te connexion with the earl of Hertford, son of the
Protector Somerset, reached the ears of Elizabeth. The lady, on being
questioned, confessed her pregnancy, declaring herself at the same time
to be the lawful wife of the earl: her degree of relationship to the
queen was not so near as to render her marriage without the royal
consent illegal, yet by a stretch of authority familiar to the Tudors
she was immediately sent prisoner to the Tower. Hertford, in the mean
time, was summoned to produce evidence of the marriage, by a certain
day, before special commissioners named by her majesty, from whose
decision no appeal was to lie. He was at this time in France, and so
early a day was designedly fixed for his answer, that he found it
impracticable to collect his proofs in time, and to the Tower he also
was committed, as the seducer of a maiden of royal blood.

By this iniquitous sentence, a color was given for treating the
unfortunate lady and those who had been in her confidence with every
species of harshness and indignity, and the following extract from a
warrant addressed in the name of her majesty to Mr. Warner, lieutenant
of the Tower, sufficiently indicates the cruel advantage taken of her
situation.

..."Our pleasure is, that ye shall, as by our commandment, examine the
lady Catherine very straightly, how many hath been privy to the love
between her and the earl of Hertford from the beginning; and let her
certainly understand that she shall have no manner of favor except she
will show the truth, not only what ladies or gentlewomen of this court
were thereto privy, but also what lords and gentlemen: For it doth now
appear that sundry personages have dealt herein, and when it shall
appear more manifestly, it shall increase our indignation against her,
if she will forbear to utter it.

"We earnestly require you to use your diligence in this. Ye shall also
send to alderman Lodge secretly for St. Low, and shall put her in awe of
divers matters confessed by the lady Catherine; and so also deal with
her that she may confess to you all her knowledge in the same matters.
It is certain that there hath been great practices and purposes; and
since the death of the lady Jane she hath been most privy. And as ye
shall see occasion so ye may keep St. Low two or three nights more or
less, and let her be returned to Lodge's or kept still with you as ye
shall think meet[49]." &c.

[Note 49: "Burleigh Papers" by Haynes.]

The chil