and sighs,’ and--he declines to return
Cecil’s letters on the subject. ‘They be as safe in my hands as in your
own, and more safe in mine than in any messenger’s.’
*For. Cal. Eliz., 1560, p. 376.
On October 29, Throgmorton sets forth his troubles to Chamberlain.
‘Chamberlain as a wise man can conceive how much it imports the Queen’s
honour and her realm to have the same’ (reports as to Amy’s death)
‘ceased.’ ‘He is withal brought to be weary of his life.’*
*For. Cal. Eliz., 1560, p. 376.
On November 7, Throgmorton writes to the Marquis of Northampton and to
Lord Pembroke about ‘the bruits lately risen from England... set so full
with great horror,’ and never disproved, despite Throgmorton’s prayers
for satisfaction.
Finally Throgmorton, as we saw, had the boldness to send his secretary,
Jones, direct to Elizabeth. All the comfort he got from her was her
statement that neither Dudley nor his retainers were at the attempt at
Cumnor Place. Francis I. died in France, people had something fresh to
talk about, and the Cumnor scandal dropped out of notice. Throgmorton,
however, persevered till, in January 1561, Cecil plainly told him to
cease to meddle. Throgmorton endorsed the letter ‘A warning not to be
too busy about the matters between the Queen and Lord Robert.’*
*For. Cal. Eliz., 1560, p. 498.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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