space of two or three days, until they made a little breach in the wall next unto the Water Gate, which, nevertheless, was not yet assaultable for that which was broken in the day, was by them within the town made up again in the night, stronger than before. But the battery was not begun there by the French because they intended to enter in that place; but rather to abuse the English, to have the less regard to the defence of the Castle which was the weakest part of the town, and the place where they were we ascertained, by their espials, to win an easy entry.

So that while our people travailed fondly to defend that counterfeit breach of the town wall, the Duke had in the mean season, planted fifteen double-cannons against the Castle. Which Castle being considered by the Rulers of the town to be of no such force as might resist the battery of cannon, by reason that it was old, and without any rampires [ramparts]; it was devised to make a train with certain barrels of powder to this purpose, that when the Frenchmen should enter, as they well knew, that there they would, to have fired the said train, and blown up the Keep: and for that purpose left never a man within to defend it. But the Frenchmen, at their entry, espied the train, and so avoided the same. So that the device came to no purpose; and, without any resistance, they entered the Castle; and thought to have entered the town by that way.

But by the prowess and hardy courage of Sir Anthony Ager [Aucher], Knight, and Marshal of the Town, with his soldiers, they were repulsed and driven back again into the Castle and followed so hard after, that our men forced them to close and shut the Castle gate for their surety, lest it should have been recovered against them. As it was once attempted by Sir Anthony Ager: who there, with his son and heir, and a Pursuivant at Arms called Calais, and divers others, to the number of fifteen or sixteen Englishmen, lost their lives.

The same night, after the recule [retreat] of the Frenchmen, whose number so increased in the Castle, that the town was not able to resist their force; the Lord Wentworth, Deputy of Calais, sent a Pursuivant called Guisnes, unto the Duke of Guise, requiring a composition; which, after long debate, was agreed to, upon this sort.

First. That the town, with all the great artillery, victuals and munition, should be freely yielded to the French King. The lives of the inhabitants only saved; to whom safe conduct should be granted, to pass where they listed.

Saving the Lord Deputy, with fifty others, such as the Duke

should appoint, to remain prisoners; and be put to their

ransom.

The next morning, the Frenchmen entered and possessed the town and forthwith all the men, women and children, were commanded to leave their houses, and to go into the two churches, of Our Lady, and St. Nicholas; upon pain of death. Where they remained a great part of that day, and one whole night, and until three o'clock at afternoon the next day without either meat or drink.

And while they were thus in the churches, the Duke of Guise, in the name of the French King, in their hearing, made a proclamation straitly charging and commanding all and every person that were inhabitants of the town of Calais, having about them any money, plate, or jewels to the value of [but] one groat to bring the same forthwith, and lay it down on the high altars of the said churches, upon pain of death: bearing them in hand [inducing them to think] also that they should be searched.

By reason of which proclamation, there was made a great and sorrowful offertory. And while they were at this offering within the churches, the Frenchmen entered into their houses, and rifled the same; where was found inestimable riches and treasure, but especially of ordnance, armour, and other munition.

About two o'clock, the next day at afternoon, being the 7th of January, all the Englishmen, except the Lord Deputy and the others reserved for prisoners, were suffered to pass out of the town in safety, being guarded through the army by a number of Scottish Light Horsemen.

There were in the town of Calais, 500 English soldiers ordinarily, and no more: and of the townsmen, not fully 200 fighting men: a small garrison for the defence of such a town. And there were in the whole number of men, women and children, as they were counted when they went out of the gate, 4200 persons.

But the Lord Wentworth, Deputy of Calais; Sir Ralph Chamberlain, Captain of the Castle; [John] Harlestone, Captain of Risbank; Nicholas Alexander, Captain of Newn[h]ambridge; Edward Grimstone, Controller; with others of the chief of the town, to the number of fifty, as aforesaid, such as it pleased the Duke of Guise to appoint, were sent prisoners into France. Thus have ye heard the discourse of the overthrow and

1 Value 4d.

loss of the Town of Calais; the which enterprise was begun and ended in less than eight days, to the great marvel of the world, that a town of such strength, and so well furnished of all things as that was, should so suddenly be taken and conquered but most especially, in the winter season; what time all the country about, being marsh ground, is commonly overflown with water.

61. Two SPEECHES OF QUEEN ELIZABETH.

In approaching the Elizabethan age one is arrested on the threshold by a contrast between the sovereign's public and private traits. A friendly historian can make her out the noblest of rulers; a hostile historian can make her out the meanest of women. In other words, her personal character was soiled by much that was petty, sordid and dishonourable; yet she showed genuine devotion to England's national interests. As proof that she possessed the qualities which fit a person to govern, two examples are adduced: first, her speech at Tilbury, disclosing a sense of unity with her subjects; and secondly, her last speech to parliament, disclosing the tact which can draw back without loss of dignity before an unpopular measure.

The Armada Speech (1588).

(4) Elizabeth's visit to the Earl of Leicester's camp at Tilbury is among the famous episodes of our history. She there addressed the troops in words which, it is believed, have been authentically preserved by Dr. Leonel Sharp, a chaplain to the Earl of Essex. Sharp in his Cabala states that he was directed to repeat before the assembled army what the queen had said.

SOURCE. The Armada Speech. Elizabeth (1533-1603). In Somers' Tracts. Vol. i., p. 429.

My loving People,

We have been persuaded by some that are careful of our safety, to take heed how we commit ourselves to armed multitudes, for fear of treachery; but I assure you, I do not desire to live to distrust my faithful and loving people.

Let tyrants fear; I have always so behaved myself, that, under God, I have placed my chiefest strength and safeguard

in the loyal hearts and good will of my subjects, and therefore I am come amongst you, as you see, at this time, not for my recreation and disport, but being resolved in the midst and heat of the battle, to live or die amongst you all, to lay down for my God, and for my kingdoms, and for my people, my honour and my blood, even in the dust.

I know I have the body but of a weak and feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of England too; and think foul scorn that Parma 1 or Spain, or any prince of Europe should dare to invade the borders of my realm; to which rather than any dishonour shall grow by me, I myself will take up arms, I myself will be your general, judge, and rewarder of every one of your virtues in the field.

I know already for your forwardness you have deserved rewards and crowns; and we do assure you in the word of a prince, they shall be duly paid you. In the meantime my

lieutenant-general shall be in my stead, than whom never prince commanded a more noble or worthy subject; not doubting but by your obedience to my general, by your concord in the camp, and your valour in the field, we shall shortly have a famous victory over those enemies of my God, of my kingdoms, and of my people.

The Golden Speech (1601).

In

SOURCE.-The Golden Speech. In Somers' Tracts. Vol. i., p. 244. (B) Elizabeth was so economical as to be almost a miser. stead of granting her courtiers and favourites pensions out of the royal civil list, she issued for their benefit patents of monopoly which extended to staple articles. "Iron, oil, vinegar, coal, saltpetre, lead, starch, yarn, skins, leather, glass" were thus forced up to exorbitant prices. Trade suffered and the public murmured. At last, in 1601, the House of Commons grew dangerously incensed on this subject, and was preparing to speak in the tone which it afterwards used towards the Stuarts, when the queen of her own accord offered to redress the grievance. Her graciousness was met by an outburst of universal joy, and the Commons hastened with Mr. Speaker at their head to thank her. In receiving them she spoke thus :—

1 Alexander of Parma, the viceroy of Philip II. in the Low Countries.

Mr. Speaker,

We perceive your coming is to present thanks unto us. Know I accept them with no less joy than your loves can have desire to offer such a present, and do more esteem it than any treasure, or riches; for those we know how to prize, but loyalty, love, and thanks, I account them invaluable; and though God hath raised me high, yet this I account the glory of my crown, that I have reigned with your loves. This makes that I do not so much rejoice that God hath made me to be a queen as to be a queen over so thankful a people, and to be the means under God to conserve you in safety, and preserve you from danger, yea to be the instrument to deliver you from dishonour, from shame, and from infamy, to keep you from out of servitude, and from slavery under our enemies, and cruel tyranny, and vile oppression intended against us; for the better withstanding whereof, we take very acceptable their intended helps, and chiefly in that it manifesteth your loves and largeness of hearts to your sovereign. Of myself I must say this, I never was any greedy, scraping grasper, nor a strict fast-holding prince, nor yet a waster, my heart was never set upon any worldly goods, but only for my subjects good. What you do bestow on me I will not hoard up, but receive it to bestow on you again; yea mine own properties I account yours to be expended for your good, and your eyes shall see the bestowing of it for your welfare.

Mr. Speaker, I would wish you and the rest to stand up, for I fear I shall yet trouble you with longer speech.

Mr. Speaker, you give me thanks, but I am more to thank you, and I charge you thank them of the Lower House for me; for had I not received knowledge from you, I might have fallen into the lapse of an error, only for want of true information.

Since I was queen, yet did I never put my pen to any grant but upon pretext and semblance made me, that it was for the good and avail of my subjects generally, though a private profit to some of my ancient servants, who have deserved well; but that my grants shall be made grievances to my people, and oppressions, to be privileged under colour of our patents, our princely dignity shall not suffer it.

When I heard it, I could give no rest unto my thoughts until I had reformed it, and those varlets, lewd [base] persons, abusers of my bounty, shall know I will not suffer it. And, Mr. Speaker, tell the House from me, I take it exceeding grateful, that the knowledge of these things are come unto me from them. And though amongst them the principal members are such as are not touched in private, and therefore need not speak