Wyatt's Rebellion

On 22nd January 1554 the conspirators met at Allington Castle [Map].

Henry Isley (age 54) attended.

Around 26th January 1554 Wyatt's Rebellion was a popular uprising against the marriage of Queen Mary I of England and Ireland (age 37) and Philip "The Prudent" II King Spain (age 26) led by Thomas Wyatt (age 33) with the intention to replace them with Edward Courtenay 1st Earl Devon (age 27) and Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland (age 20). George Brooke 9th Baron Cobham (age 57) sided with the rebels. John Brydges 1st Baron Chandos (age 61) suppressed the rebellion.

Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland was interrogated.

On 28th January 1554 the Battle of Hartley was fought at Hartley Sevenoaks, Kent between a rebel force of Wyatt's Rebellion led by Henry Isley (age 54) and a loyal royalist force led by Henry Neville 6th and 4th Baron Abergavenny (age 24) and Robert Southwell (age 48). The rebels were defeated. Rebel Anthony Knyvet (age 37) fought and was captured.

On 12th February 1554 Guildford Dudley (age 19) was beheaded at Tower Hill [Map]. An hour later his wife Lady Jane Grey (age 18) was beheaded at Tower Green [Map] by order of Queen Mary I (age 37). They were buried at St Peter ad Vincula Church, Tower of London [Map].

After 22nd February 1554 Henry Isley (deceased) was hanged, drawn and quartered. His head was sent to Maidstone, Kent [Map].

On 23rd February 1554 Henry Grey 1st Duke of Suffolk (age 37) was beheaded at Tower Hill [Map]. Duke Suffolk, Marquess Dorset, Earl Huntingdon, Baron Ferrers of Groby, Baron Harington, Baron Bonville forfeit.

Dean Hugh Weston (age 49) acted as Confessor.

On 1st March 1554 Anthony Knyvet (age 37) was executed.

Before 15th March 1554 Thomas Wyatt (age 33) surrendered to Maurice Berkeley (age 48).

On 11th April 1554 Thomas Wyatt (age 33) was beheaded at Tower Hill [Map].

Dean Hugh Weston (age 49) acted as Confessor.

On 27th April 1554 Thomas Grey was executed at Tower Hill [Map]. He was buried at All Hallows by the Tower Church [Map].

On 22nd May 1554 Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland (age 20) was imprisoned at Woodstock Palace, Oxfordshire [Map].

Wriothesley's Chronicle [1508-1562]. 14th February 1544. The 14 of February divers of the rebells were putt to death, that is to saye, Bothe, one of the Queenes footemen, one Vicars, a Yeoman of the Garde, great John Norton, and one Kinge, were hanged at Charinge Crosse [Map]. And three of the rebells, one called Pollarde, were hanged at the parke pale by Hide Parke; three allso in Fleet street, one at Ludgate, one at Bishopsgate [Map], one at Newgate [Map], one at Aldgate [Map], three at the Crosse [Map] in Cheape, three at Soper Lane ende in Chepe, and three in Smithfield [Map], which persons hanged still all that daye and night tyll the next morninge, and then cutt downe.^a And the bodies of them that were hanged at the gates were quartered at Newgate [Map], and the heades and bodies hanged over the gates where they suffred.

Note a. The Grey Friares Chronicle (p. 88) adds "the whych ware of London that fled from the Dnke of Norfoke."

In 1554 Nicholas Hare (age 70) presided at the trial of Nicholas Throckmorton (age 39) for his involvement in Wyatt's Rebellion.

Chronicle of Greyfriars. 15th January 1554. Item the xv. day of the same monyth began the insurreccion at Maydstone by sir Thomas Wyett knyght, lorde Cobhame (age 57)¹, Harper, and Colpeper, with dyvers others.

Note 1. Lord Cobham was at first suspected of taking part in Wyatt's rebellion: see the Chronicle of Queen Jane and Queen Mary, p. 36.

Chronicle of Queen Jane and Two Years of Queen Mary 1554. 25th January 1554. Note, that the XXVth of January the counsell was certyfyed that ther was uppe in Kent sir Thomas Wyat,^a mr. Cullpepper, the lorde Cobham (age 57), who had taken his castell of Coulyng,^c and the lord warden, who had taken the castell of Dover,^c and sir Herry Isely in Meddeston, sir James Croftes, mr. Harper, mr. Newton,^d mr. Knevet, for the said quarrell, in resysting the said king of Spayne, as they said, ther pretence was this only and non other, and partely for moving certayn counsellours from about the quene. And about this time sir James Croftes departed to Walles, as yt is thought to rayse his powre there.

Note a. The ensuing passages of the Chronicle supply some very interesting details respecting Wyatt's rebellion, particularly those occurrences in connexion with it which happened in and near London and the royal court. "The Historic of Wyates Rebellion" was compiled by John Proctor, the first master of sir Andrew Judde's school at Tunbridge, and published soon after its termination in 12mo. It is the principal source of the narrative given in Holinshed's Chronicle, and it has been reprinted entire in the second edition of The Antiquarian Repertory, 4to. 1808, vol. iii. pp. 65 — 114. Proctor, however, is the partial chronicler of the victorious party, and omits the many curious pictures of their distress and embarrassment which are related by the present authority (and which are remarkably confirmed by Underbill's account, which will be found in the Appendix). The late Mr. Robert Peirce Cruden, in his History of Gravesend and the Port of London, 1843, 8vo. has collected the particulars of all that occurred within the county of Kent, combining the information contained in Proctor's narrative, with several original documents found in the State Paper Office.

Note b. Sir Thomas Wyatt hoped for the support of lord Cobham, who seems to have temporised in the matter, but gave information to the queen's lieutenant, the duke of Norfolk: see three of his letters, all written from Cowling castle, in Cruden, pp. 178, 180.

Note c. Sir Thomas Cheney was also backward in maintaining the royal authority, and consequently fell under suspicion; see his statements in explanation in Cruden, p. 183.

Note d. A mistake probably for Rudston.

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Chronicle of Queen Jane and Two Years of Queen Mary 1554. 26th January 1554. The xxvj^th day ther was [brought] into the Tower as prysoners the lord marques (age 42)^e and sir Edwarde Warner (age 43) knight, in the mornyng. And the same nyght there went out certeyn of the garde and other agaynste the Kentish men. Item, the same day, in the mornyng, the cytey began to be kept with harnessyd men.

Note e. The marquess of Northampton.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 26th January 1554. The xxvj day of January began wachyng at evere gatt in arness, for tydyngs cam the sam tym to the quen and her consell that ser Thomas Wyatt (age 33), ser George Harper, ser Hare Ysseley (age 54), master Cobam, and master Rudston (age 39), and master Knevetts (age 37), and dyvers odur gentyllmen and commons, wher up, and tha say because the prynche of Spayne (age 26) commyng in to have owre quen (age 37), for they kepe Rochaster castell [Map] and the bryge and odur plases.

Note. P. 52. Sir Thomas Wyatt. A copious narrative of Wyatt's rebellion, together with the letters written by the duke of Norfolk, lord Cobham, and others, to the Privy Council, on the occasion, (from the originals in the State Paper Office,) will be found in Cruden's History of Gravesend, 1842, 8vo. pp. 172 et seq.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 27th January 1554. [The xxvij day of January the city sent into Kent a great number of men in white coats. The captains to command them, and the rest of their forces, were the duke of Norfolk (age 17), earl of Ormond (age 22), sir George Howard (age 29), [Possibly Hayward] and divers others. But many of the guards, and of the white-coats, deserted] them, and captaynes cam hom a-gayn. Wyatt (age 33) had gotten some of the late king's ordenanse; and so, after their removyng, cam towards Dartford [Map] with ys army towards London.

Note. P. 52. Sir George Howard was son of lord Edmund Howard, and one of the brothers of queen Katharine Howard. He was knighted by the duke of Somerset in Scotland in 1547; and in March 1550–1 had a warrant for office of Master of the Henchmen for one whole year. He was appointed to attend upon the young lords sent over the sea as hostages, whereof the earl of Hertford was one. Strype, Mem. ii. 539.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 28th January 1554. The xxviij day of January the Quen('s) (age 37) grace dyd send to master Wyatt (age 33) [and his company the] master of the horsse (age 33) and master Cornwales, to know their intentt; and thay send word that they wold have the Quen and the Towre in kepyng, and odur thynges.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 29th January 1554. The xxix day of January master Wyatt (age 33), master Harper, master Rudston (age 39), master Knevett (age 37), and the commons, commyng [marched to] Blake-heth [Map], and so forward toward London with [a great] army commyng.

Chronicle of Greyfriars. 1st February 1554. Item the furst day of February came Wyett with hys host in to Sothwarke at iiij. a clocke at after-none, and or it was v. he had made a bulwarke at the bryge fotte,

Henry Machyn's Diary. 1st February 1554. The sam day at after-non was a proclamasyon in Chepesyde, Ledyn-hall, and at sant Magnus [Map] corner, with harold of armes and on of the quen['s] trumpeters blohyng, and my lord mare, and my lord admerall (age 44) Haward, and the ij shreyffs, that ser Thomas Wyatt (age 33) was proclamyd traytur and rebellyous, and all ys fellowes, agaynst the Quen('s) mageste and her consell, and that he wold have the Quen in costody, and the Towre of London in kepyng; and thay convayd unto evere gatt gonnes and the bryge; and so evere gatt with men in harnes nyght and days. And a-bowt iij of the cloke at after-non the Quen('s) (age 37) grace cam rydyng from Westmynster unto yeld-hall with mony lordes, knyghts and lades, and bysshopes and haroldes of armes, and trompeturs blohynge and all the gard in harnes. [Then she declared, in an oration to the mayor and the city, and to her council, her mind concerning her marriage, that she never intended to marry out of her realm but by her council's consent and advice; and that she would never marry but all her true] sogettes [subjects] shall be content, [or else she would live] as her grace has don hederto. [But that her gr]ace wyll call a parlement [as] shortely as [may be, and] as thay shall fynd, and that [the earl of] Penbroke (age 53) shall be cheyffe capten and generall agaynst ser Thomas Wyatt and ys felous in the [field,] that my lord admerall for to be sosyatt with the [lord mayor] to kepe the cete from all commars therto. [After this] the Quen('s) grace came from yeld-hall [Map] and rod to the iij cranes [Map] in the vyntre, and toke her barge [to] Westmynster to her own place the sam day.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 3rd February 1554. The iij day of Feybruary cam in to Sowthwarke [Map] ser Thomas Wyatt (age 33) and odur captaynes at after-none with ys army; and the morow after thay mayd trenchys in dyvers parts and dyvers placys, with ordenanse.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 3rd February 1554. The iij day of Feybruarii was a proclamacyon that who so ever do take ser Thomas Wyatt (age 33), exsept Harper, Ysseley (age 54), and Rudston (age 39), shuld have C. lb. land to ym and ys heirs for ever.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 6th February 1554. The sam day cam rydyng to the Towre the duke of Soffoke (age 37) and ys brodur by the yerle of Huntyngton (age 40) with iij C. horse.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 6th February 1554. The sam day was ij hangyd apon a jebett in Powles churche yerd [Map]; the on a spy of Wyatt (age 33), the thodur was under-shreyff of Leseter, for carryng letturs of the duke of Suffoke (age 37) and odur thinges.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 6th February 1554. The vj day of Feybruary was Shroyff-tuwysday in the mornyng master Wyatt (age 33) and ys compeny retorned bake towhard Kyngton apon Temes [Map], and ther the bridge was pluckyd up, and he causyd on of ys men to swym over for to feytche a bott, and so whent at nyght toward Kensyngtun, and so forward.

Chronicle of Greyfriars. 6th February 1554 ... and kepte Sothwarke tyll it was the vj. of the same monythe, and dyd no harme there; and this was Shroft tewsday; for the brygge drawebrygge was drawne agayne hym, and the nyght before many of hys men fled from hym; and the same tewsday was ij. men hongyd on a gybyt in Powlles churchyerd be-fore sent Gregory's. And that same day Wyet with hys host departyd owte of Sothwarke at ix. a cloke in the mornynge, and went un-to Kyngstone. And also at that same tyme the duke of Soifolke with hys brother was tane by the erle of Huntyngtone; and that same day was Te Deum songe in the qwenes chapelle for joye of it. And that same day the lorde Cobhame (age 57)¹ and Harper whar put in-to the tower.

Chronicle of Greyfriars. 7th February 1554. [The vij.] day Wyet with hys host came un-to the parke besyde sent James and soo wolde [have entered, and there] most traytorys shott at the corte gattes that the arres stoke there longe after. And he hymselfe came in at Te[mple bar, and] soo downe alle Fletstrete, and soo un-to the Belle savage [Map]. And then was hys trayne [attacked at] the comandment of the erle of Pembroke, and sartayne of hys men slayne. And whan [he saw] that Ludgatte was shutt agayne hym he departyd, saynge "I have kepte towche," and soo went [back] agayne; and by the Tempulle barre he was tane, and soo browght by watter² unto the [tower] of London. And then alle the qwens host came thorrow London goodly in araye with sperys. And that same day was tane one William Albryght parsone of Kyngstone [Map] besyde Barrame downe³, precher of the gosspelle, besyde Charynge crosse in this rebellyone. Also it is to be supposed that Wyett hadde come in at Ludgat had not one John Harres a merchant-taylor in Watlynge stret [ha]d not sayd, "I know that theys be Wyettes ancienttes;" but some were very anggre wyth hym because he sayd soo, but at hys worddes the gattes ware shutte.

Note 1. Lord Cobham (age 57), though he had not joined the rebels, was compromised by the conduct of his sons. He was released with his son sir William (age 26) on the 24th of March 1553-4: see Chronicle of Queen Jane and Queen Mary, p. 71, and Machyn's Diary, p. 58. His son Thomas was condemned, but afterwards pardoned. (Bayley's Tower of London, p. 445.)

Note 2. He was carried first on horseback to Whitehall. See the Chronicle of Queen Jane and Queen Mary, p. 50.

Note 3. Kingston, co. Kent [Map], five miles from Canterbury.

Chronicle of Queen Jane and Two Years of Queen Mary 1554. [7th February 1554]. The said Wyat, with his men, marched still forwarde, all along to Temple barre, also thoroghe Fleete street, along tyll he cam to Ludgate, his men going not in eny goode order or array. It is saide hat in Fleet street certayn of the lorde treasurer's band, to the nomber of CCC. men,^a mett thejm, and so going on the one syde passyd by theym coming on the other syde without eny whit saying to theym. Also this is more strandge: the saide Wyat and his company passyd along by a great company of harnessyd men, which stoode on bothe sydes, without eny withstandinge them, and as he marched forwarde through Fleet street, moste with theire swords drawne, some cryed "Queene Mary hath graunted our request, and geven us pardon." Others said, "The quene hathe pardoned us." Thus Wyat cam even to Ludgate, and knockyd calling to come in, saying, there was Wyat, whome the quene had graunted their requestes; but the lorde William Howard standing at the gate, saide, "Avaunt, traytour! thou shalt not come in here." And then Wyat awhill stayed, and, as some say, rested him apon a seate (at) the Bellsavage gate; at last, seing he coulde not come in, and belike being deceaved of the ayde which he hoped out of the cetye, retourned backe agayne in arraye towards Charing crosse, and was never stopped tyll he cam to Temple barre, wher certayn horsemen which cam from the felde met them in the face; and then begann the fight agayne to waxe hote, tyll an heralde^b saide to maister Wyat, "Sir, ye were best by my counsell to yelde. You see this day is gon agaynst you, and in resysting ye can get no goode, but be the death of all theis your souldears, to your greate perill of soule. Perchaunce ye may fynde the quene mercyfull, and the rather yf ye stint so greate a bloudshed as ys like here to be." Wyat herewith being somewhat astonished (although he sawe his men bent to fyght it out to the death), said, "Well, yf I shall needs yelde, I will yelde me to a gentyllman;" to whom sir Morice Barkeley cam straight up, and bayd him lepe up behinde him; and another toke Thomas Cobham and William Knevet; and so caryed them behind theym upon their horses to the courte. Then was taking of men on all sydes. It is saide that in this conflyct one pikeman, setting his backe to the wall at sainct James, kept xvij. horsemen of him a great tyme, and at last was slayne. At this battell was slayne in the felde, by estymacion, on both sydes, not past xlty persons, as far as could be lerned by certayne that viewed the same; but ther was many sore hurt; and some thincke ther was many slayne in houses. The noys of women and children, when the conflyct was at Charing crosse, was so great and shirle, that yt was harde to the toppe of the White tower; and also the great shot was well deserned ther out of sainct James felde. Ther stood apon the leddes there the lorde marques,8 sir Nicholas Poyns, sir Thomas Pope, master John Seamer, and^other. From the battayle when one cam and brought worde that the quene was like to have the victory, and that the horsemen had dyscomfyted the tayle of his enemyes, the lorde marques for joye gave the messenger xs in golde, and fell in great rejoysing.

Note a. Stowe adds, whereof the lord Chidioke Powlet (age 34), his sonne, was captaine.

Note b. Stowe iiiserts Vie name Clarentius, i. e. Thomas Hawley. Machyn (p. 54) says that Wyat "yielded unto master Norroy, the harold of armes, in his cote of armes." In that case he was William Harvey, who subsequently became Clarenceux in 1557.

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Henry Machyn's Diary. 7th February 1554. [The vij day of February, in the forenoon, Wyatt (age 33), with his army and ordnance, were at Hyde Park Corner. There the Queen's host met with, with a great number of men at arms on horseback, beside foot. By one of the clock the Quen['s men and Wyatt's had a skirmish;] ther wher mony slayn; butt master Wyatt toke the way don by Sant James with a grett company and so to Charyngcrosse [Map], and so forth, crying 'God save quen Mare!' tyll he cam to Ludgatt and [knocked there; thinking to have entered; but the gate being kept fast against him, he retired,] and bake agayne unto Tempull Bare, and folouyd hym mony man, and ther he yelded unto master Norray the harold of armes in ys cote of armes, and ther he lycted be-hynd a gentleman unto the cowrte; but by the way mony of them wher slayne by the way or thay cam to Charyng-crosse [Map], what with mores pykes and bylls; and mony of Wyatt('s) men, as they whent, wher the quens fryndes and Englys-men under a fallss pretens that he whent a-bowtt to .... way as thay whent, and cam for to make men beleyff that the quen('s) grace had gyffvyn them pardon; and dyvers of ys men toke the quen('s) men by the hand as thay whent toward Ludgatt. Thys was done on As-Wedynsday the furst yere of quen Mare of England; and the sam nyght to the Towre [Map] ser Thomas Wyatt, master Cobham (age 57), and master Vane, and ij Knewetes and odur captaynes.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 8th February 1554. The viij day of Feybruary was commondyd by the quene (age 37) and the bysshope of London (age 54) that Powlles and evere parryche that thay shuld syng Te Deum Laudamus, and ryngyng for the good vyctory that the quen('s) grace had aganst Wyatt (age 33) and the rebellyous of Kent, the wyche wher over-come, thankes be unto God, with lytyll blud-shed, and the reseduw taken and had to presun, and after wher dyvers of them putt to deth in dyvers places in Londun and Kent, and prossessyon evere wher that day for joy.

Wriothesley's Chronicle [1508-1562]. 12th February 1554. The 12 of Februarie Guilforde Dudley (age 19) was beheaded at the Tower hill [Map]. And Ladie Jane (age 18) his wife was immediatlie after his death beheaded within the Tower upon the greene [Map].

Chronicle of Queen Jane and Two Years of Queen Mary 1554. 12th February 1554. By this tyme was ther a scaffolde made upon the grene over agaynst the White tower, for the saide lady Jane (age 18) to die apon. Who with hir husband (age 19) was appoynted to have ben put to deathe the fryday before, but was staied tyll then, for what cause is not knowen, unlesse yt were because hir father was not then come into the Tower. The saide lady, being nothing at all abashed, neither with feare of her owne deathe, which then approached, neither with the sight of the ded carcase of hir husbande, when he was brought in to the chappell, came fourthe, the levetenaunt leding hir, in the same gown wherin she was arrayned, hir countenance nothing abashed, neither her eyes enything moysted with teares, although her ij. gentylwomen, mistress Elizabeth Tylney and mistress Eleyn, wonderfully wept, with a boke in hir hande, wheron she praied all the way till she cam to the saide scaffolde, wheron when she was mounted, &c.

So far, our Diarist's narrative of this judicial tragedy has been adopted, somewhat abridged, by Stowe and Holinshed. The latter chronicler then proceeds thus (copying Grafton), "Whereon when she was mounted, this noble young ladie, as she was indued with singular gifts both of learning and knowledge, so was she as patient and mild as any lambe at hir execution, and a little before hir death uttered these words," (then giving her address to the people assembled). Whether our Diarist's conclusion," when she was mounted, &c."was intended to lead on to some other paper, written by himself or another, it is impossible to decide; but it seems not very improbable that he was also the writer of the account of the lady Jane's execution, which begins with the same words, and which was originally published in a small black-letter pamphlet^a entitled,

The Ende of the lady Jane Dudley, daughter of the duke of Suffolk, upon the scaffolde, at the houre of her death.

First, when she mounted upon the scaffolde, she sayd to the people standing thereabout: "Good people, I am come hether to die, and by a lawe I am condemned to the same. The facte, in dede, against the quenes highnesse was unlawfull, and the consenting thereunto by me^b but touching the procurement and desyre therof by me or on my halfe, I doo wash my handes thereof in innocencie, before God, and the face of you, good Christian people, this day," and therewith she wrong [Note. wrung] her handes, in which she had hir booke. Then she sayd, "I pray you all, good Christian people, to beare me witnesse that I dye a true Christian woman, and that I looke to be saved by none other meane, but only by the mercy of God in the merites of the blood of his only sonne Jesus Christ: and I confesse, when I dyd know the word of God I neglected the same, loved my selfe and the world, and therefore this plague or punyshment is happely and worthely happened unto me for my sins; and yet 1 thank God of his goodnesse that he hath thus geven me a tyme and respet to repent. And now, good people, while I am alyve, I pray you to assyst me with your prayers."^a2 And then, knelyng downe, she turned to Fecknam^b2, saying, "Shall I say this psalme?" And he said, "Yea." Then she said the psalme of Miserere mei Deus in English, in most devout maner, to the end. Then she stode up, and gave her maiden mistris Tilney^c her gloves and handkercher, and her book to maister Bruges^d, the lyvetenantes brother; forthwith she untyed her gown.

The hangman went to her to help her of therewith; then she desyred him to let her alone, turning towardes her two gentlewomen, who helped her off therwith, and also with her frose paast^a3 and neckercher, geving to her a fayre handkercher to knytte about her eyes.

Then the hangman kneeled downe, and asked her forgevenesse, whome she forgave most willingly. Then he willed her to stand upon the strawe: which doing, she sawe the block. Then she sayd, "I pray you dispatch me quickly." Then she kneeled down, saying, "Wil you take it of before I lay me downe?" and the hangman answered her, "No, madame." She tyed the kercher about her eys; then feeling for the blocke, saide, "What shall I do? Where is it?" One of the standers-by guyding her therunto, she layde her heade down upon the block, and stretched forth her body and said: "Lorde, into thy hands I commende my spirite!" And so she ended.

Note a. This is here copied from a reprint edited by the Rev. John Brand in the 13th volume of the Archaeologia. I have not been able to find a copy of the original. It was incorporated into the narratives of Grafton and Foxe, with some variations, which will be noticed in the ensuing notes.

Note b. Holinshed has amplified this into the following more explicit statement: "My offence agaynst the queenes highnesse was onely in consent to the device of other, which nowe is deemed treason; but it was never my seeking, but by counsell of those who shoulde seeme to have further understanding of things than I, which knewe little of the lawe, and much lesae of the tytles to the crowne."

Note a2. Another report of "lady Jane Dudley's speech on the scaffold," somewhat more verbose but not so impressive, is printed in Nicolas's Remains, &c. p. 52.

Note b2. This circumstance, that Feckenham (the new dean of St. Paul's) was attendant upon her, is suppressed by Grafton, but preserved by Foxe.

Note c. Altered by Grafton, &c. to "her mayden (called mystresse Eleyn)" that is, her other female attendant.

Note d. Grafton altered this "to mayster Bruges, then lieutenant of the Tower;" and Foxe says, "maister Bruges" only. The book is supposed to have been the same manual of English prayers which is now preserved in the British Museum as the MS. Harl. 2342; and which contains the three following notes, the two former it will be perceived addressed to the duke of Suffolk, and the last to sir John Brydges:

Your lovyng and obedyent son wischethe unto your grace long lyfe in this world, with as muche joye and comforte as ever I wyshte to my selfe, and in the world to come joy everlasting. Your most humble son tel his death. G. DUDDELEY.

The Lorde comforte your grace, and that in his worde, whearin all creatures onlye are to be comforted. And thoughe it hathe pleased God to take away ij. of your children, yet thincke not, I most humblye beseach your grace, that you have loste them, but truste that we, by leasinge this mortall life, have wunne an immortal life. And I for my parte, as I have honoured your grace in this life, wyll praye for you in another life. Youre gracys humble doughter, JANE DUDDELEY.

Forasmutche as you have desired so simple a woman to wrighte in so worthye a booke, good mayster lieuftenaunte, therefore I shall as a frende desyre you, and as a Christian require you, to call uppon God to encline your harte to his lawes, to quicken you in his waye, and not to take the worde of trewethe utterlye oute of youre mouthe. Lyve styll to dye, that by deathe you may purchase eternall life, and remembre howe the ende of Mathusael, whoe, as we reade in the scriptures, was the longeste liver that was of a manne, died at the laste: for, as the precher sayethe, there is a tyme to be borne, and a tyme to dye; and the daye of deathe is better than the daye of cure birthe. Youres, as the Lorde knowethe, as a frende, JANE DUDDELEY."

These passages (facsimiles of the first and last of which are engraved in "Autographs of Remarkable Persons," 4to. 1829, Pl. 19) were evidently written very shortly before the execution of the noble pair, as is shown by an expression in the lady Jane's address to her father; and there is every probability in sir Harris Nicolas's conjecture that this book was employed as the messenger to convey these assurances of duty and affection, when personal intercourse was denied. The duke of Suffolk was brought back to the Tower only two days before his daughter's decapitation, and it is possible that she was spared the additional pain of knowing how imminent his fate also was. From the passage addressed to the lieutenant, it would further appear that the book, "so worthye a booke," already belonged to him; if, therefore, it is the same which the lady Jane carried with her to the scaffold, she would place it in the hands of "maister Brydges" (whether the lieutenant or his brother) as returning it to its owner. In some accounts of the lady Jane's last moments it will be found stated that she gave a book to sir John Gage; this error, into which Mr. Howard in his Memoir has fallen, arises merely from a confusion of the constable with the lieutenant of the Tower, sir John Gage having been erroneously named as the lieutenant in the description of the manual in the Catalogue of the Harleian MSS. This interesting relic is a small square vellum book, now in modern binding.

Note a3. Sir Harris Nicolas (p. xci.) states that, after having taken considerable pains to ascertain the meaning of the article here named, he was inclined to coincide with a literary friend who suggested "Fronts-piece." Foxe, however, has it spelt "frowes past," which is probably "frow's paste," or matronly head-dress: the paste being a head attire worn by brides, as explained in the glossarial index to Machyn's Diary, p. 463. The term was thought probably too familiar, if not inapplicable, by Grafton, who altered it in his chronicle to "her other attyres."

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Chronicle of Queen Jane and Two Years of Queen Mary 1554. The monday, being the xij^th [12] of Februarie [1554], about ten of the clocke, ther went out of the Tower to the scaffolde on Tower hill, the lorde Guilforde Dudley (age 19), sone to the late duke of Northumberland, husbande to the lady Jane Grey (age 18), daughter to the duke of Suffolke (age 37), who at his going out tooke by the hande sir Anthony Browne (age 25), maister John Throgmorton (age 30), and many other gentyllmen, praying them to praie for him; and without the bullwarke Offeley^a the sheryve receyved him and brought him to the scaffolde, where, after a small declaration, having no gostlye father^b with him, he kneeled downe and said his praiers; then holding upp his eyes and handes to God many tymes^c; and at last, after he had desyred the people to pray for him, he laide himselfe along, and his hedd upon the block, which was at one stroke of the axe taken from him.

Note, the lorde marques (age 42)^d stode upon the Devyl's towre, and sawe the executyon. His carcas throwne into a carre, and his hed in a cloth, he was brought into the chappell [Map] within the Tower, wher the ladye Jane, whose lodging was in Partrige's house, dyd see his ded carcase taken out of the cart, aswell as she dyd see him before on lyve going to his deathe, a sight to hir no lesse^e then death^f.

Note a. Sir Thomas Offley; see note in Machyn's Diary, p. 353.

Note b. He had probably refused the attendance of a Roman Catholic priest, and was not allowed one of his own choice.

Note c. Misread by Stowe with teares.

Note d. The marquess of Northampton.

Note e. no lesse in MS., not worse as given by Stowe and Holinshed.

Note f. "Great pitie was it for the casting awaye of that fayre Ladye, whome nature had not onely so bewtified, but God also had endewed with singuler gyftes and graces, so that she ignorantly receaved that which other wittingly devised and offred unto her.

"And in like manner that comely, vertuous, and goodly gentleman the lorde Gylford Duddeley most innocently was executed, whom God had endowed with suche vertues, that even those that never before the tyme of his execution saw hym, dyd with lamentable teares bewayle his death." Grafton's Abridgment, 1563.

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Chronicle of Greyfriars. 12th February 1554. Item the xij. of February was beheddyd wythin the tower lady Jane (age 18) that wolde a bene qwene; and hare husband whose name was Gylford Dudley (age 19) at the Tower-hyll.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 12th February 1554. The xij day of February was mad at evere gate in Lundun a newe payre of galaus and set up, ij payre in Chepesyde, ij payr in Fletstrett [Map], one in Smythfyld [Map], one payre in Holborne, on at Ledyn-hall [Map], one at sant Magnus London [-bridge], on at Peper allay gatt, one at sant Gorgeus, on in Barunsay [Bermondsay] strett, on Towr hylle [Map], one payre at Charyngcrosse [Map], on payre besyd Hyd parke corner.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 14th February 1554. The xiiij day of Feybruary wher hangyd at evere gatt and plasse: in Chepe-syd vj; Algatt [Map] j, quartered; at Leydynhall [Map] iij; at Bysshope-gatt [Map] on, and quartered; Morgatt one; Crepullgatt [Map] one; Aldersgatt on, quartered; Nuwgat [Map] on, quartered; Ludgatt on; Belyngat iij hangyd; Sant Magnus iij hangyd; Towre hyll [Map] ij. hangyd; Holborne iij hangyd; Flettstret [Map] iij hangyd; at Peper alley gat iij; Barunsaystret iij; Sant Gorgus iij; Charyng crosse [Map] iiij, on Boyth the fottman, and Vekars of the gard, and ij moo; at Hydparke corner iij, on Polard a waterbeyrar; theys iij hanges in chynes; and but vij quartered, and ther bodys and heds set a-pon the gattes of London.

Wriothesley's Chronicle [1508-1562]. 15th February 1554. The 15 of February were hanged of the rebells iii against St Magnus Churche [Map], iii at Billingsgate, iii at Ledenhall [Map], one at Moregate, one at Creplegate, one at Aldrigegate, two at Paules, iii in Holborne, iii at Tower hill [Map], ii at Tyburne [Map], and at 4 places in Sowthwerke [Map] 14. And divers others were executed at Kingston [Map] and other places.

Allso this daye about ix of the clock in the foorenoone was seene in London in the middest of the Element a raynebowe lyke fyre, the endes upward, and two sunnes, by the space of an hower and an halfe.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 16th February 1554. The xvj day of Feybruary was mad a grett skaffold in Westmynster hall for the duke of Suffoke (age 37).

Henry Machyn's Diary. 17th February 1554. The xvij day of Feybruary was the duke of Suffoke (age 37) rayned at Westmynster halle, and cast for he tresun, and cast to suffer deth.

Chronicle of Queen Jane and Two Years of Queen Mary 1554. 17th February 1554. Satersday the xvij^th daie of Februarie the duke of Suffolke (age 37) was caried to Westminster and there arrayned, being fetched from the Tower by the clerke of the cheke and all the garde almoste; who at his going out went out very stoutely and cherfully enough, but (at) his coming here he landed at the water gate with a countenance very hevy and pensyfe, desyring all men to praye for him. (The lorde Courtney, lying in the Bell tower, sawe him both outwarde and innwarde.)

Wriothesley's Chronicle [1508-1562]. 17th February 1554. The 17 of February the Duke of Suffolke (age 37) was arreigned at Westminster and there condemned of Treason.

The same day a proclamation was made in London for strangers, not being denizens and merchants knowne, using the trade of merchandize, should departe and avoyde the realme within xxiiii dayes after this proclamation, upon payne to forfeyt all their goods movable, and allso upon payne of imprisonment.

Wriothesley's Chronicle [1508-1562]. 18th February 1554. The 18 of February Bright,^b one of the capteyns of the Londoners that fledd to Wyatt (age 33), and xxii persons more of the Kentish men, were delivered to the sheriffe of Kent, to be executed in divers places in Kent appoynted by the Queens Councell.

Note b. In most chronicles spelt Brett, but in the Diary of a Resident in London Bart.

Calendar of State Papers of Spain. 19th February 1554. Simon Renard to Prince Philip. Thus God performed a miracle. At present there is no other occupation than the cutting off of heads and inflicting exemplary punishments Jane of Suffolk (deceased), who made herself Queen, and her husband (deceased), have been executed; Courtenay (age 27) is in the Tower; and this very day we expect the Lady Elizabeth (age 20) to arrive here, who they say has lived loosely like her mother and is now with child.

                    Calendar of State Papers of Spain. 19th February 1554. Gaspard Schetz to the Queen Dowager.
                
                    Madam: Although I believe your Majesty to be informed of occurrences in England, I am unwilling not to send you the news that have reached us this morning in a letter of the 15th instant. It relates that the Queen has caused the rebels to be punished: the Lady Jane (deceased) and her husband (deceased), the Duke of Suffolk's (age 37) son, have been decapitated; the White Rose (age 27) has been sent back to the Tower [Map], where are also the Duke of Suffolk with two of his brothers [Note. Thomas Grey and John Grey (age 30)] and guilty lords to the number of 27. They write that, of the soldiers who abandoned the Duke of Norfolk (age 81) on the field and joined the rebels, 40 have been hanged and 200 more condemned to the same penalty. They say that the said Duke has died in his own country. The Earl of Pembroke (age 53) has been sent down to Kent with 300 light horse to discover who took part in the rebellion and execute justice. This, Madam, is the substance of what I have heard, together with a report that it is being said in England that my Lord our Prince is to come with 8,000 Spanish soldiers, about which the English are not best pleased.
                
                    They say the Queen is sending hither an ambassador, the Viscount Fitzwalter (age 47) (Fewaters), who will be able to give your Majesty more trustworthy information.
                
                    Antwerp, 19 February, 1554.
                
                    Copy. French. Printed by Gachard, Voyages des Souverains des Pays-Bas, Appendix to Vol. IV.

Calendar of State Papers of Spain. 19th February 1554. Simon Renard to Prince Philip.

My Lord: Since I last wrote to your Highness French plots have been discovered to show that Courtenay and the Lady Elizabeth, by means of intermediaries called Peter Carew, Wyatt (age 33), Crofts (age 36) and my Lord Thomas (Grey), conspired to throw the Queen of England into the Tower and put her to death, in order to seize the crown for themselves. The King of France had promised help in troops and money, and had already distributed some 10,000 to 12,000 crowns to private individuals. In the meantime 200 or 300 gentlemen, all of them heretics, were meeting together: the Duke of Suffolk (age 37) and his two brothers [Note. Thomas Grey and John Grey (age 30)], Cobham (age 57) and his three sons [Note. William Brooke 10th Baron Cobham (age 26), George Brooke (age 21), Thomas Brooke (age 21)], Pelham, Pickering, Carew and many more, and agreed to put their plans into execution in the spring. However, as God means to protect this good lady, the conspirators were forced to take up arms sooner than they had intended because Courtenay did not keep the secret and letters from the French ambassador, seized and enclosed herewith, were deciphered and revealed part of the plot. Moreover, Courtenay had a servant of his in France, and six weeks ago he and one Valbic (Welby?) were intriguing for the conspirators. To start with, Peter Carew made a violent effort to rouse the people on account of your Highness's marriage with the Queen, but as the people refused to rise, he had to fly to France, where trustworthy accounts tell he had a nocturnal conversation with the King-a sign of their malignity. His adherents were taken prisoners at Coventry (Compierre) where a similar attempt was made; and on the first day of Lent the rebels were defeated as your Highness will see by the copies of letters I wrote from time to time to the Emperor.

Wriothesley's Chronicle [1508-1562]. 22nd February 1554. The 22 of February certeyne of the rebells which lay in Newgate [Map], both the Counters, the Kings Benche [Map], the Marshallsie [Map], and Westminster, to the number of iiii C. and more, were ledd to Westminster to the Cowrte, coupled together with collers and halters abowte their neckes, and there in the Tylt-yeard kneeled afore the Queen (age 38) lookinge owt at the gallerie by the gate, and cried for meroye, who most gratiouslye gave to them their pardon.

Chronicle of Greyfriars. Item the duke of Suffolke (age 37) was condemnyd at Westmyster the xvij. [22] day of February [1554]; and beheddyd at Towre-hyll the xxiij. [23] day of the same monyth [1554].

Henry Machyn's Diary. 22nd February 1554. .... of the qwen('s) garde att .... the man that was kyld was sir John Pr....

Wriothesley's Chronicle [1508-1562]. 23rd February 1554. Frydaye the 23 of February Lorde Gray, Duke of Suffolke (age 37), was beheaded at the Towerhill [Map].

Chronicle of Queen Jane and Two Years of Queen Mary 1554. Fridaie the xxiij^th [23rd] of Februarie, an^o 1553 [1554], the duke of Suffolke (age 37) was behedded at Tower hille. His wourdes at the comyng on the scaffolde were theis followeing, or moche like: "Good people, this daie I am come hether to dye, being one whom the lawe hathe justlie condempned, and one who hathe no lesse deserved for my dysobedyence against the quenes highenes, of whom I do moste humbly axe forgevenes, and I truste she dothe and will forgyve me." Then maister Western, his confessor, standing by, saide, "My lorde, hir grace hathe allredy forgeven^a and praieth for you." Then saide the duke, "I beseche you all, goode people, to lett me be an example to you all for obedyence to the quene and the majestrates, for the contrarie therof hath brought me [to this end^b]. And also I shall most hartely desire you all to beare me witnes that I do dye a faythefull and true Christian, beleving to be saved by non other but onely by allmightie God, thoroughe the passion of his son Jesus Christ^c. And nowe I pray you to praie with me." Then he kneled downe, and Weston with him, and saide the sallme of "Miserere mei Deus" and "In te, Domine, speravi," the duke one verse and Weston an other. Which don, he dyd put of his gown and his doblet. Then kniting the kercheve himself about his eyes, helde uppe his handes to heaven, and after laie downe along, with his hedd apon the blocke, whiche at one stroke was striken of by the hangman.

Note a. "With that, divers of the standers by said with meetly good and audible voice, ' Such forgivenesse God send thee!' meaning doctoure Weston." Foxe.

Note b. So in Stowe's Chronicle.

Note c. Foxe's account of " the godly end " of the duke of Suffolk is supported in all important points by the present writer. They coincide as to his distinct expression of reliance on the Protestant faith: but whilst the duke is here described as joining with the attendant priest (Hugh Weston, successively dean of Westminster and of Windsor), in the repetition of the psalm Miserere, Foxe represents him as having twice endeavoured to prevent Weston from ascending the stairs of the scaffold with him. Both circumstances, however, may have occurred. It is at least certain that, whatever may have been the ordinary weakness of Suffolk's character, he was as constant in religion as his heroic daughter could have desired, though subjected to the like zealous attempts which she had endured, and which were successful over the loose principles of the duke of Northumberland and many others at this period of trial. This fact is confirmed by the following passage of a letter of Simon Renard to the emperor, dated the 24th Feb: "Ce jourduy Ton execute le due de Suffocq, qui ne s'est jamais voulu reconnoistre quant a la religion; aiant fait admonestement au peuple pour non se revolter contre la royne, a laquelle il demandoit mercy." Tytler, vol. ii. p. 309.

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Henry Machyn's Diary. 24th February 1554. The sam day the qwyn('s) (age 38) grace gaff pardon unto serten of mo men of Kentt, in Sowthwarke [Map]; ther they cryd "God save quen Mare!" and cast ther alters on hed in the stretes and a-bowt, that sum had iiij or v halters.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 24th February 1554. The xxiiij day of Marche [read xxiij of February] was heddyd the duke of Suffoke-Dassett (deceased) [Dassett ie Dorset] on the Towre hylle [Map], be-twyn ix and x of the cloke a-for none.

Wriothesley's Chronicle [1508-1562]. 15th March 1554. The xv of Marche Wyatt (age 33), capteyn of the rebells, was arregned at Westminster and there condemned of highe treason.

And the same daye the Earle of Devonshire (age 27) was committed agayne to the Tower [Map].

Henry Machyn's Diary. 15th March 1554. The xv day of Marche was raynyd at Westmynster ser Thomas Wyatt (age 33) knyght, the captayn cheyffe [of] Kent, and cast to be hedyd and after quartered and sett up.

Note. P. 54. He lycted behind a gentleman into the court. After his surrender sir Thomas Wyatt was taken to the court riding behind sir Maurice Berkeley on horseback. Stowe, p. 621.

Chronicle of Greyfriars. 15th March 1554. Item the xv. day of March was commytted un-to the tower agayne the erle of Devenchere.

Wriothesley's Chronicle [1508-1562]. 18th March 1554. The xviii of Marche, beinge Palme Sunday, the Ladie Elizabeth (age 20) was had to the Tower from Westminster by water privelie, after the Queene (age 38) had gone a procession, which was about x of the clock in the forenoone.

The same Palme Sunday the old service after the use of Sarum in Latyn was begone agayne and kept in Paules and other parishes, within the Cittie of London, with allso bearinge of Palmes, and creepinge to the Crosse on Good Fridaye, with the Sepulcher lights and the Resurrection on Easter daye.

Allso the Scriptures written on Rood-lofts and about the churches in London, with the armes of England, was washed out againste the feast of Easter in moste parte of all the parishe churches of the diocesse of London. And Dr. Feknam^a was made Deane of Paules, and Dr. May putt owt, and the sacrament of the aulter hanged or sett on the aulter in everie parishe churche.

Note a. John Feckenham.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 11th April 1554. The xj day of Aprell was heddyd ser Thomas [Wyatt of Kentt,] (age 33) the cheyffe captayn of the rebellyous of [Kent, be-] twyn ix and x of the cloke a-for none, on Towre hyll [Map], .... after and by xj of the cloke was he quartered on the skaffold, and hys bowelles and ys members burnt be-syd the skaffold; .... and so ther was a care and a baskett, and the iiij quarters and hed was putt in-to a baskett to nuwgat to be parboyled.

Wriothesley's Chronicle [1508-1562]. 11th April 1554. The xi of Aprill Sir Tho. Wyatt (age 33), cheefe capteyne of the late Wyatt putt to death, rebellion in Kent, was beheaded at Towrehill [Map], at ix of the clock in the foorenoone, and his bodie after quartered on the scaffolde. His head was sett on the gallowes at the parke pale beyond St. James,^a where Pollard and two other were hanged in chaynes. And his 4 quarters were hanged on gibbetts in chaynes at 4 severall places without the Liberties of the Cittie.

Note a. The Grey Friars' Chronicle (p. 89) adds: "and the hed with the qwarter was stolne awaye."

The History of Wyatts Rebellion by John Proctor. [11th April 1554]. Thus farre touchinge Wyates (age 33) wordes at hys arraynement, I thought not superfluous here to reporte, to the ende that all other blindly fallen into the same errour, woulde by the example of Wyat, rise also with him to repentaunce, aswel confessinge to the worlde with open voyce their detestable mischiefe, as also frome the verye heart with teares detesting the same, as in vtteraunce of the former wordes he plentifullye did. He [Thomas Wyatt] lost his head at Tower hil, & his bodie deuided, was set vp in diuers partes about London. Other poore men being taken in Wyates bande and kepte a time in diuers Churches and prisons without the citie, knelinge all with halters aboute their neckes before the queenes highnes at whithalle, her grace mercifully pardoned to the numbre of vi.C. whoo immediatlye thereupon with greate shoutes casting their halters vp into the ayre, cried: GOD saue youre grace, GOD saue your grace. Howe be it sundrie of them that dyd weare halters afore the Queenes hyghnes were after by meanes called before the Iu stices in the countrey to be arrayned. But her grace beinge moued thereof by the shyriffe, woulde them to bee no further vexed.

Chronicle of Greyfriars. 11th April 1554. Item the xj. day of the same monyth was Wyett (age 33) behedyd at Towre hylle, and also qwarterd; and hys hedde with one of hys qwarteres sett apon the gallowys, and the lied with the qwarter was stolne aw aye.

Wriothesley's Chronicle [1508-1562]. 27th April 1554. Frydaye the 27 of Aprill Lord Thomas Grey, brother to the Duke of Suffolke, was beheaded at the Tower hill [Map].

Henry Machyn's Diary. 28 Apr 1554. The xxviij day of Aprell was heddyd on Towre hyll [Map], betwyn ix and x of the cloke a-for none, my lord Thomas Gray, the duke of Suffoke-Dassett brodur, and bered at Allalow's Barkyng [Map], and the hed (unfinished)

Wriothesley's Chronicle [1508-1562]. 29th April 1554. The 29 of Aprill Sir James Croft (age 36), knight, was arrayned in the Guildhall [Map] of treason, and there by a jurie of the citizens of London condemned and had judgment of death.