sons of the earl of Derby, Sir Thomas
Gerrard, Rolstone, and other gentlemen whose interest lay in the
neighborhood of the place where Mary resided, concurred in the same
views; and required that, in order to facilitate the execution of the
scheme, a diversion should in the mean time be made from the side of
Flanders.[**] Norfolk discouraged, and even, in appearance, suppressed
these conspiracies; both because his duty to Elizabeth would not allow
him to think of effecting his purpose by rebellion, and because he
foresaw that, if the queen of Scots came into the possession of these
men, they would rather choose for her husband the king of Spain, or some
foreign prince, who had power, as well as inclination, to reestablish
the Catholic religion.[***]

* Lesley, p. 76.

** Lesley, p. 98.

*** Lesley, p. 77.

When men of honor and good principles, like the duke of Norfolk, engage
in dangerous enterprises, they are commonly so unfortunate as to be
criminal by halves; and while they balance between the execution of
their designs and their remorses, their fear of punishment and their
hope of pardon, they render themselves an easy prey to their enemies.
The duke, in order to repress the surmises spread against him, spoke
contemptuously to Elizabeth of the Scottish alliance; affirmed that his
estate in England was more valuable than the revenue of a kingdom wasted
by civil wars and factions; and declared, that when he amused himself
in his own tennis-court at Norwich amidst his friends and vassals, he
deemed himself at least a petty prince, and was fully satisfied with
his condition.[*] Finding that he did not convince her by these
asseverations, and that he was looked on with a jealous eye by the
ministers, he retired to his country seat without taking leave.[**] He
soon after repented of this measure, and set out on his return to court,
with a view of using every expedient to regain the queen's good graces;
but he was met at St. Albans by Fitz-Garret, lieutenant of the band of
pensioners by whom he was conveyed to Burnham, three miles from Windsor,
where the court then resided.[***]

* Camden, p. 420

** Haynes, p. 528.

*** Haynes, p. 339.

He was soon after committed to the Tower, under the custody of Sir Henry
Nevil. [*] Lesley, bishop of Ross, the queen of Scots' ambassador, was
examined, and confronted with Norfolk before the council.[**] The
earl of Pembroke was confined to his