The Constable of the Tower by W. Harrison Ainsworth

Discontinued of late years, the office of lord high admiral was one of great trust, honor, and profit, and was usually conferred upon princes of the blood, or upon the most important of the nobility. Supreme judge of all done upon the main or upon the coasts, the lord high admiral had power to commission all naval officers, to impress seamen, to collect penalties and amercements of all transgressions at sea, to seize upon the effects of pirates, to receive all wrecks, a certain share of prizes, with many other privileges. That Lord Seymour entered upon this honorable and very lucrative office with the sole design of using it as a stepping-stone to yet higher honors, we know; but, in the mean time, he was determined that it should yield him all the influence, power, and profit possible. From a variety of sources, the admiral had suddenly become exceedingly wealthy. Large revenues had been bestowed upon him by his royal nephew, together with a grant of the rich manor of Sudley, in Gloucestershire. Moreover, Queen Catherine’s dowry was at his disposal. Thus abundantly furnished with means of display, he affected a degree of magnificence only second to that of the lord protector. At Seymour House, for so was his residence styled, he maintained a princely retinue of servants, grooms, pages, ushers, henchmen, and others, all sumptuously apparelled, and surrounded himself by a body of young gentlemen who served him as esquires. His ostentatious mode of living was highly displeasing to the lord protector, who remonstrated with him upon it, but ineffectually.

About a month after his instalment, the lord high admiral was seated one day in a large chamber looking upon the Thames, in which he usually transacted his affairs. This chamber did not belong to his private residence, but appertained to a suite of apartments assigned him at Whitehall for the conduct of his office. The walls were covered with large maps and plans of the principal English, Irish, Scottish, and French seaports, while the tapestry represented ancient and modern naval engagements. Spacious as was the chamber, it was so encumbered by models of ships, implements of naval warfare, and great chests, that it was no easy matter to move about it. At the moment of our visit to him, the admiral was alone, and occupied in writing letters, but shortly afterwards another person entered the room, and respectfully approached him. This was Ugo Harrington, who now officiated as his chief secretary. As Ugo drew near, the admiral looked up, and inquired what he wanted.

“Is it your Highness’s pleasure to see those merchantmen, who are about to sail for the Mediterranean?” inquired Ugo, bowing.

“Hast thou given them to understand that they may not trade with any port in the Mediterranean without my permission?” rejoined the admiral.

“I have, your Highness, and I have also intimated to them that they must pay—pay well—for such license.”

“And what reply do they make?”

“They one and all protest against the claim, and declare such a demand was never before made.”

“That is no reason why it should not be made now,” rejoined the admiral, laughing. “I will have the tribute, or they shall not sail. Tell them so.”

Ugo bowed, and withdrew. Seymour resumed his correspondence, but had not been long so occupied, when his esquire returned.

“Well, are the merchantmen gone?” inquired the admiral, looking at him.

“Ay, your Highness,” replied Ugo. “They have each paid fifty marks, which I have deposited in your coffers. They grumbled a good deal at the extortion, as they termed it, but I would not let them have the licences till they complied.”

“Henceforth, no vessel shall carry merchandise out of these dominions without payment of an impost proportionate to the value of the cargo. Be it thy duty to see this regulation strictly enforced.”

“Your Highness’s commands shall be obeyed to the letter. What is to be done with all those goods and rich stuffs taken from the pirates who plundered the Portuguese merchant at the mouth of the Channel? Application has been made for them by the owner. Are they to be restored to him?”

“I marvel that a man of thy shrewdness and discernment should ask so simple a question, Ugo. Restore the goods! No, by Saint Paul! not any part of them. Help thyself to what thou wilt, and distribute the rest among thy fellows. The taste of spoil will quicken their faculties, and make them eager for more. Send away this Portuguese merchant, and recommend him to be content with his loss. If he complains, threaten him with the Fleet. These pirates are most serviceable to us, and though we may ease them of their booty, we must not put a stop to their trade.”