[241] Rolls House MS. first series, 416; much injured.
[242] The Privy Council, writing to the Duke of Norfolk, said: “You may divulge the cause of their activity to the people of those parts, that they may the rather perceive their miserable fortune, that, being once so graciously pardoned, would eftsoons combine themselves for the attempting of new treasons ... not conceiving that anything is done for their former offences done before the pardon, which his Grace will in nowise remember or speak of; but for those treasons which they have committed again since in such detestable sort as no good subject would not wish their punishment for the same.”—Hardwicke State Papers, Vol. I. p. 43.
[243] Rolls House MS. A 2, 28.
[244] Besides his personal interference, Aske, and Constable also, had directed a notorious insurgent named Rudstone, “in any wise to deliver Hallam from Hull.”—Ibid.
[245] Sir Ralph Ellerkar called on Constable to join him in suppressing Bigod’s movement. Constable neither came nor sent men, contenting himself with writing letters.—Ibid.
[246] Part of Pole’s mission was to make peace between France and the Empire. The four sovereigns would, therefore, be the Pope, the King of Scotland, Francis, and Charles. I have gathered these accusations out of several groups among the Rolls House MSS., apparently heads of information, Privy Council minutes, and drafts of indictments. The particulars which I have mentioned being repeated frequently in these papers, and with much emphasis, I am inclined to think that they formed the whole of the case.
[247] The proofs of “an animus” were severely construed.
A few clauses from a rough draft of the indictments will show how small a prospect of escape there was for any one who had not resolutely gone over to the government.
Aske wrote to the commons of the north a letter, in which was written, “Bigod intendeth to destroy the effect of our petition and commonwealth; whereby,” Cromwell concluded, “it appeareth he continued in his false opinion and traitorous heart.” In another letter he had said to them, “Your reasonable petitions shall be ordered by parliament,” “showing that he thought that their petitions were reasonable, and in writing the same he committed treason.”
Again, both Constable and he had exhorted the commons to wait for the Duke of Norfolk and the parliament, telling them that the duke would come only with his household servants; “signifying plainly that, if their unreasonable requests were not complied with, they would take the matter in their own hands again.”