Some further particulars of this event and its effects are related in a letter from Sir Francis Nethersole to James Earl of Carlisle.
“The King took the Duke’s death very heavily, keeping his chamber that day, as is well to be believed. But the base multitude in the town drink healths to Felton, and these are infinitely more cheerful than sad faces of better degrees.”
Felton.
Examination of Richard Harward:--"George Willoughby taught him to write. Saw Felton at Willoughby’s within a month; Felton complained of the Duke as a cause why he lost a captain’s place, and the obstacle why he could not get his pay, being four score and odd pounds. Went together to the Windmill, where examinant read the Remonstrance to him, and Felton took it and carried it away."--Vol. cxiv., No. 128.
"Sir Robert Savage committed to the Tower for saying that if Felton had not killed the Duke he would have done it."--Vol. cxvi., No. 95, Sept. 10, 1628.
Report by Dr. Brian Duppa of an interview held by himself and others with John Felton in the Tower. (Dr. Duppa was afterwards tutor to Charles II.):--
"On stating to him that though he had no mercy on the Duke, the King had so much compassion on his soul as to give directions to send divines to draw him to a feeling of the horror of his sin, he fell on his knees with humble acknowledgment of so great grace to him. Throughout he confessed his offence to be a fearful and crying sin; attributed it, “upon his soul, to nothing but the Remonstrance.” Being asked whether some dangerous propositions, found in his handwriting, had not stimulated him, he denied, saying they were gathered long ago out a book called the “Soldier’s Epistles.” He denied that any creature knew of his resolution but himself, and requested that he might do some public penance before his death, in sackcloth, with ashes on his head, and ropes about his neck."--Vol. cxvi., No. 101, Sept. 2, 1628.
Felton, it appears, had two letters found in his bag, perhaps duplicates. The knife was sewed into his dress. It appears that Felton was, at one time, puffed up by the popular applause. The state of rabid enmity to the Duke existing in the country, was exhibited in inhuman verses on his death, such as these:--
“Make haste, I pray thee; launch out your ships with speed;
Our noble Duke had never greater need