The Duke of York heard of the plot, and told Bishop Burnet that he had done all in his power to dissuade his brother from so cruel and unjust a proceeding, but in vain. As Coventry came out of his house one evening, he was attacked by three gentlemen, but snatching the flambeau from his servant, with the light in one hand, and his sword in the other, he made a most gallant defence. He wounded one, but was soon overpowered, and the villains cut his nose to the bone,—‘to remind him,’ they said, ‘of the respect he owed the King,’ and leaving him in his pain, returned to the Duke of Monmouth’s, whence they came. The Duke was much censured for the part he had taken in the affair, and all the more that he and Coventry had been on friendly terms. Fortunately for the sufferer, ‘his nose was so well needled up,’ that the scar was scarcely perceptible. The members of the House of Commons were furious, and passed a Bill of banishment against the perpetrators of the outrage, with a clause that it should not be in the King’s power to pardon them. Sir John died unmarried.
No. 24.
SIR JOHN THYNNE,
CALLED ‘THE BUILDER.’
By Holbein.
BORN 1515, DIED 1580.
White and gold dress, with buttons. Badge. Sword. In the corner an inscription: ‘Sir John Thynne, builder of Long Leat. Ano Domi 1566. Ætatis suæ, 51.’
THE son of Thomas Thynne of Stretton, Shropshire, by Margaret Eynes.