Messengers of state, accompanied by sufficient force to enable them to execute their purpose, were sent to take possession of Seymour’s princely mansion, Sudley Castle, and of his fortress, Holt Castle. These places were occupied without resistance, for on hearing that the admiral was arrested, all his partisans lost heart. Both castles were escheated to the Crown, the former being given to the Marquis of Northampton—brother, it will be remembered, to the unhappy Queen Catherine Parr,—and the latter converted into a garrison for the king’s troops.
Six of the swiftest-sailing ships of war were despatched to the Scilly Islands to take possession of all the stores laid up there by the grand conspirator, and to capture and destroy the piratical vessels in his pay. Vigorous measures were also taken to repress risings in the different counties known to be favorable to the admiral, and several ringleaders were arrested and subsequently hanged.
By these prompt and decisive steps, which were taken on the advice and under the direction of Warwick, the insurrection was effectually crushed. Terror-stricken by the fall of their leader, the bands upon whom he had counted quickly dispersed. A slight demonstration in his behalf was made in the city of London, where the apprentices, incited by his partisans, cried out against his arrest, but the rioters were speedily put down by the train-bands.
Thus was one of the most daring and extraordinary conspiracies ever planned brought to an end before it had time to explode. Thus with Lord Seymour fell the entire edifice he had been at so much pains to construct.
All these proceedings, however, were kept carefully concealed from the contriver of the plot, and whatever, he might suspect, he knew not how completely his work had been undone.
On the sixth day of his imprisonment, it was intimated to the admiral by Tombs that he would be examined by the council, and the intelligence was satisfactory to him. By this time he had fully recovered from the shock occasioned by his fall; all his courage had returned, and hope was again kindled in his breast. Having prepared for his defence, he persuaded himself he should be able to baffle his enemies.
Arrayed in habiliments of black velvet, he impatiently awaited the summons of the council. It was brought by the constable of the Tower in person, who came with a guard to conduct him to the lieutenant’s lodgings, where the council were assembled. Sir John looked grave and stern, and declined to answer any questions put to him.
After a short detention in the ante-room, Seymour was taken into the large wainscoted chamber already described, where he found all the members of the council, with the exception of Cranmer, seated round a table covered with green cloth. Before them were piles of letters and other papers, which he knew at a glance related to himself.
At the upper end of the table sat the Earl of Warwick, with the Earl of Southampton on his right hand, and Lord Russell on his left. The countenances of the assemblage boded him little good. But Seymour was not to be daunted by the stern and menacing looks fixed upon him. Standing between two halberdiers, he surveyed the assemblage with a glance of defiance, and making a haughty inclination to them, drew himself up to his full height.
“My lord,” said Warwick, “we trust—though your proud and assured deportment seems scarcely to warrant such a conclusion—that the confinement you have undergone has wrought in you a penitent spirit, and that you are prepared to confess the heinous offences and treasons of which you have been guilty—and of which we may tell you we have proof—and throw yourself upon your offended sovereign’s mercy.”
“I have nothing to confess, my lord,” rejoined the, admiral, sternly. “I have been guilty of no crimes!”
“We have the depositions of various witnesses against you,” said Warwick. “They shall be read, and you can then disprove them, if you have the power.”
“I demand an open trial,” rejoined Seymour. “I refuse to answer any interrogations which you, my Lord of Warwick, or your colleagues, may put to me, knowing you to be my mortal enemies.”
“Do you venture to impugn the justice of the council?” said Warwick.