how a solemn procession was formed at saint paul’s,
and set forth towards smithfield.
five protestant divines, amongst whom were hooper, the deprived bishop of gloucester, and rogers, a prebend of saint paul’s, having been excommunicated and delivered to the sheriffs, and continuing firm in the maintenance of their opinions, they were doomed to death at the stake. it was appointed that hooper should suffer at gloucester, and rogers at smithfield, and it was furthermore appointed that rogers should be the first to die. rogers, we may mention, was one of the first theological scholars of the age, and had assisted tyndal in translating the bible in the time of henry viii.
at the earnest solicitation of gardiner and bonner, the king consented to be present at the celebration of this act of faith, but cardinal pole refused to attend it, stating that he would not countenance such a proceeding. enraged at his opposition, the two prelates took the only revenge in their power, and procured a warrant from the queen, authorising them to compel the attendance at the terrible ceremonial of any heretical prisoners they might designate. 261armed with this warrant, on the night previous to the execution they gave notice to the cardinal that they should send for derrick carver and constance tyrrell at an early hour on the morrow.
that night, as enjoined by the cardinal, and as her own feelings would have prompted without the injunction, constance never sought her couch, but spent the hours in prayer and meditation. before daybreak she awoke old dorcas, who was slumbering tranquilly, and with her aid attired herself carefully in dark habiliments, and, thus prepared, patiently awaited the anticipated summons. ere long, a gentle tap was heard without, and the door being opened by dorcas, the cardinal entered.
“i have come to see you before you set out, daughter,” he said. “my own heart is sad. i have passed the night in vigil and prayer, yet i do not feel comforted. i cannot divest myself of the dread that this day will be prejudicial to our religion. a just man is about to be sacrificed, and his blood will cry out for vengeance. but here come the guard,” he added, as rodomont and his companions appeared at the doorway. “are you ready?”
“quite ready,” she replied. “but before i leave, let me crave a blessing from your eminence.”
“you have it, daughter,” he replied, extending his arms over her. “may heaven sustain you during the awful scene you will be compelled to witness!”
quitting the room, she followed rodomont and the others to the outer court. at the lollards’ tower they were joined by derrick carver, who was brought forth by mallet. on beholding constance, the enthusiast uttered a joyful exclamation, but he was not permitted to converse with her, and the party proceeded in silence to the wharf without the palace gate, where lay a barge, which had been sent for the prisoners by bonner.
within this vessel were two dominicans, an officer of the guard, and a couple of halberdiers. at the prow was displayed a black banner, on which was inscribed the words: exurge, domine, et judica causam tuam, et dissipentur inimici fidei.
the prisoners having entered the barge with rodomont bittern, who had been enjoined by the cardinal to attend 262them, the vessel was pushed off, and moved down the stream.
the morning was dark and raw. a fog hung over the river, partly concealing the objects on its banks. officers and men maintained a moody silence, and the only sound heard was a doleful hymn chanted by the dominicans, and taken up by the occupants of some skiffs that had accompanied the barge from lambeth.
at paul’s wharf the prisoners were landed, and conducted thence up bennet’s hill and paul’s chain to the cathedral.
matins were just over, and within the broad nave of the noble fane a great number of priests, attired in their robes, were assembled, prior to marching in solemn procession to smithfield.
in the aisles, guarded by halberdiers, were collected groups of recusants of both sexes, brought thither to give effect to the ceremonial. apart from these, but likewise brought from prison to grace the procession, were several deprived divines of the protestant church, some of whom afterwards testified to their faith at the stake, while others were starved in their cells, or died from ill treatment. many who then met on that melancholy morn, and exchanged a friendly greeting, or a few words of comfort, saw each other for the last time on earth. but in the faces of these stout-hearted champions of the protestant church no traces of doubt or discouragement could be discerned. they were evidently prepared to meet their fate with resolution. neither did they manifest sorrow for the brother about to suffer, regarding him as one whose trials were well-nigh over, and who was certain of meeting his reward.
within the nave and aisles were congregated a vast number of spectators of the solemn scene.
close to one of the enormous columns lining the south aisle of the magnificent fane stood constance. she was looking with a wistful eye at the deprived protestant divines, when her own name was breathed in her ear by some one close behind.
not doubting who spoke, she partly turned her head, and perceived osbert clinton, who, screened from the guard by the pillar, had contrived to approach her. the only person who noticed the man?uvre was rodomont, but the kind-hearted 263fellow looked another way, and tried not to hear what was passing.
not much was said—but the few words spoke of the young man’s wretchedness at the protracted separation from her he loved.
“be patient,” she said. “all will be well in the end.”
“talk not to me of patience,” he rejoined. “i am unable to practice it. my heart will burst in the effort. i cannot live without you, constance. commit yourself to me, and i will free you. you will be gone before the guard can notice your absence; and once mingled with the throng, you will be safe. come!”
“i cannot—dare not go,” she replied. “what would the good cardinal think of me if i complied?”
“heed him not, but think of me, whom you doom to misery by hesitation. do not throw away this chance. another may not occur.”
“pass if you will,” interposed the friendly rodomont, in a low voice. “i shall hear and see nothing.”
squeezing his arm by way of thanks, osbert renewed his entreaties to constance.
“no, i cannot do it,” she rejoined. “my word to the queen restrains me.”
“what? not gone!” exclaimed rodomont, looking round. “peste! it is now too late.”
just then a movement took place in the nave, and the attention of the guard was drawn to the prisoners.
clad in his full robes, wearing his mitre, and carrying his crosier, bonner issued from the sacristy. before him were borne two large silver crosses, and the pix under a rich canopy. at the same time, the procession was marshalled by the priests. long wax tapers were lighted and distributed among the recusants, who were compelled to carry them; the protestant divines being alone exempted from this degrading office.
as soon as the procession was formed, the halberdiers at the head of it marched through the great western portal of the cathedral, and were followed by a long line of recusants, men and women, bearing lighted tapers. amongst these were constance and derrick carver.
then came the deprived protestant clergy, walking two 264and two. they were succeeded by monks and friars in the habits of their orders. then came priests in their robes, and lastly bonner himself, attired as we have described, and preceded by the large silver crosses and the pix. on either side of the sacramentaries were halberdiers to keep off the crowd. nor was this the only precaution taken. outside the cathedral there was a detachment of mounted arquebusiers to clear the way for the train, while a band of archers brought up the rear.
as the procession issued forth from saint paul’s, the bells of saint martin’s, ludgate, and other churches on the line of way, began to toll slowly and solemnly.
