ASHRIDGE 105 



Hermitage," and goes on to say : " Wherin also 

 our most worth and ever famous Queene Elizabeth 

 lodged as in her owne (beinge then a more stately 

 house) at the time of Wyatt's attempt in Queen 

 Marys days. And from this place she was in all 

 post sent for by the Courte, by such severe Com- 

 missioners, that though she were sick, she was 

 forced to take her journey with them." Elizabeth's 

 excuses were accepted by the Queen for some days, 

 but then, as Elizabeth had been denounced by 

 Wyatt and others under horrible torture, Mary 

 sent her own doctors to ascertain if Elizabeth 

 could stand the journey. " Lord William Howard, 

 Sir Edward Hasting, and Sir Thomas Cornwallis, 

 attended by a troop of horse, were ordered to bring 

 her to Court. They found the Princess sick and 

 even confined to bed at Ashridge." 



Bodily and mental weakness were conquered by 

 Elizabeth's courage, and on the approach to 

 London ever wise, even in such small but telling 

 details as dress she appeared robed entirely in 

 white as an outward sign of her innocence. And 

 she also ordered the cover of the Queen's litter (in 

 which she was travelling) to be opened, so that the 

 frankness of her countenance might be seen by the 

 people. 



There is little doubt, according to the annals 

 of that time, that Elizabeth narrowly escaped death. 

 Every powerful Catholic was eager, on some 



