two, Henry and Elizabeth, z vinom be vished a communicate the mighty things that were ring us sau mà as they were heredes, he omit ux à L' E was pran then preparing to refer the antemes of his predeces sors, Pius V. and Gregory Xiil, and a præciam a general crusade against Elizabe ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT OF ENGLAND & IRELAND. CHAPTER X. Renewed influence of the earl of Leicester with Elizabeth-An impostor pretends to be their son-Hostile proceedings of Spain-Philip II. sends an insulting Latin tetrastic to Elizabeth-Her witty reply-The Armada -Female knight made by queen Elizabeth-The queen's prayer-Her heroic deportment-Leicester's letter to her-Her visit to the camp at Tilbury-Enthusiasm of her subjects-Defeat and dispersion of the Spanish fleet-Medals struck on the occasion-Death of Leicester-His legacy to the queen-She distrains his goods-Elizabeth goes in state to St. Paul's, to return thanks for the defeat of the Armada-Her popularity-Way of life-Her love of history-Characteristic traits and anecdotes of Elizabeth -Margaret Lambrun's attempt on her life-Her magnanimity-Religious persecutions-Her imperious manner to the House of Commons-Arbitrary treatment of the earl of Arundel-Her love for Essex, and jealousy of lady Mary Howard—The escapade of Essex-Joins the expedition to Lisbon-His return-Increasing fondness of the queen-Her anger at his marriage-His temporary disgrace, and expedition to France-Elizabeth's letter to Henry IV., describing Essex's character-Her political conduct with regard to France-Takes offence with Henry-Her fierce letter to him-She favours the Cecil party-Sir Robert Cecil's flattery to the queen-Her progress-Splendid entertainment at Elvetham--Her unkind treatment of Hatton-Endeavours to atone for it in his last illness-His death-Angry expressions against Essex to the French ambassadorRecals him home-His expostulation-She insists on his return-He sends Carey to her-Essex returns-Their reconciliation-Elizabeth visits Oxford and Ricote-Her friendship for lady Norris. Ir is worthy of observation, that while Burleigh, Walsingham, Davison, and even Hatton, experienced the effects of the queen's displeasure, which was long and obstinately manifested towards the members of her cabinet, even to the interruption of public business, Leicester escaped all blame, although as deeply implicated in the unauthorized despatch of the warrant, for the execution of the Scottish queen, as any of his colleagues. It seemed as if he had re gained all his former influence over the mind of his royal mistress since his return from the Netherlands; yet he had evinced incapacity, disobedience, and even cowardice, during the inauspicious period of his command there. English treasure and English blood, had been lavished in vain, the allies murmured, and the high-spirited and chivalric portion of the gentlemen of England complained, that the honour of the country was compromised in the hands of a man, who was unworthy of the high charge that had been confided to his keeping. Instead of punishing him, his partial sovereign had bestowed preferments and places of great emolument upon him. As if to console him for the popular ill-will, she made him lord steward of her household, and chief justice in eyre south of the Trent, and finally sent him back with a reinforcement of 5000 men, and a large supply of money.' Matters had gone from bad to worse in his absence, even to the desertion of a large body of English troops to the king of Spain. Leicester endeavoured to make up for his incapacity, both as a general and a governor, by ostentatious fasting and daily attending sermons. The evil tenour of his life from his youth upward, and his treacherous underhand practices against those illustrious patriots, Barneveldt and Maurice, prince of Orange, rendered these exhibitions disgusting to persons of integrity and true piety. He lost the confidence of all parties. One disaster followed another, and the fall of Sluys completed the measure of public indignation. Articles of impeachment were prepared against him at home, and the queen was compelled to recall him, that he might meet the inquiry. That the royal lioness of Tudor, was roused by the disgrace the military character of England had suffered under his auspices, to the utterance of some stern threats of punishment, may be easily surmised, for Leicester hastened to throw himself at her feet on his return, and with tears in his eyes, passionately implored her, "not to bury him alive,. 1 Camden. Lingard. ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT OF ENGLAND & IRELAND. CHAPTER X. Renewed influence of the earl of Leicester with Elizabeth-An impostor pretends to be their son-Hostile proceedings of Spain-Philip II. sends an insulting Latin tetrastic to Elizabeth-Her witty reply-The Armada -Female knight made by queen Elizabeth-The queen's prayer-Her heroic deportment-Leicester's letter to her-Her visit to the camp at Tilbury-Enthusiasm of her subjects-Defeat and dispersion of the Spanish fleet-Medals struck on the occasion-Death of Leicester-His legacy to the queen-She distrains his goods-Elizabeth goes in state to St. Paul's, to return thanks for the defeat of the Armada-Her popularity-Way of life-Her love of history-Characteristic traits and anecdotes of Elizabeth -Margaret Lambrun's attempt on her life-Her magnanimity-Religious persecutions-Her imperious manner to the House of Commons-Arbitrary treatment of the earl of Arundel-Her love for Essex, and jealousy of lady Mary Howard-The escapade of Essex-Joins the expedition to Lisbon-His return-Increasing fondness of the queen-Her anger at his marriage-His temporary disgrace, and expedition to France-Elizabeth's letter to Henry IV., describing Essex's character-Her political conduct with regard to France-Takes offence with Henry-Her fierce letter to him-She favours the Cecil party-Sir Robert Cecil's flattery to the queen-Her progress-Splendid entertainment at Elvetham--Her unkind treatment of Hatton-Endeavours to atone for it in his last illness-His death-Angry expressions against Essex to the French ambassadorRecals him home-His expostulation-She insists on his return-He sends Carey to her-Essex returns-Their reconciliation-Elizabeth visits Oxford and Ricote-Her friendship for lady Norris. It is worthy of observation, that while Burleigh, Walsingham, Davison, and even Hatton, experienced the effects of the queen's displeasure, which was long and obstinately manifested towards the members of her cabinet, even to the interruption of public business, Leicester escaped all blame, although as deeply implicated in the unauthorized despatch of the warrant, for the execution of the Scottish queen, as any of his colleagues. It seemed as if he had regained all his former influence over the mind of his royal mistress since his return from the Netherlands; yet he had evinced incapacity, disobedience, and even cowardice, during the inauspicious period of his command there. English treasure and English blood, had been lavished in vain, the allies murmured, and the high-spirited and chivalric portion of the gentlemen of England complained, that the honour of the country was compromised in the hands of a man, who was unworthy of the high charge that had been confided to his keeping. Instead of punishing him, his partial sovereign had bestowed preferments and places of great emolument upon him. As if to console him for the popular ill-will, she made him lord steward of her household, and chief justice in eyre south of the Trent, and finally sent him back with a reinforcement of 5000 men, and a large supply of money.1 Matters had gone from bad to worse in his absence, even to the desertion of a large body of English troops to the king of Spain. Leicester endeavoured to make up for his incapacity, both as a general and a governor, by ostentatious fasting and daily attending sermons. The evil tenour of his life from his youth upward, and his treacherous underhand practices against those illustrious patriots, Barneveldt and Maurice, prince of Orange, rendered these exhibitions disgusting to persons of integrity and true piety. He lost the confidence of all parties. One disaster followed another, and the fall of Sluys completed the measure of public indignation. Articles of impeachment were prepared against him at home, and the queen was compelled to recall him, that he might meet the inquiry. That the royal lioness of Tudor, was roused by the disgrace the military character of England had suffered under his auspices, to the utterance of some stern threats of punishment, may be easily surmised, for Leicester hastened to throw himself at her feet on his return, and with tears in his eyes, passionately implored her, "not to bury him alive, 1 Camden. Lingard. |