On the reverse side of this draft is a recipe for “Lime drinks against the King’s Evil, or any sharp humours.”

Although a man does not necessarily write himself down angel or devil, it is true of most people that their correspondence is a fair indication of their character, tastes, and habits.  The letters written by and addressed to Sir Henry Bedingfeld reveal him as of the usual type of country gentlemen of the period, interested in sport and agriculture, but having also some experience of soldiering.  He could be counted on to raise a troop of horse or foot in an emergency, provided it were in the service of the lawful sovereign.  He made it his business to become acquainted with the condition of Marshland, in order to account to the queen for the fealty of those around him; and Elizabeth, no less than Mary, knew that she could rely on him to uphold her authority in the eastern Counties, His letters to Mary show that notwithstanding his frankness, and his freedom from diplomatic subtlety, his manners did not lack the polish of the courtier.  In the fulfilment of his charge he was ever prudent, cautious, and almost timid in the matter of accepting responsibility; in no sense covetous of office, he was yet so scrupulous in the discharge of duty, that he scarcely ever acted on his own judgment if he could possibly wring instructions from the Privy Council.  His loyalty, uprightness, courtesy, and modesty, stood him in lieu of more brilliant parts, and his severity was at all times tempered by that quality of mercy which “is not strained.”  To all this must be added his fidelity to his religion in difficult and dangerous times.

His life after Mary’s accession, to which he had materially contributed, falls naturally into three parts:  1.  The period during which he had the care of the Princess Elizabeth. 2.  His term of office as Lieutenant of the Tower. 3.  The twenty-five years after Mary’s death, which he spent for the most part in retirement in Norfolk.

On the 18th March 1554, this portentous missive was delivered to him:—­

“My duty remembered, these shall be to advise you that on Friday my lady Elizabeth was sent to the Tower at 10 of the clock.  The Parliament shall be holden at Westminster on the day aforesaid; and the Queen is in good health, thanks be to God, who preserve you in much worship.  This Good Friday riding by the way.—­Your servant to command,

“Thomas Waters.

“To the right worshipful Sir Henry Bedyngfeld give these, written in haste.”

The causes of Elizabeth’s arrest were far-reaching.  Circumstantial evidence of her connection with Wyatt’s rebellion was not wanting, and if Mary had been willing to have her sister convicted on that evidence alone, her head would undoubtedly have fallen on the block.  Elizabeth herself in numerous instances caused blood to flow on far less certain grounds.  But her guilt could not otherwise be brought home, and in her first Parliament Mary had restored the ancient, constitutional law of England, by which overt or spoken acts of treason must be proved, before any English person could be convicted as a traitor.