OF ROBERT EARL OF ESSEX. 333 



principal gentlemen and their followers, to the num 

 ber of some three hundred. And also it being Sun 

 day, and the hour when he had used to have a ser 

 mon at his house, it gave cause to some and colour 

 to others to come upon that occasion. As they came, 

 my lord saluted and embraced, and to the generality 

 of them gave to understand, in as plausible terms as 

 he could, That his life had been sought, and that he 

 meant to go to the court and declare his griefs to the 

 queen, because his enemies were mighty, and used 

 her majesty s name and commandment; and desired 

 their help to take his part ; but unto the more spe 

 cial persons, he spake high, and in other terms, tell 

 ing them, That he was sure of the city, and would 

 put himself into that strength, that her majesty 

 should not be able to stand against him, and that he 

 would take revenge of his enemies. 



All the while after eight of the clock in the 

 morning, the gates to the street and water were 

 strongly guarded, and men taken in and let forth by 

 discretion of those that held the charge, but with 

 special caution of receiving in such as came from 

 court, but not suffering them to go back without 

 my lord s special direction, to the end no particu 

 larity of that which passed there might be known to 

 her majesty. 



About ten of the clock, her majesty having un 

 derstanding of this strange and tumultuous assem 

 bly at Essex-house, yet in her princely wisdom and 

 moderation thought to cast water upon this fire be 

 fore it brake forth to farther inconvenience : and 



