That daie, or thereabouts, diuerse of hir owne of|ficers, who had made prouision for hir diet, brought the same to the vtter gate of the tower,These were [...] officers [...] the tower, [...] such as [...] in white [...]. the common rascall souldiers receiuing it: which was no small greefe vnto the gentlemen the bringers thereof. Wherfore they required to speake with the lord cham|berleine, being then conestable of the tower. Who comming before his presence, declared vnto his lordship, that they were much afraid to bring hir graces diet, and to deliuer it to such common and de|sperat persons as they were which did receiue it: be|seeching his honor to consider hir grace, and to giue such order, that hir viands might at all times bee brought in by them which were appointed therevnto. Yea sirs (said he) who appointed you this office?Ladie Elisa|beths seruãts restreined for bringing hir diet to the tower. They answered, Hir graces councell. Councell (quoth he?) There is none of them which hath to doo, either in that case, or anie thing else within this place: and I as|sure you, for that she is a prisoner, she shall be serued with the lieutenants men, as other the prisoners are. Whereat the gentlemen said, that they trusted for more fauor at his hands, considering hir personage, saieng; that they mistrusted not, but that the queene and hir councell would be better to hir grace than so, and therewith shewed themselues to be offended at the vngratefull words of the lord chamberleine to|wards their ladie and mistresse.Displeasure betwéene the lord chamber|leine and ladie Elisabeths men.

At this he sware by God, striking himselfe vpon the breast, that if they did either frowne or shrug at him, he would set them where they should neither see sunne nor moone. Thus taking their leaue, they desi|red God to bring him in a better mind towards hir grace, and so departed from him. Upon the occasion whereof, hir graces officers made great sute vnto the quéenes councell, that some might be appointed to bring hir diet to hir, & that it might no more be deli|uered in to the common soldiers of the tower. Which being reasonablie considered, was by them granted. Wherevpon were appointed one of hir gentlemen, hir clearke of hir kitchin, and hir two purueiors to bring in hir prouision once a day; all which was done the warders euer waiting vpon the bringers there|of. The lord chamberleine himselfe being alwaies with them, circumspectlie and narrowlie watched, and searched what they brought: and gaue héed that they should haue no talke with anie of hir graces waiting seruants, and so warded them both in and out. At the said sute of hir officers were sent by the commandement of the councell, to wait vpon hir grace, two yeomen of hir chamber, one of hir robes, two of hir pantrie and ewrie, one of hir buttrie,Ladie Elisa|beths wai|tingmen in the tower. ano|ther of hir cellar, two of hir kitchin, and one of hir larder, all which continued with hir the time of hir trouble.

Here the conestable, being at the first not verie well pleased with the comming in of such a compa|nie against his will, would haue had his men still to haue serued with hir graces men. Which hir seruants at no hand would suffer,Uariance betweene the lord chamber|leine & ladie Elisabeths seruants. desiring his lordship to be contented: for that order was taken, that no stran|ger should come within their offices. At which an|swer being sore displeased, he brake out into these threatning words: Well (said he) I will handle you well inough. Then went he into the kitchin, and there would néeds haue his meat rosted with hir gra|ces meat, & said that his cooke should come thither and dresse it. To that hir graces cooke answered; My lord, I will neuer suffer anie stranger to come about hir diet, but hir owne sworne men, so long as I liue. He said they shuld. But the cooke said, his lordship should pardon him for that matter. Thus did he trouble hir poore seruants verie stoutlie: though afterwards he were otherwise aduised, and they more courteouslie vsed at his hands. And good cause why, for he had good cheare, and fared of the best; and hir grace paied well for it. Wherefore he vsed himselfe afterwards more reuerentlie toward hir grace.