Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 10.djvu/53

 1572.] THE DUKE OF NORFOLK. 33 the harassed Don Guerau opened his heart to Hawkins in return. 1 1 The following letter, written by Don Guerau from Canterbury to Philip, shows, besides its general interest, how entirely he was free from suspicion of Hawkins's trea- chery : ' The Queen and council, or rather the Lord Burghley who alone rules all, sent a secretary to tell me I must leave London on Christmas Eve, alluding repeatedly with sufficient discourtesy to our treatment of Doc- tor Man. I said what I thought necessary, but I was obliged to com- ply. I waited nine or ten days at Gravesend, where I was joined by Hawkins and Fitzwilliam, who came with orders from the Queen to see me across to Calais. Hawkins, who is sincerely anxious to serve your Majesty, is of great use to me far different from Knowles, who is an accursed heretic and communicates daily by post with the Lord Burgh- ley. The Queen means to try the Duke of Norfolk at once, and that is the cause of my being sent with so much haste out of the country. I have said that without permission from your Majesty or the Duke of Alva I will not go unless I am forced. So that I am still here, the posts flying to and fro, and Burghley in- sisting that I am making excuses for remaining. This gentleman is so frightened that nothing can reassure him. He has received threatening letters, and he tells the Queen that if I am in England during the trial, the country will not be safe. The Queen means to sell all property of ours which is in her hands. The owners may have it at the price at which it will be valued. If your Majesty or the Duke of Medina will send commissioners with unlimited powers something may be done ; but the sale at all events will go forward. It is all done in contempt of your Majesty ; and if this league with France come to anything, they will deal even worse with us. Messengers pass every hour between Paris and London ; and that King has, with- out doubt, offered to make an alliance, offensive and defensive, with Eng- land. The details only remain to be settled. Walsingham writes everything to Hawkins, and Haw- kins tells it to me and shews me the council's letters. The thing is at present incomplete, and it may be prevented yet if his Holiness will exert himself. If not, means must be found to prevent the English from getting good by it. It is said here that the King of France gave money secretly to Lord Fleming to be used in the defence of Edinburgh, not wishing to offend his old friends among the Scots till he has made sure of this Queen. 4 Situated as I am, and with so many eyes upon me, I shall not be able to communicate at present with the prisoners in the Tower, but I 3