CHAPTER THREE.
NEWS FROM ENGLAND.
For several days the young Ernst did not recover from the effects of thedreadful scene he had witnessed. No smile ever beamed on hiscountenance, his cheeks were pale, his eyes dim. His kind protectorsbegan to fear that he had received a blow which might cast a gloom overhis life, if it did not quickly shorten it. Even Sir John De Leigh, thephilosopher, the man of the world, who declared that no circumstances oflife, no human suffering, should produce any effect on the mind of a manof sense, compassionated the orphan boy. He even condescended to callthe child to him, to tell him of the scenes he had witnessed in foreignlands--how he had seen the Grand Bashaw and the Great Mogul,--thesplendour of their palaces, and the obedience of their subjects; how hehimself had ridden under a silken canopy on the back of a huge elephant,and traversed the burning desert, placed between the humps of a swiftdromedary. By degrees he won back the boy to take an interest in whatwas going on around him, though often little Ernst would start, andburst forth again into bitter tears.
The boy and his young companion were, for a large portion of each day,with the Lady Anne, who took a pleasure in instructing him. Already hecould read without difficulty, and she now placed paper and pen in hishand, and instructed him in the art of writing, an art very soon tostand him in good stead, and to enable him to serve his generous patron,Master Gresham.
Of that kind patron some account ought now to be given.
Master Thomas Gresham came, so Ernst believed, of a line of honourablemerchants. Sir Richard Gresham, his father, of whom he was the youngestson, died some three years before this, having been some time Lord Mayorof London. Sir Richard had a brother, Sir John Gresham, who wasemployed as Royal agent to King Henry the Eighth in Flanders, a post towhich the patron of Ernst Verner afterwards succeeded. Sir Richard'seldest son was named after his uncle, and became Sir John Gresham. SirRichard had two daughters, the eldest of whom married the wealthy SirJohn Thynne, of Longleat, in Wiltshire.
Although it was not customary for merchants to send their sons tocollege, so much talent was exhibited by Thomas Gresham, that his fatherdetermined to give him the advantage of a University education. Whenonly three years old he was deprived of his mother's care, a loss heever bewailed. According to his father's purpose, he was sent toCambridge, and admitted a pensioner at Gonville and Caius College. Hethere undoubtedly imbibed that attachment to the Protestant faith forwhich he was ever afterwards conspicuous, and for which his Hall was atthat time distinguished. He there also gained a taste for literature,and a respect for learned men, for which he was noted throughout life,and which none of the subsequent cares of business were ever able toextinguish in him.
Expediency probably, rather than inclination, made him a merchant; atthe same time the advantages to be derived from foreign commerce werethen so considerable, that, with the splendid examples of his father andof his uncle before him, it can be no matter of surprise, that heforsook the quiet walk of life which his college might have afforded,for one of honour and emolument. Before going to college he had beenbound apprentice to his uncle, Sir John Gresham, in consequence of whichhe was, in 1543, admitted a member of the Mercers' Company, being thenin the twenty-fifth year of his age.
He had at the time the event here described occurred, for some time beenholding the post of Royal agent at Antwerp, greatly to the satisfactionof the King and their lordships.
In consequence of the maritime position of Antwerp, it far surpassed, insize and wealth, Brussels, and every other Flemish town. Its populationwas estimated at 100,000 souls. Its internal splendour was unequalled,the wealth of its merchants unsurpassed. They attracted hither tradersof all nations--English, French, Germans, Danes, Osterlings, Italians,Spaniards and Portuguese. Of these the Spaniards were by far the mostnumerous. For many years, the city exhibited the uncommon spectacle ofa multitude of nations, living together like one large family, whereeach used its own customs, and spoke its own language. The inhabitantswere talented, and noted for their hospitality. The ladies were highlyeducated: many of them could converse in several different languages;while during most days of the week there was a constant succession ofgay assemblies, banquets, dances and nuptial parties, while music,singing, and cheerful sounds might be heard by the passer-by in everystreet. What a fearful change was in a few short years to be wrought inthis state of things! Shrieks of agony, cries of despair, hideous,brutal slaughter, blood flowing down the doorsteps of every house,flames bursting forth from amid those once festive halls!
Ernst was sorry when Sir John De Leigh took his departure. The boy hadgained a powerful friend, though he was not aware of it. Little moreneed be said for the present of Ernst Verner's life at that time. Hewas treated with the greatest kindness and consideration by MasterGresham and his lady. Indeed, there was no difference in the care theybestowed on him and on their little Richard. More than one journey wasmade by Master Gresham to England and back, while his family remained atthe house of Caspar Schetz. The Baron Grobbendonck, for that was histitle, who was at that time one of the greatest merchants of Antwerp,and the chief supporter of the Bourse, was one of the four brothers whoformed an influential mercantile establishment.
Once more Master Gresham returned to Antwerp. At length news came fromEngland. It was observed that he looked more serious than was his wont.
The young Protestant King Edward the Sixth was very sick. There wouldprobably be disturbances in England, for he had set aside the devise ofHenry the Eighth to his daughters Mary and Elizabeth, and had given theCrown to the heirs of the Lady Frances, the Duchess of Suffolk, sheherself being passed over. The Lady Jane Grey was the eldest of herthree daughters; she had no male heir. Fifteen Lords of the Council,nine judges, and other officers had signed a paper, agreeing to maintainthe succession contained in the King's notes delivered to the judges.Master Gresham observed that he feared greatly that this arrangementwould cause disturbances in England. Shortly after this, anotherdispatch arrived. It contained the news that King Edward had died onthe 6th of July, twenty-two days after he had thus solemnly excluded hissisters from the throne.
He acted undoubtedly from right motives, believing this arrangement tobe the best, in order to secure a Protestant ruler and a Protestantfaith to England.
Already had the Reformed faith made great progress. The last prayer ofthe young King showed his earnest and abiding love of that faith: "OLord God! save Thy chosen people of England. O my Lord God! defend thisrealm from papistry, and maintain Thy true religion!" were almost hisdying words.
Master Gresham's anticipations of evil were too soon fulfilled. Whilethe Duke of Northumberland and his party supported Lady Jane and herhusband (the Earl of Dudley), the larger portion of the nation ralliedround Queen Mary, not because she was a Romanist, but because she wasconsidered to be the legitimate heiress to the Crown, while theunfortunate Lady Jane was shut up in the Tower. Mary arrived in London,and was triumphantly proclaimed as Queen on the 3rd of August, A.D.1553.
In a short time the estimation in which Master Gresham was held by thenew Romish sovereign of England was made manifest, as he was deprived ofhis office and ordered to return home. The journey was performed onhorseback, the Lady Anne riding a horse alone, but each of her maidensbeing placed behind a groom. Ernst and the little Richard were carriedin the same manner. They took the road to Bruges, from thence intendingto proceed on to Dunkirk and Calais, that Lady Anne might not be exposedto a long sea-voyage. The journey was of necessity performed at a veryslow rate, many sumpter mules being required to carry the baggage andbedding, and some of the inns at which they had to stop being withoutany but the roughest accommodation. At Bruges they rested a day, thatthe Lady Anne might see some of the churches and public buildings ofthat fine city. The eyes of all the party were, however, grieved with aspectacle which they would willingly have avoided, since they could notprevent it. Ernst Verner was the first to apprehend what was about totake place, and his
cry of horror drew the attention of the rest of theparty to the scene. Just such a procession as he had beheld two yearsbefore was passing through the streets. There were Spanish soldiers,and priests in various coloured vestments, with boys waving censers andbanners borne above their heads. A vast crucifix, with the figure ofthe Lord of light and life--that Holy One, full of love and mercy--nailed to it. How His heart must grieve, as looking down from heaven Hebeholds the deeds of cruelty and injustice performed in His name. Theprocession had just arrived at the place of execution, and soon, withbut little ceremony or form, five victims were chained to the stakesthere erected, and the flames burst up, consuming their bodies. Thepeople looked on, if not with indifference, at all events withoutexhibiting their feelings, kept in awe by the Spanish troops, and theirdread of the power of the Emperor. Lady Anne entreated that they mighthasten from the city.
"Alas! my wife, I fear, that though we proceed onwards, we may meet withsimilar scenes till we are beyond the boundaries of the country. Andnow we have a Popish sovereign on the throne of England, I know not whatevents may there take place."
"Surely the Princess Mary has herself not escaped suffering, and hasbeen so exemplary in her conduct, that she would not permit such deedsto be done as we hear of in this country."
"Her training has been that of the Emperor Charles. She has beenbrought up, as he was, by the priests of Rome; and the same trainingwill in most instances produce the same results," answered the merchant."But let us be wise, my wife, and not speak of these things where anyeavesdropper may overhear them. Now that I have lost my firm friend andpatron, the Duke of Northumberland, I feel much uncertainty as to my ownposition. There are those who hate me, both because I am a Protestant,and because they are jealous of my success. The old Marquis ofWinchester has ever turned a green eye towards me, and is even nowplotting to do me ill. He, I doubt not, has been the chief cause of myrecall."
Ernst heard these remarks, though he did not give much heed to them atthe time, but still it left the impression on his mind that his kindpatron was in danger.
Calais was at length reached, and the party once more found themselvesunder the protection of the British flag. While waiting for the rise ofthe tide to float the vessel out of the river, Master Gresham took awalk round the fortifications; and he saw enough to convince him thatthey had been allowed to go to decay, and were not in a condition toenable them to resist any sudden attack of the enemy. Although Englandwas at that time at peace with France, yet at any moment war might bedeclared between the rival powers; and any simple man might know, aswell as the most experienced general, that Calais would be the firstplace attacked. Master Gresham determined to make this important factknown to the Queen's Council on his arrival in England.
Ernst now for the first time saw the open sea rolling up through thatnarrow passage, across which England and France can gaze on each other.Ernst heard Master Gresham remark that, long time as they had taken toaccomplish the journey, it was his wont when riding post, with relays offleet horses along the road, to perform it in three days.
The wind was fair, and the white cliffs of Dover, seen when leaving theland, gradually rose up more distinctly before the eyes of the voyagers,till the sloop coming to an anchor, they were conveyed on shore in asmall boat. Master Gresham's party, with his servants, who were allwell-armed, was a strong one. On the road they passed severalsuspicious characters, who looked greatly inclined to examine the insideof the leathern purses of the merchant and his attendants. But gold maybe bought too dearly, and the gentlemen, with glances of regret, allowedthe travellers to pass on.
They had just crossed London Bridge on their way to Master Gresham'shouse in Lombard Street, when a concourse of people was seen coming upalong the road from the west. There were troops with their halberdsglittering in the sun, banners waving, with trumpets sounding, horsemenin rich armour, and horse soldiers with lances and streamers. MasterGresham's party had to draw up on one side to allow the procession topass, and it was soon known that the Queen was coming on her way fromWestminster to the Tower. Soon she appeared in an open chariot,ornamented with tissue of gold and silver, and drawn by six steeds. Shewas dressed in a gown of blue velvet, furred with powdered ermine, whileon her head hung a cloth of tinsel, beset with pearls and preciousstones, and outside round her head was a circlet of gold, so richlyornamented with jewels, that their weight compelled her to support herhead with her hands. Her small size was not perceived as she thus satin her chariot, though it was seen that her countenance was thin andpale, betokening ill-health.
"Will she visit the Lady Jane in the Tower, I wonder--she who might havebeen Queen instead, had those who supported her proved faithful?"whispered Lady Anne into her husband's ear.
"Hush! hush, wife!" answered Master Gresham; "such words are dangerous.We have seen many sad things done in the Netherlands. If we would besafe, now we have come to England, we must hold our peace."
The procession having moved onward towards the east, the travellersproceeded on their way, and in a short time were comfortably lodged inMaster Gresham's own mansion in Lombard Street. Although English wasthe native tongue of his mother, as yet young Ernst spoke it butimperfectly. It was therefore deemed advisable by his kind patron thathe should be sent to school, where he might acquire a greateracquaintance with the language, and other knowledge besides.
The Golden Grasshopper: A story of the days of Sir Thomas Gresham Page 3