324 DECLARATlOiN OF THE TREASONS 



Candlemas term, when the time drew near, then was 

 he content consultation should be had by certain 

 choice persons, upon the whole matter and course 

 which he should hold. And because he thought him- 

 .self and his own house more observed, it was thought 

 fit that the meeting and conference should be at 

 Drury-house, where Sir Charles Davers lodged. 

 There met at this council, the earl of Southampton, 

 with whom in former times he had been at some 

 emulations and differences in court : but after, 

 Southampton having married his kinswoman, and 

 plunged himself wholly into his fortune, and being 

 his continual associate in Ireland, he accounted of 

 him as most assured unto him, and had long ago in 

 Ireland acquainted him with his purpose, as was de 

 clared before : Sir Charles Davers, one exceedingly 

 devoted to the earl of Southampton, upon affection 

 begun first upon the deserving of the same earl 

 towards him, when he was in trouble about the mur 

 der of one Long : Ser Ferdinando Gorge, one that the 

 earl of Essex had of purpose sent for up from his 

 government at Plymouth by his letter, with parti 

 cular assignation to be here before the second of 

 February : Sir John Davis, one that had been his 

 servant, and raised by him, and that bare office in 

 the Tower, being surveyor of the ordnance, and one 

 that he greatly trusted : and John Littleton, one 

 they respected for his wit and valour. 



The consultation and conference rested upon three 

 parts : the perusal of a list of those persons, whom 

 they took to be of their party ; the consideration of 



