Of the domestick af- faires, and of the laci- ous courses of Such on whome the Kinge had be= stowed the honour of knighthood This euill being discovered by the Lord Mounteagle, and ouer passed; divers discontentments happened, some betweene the Civilians and comon lawyers concerning prohibitions: And for that there was one Docter Cowell stood stifelye against my Lord Cooke, divers discontents were nourished, betweene the Gentrye & Com= minaltie concerning enclosure, and it burst out into A pettye rebellion, which by some was coniectured, not to happen soe much for the thinge it selfe, as for to finde howe the people Stood affected to the present state, whereby divers private quarrells and secrett Combustions were daylye breaking out, private Familyes one sy= ded against another, and of these Protestantes against Papists, they thereby endeavoring to gett A head, and from small beginnings to raise greater Rebellons. Nowe discontents shewed themselves headye, and spake publiquelye what durst not heretofore haue bine spoken in Corners: In outward appearance Papist were favored, Masses allmost publiquelye administred, Protestants discontented discountenanced, dishonest men honoured, those that were litle lesse then sorcerers and witches preferred, private quarrells nouri= shed, but espetiallye betweene the Scottish and English duells in everye street maynteyned: divers sects of vicious persons vnder particuler titles passe vnpunished, or regarded as the secte of roringe Boyes, Beneventoyes, Bravadors, Quarterors, and such like, being persons prodigall and of great expence, when hauing run themselves into debt, were constrayned to run into faction to defend them from the danger of the lawe, these received mayntenance from divers of the Nobillitye, and not a litle as was suspected from the Earle of Northampton, Which persons though of themselves they were not able to attempt any enterprise, yet Faith, honestie, and other good acts being nowe little sett by / and Citizens through laciviousnes consuming their estates, it was likelye that their number would rather increase then dymini= nish / And vnder these pretences they entred into manye desperat enterprises, and scarse anye durst walke the Streets with safty after nyne at night. Soe that to conclude, in outward shew there appeared noe certaine affection, noe certaine, obedience, noe certaine Goverment amongst vs /

Such personns on whom the kinge had bestowed parrticuler honors, either throughe pride of that or their owne prodigallitye, lived at highe rates, and with their greatnesse brought in excesse of ryot both in Clothes and dyett / soe our auntient customes were aban= doned, and that stricknes and severitye that had wont to be amongst the English scorned and contemned, everye one applauding strang or newe thinges, though never soe costlye, And for attayninge of thyem neither sparing purse nor creditt, that prises of all sortes of Comodities are raysed: And those auntent Gentlemen whoe had left their Inheritaunce whole and well furnished with Goods and Cattell (hauing thereof kept good houses) vnto their Sonnes, lived to see parte consumed in ryott and excesse, and the the rest in possibilitie to be vtterlye lost. The holy State of matrimonye most perfidiouslye broken, and amongst manye made but A May-game, by which meanes divers private Familyes haue bine subverted, brothell houses in aboundance tollerated, and even great persons prostituting their bodyes, to the intent to satisfye and consume their substance in lascivious appetites of all sortes. Such Knights or gentlemen as either throughe Pride or Prodigallitye had consumed substance repayring to the Cittye, and to the intent to consume their vertues allsoe lived dissolute lives / And many of their Ladyes and daughters, to the intent to mainetaine themselves according to their dignitie, prostitute their bodyes in shaemfull manner / Alehouses, diceing houses, Taverns, and places of vice & iniquitie, beyond measure abounding in most places, there being as much ex= torcion for Sinne as there is racking of Rentes, and as many wayes to spend monye as are windings and turnings in Townes & Streetes, Soe that to outward appearance the evill seeme to overtop the good, and evill intentions & Councells rather prospered then those that were profitable to the Comon well //

Of my Lord of Northamptons coming to honor, the cause of the deuision betwene the Hollander, & the English betweene the Scottish and English, betweene the English and Irish / Nowe Henrye Howard youngest Sonne tof the Duke of Norfolke continuing A Papist from his Infancie even vnto this tyme, beginning to growe eminent and being made famous heere= tofore for his learning, hauing bine trayned and brought vpp a longe time in Cambridge, by the perswation of the kinge, changeth his opinion of Religion in outward appearance, and to the intent to reape vnto himselfe more honors, became A Protestant. For which cause he was created Earle of Northampton and had the kings Fa= vours bountifullye bestowed on him. First the office of Privye Seale, then the Wardenshipp of the Cinque Ports, and lastlye the refusall of being treasuror. This man was of A subtill & fine witt, of a good proportion, excellent in outwarde Courteshipp, famous for secrett insinuacion and for cunning flatteries, and by reason of those quallities became A fitt man for the conditions of those times, and was suspected to be scarse true to his soueragnne, but rather endeavouring by some secrett wayes and meanes to sett abroache newe plotts for to procure innovacions And for the purpose it was thought had A hand in the Contention that hap= pened among the Hollanders and English concerning the fishing in the Levant / and the English clayming right vpon this Contention they fell from Clayme to wordes of Anger, from words of Anger to blowes, soe that there dyed manye of them, and a scarr was left for A further quarrell, but that it was salved by wise governors, and the expectation of some disapointed: Neverthe= lesse the Papist being A strong faction, and soe great A man being theire favorer, grewe into heades, mallice & endeavour to make the insolencie of the Scottish to appeare, whoe to the intent That they might be the more hated of the English not contented with their present Estate would enter into outrages, some some counterfeite the Seale Manuall, others whipp the Nobillitye in disdaine, and A third Sorte secretlye contrive the Englishes deathe / whereby it happened besydes comon clamor that there were added secrett discontents of private persons, which caused a Iealousy to happen betweene those two nations, But his Majestye being both wise and worthy foresawe the evill and prevented it by Proclama= tion, by which meanes theis Clamors are stopt, and the Iniuryes & offences of both parties redressed. The Irish seeing theis Soares and hearing of their misdemeanors (for they haue theire Intelli gencers heere allsoe) begunne to growe obstinate, and make religion a pretence to coulor their intentions / For which cause they stand out, and protest losse of liffe and goods rather then to be forced from their opynion, being wavering and vnconstant, ra= ther thirsting for Rebellion to the intent to purchase theire owne libertie then peace / everye newe alteration gives occasion of discontent, and causes new complaynts to be brought to the Kings Eare, vnder pretence whereof they growe contemptuous to their Governors, and haters of the English lawes / The Captaines and Souldiers growe negligent for want of paye, the greatest men envy= ing one another through private Covetuousnes, and many Inso= lencies being suffered cause there allsoe to be nourished manye misdemeanors to the ruine of that goverment /

These thinges thus handled administer occasion to the Popish to hope for some alteration and change, and that as a body that is violent consumeth yt selfe without some speciall Cause to mayntayne it, soe these occurrences wilbe the cause of their owne distruction. At this tyme there was a Leaguer in Denmarke & shortlye after another in the lowe countryes / But to what end the beginnings were intended is yet unknowne

The rising of the Earl of Somersett his fauor & greatnes with the King and his parentage & discente / Amonge other accidents that happened about these times, the rysing of one Mr Carr was most remarkable / A man borne of meane parentage, Inhabitant in a village neere Edenborough in Scotland, and there through the favor of Freindes was prefered to his Majestye to be one of his Pages, for he kept twelve accordinge to the Costome of the French, and soe continued it as long as hee was in Scotland. Afterwardes coming into England, the Councell thought it much more honorable to haue soe manye Footemen to runn with his Majestye as the Queene had before him / wherevpon these youthes had Clothes put th to their Backes accordinge to their places, and 50 l a peece in their Purses, and soe were dis= missed the Courte. This youthe amongst the rest hauing thus lost his Fortunes, to repare them againe makes hast into France, and there continued vntill he had spent all his meanes and monye, soe that nowe being bare in a strange Countrye without Freindes or hope to attaine his expectacons retournes backe for England, bringing nothing with him but the language, and a few Frenche fashions: Nevertthelesse by the helpe of some of of his Countrye men and auntient acquaintance, hee was preferred vnto the Lord Hayes a Scotishman and Favorite of the kinges to waite vpon him as his Page / Not longe after this Lord amongst other was appointed to performe a tiltinge, whoe bearing an affection to this yong man, aswell in respecte that he was his Countryeman, as that he found him to be of A bold disposition, comelye visage, and proportionable personage, mixt with a Courtlye presence, preferrs him to carry his device, to the kinge according to the Custome of those pastimes vsed / Nowe when he should come to light from his horse to performe his office, his horse starts, throwes him downe, breakes his leg, This accident being noe lesse strange then suddaine in such a place, causes the kinge to demaund whoe it was, answere was made his name was Carr, he taking notice of his name, and calling to remembrance that such A one was his Page causes him to be had into the Courte, and there provides for him vntill such time as he was recovered of his hurte. After in processe of time, this yong man was called for, and made one of the Bedchamber to his Majestye, He had not longe continued in this place before (by his good endeavors and deligent service in his office) the king shewed extraordynarye favour vnto him, doubling the valew of every Action in his estimation, soe that manye are obscured, that he maye be grated and dignified / Thus the hand of the deligent maketh ritche, and the dutifull servant cometh to honor. He of all other (either without Fraude to obtayne it, or desert to continue it) is made the kings Favorite. Noe suite, noe petition, noe graunt, noe letter, but Mr Carr must haue a hand in it, soe that great rewardes are bestowed vpon him by Sutors and large somes of monye by his Majestye, by which meanes his welth encreased with his Favour, and with both honor, for vertue and riches dignifieth their owners, being of A Page raised to the dignitie of knighthood. After his Favor still encreased with his honor, there was no demaund but he had it, noe suite but he ob= tayned it, whether it were Crowne Lands, lands forfeited, or confiscated , nothing soe deere but the King bestowed vpon him, whereby his revenues were enlarged, and his glorye so res= plendant, that he drowned the dignitye of the best of the nobillity, and the eminencie of such, as were much more excellent By which meanes Envie (the Comon Companion of Greatnes) procures him much discontent, but yet passing through all disadventures, con= tinues his favor. And men being drawne to aplaude that which is either strange or newe, began to saye to him, and most to purchase him to be theire Freinde and assistant in Court, soe and eminent is his Favor.

Of the breach that happened betweene the Earl of Essex and his Nowe the Eares of the vulgar being filled with the fortunes of this Gentleman, it ministreth occasion to them to passe theire opinions concerning his worthe and deserte: some extoll & loue his his countess, her ha tred towards him, his lenitie, her lightnes, his constancie / his vertues, others to proportion of his personage, manye his out= ward Courtshipp, and most as they stood affected, other praised or dispraysed him / in soe much that amongst the rest / the Countisse of Essex (a woman that at that time did not greatlye affect her husband, and withall being of A lustfull appetite, prodigall of expence, covetous of applause, ambitious of honor, and light of behaviour / haveinge taken notice of this yonge Gentells mans prosperitie, & great favor that was shewed to him aboue others, in hope to make some profitt of him, most admires him to everye one, comending his worth, spirit, audatitye, and agillitye of bodye, soe that her lawfull auntient and accustomed love towards her Lord, begins to be obscured, & those imbraces that heretofore seemed pleasing are turned into frownes, and harsh and vnseemelye wordes vsher her discontents vnto her husbands Eares, The good Earle carrying an extraordinary affection towards her, and being a man of A myld and Courteous condition, with all honest and religious, readye rather to suffer then to cor- rect these outrages, patientlye admonisheth her to A better Course of liffe, and to remember that all her fortunes nowe depend vpon his prosperitye, and therefore shew in this offered more iniurye to her selfe then hurte vnto him. Yet neverthelesse shee persisted, and from bare wordes returned into actions, thereby giving people occasion to passe their censure of this disagreement, some attributing it to the vnconstancye and loosenes of the Countisse, others to the Earles tra= vells, and that in his absence shee continued most vnconstant, of a loose liffe suffering her bodye to be abused, and others to make ship= wracke of her modestie, and to abrogate the rights of marryage. But most because she could not haue wherewith to satisfye her insa= tiate appetite and ambition, her husband living A private liffe. For these Causes (I saye) she ran at randome, and playd her pranks as the toye tooke her in the head, sometime publiquelye, some tyme privatelye, whereby shee both disparaged her reputation, & brought herselfe into the contempt of the world. yet notwithstanding the Earle retayned her with him, allowed her honorable attendance, gaue her meanes according to her place, and shewed an extraordinary affection, endeavoring rather by Freindes ly and faire perswations to winne her then to become superfidious over her /

But these things litle avayle, where affections are carryed to another stope, and those thinges that to the Iudgment of the wise became fitt to be vsed, are of others contemned and dispised / Soe that almost all men speake of the loosenes of her carriage, and wonders that the Earle will suffer her in these Courses / wherevpon he modestlye and privatelye told her of it / giving her a checke for her inordinate Courses, shewing her how much it both dishonored him & disparaged her in persisting in the Eye of the world, after soe loose and vnseemelye a sorte, desiring her to be more civill at home, and not soe often a broade and thus they parte /

Of my Lord Treasurors death, of Mr Ouerbury com= My Lord Treasuror Cicill growing into yeares, hauing bene A good statsmen, the onlye Supporter of the Proestant faction, the coming out of France, his entertaynement, he growes into fauor the discloser of treasons, and the onlye Mercurye of our tymes, having bine well acquainted with the affayres of this Comon-wealthe, falls in= to a daungerous sicknes, and in processe of time throughe the extremitie of the maladie dies, not without suspition of poyson, according to the opynion of some, others saye of A secrett disease, some naturallye, and manye not without the privitie of Sir Robert Carr / And the reason of theire opinion was, because the kinge vpon a time, having given Sir Robert the some of twentie thousand poundes to be paied by my Lord Treasuror, Sir Robert was denied it, vpon which deniall there grewe some difference betweene them. The kinge was made privye to it after this manner; My Lord having told out five thousand poundes, layd it in a passage gallerye in severall heapes, & invites the kinge to breakefast bringing throughe that Gallerye: The kinge de= maundes whose that mony was; Answere was made by my Lorde Treasuror, that it was but the fourth parte of that which his Majestye had given to Sir Robert Carr. Wherevpon the kinge retired from his former Graunt, and wish’t Sir Robert to satisfye himselfe with that, holding it to be a great guifte. He being thus crost in his expecta= tionns, harbored in hart the hope of revenge, which after happened as was suspected, but it was not certaine, therefore I omitt it /

Vpon the deathe of this Gentleman, one Mr Overbury a student of the lawe in the mydle temple, was newlye arrived out of France whoe having obtayned some favor in Courte before times, because of some discontentments gott licence to travell, and nowe at his reto= urne was entertayned into the favor of Sir Robert Carr, whether this proceeded of anye love towardes him, or to the intent to make vse of him is not certaine, yet neverthelesse he puts him in trust with his most secrett imploymentes; In which he behaves him selfe honestlye and discreetlye, purchasing by his wise carriage in that place the good affection and Favor not onlye of Sir Robert, but others allsoe. In processe of time this Favor procvres profitt, profit treasure, treasure honor, honor large ymploymentes, and in him better execution; For where diligence and humilitye are assotiate in great affaires there fauour is accompanied with both, soe that many Courtiers perceiving his greate hopes, growe into familiarity with him: the Knights expectacion are performed, and his businesses accomplished rather more then lesse according to his wishes / Soe that takeing notice of his dilligence to outward appearance, gives him an extraordinarye countenaunce vniting him into freindshipp with himselfe; In soe much that to the shewe of the world this bond was vndissolvable / neither could there be more Freindship vsed since there was nothing soe secrett, nor anye matter soe private, but the knight imparted it to the advise of Overburye /

Of mrs Turners life how the Countesse & shee came acquainted, the combinacion of the Earles deathe The Countesse of Essex having harboured in her harte envie towards her husband, even vntill this time, makes her repaire vnto Mistris Turner (a Gentlewoman that from her youthe had bine given over to A loose kinde of liffe, being of A lowe stature Stature, Faire vissage, for outward behaviour comelye, but in pro= digallitie and excesse most ryotous, by which course of liffe, she had consumed the greatest parte of her husbands meanes & her owne, soe that nowe wanting wherewith to fullfill her expectacions & ex= treeme pride, falls into evill courses, as to the prostitucion of her bodye to comon lust, to practise sorcerye and inchauntment, & to manie litle lesse then a flatt bawde. Her husband dying left her in a desperate estate, because of her wants, by which meanes she is made apte to enter into anye evill action, and to entertaine anye motion bee it never soe faciuorous / A doctors wiffe; whoe was during his liffe, her Phisition and in that time shee hauing entertayned into her companye his saide wiffe, by that meanes procured further acquaintance, being neere of the same disposition and temperature, as Paris cum paribus facile congregantur from thence it happened that she was suspected even by her meanes and procurement before this to have lived a loose liffe, for whoe can touche pitche and not be defiled, I saye having some familiaritye with this woman, and nowe taking some discontentment at her husband more then heretofore by reason of her falling out with him and his sharpe answers (as she conceives) to her, repaires to her house, and there (amongst other discourses) disgorges her= selfe against her husband, whereby the cause of her greife might easilye be perceived / Mistris Turner as feeling parte of her paine pittyes her, and in hope of profitt being nowe in necessitie and wante, is easilye drawne to effect anye thinge that shee requires, wherevpon by the reporte of some it was concluded at this time betweene them, to administer poyson to the Earle, but not taking effecte according to theire expectation, the Countesse writtes vnto her to this purpose

Sweet Turner, as thou hast bine hitherto Soe art thou Still all my hopes of Good in this worlde. My Lord is as lus= tie as euer he was, and hath complayned to my Brother Howard that hee hath not layne with mee nor used me as his wife, this makes mee madd, Since of all men I loathe Shall neuer enioye him whom I loue. /

The Earle haueing overpast this euill, and continuing still in his pristine Estate, procures not anye affection, but more hatred and loathsomnes, soe that it burst dailye fourth to my Lord, great discontent, and drawes her headlonge into her owne distruction /

Sir Robert Carre made viscount Rochester, the acquaintance be tweene my Lord of Northampton and him, the new affection of the countese. / The kinge taking greater liking to this young Gentleman, to the intent that he might be noe lesse eminent in honor, then he was po= erfull in wealthe and substance, adornes him with the title of viscount Rochester, bestowes the secretaryshipp of State, vpon him, soe that his power and his wealthe makes him famous to other nations /

These thinges comming to my Lord of Northamptonns Eares, having bine A long time A Favorite in Courte, and nowe growing into yEares, and by reason thereof but shorte lived, and knowing the favor of of the king to depend vpon many incertaineties, and that allthoughe at this time he was greatest actor in State affaires, yet if this yonge man continued his height of glorye, all his dignitie would either be abated or overshadowed, and that he had not that free accesse to the kinges Eares which he had wont to haue, endeavoreth as much as in him lyeth to make this Courtyer either to be wholye his, or dependant vpon his Favor, that soe having relation to him, he might make vse of his greatnes. And for this purpose he begins to applaude the wise= dome and governement of this viscount, his Vertues, outward Courtship, comelye Carryage, and to conclude holding him to be A man noe lesse worthe and desert, then any about the kinge, neither were these things spoken to private or particuler persons alone, but even into the Eares of the kinge, to the intent the better to obtayne Confirme the Kinges favor towards him

These thinges comming to this yonge Noblemans Eare, hee takes it as A greate Favor from soe greate A personage, and therefore soe much the more admires his owne worthe, raysing his carryage above his wonted Course, an in hope of better thinges applauding euery action is performed by the Earle: By which meanes there growes A kinde of Communitie betweene them, and there wants nothinge but entercourse of speeche, for confirmance of acquaintance, & pro= curing further relation either to other. Tyme offers oppertunitie, the Earle and he meete, each changeth acquaintance, with acquantance, A greater familiaritie, soe that manye times letters passe betwene them in theire absence, and Courtlye discourses being present, by which meanes on all handes A confident amitie is concluded

In these times the Countesse of Essex being A Spectator of those Fortunes, and perceiving the viscount to be Still raysed vp vnto honors daylye, in hope of greater is th more fired with a lustfull desire, and the greater is her endeavor by the instigation of some of her best Freindes to accomplish what shee determineth; For greatnesse doth not quallifye but sett out an edge vpon lustfull appetities, and where the most meanes are to mainetaine it, there the greater affeccions are cherished. /

The course shee takes to procure af fection, She combines with Doctor Forman, they conclude to bewitch the viscount / In these furious fittes she makes her repaire to mistris Turner, and begins A newe complainte, whereby shew makes manifest an extraordinarye affection towards this yong Gentleman soe that shee could not rest without his Companye, neither knewe she any meanes to attaine her endes, there being noe relation nor acquaintance be= tweene them / Wherevpon mistris Turner being Still her Second, & ready to put anye evill attempt into execution, concludes with the Countesse to enchaunt the Viscount to affect her. And for this purpose, they fall acquainted with one Doctor Forman that dwelt at Lambeth, be= ing an auntient Gentleman, and thought to haue Skill in the Magicke arte. This man by rewardes and guifts was wonne to wyne with Mistris Turner whoe nowe to the intent to preye vpon the Countisse, endeavor the best they maye to enchaunt the Viscountes affeccion towardes towardes her, much time is spent, manye wordes of witchcraft, great cost in making Pictures of waxe, crosses of Silver, little bables for that vse, yet all to small purpose. At length they con= tinuinge in their securitie socerie, advise her to liue at Court, wher shee had free accesse without controule, thoughe small acquaintance with him, whom shee most respected, neverthelesse shewing an affable Countenance towards him, hoping in prosesse of time to obtayne what shee required. Time offers oppertunitie, and amongst others at length these two fall into league, the Countesse being ioyfull of her preye, admires him, vses all kindnes that maye be to intrapp him, hee whether by these inchauntmentes, or by the lightnes of his owne disposition carryed, is as much besotted, numbring her amongst the best women, and doubling every accion in his estimation, in soe much that he could scarce rest but in her companie; wherevpon their meetings growe frequent, and discourses pleasant, by these meanes inflaminge the fire of A lustfull appetite /

These thinges hauing happened soe well to her expectation causes A great love to these good Couple, vidhelicit Doctor Forman, and Misttris Turner, solliciting them with letters, with monye, & larg promises, to continue Still her Freindes. They willing to make vse of her wealthe, more then expecting anie good they couldd accomplishe by theire Arte, persist amongst her imploymentes mistris Turner makes triales for herselfe, by which meanes manye slight and vnaccustomed tricks are practised, and nowe reported to haue retourned to the hurte of manye, For A womans hand being once entred into the acte of Sinne, runs headlong to her distruction, turning those evill artes to evill endes, and endeavoring to purchase by that profit & comodity

How it was thought the Earl of Northampton had a hand in this busi= nesse, inuits the viscount to Supper, the Countis and he meets, places of meeting are apppoin ted the Earle made Chauncellor of Cambridg It was vulgarlye opinionated that the Countesse of Essex hau= ing sustayned those discontentmentes with her husband, acquainted her vncle the Earle of Northampton of her affection, espetiallye to= wardes this Viscount, whoe waighing the profitt that might redound to his owne imploymentes , if there were such affinitie had betweene them, seemed to give A likeing towards it, and endeavored rather to further it, then at all to diswade her, or giving her that honest and good Counsell to be dutifull to her husband as was fitting. Howsoever the first meeting that they had, wherein there was any Conference, was at this Earles house, whoe invited the Viscount to supper, and there finding the Countisse, they at theire pleasure appointed meetings for further discourses, but whether there was anie one made privye to these thinges, is not evident; but from this time, the Countesse and Viscount continewe theire loose Course of liffe, and as was commonlye suspected, had further rela= tion then was fitting, to the great disparagement of them both, & dishonor of soe noble A house, what the issues of these thinges are, continew in obscuritie. Notwithstanding the Earle of Northampton is much blamed, the Countesse defamed, and the Viscount himselfe for his loosenes suspected /

Nowe was thus Lord propounded at the regent house to bee Chauncellor Chauncellor of Cambridge, the Schollers fall into divers opinions, And the Ræmists propound the Prince to oppose him, the Election passes of the Earles side / he refuses, but still flatters the Schollors, makes the kinge acquainted with it, and thoughe willing to vnder take it, yet shewing an vnwillingnes, endeavored rather to bee vrged to it, then receave it voluntarie, this was because impu= ted because of his opposite the Prince, but the truthe was, to perceave whether the Schollers affections were setled vpon love, and respect vnto himselfe, or meerelye to depend vpon his great= nes / The kinge writs in his behalfe to the Vice Chancellor, they proceed to A newe Election, the Earle againe is Chosen, his Title sent him, and he in requitall sendes manye flattering letters, and plausive / and that they might be the more acceptable, being sent to Schollers, wrote to them in lattaine / it is intollerable the flaterye he vsed /

Ouerburye growes into Grace with the King is made Knight, the inter- course betweene the countise & the viscont made Knowne vnto Ouerburye After some continewance of time Mr Overburye growes eminent in Courte, aswell by reason of the viscounts favor, all the good and Carefull diligence that he had in Courte ymploymentes, soe that nowe Comparying his worthe with his wealthe, he is had in more respect, and the honor of knighthood bestowed vpon him with hope of better thinges; this howsoever in itselfe it bee not valuable, yet in the Spectators it striketh a doubte especiallye in the Viscount, For Soveraignetie and love can abide noe paragon

Thinges that at the beginning proceed with Modestie are little or nothing regarded; but when men growe old in such thinges that are hatefull, they make everye place alike, and with a blushlesse Face comitt them to the open veiwe. By this meanes Overburye came acquainted with this entercourse betweene the Viscount and the Countesse, for nowe they having some tyme of Familiaritie & intercourse in remote partes, Shame not to committ the Sinne of Venerie in the Courte, and that to the privitie of Sir Thomas, who both loathes and hates what he sees, avoyding rather then intrudinge himselfe to the knowledge of it / neither medles he anye way or other with the knowledge of it, but lets them alone in their vitious Courses, and rather seemes to be ignorant then to take anye notice of it /

Never thelesse he is ymployed to carrye letters to & againe betweene the Countesse and the Viscounte, some to Pater Noster rowe, some to Hamer Smithe, and others to other places of meeting, which were appointed betweene them / both which means comparing both accions togither, he entred into the secrets of this misterie, and became acquainted with more thinges then the Viscounte would haue had time, from whence A kinde of Iealousie was Carryed to wards him /

Of the Second Complaint of the Earle of Essex, the Nowe the Earle of Essexe perceiving himselfe to be rather lesse regarded then anye white at all esteemed, enters into A the Countiss continues with Turner to be= witch him, it taketh effect, Formans death one Gresham is en= tertayned in the bu sines / A newe discourse with his ladye, with manye protestacions both of his Constancie and love towardes her, but with all tells her of her loosnes, of the reporte of the Vulgar, and what A Straung Course of liffe she ledd, contrarye to all Pietie and honestie / which Stung the Countesse to the harte, and more incensed & augmented her mallice towards him, soe that in A greate furye, shee takes her Coache, and repares to her auntient acquaintance mistris Turner, whoe according to her old custome is readye to performe anie evill Acte, and there they Combine to bewitche the Earle, and procure a Frigiditie quoad hanc. For this purpose Doctor Foreman was sent for, letters are written for the procuring of meanes, picturs in waxe are made, Crosses and many Strange and vncooth thinges (for what will the evill leave vnattempted to accomplish theire endes) manye attempts failed, and Still the Earle Stood it out, At last they framed A Picture in Waxe, and gott A thorne from A Tree that bore leaves, and Stucke vpon the privitie of the said picture, by which meanes they accomplished theire desires /

This being done according to her expectation, she repaires to her house at Chartlye, and thither the Earles comes to her, but whether he was more lustie then shee expected, or what other accident happened, it is vnknowne; Neverthelesse she grewe iealous of her art, and falls into A great feare that all theire labor were lost: Wherevpon shee writs A letter to Doctor Forman to this Effecte /

The count lettre to Docter Forman Sweet Father, allthough I haue found you readye at all tymes to further mee. yet must I still crave your help: wher= fore I beseech you remember that you keepe the dores close, and that you still retaine the Lord with mee, and his af= fection towards mee, I haue noe Cause but to be confident in you, allthoughe the world be against mee, yet Heaven failes me not. Manie are the troubles I sustaine, the dog= gednes of my Lord, the Crostnes of my Enemyes, and the subuersion of my fortunes vnlesse you by your wisedome doe deliuer me out of the myddest of this wildernes, which I entreat for Gods sake. From Chartley your affectionate louing daughter

Frances Essex

This letter (coming to the handes of the old man) procures A newe attempte, and nowe he goes and inchauntes A nutmegg and A letter, one to be given to the Viscounte in his drincke, the other to be sent vnto him as a present / these thinges being accomplished he not long after dies, leaving behinde him some of these letters, whereby the Countesse had entercourse with him, in his pockett, which gaue some light into the busines, amongst which this same was one. /

Docter Foreman being dead, Mistris Turner wanted one to assist her, wherevpon at the Countesses coming vpp to London, one Gresham was was nominated to be entertained in this busines, and in processe of time was whollye interressed in it, this man was had in suspition to haue had A hand in the Gunpowder Treason, he wrote soe neere it in his Almanacks, but without all question he was a very skill= full man in his Mathematicks, and in his latter time in witchcraft, as was suspected, and therefore the fitter to be employed in those practises, which as they were Devilish, soe the Devill had A hand in them /

The Countes Sends the viscount this Lettre inchaunted by Doctor Forman places of meetinge appointed, their in= tollerable loosenes, Poetts verses vpon them, the begining of the fall Vpon her retourne shee sendes gratulacions to the Viscounte, and with those the letters sent her by Docter Forman, he reads it, & the more he reads the more is intangled, for noe man knowes the miseryes that are conteyned in evill Arts, and whoe can withstand the wordes of evill tonges. wherevpon he retournes answere, and newe places of meeting are assigned, amongst the rest one at Ham= mer Smithe / In the meane time the Viscount makes dispatch of his busines, leaves thinges halfe done, halfe vndone to the intent he might meete her whoe had nowe stayed for his coming aboue sixe houres, And being mett they solemplye salute each other, fall into divers discourses and insinuatinge phrases from wordes to deeds & from speaking to acting the Sinne of Venerie. The countesse haveinge obtayned that shee desired, and the Viscount caught in the nett of adulacion, the more he Striveth to be loosned is caught the faster, Soe that lust haueing by these meanes gott libertie, being Covered with greatnes like A Fire long concealed in a pile of rotten wood, bursts forthe with all loosnes and licentiousnes; places of more frequent and private meetings being concluded betweene them, persons fitting to their purposes being acquainted with their proceedings, watch words are given; All these things haueing relation to A certaine end, make them more boldlie and safelye to accomplish that which both true and the memorye cannot demonstrate in former history. Now these good parts which seemed heretofore to be hopefull in the Viscount, con= sumes to sinders, and the corruption remaines to brand him in the forehead for his ill living. His modestie becomes ecclipsed, his be= haviour light, his Carriage vnseemelye in his place. Nothinge soe costlye, nor tire soe vncouth, but at all Costs and Charges he obtay nes it for the encrease of Favor. Newe fashions are produced that soe he might shewe more beautifull and faire, and that his favor & personage might be made manifest to the world. And for this purpos yellowe Bandes, dusted heire, Curled, Crisped, frisled, slicked, Skinnes, open breasts beyond accustomed modestie, with many other inordinate attires were worne on both sydes to the shew of the world, soe that for the encrease of dishonest appetites they were abundantly practised and praysed. Surfiting thus vpon pleasure, having bine before accustomed vnto hardnes, Causeth him to fall into all maner of forgettfullnes, letting all thinges goe to wracke, Carelesse in attendance, neglect in state affaires, ignorant of his owne worth subiecting himselfe to the lustfull appetite of an evill woman, accounting noe time soe well spent, nor houre deemed soe happy, as as when dalliance and pleasant discourses passe betweene them either in wordes or writtings: soe that in him maye be verifyed the old saying of the Poett /

non facile invenium multis e millibus vnum virtutem precium qui putat esse suum Fallet eum vitiam Spetie virtutis et vmbra Cum sit Trust habita vultuque, Et veste Seberum Nec dubie tanquam fruge laudatur auarumm Of thousand youthes there Scarce is one that vertue valueth as his price For vice deceiues them: and alone the shewe of vertue blindes their Eyes Allthough their countenaunce pensiue bee theire Garments and their habit graue Yet all theire fruite doubtlesse wee See Is lust and glorye that they craue. /

These thinges laie him open to the ill affection of them that hate him, and laies the foundation of his vtter subvertion since the Eyes of all men are vpon such as are eminent / and as blacke vpon white is soonest discerned, soe evill Conditions and lascivious affeccions are soonest perceived in such persons /

The faithfullnes of Sir Thomas Ouerbury to the viscount, the aduice he gaue him: contemned: fauors are more bestowed vpon him, made of the priuye Councell This course of liffe being some thinge Strange to those that were ignorant of these designes, gives newe occosions of wonder, and admiraation, how he should Still continew his favor, manye thinges being left vndone, others done to the halfs, insomuch as all must lye vpon Overburyes necke, And this doth he honestly and to the Viscounts creditt attributing every action to his doinge allthough of him neglected; Answeres for him in his absence, has= tens dispatches in his presence, furthers the request of sutors, and thoughe the neglect and Carelesnes of the Viscount growes into greater creditt and esteeme, soe that his Carefullnes, sufficiencie. and deligence, makes him become eminent, and beloved both of the Kinge and Councell, yet neverthelesse he lessens his owne worth, gives all the dignitie to the Viscount, endeavoringe to searche out how the people stood affected towards him / findes both many Com= playnts and some Iniuryes to be done vnto him, whoe being blinded with pleasure overslippes them or letts them passe with small res= pecte: Wherevpon he takes occasion at A tyme Convenient, to vtter these or the like wordes to him. Sir howsoever other thinges maie passe either with small regard or be smoothered with honor and greatnes, yet such thinges as laie a man open to obliquie and contempt, can hardlye be obscured in a personne publique ans eminent as your Lordship is, which things are often esteemed to be in a man that outwardlye seemeth light and effeminate, or inwardlye inwardlye wanteth the ballast of Governemt to poyse externall actions. Of a truthe Sir be it spoken without offence, the Court calls your modestie into question, and feares that those honors that should be hereditarye to noble personages wilbe obscured with eminent is evills, and blemished with levitie and vnconstancie; These with many other discourses, having at this time past betweene them, sounded somethinge harshlye to the Viscounts Eares, as all good counsell becomes evill to those that are evill; And in a kinde of anger flung from him thoughe vndeserved, yet neverthelesse all his Countenance and favor was not wholye obscured, but that he might Still enioye that which was he expected which was hope of preferment /

More favors are bestowed vpon the Viscount, being called to be one of the privie Counsell, which honor howsoever it was greate and more then was expected / yet because he was young (one that to the opinion of the world was of noe education literature or ex= perience besides these inordinate Courses) brings him into fur= ther contempt of the world, soe that everye man would take the freedome of their language, and speake harshlye of these proceedinges, some condemning his course of liffe, others his insufficiencie be= cause of his youthe, and most his want of experience, by which meanes his greatnes overtopps his substance: And as A Shipp without ballast is tottered to and againe to the terror of those that are in it in a Storme and highe water; even soe these honors thus suddainlye bestowed on him before the due time, laies him the more open to the evill opinion of the envious, and with some doth the sooner hasten his ruyn / For which cause it behooveth such as are thus drawne vpp meerelye by Fortune either to be possessed of such vertues before hand, that thereby they might mainetaine themselvs in theire greatnes, or els to expect a suddaine overthrowe at a time vnexpected /

1: Speech of mar= riage with the Pals= graue / condicons con= cluded vpon / 2: The Prince taks dislike at the viscount, the Princes death. rumors vpon the Same Nowe Prince Henrye was living, and having some intelligence of his loose kinde of liffe, which the Visocunt ledd, and beinge some thing iealous of him, for because of that he heard, doth vtterlye dislike him, forbeares his Companie, and whether for that or some other cause it is vnknowne falls flatt at odds with him, not once giving him anye countenaunce or vouchsafeing him his companye / Not long after as it might be in the begining of November he fell sicke, continued soe some weeke or little more, the maladie incr= easing (lying in his head,) he dies. A man maye saie of this Prince as was said of Macenas both for wisedome and Strength of body there was not the like to be found amongst the English / The hope of England, Strange was the accident, and manye the rumors that ensued vpon his death, some saie that A French Physition killed him, others that he was poysoned, againe others thought that he was bewitched, yet noe certeinetye could be found but that he dyed a naturall death. This accident filled all the kingdome with lamentacions, and caused the wedding that followed at Candle Masse after to be kept in sable / the Funeralls were performed in in greate State, and, with more greiffe, much might be said, but I leave it, my purpose being onlye in breiffe to sett out those matters to memorie, that after Ages maye see the evels of our times when the greatest parte of manye Courtiers Actions are to find out tricks howe to circumvent their fellow Servaunts, and some (if it were possi= ble) to dispossesse the king of his dignitie and hereafter shalbe shewed, soe manye are the discontents that are cherrished amongst them /

These domesticke affaires hauing thus happened, and the deathe of the Prince filling the Courte with sorrowe, and the Court being full of other implyment by reason of the Marriage that was to bee had with the Palsgrave of the Rhyne and her grace (whoe was now marriagable) past over the rest in Sylence. The match is concluded, and great expectacion & provision for his coming over to performe the Ceremonies of Matrimonie are made, at whose comming manye rumors were spread abroade: First that the Spaniard tooke this to harte, and therevpon laide to doe him some mischeiffe by the waye, That there was A Shipp of Pockett Pistols come oute of Spaine, & that it was intended by the Papists to have made A massacre, & that Northampton did vtterlye oppose this matche, for he was as great an Enemie to the Dutche and protestants, as even Cicill was their Freinde, and that manye Preists were arrived and publique pro= cession had by the Papists and such like; yet neverthelesse it was accomplished with great Stren pompe and State / All are the grea= test parte of the Nobillitye being theere present: the Nobles present A maske in the great banquiting house, the Gentlemen of the Mydle Temple another and Grayes end A thirde, besides three dayes Tilting and running at the Ringe, the kinge himselfe in person with the young Prince that nowe is kinge besides manye other pastimes, both statelye and becoming the dignitie of A Kinge /

At this tyme there was Proclamation against Farthingals, but to litle purpose, for they rather encreased greater then de= minished, for, where a thinge is once growne into A habitt, it is hardlye to be restrayned. There was another Proclamation vpon the former reporte of the Comming of A Shipp of Pockett Pistols out of Spaine, that noe man should carrye A Pistole in his Pocket, nor anye that should be lesse then A Foot longe in the barrell. About this time allsoe the Papist were disarmed, and manye Straunge rumors raysed, which things because they were vncertaine I omitt to relate them, being rather pertinent to State / then vnto profitt /

Ambassadors sent in= to Russia, Swethia, and other Prouinces for the renewing of freindship of the Lea= guer in the Low Coun= tryes the Rumor of it / Manye outrages haueing bine nowe of late committed, by the Arche Duke vpon the States, Divers rumors are raised, con cerning A league, both Straunge and allmost vniversall, For there were parties; the Pope, the Emperor, the Kinge of Spaine, and A Cardinall to aide the Arch Duke against the States. The Foundation of this Combustion was laide vpon the sackinge of A Protestant Towne in Brabant / Wherevpon Grave Morris drew out out ten thousand into the Feilde, and some fewe blowes happened & suspected that it would haue gone further, and that there would haue bine A generall opposition betweene them Protestants & Papists, but by meanes of the Pope and the kinge it was agreed, and went noe further, but left A scarr to geive a newe occasion /

The warr of Denmarke was allsoe brought vnto a happie end, and the kinge retayned his right there: Not long after, the yssue wher of, Ambassadors were sent vnto Musco to renewe the league of Freindshipp with the Emperor, whoe being nowe brought lowe by continuall warrs, was glad to entertaine such A motion, traffique is confirmed there with that Nation And from thence the same Ambassa= dors went to Swethia to conclude A league of Freindshippe, the reason whereof was thought to be for the auntient amitie that had bine heretofore betweene the kinge and that nation. From thence they went to the Duke of Clove, with salutacions /

The suite of the cloath workers, my Lord of Rochester stands for them, the complaint of the countesse, she shewes for a diuorce / Nowe this yeere the Cloath workers (being couetuous of larg ymploymentes) petition to the king and Councell that there might go noe more white Cloathes out of this kingdome, but that they might be all dressed and dyed heere, before they went over, and the reasons of their petition were three: first that the Hollander, making vse of dressing and dying our Cloth, sould vs our owne Clothe allmost double the vallewe that they bought it for, whereby they were enriched, and wee impoverished / A second reason, that whereas there are a multitude of Poore in this kingdome that wanted ymployment, if they might have the dying & dressing of these Clothes, it would finde them worke, whereby they might be releived, and there was noe reason, whye anye other should make benefitt of that which wee might make good vse of our selves. Last lye, whereas the trade of dressing of Cloath began to decaye, if nowe they might but haue this, in processe of time it might be rest= red, and they might haue as good Skill to dresse Clothe as the Dutch men. My Lord of Rochester, my Lord of Northampton, and my Lord Treasuror that nowe is, were great agents in this busines, and were thought to haue bine promised great sommes of monye to accomplish it

Nowe the Countesse begins newe Complaintes and findinge her arte to continew Firme and that indeed there was such frigiditie quoad hanc accomplished, that her husband the good Earle of Essex could not execute the office of A husband, shee vp and tells her Freindes that shee is still A mayde, and that shee had good cause to complayne, since that shee had continued soe long his wiffe, she in that space had never the fruition of that pleasure that ought to be betweene man and wiffe, For which cause she protested that shee would never keepe him Companye anye longer & desired A divorcement because of his insufficiencie. This seemed Strange vnto the world, whoe tooke notice of the Earle to be of an able bodye bodye, and likelye to haue manye Children, and to vndertake anye exploite for the good of the Comon wealthe, indeed valuing this to bee but an idle and vaine reumor that was spread (as often happeneth) to see howe such A thinge would be liked in the world, and therefore lett it passe with litle notice / In the meanetyme there is A motion betweene Rochester and her for A Marriage, and since it was soe that the World had taken notice of her loosnes, nowe to make some satisfaccion, they would consummate A wedding betweene them. This motion was well liked on both parties, but the obstacle remayned, her husband was alive, and the lawe would not permitt her to haue two husbands, Wherevpon shee growes soe much more the Eager of a divorce, that soe shee might haue A newe husband (for women of her disposition delight in change) and therefore renewes her Com= plainte. Advise is taken in the busines, whether such A thinge maye be had, there being noe cause publique, as adulterye or dislike of the husband. Againe it was A question, whether the wiffe might sue A divorce or not, for that the Bill of divorcement was given to the husband, and not to the wiffe / Manye suche like obiections being disputed to and againe, at last it is concluded, That in Case the Earle was soe vnable as shee reported to exe= cute the office of A husband, and that if vpon searche by the verdicte of 12: Matrones shee appeared to be Still A Mayde, it was lawfull that there might be A divorce, and the reason was two fold, one that there might be A frigiditie quoad hanc / another that marriage was appointed for procreation sake, for which cause it was thought lawfull to sue A divorce /

Vpon this they proceeded to the searche, twelue Matrones were impannelled, the daye appointed, the searche made, & the verdict retourned, that shee was A true mayde; Whoe should bring this to the Eares of the kinge but my Lord of Northampton, and soe to the world whoe growes iealous of Fraude, doubting either corruption or deceipt (for it was vulgarlye reported that shee had had a child long before in my Lordes absence) wherevpon some saye this, some saye that, and most that the Countesse was not searched, but that one of Sir Thomas Monsons daughters was brought in to be searched in her place, and soe both Iurie and Iudges deceaved: But how true this is, is not Credible. yet neverthelesse they graunt a bill of divorce; And nowe A separation being had betweene them, the Earle in A greate discontent leaves the Courte, and repairs to his house in Warwicke sheire neere BLANK and there lives A Private liffe /

The Motion of the marriage goes for= warde / Ouerburyes opinion concerning it he diswads Rochester from it, the breach betweene them. the principall caus of it / Nowe might there be A lawfull discourse of marriage, since there was A lawfull divorce had, yet neverthelesse kept private and onlye some particuler Freindes made privie / On Rochesters side. Overburye whose advise he amongst others re= quired in this busines, to what end it was vnknowne / Neverthelesse Overburye was vtterlye against it, and being in serious discourse with him, concerning this subiect in the passage Gallerye at whit Hall Hall, entred into those or the like wordes as was reported. First how Much he stood obliged to him for his Countenance and Favour and therefore would speake nothinge but the truthe. Then how dutyfull and readye he was to performe all his Commaundes, From whence hee might easelye perceave, that what he spake was out of affeccion. And lastlye that he had often endeavoured to avert his mynde from these thinges, that both tyme and the envye of men might turne to his preiudice, taxing him that he had made all this to become hatefull vnto him, and converting the meanes of good intencions towards him to his disparagement and losse: Notwithstandinge the Viscount Still prest him on to passe his opinion, protesting greate kindnes and to doe nothing without his opinion / wherevpon hee letts him vnderstand, that perceivinge the Comon reports of the multitude, and waighing them with the greatnes of this personage, that he found it to be noe lesse hurtfull to his preferrement, then helpfull to subvert and overthrowe him. For whoe would (being possest of soe great possibillities as he was, soe great honors and large revenewes and daylye in expectacion of others, cast all a= waye vpon A woman, that is noted both For her iniurye & imodes= tye, and pull vpon him the hatred and contempt of great personages for soe small A Matter. Then he willed him to consider with himselfe the Condicion of the person whereof he spoke, the manner of her carriadge from her youthe, her present Conversation, the manye envyes dishonors and dislikes that were attendant vppon her, and besides which is nowe the Common reporte of the vulgar, (and he should finde them to be soe) manye evills to attend his sub= version and overthorowe. It is not the nature of A wise man to make her his wiffe whom he hath made his whore Lastly willed him to expect noe better requitall at her handes then which she had shewed her former husband, and withall to waighe the present Condition that he was in, and to compare it with the fu= ture. Nowe he had but as it were an inclination vnto such a thinge, neither were those thinges made evident that after ages would laie open / Neverthelesse that he was taxed with in= civilitye, levitie, and indeed effeminatenes, that by the opynion of the wise he was iudged alltogither vnworthye of that honor that was bestowed vpon him; but when these surmises should come by this his marriage to be made evident, what evills before were but suspected, should then nowe be enlarged and laied to his Charge. Honor is not attended with voluptuousnes, nor are the ruyn of A Rotten branche, to be cherrished vpon A newe planted tree, but if that he meant to be made famous, and to Continue that with him, that now he freelye enioyed, his opinion was that he should vtterlye leave and forsake her Companye, and hold her both hurtfull and hatefull /

These speeches drewe on others, and the Viscounte beinge a litle nettled in his affection, growes something harsh, and Sir Thomas Thomas having bine heretofore excepted at with these kinde of Con= tencions, growes soe much the more carelesse, answers word for worde, soe that from faire and Freindlye Speeces, they growe to wordes of anger, and either to crosse other. In Conclusion, Overburye re= quired his portion dewe vnto him, and soe wills Rochester to leave him to his owne Fortunes, for that he could not endure these in= ordinate Iangles which he had accustomed towards him of late / and that if there had bine anye thinge saide that was either offensive to him, to the disparagement of the Countesse, it was by his owne procurement, and by reason of the good willand affection that hee bore to him, with these and many such other wordes they parte

Rochester & the countesse meets, they conclude the deathe of Ouerburye / that Northampton had a hand in it / the Causes whye / The Countesse having ere this, borne A deadlye hate to= wardes Overburye, because he had often tymes before diswaded the Viscounte to abstaine from her Companye / yet nowe havinge disclosed vnto her this speeche, shee becomes more revengfull, especiallye because he had taxed her with the name of a Whore, for truthe is hatefull to the evill, and what before she concealed, nowe breaks forthe with furye, for concealed anger is muche worse then open violence, perswading Rochester, that it was not possible, that ever she should endure these iniuryes, or hope for anye prosperitie as long as he lived, he being the only man that withstood his purposes, with manye other perswations, that he onlye of all men begann to growe eminent, and whoe was soe likelye to be the man to Stepp vpp next after him but Overburye. In= soe much as these perswasions, togither with his owne Conceaved evill, procures the Viscount to give A likeing to her determination, and to put his hand into the Fire where he needed not, makinge himselfe accessarye to that which he had noe occasion to put in practise at all

There were some that charged Northampton to haue had a hand in these businesses, and to haue vttered these and the like wordes / That he wondred howe the Viscount could be soe muche affected to his man Overburye, that without him he could doe nothing; as it were, making him his right hand, seeing he being newlye growne into the kings Favor, and whollye dependinge vpon his greatnes, must expect to come to ruyne, when that man rose to preferrment. Allsoe he condemned Overburye for his bold nes and peremptorye sawcinesse that checkt and corrected the Viscount for the love that past betwixt the Countisse and him, and opposed manye of his designes and purposes, wherevpon he concluded, that vnlesse he did either curbe his greatnes, or abate his Pride, he in tyme would be equall to him both in power and Greatnes. Whether this proceeded out of feare of himselfe, or envye towards Overburye, or to colloqve with his Neece & Rochester or to prevent the plainenes of Sir Thomas whoe altogither dis= tasted these iugling courses, it cannot be conceaved, but these are are the last woordes that he spake of this subiect / that for his owne parte he knewe himselfe to be cleere in all offences against the State, and theire Familye was soe eminent in the Comonwealth that he could not hurte him. But for Rochester, being made privye to all his dessignes, growing peremptorye and noe whit tractable to his disposition, besides, likelye to come to eminencie & honor in the Comon wealthe, he findes it both necessarye and fittinge for his safetie, that he should be A meanes to dispatch him. Where= vpon the Viscount being led by the nose as he thought for the best, gives consent and endeavors to put in practise that which hee had determined. Now of all handes they cast about howe this mighte be effected and passe vnregarded, soe that they might sustaine no losse or disparagement by the attempte /

Sir William Wade remoued from the Liuetenancye of the Tower, Sir Jeruis Yeluis præferred / For this purpose alone, it was thought that a quarrell was picked with Sir William Wade, whoe was nowe Leivtenant of the Tower, and had continued it A greate while, but there were other cause obiected / As First, he was thought too severe against the Ladye Arbella, and gave some other Prisoners too much libertie / Another was, that he being nowe growne ritche, becan to growe carelesse, and neglected his office, but the verye truth of the businesse was thought to be this / Sir Iervis Yelvis beinge A Lincolnesheire gentleman, haueing bene brought vpp a publique life from his youthe, trayned in the Studie of the lawes in Lincolnes Inne and ambitious of preferrment, offered A some of monye for that honor and Place, For howsoever Sir William Wade might be one waye taxed for his too much desire of wealthe, which thing might be tollerable in him being prest with A greate charge, yet he was wise, honest, and discreete in his place, and discharged it with much more sufficiencye, then he that succeeded him, but according to the say= inge of the Poett /

Euisquis habet numinos secura nauigat aura Fortunamque Suo temporet arbitrio Those men that store of monye haue With prosperous wind shall Sayle And Fortune plyes vnto their wishe to speed they cannot faile. /

By this meanes he is gott in to the Leiutenancie, and for this Cause Sir William Wade is put lout / thinges ordered after this sorte never proceed without entrye, vnlesse the parties that inioye such places be verye considerate, it is likelye they will haue a sudden fall, but what care of men of power of such thinges / He being establi shed in his office, must (to recollect his monye paid) vse some kind of extortion, and to beare out this be observant to such as preferred him him, that soe by theire countenaunce he might vse the greater li= bertie: for this Cause, he made the Earle of Northampton & Rochester the whole ende of his Actions, fearing more to displease them then the kinge A fitt man for theire Purpose

The countisse re= payres to Mistris Tur ner to enquire out a Man for her, makes complainte of Ouerburys insolencye, discloses her determinations, Weston is nominated / In the meane time, the Countisse thought it not enoughe to heare, nor to frett and fume, nor to perswade and intreate my Lord to vndertake this daungerous enterprise, but to Mistris Turner shee must goe, and there renewe her Complaintes with teares (hardly found in A woman of her disposition) protestinge that shee never was soe defamed, neither did shee ever thinke, that anye mann, durst haue bene soe sawcie as to call her whore and base woman, and that to Rochester her onlye hopes, and with an impudent face, but Overburye that Negro, that scumme of men, that divill incarnate, he might doe anye thinge, and passe ether vnregarded or vnpunishd. This moves pittie in this pittifull woman Mistris Turner, whoe frettes as fast, to see her Frett, soe that there is such Storming betweene them, as is incredible: At length, even as wee see two Clowdes after long Striffe in the Ayre which shall haue prioritie in place, ioyne in one, Soe these two Women, after they had fullfilled their franticke humor, ioyne in this to be the deathe of him, that must be the ende (there is noe other mallice to the mallice of A Woman) noe submission, noe intreatie, noe perswation could prevayle, but he must dye Mistris Turner soothes her with (I that she would) and it is pittye hee should live to defame soe honorable A Ladye, soe well descended, to the vtter disparagment of her house, and that rather then he should passe with liffe, shee would be his deathes man her selfe / wordes of Course in such Cases where people are carryed awaye with headye mallice, not with reason / yet for all this comming to theire right sences, they begin to waighe the matter, and that it was noe small thing to kill A man, both in respect of Conscience & lawe / Therefore they cast about which should be the best waye to doe it, at last they conclude that to poyson him was the onlye way and that with least suspect, but then the partie that should doe it was to seeke, for he must be noe ordinarye man, some Apothecarye or Phisitian that might temper the poyson rightlye to take effecte according to their mynde / After long Studye one Weston was named, that had bine sometimes servant to Doctor Turner, & there by learned such experience, that none was soe fitting to accom= plish this exploit to him, This man nowe in the Countrye must be sent for, Mistris Turner must worke vpon him, to bringe him to this exploit / For thinges of this nature must be carryed with wisedome and discretion, for whoe will hazard his liffe for Hadd I wist, Two hundred poundes is proferred him, lucre Constraines him, & he of all men vndertakes it /

Ouerburys great favor These thinges notwithstanding, Overburye Stills growes into fauour, the motion of the Counsell to send him Ambassador to the Arch Duke, He contemplats of it per= swaded by my Lord viscount to refuse it / into favour, and the Councell finding his diligencie & sufficiencie in his place, nominates him as A man fitt to be sent Ambassador in to the lowe Countries to the Arch Duke, making that A meanes to drawe him vpp to greate preferrementes. This comes to Overburyes Eare, whoe knowing my Lord of Northampton to be his vtter enemie, and growinge iealous of Rochester, begins to contemplate what the meaning of this might be; thus betweene hope and feare hee Standes at A maze / to refuse would be to his greate disgrace, to vndertake it would be to the losse of his preferrement / Standing in this doubt, the Viscount after thus manye iangles comes to him; and salutes him, and after manye discourses falls into speech of the intencion of the Councell concerning this Ambassage, not soe much to assist him, or encourage him to it, as to see howe he Stood affected. Wherevpon finding him hammering vpon his determin= nacions, not being certainelye determined of anye thinge, ioynes with him, and vtterlye diswades him from vndertaking it, for (quoth hee) yor preferment and yor expectacions lies not amongst forragne Nations / you are nowe in Creditt at home, and haue allreadye made triall of the daungers of Travell / whye then should you hazard all vpon vncertaineties being in possession (as A man mighte saye) of all that you maye expect, by this meanes allready. These Speeches, what with the trust that he put in the Viscount, what with the doubtfullnes of his mynde, doth in A manner confirme his opinion rather to leave it then to take it, but neverthelesse gives him to vnderstand, that it was noe small thinge to oppose the determinacions of the Councell and to contradicte the kings imploymentes: For in either of these, he must expect the displeasure of both, and be in daunger to receive condigne punishment. But Rochester to gett these doubts out of his mynde, with great pro= stacons and long discourses, letts him vnderstand, that he had soe much experience of his worthe, and found him soe faithfull and diligent in his ymploymentes, that he could as well misse his right hand as misse him, and that in case anye such daunger should happen to him, yet neverthelesse if either his word, his letter, Creditt or favor could either mitigate, release, or releive him, it should not be wanting to doe him ease or pleasure: Being led led on with these hopes, he is in a manner drawne vtterlye to denie that which was intended for his profitt, and to give him a fitt oppertunitie to execute their mallice towards him as after happened; thus according to the saying of the Poett ne quicquam crede hand credere quisquam name fronte politi Astutam vapido seruent sub pectore vulpem beleiue thou not scarce any man for oft a Phrigian Face Is smoothlye couered with a smile but within seekes thy disgrace

The Viscount seeing him at this time in soe fitt a vaine to be wrought vpon, and soe easilye to be perswaded from his purpose, doth doth shewe him much more Favor then heretofore he had done, the better to confirme credence in him towardes his perswations, and to encourage him in his determinacions, that by this meanes he is vtterlye deceaved, and growes confident to forsake it. In this mynde the Viscounte leaves him, & betaks himselfe to his purpose /

The Countisse Earle and Viscount meete / they deter= mine of the matter, the King is incensed against Ouerburye / Sir Iervace being nowe growne old in his office, and acquain ted with it, amongst other thinges is sounded, whether he Standes faithfull towardes his two Patrons Northampton and Rochester, whereby it is found that he would be plyant to any thing they desired, but not yet made acquainted with this determination, Neverthelesse it feeds them with hope to execute theire purposes, with better prosperitie: For the Leiutenant being their Freind, and Weston (A man that had gott the arte of poysoning) entertayned for the purpose, and with A resolute mynde readie to effect it, made them neither suspect nor doubt anye thinge, onlye how they might get him to the Tower. For this purpose it was thought fitt, that Rochester haueing the kings Eare, should be a means to possesse the kinge with some misdemenors that he had comitted, that there by the kinge being incenst against him, and the refusall of the Ambassage making evident the truthe of these Complaints, that they need not doubt of anye such matter. Wherevpon my Lord of Rochester amongst other thinges (at a time convenient) letts the kinge vnderstand howe insolent Overburye waas growne, that he not onlye contemned him, but his Majestye allsoe, estima= tinge this imployment to be sent Ambassador either too light A preferrment for his deserts, or els intended to procure him some further evill, and that he vtterlye dislike it, and determined to refuse it. The king being possest of these thinges, and by him, whoe to the Iudgment of the world was his greatest freind, tooke displeasure at it, soe that by his Countenance one might haue perceived his anger. For the frowning of A kinge, is like the roaring of A Lyon, terrible to the Spectators and hearers, so that nowe they doubted not of their expectacions to gett him into the Tower, where being as prisoner in the kings disgrace, vnder the protection of one whoe more esteeemed their favor then the kings displea= sure, sequestred from his Freindes, noe intercourse suffered to come vnto him, but what came from the Countesse, Northamton and Rochester, and Weston A fitt agent to execute all maner of evills, whie to the Iudgment of the world it is vnpossible, that this evill should ever come to light, And thus being cockred vp in their owne conceipts, they runn headlonge to their owne dist= ruction. For when ther were but two persons privye to the Acte of Murther as in Cayne and Abell, it could not passe vn= punished, but that Cayne must be marked with a perpetuall marke of ignominie; howe much more shall this goe vndiscovered when there are soe manye privye to it. Thus maye wee see, that one sinne sinne another doth provoke, and that murther is as neere to lust as flame to smoke

Sir Thomas Refuses the Ambassage incu= rrs the King’s displesure, he is sent to the Tower, Weston is preferred to him, Gressam dies, Franckline entertay= ned into the busines, a new Speech of Mar= riage betweene the Countis & Rochester Sir Thomas Overburye and Rochester having (for some private occasion) fallen into A newe breache at New Markett retournes verye pensivelye to london; And nowe the time being come that he should give an answere what he would doe concerning this Ambassage, he answered that he acknowledged himselfe much bound vnto his Majestye for manye favors, that he had bestowed vpon him, and amongst the rest, most of all in that it pleased him, as to preferre him to soe greate honor, but yet neverthelesse, know= ing himselfe vnworthie of such A Place, vnexperienced how to execute it, and besides tied to manye domesticke busynesses, desired to be excused. This seeming something strang and harsh, that he should refuse his owne good, and by these meanes incurr the displeasure of the kinge, and loose his expectacions, makes some of his Freindes to wonder, others to Stand in a maze But in Conclusion as he had iustlye deserved by reason of his contempt he is Comitted to the Tower, but not to be kept as a close Pri= soner; but after my Lord of Northampton and Rochester beinge both of the privye Councell and in great favor at Courte, sendes vnto the Livetenant, that he should keepe him close prisoner, and afterwards received by word of mouthe from Sir Thomas Mounson, that he should not suffer any letters, tokens, or other thinges to be delivered vnto him

Theire expectacion in this thinge being accomplished, Mistris Turner by the instigacion of the Countesse, becomes A greate Sutor to Sir Thomas Mounson, to haue his letter to prefer Weston vnto Sir Thomas, to waite on him in the Tower, whoe hearing the name of the Countesse, and withall vnderstanding of the greate affection that was betweene her and Rochester, condiscended, wrote, and sent him with this letter to Sir Iervis in the Tower, he shewed it to Sir Thomas / Sir Thomas willing to deserue his pretious cheifs favor with the more readines entertayned him, as when A man ignorantlye treads vpon A serpent, is stunge for his labor, soe Sir Thomas harbors in his owne brest, the author of his owne distruccion /

Nowe Gresham growing into yeares haueing spent muche time and manye fowle prayers to accomplish these things, at this time gethers all his bables togither, vizt Pictures in lead, in Waxe, in plats of Gold of naked men and women, with Crosses Crucifixes, and other ymplementes, wrapping them all vp togither in A Starke crossed everye letter in the Sacred worde Trinitie crossed ɑ.u ԝ.o: crossed, these beinge verye holilye delivered into the handes of one Weston to be hidd in the Earthe that noe man might finde them / and soe in Thames Streete finished his his evill times, he dyed leaving behinde him A man and A mayd, one hanged for A witche the other for A Theefe /

After his death with much writtinge, manie entreaties and rewardes, One Francklyn A Yorke sheire man was entertained into these actions, A man of A reasonable Stature, crookshoul= dred, of A swarthie Complection, and thought to be noe lesse A Witche then the two former Gresham and forman / this man was more ymployed to make poysons fitt to be administred by Weston then otherwise, for he was excellent in that Arte, to mitigate or increase their Strength, soe that sometimes A Poyson should be A Monthe ere it sh would worke / verilye, evill actions shall never want evill actors, and in all Ages Phisitians, Apothecaries, drug gests, Cashiered serving men that haue fallen into want, haue still bine the Agents in such enterprises. Tyberius his Phisitian, Spade an Apothecarie, and Higdo Drusus servant, are made A= gentes to be his poysoners. Nerowes bond men must kill him, Pisees Captaine vnder Germanicus, must poyson him, and by the helpe of A woman posoner of Coo a towne in Gretua whoe was soe skillfull that shee hid poyson in his hayre to kill himselfe, A Centurion to Maximus must poyson him. Alexanders phisitian Anti Pater and Aristotle must be the author of his deathe / and heere Franklyn A kinde of Phisitian, Weston A servant to Sir Thomas, and Sir Iervis Yelvis, whoe is as you shall hereafter heare, Privado to the Earle and Viscount and the Countesse, and Mistris Turner are made instrumentes to kill and dispatch Sir Thomas Overburye / Soe that it hath bene allmost in all Ages, and in all such outrages founde that ether such persons or women haue bene Actors in such attemptes /

Overburye being thus confyned into the Towre, & accompted amongst them as A Fryer, A dead person in lawe, in whose brest manye secretts were Contayned, being Still fedd on with hope of preferrement and libertie, least he should disclose what he knew / they at theire will and pleasure carrouse full healthes of sinne and abominacion, and freelye discourse of A marriage to be consumated betweene them Countesse and Rochester, that soe being tyed in this bond of Matrimonye, and ioyned in affinitie with my Lord of Northampton, more trust might be had in him, and better vse be made of his honor and greatnes. Nowe there is noe man to support him, noe man to diswade him, his loosnes with the Countesse gaules his Conscience / and that it might be the more offensive to him, and make him willinger to consent to this motion, he is Still prest with it, and that it is both vnfitt and vnseemelye, whereas on the other syde if they marrie, it will be both lawfull, honorable, and Comendable, & the Eares of the Vulgar will be then stopt, and none dares to be soe bould as to touch him with it. This carries shewe of truthe, soe that what with his former affection, what with his present offence that he conceives at theise courses, concludes the marriag / tymes times are appointed to Conferr how impedimentes mighte bee avoyded, and what should be fitting for to be done in this behalfe /

How the Lieutenant came acquainted with this busines, incouraged to persist by Northton, rewards promised him, he examines Sir Thomas to finde out his affection most thinke of Religion, Some thinke towards the Countesse It is nowe highe time to enter into this Action, and the Coun tisse meanes to be the First, and for this purpose shee went & gott A Glasse of blewe water some two inches longe, this being wraped in a paper, shee deliversto Westons sonne with Instructions, that he should goe to the Tower and deliver it to his Father. Hee doth soe, whoe having his matter A forehand put in his head, at supper time takes the glasse in one hand, and whoe should he meete withall as he was goinge, but Sir Gervis Yelvis the Leivtenant, soe demaundes he of him with a kinde of Caution whether he should give it him nowe, the Leivtenant Stopt and asked him what, to which Weston answered, Sir knowe you not what is to be done, this made him Stand in A Mase and doubt the worst, wherevpon he calls Weston into examinacion, and makes him confesse all his intencion, from what Groundes, of whom he receaved it, and partlye the cause of it, He nowe being made A Slave vnto Greatenesse, and having laide out much monye to purchase his place, for feare to loose the one, & to offend the other, letts Weston goe with this Caution to omitt it for that times, Whereas A wise man (rather then he would haue runne himselfe headlonge into perdicion) would haue discovered it, and haue made them A meanes to haue manifested his faith fullnes and deligence in his office. But what shall we saye to A man lost, the next daye he is sent for to the Lord of Northampton, there after manye longe and large discourses, at lengthe the Earle discloses to him his intencion concerning Overburye, and with those thinges mingles manye of his insolencies. First of his obstanacie against the Viscount, his insolencie against the Countess his opposition against all most all good men; and that for these Causes if such A thinge happened, there being none to looke after him, it would passe vnregarded or respected. But with all giveds him manye Cautions howe he should manage himself in this buisynes, letting him vnderstand, what manner of man he was / A Scholler, and one that had an excellent tounge and witte / A travellor, experienced in the Course of the world / & besides that favoured of the Contrarye Faction, and as great a politician as anye was this daye in England. Therefore in this regarde, he ought to be soe much the more warye, both whoe came to him and whoe went from him, and aboue all, that noe letters past too and fro These and manye other cuch like speecches having past betweene them (for the Earle was two howres by his owne Confession in prompting him with Cautions and Considerations, that he might be the readyer to acte his parte in this adventure he was to deale in) Lastlye he concludes that aboue all, hee should insinuate with him to see how he stood affected to theise proceedings and what wordes he vttered, For a hart full thrust thrust with greiffe and sorrowe must either speake or burste, and his secrecie and deligence herein shall be rewarded with A thousand poundes / Whether it was the greedines of the reward, or the foolish desire he had to give content vnto the Earle and Viscounte, they being his onlye favorors, or some other hope tis vnknowne, but he by this meanes is brought on to his owne dis= truction, and soe gives consent to conceale that which was inten= ded. At his Coming backe he repaires to Sir Thomas Ouerbury vnder pretence to comforte him in his sorrowe, and advises him to be more lightsome, and not to consume himselfe in greiffe / by this meanes entring into further discourse, secretly insynuats into his intencions Sir Thomas haueing A good opynion of him, and supposing that all was done out of Faithe and honestie to= wards him, having by this meanes learnt what he could out of him, writes vnto my Lord of Northampton a lettre to this effect /

My especiall good Lord, hauing vndertooke my prisoner accord= inge to your Instructions after long silence as standinge betweene hope and feare, he takes his Bible, and protests after he had read vpon it, he takes it and by it protested his innocencie. After vpon further conference concerning the Countesse he said, that (he had iustified her allreadye, and that he could doe noe more then he had done; but for himselfe, alas quoth he what will they doe with mee; I answered, soe reason you, as you shall make noe question hereafter of your purenesse, and I lefte him in some sence to worke vpon him. As I was goinge he con= cluded, that in the generallitie she was soe worthie that she might be a wife for anye man, but not to saye that she was a wife in perticular for my Lord of Rochester, he woulde not saye it least my Lord should condempne him for waighinge his worthe. At my next coming to him, I found him not in sence but furie, he lett flye at you, but was respective of my Lord of Rochester, whose part he taketh altogither, I see the event, I desire it maye be safelye Covered. What my service maye doe you in this or anye thinge else, I will be faithfull to your Lordshipp, and soe I rest Yours

Jeruice Yeluis /

This and manye other thinges being inserted into this lettre, was sent vnto the Earle, which he read, and in reading laughes and smiles, at the simplicitye of the one and ignorance of the other / Neverthelesse in outward apparance he applauds all the actions of Sir Iervice, but espetiallye to my Lord of Rochester, holding him both A discreet and A wise man, and that his service and honest dealing in this imployment, deserves everlastinge prayses with after ages / Weston