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.

About which time it was spread abroad, that hir grace should be caried from thense by this new iollie capteine and his souldiors: but whither, it could not be learned. Which was vnto hir a great griefe, espe|ciallie for that such a companie was appointed to hir gard, requesting rather to continue there still, than to be led thense with such a sort of rascals. At last plaine answer was made by the lord Shandois, that there was no remedie, but from thense she must néeds depart to the manour of Woodstocke, as he thought. Being demanded of hir for what cause? For that (quoth he) the tower is like further to be fur|nished. She being desirous to know what he meant thereby, demanded wherewith? He answered, with such matter as the quéene and councell were deter|mined in that behalfe, wherof he had no knowledge: and so departed. In conclusion, on Trinitie sundaie being the ninetéenth daie of Maie, she was remoo|ued from the tower, the lord treasuror being then there for the lading of hir carts, and discharging the place of the same. Where sir Henrie Benefield (be|ing appointed hir gailor) did receiue hir with a com|panie of rakehels to gard hir, beside the lord of Dar|bies band, waiting in the countrie about for the mooneshine in the water. Unto whome at length came my lord of Tame, ioined in commission with the said sir Henrie, for the safe guiding of hir to pri|son: and they togither conueied hir grace to Wood|stocke, as hereafter followeth.

Ladie Eliza|beth remoued from the tower to Woodstocke. Ladie Eliza|beth seclu [...]ed from hir ser|uants.

Ladie Eliza|beth in des|paire of hir selfe.