ckhurst, treasurer, and Secretary Cecil, had discovered their
inclination to peace, but as the English nation, flushed with success,
and sanguine in their hopes of plunder and conquest, were in general
averse to that measure, it was easy for a person so popular as Essex
to infuse into the multitude an opinion, that these ministers had
sacrificed the interests of their country to Spain, and would even make
no scruple of receiving a sovereign from that hostile nation.

* Winwood's Memorials, vol. i. p. 186--226.

{1601.} But Essex, not content with these arts for decrying his
adversaries, proceeded to concert more violent methods of ruining them;
chiefly instigated by Cuffe, his secretary, a man of a bold and arrogant
spirit, who had acquired a great ascendant over his patron. A select
council of malecontents was formed, who commonly met at Drury House,
and were composed of Sir Charles Davers, to whom the house belonged, the
earl of Southampton, Sir Ferdinando Gorges, Sir Christopher Blount, Sir
John Davies, and John Littleton; and Essex, who boasted that he had
a hundred and twenty barons, knights, and gentlemen of note at his
devotion, and who trusted still more to his authority with the populace,
communicated to his associates those secret designs with which his
confidence in so powerful a party had inspired him. Among other criminal
projects, the result of blind rage and despair, he deliberated with them
concerning the method of taking arms; and asked their opinion, whether
he had best begin with seizing the palace or the Tower, or set out with
making himself master at once of both places. The first enterprise being
preferred, a method was concerted for executing it. It was agreed, that
Sir Christopher Blount, with a choice detachment, should possess himself
of the palace gates; that Davies should seize the hall, Davers the guard
chamber and presence chamber; and that Essex should rush in from the
Meuse, attended by a body of his partisans; should entreat the queen,
with all demonstrations of humility, to remove his enemies; should
oblige her to assemble a parliament; and should, with common consent,
settle a new plan of government.[*]

* Camden, p. 630. Birch's Memoirs vol. ii. p. 464. State
Trials Bacon, vol. iv. p. 542, 543.

While these desperate projects were in agitation, many reasons of
suspicion were carried to the queen; and she sent Robert Sacville,
son of the treasurer, to Essex House, on