“I deny them all,” replied Seymour, boldly.
“Your denial will avail nothing. We have damnatory proofs against you. We have the statements of Ugo Harrington, the wretched man slain by you—the depositions of the Marquis of Dorset—of Fowler, of the privy-chamber—of Hornbeak, Blades, and other pirates with whom you have conspired, and who are now lodged in the Fleet—and of the Princess Elizabeth’s governess, Mistress Ashley. Of the long list of offences with which you are charged, there is not one but can be proved.”
“Still I repeat my emphatic denial of them all,” said the admiral. “I will answer every accusation brought against me, but not here. I demand an open trial, and, in justice, you cannot refuse it.”
“Crimes of such magnitude as yours cannot be publicly discussed with safety to the state,” rejoined Southampton. “Following the precedents afforded in such cases during the late reign, a bill of attainder will be brought against you.”
“In other words, you mean to destroy me,” interrupted Seymour. “I am to be condemned unheard. Finish this mockery of justice, and sentence me at once to the block.”
“If you are convicted of your crimes, my lord, your sentence will follow quickly enough,” observed Warwick—”more quickly perchance than you may desire. The articles of treason objected against you shall be left with you, and you can answer them as you see fit. This is all the grace we deign to confer. We are satisfied of your guilt, and your bold denial of the charges does not shake our conviction. Ever since your royal nephew came to the throne you have been plotting and contriving for increase of power, and if Heaven had not thwarted them, infinite danger to the king’s person, and subversion of the whole state of the realm, might have followed your traitorous designs. We can hold out no hope to you. Leze-majesty and other high crimes and misdemeanors have been proved against you, and you will meet a traitor’s doom.”
“I will meet my death resolutely, come how or when it may,” rejoined Seymour. “I spared your life, my Lord of Warwick, when you were in my power, and it is thus you requite me. Your aim is to destroy me. But you will fail. The king will not see me perish.”
“The king cannot pardon a convicted traitor,” said Warwick. “Once more, do you persist in your refusal to answer our interrogations?”
“Resolutely,” said Seymour.
“Then the examination need be no further continued,” pursued Warwick. “Let the prisoner be removed, Sir John.”
On this, the admiral was withdrawn, and taken back to the Bowyer Tower.
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Chapter II
BY WHOSE AID THE ADMIRAL SENT A LETTER TO THE PRINCESS ELIZABETH
Three days after the examination just described, Seymour was visited in his cell by the Earl of Warwick and some others of the council, who came to receive his answers to the articles of impeachment. He had cautiously limited himself, it appeared, to a few brief rejoinders, explanatory of his motives for supplying the king with money, and bestowing presents upon Fowler and other grooms of the chamber. To the more serious charges a simple and emphatic denial was all he deigned to return.
Throughout this second interview, Seymour conducted himself with the same spirit and determination which he had heretofore evinced. No menaces could shake him. Peremptorily refusing to answer the articles in detail, and objecting even to sign the short rejoinders he had made, he persisted in his demand for an open trial, and inveighed against the secret and inquisitorial examinations to which he was subjected, declaring that he would answer no more interrogations. Thereupon Wafwick and the others left him.
Shortly after this, the bill of attainder was brought into the House of Lords, and passed without delay. When transmitted to the Commons, it encountered strenuous opposition at first, but this was overruled by the lord protector’s influence, and the bill likewise passed the Lower House. But not without considerable persuasion from the council, in which even Cranmer joined, was the royal assent obtained. This was given on the 1oth of March, 1549.
Seymour had been now nearly two months a prisoner in the Tower. Though his fortitude remained unshaken, his proud and impatient spirit chafed sorely against his confinement. No one was allowed to see him unless with a written order from the constable of the Tower, and then only in the presence of the gaoler. Apprehensions being entertained lest he might find means of secretly conveying a letter to his royal nephew, the writing materials which had been left with him, when it was hoped he might answer the articles of impeachment, were removed. No entreaties or promises could prevail upon Tombs to supply him with them again.