ar of domestic convulsions, arising from the ambition
of Warwick. That nobleman, not contented with the station which he had
attained, carried further his pretensions, and had gained partisans
who were disposed to second him in every enterprise. The last earl
of Northumberland died without issue; and as Sir Thomas Piercy, his
brother, had been attainted on account of the share which he had in the
Yorkshire insurrection during the late reign, the title was at present
extinct, and the estate was vested in the crown. Warwick now procured
to himself a grant of those ample possessions, which lay chiefly in the
north, the most warlike part of the kingdom; and was dignified with the
title of duke of Northumberland. His friend Paulet, Lord St. John,
the treasurer, was created, first, earl of Wiltshire, then marquis of
Winchester: Sir William Herbert obtained the title of earl of Pembroke.

But the ambition of Northumberland made him regard all increase of
possessions and titles, either to himself or his artisans, as steps only
to further acquisitions. Finding that Somerset, though degraded from
his dignity, and even lessened in the public opinion by his spiritless
conduct, still enjoyed a considerable share of popularity, he determined
to ruin the man whom he regarded as the chief obstacle to the attainment
of his hopes. The alliance which had been contracted between the
families had produced no cordial union, and only enabled Northumberland
to compass with more certainty the destruction of his rival. He secretly
gained many of the friends and servants of that unhappy nobleman: he
sometimes terrified him by the appearance of danger; sometimes provoked
him by ill usage. The unguarded Somerset often broke out into menacing
expressions against Northumberland: at other times he formed rash
projects, which he immediately abandoned his treacherous confidants
carried to his enemy every passionate word which dropped from him: they
revealed the schemes which they themselves had first suggested: and
Northumberland, thinking that the proper season was now come, began to
act in an open manner against him.

In one night, the duke of Somerset, Lord Grey, David and John Seymour,
Hammond, and Neudigate, two of the duke's servants, Sir Ralph Vane, and
Sir Thomas Palmer, were arrested and committed to custody. Next day, the
duchess of Somerset, with her favorites Crane and his wife, Sir Miles
Partridge, Sir Michael Stanhope, Bannister, and other