confined in a small room on the basement floor, having a
vaulted roof supported by pointed arches of curious con-
struction, with deep recesses in the intervals. From this
strong and gloomy cell it seemed impossible he could
escape ; and having seen him placed within it, Renard
departed fully satisfied.



THE TOWER OF LONDON. 327

When the intelligence of the Earl's removal was brought
to De Noailles, he was greatly disheartened ; but Xit
bade him be of good cheer, as he still felt certain of effect-
ing his deliverance. Some time, however, elapsed before
any new scheme could be devised ; when one night Xit
appeared with a smiling countenance, and said he had
found means of communicating with the prisoner. On
being questioned as to how he had contrived this, he re-
plied that he had crept up to a loophole oi;)ening into the
Earl's chamber, and filed away one of the iron bars ; and
though the aperture was not large enough to allow a full-
grown man to pass through it, he had done so without in-
convenience, and under cover of night without being per-
ceived. He then proceeded to detail a somewhat hazard-
ous plan of flight, which Courtenay had determined to
risk, provided his friends would second the attempt. All
the Earl required was that a well-manned boat should be
in waiting for him near the Tower wharf, to put off the
instant he reached it.

After some consideration, this plan was held feasible,
and Sir Thomas Wyat undertook the command of the
boat. A dark night being indisi^ensable for the enter-
prise, the third from that time, when there would be no
moon, was chosen ; and this arrangement was communi-
cated by the dwarf to Courtenay. Measures were then
concerted between the Earl and his assistant, and all being
settled, it was agreed, to avoid needless risk, that the
latter should not return again till the appointed night.

On its arrival, Xit, as soon as it grew dark, crept
though the loophole, and found the Earl impatiently ex-
pecting him. He was alone, for since his removal to so
strong a prison it was deemed needless to have an atten-
dant constantly with him. Xit brought him a rapier
and dagger, and a long coil of rope, and when he had
armed himself with the weapons, they proceeded to the
execution of their project. Knocking at the door, the
Earl summoned the warder who was stationed outside.
The man immediately obeyed the call, and as he opened



328 [THE TOWER OF LONDON.

the door Xit crept behind it, and while Courtenay engaged
the warder's attention, he slipped out, and concealed him-
self behind a projection in the winding stairs. The Earl
having made a demand which he knew would compel the
warder to proceed to Sir Henry Bedingfeld, dismissed
him.

Quitting the cell, the warder, who had no suspicions,
locked the door, leaving the key — as had been foreseen
— within it. He then ascended the stairs, and passed
close to Xit without perceiving him. As soon as he was
gone, the dwarf unlocked the door, and made good his
own retreat through the loophole, it being necessary he
should give the signal to the party on the river.

Courtenay then hurried up the winding steps. On
reaching the upper chamber, he perceived it was vacant,
but the open door showed him that the warder had just
passed through it. Hastily shutting it, and barring it
withinside, he mounted a short flight of steps leading to
the roof, where he knew a sentinel who had charge of the
alarm-bell was stationed. Before the man, who was lean-
ing upon his partisan, could utter an exclamation, Cour-
tenay snatched the weapon from him, and dealt him a
blow that stretched him senseless at his feet. He then
quickly fastened the rope to one of the stout wooden
supporters of the belfry, and flinging the coil over the
battlements, prepared to descend by it.

Possessed of great strength and activity, and materi-
ally aided by the roughened surface of the old walls, and
other irregularities in the structure, against which he
placed his feet, the Earl reached the ground in safety.
He was now in the outer ward, near the By- ward Tower.
It was so dark that his descent had not been noticed, but
he perceived several soldiers passing at a little distance
from him, from whose remarks he gathered that they
were about to convey the keys of the fortress to the lieu-
tenant.

As soon as they had passed him, he rushed across the
W^rd in the direction of the arched passage leading to the



THE TOWER OF LONDON. 329

drawbridge. Here he encountered Og, who was on guard
at the time. The gigantic warder immediately challenged
him, and presented his huge halbert at his breast. But
the Earl, without making any reply, stooped down,
and before he could be prevented, darted through his
legs. Og, in a voice of thunder, gave the alarm, and was
instantly answered by a party of halberdiers, who rushed
out of the adjoining guard-room. They were all armed,
some with pikes, some vnth arquebuses, and snatching a
torch from the soldier nearest him, Og darted after the
fugitive.

By this time the Earl's flight from the Bell Tower had
been discovered. On his return, finding the door barred
withinside, the warder suspected something wrong, and
gave the alarm. A few seconds sufficed to the men-at-
arms to break down the door with their bills, and they
then found what had occurred. The alarm-bell was in-
stantly rung, and word passed to the sentinels on the
By- ward Tower, and on the other fortifications, that the
Earl of Devonshire had escaped. In an instant all was
in motion. Torches gleamed along the whole line of ram-
parts ; shouts were heard in every direction ; and soldiers
hastened to each point whence it was conceived likely he
would attempt to break forth.

Before relating the result of the attempt, it may be
proper to advert to what had been done in furtherance of
it by Xit. Having got through the loophole, as before
related, the dwarf pursued the course subsequently taken
by Courtenay, made a hasty excuse to Og, and crossed the
drawbridge just before it was raised. Approaching the
side of the river, he drew a petronel, and flashing it, the
signal was immediately answered by the sound of muffled
oars ; and Xit, whose gaze was steadfastly bent upon the
stream, could just detect a boat approaching the strand.
The next moment. Sir Thomas Wyat sprang ashore, and
'as Xit was explaining to him in a whisper what had oc-
curred, the alarm was given as above related.

It was 9> moment of intense interest to all concerned in



330 THE TOWER OF LONDON.

the enterprise, and Wyat held himself in readiness for
action. On reaching the drawbridge and finding it raised,
Courtenay without hesitation bounded over the rails, and
plunging into the moat, struck out towards the opposite
bank. At this juncture, Og and his companions arrived
at the outlet. The giant held his torch over the moat,
and perceived the Earl swimmin,g across it. A soldier
beside him levelled his arquebuse at the fugitive, and
would have fired, but Og checked him, crying, " Beware
how you harm the Queen's favorite. It is the Earl of
Devonshire. Seize him, but injure him not — or dread
her Majesty's displeasure."

The caution, however, was unheeded by those on the
summit of the By- ward Tower. Shots were fired from it,
and the balls speckled the surface of the water, but with-
out doing any damage. One of Wyat's crew hastened to
the edge of the moat, and throwing a short line into the
water, assisted the Earl to land.

While this was passing, the drawbridge was lowered,
and Og and his companions rushed across it — too late,
however, to secure the fugitive. As soon as Courtenay
had gained a footing on the wharf. Sir Thomas Wyat
seized his hand, and hurried him towards the boat, into
which they leaped. The oars were then plunged into the
water, and before their pursuers gained the hank, the
skiff had shot to some distance from it. xVnother boat
was instantly manned and gave chase, but without effect.
The obscurity favored the fugitives. Wyat directed his
men to pull towards London Bridge, and they soon dis-
appeared beneath its narrow arches.



THE TOWER OF LONDON. 331



CHAPTER XIX.

HOW QUEEN MARY VISITED THE LIONs' TOWER ; HOW MAGOG
GAVE HIS DAME A LESSON; AND HOW XIT CONQUERED A
MONKEY, AND WAS WORSTED BY A BEAR.

Courtenay's escape from the Tower created almost as
much sensation as his imprisonment had done ; and wliile
his partisans were cheered by it, his enemies were pro-
portionately discouraged. Several bands of soldiers,
headed by trusty leaders, were sent in pursuit of him in
different directions ; but no trace could be discovered of
the course he had taken ; nor could all the vigilance of
Sir Henry Bedingfeld detect who had assisted him in his
flight. After some time, as no tidings were heard of him,
it was concluded he had embarked for France. Inspired
by jealousy, Mary immediately sent an order to Ash-
bridge to double the guard over her sister ; and she se-
cretly instructed Sir Edward Hastings, in case of any
attempt to set her free, to convey her instantly to the
Tower. Elizabeth either was severely indisposed, or
feigned to be so, and it was bruited abroad that poison
had been given her. This rumor, which obtained general
credence, as well as others to the effect that her life had
been attempted by different means, at length reached the
Queen's ears, and occasioned her great distress and an-
noyance. To remove the suspicion, she commanded Eliza-
beth's appearance at court. And though the Princess
would fain have refused, she was compelled to obey.

Some weeks had now elapsed since Courtenay's flight,
and during that time the Queen's anger had so much
abated, that Gardiner thought he might venture to solicit
his pardon. Representing to her that she had already
punished him sufficiently by the disgrace she had inflicted
upon him, and that it was desirable to give no pretext for



3^2 THE TOWER OF LONDON.

tumult during the momentous discussions wliicli would
take place on the meeting of parliament — then imme-
diately about to be assembled — he urged his suit so
warmly, that in the end Mary consented to pardon the
Earl, provided he appeared at court within three days.

Intelligence of the Queen's change of feeling was soon
conveyed to Courtenay, who had been concealed in an
obscure lodging in London, and on the second day he
presented himself before her. Mary received him gra-
ciously but coldly, and in such a manner as to convince
him and his friends, if they still indulged any such hopes,
that a restoration to the place he had once held in her
affections was out of the question.

"If you are disposed to travel, my lord," she said
sarcastically, " I will take care you have such appoint-
ments to foreign courts as will best suit your age and
inclination."

" Your Majesty has perchance some delicate mission at
the court of Madrid which you desire me to execute," re-
plied the Earl significantly.

" Had I any mission to that court," replied the Queen,
repressing her emotion, « it is not to your hands I should
entrust it. You have offended me once, Courtenay. Be-
ware how you do so a second time. Abandon all hopes
of Elizabeth. She never can be — never shall he yours."

"Thnt remains to be seen," muttered Courtenay, as he
quitted the presence.

The interview over, Courtenay was joined by De No-
ailles, and from that moment he surrendered himself un-
resistingly to the designs of the artful ambassador.

Mary had now removed her court to Whitehall. But
she frequently visited the Tower, and appeared to prefer
its gloomy chambers to the gorgeous halls in her other
palaces. One night, an order was received by Hairun,
the bearward, who had charge of the wild animals, that
on the folloAving day the Queen would visit the menagerie.
Preparations were accordingly made for her reception ;
and the animals were deprived of their supper, tliat they



THE TOWER OF LONDON. 333

might exhibit an unusual degree of ferocity. But though
Hairun starved the wild beasts, he did not act in like
manner towards himself. On the contrary, he deemed it
a fitting occasion to feast his friends, and accordingly in-
vited Magog, his dame, the two other giants, Xit, Ribald,
and the pantler and his spouse, to take their evening
meal with him. The invitation was gladly accepted ; and
about the hour of a modern dinner, the guests repaired
to the bearward's lodgings, which were situated in the
basement chamber of the Lions' Tower. Of this struc-
ture, nothing but an arched embrasure once overlooking
the lesser moat, and another subterranean room, likewise
boasting four deep arched recesses, but constantly flooded
with water, now remain. A modern dwelling-house,
tenanted by the former keeper of the menagerie in the
fortress, occupies the site of the ancient fabric.

Aware of the appetites of his friends, and being no
despicable trencherman himself Hairun had provided
accordingly. The principal dish was a wild boar, a
present to the bearward from Sir Henry Bedingfeld,
Avhich having been previously soaked for a fortnight in a
mixture of vinegar, salt, bruised garlic, and juniper-
berries, was roasted whole under the personal superin-
tendence of Peter Trusbut, who predicted it would prove
delicious eating — and the result proved him no false
prophet. On the appearance of this magnificent dish,
which succeeded the first course of buttered stockfish
and mutton pottage, a murmur of delight pervaded the
company. The eyes of the giants glistened, their mouths
watered, and they grasped their knives and forks like
men preparing for a combat to the utterance Magog had
seated himself as far from his wife as possible. But she
was too much engrossed by the assiduous attention of
Ribald to take any particular notice of him.

Peter Trusbut, as usual, ofiBciated as carver. And the
manner in which he distributed slices of the savory and
juicy meat, which, owing to the preparation it had under-
gone, had a tenderness and mellowness wholly indescrib-



334 THE TOWER OF LONDON.

able, with modicums of tlie delicate fat, elicited the host's
warmest approbation. The giants spoke not a word;
and even the ladies could only express their delight by
interjections. Reserving certain delicate morsels for
himself, Peter Trusbut, with a zeal worthy of the cause
in which he was engaged, continued to ply his knife so
unremittingly, that no one's plate was for a moment
empty, and yet with all this employment he did not en-
tirely forget himself. Hairun was in ecstasies ; and
whOe the giants were still actively engaged, he placed
before them enormous goblets filled with bragget, a drink
composed of strong ale sweetened with honey, spiced
and flavored with herbs. At the first pause, the gigantic
brethren drained their cups, and they were promptly
replenished by the hospitable bearward. By this time
the greater part of the boar had disappeared. Its well-
flavored back and fattened flanks were gone, and the
hams and head alone remained. Seeing that the other
guests were satisfied, the pantler, with some little labor,
hewed off the two legs, and giving one to each of the un-
married giants, assigned the head to Magog.

" Mauger himself never did his office with greater
dexterity than you have displayed in decapitating that
wild boar. Master Pantler," observed Magog, smiling, as
he received the welcome gift.

" You are not going to eat all that, you insatiable cor-
morant ? " cried his dame, from the other end of the
table.

" Indeed, but I am, sweetheart," replied Magog, com-
mencing operations on the cheek ; " wherefore not ? "

"Wherefore not?" screamed Dame Placida, "because
you'll die of an apoplexy, and I shall be a second time a
widow."

" No matter," replied the giant, " I'm weary of life,
and cannot end it more comfortably. I'll eat in spite of
her," he added half aloud.

This last remark, in spite of Ribald's interference,
plight h9.ve called forth some practical rejoinder on the



iHE TOWER OF LONDON. §35

l')art of his wife, had not her attention and that of tiie
rest of the company been drawn at tlie moment towards
Xit. Amongst other animals allowed to range about the
bearward's house was a small mischievous ape. This
creature had seated itself behind Xit's chair, where it
made the most grotesque grimaces in imitation of the
mannikin. The guests were at first too much occupied
to take any notice of its proceedings, and Xit, wholly
unconscious of its presence, pursued his repast in tran-
quillity. The more substantial viands disposed of, he
helped himself to some roasted chestnuts, and was
greedily munching them, when the monkey stretched its
arm over his shoulder, and snatched a handful.

Astonished and alarmed at the occurrence, Xit turned
to regard the intruder. But when he perceived the ape's
grinning face close to his own, and heard the shouts and
laughter of the assemblage, his fear changed to anger, and
he immediately attempted to regain what had been pil-
fered from him. But the monkey was not inclined to part
with his spoil, and a struggle of a very comical kind en-
sued. Xit seized the monkey's paws, and tried to get
back the chestnuts, while the latter, gibbering and grin-
ning horribly, laid hold of the mannikin's shock head of
hair, and after lugging him tremendously, tore up a large
lock by the roots. Enraged by the pain, Xit tried to draw
his sword, but finding it impossible, he grasped the beast
by both ears, and despite its struggling, squealing, and at-
tempts to bite, succeeded in keeping it at bay.

What might have been the result of the conflict it is
impossible to say. But just as Xit's strength was failing,
Hairun flew to his assistance, and partly by threats, partly
by the application of a switch to its back, drove the mon-
key into a corner. Xit was highly complimented for his
courage, and though he occasionally rubbed his head,
these encomiums entirely reconciled him to the loss of his
hair. Magog, who cherished some little resentment for
his former tricks, laughed immoderately at the incident,
{ind said, " My beard is already grown again, but it will be



536 THE TOWER OF LONDON."

a long time before thy rough poll regains its accustomed
appearance. Ha ! ha ! "

In this way the meal was concluded, and it was followed
by a plentiful supply of ale, hydromel, bragget, and wine.
Nor did Peter Trusbut forget to slip the stone bottle of
distilled water into Magog's hand, recommending him on
no account to let Xit taste it — a suggestion scrupulously
observed by the giant. His guests having passed, a merry
hour over their cups, Hairun proposed to conduct them
over the menagerie, that they might see what condition
the animals were in.

The proposal was eagerly accepted, and providing
torches, the bearward led them into a small court commu-
nicating by a low arched door with the menagerie. It
was then as now (for the modern erection, which is still
standing though wholly miused, followed the arrangement
of the ancient structure, and indeed retains some of the
old stone arches), a wide semicircular fabric, in which were
contrived, at distances of a few feet apart, a number of
arched cages, divided into two or more compartments, and
secured by strong iron bars.

A high embattled wall of the same form as the inner
structure faced on the west a small moat, now filled up,
which flowed round these outworks from the base of the
Middle Tower to a fortification, now also removed, called
from its situation the Lions' Gate, where it joined tlie
larger moat.

Opposite the dens stood a wide semicircular gallery, de-
fended by a low stone parapet, and approached by a flight
of steps from the back. It was appropriated exclusively
to the royal use.

The idea of maintaining a menagerie within the Tower
as an appendage to their state, was in all probability de-
rived by our monarchs, as has been previously intimated,
from the circumstance of the Emperor Frederick having
presented Henry the Third with three leopards, in allu-
sion to his coat-of-arms, which animals were afterwards
carefully kept within the fortress. Two orders from thia



TriE TOWER OF LONDON. 337

sovereign to the sheriffs of London, in reference to a
white bear, which formed part of his live-stock, are pre-
served, the first, dated 1253 directing that fourpence a
day (a considerable sum for the period) be allowed for its
sustenance, and the second, issued in the following year,
commanding " that for the keeper of our white bear, lately
sent us from Norway, and which is in our Tower of Lon-
don, ye cause to be had one muzzle and one iron chain, to
hold that bear without the water ; and one long and strong
cord to hold the same bear when fishing in the river of
Thames." Other mandates relating to an elephant appear
in the same reign, in one of which it is directed, " that ye
cause without delay to be built at our Tower of London
one house of forty feet long, and twenty feet deep, for
our elephant ; providing that it be so made and so strong,
that when need be, it may be fit and necessary for other
uses. And the cost shall be computed at the Exchequer."
A fourth order appoints that the animal and his keeper
shall be found with such necessaries " as they shall reason-
ably require." The royal menagerie was greatly increased
by Edward the Third, who added to it, amongst other
animals, a lion and lioness, a leopard, and two wild cats ;
and in the reign of Henry the Sixth the following provis-
ions were made for the keeper : " We of our special grace
have granted to our beloved servant, Robert Mansfield,
esquire, marshal of our hall, the office of keeper of the
lions, with a certain place which hath been appointed an-
ciently within our said Tower for them ; to have and to
occupy the same, by himself or by his suflBcient deputy,
for the term of his life, with the wages of sixpence per
day for himself, and with the wages of sixpence per day
for the maintenance of every lion or leopard now being in
his custody, or that shall be in his custody hereafter."
From this it will appear that no slight importance was
attached to the office, which was continued until recent
times, when the removal of the menagerie rendered it
wholly unnecessary.

Dazzled by the lights, and infuriated with hunger, the

22



338 THE TOWER OF LONDOJ?.

savage denizens of the cages set up a most terrific roaring
as the party entered the flagged space in front of them.
Hairun, who was armed with a stout staff, laid about him
in riglit earnest, and soon produced comparative tranquil-
lity. Still, the din was almost deafening. The animals
were numerous, and fine specimens of their kind. There
were lions in all postures, — couchant, dormant, passant,
and guardant ; tigers, leopards^ hyaenas, jackals, lynxes,
and bears. Among the latter, an old brown bear, pre-
sented to Henry the Eighth by the Emperor Maximilian,
and known by the name of the imperial donor, particularly
attracted their attention, from its curious tricks. At last,
after much solicitation from Dames Placida and Potentia,
the bearward opened the door of the stage, and old Max
issued forth. At first, he was all gentleness, sat upon his
hind-legs, and received the apples and biscuits given him
like a lapdog, when all at once, his master having stepped
aside to quell a sudden disturbance which had arisen in
one of the adjoining cages, he made a dart at Dame
Placida, who was standing near him, and devouring the
fruit and cakes she held in her hand at a mouthful, would
have given her a formidable hug, if she had not saved
herself by running into his cage, the door of which stood
open. Here she would certainly have been caught, if her
husband had not rushed to the entrance. Max warily
eyed his new opponent, and uttered a menacing growl,
but seemed to decline the attack. Dame Placida filled
the cage with her shrieks, and alarmed by the cries, all
the wild animals renewed their howling. Hairun would
have flown to Magog's assistance, but the latter called to
him in a voice of thunder to desist.

" I will have no interference," he roared, " old Max and
I understand each other perfectly."

As if he comprehended what was said, the bear replied
by a hoarse growl, and displayed his enormous fangs in a
formidable manner. Dame Placida renewed her cries,
and besought Ribald to come to her assistance.



THE TOWER OF LONDON. 339

" Stay where you are," thundered Magog, " I will settle
this matter in my own way."

" Help ! for mercy's sake, help ! " shrieked Dame Pla-
cida — " never mind him ! — help ! good Hairun — dear