94 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle 



lute conqueror, both himself and the rest of the nobility would 

 lose all their rights and privileges ; yet he was so far from 

 consenting to it, that he returned him this answer, namely, 

 that he entered into actions of war, for no other end, but for 

 the service of his king and master, and to keep up his Majesty's 

 rights and prerogatives, for which he was resolved to venture 

 both his life, posterity, and estate ; for certainly, said he, the 

 nobility cannot fall if the King be victorious, nor can they 

 keep up their dignities if the King be overcome. 



This message was delivered by word of mouth, but none 

 of their names mentioned ; so that it is not certainly known 

 whether it was a real truth or not ; more probable it was, that 

 they intended to sound my Lord, or to make, if possible, more 

 division. For certainly not all that pretended to be for the 

 King, were his friends ; and I myself remember very well, 

 when I was with her Majesty, the now Queen Mother, in Ox- 

 ford (although I was too young to perceive their intrigues, yet 

 I was old enough to observe), that there were great factions 

 both amongst the courtiers and soldiers. But my Lord's 

 loyalty was such, that he kept always faithful and true to his 

 Majesty, and could by no means be brought to side with the 

 rebellious party, or to juggle and mind his own interest more 

 than his Majesty's service ; and this was the cause that he 

 had as great private enemies at court, as he had public enemies 

 in the field, who sought as much his ruin and destruction 

 privately, and would cast aspersions upon his loyalty and duty, 

 as these did publicly oppose him. 



In short, that it may appear the better what loyal and 

 faithful services my Lord has done both for his late Majesty 

 King Charles the First and his now gracious master King 

 Charles the Second, I have thought fit to subjoin both their 

 Majesty's commendations which they were pleased to give him, 

 when for his great and loyal services they conferred upon him 

 the titles and dignities of Marquess, and Duke of Newcastle *. 



A Copy of the Preamble of my Lord's Patent for Marquess, 



Englished 



* Rex, etc., Salutem. — Whereas it appears to us, that 

 William, Earl of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, besides his most emi- 



1 Given also by Collins, Historical Collections, p. 31, and there dated Oxford, 27th 

 October 1643. 



