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A noble character was James Stanley, seventh Earl of Derby, who was beheaded for his loyalty to Charles the First.
As a proof of his bravery, with six hundred horse he maintained fight against three thousand foot and horse, receiving seven shots in his breast-plate, thirteen cuts in his beaver, five or six wounds on his arms and shoulders, and had two horses killed under him.
His manliness shows well in his answer to Cromwell's demand that he should deliver up the Isle of Wight: "I scorn your proffers; I disdain your favors; I abhor your treasons; and am so far from delivering this island to your advantage, that I will keep it to the utmost of my power to your destruction. Take this final answer and forbear any further solicitations; for if you trouble me with any more messages upon this occasion, I will burn the paper and hang the bearer."
He was executed contrary to the promise of quarter for life, "an ancient and honorable plea not violated until this time."
There is a deeply interesting account of his acts and deportment written by a Mr. Bagaley who attended on him. The Earl wrote letters to his wife, daughter and sons; a servant went and purchased all the rings he could get and lapped them up in several papers and writ within them and the Earl made Bagaley subscribe them to all his children and servants. This coupling his servants with his children in connection with these death tokens is charming. The Earl handed the letters with the rings to Bagaley and, in relation to delivering them, he used this beautiful and perfect expression-"As to them, I can say nothing: silence and your own looks will best tell your message."
On quitting his prison, others confined there kissed his hand and wept; but as to himself, he told them: "You shall hear that I die like a Christian, a man and a soldier."
He was to be beheaded at Bolton. On his way thither, Bagaley says: "His lordship, as we rode along, called me to him and bid me, when I should come into the Isle of Man, to commend him to the Archbishop there and tell him he well remembered the several discourses that had passed between them there concerning death and the manner of it; that he had often said the thoughts of death could not trouble him in fight or with a sword in hand, but he feared it would something startle him tamely to submit to a blow on the scaffold. But," said his lordship, "tell the archdeacon from me that I do now find in myself an absolute change as to that opinion."
At night when he laid him down upon the right side, with his hand under his face, he said: "Methinks I lie like a monument in a church; and to-morrow I shall really be so."
There was a delay in his execution, for the people of Bolton refused to strike a nail in the scaffold or to give any assistance. He asked for the axe and kissed it. He forgave the headsman before he asked him. To the spectators, he said: "Good people, I thank you for your prayers and for your tears; I have heard the one and seen the other and our God sees and hears both." He caused the block to be turned towards the church. "I will look," cried he, "towards the sanctuary which is above for ever." There were other interesting circumstances attending his execution. With outstretched arms he laid himself down to the block, exclaiming, "Blessed be God's name for ever and ever. Let the whole earth be filled with his glory." Then the executioner did his work-"and no manner of noise was then heard but sighs and sobs."
We are left without any account of the way in which Bagaley delivered the rings; but, imagination can make a picture of a darkened and dismantled mansion, suffering widow and children, with terrified retainers, and Bagaley standing in the midst, weary, heart-sick, tearfully presenting the melancholy remembrances and realizing the truthfulness of the words of his brave, good and gentle master: "Silence and your own looks will best tell your message."
The French woman Kerouaille, favorite mistress of Charles the Second, and created Duchess of Portsmouth, is said to have secured two valuable diamond rings from the King's finger while the throes of death were on him. The following graphic description is worth reading:
"I should have told you, in his fits his feet were as cold as ice, and were kept rubbed with hot cloths, which were difficult to get. Some say the Queen rubbed one and washed it in tears. Pillows were brought from the Duchess of Portsmouth's by Mrs. Roche. His Highness, the Duke of York, was the first there, and then I think the Queen, (he sent for her;) the Duchess of Portsmouth swooned in the chamber, and was carried out for air; Nelly Gwynne roared to a disturbance and was led out and lay roaring behind the door; the Duchess wept and returned; the Princess (afterwards Queen Anne) was not admitted, he was so ghastly a sight, (his eye-balls were turned that none of the blacks were seen, and his mouth drawn up to one eye,) so they feared it might affect the child she goes with. None came in at the common door, but by an odd side-door to prevent a crowd, but enough at convenient times to satisfy all. The grief of the Duchess of Portsmouth did not hinder her packing and sending many strong boxes to the French ambassador's; and the second day of the King's sickness, the chamber being kept dark-one who comes from the light does not see very soon, and much less one who is between them and the light there is-so she went to the side of the bed, and sat down to and taking the king's hand in hers, felt his two great diamond rings; thinking herself alone, and asking him what he did with them on, said she would take them off, and did it at the same time, and looking up saw the Duke at the other side, steadfastly looking on her, at which she blushed much, and held them towards him, and said, 'Here, sire, will you take them?' 'No, madam,' he said, 'they are as safe in your hands as mine. I will not touch them till I see how things will go.' But since the King's death she has forgot to restore them, though he has not that she took them, for he told the story." This extract is taken from a letter written by a lady who was the wife of a person about the court at Whitehall and forms part of a curious collection of papers lately discovered at Draycot House near Chippenham, Wiltshire, England. |
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Jewelry Guide Vol 1
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