The next daie after, the lord Shandois came againe vnto hir grace, declaring vnto hir that he had sued vnto the councell for further libertie. Some of them consented therevnto, diuerse other dissented, for that there were so manie prisoners in the tower. But in conclusion they did all agrée, that hir grace might walke into those lodgings, so that he & the lord cham|berleine, and three of the quéenes gentlewomen did accompanie hir, the windowes being shut, and shée not suffered to looke out at anie of them: wherewith she contented hirselfe, and gaue him thanks for his good will in that behalfe. Afterwards there was li|bertie granted to hir grace to walke in a little gar|den,Libertie gran+ted to ladie Elisabeth to walke in a little garden. the doores and gates being shut vp, which not|withstanding was as much discomfort vnto hir, as the walke in the garden was pleasant and accepta|ble. At which times of hir walking there, the priso|ners on that side strictlie were commanded not to speake or looke out at the windows into the garden, till hir grace were gone out againe, hauing in consi|deration thereof, their keepers waiting vpon them for that time. Thus hir grace with this small libertie contented hir selfe in God, to whome be praise there|fore.

During this time, there vsed a little boie, a mans child in the tower to resort vnto their chambers, and manie times to bring hir grace flowers, which like|wise hee did to the other prisoners that were there. Wherevpon naughtie and suspicious heads thinking to make and wring out some matter thereof,Suspicious heads. called on a time the child vnto them, promising him figs and apples, and asked of him when he had béene with the earle of Deuonshire, not ignorant of the childs woon|ted frequenting vnto him? The boy answered that he would go by and by thither. Further they deman|ded of him,A yoong child examined for bringing flowers to the ladie Elisabeth. when he was with the ladie Elisabeths grace? He answered: Euerie daie. Furthermore they examined him, what the lord of Deuonshire sent by him to hir grace? The child said: I will go know what he will giue to carie to hir. Such was the dis|cretion of the child, being yet but foure years of age. This same is a craftie boy, quoth the lord chamber|leine, how saie you my lord Shandois? I praie you my lord (quoth the boy) giue me the figs you promised me. No marie (quoth he) thou shalt be whipped if thou come anie more to the ladie Elisabeth, or the lord Courtneie. The boy answered: I will bring my la|die and mistresse more flowers. Whervpon the childs father was commanded to permit the boy no more to come vp into their chambers.

The next daie, as hir grace was walking in the garden, the child péeping in at a hole in the doore, cried vnto hir, saieng: Mistresse, I can bring you no more flowers. Whereat she smiled, but said nothing, vn|derstanding thereby what they had doone. Wherefore afterwards the chamberleine rebuked highlie his father, commanding him to put him out of the house. Alas poore infant, quoth the father. It is a craftie knaue (quoth the lord chamberleine) let me sée him here no more.The conesta|ble of y^e tower discharged of his office. Sir Henrie Benefield with his com|panie, placed about the lady Elisabeth. Ladie Eli|sabeth in great feare and doubt of life. The fift of Maie the conestable was discharged of his office of the tower, & one sir Hen|rie Benefield placed in his roome, a man vnknowne to hir grace, and therefore the more feared: which so sudden mutation was vnto hir no little amaze. Hee brought with him an hundred soldiors in blew cotes, wherewith she was maruellouslie discomforted, and demanded of such as were about hir, whether the la|die Ianes scaffold were taken awaie or no, fearing by reason of their comming, least she should haue plaied hir part. To whome answer was made, that the scaffold was taken awaie, and that hir grace née|ded not to doubt of anie such tyrannie: for God would not suffer anie such treason against hir per|son. Wherewith being contented, but not altogither satisfied, she asked what sir Henrie Benefield was, and whether he was of that conscience or no, that if hir murthering were secretlie committed to his charge, he would sée the execution thereof?Ladie Elisa|beth in doubt of sir Henrie Benefield. She was answered, that they were ignorant what maner of man he was. Howbeit they persuaded hir that God would not suffer such wickednesse to procéed? Well, quoth she, God grant it be so. For thou O god canst mollifie all such tyrannous hearts, and disappoint all such cruell purposes: and I beséech thée to heare me thy creature, which am thy seruant, and at thy commandement, trusting by thy grace euer so to remaine.