TRIAL OF ESSEX. Ixvil 



The case was opened by a statement, that &quot; to command 

 down the winds of malicious and seditious rumours where 

 with men s conceits may have been tossed to and fro, the 

 Queen was pleased to call the world to an understanding 

 of her princely course held towards the Earl of Essex, as 

 well in herebefore protracting, as in now proceeding against 

 him, not in the ordinary and open place of offenders and 

 criminals, which might leave a taint upon his honour, but, 

 on account of his penitence and submission, her majesty 

 had ordered that the hearing should be before a great, 

 honourable, and selected council, a full and deliberate, and 

 yet in respect a private, mild, and gracious hearing.&quot; 

 The chief heads of the accusation were then stated by the 

 lawyers, who, with the exception of Bacon, either not in 

 the court secret, or disregarding their instructions, pursued 

 their argument with their usual pertinacity, coloured by 

 the respective characters of the men, and of course, by Sir 

 Edward Coke, with his accustomed rancour. Bacon, on the 

 contrary, though he was favoured with a part of the charge 

 least likely to be injurious to Essex, still complained that 

 he might injure his friend, and, though in array against 

 him, evidently fought on his side, (a) 



To those persons present who were not already apprised 

 of the Queen s wishes, Bacon s speech would be considered 

 more consistent with his affection for his friend than his 

 duty to the Queen, as it was constructed as much as 

 possible to do him service. &quot; I hope,&quot; he said, &quot; that my 

 lord Essex himself, and all who now hear me, will consider 

 that the particular bond of duty, which I do now, and ever 

 will acknowledge that I owe unto his lordship, must be 

 sequestered and laid aside, in discharge of that higher 

 duty, which we all owe unto the Queen, whose grace and 



(a) See note 4 C at the end for a full account of the trial. 



