Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 9.djvu/146

I 3 2 REIGN OF ELIZABETH. 53. known and understood of all persons to whom the right did indeed appertain. * This their good and honourable purpose had been prevented by certain common enemies to the realm, near about the Queen's person/ They were themselves in danger from ' sinister devices ' which could only be avoided by the sword. They had there- fore taken arms and committed themselves and their cause to Almighty God. 1 The next step was to secure Mary Stuart. Their advanced camp was little more than fifty miles from Tutbury. Lord Northumberland proposed to go for- ward suddenly and rapidly with a small party. Lord Wharton and two of the Lowthers agreed to join him either on the road or at Burton or Tutbury, and so they hoped to carry the castle by surprise. 2 1 Manifesto of the Earls : Burgh- lei/ Papers, vol. i. Northumberland had great hopes from this manifesto, as well as from theprevious proclama- tion. ' Our assembly,' he said, ' was for reformation of religion and pre- servation of the second person, the Queen of Scots, the right heir, if want shouldbe of the issue of her Majesty's body. Which two causes I made full account were greatly pursued by the most part of the noblemen within the realm, and especially for God's true religion. Yea, I was in hope both the Earl of Leicester and my Lord of Burghley had been blessed with some godly inspiration by this time of day to have discerned cheese from chalk, the matter being so evi- dently discovered by the learned Divines of our time.' Confession of the Earl of Northumberland : Border MSS. 2 ' For that you write that the enterprise of the chief purpose is resolutely upon the Earl of North- umberland to be attempted and that the enterprisers are desirous of my company, this I offer, that appoint me a day and I Avill meet with four good horses at Burton or Tutbury, there to perform with the foremost man or else to die. And to the fur- therance thereof the Lord Whar- ton and my brother will join. For coming to you upon an hour's warn- ing with their whole power it is not possible, but they will not fail to win with you in passing. Let nothing persuade you but that the Lord