The Last Trial of Richard Bertie

Some of the trials of life which Richard Bertie and his wife Catharine, Duchess of Suffolk, underwent, are matters of history. They arose from the zeal of the Duchess for the Reformation in the reign of Edward VI. and through the malice of Bishop Gardiner. The lady had in her "progress" caused a dog in a rochet (part of a bishop's dress) to be carried and called by Gardiner's name. They had an only son Peregrine Bertie, who claimed and obtained the Barony of Willoughby of Eresby. He was sent as general of auxiliaries into France; and did good service at the siege of Paris and by the reduction of many towns. His troops were disbanded with great commendation; and Lord Willoughby received a present of a diamond ring from the King of France. This ring he, at his death, left his son, with a charge, upon his blessing, to transmit it to his heirs. Queen Elizabeth wrote a free letter inviting him back to England, beginning it, "Good Peregrine." His will is a remarkable one. It begins thus: "In the name of the blessed divine Trynitie in persons and of Omnipotent Unitye in Godhead, who created, redeemed and sanctified me, whom I steadfastlye beleeve will glorifye this sinfull, corruptyble and fleshely bodie, with eternal happiness by a joyeful resurrection at the general Judgment, when by his incomprehensible justice and mercye, having satisfied for my sinfull soule, and stored it uppe in his heavenlye treasure, his almightye voyce shall call all fleshe to be joyned together with the soule to everlasting comforte or discomforte. In that holye name I Pergrin Bertye," etc., etc., etc. He was once confined to his bed with the gout and had an insulting challenge sent him, to which he answered, "That although he was lame of his hands and feet, yet he would meet his adversary with a piece of a rapier in his teeth." His idea of a "carpet knight" is observable in his saying, that "a court became a soldier of good skill and great spirit as a bed of down would one of the Tower lions."