In October 1595 Mr. Whyte mentions the following abominable instance of
tyranny. That the earl of Hertford had been sent for by a messenger and
committed to custody in his own house, because it had appeared by a case
found among the papers of a Dr. Aubrey, that he had formerly taken the
opinions of civilians on the validity of his first marriage, and caused
a record of it to be secretly put into the court of Arches. Whyte adds
significantly, that the earl was accounted one of the wealthiest
subjects in England. Soon after, his lordship was committed to the
Tower; and it was said that orders were given that his son, who since
the establishment of the marriage had borne the title of lord Beauchamp,
should henceforth be again called Mr. Seymour. Several lawyers and other
persons were also imprisoned for a short time about this matter, under
what law, or pretext of law, it would be vain to inquire. Lady Hertford,
though a sister of the lord admiral and nearly related to the queen, was
for some time an unsuccessful suitor at court for the liberty of her
lord. Her majesty however was graciously pleased to declare that
"neither his life nor living should be called in question;"--as if both
had been at her mercy! and though she would not consent to see the
countess, she regularly sent her broths in a morning, and, at meals,
meat from her own trencher;--affecting, it should seem, in these
trifles, to acquit herself of the promises of her special favor, with
which she had a few years before repaid the splendid hospitality of this
noble pair. We do not learn how long the durance of the earl continued;
but it is highly probable that he was once more compelled to purchase
his liberty.

Great uneasiness was given about this time to the earl of Essex by a
book written in defence of the king of Spain's title to the English
crown, which contained "dangerous praises of his valor and worthiness,"
inserted for the express purpose of exciting the jealousy of the queen
and bringing him into disgrace. The work was shown him by Elizabeth
herself. On coming from her presence he was observed to look "pale and
wan," and going home he reported himself sick;--an expedient for working
on the feelings of his sovereign, to which, notwithstanding the truth
and honor popularly regarded as his characteristics, Essex is known to
have frequently condescended. On this, as on most occasions, he found it
successful: her majesty soon made him a consolatory vis