CONFESSION OF SIR JOHN DAVIS. 373 



to think of something else. Then they would needs 

 resolve to attempt the court, and withal desired 

 mine opinion. But I prayed them first to set 

 down the manner how it might be done. Then 

 Sir John Davis took ink and paper, and assigned to 

 divers principal men their several places ; some to 

 keep the gate, some to be in the hall, some to be in 

 the presence, some in the lobby, some in the guard- 

 chamber, others to come in with my lord himself, 

 who should have had the passage given him to the 

 privy-chamber, where he was to have presented him. 

 self to her majesty. 



FERD. GORGE. 



Knowledged in the presence of THO. EGERTON, C. S. 



THO. BUCKHURST, 

 NOTTINGHAM, 

 Ro. CECIL. 



The confession of Sir JOHN DAVIS, taken the 18th of 

 February, 1600, before the earl of NOTTINGHAM^ 

 lord High Admiral; Sir ROBERT CECIL, principal 

 Secretary ; and JOHN HERBERT, second Secretary 

 of State. 



SIR JOHN DAVIS being demanded, how long be 

 fore my lord Essex tumult he knew of such his pur 

 pose ? 



He answers, that he knew not directly of any 

 meaning my lord had, until the Sunday seven-night 

 before, or thereabout. 



Being demanded, what he knew ? Then he an- 



