OF ROBERT EARL OF ESSEX. 325 



the action itself which they should set a-foot, and 

 how they should proceed in it ; and the distribution 

 of the persons, according to the action concluded on, 

 to their several employments. 



The list contained the number of sixscore per 

 sons, noblemen, and knights, and principal gentle 

 men, and was, for the more credit s sake, of the earl 

 of Essex own hand-writing. 



For the action itself, there was proposition 

 made of two principal articles : the one of posses 

 sing the Tower of London ; the other of surprising 

 her majesty s person and the court ; in which also 

 deliberation was had, what course to hold with the 

 city, either towards the effecting of the surprise, or 

 after it was effected. 



For the Tower, was alleged the giving a reputa 

 tion to the action, by getting into their hand the 

 principal fort of the realm, with the stores and pro 

 visions thereunto appertaining, the bridling of the 

 city by that piece, and commodity of entrance in 

 and possessing it, by the means of Sir John Davis. 

 But this was by opinion of all rejected, as that which 

 would distract their attempt from the more princi 

 pal, which was the court, and as that which they 

 made a judgment would follow incidently, if the 

 court were once possessed. 



But the latter, which was the ancient plot, as 

 was well known to Southampton, was in the end, 

 by the general opinion of them all, insisted and 

 rested upon. 



And the manner how it should be ordered and 



