The Constable of the Tower by W. Harrison Ainsworth

“I have concurred in my Lord of Hertford’s appointment,” said Tunstal, “in the belief that it is essential there should be a head to the government; and in the firm belief also that no better person than his lordship can be found for the office. But still adhering, as I do to the old religion, though I have been content, for the sake of peace, to conform to many changes wrought in it by our late sovereign lord and master, I am strongly adverse to any further Reformation, as it is called, and I shall deeply regret the vote I have given if I find the Lord Protector take advantage of the power just conferred upon him to push for further separation from the See of Rome, and to widen and deepen the breaches already unhappily made in the Church.”

“No fear of that, my Lord of Durham,” said Wriothesley; “the cause of Rome is too ably supported in the upper council by yourself, by my Lords of Arundel and St. John, by Sir Edward Wotton, Sir Anthony Brown, and Doctor Nicholas Wotton; and in the lower council by Sir John Gage, Sir William Petre, Sir John Baker, and Sir Thomas Cheyney. I say nothing of myself—but you may count on all my zeal. We will resist—strenuously resist—any further interference with our religion.”

“You have spoken our sentiments, my lord,” said Sir Anthony Brown, and other friends of the old belief. “We are disposed to make up the breach with the See of Rome, not to widen it.”

“Nay, my good lords and gentlemen, let there be no disagreement amongst us,” said Hertford, in a bland and conciliatory voice. Then bowing around, he added, “Accept, I pray you all, my hearty thanks for the high and important offices just conferred upon me. My best endeavors shall be used to satisfy you all. I shall strive to reconcile differences, not to heighten them; I shall be moderate and tolerant, rather than over-zealous; and I cannot far err, seeing I must be guided and controlled by your collective opinions and wisdom.” This speech producing the effect desired by the new Lord Protector, he went on. “And now, my lords and gentlemen, there is a matter, wherein many of ye are concerned, to which I would direct your present attention, though the full accomplishment thereof must necessarily be deferred to another time. As you are all doubtless aware, there is a clause in the late king’s will requiring us, his executors, to make good all his promises of any sort or kind. What these promises were it will be needful to ascertain without delay. As a means thereto, I will call upon one who, being greatly trusted, had the best opportunities of knowing his Majesty’s intentions, to declare. I address myself to you, Sir William Paget, and require you to state explicitly as much as you know of the late king’s designs.”

“I can answer your inquiries without difficulty, my lord,” replied the chief secretary, “for I have a book wherein the king’s wishes were set down by myself, under his Majesty’s direction, by whom, as ye will see, the memoranda are signed. Here it is,” he added, exhibiting the book. “From this ye will learn the honors and rewards meant to be conferred by him upon his faithful servants. Herein ye will find it written, that the Earl of Hertford shall be created Lord High Treasurer and Earl Marshal, with the title of Duke of Somerset, and his son Earl of Hertford; in support of which titles, yearly revenues are to arise to the duke and his son out of the next bishop’s land that shall fall due.”

“That may be Durham,” observed Tunstal. “His Majesty hath shown as little scruple towards us of the superior clergy, as he did towards the monasteries.”

“Nay, I trust my revenues will not arise from your diocese, my lord,” said Hertford, “though it be the richest and most considerable in the kingdom. What more, good master secretary?”

“The Earl of Essex is set down to be Marquis of Northampton,” pursued Paget; “the Lord Lisle to be Earl of Warwick; the Lord Wriothesley”—and he paused to glance at the lord chancellor—”to be Earl of Southampton; Sir Richard Rich to be Baron Rich; and Sir Thomas Seymour to be Baron Seymour of Sudley, and Lord High Admiral of England.”