Thomas Churchyard was born around 1520, in Shrewsbury, on
the Welsh boarder. He was quite well educated for his class and time. Cajoling
his inheritance out of his father before his majority, he set off, lute in
hand, to be a courtier. The experience was not pleasant but somehow he managed
to be taken on as a servant of the Earl of Surrey. Upon the earl’s execution by
Henry VIII, Churchyard took up soldiering in the Low Countries. After many Falstaffian
adventures, he was taken on by Surrey’s 16 year old nephew, Edward de Vere, the
Earl of Oxford. After calling the young earl a “cur” he was released. He
returned to the Court decrying the earl who done him wrong.
Like so many courtiers (even those as humble as
mercenary captains), during 1580 Churchyard accepted an arrangement with the
resident French ambassador, Mauvissiere, receiving a bit of side-money for
being his eyes and ears at Court. The
arrangement was expanded to include travel to the Scottish Court, in Edinburgh,
to provide the French ambassador similar services there. The old Soldier — now an old spy — unwisely
accepted payment from the Scottish King while there, as well. Thomas Randall, the English ambassador to the
Scottish Court of James I, was soon suspicious and reporting on
Churchyard’s activities. Randall and/or
others spread rumors that soon brought him under fire by the locals.
This necessitated yet another of his many infamous
escapes. The old reprobate
immediately wrote Christopher Hatton from Berwick abjectly begging forgiveness
from the Queen. His powers of ingratiation had to have been enormous. By all
rights, he should not have had the least access to Hatton being nothing more
than a common soldier and doggerel versifier. And if he was not already
personally known by the Queen within a few years he would be.
Dated from Bardwicke[1], the 23rd of June, 1581.[2]
Sir, having tried my uttermost fortune, and passed the fire of
affliction, through a perillous pilgrimage, not voyde of many deadly dangers,
and imminente miseries, I am come, prostrate in minde, and falling downe on my
knees before my Lord Governour of Barwicke, submytting myself to the Queene's
Majestie's mercye, and my Lorde's good favour, always hoping that your Honour
hath in mynde the promise which I made you, for a piece of service that I
meante with hazard of my life to discover for the discharge of my dutie to my
prince and country; leaving certain notes by worde of mouthe and also in paper
for that purpose with you. And yet hearing no answer of sundry letters which I
sent you after my great misfortune, I remayned three months in Englande, drawing
myself downe towardes Scotland, (as I wrote unto you,) by the meane of Monsieur
Mauvissiere, of whom I brake with you many tymes, before my departure. But when
I entred Scotlande, I found thinges fall out farr otherwise then I looked for :
and so I must either sweare to be trewe to the Kynge in that extremytie, or
else departe I knew not whither. If I had practised with Mr. Randall, it had
been present death to me, (besides he disgraced me all he could,) and if I had
written to yor Honor, I had surely smarted for it. So that sufferance and
silence was my only succour. All which notwithstanding I obtained licence at
length to make my supplication to the noble parliament house, but I could finde
no messengers, till Sir John Seaton went, whom I importunated daily to obtayne me favour for my
returne home agayne. But God knoweth, every thinge went awrye, and I stuck
faste in the stockes, among many wild wolves and cruell tygers in the shapes of
men, who would have worryed and torne me in pieces, had not the Kinge' s
goodness garded me, such is their uncivill manner and malice, and such kancred
stomaks they beare to an Englishman. I gave the Kinge a booke before I departed
thence, which manyfested muche their rudeness. If I had tarryed there never so
littell longer, no doubt it had cost me my life, but God be thanked for a faire
escape.
Most miserable wretch that I am! howe cursed I may seeme,
after all these stormes, if I have lost her Majestie's favor. I desire not to
live longer then I maye enjoye her good opinion; I crave no more for all my
service, then her gratious countenance, and that not graunted, I wishe I were either
buryed quicke, or that the seas had swallowed me. I never meante to offende her
Highness willinglie, I take God to witness : and when I was sworne at the
counsell boarde of Scotland, all the Lords can testifie that I protested openly
I would never be false to the Queene's Majestie and my countrye. And so, with a
trewe face and a cleere conscience, I have humbled my boddy and life to her
mercie. Wherefore, as I have ever bouldly reposed my hope wholly in your honorable
goodness, so I beseech you vouchsafe me some comforte, who still praieth for
the increase of your good giftes of grace and preservation of honor.
From Bardwicke, the 23rd of June, 1581.
Yor Honor's humbly at commandement,
Thomas Churchyard.
[1]
Berwick, an English fortress.
[2] Queen
Elizabeth and her times, original letters selected from the private...
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