196 Longleat Papers, A.I). 1553—1588. 



III. — 1569. Sep. 26th. Thomas Howard, 4th Duke op Norfolk. 

 [This great Nobleman being at the head of the Roman Catholic 

 Party, intrigues were on foot for bringing about a marriage be- 

 tween him and Mary, Queen of Scots. Queen Elizabeth was 

 utterly opposed to this. There was some apprehension of a rising 

 in the country, and the Duke, having offered certain explanations 

 to Her Majesty by which however she did not appear to be convin- 

 ced, and being informed he was likely to be sent to the Tower, 

 retired from Court, without taking leave, to his own house in the 

 county of Norfolk, until the storm should blow over. The letter 

 from the Council appears to have been written at that moment. 

 Copies were no doubt sent elsewhere, but to the county of Wilts, 

 one was especially necessary, because the Earl of Pembroke, the 

 Lord Lieutenant there, being one of the suspected persons, had 

 been confined to his own house. The Duke of Norfolk was after- 

 wards tried for High Treason on fresh charges of conspiracy and 

 communication with the Queen of Scots, and beheaded on Tower 

 Hill in 1572.] 



" The Council to the Sheriff and Justices of Wilts. 



After our heartie comendations. Where it is likely that you may hear how 

 the Duke of Norfolk© is gon of late from London to Kenninghall,* ^'^ by his 

 letter to us is signified to be upon feare of the Queue's Ma"''s displeasur, where 

 he avoweth that he will remayne a faithful subject and so we hartily wish and 

 trust he will considering there is none other cawse : Yet becawse we are not 

 ignorant what disposition there is in evill disposed persons to take occasions upon 

 email matters to move seditious bruits ; we have thought good to signify unto 

 you that her Majesty hath not ment any wise toward the said Duke of Norfolk 

 any manner of thing to him offensive, but onely upon his coming to the Courts 

 to understand the truthe of a certen matter that haith ben moved to him for a 

 marriadge with the Q,uene of Scots wh'>. her Majestic no wise doth allowe, and 

 so to have lett him understand her resolute determination at this present when 

 her whole council should have ben here assembled by her order. Whereunto we 

 have good cawse to assure ourselves the said Duke wolde accords ..... 

 we knowe not of any manner of intent in him but that wh*". belongeth to an 

 honorable person and a just and true servaunt to the Queue's Ma*'' our Sovar- 

 aigne. Whereuppon Her Ma"' beinge lothe to have suche a nobleman to be abused 

 with unkind reports, haith sent for the said Duke to repair to her as it is mosto 

 likelie he will. And in the mean time becawse we know not how evill-disposed 

 persons will upon such a matter raise sundrie lewde and false rumors We have 

 thought good to advise you hereof and requier you forthwith to communycate 



* la Norfolk. A Bonse built by tbi* Duke of Norfolk, but now deatroyed. 



