JAMES THE SECOND.

177

with so much effect all over the kingdom: but their language ™ai>.was so guarded that nothing was gained by the examination. ■ ]688The Chancellor then told them that a criminal informationwould be exhibited against them in the Court of King’sBench,and called upon them to enter into recognisances. Theyrefused. They were peers of the realm, they said. Theywere advised by the best lawyers in Westminster Hall that nopeer could be required to enter into a recognisance in a caseof libel; and they should not think themselves justified inrelinquishing the privilege of their order. The King was soabsurd as to think himself personally affronted because theychose, on a legal question, to be guided by legal advice.

“You believe everybody,” he said, “rather than me.” Hewas indeed mortified and alarmed. For he had gone so farthat, if they persisted, he had no choice left but to sendthem to prison; and, though he by no means foresaw all theconsequences of such a step, he foresaw probably enough todisturb him. They were resolute. A warrant wqp therefore They aremade out directing the Lieutenant of the Tower to keep them ted'to'thein safe custody, and a barge was manned to convey them Tower,down the river.*

It was known all over London that the Bishops were beforethe Council. The public anxiety was intense. A great mul-titude filled the courts of Whitehall and all the neighbouringstreets. Many people were in the habit of refreshing them-selves at the close of a summer day with the cool air of theThames. But on this evening the whole river was alive withwherries. When the Seven came forth under a guard, theemotions of the people broke through all restraint. Thou-sands fell on their knees and prayed aloud for the men whohad, with the Christian courage ofKidley and Latimer, con-fronted a tyrant inflamed by all the bigotry of Mary. Manydashed into the stream, and, up to their waists in ooze andwater, cried to the holy fathers to bless them. All down theriver, from Whitehall to London Bridge, the royal bargepassed between lines of boats, from which arose a shout of“ God bless your Lordships.” The King, in great alarm, gave* Sancroft’s Narrative, printed from the Tanner MS.

Macaulay, History. III. 12