History of the United Netherlands, 1585 part 4 | Page 5

ready to stake my life, estates,
and reputation, upon this issue, and to stand side by side with other
gentlemen in persuading her Majesty to do her utmost for the assistance
of your country."
He intimated however, as Walsingham had done, that the matter of
cautionary towns would prove an indispensable condition, and
recommended that one of the two envoys should proceed homeward at
once, in order to procure, as speedily as possible, the appointment of an

embassy for that purpose to her Majesty. "They must bring full
powers," said the Earl, "to give her the necessary guarantees, and make
a formal demand for protection; for it would be unbecoming, and
against her reputation, to be obliged to present herself, unsought by the
other party."
In conclusion, after many strong expressions of good-will, Leicester
promised to meet them next day at court, where he would address the
Queen personally on the subject, and see that they spoke with her as
well. Meantime he sent one of his principal gentlemen to keep
company with the envoys, and make himself useful to them. This
personage, being "of good quality and a member of Parliament," gave
them much useful information, assuring them that there was a strong
feeling in England in favour of the Netherlands, and that the matter had
been very vigorously taken up in the national legislature. That
assembly had been strongly encouraging her Majesty boldly to assume
the protectorate, and had manifested a willingness to assist her with the
needful. "And if," said he, "one subsidy should not be enough, she shall
have three, four, five, or six, or as much as may be necessary."
The same day, the envoys had an interview with Lord Treasurer
Burghley, who held the same language as Walsingham and Leicester
had done. "The Queen, to his knowledge," he said, "was quite ready to
assume the protectorate; but it was necessary that it should be formally
offered, with the necessary guarantees, and that without further loss of
time."
On the 22nd March, according to agreement, Ortel and De Gryze went
to the court at Greenwich. While waiting there for the Queen, who had
ridden out into the country, they had more conversation with
Walsingham, whom they found even more energetically disposed in
their favour than ever, and who assured them that her Majesty was
quite ready to assume the protectorate so soon as offered. "Within a
month," he said, "after the signing of a treaty, the troops would be on
the spot, under command of such a personage of quality and religion as
would be highly satisfactory." While they were talking, the Queen rode
into the court- yard, accompanied by the Earl of Leicester and other
gentlemen. Very soon afterwards the envoys were summoned to her
presence, and allowed to recommend the affairs of the Provinces to her
consideration. She lamented the situation of their country, and in a few

words expressed her inclination to render assistance, provided the
States would manifest full confidence in her. They replied by offering
to take instant measures to gratify all her demands, so soon as those
demands should be made known; and the Queen finding herself
surrounded by so many gentlemen and by a crowd of people, appointed
them accordingly to come to her private apartments the same afternoon.
At that interview none were present save Walsingham and Lord
Chamberlain Howard. The Queen showed herself "extraordinarily
resolute" to take up the affairs of the Provinces. "She had always been
sure," she said, "that the French negotiation would have no other issue
than the one which they had just seen. She was fully aware what a
powerful enemy she was about to make--one who could easily create
mischief for her in Scotland and Ireland; but she was nevertheless
resolved, if the States chose to deal with her frankly and generously, to
take them under her protection. She assured the envoys that if a
deputation with full powers and reasonable conditions should be
immediately sent to her, she would not delay and dally with them, as
had been the case in France, but would despatch them back again at the
speediest, and would make her good inclination manifest by deeds as
well as words. As she was hazarding her treasure together with the
blood and repose of her subjects, she was not at liberty to do this except
on receipt of proper securities."
Accordingly De Gryze went to the Provinces, provided with
complimentary and affectionate letters from the Queen, while Ortel
remained in England. So far all was plain and above-board; and
Walsingham, who, from the first, had been warmly in favour of taking
up the Netherland cause, was relieved by being able to write in
straightforward language. Stealthy and subtle, where the object was to
get within the guard of an