by D. K. Wilson
‘Like the behaviour of my guests at Hemmings?’
He looked at me gravely. ‘I’m sorry for it, Thomas. But, a plaint being laid, I had no choice. I would to God that you had been present. That canting priest might not have been so bold.’
‘What do you know about Hugh Incent, the Everards’ chaplain?’ I asked.
‘Well, as you are aware, the Everards are no lovers of the king’s new policies and they supported Queen Catherine over the divorce. Their priest is of the same colour, but a deeper hue. You remember that mad Barton woman folk called the Nun of Kent who went about uttering supposed prophecies against His Majesty? Well, Incent was one of her mentors. He was lucky not to end up with her at Tyburn a couple of years back. The experience doesn’t seem to have chastened him. He’s a pious troublemaker, always on the lookout for people to haul before the ecclesiastical court on heresy charges. This business of your friends would have ended up being heard by the archbishop if buggery hadn’t been taken out of the Church’s hands and made a common law offence in thirty-three.’
‘Have there been any prosecutions under this statute?’
‘Not that I’m aware of. It served its purpose in His Majesty’s closure of religious houses. Several abbots and abbesses surrendered to prevent their perverted behaviour being exposed.’
‘Yes.’ I thought of Ned and Jed.
‘What will happen to my friends?’
‘I will examine them and if I decide there is a case to answer I’ll refer them to the next assize sessions.’
‘And what if Incent can produce no evidence?’
‘Oh, I’ve no doubt he’ll suborn some witness prepared to support his accusations by lying under oath. His sort are practised at perverting the course of justice.’
‘Exitus acta probat,’ I muttered to myself.
‘What was that?’ James asked. But we had now arrived at Hadbourne and I made no answer as we dismounted.
I declined my old friend’s invitation to stay to supper but he insisted on offering me refreshment before I returned and it was as we sat with hot, spiced ale and cakes before a blazing fire in his hall that I said, ‘All this is aimed at me. Will you help me put a stop to it?’
Again James’ bushy brows rose gesturing surprise but he asked no questions. ‘I will certainly listen to whatever you have to tell me.’
I gave him an abbreviated account of recent events and particularly what I was now convinced was John Incent’s involvement in the attack at Hampstead.
When I had finished, James sat back in his chair, frowning. ‘In my days at Gray’s Inn,’ he said quietly, ‘we would have called that a circumstantial case. Attempted murder is a serious charge. As I understand it, the only witness is this servant girl of yours.’
‘Yes,’ I acknowledged, ‘and at the moment even she does not appreciate exactly what she knows. But I’ve thought this situation through dozens of times and I can see no other explanation.’
‘Very well,’ James responded. ‘Go over the essential details again and we’ll see if I reach the same conclusion.’
I laid out the facts in order. ‘Point one: on the afternoon of Monday 20 November I rode out to Hampstead. The only person who knew of my destination was John Fink, my journeyman. Point two: John was a man with a grievance against me.’
‘That’s conjecture,’ James protested.
‘No, he admitted almost as much in the letter he sent when I was in prison.’
‘Proceed.’
‘Point three: as soon as I was gone to Hampstead he summoned a priest to come to the house – secretly. This priest was seen by a kitchen girl. She thought he had come to hear John’s confession.’
‘A reasonable assumption.’
‘Yes, but it misled her.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Well – and this is my point four – the girl said John welcomed his visitor with the words, “I’m innocent.”’
‘So?’
‘If John had been about to confess his sins, he would hardly start by denying guilt. What she really heard was not the word “innocent” but “Incent”.’
‘Mere speculation.’ James frowned. ‘If anyone produced that as evidence in my court…’
‘Ah, but wait,’ I said eagerly, warming to my story. ‘She described the visitor to me. Like his brother, John Incent has red hair. There are not many such among London’s priests. Anyway, it would be easy enough to have her identify John’s visitor.’
James looked dubious. ‘A sceptical judge might suspect that you had paid your servant to say what you wanted.’
I continued. ‘Point five: later that same day someone lay in wait for me on Hampstead Heath and tried to kill me. Point six: when that attempt failed, John Incent went to the bishop to lay heresy charges against me. Once again, his attempt was unsuccessful. But the Incents didn’t give up, even when they knew my household was under Cromwell’s protection. As soon as the coast was clear, Hugh came to you with tales about Ned and Jed. This unscrupulous pair of priests are determined to blacken my name and discredit me. Now why do you think their persecution is so relentless?’
‘You believe it’s because you are enquiring into Robert Packington’s murder?’
‘I’m sure of it.’
James shook his head. ‘Your suspicions may be correct but they’d not add up to much in a court of law. In any case, if you decide to proceed against John Incent for the attempt on your life, he will “claim his clergy” and have the case heard by the bishop – and we both know what the outcome of that will be.’
‘All that is absolutely true,’ I said, ‘but it is not my intention to lay charges.’
‘What, then?’ James asked with a puzzled frown.
‘Bluff.’
‘I don’t unders —’
I interrupted, eager to convince my old friend of the plan I had concocted while riding from Hemmings. ‘I want to give Sir Hugh a taste of his own bitter medicine. Why do his threats have such an impact on the local clergy and people?’
‘They know he has the power of the Church behind him.’
‘Exactly. So what I propose is that we threaten him with the power of the king.’
‘But you don’t have His Majesty’s backing.’
‘I have the backing of Lord Cromwell and that is the next best thing. If I go to Incent and confront him with what I know…’
‘What you have guessed,’ James corrected.
‘Very well, but I’m sure I’m right. Will you come with me and take him into custody, pending His Lordship’s pleasure?’
‘Not so fast, Thomas.’ James frowned. ‘I have to keep order around here. That means, among other things, staying on good terms with powerful families like the Everards. If I arrest their chaplain without very good reason…’
‘James, James,’ I pleaded, ‘you’re my only hope… and I’m sure you’d like to be rid of a troublemaker like Incent.’
My friend stared silently into the fire. I waited anxiously for his reply. When, at last, he spoke it was in a half-musing way, as though he were trying to persuade himself. ‘He is already a marked man because of the Elizabeth Barton business and I would certainly be glad to see an end to his heresy-hunting crusade.’
‘So you will come with me, then,’ I urged. He nodded slightly.
‘Let us see what effect your threats have. Perhaps they will be enough to make him crumble.’
With that I had to be content.
I returned to the demoralised household at Hemmings and brought everyone news that I hoped would raise their spirits. I announced that the house was to be shut up for the winter and that family and staff would be moving to Goldsmith’s Row. The sense of relief was almost tangible and the servants began with a will the business of packing everything that had to be transferred to our other home. For the next thirty-six hours all was bustle and clamour and, as the time of our departure drew nearer, the atmosphere became almost cheerful. I sent a messenger ahead with a letter for Cromwell
, announcing my return and telling him that I would be in Goldsmith’s Row, awaiting his summons.
Chapter 31
I had arranged with James to visit Hugh Incent on Friday 16 December and on that morning I rendezvoused with him and two of his armed retainers at the Everard estate. We rode on to the chaplain’s cottage close to the small chapel-of-ease which served the lord of the manor and his household. James approached the door and one of his men dismounted to knock. The door was opened by Incent’s housekeeper, who, I could scarcely help noticing, was young and pretty. She reported our arrival and, moments later, her master appeared.
Hugh Incent was a small man whose paunch indicated that he was well fed. However, his most striking feature was his head of thick russet hair. Seeing James, he smiled and raised both hands in a gesture of welcome. ‘Your Honour, this is a pl —’ Then he saw me. For several seconds he stood, flustered and at a loss for words.
James dismounted. ‘Good day to you, Sir Hugh. I have one or two questions to ask. May we come in?’
The priest tried to hide his reluctance as he ushered us inside.
When we were seated in the small main room of the simple dwelling, James began. ‘I am here at His Majesty’s express command. As you will appreciate, he is sore troubled by the rebels in the North, many of whom are clergy. Sadly, some of their brothers in other parts of the country have expressed sympathy for them. His Majesty has charged all justices of the peace to search out any mischievous people who are well disposed towards his enemies. Now, Sir Hugh, do you know of anyone, priest or layman, whom I should be investigating about this?’
Incent surveyed us warily but replied in a firm voice. ‘No, Your Honour. I believe all hereabouts are loyal servants of His Majesty.’
‘You are sure?’ James pressed. ‘There is no person you suspect of grumbling about the Royal Supremacy? No one who would like to see the Bishop of Rome reinstated as head of the English church?’
The priest shook his head firmly. ‘No, indeed.’ His brow was beginning to moisten with sweat.
‘Hmm.’ James stroked his chin thoughtfully. ‘I am pleased to hear that. However, I’m sure you will appreciate that I may be obliged to detain some people for close examination. I must be thorough. His Majesty expressly desires above all things that his subjects should live at peace with each other. No more talk of “papists” and “heretics”. The king remembers only too well the support in this area for the so-called Nun of Kent. He fears that disaffection may linger. Any such… treason’ – James emphasised the word – ‘must be rooted out. As I recall, you, yourself…’
Incent jumped to his feet. ‘I denounced that fraudulent strumpet! I have taken the Oath of Supremacy! What lies have people been spreading about me?’
‘No need to distress yourself, Sir Hugh. Please sit down.’ James’ manner was calm but certainly not reassuring. ‘Since you ask, it has been noised abroad that your sermons don’t seem to stress His Majesty’s headship.’
Incent sank on to his stool. ‘I… well… there have been other important issues to preach about.’
‘More important than our Christian duty to support God’s anointed king?’
The priest’s mouth opened and closed but no sound came out. He turned his face from the fire and dabbed at it with a kerchief.
James continued calmly, with no outward sign that he recognised Incent’s obvious distress. ‘So that I may be able to report to His Majesty with complete confidence, I would like you to preach on the Supremacy every time you enter the pulpit for the next month. I take it you have no objection to that?’
‘No, no, no, not at all, Your Honour.’ The fat priest subsided with obvious relief.
James nodded and smiled. ‘Well, I think that concludes my business here – for the moment. I’m sure His Majesty can rely on your complete support. Now Master Treviot has another matter he would like to bring up.’
Incent turned to me, instantly wary.
‘My mission,’ I began, ‘is not totally unrelated to what Sir James has been saying. I have been charged by Lord Cromwell to investigate the scandalous murder of a prominent merchant shot dead on the streets of London last month. We have made various enquiries as a result of which we need to identify and interview a red-headed priest who appears to have some connection with the case.’
Incent was visibly shaken but tried hard not to show it. He had been deferential towards James but obviously did not know how to react to someone he had only recently denounced as a heretic. He tried humour. ‘Is His Lordship proposing to round up every red-headed priest in England?’ Incent laughed nervously.
‘If necessary,’ I replied solemnly. ‘The victim of this atrocity was a personal friend of Lord Cromwell and he will not rest until the truth is discovered. I will need to establish your whereabouts on 20 November.’
Suddenly Incent lost control. ‘This is all because I drew Sir James’ attention to those two buggers you are defending, isn’t it?’ he cried in a shrill voice.
‘Just tell me where you were on 20 November,’ I replied calmly.
‘I was here, of course,’ he shouted. ‘Here! Here! Here!’
‘And you can prove that?’
‘I need prove nothing to you. I am a holy, anointed priest. I answer only to my bishop.’
James intervened, raising his voice very slightly. ‘The Vicegerent in Spirituals outranks all bishops, and Master Treviot is his representative. You will answer the question.’
Incent glowered. ‘I can’t remember exactly what I was doing a month ago.’
‘Then you cannot prove that you were here and not in London,’ I said.
‘Of course I was not in London. I hardly ever go to London.’
‘I see. In that case do you know any other red-headed priests we ought to question?’ I asked.
He shook his head firmly. ‘No, none.’
‘Strange,’ I said. ‘Is not your brother of the same colouring?’
Incent’s belligerence collapsed, like a fire when water is thrown on it. He covered his face with his hands. ‘Someone has lied to you. This is all wrong,’ he gasped.
On the contrary, I thought. Thank you for confirming my suspicion. I pressed home my advantage. ‘And you yourself lied to us a moment ago?’ To James I said, ‘I see now how difficult a magistrate’s job is. Lies, false accusations. Sometimes it must be almost impossible to come by the truth.’
James sighed. ‘Yes, indeed, I fear we shall have to take Sir Hugh in for further questioning after all. Will you be so good as to call my men in?’
I rose and stepped across to the door.
Incent jumped to his feet again, trembling – though whether with fear or anger it was difficult to say – and shouting, ‘That man you were talking of, the one who was shot, was a heretic! He spoke in the parliament house against the Church. He brought disruptive books into the country. He defied the authority of the priests.’
‘And for that he deserved to be felled in the street by an assassin, even as he was on his way to mass?’ I asked, trying hard to remain calm.
‘Better that than the fire!’ Incent ranted – and immediately realised that he had gone too far. ‘Look,’ he whined, ‘my brother is one of the cathedral clergy in London, fighting hard to control these wretched New Learning people, but he had nothing to do with that man’s death.’
‘As to that, he can answer for himself,’ James observed, ‘and, doubtless, he will be examined by Master Secretary Cromwell. As for you, I counsel you to look to your own safety. Be content to live peaceably with your neighbours. Stop making accusations and seeking confrontation. For now, Sir Hugh, having regard for your patron, I will leave you. But, if I have cause to come here again, do not expect any further lenience from me.’
As we rode away, James said, ‘Let us hope he is suitably chastened. I’ll have your friends released immediately and I suggest you advise them to remove themselves from here without delay.’
I thanked him and assured him that Ned a
nd Jed would be returning to London with me on the morrow.
I dined with my mother in her chamber and, at my request, Lizzie joined us. It was difficult for me to be alone with my mother – difficult and upsetting. Sometimes she recognised me and sometimes she did not. Only when Lizzie was present did she seem less confused.
‘She is very comfortable with you,’ I said. ‘She likes you.’
Lizzie shrugged. ‘She has got used to me. I’ve become the only constant thing in her life. All the toing and froing of these last weeks has distressed the poor soul very much. And now we’re going to make her move again.’