Not content with these remonstrances, Bacon threatened Winwood with a Præmunire for granting the warrant; but he was speedily checked by the indignation of Buckingham, and consequently by that of the King. Coke was reinstated in the favour of the Monarch, and restored to his place in the Privy Council, September 15, 1617. He joined the Court on its journey from Scotland at Woodstock, and “as if he were already on his wings,” to use the expression of Sir Henry Yelverton, in his letter to Bacon, “triumphed exceedingly.”
The poor puppet, Frances Hatton, whose inclinations, as Lord Campbell remarks, were as little considered “as if she had been a Queen of Spain under the influence of a Louis Philippe,” was now commanded by her mother to write a second letter, consenting to marry one who, in thus espousing her, proved to be most unhappy.
“Madam,
“I must now humbly desire your patience in giving me leave to declare myself to you, which is, that without your allowance and liking, all the world shall never make me entangle or tie myself. But now, by my father’s especial commandment, I obey him in presenting to you my humble duty, in a tedious letter which is to know your ladyship’s pleasure, not as a thing I desire, but I resolve to be wholly ruled by my father and yourself, knowing your judgment to be such that I may well rely upon, and hoping that conscience and the natural affection parents bear to children, will let you do nothing but for my good, and that you may receive comfort, I being a mere child, and not understanding the world, nor what is good for myself. That which makes me a little give way to it, is that I hope it will be a means to procure a reconciliation between my father and your ladyship. Also, I think it will be a means of the King’s favour to my father. Himself[[201]] is not to be misliked, his fortune is very good, a gentleman well born * * * * So I humbly take my leave, praying that all things may be to every one’s contentment,
“Your ladyship’s most obedient,
“and humble daughter, for ever,
”Frances Coke.
“Dear Mother,—Believe, there has no violent means been used to me by words or deeds.”[[202]]
There now remained nothing but to unite the two young persons whose affairs had become a matter of public interest. Accordingly, they were married on Michaelmas day in the royal chapel at Hampton Court, by the Bishop of Winchester, having been thrice publicly asked in church, the King giving away “Mrs. Frances Coke the bride:” the Queen was present, and Sir Edward Coke brought the bride and bridegroom from his son’s house at Kingston, with eight or nine coaches. The consent of Lady Hatton was gained; her daughter protesting that, “although she liked Sir John Villiers better than any one else, she was resolved to keep a solemn promise made by her to her mother, not to marry without her consent.”[[203]]
This marriage, however, did not pacify Lady Hatton’s haughty and vindictive spirit. On the wedding-day, she honoured the event, it is true, by a magnificent entertainment; her husband was not, however, invited, but was seen dining at the public table in the Temple. Their enmity endured for four years without mitigation; at the end of that time, it was subdued by the interference of the King; but was never wholly subdued.