Page:The Queens of England.djvu/422

 380 THE QUEENS OF ENGLAND. went out and demanded to speak with their captains. "You are rebels to your rightful sovereign," exclaimed jerningham, sternly. "If so," replied the men of war, "we will throw them into the sea, for we are her true subjects." The commanders of the fleet at once surrendered themselves, and Jerningham and those who accompanied him became mas- ters of the ships. As the fleet was well armed, and contained several pieces of cannon as well as abundant stores, having been sent for the siege of Mary's fortress, the possession of it was most valuable, to Mary, who stood greatly in need of these implements of war ; and while she was congratulating herself on this accession to her resources, she was apprised that Sir Edward Hastings, who had been employed to raise troops for her rival, the Lady Jane Grey, had joined her cause and placed the forces he had levied at her orders. This last circumstance was of vital importance to her interests, for it led to the deser- tion of some of the most powerful adherents of Lady Jane Grey, among whom were the Earls of Bath and Sussex, who hastened to join her at Framlingham Castle, leading a consid- erable number of their followers to her standard. Every day saw fresh adherents flocking to join her ; the ships in the neighboring ports declared for her ; provisions were plenti- fully sent in to her garrison. Nor was money deficient, Mary having commanded that the money and church-plate at Nor- wich, of great value, should be appropriated to her use. Thus supported, she issued a proclamation, offering a reward for the apprehension of Northumberland, who had no sooner heard of the turn taken in her favor in London than he pro- claimed her queen at Cambridge, where he was then staying, sorely, as may be well conjectured, against his will. But this piece of diplomacy availed him not ; for, on the entry of some of Mary's troops into Cambridge, Northumberland was ar- rested and sent prisoner to London. The partisans of North- umberland now hastened to entreat the clemency of Mary ; and she set out for the metropolis at the head of a large force, and accompanied by several of the nobility. Her progress to London resembled rather that of a conqueror than one whose empire had been disputed. The Princess Elizabeth had re- ceived instructions to meet her sister at Wanstead, and came, escorted by a numerous train of lords and ladies, to render homage to her sovereign. From Wanstead the royal party proceeded to London, forming a brilliant cortege. Mary, with Elizabeth by her side, and p surrounded by her ladies, was