CONFESSION OF SIR CHRISTOPHER BLUNT. 379 



according as he had written unto him before some 

 few days. 



Being demanded, to what end they went to the 

 city, to join with such strength as they hoped for 

 there ? he confesseth it was to secure the earl of 

 Essex his life, against such forces as should be sent 

 against him. And being asked, What, against the 

 queen s forces ? he answered, That must have been 

 judged afterwards. 



But being farther asked, Whether he did advise 

 to come unto the court over night ? He saith, No ; 

 for Sir Ferdinando Gorge did assure, that the 

 alarm was taken of it at the court, and the guards 

 doubled. 



Being asked, whether he thought any prince 

 could have endured to have any subject make the 

 city his mediator ? or to gather force to speak for 

 him ? He saith, he is not read in stories of former 

 times ; but he doth not know but that in former 

 times subjects have used force for their media 

 tion. 



Being asked, what should have been done by any 

 of the persons that should have been removed from 

 the queen ? He answered, that he never found my 

 lord disposed to shed blood ; but that any that 

 should have been found, should have had indifferent 

 trial. 



Being asked upon his conscience, whether the 

 earl of Essex did not give him comfort, that if he 

 came to authority, there should be a toleration for 



