“Gentle Mr. Cheke,—­It was this day somewhat past l0 of the clock before I could have any determinate answer of your coming unto the Court, which is now appointed to be at 2 of the clock in the afternoon.  I shall send two of my servants to wait upon you from the Tower unto my house, at 1 of the clock, and from thence I will go with you unto the Court myself.  I do think that Mr. Lieutenant is already put to knowledge thereof, but if it be forgotten give unto him this my letter, and he will not stay you.  Your submission is very well liked, and the Queen’s Highness hath seen the same, with which her Majesty has found no fault, but only that you had forgotten to make mention in the latter end thereof of the King’s Majesty.  And therefore you must write it all whole again, and in the latter end add these words which I have added touching the King’s Majesty, or else everything is as it was in your own copy save that I added in one place the real presence of Christ’s Body and Blood.  I pray you leave not out these words, and at your coming I shall hear your cause, where notwithstanding your few lines which is wrote unto me thereof, be you of good comfort; all things are well, and imagined best for your furtherance.  You have more friends than you be ware of.  Thus fare you well, this present 5 of Sep. 1556, by your assured friend, John Fecknam, Priest.

“I pray you fail not to write it all again, and that as large and plain as you can, for I am commanded to request you that you duly so do.”

Dr. Cheke, having proved his innocence of conspiracy to the satisfaction of the Council, and having recanted his heresy, was released, and “through the efficacy of his language,” about thirty others followed his example, and saved their lives.  He died the next year, the heretics said, of remorse for what he had done against the reformed religion.

Edward Lewkner, who according to Machyn’s Diary had been groom-porter to Edward vi. and Mary, “was cast to suffer death” in the third year of Mary’s reign for participation in the Dudley conspiracy.  While in the Tower he fell so grievously ill as to excite the Lieutenant’s compassion, and Sir Henry appears to have interceded with the Queen on his behalf.

“To the Right Worshipful Sir Henry Bedingfeld, Knight, Lieutenant of the Queen’s Highness’s Tower of London.  Francis Malet, Priest.

“Right Worshipful,—­After my hearty commendations these shall be to certify your Mastership that where your charity was declared in that it pleased you to take pains to declare by your wise and discreet letters the piteous state of Lewkner, your prisoner, I was thereby the more ready and yet not wanting the counsel of a counseller to move the Queen’s goodness in the matter.  And her Grace being content to take into her hands your letter, and going with it into her privy chamber, said she would consider the matter, and that I should learn what her Grace’s resolute mind will be therein.  And therefore to