RISE OF THE SOMERSETS 



At the same time it was necessary that Elizabeth 

 should express her disapproval of the massacre of 

 St. Bartholomew. 



It was Lord Worcester's duty to convey at once 

 the courteous congratulations customary between 

 friendly sovereigns on such an occasion, and to 

 make clear to the French king that the presence 

 of an English ambassador at his court was not to 

 be taken as condoning the outrage of the recent 

 massacre. Worcester was charged to report the 

 queen's feeling in unmistakable terms. 



That Elizabeth was satisfied with the Earl's con- 

 duct of this delicate mission is a proof of his diplomatic 

 tact and ability. The fact that he was himself a 

 Roman Catholic rather served to make the expres- 

 sion of disapproval from his lips stronger and more 

 impressive. It gives an insight into the times to 

 learn that the Earl was robbed by pirates in the 

 Channel on the occasion of his voyage to France. 

 That Lord Worcester remained a staunch adherent 

 to the Catholic faith made his loyalty to Elizabeth 

 in some respects of more value. There were points 

 on which he was proof against the influence the 

 queen brought to bear on him, for he could never 

 be induced to acknowledge Anglican orders, though 

 the queen herself tried to make him do so. Yet 

 that Elizabeth had great faith in him is shown 

 by the fact that he was appointed one of the forty- 

 two peers who served as assessors at the trial of 

 Mary, Queen of Scots. There is no shadow of 



17 c 



