remarkable for his hospitality, even in those times, when it abounded every where.
The names of the Peers that passed sentence upon him may be seen in Sir Richard Baker's Chronicle, and his dying words, as I find them in Mr. Hare's Collections, in Caius College Library, may not impertinently be inserted here, as they give light to some things that I have met with, which, in all appearance, were wrongfully charged upon this Duke.
The Words pronounced by the said Duke, at his Death on Tower Hill, the 2d of June, 1572.
"It is no rare thing, good people, to see a man come hither to die, albeit since this Queen's most blessed reigne, I am the first, I pray God I may be the last; it is a hard matter for a man of my calling to use long speech in such audience, either for that audacitie serves me not, or for that coming to such end as I do, fear of death troubleth me, and therefore I beseech you all heartily to bear with me; I will not be long, I will make a short speech, and divide my talk into three parts; and First, concerning my offence towards my Prince, wherein something I have to confess against my self, and in something to clear my self; I am not to complain against my Peers, I do acquit them; I have deserved to die. It is not unknown that I have dealt with the Queen of Scots, in very great and high matters, without making my Prince privy thereunto, otherwise than I ought to have done; there is one thing which grieveth greatly my conscience, that is, when I was first delivered out of this place, I made my submission, and promised the Queen, never to deal further in the matter, and yet contrary to my promise, I meant and did otherwise, I am sorry for it. It was reported I made a vow, and took a solemn oath, and received the Communion upon it, but that is not true, the other was too much. It was reported also, that I went about to destroy the city of London, I take God to witness, I never meant to hurt it, I have dealt with suspected persons, and such as have shewed themselves enemies to this state, specially one whom I will name, to witt, Rodolphi, whom I never talked to but once, and then I liked not his dealings: he shewed me two letters, which he said came from the Pope."
Then said Mr. Branch, the Sheriff, "Good my Lord, be short."
He said, " I will be short, I have not much to say; good Gentlemen bear witness, I come not to clear my self: I saw two letters, the one cyphered, and the other de-cyphered, I was charged to confeder with the rebels, I take God to witness, I never did so."
Then the Secondary interrupted him and said, " I pray you, my Lord, go not about clearing yourself, you have been tried as honourably as any nobleman hath ever been in this land, I pray you make haste, the hour is past, it is upon peril of their lives." (meaning the Sheriffs )
"O I pray you" (quoth the Duke) " give me leave a little while.
"I confess my fault; this is my confession. Touching my religion it hath been reported, I have been
