CHAPTER X.

THE CONSPIRACY.

IN1533, AFTER THE CORONATION of Anne, the discontented elements of the nation had been scattered and unorganised; and before they had had time to coalesce, Cromwell’s quick hand had carried the principal July, measures of the government. But at the trial of Lord Dacres the peers had become aware of their own strength; they had learned that they were nearly all secretly disaffected, and that the crown would not easily obtain from them a verdict against any member of their order. Knowing this, they grew bolder; they opened their minds to one another, and looked about for remedies for the maladies of the time.

The lords having numerous adherents among the gentry, they very easily formed a strong party of resistance. As early as the 17th of September, 1534, Eustache Chapuis received a message from two rich and influential gentlemen, who, afraid of exciting suspicion, would not come to his house, but asked him to meet them as if by chance at an appointed place in the fields. The ambassador went, and they openly told him that they wanted the emperor’s help against the tyranny of the king. Several ladies, thinking that their movements were less watched, dared to go to the ambassador’s house, and brought Chapuis the same request in their own and in their husbands’ names. So strong were the feelings of these fair plotters that one of them, a lady of high rank, forgot all prudence. She threw herself on her knees before Chapuis, and implored him to obtain the emperor’s aid. Happily for her, her gentlewomen and the servants of Chapuis stood far off, and although they saw her kneel they could not hear what she said.

A week later a person of very considerable importance appeared on the scene, and communicated with Chapuis. This was Lord Hussey, who until 1533 had been lord chamberlain to the Princess Mary. He owned very large estates in the midland counties, and had considerable influence at court. He now sent word that before leaving town he washed privately to speak with the ambassador. To prevent suspicion they had only a short conference, Hussey briefly stating that most of the nobility were extremely dissatisfied with the government, that they had consulted together, and that they wished to be assisted by imperial troops in forcing Henry to dismiss Anne, and to give up th