Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 9.djvu/323

 1570.] EXCOMMUNICATION OF ELIZABETH. 309 The Duke of Norfolk was released from the Tower the first week in August, and was allowed to reside at Howard House, under the partial supervision of Sir Henry Neville. If Arundel and Arundel's friends re- tained their hold upon the Queen, the next step was likely to be Cecil's arrest or banishment. He was not gone yet however ; and while he re- mained the administrative power was still in his hands, and he was not afraid to use it. The person who had nailed the Bull against the Bishop of London's door had escaped for some weeks undiscovered. He had been taken at last however, and was found to be a young gentleman of good family named Felton. Catholicism when it assumed the shape of treason could yet be dealt with. Felton confessed under the rack, but claimed his act wholly for his own. He was brought to trial, and said at the bar that 25 peers, 600 gentlemen, and 30,000 commons were ready to die in the Pope's quarrel. Ce- cil perhaps wished to provoke them to the experiment. Their champion was put to death on the scene of his exploit, with the protracted tortures which the execu- tioner, if directed, could inflict. 1 A more audacious proceeding followed. Since there now appeared to be no doubt of Elizabeth's intention to proceed with the Queen of Scots' treaty, the Earl of Westmoreland, the Countess of Northumberland, the Nortons, and Leonard Dacres had withdrawn from Scotland. So long as they re- 1 ' Le hicieron quartos vivo con grandissima crueldad.' De Guaras & Cayas, Affosto 9 : MSS. Simancas.