This libel did not, however, pass unchallenged, and the father of the present baronet wrote to the Poet Laureate the following protest:—­

“Sir,—­As a great admirer of your genius, I eagerly read your drama Queen Mary, but was so surprised and pained at the ignoble part which is allotted to Sir Henry Bedingfeld, that I cannot refrain from addressing you on the subject.  I feel justified in doing so, as I am the direct descendant of Sir Henry, and date from the house which was his home.

“The millions who will read Mary Tudor, or witness the play on the stage, will carry away the impression that my ancestor was a vulgar yeoman, in some way connected with the stables, whereas he was a man of ancient lineage, a trusted friend and servant of the queen, who confided to him in time of danger the Lieutenancy of the Tower, and the custody of the Princess Elizabeth.  This princess so respected Sir Henry, that although she complained of his severity during her captivity, she visited him at Oxburgh after her accession to the throne, and treated him with the greatest consideration.  Numerous documents in my possession, including letters from the Sovereign, from the Privy Council, arid from the most eminent men of the time, would prove, were such proof required, the high position held by Sir Henry.

“I trust, therefore, to your feeling of justice that you will, if possible, either strike out Sir Henry’s name from future editions, or allot to him a more dignified part on the stage, and one which will convey a more correct view of his character and position.—­I am, Sir, your obedient servant,

“Henry Bedingfeld.”

Tennyson’s answer to the above, dated from the Isle of Wight, six months later, though courteous, left the matter almost where it was, so far as historical accuracy was secured:—­

“Sir,—­Your letter arrived when I was abroad, else would have been answered at once; and therefore I waited till the play should be announced for acting.  I had made your ancestor an honest gentleman though a rough one, as I found him reported to be, whether true or no; and I regret that you should have been pained by my representation of him.  Now, in deference to your wishes, his name is not once mentioned on the stage, and he is called in the play-bill merely ’Governor of Woodstock.’  Moreover, I have inserted a line in Elizabeth’s part:  ’But, girl, you wrong a noble gentleman.’—­I have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient servant,

“A.  Tennyson.”

In spite, however, of the best intention on the part of the author, the American edition of the play, priding itself on being “the only unmutilated version,” preserves the exact wording of the poem.* Thus has history ever been medicated to suit the prejudices of the uncritical and the ignorant.

* De Witt’s acting plays, No. 181, Queen Mary; a drama.  Edited by John M. Kingdom.