incontinant apres
ledict parlement," etc.--Renard to Charles V.:
_Granvelle Papers_, vol. iv. pp. 400-402.]

Among the people the constancy of the martyrs had called out a burst
of admiration. It was rumoured that bystanders had endeavoured to
throw themselves into the fire to die at their side.[449] A prisoner,
on examination before Bonner, was asked if he thought he could bear
the flame. You may try me, if you will, he said. A candle was brought,
and he held his hand, without flinching, in the blaze.[450] With such
a humour abroad, {p.198} it seemed to Renard that the Lords had only
to give the signal, and the queen and the bishops would be
overwhelmed.

[Footnote 449: "Et a l'on dict que plusieurs ... se
sont voulu voluntairement mettre sur le buche a
coste de ceulx que l'on brusloit."--Ibid. p. 404.]

[Footnote 450: "Un bourgeois estant interrouge par
ledict evesque de Londres se souffriroit bien le
feug, respondist qu'il en fist l'experience: et
aiant fait apporter une chandelle allumee, il meit
la main dessus sans la retirer ny se
mouvoir."--Renard to Charles V.: _Granvelle
Papers_, vol. vi. p. 404. The man's name was
Tomkins. Foxe, who tells the story as an
illustration of Bonner's brutality, says that the
Bishop himself held the hand. But Renard's is
probably the truer version.]

He expected the movement in the spring. It is singular that, precisely
as in the preceding winter, the deliberate intentions of moderate and
competent persons were anticipated and defeated by a partial and
premature conspiracy. At the end of February a confederate revealed a
project for an insurrection, partly religious and partly agrarian.
Placards were to be issued simultaneously in all parts of the country,
declaring that the queen's pregnancy was a delusion, and that she
intended to pass upon the nation a supposititious child; the people
were, therefore, invited to rise in arms, drive out the Spaniards,
revolutionise religion, tear down the enclosures of the commons, and
proclaim Courtenay king under the title of Edward VII.[451] In such a
scheme the lords and country gentlemen could bear no part. They could
not risk a repetitio