Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 9.djvu/166

152 REIGN OF ELIZABETH, [CH. 53- Sir John Foster, and doubled back with an intention of hiding among the wolds. But Clinton's cavalry were on the Tyne, led by Sir Edward Horsey, the sworn brother of the Channel pirates, who, railing at the cowardice which, having begun a rebellion, would not stand to fight it out, was eager to serve what he called God with the free use of rope and gallows. 1 At Horsey' s side was Thomas Cecil, for whose loose ways his father once thought the Bastile the only cure ; and who now * having/ as he said, ' adventured his carcase ' in the Queen's service, was looking to fill his pockets from the profits of the expected confiscations. 2 The sufferings of two little daughters of the Earl of Northumberland, whom he had left behind him at Topcliff. Their uncle, Sir Henry Percy, who remained loyal, passing by three weeks after Christmas, reported to Sussex, ' that he had found the young ladies in hard case, for neither had they any provisions nor one penny to relieve themselves with.' ' They would gladly be removed,' he said ; ' their want of fire is so great, and their years may not well suffer that lack.' Sir H. Percy to Sussex, January 9 : Memorials of the lie- bellion. There was ' sharp execution ' done at Topcliff before Percy's visit, and the poor children, as they looked shivering out of their window, must have seen some scores of their father's servants hanging on the trees about the house. 1 ' Even as they have frowardly and villanously begun a lewd en- terprise, so have they beastly and cowardly performed the same. The bruit of her Majesty's army drawing near did so appal their hearts as made them rather yield their heads unto a halter than by fight persist in their vile and detestable quarrel. I beseech Almighty God that her Majesty may take such order as the punishment of these rebels may be example to all others in this age. I would not have thought to have found any corner in England where God and the Queen is so little ac- knowledged, the which now by your Honour's good order may be redressed.' Edward Horsey to Cecil, December 22 : MSS. Domestic. 2 Before the rebellion was over, and without waiting to know what the Queen would do, he applied for the administration of the estate of the Nortons. Thomas Cecil to Sir "William Cecil, December 23 : 3fSS. Domestic.