of excusing whereof, not one can serve it, being so plainly confessed by the author of my guiltless death. Let repentance take place, and let not the fiend possess her, so that the better part be lost, which I pray with hands lifted up to him, that can both save and spill, with my most loving adieu, and prayer for thy long life, your assured and loving sovereign, as heart, by good desert, indureth, ELIZABETH, Regina. Queen Mary's Execution. In pursuance of this Commission, she was executed the 8th day of February following, in which queen Elizabeth afterwards pretended she was surprized; the manner whereof is thus related by Camden, * QUEEN Elizabeth, after some hesitation, having delivered a Writing to Davison, one of her Secretaries, signed with her own hand, commanding a Warrant under the great seal of England to be drawn up for the Execution, which was to lie in readiness in case of any dangerous Attempt upon queen Elizabeth, commanded him to acquaint no man therewith; the next day the queen changed her mind, and commanded Davison by Killegrew that the Warrant should not be drawn. Davison came presently to the queen, and told her that it was drawn and under seal already; at which she was somewhat moved, and blamed him for making such haste. He notwithstanding acquainted the Council both with the Warrant and the whole matter, and easily persuaded them who were apt to believe what they desired, that the queen had commanded it should be executed. Hereupon without any delay Beale, who in respect of religion was the queen of Scots most bitter adversary, was sent down with one or two Executioners, and a Warrant, wherein authority was given to the earls of Shrewsbury, Kent, Derby, Cumberland, and others, to see Execution done according to law; and this without the queen's knowledge. And though she at that very time told Davison, that she would take another course, yet did not he for all that call Beale back. As soon as the earls were come to Fotheringay, they, together with sir Amias Powlet, and sir Drew Drury, to whose custody the queen of Scots was committed, came to her and told her the cause of their coming, reading the Warrant, and in few words admonished her to prepare herself for Death, for she was to die the next day. She undauntedly, and with a composed spirit, made this Auswer; I did not think the queen, my sister, would have Cand. Eliz. p. 382. 'consented to my death, who am not subject to your law and jurisdiction: but seeing her pleasure is so, Death shall be to me most 'welcome; neither is that soul worthy of the high and everlasting joys above, whose body cannot endure one stroke of the executioner.' She desired she might have Conference with her Almoner, her Confessor, and Melvin, the Master of her Household: for her Confessor, it was flatly denied that he should come at her; and the earls recommended to her the bishop, or the dean of Peterborough, to comfort her; whom she refusing, the earl of Kent, in a hot burning zeal to religion, broke forth into these words among other speeches: Your life will 'be the death of our Religion, as contrariwise your death will be the life thereof.' Mention being made of Babington, she constantly denied bis Conspiracy to have been at all known to her, and the revenge of her wrong she left to God. Then enquiring what was become of Naw and Curle; she asked whether it were ever heard of before, that servants were suborned and accepted as Witnesses against their master's life? When the earls were departed, she commanded supper to be hastened, that she might the better dispose of her concerns. She supped temperately, as her manner was; and seeing her servants, both men and women, weeping and lamenting as she sat at supper, she comforted them with great courage and magnanimity, bad them leave mourning, and rather rejoice, that she was now to depart out of a world of miseries. Turning to Burgoin, ber physician, she asked him whether he did not now find the force of Truth to be great: They say,' quoth she, that I must die, be'cause I have plotted against the queen's life; yet the earl of Kent tells me, there is no 'other cause of my death, but that they are 'afraid for their Religion because of me; neither hath my offence against the queen, but their 'fear because of me, drawn this end upon me, while some, under the colour of Religion, and 'the public good, aim at their own private respects and advantages.' Towards the end of supper she drank to all her servants, who pledged her in order upon their knees, mingling tears with the wine, and begging pardon for their neglect of their duty; as she also in like manner did of them.-After supper she perused her Will, read over the Inventory of her Goods and Jewels, and wrote down the Names of those, to whom she bequeathed every particular. To some she distributed money with her own hand. To her Confessor she wrote a Letter, that he would + This seems to have been one of that queen's make intercession for her to God in his prayers. artifices in order to excuse herself to the king She wrote also letters of recommendation for of Scots; and though, to put the better colour her servants to the French king and the duke upon it, she afterwards sacrificed her Secretary, of Guise. At her wonted time she went to yet the whole affair was (very probably) trans-bed, slept some hours; and then waking, spent acted with her knowledge and approbation, the rest of the night in prayer. for which, see Davison's Apology in Canden. For the Proceedings against Davison, See No. 65 of the present Volume. The fatal day being come, which was the 8th of February, she dressed herself as gorgeously, as she was wont to do upon festival days, and calling her servants together, commanding her Will to be read; prayed them to take their legacies in good part, for her ability would not extend to giving them any greater matters. going before her, she came to the scaffold, which was built at the upper end of the Hall, on which was placed a chair, a cushion, and a block, all covered with black cloth. As soon Then fixing her mind wholly upon God in as she was set down, and silence commandher Oratory, or ordinary place of prayer, with ed, Beale read the Warrant: She heard sighs and groans, and prayers, she begged his it attentively, yet as if her thoughts were Divine Grace and favour, till such time as taken up with somewhat else. Then Fletcher, Thomas Andrews, sheriff of the county, acdean of Peterborough, began a long Speech to quainted her, that she must now come forth: her touching the Condition of her Life past, And forth she came with state, countenance present, and to come. She interrupted him and presence majestically composed; a chear- once or twice as he was speaking, prayed him ful look, and a matron-like and modest habit; not to trouble himself, protesting that she was her head covered with a linen veil, and that firmly fixed and resolved in the ancient Cathohanging down to the ground, her prayer-beads lic Roman Religion, and for it was ready to hanging at her girdle, and carrying a crucifix of shed her last blood. When he earnestly perivory in her hands. In the porch she was re- suaded her to true repentance, and to put her ceived by the earls and other noblemen, where whole trust in Christ by an assured faith; she Melvin, her servant, falling upon his knees, and answered, That in that religion she was both pouring forth tears, bewailed his hard hap, that born and bred, and now ready to die. The he was to carry into Scotland the woeful tid- earls said they would pray with her; to whom ings of the unhappy fate of his lady and mis- she said, that she would give them hearty tress: She thus comforted him, Lament not, thanks, if they would pray for her but to but rather rejoice, thou shalt by-and-by see join, said she, in prayer with you, who are of 'Mary Stuart freed from all her cares. Tell another profession, would be in me a heinous them, that I die constant in my Religion, and sin. Then they appointed the dean to pray; firm in my fidelity and affection towards Scot-with whom while the multitude that stood land and France. God forgive them, who have thirsted after my blood, as harts do after the fountain! Thou, O God! who art Truth 'itself, and perfectly and truly understandest * the inward thoughts of my heart, knowest how ( greatly I have desired that the kingdoms of England and Scotland might be united into one. Commend me to my son, and assure him, that I have done nothing, which may be prejudicial to the kingdom of Scotland; admonish him to hold in amity and friendship with the queen of England; and see thou do him faithful service.' round about were praying, she fell down upon her knees, and holding the Crucifix before her in her hands, prayed in Latin, with her servants, out of the office of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 6 After the Dean had made an end of praying, she in English recommended the church, her son, and queen Elizabeth to God, beseeching him to turn away his wrath from this island, and professing, that she reposed her hope of Salvation in the blood of Christ lifting up the Crucifix, she called on the Celestial Choir of Saints to make intercession to him for her: She forgave all her enemies, and kissing the And now the tears trickling down, she bade Crucifix, and signing herself with the Cross, Melvin several times farewell, who wept as fast she said, As thy arms, O Christ! were spread as she. Then turning to the earls, she prayed out upon the cross, so receive me with the them that her servants might be civilly dealt 'stretched-out arms of thy mercy, and forgive withal: That they might enjoy their Legacies, my sins.' Then the executioners asked her that they might stand by her at her Death, and forgiveness, which she granted them. And might be sent back into their own country with when her women had taken off her upper garletters of safe conduct. The former request ments (which she was eager and hasty to have they granted, but that they should stand by done), wailing and lamenting the while, she her at her death, the earl of Kent shewed him-kissed them; and signing them with the Cross, self somewhat unwilling, fearing some supersti-with a chearful countenance bid them forbear tion. 'Fear it not,' said she, These harmless their womanish lamentations, for now she should souls desire only to take their last farewel of rest from all her sorrows. In like manner turnme: I know my sister Elizabeth would noting to her men servants, who also wept, she have denied me so small a matter, that my women should be then present, were it but for the honour of the female sex. I am her near kinswoman, descended from Henry 7, queen dowager of France, and anointed queen of 'Scots.' When she had said this, and turned herself aside, it was at last granted, that such of her servants as she should name should be present. She named Melvin, Burgoin her physician, her apothecary, her surgeon, two waiting women, and others, of whom Melvin bore up her train. So the gentlemen, two earls and the sheriff signed them with the Cross, and smiling, bade them farewel. And now having covered her face with a linen handkerchief, and laying herself down to the block, she recited the Psalm, In thee, O Lord! do I put my trust, let me 'never be confounded.' Then stretching forth her body, and repeating many times, Into thy hands, O Lord! I commend my Spirit,' her head was taken off at two strokes: The Dean crying out, So let queen Elizabeth's 'enemies perish;' the earl of Kent answering Amen, and the multitude sighing and sorrowing. Her hody was embalmed and ordered with due and usual rites, and afterwards interred with a royal funeral in the cathedral church of Peterborough. A pompous obsequy was also performed for her at Paris, by procurement of the Guises. The news of Mary's execution, says Rapin, being brought to Elizabeth, she appeared extremely concerned at it. Sighs, tears, lamentation and mourning were the signs she gave of her grief, which seemed immoderate. She drove the Privy Counsellors from her presence, and commanded them to be examined in the Star-Chamber, and Davison to be tried for his life for his disobedience. A few days after she sent the following letter to the king of Scotland (afterwards king James I. of England), by Robert Cary: ८ My dearest Brother; "I would to God thou knewest (but not that thou feltest) the incomparable grief my mind is perplexed with, upon this lamentable accident, which is happened contrary to my meaning and intention, which, since my pen trem'bles to mention it, you shall fully understand by this my kinsman.* I request you, that as God and many others can witness my innocence in this matter, so you will also believe, * He was kin to her by Ann Bullen her mother. 6 that if I had commanded it, I would never deny it. I am not so faint-hearted, that for 'terror I should fear to do the thing that is just, or to own it when it is once done; no, I am not so base and ignobly minded. But as it is no princely part, with feigned words to 'conceal and disguise the real meaning of the heart; so will I never dissemble my actions, but make them appear in their true and proper colours. Persuade yourself this for truth, that as I know this has happened deservedly on her part, so if I had intended it, I would not have laid it upon others; but I will never charge myself with that which I had not so 'much as a thought of. Other matters you 'shall understand by the bearer of this letter. 'As for me, I would have you believe there is not any which loves you more dearly, or takes more care for the good of you and your af fairs. If any man would persuade you to the contrary, you may conclude he favours others more than you. God preserve you long in health and safety.' 6 The following Report of the Evidence against the Queen of Scots at Fotheringay, and the confession of her Secretaries afterwards in the Star Chamber, being more full and satisfactory than any other which is in print, is here given from the Hardwicke State Papers. EVIDENCE AGAINST THE QUEEN OF SCOTS. Die Martis xxv Octobris 1586. her Majesty our sovereign lady, only the lord Zouch, as it is said, gave his Sentence, that she was privy to the compassing, practising, and imagining of her Majesty's Death, but he could not pronounce that she had compassed, prac tised, or imagined the same, &c. And then Mr. Sanders was called for in, to take notice of this Sentence.-Note,-That the earl of Shrewsbury sent his Judgment in writing, containing his consent unto the same; and so afterwards did the earl of Warwick,-The Commission reciteth the Statute made in the 27th year of the Queen's Majesty's reign, and authoriseth the Commissioners to examine, whether Mary the Scots queen, since the first of June, the same 27th year, hath compassed or imagined any thing tending to hurt the Queen's Majesty's person; or whether she hath been privy, that any other person hath compassed or imagined any thing tending to the hurt of her Highness's person, and thereupon to give Sentence or Judgment, as upon good proof the matter shall appear. She was directly charged by the Queen's Serjeants, that she had compassed and imagined the death and destruction of her Majesty, and also was privy and consenting to the conspiracies and Treasons of Anthony Babington, and John Ballard, and their confederates, and so was within the compass of both the said articles of the Statute and Commission. For declaration whereof; first, it was opened, That Ballard being a Seminary Priest, and one that, by the space of tive or six years, had ranged through many parts of continued for the space of two years; and about a quarter of a year before her remove from the earl of Shrewsbury's keeping, left it off, and discontinued the same until July last. At which he received from her a short Letter in cypher, by a boy unknown unto him, signifying her discontent for breach of their intelligence, requiring the same to be renewed. And that she would send some packets unto him, which she had received from Thomas Morgan, in April last before.-He doth also set down at large what conference passed between Ballard and him, and the whole Plot of the Conspiracies and Treasons. He declareth further, that he did write a letter to the Scots queen, touching every particular of this their Plot, and sent it by the same unknown boy.—Unto which she answered, twenty or thirty days after, in the same cypher, by which he wrote unto her, but by another messenger; the tenor of both which Letters he carried so well in memory, that he reported and set down fully all the principal points of the same, as upon conference of his said Declaration, with the copies of the same Letters, it appeareth. He affirmeth also, that he shewed the letter of queen of Scots to Titchborne, who did assist him in the decyphering of the same; and that he shewed a copy thereof to Ballard and others. the realm, disguised in apparel, and under sun- | dry several names, seducing the Queen's subjects, and withdrawing them from their due obedience, did go into France, in Lent last past; and about a week after Easter, had conference in Paris with Charles Paget, Thomas Morgan, and Bernardino de Mendoza, the Spanish Ambassador there, touching the invading of this realm, by foreign forces, rebellion to be stirred amongst her Majesty's subjects, and a strong party to be made to assist and join with the invaders, and the Scots queen to be delivered. In which enterprize, Charles Paget af firmed, that there was no hope to prevail during her Majesty's life.-Hereupon, Ballard was sent into England, by direction from Charles Paget, and Mendoza, to solicit and practise the execution of this their Complot. He returned to London upon Whitsunday, being the 22d of May, and within four or five days after, he conferred with Babington, and acquainted him with all the whole Plot of these Treasons. In this Conference, Babington and Ballard resolved, That all foreign power and invasion were in vain, unless the Queen's Majesty were taken away. Whereupon they concluded, that six gentlemen should undertake the killing of her Majesty, and that Savage, who before that time was solicited at Rheims to execute that wicked action alone, and thereupon had vowed to perform that accordingly, and was come into England for that purpose, should forbear to attempt it alone, and should be one of the six and at the time of the execution thereof, Babington, and certain others with him, should deliver the Scots queen.-These things, with many other material circumstances and parts of their Treasons, were directly and voluntarily confessed, by divers of the principal Conspirators, both before and at their Arraignment, as appears by the Record; whereupon, to their deserts, and the justice of the law, they were attainted and accused.-After this Declaration thus made, the Proof against the Scots queen was entered into, and prosecuted, as hereafter followeth.-First, was read a Confession made by Babington, written all with his own hand, and delivered to the Lord Chancellor, Lord After this was read a copy of the Letter Treasurer, and Mr. Vice Chamberlain, volun-written by Babington to the Scots queen, tarily and frankly, before he was committed to the Tower; wherein he setteth down at large, about four years past, being in Paris, that he did there grow acquainted with Thomas Morgan, who brought him to the bishop of Glascow, ambassador ledger in France for the queen of Scots, and they both recommended their mistress unto him, as a most wise and virtuous Catholic princess, declaring the certain expectation of her future greatness in this land, by reason of the undoubted title to this crown, as next in succession.-And after his return in England, they, by their Letters commended him to her service; whereupon, she wrote unto him a Letter of congratulation.—-After which he was solicited by other letters from Morgan, to be an intelligencer for her, and convey her letters and packets.-This course of service he After the reading of Babington's Declaration aforesaid, a part of Ballard's Examination was likewise read, concurring with the same : wherein he affirmeth, that Babington shewed him a copy of the Letter which he did write to the queen of Scots; and also a part of the Letter which the Scots queen did write for answer to him, the whole not being then decyphered ; and setteth down, very certainly, divers material points of the same. Titchborne and Dunne, in their several Examinations, do also affirm that Babington did impart unto them the same Letter from the queen of Scots; and do likewise report sundry particularities of the same, and Titchborne affirmeth farther, that he, at Babington's request, did write a great part of the same, as Babington did decypher it, and read it unto him. wherein these material and effectual parts were, and are to be noted. First, he termed her his dread sovereign lady and queen,' and acknowledged all fidelity and obedience to her only. He signifieth unto her, that upon advertisement by Ballard from beyond the seas, of the purpose of certain foreign powers to invade this realm, he hath now staid on purpose to do her sacred majesty one day's good service.-That he communicated this his purpose to such of the friends as he best trusted;, and saith, that upon conference with them, he hath found these things, first to be advised in this great and honourable action, upon the issue whereof depended her life, and the weal and honour of our country. First, for assuring of the Invasion, sufficient strength in the invaders, ports to be appointed for the foreign princes to arrive at, with a out of hold. She deviseth, that after they had strong party at every place to join with them, amongst themselves taken their best resolution, to warrant their landing. Then, the Deliver- that then they should impart the same to Menance of the Scots queen, and the dispatching doza, and she promiseth to write unto him of of the usurping competitor, the effecting where- the matter, with all the earnest recommendaof he doth vow and protest, or else their lives tion she could; and also to any else that should to be lost in the execution thereof.--In all be needful.-The affairs being thus prepared, these particular points, he prayeth her direc- and forces in readiness both without and tion, and for the avoiding of delay, that she by within the realm, she saith, that then shall it her princely authority would enable such as be time to set the six gentlemen to work; may advance the affair; seeing that it is neces- taking order, upon the accomplishing of their sary, that some there be that become heads, design, that she should be suddenly transported to lead the multitude, ever disposed by nature, from the place of her restraint, and all their in this land, to follow the nobility: he offereth forces to be at the same time in the field, and also, to recommend some unto her, fit, in his meet her, in tarrying for the arrival of the knowledge, to be her lieutenants in the West foreign aid, which must be hastened with all Parts, North Wales, and the countries of Lan- diligence.-And for that there can be no cercaster, Derby, and Stafford.-He promiseth tain day appointed for the accomplishing of the that himself, with ten gentlemen, and 100 of said gentlemen's designment, she willeth, that their followers, would deliver her from her others may be in a readiness to take her from keeper. And for the dispatch of the Usurper thence; that the said gentlemen have always (from the obedience of whom he saith, that by about them (or at the least at the court), four the excommunication of her, they were made stout men, with speedy horses, to dispatch by free), six noble gentlemen, all his private friends, divers ways, so soon as the said design should would undertake that tragical execution. He be executed, to bring intelligence to those prayeth her, that by her wisdom it be reduced which should undertake her deliverance, so that to method, and that her deliverance be first, she might be taken from the keeper before he for that thereupon depended their only good, could hear of the execution of the said design, and all other circumstances so to concur, that or at the least, before he could remove her to any the untimely beginning of one, do not over- other place, or fortify the place wherein she rethrow the rest. He subscribeth: Your ma-mained; and at the same instant to essay to cut jesty's faithful subject, and sworn servant, ANTHONY BABINGTON.' Then was read a Copy of the Scots queen's Letter to Babington, in answer of his, whereby she termeth him trusty and well-beloved; she commendeth his zeal and entire affection towards her; she accepteth and alloweth his offers; she declareth, that she hath long time dealt with foreign princes touching these actions, always putting them in mind how dangerous their delays were to the catholics. She willeth him to assure their principal friends, that albeit she had not in this cause any particular interest, that which she may pretend, being of no consideration unto her, in respect of the public good of the state, she would be always ready and most willing to employ herein her life, and all that she hath, or may ever look for in this world.-To ground substantially this Enterprize, she adviseth to examine deeply. 1. What forces they could raise within the realm, and what captains to be appointed in every shire, in case a chief general cannot be had. 2. Of what towns, ports, and havens, they could assure themselves, as well in the North as West and South, to receive succours from the Low countries, Spain and France. 3. What places they esteemed most fit, and of greatest advantage, to assemble their forces at, and which way and, whither to march. 4. What foreign forces, as well on horse, as on foot, they required, and for how long pay. 5. What provision of money and armour, in case they wanted, they would ask. 6. By what means the six gentlemen did deliberate to proceed. 7. And the manner how she was to be delivered off the posts ordinary ways.-She giveth carnest warning not to stir on this side, before they be well assured of foreign forces, nor to take her away, before they were well assured, to set her in the midst of a good army, or some very good strength, where she might safely stay for the assembly of their forces, and arrival of foreign princes.-She referreth to Babington to assure the gentlemen above mentioned, of all that shall be requisite of her part, for the entire execution of their good will.-She promiseth to essay, at the same time that the work shall be in band in these parts, to make the catholics of Scotland to arise, and put her son into their hands, to effect that, from thence, her enemies here may not prevail of any succour.-She willeth also, some stirring in Ireland were laboured, for to begin some while before any thing were done here, to the end that the alarm might be given thereby, on the flat contrary side that the stroke should come.-That for a General, it were good to sound obscurely the earl of Arundel, or some of his brethren; and likewise to seek upon the young earl of Northumberland, if he be at liberty and the earl of Westmorland, and the lord Paget, should be brought home secretly, and with them some more of the principal banished men should return. She directeth three means for her delivery; viz. 50 or 60 to deliver her from her keeper when she was riding to take air on the moors between Chartley and Stafford.-Or to set fire in the barns and stables at Chartley, in the night-time, and when her guardian servants should go forth to quench the fire, then the others to enter and take her away.--Or to |