looked up. "Aha! is the traitor then within our power?
Take him without, and let the headsman deal with him."



THE TOWER OF LONDON. 455

« Your Highness ! " cried Bret, prostrating himself.

" Away with him ! " interrupted Mary. " Do you, my
lord," she added to Gardiner, " see that my commands are
obeyed."

The prisoner was accordingly removed, and Xit, who
was completely awed by the Queen's furious looks, was
about to slink off, when she commanded him to re-
main.

" Stay ! " she cried. " I have promised on my queenly
word, that whoso brought this traitor Bret to me, should
have whatever he demanded. Art thou in good truth
his captor ? Take heed thou triflest not with me. I am
in no mood for jesting."

" So I perceive, gracious madam," replied Xit. " But
I swear to you I took him with my own hand, in fair and
open combat. My companion Magog, if he survives the
fray, will vouch for the truth of my statement — nay, Bret
himself will not gainsay it."

" Bret will gainsay little more," rejoined Mary sternly ;
" his brain will contrive no further treason against us,
nor his tongue give utterance to it. But I believe thee —
the rather that I am persuaded thou darest not deceive
me. Make thy request — it is granted."

" If I dared to raise my hopes so high," said Xit bash-
fully.

" What means the knave ? " cried Mary. " I have
said the request shall be granted."

" Whatever I ask ? " inquired Xit.

" Whatever thou mayest ask in reason, sirrah I " re-
turned Mary, somewhat perplexed.

" Well, then," replied Xit, " I should have claimed a
dukedom. But as your Highness might possibly think
the demand unreasonable, I will limit myself to knight-
hood."

In spite of herself, Mary could not repress a smile at
the dwarfs extravagant request, and the terms in which
it was couched.

«J have made many efforts to obtain this distinction,"



456 THE TOWER OF LONDON,

pursued Xit, " and for a while unsuccessfully. But for-
tune, or rather my bravery has at length favored me. I
desire knighthood at your Majesty's hands."

" Thou slialt have it," replied Mary ; " and it will be a
lesson to me to make no rash promises in future. Here-
after, when affairs are settled, thou wilt not fail to remind
me of my promise."

" Your Highness may depend upon it, I will not fail to
do so," replied Xit, bowing and retiring. « Huzza ! " he
cried, as soon as he gained the antechamber. " Huzza ! "
he repeated, skipping in the air, and cutting as many
capers as his armor would allow him, " at length, I have
reached the height of my ambition. I shall be knighted.
The Queen has promised it. Aha ! my three noble
giants, I am now a taller man than any of you. My
lofty title will make up for my want of stature. Sir
Xit! — that does not sound well. I must change my
name for one more euphonious, or at least find out my
surname. Who am I ? It is strange I never thought of
tracing out my history before. I feel I am of illustrious
origin. I must clear up this point before I am knighted.
Stand aside, base grooms," he continued to the grinning
and jeering attendants, "and let me pass."

While pushing through them, a sudden bustle was
heard behind, and he was very unceremoniously thrust
back by Simon Renard, who was conducting Dudley to
the Queen's presence.

" Another prisoner ! " exclaimed Xit. " I wonder
what Renard will get for his pains. If I could but take
Wyat, my fortune were indeed made. First, I will go
and see what has become of Bret ; and then, if I can do so
without much risk, I will venture outside the portcullis
of the By- ward Tower. Who knows but I may come in
for another good thing ! "

Thus communing with himself, Xit went in search of
the unfortunate captain of the Trained Bands, while
Renard entered the council- chamber with Dudley. The
Jatter, though faint from loss of blood, on finding himself



THE TOWER OF LONDON. 457

in the Queen's presence, exerted all his strength, and
stood erect and unsupported.

" So far your Highness is victorious," said Renard ;
" one of the rebel leaders is in your power, and ere long
ftU will be so. Will it please you to question him — or
shall I bid Mauger take off his head at once ? "

" Let me reflect a moment,'* replied Mary thoughtfully.
" He shall die," she added, after a pause, " but not
yet."

" It were better to behead him now," rejoined Renard.

" I do not think so," replied Mary. " Let him be re-
moved to some place of safe confinement — the dungeon
beneath St. John's Chapel."

" The only grace I ask from your Highness is speedy
death," said Dudley.

" Therefore I will not grant it," replied Mary « No,
traitor ! you shall perish with your wife."

" Ah ! " exclaimed Dudley, " I have destroyed her."

And as the words were pronounced, he reeled back-
wards, and would have fallen if the attendants had not
caught him.

" Your Majesty has spared Mauger a labor," observed
Renard sarcastically.

" He is not dead," replied Mary ; " and if he were so, it
would not grieve me. Remove him ; and do with him as
I have commanded."

Her injunctions were obeyed, and the inanimate body
of Dudley was carried away.

Renard was proceeding to inform the Queen that the in-
surgents had been driven from the Brass Mount, when a
messenger arrived, with tidmgs that another success had
been gained — Sir Henry Jerningham having encountered
the detachment under the Duke of Suffolk, and driven
them back to their vessels, was about to assist the Earl
of Pembroke and Sir Henry Bedingfeld in a sally upon
.^ir Thomas Wyat's party This news so enchanted
Mary, that sue tooK a valuable ring from her finger and
presented it to the messenger, saying — " I will double thy



458 THE TOWER OF LONDON.

fee, good fellow, if thou wilt bring me word that Wyat is
slain, and his traitorous band utterly routed."

Scarcely had the messenger departed, when another ap-
peared. He brought word that several vessels had ar-
rived off the Tower, and attacked the squadron under the
command of Admiral Winter ; that all the vessels, with
the exception of one, on board which the Duke of Suffolk
had taken refuge, had struck ; and that her Majesty might
now feel assured of a speedy conquest. At this news
Mary immediately fell on her knees, and cried — " I thank
thee, O Lord ! not that Thou has vouchsafed me a victory
over my enemies, but that Thou has enabled me to tri-
umph over Thine."

" The next tidings your Highness receives will be that
the siege is raised," observed Renard, as the Queen arose ;
" and, with your permission, I will be the messenger to
bring it."

" Be it so," reiolied Mary. " I would now gladly be
alone."

As Renard issued from the principal entrance of the
"White Tower, and was about to cross the Green, he per-
ceived a small group collected before St. Peter's Chapel,
and at once guessing its meaning, he hastened towards it.
It was just beginning to grow light, and objects could be
imperfectly distinguished. As Renard drew nigh, he per-
ceived a circle formed round a soldier whose breast-plate,
doublet, and ruff had been removed, and who was kneel-
ing with his arms crossed upon his breast beside a billet
of wood. Near him, on the left, stood Mauger with his axe
upon his shoulder, and on the right, Gardiner, holding a
crucifix towards him, and earnestly entreating him to die
in the faith of Rome ; promising him, in case of compli-
ance, a complete remission of his sins. Bret, for he it was,
made no answer, but appeared, from the convulsive move-
ment of his lips, to be muttering a prayer. Out of pa-
tience, at length Gardiner gave the signal to Mauger, and
the latter motioned the rebel captain to lay his head upon
t/he piece of timber. The practised executioner performed



THE TOWER OF LONDOJf. 450

his task with so much celerity tliat a minute liad not
elapsed before the head was stricken from the body, and
placed on the point of a spear. While the apparatus of
death and the blood-streaming trunk were removed, Xit,
who was one of the spectators, seized the spear with its
grisly burden, and bending beneath the load, bore it to-
wards the By-ward Tower. A man-at-arms preceded
him, shouting in a loud voice, " Thus perish all traitors."

Having seen this punishment inflicted, Renard hastened
towards the By- ward Tower, and avoiding the concourse
that flocked round Xit and his sanguinary trophy, took a
shorter cut, and arrived there before them. He found
Pembroke and Bedingfeld, as the messenger had stated,
prepared with a large force to make a sally upon the in-
surgents. The signal was given by renewed firing from
the roof and loopholes of the Middle Tower. Wyat, who
had retired under the gateway of that fortification, and
had drawn up his men in the open space behind it, now
advanced at their head to the attack. At this moment
the portcullis of the By-ward Tower was again raised,
and the royalists issued from it. Foremost among them
were the giants. The meeting of the two hosts took place
in the centre of the bridge, and the shock was tremend-
ous. For a short time the result appeared doubtful ; but
the superior numbers, better arms, and discipline of the
Queen's party soon made it evident on which side victory
would incline.

If conquest could have been obtained by personal brav-
ery, Wyat would have been triumphant. Wherever the
battle raged most fiercely he was to be found. He sought
out Bedingfeld, and failing in reaching him, cut his way
to the Earl of Pembroke, whom he engaged and would
have slain, if Og had not driven him off with his exter-
minating mace. The tremendous prowess of the gigantic
brethren, indeed, contributed in no slight degree to the
speedy termination of the fight. Their blows were re-
sistless, and struck such terror into their opponents, that
a retreat was soon begun, which Wyat found it impos-



460 THE TOWER OF LONDOl^.

sible to check. Gnashing his teeth with anger, and uttet*-
ing ejaculations of rage, he was compelled to follow his
flying forces. His anger was vented against Gog. He
aimed a terrible blow at him, and cut through his partisan,
but his sword shivered against his morion. A momen-
tary rally was attempted in the court between the Lions'
Gate and the Bulwark Gate ; but the insurgents were
speedily driven out. On reaching Tower Hill, Wyat suc-
ceeded in checking them ; and though he could not com-
pel them to maintain their ground, he endeavored, with
a faithful band, to cover the retreat of the main body to
London Bridge. Perceiving his aim, Pembroke sent off
a detachment under Bedingfeld, by Tower Street, to in-*
tercept the front ranks while he attacked the rear. But
Wyat beat off his assailants, made a rapid retreat down
Thames Street, and after a skirmish with Bedingfeld at
the entrance of the bridge, in which he gained a decided
advantage, contrived to get his troops safely across it,
with much less loss than might have been anticipated.
Nor was this all. He destroyed the planks which had af-
forded him passage, and took his measures so well and so
expeditiously on the Southwark side, that Pembroke
hesitated to cross the bridge and attack him.

The Tower, however, was delivered from its assailants.
The three giants pursued the flying foe to the Bulwark.
Gate, and then returned to the Middle Tower, which was
yet occupied by a number of Wyat's party, and sum-
moned them to surrender. The command was refused,
unless accompanied by a pardon. The giants said noth-
ing more, but glanced significantly at each other, Magog
seized a ram, which had been left by the assailants, and
dashed it against the door on the left of the gateway. A
few tremendous blows sufficed to burst it open. Finding
no one within the lower chamber, they ascended the
winding stone staircase, their progress up which was op-
posed, but ineffectually by the insurgents. Magog pushed
forward like a huge bull, driving his foes from step to
step till they reached the roof, where a short but furious



THE TOWER OF LONDON. 461

encounter took place. The gigantic brethren fought
back to back, and committed such devastation among
their foes, that those who were left alive threw down
their arms and begged for quarter. Disregarding their
entreaties, the giants hurled them over the battlements.
Some were drowned in the moat, while others were
dashed to pieces in the court below.

" It is thus," observed Magog, with a grim smile to his
brethren as the work of destruction was ended, " that the
sons of the Tower avenge the insults offered to their
parent."

On descending, they found Xit stationed in the centre
of the bridge, carrying the spear with Bret's head upon
it. The dwarf eagerly inquired whether they had taken
Wyat; and being answered in the negative, expressed
his satisfaction.

" The achievement is reserved for me," he cried ; " no
more laughter, my masters — no more familiarity. I am
about to receive knighthood from the Queen." This an-
nouncement, however, so far from checking the merri-
ment of the giants, increased it to such a degree, that the
irascible mannikin dashed the gory head in their faces,
and would have attacked them with the spear, if they had
not disarmed him.

By this time. Sir Henry Bedingfeld had returned from
the pursuit of the rebels. Many prisoners had been taken,
and convej^ed, by his directions, to a secure part of the
fortress. Exerting himself to the utmost, and employ-
ing a large body of men in the work, the damages done
to the different defences of the fortress were speedily re-
paired, the bodies of the slain thrown into the river, and
all rendered as secure as before. The crews on board
Winter's squadron had surrendered ; but their commander,
together with the Duke of Suffolk, had escaped, having
been put ashore in a small boat. Conceiving all lost,
and completely panic-stricken, the Duke obtained horses
for himself and a few companions, and riding to Shene,
where he had appointed a meeting with his brother, Lord



462 THE TOWER OF LONDON.

Thomas Grey, set off with him, at full speed, for Coventry,
the inhabitants of which city he imagined were devoted
to him. But he soon found out his error. Abandoned
by his adherents, and betrayed into the hands of the Earl
of Huntingdon, who had been sent after him, he was
shortly afterwards brought a prisoner to the Tower.

Not to anticipate events, such was the expedition used,
that in less than an hour, Bedingfeld conveyed to the
Queen the intelligence that all damage done by the be-
siegers was repaired, and that her loss had been trifling
compared with that of her enemies. He found her sur-
rounded by her nobles ; and on his appearance she arose,
and advanced a few steps to meet him.

" You have discharged your office right well, Sir Henry,"
she said ; " and if we deprive you of it for a while, it is
because we mean to entrust you with a post of yet greater
importance."

" Whatever office your Majesty may entrust me with,
I will gladly accept it," replied Bedingfeld.

" It is our pleasure, then, that you set out instantly
with the Earl of Sussex to Ash bridge," returned Mary,
" and attach the person of the Princess Elizabeth. Here
is your warrant. Bring her alive or dead."

" Alas ! " exclaimed Bedingfeld, " is this the task your
Highness has reserved for me ? "

" It is," replied Mary ; and she added in a lower tone,
" you are the only man to whom I could confide it."

" I must perforce obey, since your Majesty wills it —
but "

" You must set out at once," interrupted Mary ; " Sir
Thomas Brydges shall be lieutenant of the Tower in your
stead. We reserve you for greater dignities."

Bedingfeld would have remonstrated, but seeing the
Queen was immovable, he signified his compliance, and
having received further instructions, quitted the presence
to make preparations for his departure.

The last efforts of the insurgents must be briefly told.
After allowing his men a few hours' rest, Wyat made a



THE TOWER OF LONDON. 463

forced march to Kingston, and hastily repairing the
bridge, which had been broken down, with planks, lad-
ders, and beams tied togetlier, passed over it with his
ordnance and troops in safety, and proceeded towards
London. In consequence of a delay that occurred on the
road, his plan was discovered, and the Earl of Pembroke,
having by this time collected a considerable army, drew
up his forces in St. James's fields to give him battle.

A desperate skirmish took place, in which the in-
surgents, disheartened by their previous defeat, were
speedily worsted. Another detachment, under the com-
mand of Knevet, were met and dispersed at Charing
Cross by Sir Henry Jerningham, and would have been
utterly destroyed, but that they could not be distinguished
from the royalists, except by their muddy apparel, which
occasioned the cry among the victors of " Down with the
draggle-tails."

Wyat himself, who was bent upon entering the city,
where he expected to meet with great aid from Throck-
morton, dashed through all opposition and rode as far as
the Belle Sauvage (even then a noted hostel) near Lud-
gate. Finding the gate shut and strongly defended, he
rode back as quickly as he came to Temple Bar, where
he was encountered by Sir Maurice Berkeley, who sum-
moned him to surrender, and seeing it was useless to
struggle further, for all his companions had deserted him,
he complied. His captor carried him to the Earl of Pem-
broke ; and as soon as it was known that the rebel leader
was taken, the army was disbanded, and every man
ordered to return to his home. Proclamation was next
made that no one, on pain of death, should harbor any of
Wyat's faction, but should instantly deliver them up to
the authorities.

That same night Wyat, together with Knevet, Cob-
ham, and others of his captains, were taken to the Tower
by water. As Wyat, who was the last to disembark,
ascended the steps of Traitor's Gate, Sir Thomas Brydges,
the new lieutenant, seized him by the collar, crying,



464 THE TOWER OF LONDON.

" Oh ! thou base and unhappy traitor ! how couldst thou
find in tliy heart to work such detestable treason against
the Queen's Majesty ? Were it not that the law must
pass upon thee, I would stab thee with my dagger."

Holding his arms to his side, and looking at him, as the
old chroniclers report, "grievously, with a grim look,"
Wyat answered, " It is no mastery now." Upon which,
he was conveyed with the others to the Beauchamp
Tower.



CHAPTER XXXI.

HOW JANE SURRENDERED HERSELF A PRISONER; AND HOW
SHE BESOUGHT QUEEN MARY TO SPARE HER HUSBAND.

Towards the close of the day following that on which
the rebels were defeated, a boat, rowed by a single water-
man, shot London Bridge, and swiftly approached the
Tower wharf. It contained two persons, one of whom,
apparently a female, was so closely muffled in a cloak
that her features could not be discerned ; while her com-
panion, a youthful soldier, equipped in his full accou-
trements, whose noble features were clouded with sorrow,
made no attempt at concealment. As they drew near the
stairs, evidently intending to disembark, the sentinels
presented their arquebuses at them, and ordered them to
keep off ; but the young man immediately arose, and said
that having been concerned in the late insurrection, they
were come to submit themselves to the Queen's mercy.
This declaration excited some surprise among the soldiers,
who were inclined to discredit it, and would not have suf-
fered them to land, if an officer of the guard, attracted by
what was passing, had not interfered, and granted the
request. By his command, they were taken across the
drawbridge opposite the stairs, and placed within the
guard-room near the By- ward Tower. Here the officer
who had accompanied them demanded their names and
condition, in order to report them to the lieutenant*



THE TOWER OF LONDON. 465

"I am called Cuthbert Cholmondeley," replied the
young man, " somewhile esquire to Lord Guilford Dud-
ley."

" You bore that rebel lord's standard in the attack on
the Brass Mount — did you not ? " demanded the officer
sternly.

" I did," replied Cholmondeley.

" Then you have delivered yourself to certain death,
young man," rejoined the officer. " What madness has
brought you hither ? The Queen will show you no mercy,
and blood enough will flow upon the scaffold without
yours being added to the stream."

" I desire only to die with my master," replied Chol-
mondeley.

"Where is Lord Guilford Dudley?" demanded the
muffled female, in a tone of the deepest emotion.

" Confined in one of the secret dungeons — but I may
not answer you further, madam," replied the officer.

" Are his wounds dangerous ? " she continued, in a tone
of the deepest anxiety.

" They are not mortal, madam," he answered. " He
will live long enough to expiate his offences on the scaf-
fold."

" Ah ! " she exclaimed, with difficulty repressing a
scream.

" No more of this — if you are a man," cried Cholmon-
deley fiercely. " You know not whom you address."

"I partly guess," replied the officer, with a compas-
sionate look. " I respect your sorrows, noble lady — but
oh ! — why — why are you here ? I would willingly serve
you — nay, save you — but it is out of my power."

" My presence here must show you, sir, that I have no
wish to avoid the punishment I have incurred," she re-
plied. " I am come to submit myself to the Queen. But
if you would serve me — serve me without danger to your-
self, or departure from your duty — you will convey this
letter without delay to her Highness's own hand."

"It may be matter of difficulty," rejoined the officer,

30



466 THE TOWER OF LONDON.

« for her Majesty is at this moment engaged in a secret
conference in the Hall Tower, with the chancellor and
the Spanish Ambassador. Nay, though I would not
further wound your feelings, madam, she is about to sign
the death-warrants of the rebels."

" The more reason then," she replied, in accents of sup-
plicating eagerness, " that it should be delivered instantly
Will you take it ? "

The ofiQcer replied in the afiBrmative.

" Heaven's blessing upon you ! " she fervently ejacu-
lated.

Committing the captives to the guard, and desiring
that every attention, consistent with their situation,
should be shown them, the ofiBcer departed. Half-an-
hour elapsed before his return, and during the interval
but few words were exchanged between Cholmondeley
and his companion. When the officer reappeared, she
rushed towards him, and inquired what answer he
brought.

" Your request is granted, madam," he replied. " I am
commanded to bring you to the Queen's presence ; and
may your suit to her Highness prove as successful as
your letter ! You are to be delivered to the chief jailer,
sir," he added to Cholmondeley, "and placed in close
custody."

As he spoke, Nightgall entered the guard-room. At
the sight of his hated rival, an angry flush rose to the
esquire's countenance — nor was his wrath diminished by
the other's exulting looks.

" You will not have much further power over me," he
observed, in answer to the jailer's taunts. " Cicely, like
Alexia, is out of the reach of your malice. And I shall
speedily join them."

"You are mistaken," retorted Nightgall bitterly.
" Cicely yet lives ; and I will wed her on the day of your
execution. Bring him away," he added to his assistants.
" I shall take him, m the first place, to the torture-cham-



THE TOWER OF LONDON, 467

ber, and thence to the subterranean dungeons. I have
an order to rack him."

" Farewell, madam," said the esquire, turning from him,
and prostrating himself before his companion, who ap-
peared in the deepest anguish ; " we shall meet no more
on earth."

« I have destroyed you," she cried. " But for your de-
votion to me, you might be now in safety."

"Think not of me, madam — I have nothing to live
for," replied the esquire, pressing her hand to his lips.
" Heaven support you in this your last, and greatest, and
as — I can bear witness — most unmerited trial. Farewell
forever ! "

" Ay, forever ! " repeated the lady. And she followed
the officer ; while Cholmondeley was conveyed by Night-
gall and his assistants to the secret entrance of the sub-
terranean dungeons near the Devilin Tower.

Accompanied by his charge, who was guarded by two
halberdiers, the officer proceeded along the southern
ward, in the direction of the Hall Tower — a vast circular
structure, standing on the east of Bloody Tower. This
fabric (sometimes called the Wakefield Tower from the
prisoners confined within it, after the battle of that name