Chapter VIII: Introduction: 1.--The Shipwrights (5)

About the beginning of August it pleased the Prince's Highness my master to send me word that he would come to Woolwich at his return out of Essex from the Lord Petre's,[268] whither his Grace was then going in progress; and on Saturday after, being the 13th day of August, his Highness took his barge at Blackwall, and came by water to Woolwich about noon, accompanied only with his own train, where I received him on shore at the yard stairs. On the poop of the Ann Royal was placed a noise of trumpets, an ensign, and two ensigns upon the heads of both the mizens. After my duty presented to his Highness with the best expression I could, to cause him to understand his welcome to that place and how much it would joy all seamen's hearts to perceive his Highness so well addicted to his Majesty's ships and the sight of them, I conducted his Highness round about the dock, and so directly aboard the Ann Royal to the very top of her poop where, after my duty performed, I gave a secret signal (as was before concluded between us) to my good friend Mr. William Bull, then Master Gunner of England, who stood ready prepared upon a mount in Mr. Hugh Lydiard's garden with thirty-one great brass chambers,[269] orderly and distinctly placed, which, with Mr. Gunner's help, I had procured from the Tower for that purpose. He, presently receiving the signal, diligently attending the same, gave fire to the train, and so discharged the whole volley with so good order as gave a marvellous pleasing content to his Highness (and the more because he expected no such thing, but that it was done suddenly).

When the ordnance gave over, I then kneeled down to his Highness and besought him to be pleased to accept this poor sea entertainment from me, as an unfeigned earnest of my duty to him, which I would hereafter strive to express in better manner if his Highness would be pleased graciously to receive this his first homely welcome. His Highness then, having answered my request with a princely acceptance, commanded me to lead into all the places of the ship; which having viewed with a great deal of delightful judgment, I led his Grace into the Yard, and so to the place where the keel, stem, and stern of his own ship, which was to be built, lay ready framed; which having perused very seriously, and caused the length of the keel to be measured, I besought his Grace to walk into the house to rest himself, which his Highness willingly condescending unto, I conducted him unto Mr. Lydiard's parlour where was prepared a set banquet of sweet meats and all other fruits the season of the year could yield, with plentiful store of wine, both Rhenish white, sack, Greek wine and claret. His Highness was well pleased to take his refection, and after the banquet done, giving his hand to kiss to divers gentlewomen of the town that were in the room together with my wife, his Highness desired to be brought to the mount where the chambers were placed, which were again laden in this interim and ranged in their first order with the train made ready. This sight so much pleased his Grace that he was very desirous to have the train fired, his Highness standing by, but at my humble entreaty, understanding what danger was incident to such a business, he gave me order that, at the holding up of his handkerchief in his barge, I should see them put off; and so taking notice of Mr. Bull and giving him his hand to kiss, taking his leave, I conducted his Highness to his barge, being the top of full sea; where kissing his hand upon my knee, he expressed how kindly he accepted his welcome, using many gracious speeches to me, and so putting off. I returned to the mount, and, upon his Highness' signal given me, the train was fired and the chambers delivered their loud voices in as distinct order as at the first, to the great delight of his Highness, and general applause of all others there present.

Having now finished, by God's providence and gracious assistance, the Ark, which I began to repair in Woolwich Dock in May, was twelve-month before, on the 29th day of September, 1608, I launched her. It was a very blustering day, the wind at south-west, but, thanks be to God, with a little difficulty she was launched and brought safely to her moorings. Her name was altered and given by the mouth of my very good friend Sir Oliver Cromwell, in presence of Sir Robert Mansell, Sir John Trevor and Captain Button, divers other gentlemen being on board, with his Majesty's trumpets and drums; her name was given the Anne Royal. These knights, with the Lady Mansell, the Lady Trevor, Mrs. Button, and sundry others, dined this day with me at Woolwich in Mr. Lydiard's parlour, my lodgings being as yet not altered, and therefore inconvenient for entertaining of any friends of account; which lodgings I after by warrant repaired and made as they now are, for which I was greatly questioned by the Lord of Northampton in his inquisition, and stand upon his book of reformation at large recorded.

The 20th October following, being Thursday, by God's good help I lay the keel of the new great ship[270] upon the blocks in the dock, and the 28th day following, of the same month, I raised her stern, and presently after the stem, and proceeded in order with the floor[271] as fast as I could, notwithstanding the many practices underhand attempted to have diverted the whole course of that building, as hereafter in his proper place shall be discovered.

During the time that I proceeded on with the new frame, the inquisition against the Navy then growing to the height and prosecuted with extremity of malice against Sir John Trevor, Sir Robert Mansell, and some others, amongst whom myself held not the least place, about the fine of March, 1609, there was discovered unto me (by Mr. Sebastian Vicars, Carver to the Ships, my ever true and faithful friend) a secret combination against me concerning the building of the great ship, suggested first by the practice of my fellows, old Mr. Mathew Baker and Mr. William Bright, old adversaries to my name and family, assisted by Edward Stevens, a Master Shipwright, who laid great claim to my place by a former patent to him granted under the broad seal of England, with some other shipwrights also joined with them by especial warrant from the great Lord of Northampton, my most implacable enemy; my fellows bearing me no small grudge because by the Prince's Highness' means, my master, I was preferred to that great business before them; and Mr. Stevens malicing me because he could not prevail against me to recover my place from me.

They had also won to their party by much importunity, and by means of a particular letter directed from the Lord Northampton to him to that very purpose, a great braggadocio, a vain and idle fellow sometime a mariner and master, called by the name of Captain George Waymouth; who, having much acquaintance abroad amongst gentlemen, was to disperse the insufficiency of my business, reporting how I was no artist, and altogether insufficient to perform such a service, of no experience, and that the King's Majesty was cosened and all the charge lost, and the frame of her was unfit for any use but a dung boat, with many other such false opprobrious defamations, wherein he was better practised than in any other profession.

These rumours being thus divulged, the report thereof coming to Mr. Sebastian Vicars' ears was the cause that he, out of his great love and honesty to me, wrote to me what he heard abroad, wishing me to keep a careful watch over myself, for that they would bend all their practices, powers and friends, to the disgracing of the building and ruining of me. But I, being very confident of the goodness of my cause (though I received that admonition as from a dear friend with much acknowledgment of his love and care of me), yet, little regarding what their malicious practices could bring forth, made small reckoning of their plottings till such time as the good honest man, understanding from some of their own mouths what was intended against me, made a purposed journey to me to Woolwich (though he was then scarce able to travel by reason of a tedious[272] sickness) and there thoroughly possessed me of the certainty of what he before by his writing had truly informed me.

I, now perceiving it was no idle flim flam[273] as I before supposed, considered that the goodness of my cause might by my secure[274] neglect either suffer hazard, or be overborne by greatness, began to call my wits about me and to advise what was to be done in the business; at which time, to make good the supposition, I received a message by word of mouth from a worthy gentleman, and good friend of mine, Mr. William Burrell, principal Master Workman to the East India Company, of all their project, which was discovered to him particularly by that Captain Waymouth, being at that instant time between drunk and sober.

The 13th of April this Waymouth was, by consent of the rest, sent to Woolwich to survey my work, and thereupon to deliver his opinion, and I in the mean time was appointed to be at Redriff at a meeting at a court held for the incorporation of Shipwrights, whereof I was then Master, that in my absence he might have the better opportunity to perform his malicious instructions, as he was directed by his great masters; of the which his purpose I receiving certain intelligence, leaving my intended journey to Redriff, I awaited his coming, and, receiving him after a courteous manner, after some discourse and ordinary compliments he returned back to his confederates, frustrate of his great purpose.

Within some few days after, I wrote something to this purpose to my very good friends Sir Robert Mansell and Sir John Trevor, being then Treasurer and Surveyor of the Navy, desiring them, for that it was a business highly concerning the honour of our honourable lord the Lord High Admiral and their own particular reputations, they would be pleased to take the pains to make a sudden journey to Woolwich, there truly to inform themselves not only concerning the state of the work but of divers other material business wherewith I was to acquaint them at their coming thither. According to my request, they both came the next day; where being throughly possessed of all the passages and occurrences concerning the project of our adversaries, after they had carefully also surveyed the work, with all other things necessary to be advised of, leaving with me, with good deliberation, instructions how to proceed in my defence, they departed again to Westminster the same afternoon.

Presently after the departure of these gentlemen, desiring first the Lord to guide and direct my pen so as might best tend to his glory and the discharge of my duty, I betook myself to my study and in the briefest manner I could I certified the Lord Admiral of the truth of all the whole project plotted against me, with the names of the principalest actors therein, and the reasons inducing them unto it; withal earnestly beseeching his Lordship to be pleased, since the matter so nearly concerned his Majesty's profit, the honour of the state, his Lordship's own safety, and the reputation of his Office, to leave all respect of my particular good and to procure such a view to be presently made of the work, by judicious and impartial persons, as his Majesty might receive no loss, the strength of the kingdom no prejudice, his honour no impeachment, and the Officers of the Navy no just calumniation nor blame.

It pleased his Lordship, then lying at Whitehall, presently after the receipt of my letter (wherewith he was not a little troubled to observe their malicious practices) to send for me to wait upon him, that by conference with me his Lordship might be better informed of each particular passage in this so dangerous information and conspiracy; and after his Lordship had received from me such satisfaction as he desired, comforting me with many noble encouragements, as being (as he said) sufficiently persuaded both of my skill, experience and honesty, wishing me to take a good heart and never a whit to distrust the goodness of my cause, albeit I had strong adversaries, for that God in his mercy would never permit such a malicious practice to prevail against those that relied upon him, with many other fatherly instructions; and so, being somewhat late, for that night his Lordship was pleased to dismiss me, giving me commandment to attend his further pleasure the next morning; and this was the 20th day of April.

It was no sooner day the next morrow but his Lordship, very careful of doing something in this weighty business, made himself ready, and by 4 of clock, taking my letter in his hand, speeds himself to his Majesty's chamber, lying then also at Whitehall, and sending in word that his Lordship was there to acquaint his Majesty with some business of great consequence, was presently admitted to his Majesty's bedside, and, having in few words given his Majesty a taste of his errand, delivered him my letter and besought him to be pleased thoroughly to peruse the same. The letter his Majesty twice read over, and perceiving how malice was the original of all this stir, seemed greatly to pity the wrong and injury done unto me, using this gracious speech in my behalf, that whatsoever my act was he knew not, but I deserved great commendation for my honest plainness delivered in my letter, and that it was great reason I should be justly proceeded withal.

To the end therefore I might not be wrongfully oppressed, and the works disgraced without just cause, his Majesty took present order with the Lord High Admiral that he should join unto him the right honourable lords, the Earls of Worcester, then Master of his Majesty's horse, and of Suffolk, then Lord High Chamberlain, and repairing to Woolwich, should there, upon their oaths, honours, and faithful allegiance to his Majesty, without respect of any particular person, call before them my accusers, and, as well by examination of them as trial of the work itself, both in point of sufficiency, as well of matter as manner, should truly inform themselves whether this main accusation so much concerning his Majesty's honour were justly commenced or no; which charge of his Majesty being performed, they should return the true report thereof with all speed to his Majesty, as they would answer it upon their allegiance.

Whilst these things were thus ordering, my malicious adversaries were not idle, but plotting as fast against me, and had so far prevailed with the Lord Northampton that there should be a private warrant directed to the chief of them, vide; to Mr. Baker, Bright and Stevens, and to some other whom they should associate with them, which warrant should have been signed with the King's own hand, to authorise them to repair to Woolwich, and there strictly to make a survey of the work; which being done, upon the return of the insufficiency of the same under their hands and confirmation by oath, it was resolved amongst them I should be turned out and for ever disgraced, the work utterly defaced, and I never to come to any personal answer; and one of them that could make his party strongest should undertake the business, about which they were in great contention amongst themselves who should be preferred to it.

But it pleased my good God, that never leaves his servants destitute of his help when all other means fail them, so mightily to work for me by means of my letter sent to my honourable Lord Admiral, and, as is shewed afore, delivered to his Majesty, so far to prevent their purposes, that upon that very day wherein they had determined to have displaced and disgraced me, that they were, unawares to them, warned by one of his Majesty's messengers to appear before the three Lords before named, to answer them at that very place and time wherein they made their account to have triumphed over me. This was the Lord's doing and it is marvellous in our eyes, and this day was appointed to be on Tuesday the 25th day of April, which time was accordingly kept, and the Lords were come to Woolwich by nine of the clock the same morning. The first thing they did was to take a diligent survey of the work, first touching the form and manner of the same, and then concerning the goodness of the materials; which having very carefully perused, they repaired into the house and sat at a little table in the middle of my dining room. Their Lordships being set, first Mr. Baker was called and demanded, for the good of his Majesty's service, to deliver plainly what he could justly except against the ship, either in point of art or in sufficiency of the materials, and leading him from point to point concerning her proportion of length, breadth, depth, draught of water, height of tuck,[275] rake afore and abaft, breadth of the floor, scantling of timber, and other circumstances, after a deal of frivolous arguings to no purpose, their Lordships found by his examination nothing worthy of observing; and directly finding him to be led more out of an envious malicious humour against me than upon any certain ground of error in the mould, or probability of insufficiency of any of the materials used in the frame; whereupon he was dismissed.

After him was Bright called, and then Stevens, who were so tripped in their several examinations as their Lordships found them in their answers clean contrary one to another almost in every question, by which their Lordships concluded, as they did of Mr. Baker, that all this question and infamous report of the business was plotted by them out of some malicious respects to disgrace me and my works, and not of any care or conscionable regard of the good of his Majesty's service; and so they were dismissed.

Then was great killcow[276] Waymouth called, who being examined as the others before him were, was able to say nothing to any purpose, but held their Lordships with a long tedious discourse of proportions, measures, lines, and an infinite rabble of idle and unprofitable speeches clean from the matter, wherewith their Lordships were so tired as he was commanded silence. Then every man being dismissed the room, they consulted in private about some half hour, and then we were all called in again; where their Lordships, addressing their speech to me, delivered that, by all this enquiry, they in their judgments could find no just cause of exception against the business, and this accusation grew for aught they could perceive out of envy and malice, and therefore I had no cause to be discouraged in my service but to go on both comfortably and cheerfully, assuring me they would so effectually return the account of the particulars of this their day's work to his Majesty as should not only give his Majesty satisfaction, but also secure and defend me from all the opposition any of my adversaries could practise against me, with many other noble speeches of encouragement. And so about 4 of the clock in the evening, taking their caroches,[277] they returned to the Court to Whitehall.

The same night, after their coming to the Court, their Lordships repairing to his Majesty, they there delivered the account of their journey, together with all the particular passages in the same; there offering to prove upon their honours, allegiances, and their lives, the ground of that conspiracy to spring from no other reason than inveterate malice to me, and that they found the business in every part and point so excellent, as befitted the service of so royal a king; with which his Majesty rested marvellous well satisfied.

My adversaries, whose malicious practices nothing could daunt, hunting after nothing so much as my ruin and utter disgrace, were so fired with this prevention that, redoubling their fury, [they] went all together the next morning to their great patron and abettor, the Lord Northampton, who being vehemently incensed before, to have such an affront to the proceeding of his commission, as he termed our courses to have wrought, was willing to entertain anything that carried but likelihood to give him means to be revenged on me for it. After therefore these caterpillars had discovered to his Lordship all the circumstances of the hearing before the Lords, complaining very grievously as they termed it, of their partiality towards me and bitterness to them, and that they were not suffered to speak, nor could be heard in any[thing] they could inform against me, they offering upon their lives to make good all their informations against me to be true, so that they might but gain an equal hearing, his Lordship promised to move his Majesty in the granting of a second hearing; wherein he doubted not, as he said unto them, but they should have amends made to them for the former injuries and obtain their purpose against me in despite of all my friends and upholders.

His Lordship immediately upon this repaired to his Majesty, and there made a grievous complaint against the partiality of the three Lords, which they shewed in the examination of the business; there in the behalf of the plaintiffs--tendering to his Majesty that they did offer upon their lives to prove all their informations true, and besought his Majesty very earnestly there might be a second examination committed to his Lordships care, whereby all partiality should be prevented and his Majesty receive better confirmations of their good service than what the Lords had before, upon their superficial survey and partial examination, exhibited to his Majesty. His Majesty made answer that upon his Lordship's first complaint he had made especial choice of three principal peers of the realm, of whose faithful fidelity he was so confidently assured that he could not but give credit to that account their Lordships had returned upon the serious examination of that so weighty a business. Notwithstanding, seeing his Lordship urged so earnestly a review and second examination, since it was a business of such main consequence, for his better satisfaction and clearing all doubts and scruple, his Majesty resolved to take the pains in his own person to have the hearing of the cause indifferently between all parties; appointing Monday the 8th of May following to be the time for the same hearing at Woolwich in the yard where the ship was then in building; giving order to the Lord High Admiral of England to provide for the same, and to command all such persons as were any ways interested in that business to give their personal attendance upon his Majesty at the same time and place.

This resolution of his Majesty made known, there was preparation on both sides, to be provided both of information and defence, to give his Majesty satisfaction; but the contrary parties doubting their malicious practices would now be plainly discovered, never dreaming of such a course, they still laboured to bring disgraces upon me; informing, in this interim of ten days, if I might be suffered to continue the workmen upon the frames, I would so handle the matter that all things should be reformed that had by them been formerly found defective, both in point of materials and proportions; and therefore were earnest suitors to have all the workmen presently discharged, and the work to stand. His Majesty, upon the advice of some of the Lords, whereof the then Lord Treasurer, Sir Robert Cecil and Earl of Salisbury[278] being chief, would not consent on any condition to have the workmen absolutely discharged, but that order should be taken the work should cease, and the men continued at his Majesty's charge till the hearing should be past, and his Majesty determine what was after to be done. Whereupon his Majesty commanded a letter to be written to me to the same effect, charging me upon my allegiance to follow the directions therein contained, which I accordingly very carefully observed. In the mean time no day almost passed wherein Mr. Baker, Bright, Stevens, Clay, Graves, Captain Waymouth, with their malicious associates, did not meet at Woolwich to take all the dimensions of the ship, to deface the work by striking aside the shores, and condemning the materials, aggravating continual disgraces upon me, and railing despitefully to my face; which I was forced to endure with patience and put up with silence, flying to God, on whose mercy I wholly depended in these extremities.

The good Lord Admiral was not idle in this interim to provide for to give his Majesty full satisfaction in all things could be objected by the informers, and to that purpose carefully advising with Sir Robert Mansell and Sir John Trevor, principal Officers of his Majesty's Navy, together with myself, whom it did most concern, what course was to be held to meet all objections could be any ways produced against me; and for that the adverse part had made choice of a certain number of masters and builders in the river of Thames to strengthen their proceedings, it was held fit and resolved the like course should be taken by us for our better defence; whereupon sundry experienced men known to be honest and impartial of both kinds were nominated and appointed by warrant from the Lord Admiral to attend this service, some inhabiting about the river of Thames and others of remote places, with whom divers consultations were held, as well to inform them of the truth of every particular as also to satisfy their doubts in anything wherein it was fit they should be throughly resolved. I, for my own part, confident of mine own integrity, commending my cause to God, provided myself to be able to answer all objections whatsoever could be alleged against me, either in point of art, experience, or care, in this so weighty service of trust and consequence.

I must not here forget the princely favour of my royal, then master, Prince Henry, of ever famous memory, who in his noble care of me in the interim of the time appointed by his Majesty for my hearing did almost every day send me a comfortable encouragement by some one of his principal gentlemen to heart me on and put life into me, lest I should any ways be disheartened with the apprehension of the power of my great and potent adversary; and when the time grew near for my trial sent me a commandment to wait upon his Grace, the Sunday preceding the day, at St. James, which I accordingly performed; where his Highness vouchsafing to lead me in his hand through the park to Whitehall, in the public view and hearing of many people there attending to see him pass to the King, his father, did in such loving manner counsel me with such comfortable, wise, and grave advice touching my carriage and resolution in my trial, as was no little testimony of his principal care of me, to my great comfort, and joy of all those that were both eye and ear witnesses of it; besides casting[279] the worst that might be, if I had been overthrown by the censure of his Majesty, his Highness had graciously determined to have received me into a place in his house, and resolved to have provided for me whilst I had lived.

The time drawing now near, there was sent from London at the appointment of the Lord Admiral, hangings to furnish the room where his Majesty was to sit, and the next room to it where he was to withdraw, the one being the common dining room of the workmen, and the other my own dining room, both which I caused to be hanged and trimmed up with such furniture as was befitting such a presence, with all convenience the place could any ways afford.

On Monday morning, being the eighth day of May, the Lord Admiral came betimes to Woolwich, attended by Sir Robert Mansell, Sir John Trevor, and others, where his Lordship was met by all those persons which were formerly[280] warned to be there on our part, and his Lordship took those rooms which were fitted for his Majesty. Presently after came the Lord Northampton attended with all the spiteful crew of his informers, and he took Hugh Lydiard's house, being Clerk of the Check, which was fitted for him, and was there attended with all his rabble.

Before his Majesty's coming, Waymouth and his associates pryed up and down the yard, belching out nothing but disgraces, despiteful speeches, and base opprobrious terms, being so confident of their wished ends as they before had given out that I should be hanged and the work defaced at the least; which was likely enough to have proved so, had not God put a hook into their nostrils and by the justice of the King caused themselves to fall into the pit they digged for another.

The noble Admiral spent the time till his Majesty's coming very quietly and privately, consulting advisedly with those appointed for the business, never so much as taking notice of the base usage of them on their side.

All things being in a readiness, about eight of the clock his Majesty came in his caroche attended with Prince Henry and the principal Lords of his Majesty's Council. The Lord Northampton met him before he came to the ordinary gate of the yard, and used all the means he could to have led his Majesty through Lydiard's garden by a back way into his house; but his Majesty told his Lordship that the Lord Admiral, whom he espied waiting with his train at the ordinary gate of the yard, would justly take exception at his so doing, for that it belonged properly there to his Lordship to receive and entertain him. So alighting, the Lord Admiral, after his duty performed, guided his Majesty in the rooms provided purposely for the business, whom I ushered as belonged to my place.

After his Majesty had a little reposed, he desired the Lord Admiral to bring him to the sight of the work then in hand, which accordingly was done, directing his Majesty to a brow[281] or stage made at the stem of the ship, where he might perfectly take a perfect view of the whole ground work of the frame, being then about half set up and planked as high as the rungheads,[282] no foot-waling[283] as then begun. After his Majesty had satisfied himself sufficiently, he returned back to the place again, and there seated himself in the chair under the state,[284] at a little table standing right before him; the Prince and Lords taking their stands on his Majesty's right hand, with the Lord Admiral and all those warned on our part; and the Lord Northampton on the left hand of his Majesty, with all his crew of informers and others appointed to assist him on his part, of sea masters and shipwrights of the Thames.

These things thus ordered, his Majesty, silence be[ing] commanded by his gentlemen ushers, his Majesty began a very worthy speech; first to signify the cause of his coming to that place and how much it imported the royal care of a king to take to his personal examination a business of such consequence, as so much concerned the strength and honour of his Kingdom and State, besides the expense of his Treasure. Next he addressed his speech to the actors on both sides, to those that were informers and to those that were defendants; the substance of his royal speech tending to a religious exhortation that none of both sides should either accuse for malice or other pretence, or excuse for love, favour, or other particular respects, for that his Majesty, in the seat of justice presenting God's person, would not be deluded, nor led by any coloured pretences from understanding the very plain truth of that business which was to be handled; and therefore willed such on both sides whose conscience accused them either of malicious proceedings, private ends, or partial favour, to give over and depart before they took the oath to be administered unto them; threatening severe punishments to those should be found offenders herein; declaring what danger it was to be perjured before the Majesty of God and the King.

His Majesty's speech so effectually delivered to the purpose of the matter in hand to the admiration of the hearers, commandment was given to call the names of those to be sworn on both sides.

On Lord Northampton's side were:

_Seamen._

Sir Henry Middleton.[285]
Mr. Hugh Meritt.[286]
Captain Watts.[287]
Captain Norreys.[288]
Mr. Chester.[289]
Captain Waymouth.[290]
Captain Newport.[291]
Robert Rickman.[292]
Thomas Redwood.[293]
Captain Geare.[294]
Captain Moore.[295]
Mr. James Woodcott.[296]
Mr. Mathew Woodcott.[297]
Captain Miller.

_Shipwrights._

Mr. Mathew Baker.[298]
Mr. William Bright.[298]
Mr. Edward Stevens.[298]
Captain Waymouth.
Mr. Clay.[299]
Mr. Graves.[300]
Mr. Tranckmore.[301]
Mr. Lydiard.[302]

_Other Informers._

Thomas Buck.[303]
Clifton, a baker.[304]

Sworn on our part:--

_Seamen._

Mr. William Jones.[305]
Mr. William Bygatt.[306]
Mr. Michael Meriall.[307]
Mr. John King.[308]
Mr. George Ireland.
Mr. Arthur Pett.[309]
Mr. John Woodcott.[310]
Mr. Thomas Fuller.[311]
Mr. Robert Wright.[312]
Mr. Thomas Johnson.[313]
Mr. John Dawes.
Mr. Nicholas Diggens.[314]
Mr. Jorden.[315]
Mr. Michael Edmondes.

_Shipwrights._

Mr. William Burrell.[316]
Mr. Nicolas Simonson.[317]
Mr. Thomas Jenkins.[318]
Mr. Thomas Cole.[319]
Mr. Thomas Prime.[319]

_Carpenters of his Majesty's Navy._

Lawrence Andrews.[320]
David Duck.[321]
Robert Bromadge.
Thomas Cateroll.
John Elye.
Thomas Hampton.
Nicholas Surtis.[322]
Robert Sharpe.[322]

These several persons being called and appearing, the form of the oath was read unto them by the Right Honourable Sir Robert Cecil, Earl of Salisbury, and then Lord Treasurer, who personated the Clerk of the Session, and the book was presented to them by the Right Honourable Charles Howard, Earl of Nottingham, Lord High Admiral of England.

These ceremonies performed, his Majesty willed the Lord Northampton to begin his accusation, and then I was called personally to answer and kneeled right before his Majesty, near the side of the table; the Lord High Admiral standing at my left hand, Sir Robert Mansell and Sir John Trevor standing both right behind me. The accusation against me was exhibited by the Lord Northampton in writing,[323] containing sundry articles in point of my sufficiency, art, and experience, and in point of my care and honesty in discharge of my duty in putting in unserviceable materials to the great detriment of his Majesty's Service. His Majesty perceiving the articles to be many and very intricate to answer each particular, very judiciously contracted all the business to three principal heads: the point of art, the point of sufficiency of materials, and the point of charge; and to these heads I was commanded to frame my answers, and they their accusations. I must confess that at the first I was so daunted with the majesty of the King, the power of my adversary, and the confused urging of the objections, that I was confounded in myself till it pleased God, by the helps of the Lord Treasurer and his discreet directions,[324] I was recollected and recovered my spirits, and so orderly answered to each objection; his Majesty still holding us on both sides to the proposition.

Much time was spent in dispute of proportions, comparing my present frame with former precedents and dimensions of the best ships, for length, breadth, depth, floor, and other circumstances; in all which they could not fasten anything upon me but reflected to their disgrace and apparent breach of oath, and plain demonstration and expression of combined practice.

One point of proportion was mainly insisted upon and with much violence and eagerness urged on both sides, which was the square of the ship's flat in the midships,[325] they affirming constantly upon their oath it was full thirteen foot, we as constantly insisting that it was but eleven foot and eight inches; but because this difference was long and could not be tried upon the small plates his Majesty referred the trial to be made upon the great platform, which was purposely framed of planks, to the full scale of the ship, where all the lines of the midship bend[326] were drawn, and the square of the flat truly described, with their centres, perpendiculars, and sweeps; which trial, because it much concerned the truth or falsity of all the rest, his Majesty would not give trust to any of those that were by oath interested in the same, but made choice of the noble and worthy knight, Sir Thomas Chaloner, then Governor of the Prince's Highness' household, and of the learned reverend gentleman Mr. Briggs,[327] reader of geometry lecture in Gresham College in London, and Master of Art and student in St. John's in Cambridge, who were to decide this controversy.

This thus concluded, we came to the point of charge; to which was answered that the charge of the building of this ship should not exceed other ships that had been built in her Majesty's times, I mean Queen Elizabeth of famous and happy memory, allowing proportion for proportion, the garnishing not exceeding theirs. This gave full satisfaction to this point of charge, being the second head propounded. It then being almost one of the clock, his Majesty called for his dinner, referring the other points to be handled in the ship, after dinner. All this time I sat upon my knees, baited by the great Lord and his bandogs; sometimes by Baker, sometimes by Bright, Stevens, Clay, gaping Waymouth, and sometimes confusedly by all; and, which was worst, his Majesty's angry countenance still bent upon me, so that I was almost disheartened and out of breath, albeit the Prince's Highness, standing near me, from time to time encouraged me as far as he might without offence to his father, labouring to have me eased by standing up, but his Majesty would not permit it.

So soon as his Majesty and the Lords had dined, the King rose and went into the body of the frame of the ship, to make trial of the goodness of the materials. All the lower futtocks[328] were placed, and many upper futtocks also. The adverse part had chalked with a mark almost half the lower futtocks for red[329] wood, cross-grained, and merely[330] unserviceable, all which timbers his Majesty caused to be dubbed[331] by the workmen ready with their tools for that purpose, and being tried they were all approved very sound and serviceable; and touching the cross-grained timber his Majesty protested very earnestly the cross grain was in the men and not in the timber. His Majesty spent much time in the survey of these things, still giving way to what objections the adverse part could allege, and what answer I could make in my defence.

This business performed within board and his Majesty well satisfied in every particular, he openly delivered that the ship would be too strong if one third of the timber[332] were left out; and then began to give me a princely countenance and encouragement, protesting oftentimes that all this grievous accusation proceeded of nothing but malice. Then his Majesty came without board and curiously[333] surveyed the planks, trenails, and workmanship, all which gave him such good satisfaction as still confirmed his opinion of their malicious proceedings.

All the while his Majesty was intentive upon this search, the gentlemen forenamed, that were appointed for the trial of the point of the true flat of the floor, they were busied in taking off the measures from the ship and bringing them to the platform; and when they found by due trial all the lines to be truly set off, they acquainted his Majesty that all things was in readiness. His Majesty then, having received satisfaction of all things about the frame, repaired to the platform, attended with the Prince, the Lords, and many thousand spectators besides. His Majesty then caused those gentlemen to measure each dimension of breadth and depth for his own satisfaction, and then coming to the point of the square of the floor, whether it were answering their assertion of 13 foot, or agreeable to ours of eleven foot eight inches, the square of 13 foot was tried from the true centre and perpendicular, which being applied to the sweeps of the mould did differ above 16 inches at the runghead, the like trial made by our true centre and perpendicular fell as just in our lines as could be possibly; which done, his Majesty with a loud voice commanded the measurers to declare publicly the very truth, which when they had delivered clearly on our sides, all the whole multitude heaved up their hats, and gave a great and a loud shout and acclamation, and then the Prince's Highness called with a high voice in these words: 'Where be now these perjured fellows that dare thus abuse his Majesty with these false informations, do they not worthily deserve hanging?'

By that time all these things were thus performed and his Majesty wonderfully satisfied, and it growing somewhat late, his Majesty returned again into the hall where he formerly sat; and being placed, and the room filled as full as it could be packed, his Majesty began a most worthy and learned speech for conclusion of the business, the scope of his words tending first to a full declaration of the satisfaction he had received touching this great business, wherein he expressed with many effectual speeches what content he received in bestowing his pains that day to so good a purpose; next his Majesty addressed himself to give thanks to the Lord Northampton for his great care and diligence to search out such errors in the Office of the Admiralty, wherein his Majesty and the State were abused, with encouragement for him to go forward with prosecuting his commission, notwithstanding his Lordship had been misinformed by being drawn to question this present business; next, his Majesty directed his speech to Mr. Baker, Bright, Stevens and the rest of the informers, very bitterly reprehending their malicious practices, more to bring to effect their own private ends than out of any conscionable care of the good of his Majesty's Service or benefit of the State, repining at the preferment I had and the countenance of the Prince, his son, and therefore combining together to disgrace and ruin me, though otherwise they envied one another and were at controversy who should be preferred to my business; with many good exhortations to will them to beware how they did abuse the Majesty of God and himself, his substitute, with malicious informations in which he could do no less than think them perjured, as in the prosecuting of this whole business was too apparent to himself and all the world, whereby they deserved to be severely punished, if he should censure them as they worthily merited.

His Majesty then began to shew me a very pleasing countenance and turned his speech to me, willing me not to be discountenanced with these proceedings against me, since he was now sufficiently persuaded of my honesty, integrity and abilities to perform what I had undertaken, advising me not to refuse counsel of my fellow servants since it was his service, wherein we ought to join together for his good and the honour of the State; with many other princely expressions of his good opinion of me and readiness, not only to give me countenance, but assurance of future favour towards me; and lastly he cleared all imputations and aspersions unjustly cast upon the Lord High Admiral, with recital of all his honourable services performed to the honour of the State and his perpetual fame, commending his great wisdom and impartial carriage of himself in this day's trial, wherein he was never observed to give any impediment to his Majesty's judicial proceedings but all furtherance possible, as was both evidently manifest to his Majesty by the great pains he had endured that day and the noble patience he had given public testimony of to all present which were eye witnesses of it; with many other gracious speeches to put new life and power into him to go on as he had begun to the perpetual eternizing his name and honour: then, giving general thanks to those that had taken pains in that day's business, with protestation of his princely care in all matters of such consequence for the safety and honour of the State and Kingdom, he concluded his speech.

Then the noble Admiral, as his Majesty was rising, humbly besought his Majesty to license him to speak a few words, as well to declare his own innocency concerning these unjust accusations, as to clear me in the point both of my sufficiency and my care and honesty to perform the service entrusted to me, to which his honourable request (though it grew now to be late) his Majesty most willingly condescended.

The sum of his Lordship's speech tended to admire[334] and extol his Majesty's justice, great wisdom, and princely care of the good of the commonwealth, in that he had refused no pains (as this day's work and honourable assembly could justly witness) to provide to rectify and set straight, to the wonder and admiration of them all, a work of so great a consequence, and of such a kind of intricacy as his Majesty had never been accustomed to before, and yet so clearly to examine and try in so short a space, as if he had only [been] bred and accustomed to such elements, with many other honourable speeches tending to that purpose. His Lordship then laying his hand upon my head, standing next unto him upon his right hand, did there freely offer to pawn all his lands, his honour, and his life, in my behalf for the performance and finishing of this royal work; which being once perfected, if his Majesty (by the advice of the best experienced artist and seamen of the Kingdom) should dislike, he would willingly, with help of his, take off from his Majesty's hands at his and their proper charge with[out] any damage or loss to his Majesty; and this did his Lordship deliver with such bold, assured, confident earnestness as gave much content to his Majesty and satisfaction to the Prince, the Lords, and most part of the rest of the standers by.

To this speech his Majesty replied briefly with gracious acknowledgments of his princely acceptance of his Lordship's true, faithful service and zeal expressed in that his worthy speech, of which he had so great assurance as he confidently protested never king could be more happy than himself in the service of such an honourable subject; and therefore there was no need why he should any ways engage neither himself nor his honour in that which his Majesty had, by the course of upright justice, before the face of God and the world, so apparently cleared; this said, his Majesty rose.

In passing through the hall, the Lord Admiral going before and leading me in his hand, the Lord Thomas Howard, then Lord Chamberlain of the Household, made a motion to his Majesty to lay a charge upon me that I should not make any quarrel against any person or persons that had that day given information against me, alleging he knew my stomach to be such as, if I were not contained by his Majesty's commandment, I would call them to account for their doings, whereupon blood might ensue.

His Majesty, giving ear to what his Lordship advised, gave him thanks for his worthy counsel; and calling me unto him before the whole company, I sitting upon my knees, he gave me an especial charge upon my allegiance and life that I should not quarrel or challenge any person or persons whatsoever that had that day given information against me, alleging I had honour sufficient to have been cleared of all questions and objections unjustly laid to my charge by the equity of my cause and his justice.

This speech concluded, his Majesty hastened to take his caroche which attended at the gate: the noble Lord Admiral brought me in his hand to his Majesty, to kiss his royal hand and take my leave. His Majesty gave me his hand to kiss with such an expression of his princely favour and encouragements to proceed cheerfully in my business as did not only infuse new life into me, but also gave great comfort and content to all the standers by.

Then I presented myself upon my knee to the most noble Prince my then master, who, taking me from the ground, did so affectionately express his joy for my clearing and the satisfaction his father had received that day, that he protested he would not only countenance and comfort me hereafter but care to provide for me and my posterity while he lived. I received the like noble courtesy from all the lords, who declared their joy for the happy success[335] God gave me in this great deliverance.

The great Lord of Northampton, seeing the event of this business, and that all things sorted out clean contrary to his expectation, railing bitterly against his informing instruments, took the back way to his coach and would not so much as take any leave of his Majesty, but posted away with no little expression of great discontentment, as did also the rest of his partakers.

The Lord Admiral attended his Majesty, being never better contented in all his life, and returned to Whitehall with the company, it being almost eight of the clock before they went from Woolwich.

Sir Robert Mansell, Sir John Trevor, Captain Button,[336] and the rest of my good friends followed, amongst whom was the good old Lady Mansell and Mrs. Button, who had taken the pains to attend the hearing in an inner room all that day.

This day, as it was a very tedious day unto me by reason I was to answer all objections and kneel so long together, so was it a day of jubilee to me, a day never to be forgotten of me nor mine; wherein my good God shewed me wonderful favour and mercy to enable me to endure the frowns of the King, and to strengthen my weak abilities to withstand the malice of such and so many powerful adversaries by the space of one whole long summer's day, for his Majesty (albeit he was sufficiently persuaded of their malice and my integrity) yet till he had cleared all doubts by the course of strict examination, and found me in his justice guiltless, he would show me no countenance at all; but after their malice was discovered, and all those heads and points fully answered and clearly resolved, his Majesty then both in countenance, words, and all other princely expressions, declared his royal disposition towards me.

The next day, being the 9th of May, I began the work again, every man striving to express his willingness thereunto by reason of the great encouragement his Majesty had publicly and generally given to them; and within two or three days after, the Lord Admiral, Sir Robert Mansell, and Sir John Trevor, advising together with me, we resolved to move the Lords of the Council to have two principal men, which were Master Shipwrights, to be by their order appointed to repair twice at least in the week to Woolwich, to survey the provisions, and to foresee that no unserviceable materials should be wrought upon the ship, which we did to clear all suspicions of any ends of our own. This accordingly was consented to of the Lords, and Mr. Mathew Baker and Henry Reynolds were appointed to be the overseers, who for fashion's sake some three or four times came to Woolwich, but finding our care to be more to perform honestly than theirs could be to prevent with their best endeavours, they gave over the trust recommended to them and left me to myself.

The 7th of June following, the Red Lion, which was newly rebuilt by Mr. Baker at Deptford, was launched; where was present the King's Majesty and the Prince, I attending then near the place at the great storehouse end, where his Majesty had his standing; he was pleased very graciously to confer with me and to use me with extraordinary expressions of his princely favour.

The 8th day of June, being the Thursday in Whitsun week, his Majesty began to hear the great and general cause of the Navy in his Presence Chamber at[337] Greenwich, wherein three whole days was spent in several examinations of the truth and circumstances of the informations delivered by the Lord Northampton and his agents, against Sir Robert Mansell, Sir John Trevor, Captain Button, Sir Thomas Bludder, Mr. Legatt,[338] myself and many others.