The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1863-05-19 00:00:00

ABRIDGE HOUSE; OR, THE PERSECUTIONS OF
THE PRINCESS ELIZABETH.
CO2MNULD FROM OUR LAST.

"I am accustomed t, pardon all," mildly replied the
; "but conduct me, I beseech you, Sir Thomas,
Vinna7sown apartmenta."
Sir Thomas obeyed, and rejoiced in being relieved
from the unwelcome office imposed upon him by the
queen. His steps were light, and his bmithings freer.
as he conducted the Wilmer' princess to the charge of
her attendants, " My thanks, Sir Thomas, and more
are your due," said Elisabeth, as she extended her hand
to the knight. He knelt, and respectfully touched it.
Ili, emotions were strong. He felt the unworthy treat-
ment to which royalty could expose it. near of kin.
The following day the princess desired an audience
with the queen—it was granted. Elizabeth entered the
queen's private apartment —the attendants withdrew.
"What would our fair cousin that she seek our
memento 7" Elisabeth advanced with • composed de-
meanor. The queen waved her to a seat
"Madam," said Elizabeth, firmly, "I would not be
wanting in duty to your highness, but I had hoped
In my forlorn situation to have met at least with pro-
tection from one whose station, however high, does
not obliterate the claims of kindred. Our late honored
went never intended the disparagement to which your
highness has been pleased of late to subject me; and
as my presence appears unwelcome, I only request per-
mission to retire to my estate at Asritige, in Herefonl-
shire, until your highness may feel more graciously
disposed towards me.
The princess arose, and Queen Mary was struck with
a mixed sentiment of admiration and respect towards
her sister as she stood before her. She felt that the
lovely girl comported herself as a princess; indeed,
royalty was impressed on her fine countenance, and
dignity attended her every action. Elizabeth's gentle
reproof had worked it. way to Mary's heart, she felt
that she had not acted to Elizabeth in a way becoming
her own dignity; her reason had for once gained the
mastery of her plosions, and she forgot for a moment
her jealousy and her hatted.
"We are about to sojourn for the season to Hampton
Court," rejoined the queen, "and you may join 11l
there, or retire to Aaridge as suits your pleasure."
"Then your highness will allow mete visit my estate r
" Well, my cousin, as you will ; we will take order for
your due attendance upon your journey."
The princess took her leave, retired from the presence,
and in a few days arrived at the quiet retreat of Asridge,
happy to have escaped for • period the humiliation to
winch she had been daily exposed fur a length of time
Pole-
During this period the rebellion, headed by Sir
Thomaa Wyatt, broke out • the projected marriage of
the queen with Philip of iipain, and the consequent
fear of the moat intolerant persecution of the ,
Protestants, were the motives which urged on
this desperate course. The enemies of Iffizabeth pre-
tended that the princess and the Earl of Devon
were privately concerned in this dangerous conspiracy.
Queen Mary was but too ready to receive this 11241:1U
-
"lion as matter of established fast; consequently, Sir
Edward Hastings, (afterwards created Lord Lough-
borough,) Sir Richard Southwell, and • troop of horse,
were ordered to convey the Princess Elizabeth from
Asridge House to the court of Hampton Palace. The
princess pleaded indisposition, and prayed some delay.
Sir Richard pleaded for her; Sir Edward and Sir
Thomas Cornwallis insisted upon the urgency of ex-
ecuting their commission without delay, and the dispute
became serious.
"Thou cermet little for the queen's service, Sir
Richard."
"And thou lees, Sir Edward, for the courtesy due
to • virtuous prirteres."
"Thou would'irt fain keep her here to leagte vrith
the heretics • thy faith is not true to her high—
" "lis false I let my sword vouch to my truth, and
trill an. im" tant at grasped his sword, theirdze;
darted firs, and they at each other with
hatred. •
"Hold, Sir Edward r exclaimed Cornindhs, you
have ever given proof of your courage ; and your loyalty,
Sir Richard, is undoubted so let me advise tou, as
true knights, each to recall the offence offeror to the
other.
"Not I," proudly exclaimed Sir Edward.
"Nor I," coolly replied Sk Richard; "let me but—"

" My brave and noble knights," said Sir Thomas,
"*a fray is not seemly, end will prejudice us in her
bighnerfs sight, that we should not have commanded
ourselves with greater discretion when upon her terrier
to her royal 'fake."
"I must answer for that, Etir Thomas." replied Sir
&bran! ; "but as for that man, her highness I. little
beholden to him."

" Peace, peace, my friends; let us prepare for our
departure."
The prinoesa deeply felt the cruelty of the orders ler
her removal, but she found submission was her only
choice, and on the following day she quitted, with her
faithful attendants, her peaceful retreat. Thus the
future queen of England, whose glorious reign furnished
the moat splendid portion of her history, entered the
palace of her ancestors an emaciated invalid, without
retinue, with scarcely a friend to protect her. But the
continued misfortunes of the amiable Elizabeth quietly
stole upon the affections of the people before the
splendour of bee reign had won their gratitude.
Bishop Gardiner, her inveterate enemy, now summoned
nineteen of the Privy Council to investigate the charge
of her having been concerned in Wyatt's rebellion.
The princess was ordered to attend.
The council met, and a solemn silent* reigned as the
late lovely Princess was conducted into their presence.
Her fine countenance was wan, showing deep traces of
hgesthevine read re here:et:34;e.
They
, sickness and of sorrow; but her eye bad not lost its
command nor her deportment that princely grandeur
which awed whilst it charmed.
No allotted adviser, nor open friend, had the ar-
genta:dnerall::y setafteh—rtelhiwerthujan'ttc' Elisabeth hail elicit.' with,
and supported, traitors to the queen'. highness ; and that
Sir Thomas Wyatt, being • rebel, corresponded with
her; that she held intercourse with William, Earl of
Devon; and that she had corresponded with the King
of France to the disquiet of the realm and the prejudice
of her highness the queen and her dignity.
Bishop Gardiner diluted upon the various charges
With acrimony, unsupported by any oral evidence.
Papers were produced purporting to be the correspon-
dence charged, the princess not being allowed an in-
spection of them. At length it was inquired by the
in'Periou• Bishop Chancellor to state her knowledge of
the., matters.

The pnneees rose--a profound attention pervaded
the council. Elizabeth's eye sparkled, her bearing was
that of insulted majesty,%
"My lords of the council," saki the princess,
in a firm tone, "it little proveth that a young
maiden should gainsay what the grave and reverend
l'hancellor urgeth in matters of import touching
the queen'. highness ; nor can I, untutored and un-
learned in affairs, answer the subtleties with which his
speech would iniplicate me in the charge of aiding and
abetting the traitor Wyatt. 111 would it become me
to think or act ought against her highness and her state.
I lUD the nearest of kin to her highness, and most
strongly bound in all duty and affection towards her
person; but yet, my lords, let me say, with all sim-
plicity and lowliness of obedience, that it seemeth not
good that no one starideth forth to witness these hard
matters charged upon me, and it seemeth unjust that
writings should be produced without evidence of their
truth. And, tny lords, I here most solemnly assert
that I have never by any means sought to prejudice the
honour or eafety of my liege sovereign the queen's
highneu, neither by communication with the rebel
'l% put, the Farl of Devon, nor the French king." Here
the princees knelt down, clamped her hands and raised
her eyes to heaven--" So may my judge deal with me
in my hour of greatest peril, al I have spoken truth."
The princess arose, and with a flushed cheek and
agitated eel. quitted the court.
Elizabeth's bitterest enemies could not resist the full
conviction of her entire innocence ; her simple and ener-
getic defence must have convinced and awed them ;
but they were the mere instruments of the queen's
pleasure` and of Danliner's inveteracy.
"My lonl,"said the bishop, "I have orders from her
highness that the Princess Elizabeth shall, for the
present, be sent to the Tower, that she may be secured
from the attempts of the ill-disposed in these troabloua
times."

(To be continued.)