The Tudor Heritage by Lynda M. Andrews

Author:Lynda M. Andrews
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781911591351
Publisher: Canelo Digital Publishing Ltd
Published: 2017-11-15T05:00:00+00:00

When all is ready, the six gentlemen must then be set to work and you will provide that on their design being accomplished, I may be myself rescued from this place and be in safe keeping till our friends arrive. I will do what I can to raise Scotland and Ireland. Beware of traitors!

Mary had written those words. Mary to whom she had given aid and comfort and whom she had defended against her enemies and who in return had repaid her with intrigue after intrigue.

“Madam, this time there can be no delay. No further proof is necessary. The Queen of Scots is a vicious woman!” Burghley interrupted her thoughts.

Elizabeth remained silent and the two men exchanged anxious looks.

“Madam, I implore you, strike lest thou be stricken!” Walsingham begged her.

“This Queen has given you naught but trouble since she first set foot in this realm. She has never ceased to plot against you. Norfolk, Throckmorton, Dr. Parry, the Duke of Guise, the King of Spain—the list is endless. She has ensnared half of Europe in plots which endangered your safety.”

“And never has she renounced her claim upon your crown,” Walsingham interposed.

Elizabeth put her hands to her head as if to fend off the words beating upon her ears.

“Madam, she is a traitor—she must die!” Walsingham’s words hammered into her brain.

Slowly she nodded. “Do what is necessary, Mr. Secretary, but leave me now.”

The two men left. Discussing the matter further, they agreed that the utmost caution must be maintained for they were determined that Mary Stuart should not escape her just desserts.

Doubt and suspicion tormented young Anthony Babington. It had seemed such a chivalrous plan. To free the tragic Queen of Scots from the powers of darkness. To cast out the usurper and bring back the old faith to England. He had gathered about him a circle of friends who heartily concurred with his plans. The idea had been suggested to him in the first place by John Ballard, a priest, who had assured him that the Pope and the King of Spain would applaud and aid him. He knew he must be cautious for Walsingham had agents everywhere and he had his doubts about Gilbert Gifford. In fact the more he thought about the matter the more his courage failed. He could feel the rope tighten about his neck and the cold steel tear at his insides—for the traitor’s death was the most awful death devised by man!

He suddenly made up his mind and on the 31st July, he intimated to Poley—a member of Walsingham’s household—that he had information concerning a plot and was prepared to reveal all he knew to his master. This information was duly passed to Walsingham and arrangements were made for them to meet. But Babington somehow got wind of the arrest of Ballard and took fright and fled with some of his friends to St. John’s Wood—a haunt of cut-throats and robbers. From there they made their way to a house in Harrow owned by

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