truth that I had reported. Hee tooke it, and looked upon it, and said, 'It is enough: I know by this you are a true messenger.' Then he committed me. to the charge of my Lord Hume', and gave streight command that I should want nothing. Hee sent for his chirurgions to attend mee, and when I kissed his hand at my departure, he said to me these gracious words: I know you have lost a neere kinsewoman, and a loving mistresse; but take here my hand, I will be as good a master to you, and will requite this service with honour and rewerd.' The following curious story of the Countess of Nottingham was frequently told by Lady Elizabeth Spelman, great-grand-daughter of Sir Robert Carey, brother of Lady Nottingham, and afterwards Earl of Monmouth, whose curious Memoirs of himself were published a few years ago by Lord Corke: "When Catharine Countess of Nottingham was dying (as she did, according to his Lordship's own account, about a fortnight before Queen Elizabeth) she sent to her Majesty to desire that she might see her, in order to reveal something to her Majesty, without the discovery of which she could not die in peace. Upon the Queen's coming, Lady Nottingham told her, that, while the Earl of Essex lay under sentence of death, he was desirous of asking her Majesty's mercy in the manner prescribed by herself: during the height of his favour, the Queen having given him a ring, which being sent to her as a token of his distress, might entitle him to her protection. But the Earl, jealous of those about him, and not caring to trust any of them with it, as he was looking out of his window one morning, saw a boy, with whose appearance he was pleased; and, engaging him by money and promises, directed him to carry the ring (which he took from his finger and threw down) to Lady Scrope, a sister of the Earl of Nottingham, and a friend of his Lordship's, who attended upon the Queen; and to beg of her that she would present it to her Majesty. The boy, by mistake, carried it to Lady Nottingham, who shewed it to her husband the Adiniral, an enemy of Lord Essex, in order to take his advice. The Admiral forbad her to carry it, or return any answer to the message; but insisted upon her keeping the ring. The Countess of Nottingham having made this discovery, begged the Queen's forgiveness; but her Majesty answered, “God may forgive you, but I never can," and left the room with great emotion. Her mind was so struck with this story, that she never went into bed, nor took any sustenance from that instant; for Camden is of opinion, that her chief reason for suffering the Earl to be executed, was his supposed obstinacy in not applying to her for mercy. The Ring delivered by Queen Elizabeth to the Earl of Essex, and on which his life depended, is fully described in the "Progresses" of the Queen, vol. III. p. 550.—Various have been the claimants of this curious relick; and, among others, it was supposed to be inherited by Ferdinando Warner, Esq. of the Island of Antigua, who died in Hatton Garden in August 1801.

Alexander Home, sixth Lord Home, was served heir to his father Nov. 17, 1580, in the offices of Sheriff of Berwick and Bailie of Lauderdale. He stood high in the favour of King James VI.; and was very instrumental in suppressing the insurrection of Bothwell in 1592, for which he had a grant of the dissolved Priory of Coldingham. Being a Roman Catholic, he made his repentance in the New Kirk, before the Assembly, on his knees, May 17, 1594; and in 1599 he was sent on a secret Embassy to Rome, to gain the favour of the Roman Catholic Princes, as a necessary precaution towards facilitating King James's accession to the English throne. In 1602, he was employed on a complimentary Visit to Queen Elizabeth; Mr. Chamberlain says, October 2, "The Lord Hume came

So I left him that night, and went with my Lord Hume to my lodging, where I had all things fitting for so weary a man as I was. After my head was drest, I tooke leave of my Lord and many others that attended mee, and went to my rest. The next morning by ten a'clock my Lord Hume was sent to me from the King, to know how I had rested; and withall said, that his Majestie commanded him to know of mee, what it was that I desired most, that he should do for mee; bade me aske, and it should be granted. I desired my Lord to say to his Majestie from mee, that I had no reason to importune him for my suite, for that I had not as yet done him any service: but my humble request to his Majesty was, to admitt mee a Gentleman of his Bed-chamber, and hereafter, I knew, if his Majesty saw mee worthy, I should not want to taste of his bounty. My Lord returned this answer, that hee sent me word back, with all his heart, I should have my request.' And the next time I came to Court (which was some four dayes after) at night, I was called into his Bed-chamber, and there by my Lord of Richmond', in his presence, I was sworn one of the Gentlemen of his Bed-chamber, and presently I helped to take off his clothes, and stayed 'till he was in bed. •After this there came daily Gentlemen and Noblemen from our Court, and the King sett downe a fixed day for his departure towards London."

this way home, and had audience at Court on Sunday. The Queen was very pleasant with him and well disposed ;" and Lord Corke observes, that "he was a character in history of great integrity, conduct, and resolution." He was sworn a Privy Counsellor to King James VI. whom in April 1603 he entertained at Dunglass, and, accompanying the King to England, was there naturalized. He was created Earl of Home and Lord Dunglass, to him and his heirs male whatever, March 4, 1604-5; had charters of the benefices of Coldingham and Jedburgh, united into the temporal Lordship of Coldingham, May 20, 1610; and of East Gordon and Fogo, Feb. 7, 1612. He died April 5, 1619. Wood's Douglas, vol. I. p. 736.—To this Nobleman (and not to George Hume Earl of Dunbar) the short note in Queen Elizabeth's Progresses," vol. III. p. 600, should have referred.

'Lodowick Stuart, Dnke of Lenox (son of Esme, Duke of Lenox, and grandson of John Lord D'Aubigny, younger brother of Matthew Earl of Lenox, who was grandfather to King James) was much and deservedly esteemed by his Royal Master, whom he represented as High Commissioner to the Parliament of Scotland in 1607. Oct. 6, 1613, he was created Baron of Settrington and Earl of Richmond, in Yorkshire; and, May 17, 1623, was further advanced to the dignity of Earl of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Duke of Richmond. He was Master of the Household, First Gentleman of the King's Bed-chamber, and a Knight of the Garter. He was thrice married; first to a sister of the Earl of Gowrie, in Scotland; secondly, to the sister of Sir Hugh Campbell; and, thirdly, to Frances, daughter of Thomas Howard, Viscount Bindon, and widow of Edward Earl of Hertford, but died the 11th of February 1623-4 as he was proposing to go to the Parliament then sitting.

"I should have told you before," remarks the English Chronicler, "that at the first, Sir Robert Carey, unknowne to the Lords, ryd post unto his Majestie with wondrous expedition, and by the way sent certaine knowledge of all things to Barwicke, unto his brother Sir John Carey, who presently proclaimed the King's right. His Majestie, upon receipt of the letters delivered him by Sir Charles Percie and Maister Thomas Somerset from the Princes, Peers, and Estate of England, wherein was expressed the death of the Queene, their griefes for so great a losse, the sole right and tender of the imperiall Crowne and dignitie unto his Highnesse, by them in the behalfe of the whole nation already acknowledged, and in all places proclaimed, and of all sorts most joyfully received, most humbly beseeching him to accept the same as a pledge of their true allegiance, religious love and dutie, which his Majestie has gratiously accepted, highly commending and approving their singular wisedomes and provident prevention of that which all the world feared, namely, dissention and factions, promising to acknowledge and requite their several loves and kindnesse, as time and occasion should permit, and to that effect his Majestie returned present answere unto the Princes, Peeres, and Privie Counsellors of Estate, assuring them continuance of all such rights and honors as they then enjoyed, requiring and authorizing all the Lords and others being Privy Counsellors of estate unto his late Sister Elizabeth of famous memorie, in God's name and his right to continue and enjoy their former power, strength, and authoritie, giving them and all the rest of the Nobilitie due acknowledgement and kingly thankes for their singular and admired wisedomes, so excellently well governing and disposing of the highest and most mightie affaires concerning his Imperiall Crowne and Kingdome, promising ever to keepe in memory their extraordinary manifestations of their true allegiance, love, and dutie, signifying his further pleasure was to adde unto their most honorable num

'Second son of Henry Carey, the first Lord Hunsdon, who succeeded to that title in 1603 on the death of his brother George the second Lord, and died in 1617. His son Henry, fourth Lord Hunsdon, was created Viscount Rochfort 1621, and Earl of Dover 1627. His son John, second Earl of Dover, and fifth Lord Hunsdon, dying 1677, without issue male, the Earldom and Viscounty became extinct. Sir Robert Carey became sixth Lord Hunsdon, as next heir male: the title became extinct in 1765 on the death of William Ferdinand, eighth Lord, s. p.

⚫ Camden, says, that "Charles Percy and Thomas Somerset were dispatched, on the 25th, by the Lords of the Council, with a letter to the King, signifying the Queen's death, and kindly desiring him, that he would be pleased to repair into England with all speed. And on the 28th George Carew and Thomas Lake were sent to inform the King in what posture affairs stood."

ber the Earles of Northumberland and Cumberland 2, the Lord Thomas Howard, and the Lord Mountjoy 4, notwithstanding his then being in Ireland. And forthwith to enlardge the Earle of Southampton, whom personally and speedily, he required to meet him in his journey for England, and from this time forward unto the comming of his Majestie in person, the estate

1

Henry Percy, ninth Earl of Northumberland, was one of the Lords assembled in Council, who signed, at the Palace of Whitehall, on March 28, 1603, the letter to the Lord Eure, and other Commissioners for the treaty at Breame, directed them how to proceed, and signifying to them, "That the Queen departed this life on the 24th, and that King James of Scotland was become King of England, and received with universal acclamations and consent of all persons of whatsoever degree and quality. (See hereafter, p. 42.) When the King at Edinburgh, in answer to the letter of the Counsel signifying the death of the Queen, brought by his Lordship's brother Sir Charles Percy, authorised the continuance in office of all the Lords, and other Counsellors to the late Queen; he signified, at the same time, his further pleasure, that the Earl of Northumberland should be added to their number. The Earl was present in Council on the 3d of May at Broxbourne, on the King's delivery of the great seal to Sir Thomas Egerton, and attended the King to the Tower of London.

• Of this gallant Peer, who in the preceding Reign was honoured with the title of "The Queen's Champion," see the " Progresses" of that illustrious Queen, vol. III. p. 665. And we shall meet with him again, as one of the Entertainers of the new Monarch on his first arrival in England.

Eldest son of Thomas fourth Duke of Norfolk, by his second marriage with Margaret, daughter and sole heir of Thomas Audley, Lord Audley of Walden in Essex. He was Commander of a small squadron, bound for the Azores, to intercept the Spanish Plate fleet, which he accordingly met with there, and engaged with an almost romantic bravery; nor was the valour of his Vice-admiral, Sir Richard Grenville, (called here Grenfylde) who died of his wounds soon after the action, less remarkable. This Nobleman, whose great genius fitted him for all employments, was summoned to Parliament, 39 Elizabeth, as Lord Howard of Walden; immediately on the accession of King James, was sworn of the Privy Council, and on July 2, was advanced to the Earldom of Suffolk. He was Lord Chamberlain at the time of the Gunpowder Plot in 1605; and under that year we shall again meet with him in a future page.

• Charles Blount, who on the death of his brother William in 1594, became the eighth Lord Montjoy of Thurweston, was a Nobleman of great eminence; and, whilst a Commoner, had followed the profession of arms with a considerable degree of credit, and had a command in the Fleet which destroyed the Spanish Armada. In 1600 he was constituted Lord Lieutenant of Ireland; and repulsed the Spaniards with great honour at Kinsale. The same important office was conferred on him by King James in 1603; who, in the same year, July 21, created him Earl of Devonshire; and he was also made a Knight of the Garter. Camden styles him, a person famous for conduct, and so eminent in courage and learning, that, in these respects he had no superior, and but few equals." And his Secretary Moryson (from whose "Itinerary" several letters from Queen Elizabeth to Lord Montjoy, are preserved in her " Progresses," vol. III. pp. 569, 575, 579, 596) writes that he was beautiful

was wholly and onely ruled and swayed by the Lords and others of the Privie Counsell1.

66

Monday the 28th of March, his Majestie sent the Lord Abbot of Hollirood House to take possession of Berwicke to the King's use; who being really possest of the keyes and stafe, which, after the othe of alleageaunce by him given unto the Maior and Governor, he cheirfully, in the King's name, re-delivered back the keys and stafe; manifesting his Majestie's good pleasure was, they should enjoy all their auncient priviledges, charters, and liberties, and not only they, but also all other his loving and well affected subjects, shewing and continuing the like obedience.—The Abbot being returned; and having made trew report not onely with what triumph, love, and kindnes he had bin entertained and entreated, but also with what hearty and generall applause the name of King James was received, his Majestie was fully satisfied, touching his peaceable enterance into England, and true obedience of all his English subjects.

in his person, as well as valiant; and learned, as well as wise.-But the enjoyment of his last honours was only for about three years. It is said he had engaged in a mutual affection, and even promise of marriage, with the Earl of Essex's Sister, Penelope, before she was married to Lord Rich, whom she afterwards abandoned, and had several children by the Earl of Devonshire, who, finding her on his return from Ireland, divorced from her husband, married her at Wormstead, Dec. 26, 1605; the ceremony being performed by his Chaplain, William Laud, afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury; an act which gave great concern to that Prelate upon cooler reflexion, and exposed him to much censure. And his Lordship's conduct with respect to that Lady, gave such a wound to his reputation, though he endeavoured to excuse it by a written apology, that the impression which the disgrace made on him was believed to have shortened his days.—Mr. Chamberlaine, in a letter to Mr. Winwood, dated April 5, 1606, says, "The Earl of Devonshire left this life on Thursday night last; soon and early for his years (forty-three), but late enough for himself; and happy had he been, if he had gone two or three years since; before the world was weary of him, or that he had left his scandal behind him.” By this Lady, it is affirmed, he had five children fathered upon him, at the parting from her former husband; whereof the second son, Montjoy Blount, by the special favour of King James, was created Lord Montjoy of Thurweston in 1605, and in the next year was advanced to the title of Earl of Newport in the Isle of Wight.

'Thomas Berkeley, eldest son of Henry eleventh Lord Berkeley (brother to the Earl of Northumberland) is supposed to have been the official bearer of the news of the Queen's death. Mr. Berkeley was made a Knight of the Bath at the Coronation, July 25, following. He married Elizabeth, only child of Sir George Carey, elder brother of Sir Robert. Sir Thomas Berkeley

died before his father, Nov. 23, 1611, æt. 37.

• This Representative of his Sovereign will occur in a subsequent page, under the various titles of " Bishop of Halirud-house," and "Lord of Halyrud-house."