CHAPTER VI.

HOGHTON TOWER.

About a month after the occurrence last described,
and early on a fine morning in August, Nicholas Asshe-
ton and Richard Sherborne rode forth together from
the proud town of Preston. Both were gaily attired
in doublets and hose of yellow velvet, slashed with white
silk, with mantles to match, the latter being somewhat
conspicuously embroidered on the shoulder with a wild
bull, worked in gold, and underneath it the motto
" Malgr'u le Tort." Followed at a respectful distance
by four mounted attendants, the two gentlemen had
crossed the bridge over the Ribble, and were wend-
ing their way along the banks of a tributary stream,
the Darwen, within a short distance of the charm-
ing village of Walton-le-Dale, when they perceived
a horseman advancing slowly towards them, whom
they instantly hailed as Richard Assheton, and push-
ing forward, were soon beside him. Both were
much shocked by the young man's haggard looks,
and inquired anxiously as to his- health, but Richard

TIIE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 209

bade tliem, with a melancholy smile, not be uneasy,
for all would be well with him ere long.

" All will be over with you, lad, if you don't mind ;
and that's, perhaps, what you mean," replied Nicholas ;
"but as soon as the royal festivities at Hoghton are
over I'll set about your cure ; and what's more, I'll
accomplish it, for I know where the seat of the disease
lies better than Doctor Morphew, your family physician
at Middlcton. Tis near the heart, Dick — near the
heart. Ha ! — I see I have touched you, lad. But,
beshrew me, you are very strangely attired, in a
suit of sable velvet, with a black Spanish hat and
feather, for a festival ! You look as if going to a
funeral. I am fearful his Majesty may take it amiss.
Why not wear the livery of our house ?"

"Nay, if it comes to that," rejoined Richard, " why
do not you and Sherborne wear it, instead of flaunting
like daws in borrowed plumage? I scarce know you
in your strange garb, and certainly should not take you
for an Assheton, or aught pertaining to our family,
from your gaudy colours and the strange badge on
your shoulder."

" I don't wonder at it, Dick," said Nicholas ; " I
scarce know myself, and though the clothes I wear are
well made enough, they seem to sit awkwardly on me,
and trouble me as much as the shirt of Nessus did Her-
cules of old. For the nonce I am Sir Richard Hoghton's
retainer. I must own I was angry with myself when
I saw Sir Ralph Assheton with his long train of gen-

YOL. III. P

210 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.

tlemen, all in murrey-coloured cloaks and doublets, at
Myerscough Lodge, while I, his cousin, was habited
like one of another house. And when I would
have excused my apparent defection to Sir Ralph,
he answered coldly, ' It was better as it was, for he
could scarce have found room for me among his
friends.' "

" Do not fret yourself, Nicholas," rejoined Sher-
borne ; " Sir Ralph cannot reasonably take offence
at a mere piece of good nature on your part. But
this does not explain why Richard affects a colour so
sombre."

" I am the retainer of one whose livery is sombre,"
replied the young man, with a ghastly smile. " But
enough of this," he added, endeavouring to assume a
livelier air j " I suppose you are on the way to Hogh-
ton Tower. I thought to reach Preston before you
were up, but I might have recollected you are no lag-
a-bed, Nicholas, not even after hard drinking over-
night, as witness your feats at Whalley. To be frank
with you, I feared being led into like excesses, and so
preferred passing the night at the quiet little inn at
Walton-le-Dale to coining on to you at the Castle at
Preston, which I knew would be full of noisy roy-
sterers."

"Full it was, even to overflowing," replied the
squire, " but you should have come, Dick, for, by my
troth! we had a right merry night of it. Stephen
Hamcrton, of Helly field Peel, with his wife, and her

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 211

sister, sweet Mistress Doll Lister, supped with us ; and
we had music, dancing, and singing, and abundance of
good cheer. Nouns ! Dick, Doll Lister is a delightful
lass, and if you can only get Alizon out of your head,
would be just the wife for you. She sings like an
angel, has the most captivating sigh-and-die-away
manner, and the prettiest rounded figure ever bodice
kept in. Were I in your place I should know where
to choose. But you will see her at Hoghton to-day,
for she is to be at the banquet and masque."

" Your description does not tempt me," said Richard ;
11 1 have no taste for sigh-and-die-away damsels. Do-
rothy Lister, however, is accounted fair enough, but
were she fascinating as Venus herself, in my present
mood I should not regard her."

" r faith, lad, I pity you, if such be the case," shrug-
ging his shoulders, more in contempt than compassion.

"Waste not your sympathy upon me," replied
Richard ; "but, tell me, how went the show at Preston
yesterday?"

" Excellently well, and much to his Majesty's satis-
faction," answered the squire. " Proud Preston never
was so proud before, and never with such good reason,
for if the people be poor, according to the proverb, they
took good care to hide their poverty. Bombards were
fired from the bridge, and the church bells rang loud
enough to crack the steeple, and bring it down about
the ears of the deafened lieges. The houses were him 2:
with carpets and arras ; the streets strewn ankle deep

p2

212 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.

with sand and sawdust ; the cross in the market-place
was bedecked with garlands of flowers like a May-pole ;
and the conduit near it ran wine. At noon there was
more firing, and, amidst flourishes of trumpets, rolling
of drums, squeaking of fifes, and prodigious shouting,
bonnie King Jamie came to the cross, where a speech was
made him by Master Breares, the Recorder; after which
the corporation presented his Majesty with a huge silver
bowl, in token of their love and loyalty. The King
seemed highly pleased with the gift, and observed to the
Duke of Buckingham, loud enough to be heard by the
bystanders, who reported his speech to me, ' God's santie !
it's a braw bicker, Steenie, and might serve for a chris-
tening-cup, if we had need of siccan a vessel, which,
Heaven be praised, we ha'e na !' After this there waa
a grand banquet in the town-hall ; and when the heat
of the day was over the King left with his train for
Hoghton Tower, visiting the alum mines on the way
thither. We are bidden to breakfast by Sir Richard,
so we must push on, Dick, for his Majesty is an early
riser, like myself. We are to have rare sport to-day.
Hunting in the morning, a banquet, and, as I have al-
ready intimated, a masque at night, in which Sir George
Goring and Sir John Finett will play, and in which I
have been solicited to take the drolling part of Jem
Tospot — nay, laugh not, Dick, Sherborne says I shall
play it to the life — as well as to find some mirthful dame
to enact the companion part of Doll Wango. I have
spoken with two or three on the subject, and fancy one of

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 213

them will oblige me. There is another matter on which

I am engaged. I am to present a petition to his Majesty
from a great number of the lower orders in this county,
praying they may be allowed to take their diversions,
as of old accustomed, after divine service on Sundays;
and though I am the last man to desire any violation
of the Sabbath, being somewhat puritanically inclined,
as they now phrase it, yet I cannot think any harm can
ensue from lawful recreation and honest exercise.
Still, I would any one were chosen to present the peti-
tion rather than myself."

" Have no misgivings on the subject," said Richard,
" but urge the matter strongly ; and if you need sup-
port, I will give you all I can, for I feel we are best
observing the divine mandate by making the Sabbath
a day of rest, and observing it cheerfully. And this, I
apprehend, is the substance of your petition ?"

" The whole sum and substance," replied Nicholas ;

II and I have reason to believe his Majesty's wishes are
in accordance with it."

" They are known to be so,'' said Sherborne.

" I am glad to hear it," cried Richard. " God save
King James, the friend of the people !"

" Ay, God save King James ?" echoed Nicholas;
" and if he grant this petition he will prove himself
their friend, for he will have all the clergy against him,
and will be preached against from half the pulpits in
the kingdom."

u Little harm will ensue if it should be so,'3 replied

214 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.

Richard ; " for lie will be cheered and protected by the
prayers of a grateful and happy people."

They then rode on for a few minutes in silence, after
which Richard inquired —

" You had brave doings at Myerscough Lodge, I
suppose, Nicholas ?"

"Ay, marry had we," answered the squire, " and the
feasting must have cost Ned Tyldesley a pretty penny.
Besides the King and his own particular attendants,
there were some dozen noblemen and their followers,
including the Duke of Buckingham, who moves about
like a king himself, and I know not how many knights
and gentlemen. Sherborne and I rode over from Dun-
now, and reached the forest immediately after the King
had entered it in his coach, so we took a short cut
through the woods, and came up just in time to join
Sir Richard Hoghton's train as he was riding up to Ins
Majesty. Fancy a wide glade, down which a great
gilded coach is slowly moving, drawn by eight horses,
and followed by a host of noblemen and gentlemen, in
splendid apparel, their esquires and pages equally richly
arrayed, and equally well mounted ; and, after these, nu-
merous falconers, huntsmen, prickers, foresters, and yeo-
men, with staghounds in leash, and hawk on fist, all
ready for the sport. Fancy all this, if you can, Dick, and
then conceive what a brave si^ht it must have been.
Well, as I said, we came up in the very nick of time,
for presently the royal coach stopped, and Sir Richard
Hoghton, calling all his gentlemen around him, and

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 215

bidding us dismount, and Ave followed him, and drew
up, bareheaded, before the King, while Sir Richard
pointed out to his Majesty the boundaries of the royal
forest, and told him he would find it as well stocked
with deer as any in his kingdom. Before putting an
end to the conference, the King complimented the wor-
thy Knight on the gallant appearance of his train, and
on learning we were all gentlemen, graciously signified
his pleasure that some of us should be presented to him.
Amongst others, I was brought forward by Sir Richard,
and liking my looks, I suppose, the King was conde-
scending enough to enter into conversation with me,
and as his discourse chiefly turned on sporting matters,
I was at home with him at once, and he presently grew
so familiar with me, that I almost forgot the presence
in which I stood. However, his Majesty seemed in no
way offended by my freedom, but, on the contrary,
clapped me on the shoulder, and said, ' Maister Assheton,
for a country gentleman, you're weel-mannered, and
weel-informed, and I shall be glad to see more of you
while I stay in these parts.' After this, the good-
natured monarch mounted his horse, and the huntinor

o

began, and a famous day's work we made of it, his
Majesty killing no fewer than five fine bucks with his
own hand."

" You are clearly on the road to preferment, Nicho-
las," observed Richard, with a smile. " You will out-
strip Buckingham himself, if you go on in this way."

" So I tell him," observed Sherborne, laughing ;

216 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.

" and, by my faith ! young Sir Gilbert Hoghton, who,
owing to his connexion by marriage with Buckingham,
is a greater man than his father, Sir Richard, looked
quite jealous, for the King more than once called out
to Nicholas in the chase, and took the wood-knife from
him when he broke up the last deer, which is accounted
a mark of especial favour."

" Well, gentlemen," said the squire, " I shall not
stand in my own light, depend upon it ; and if I should
bask in court sunshine, you shall partake of the rays.
If I do become master of the household, in lieu of the
Duke of Richmond, or master of the horse and. cup-
bearer to his Majesty, in place of his Grace of Buck-
ingham, I will not forget you."

" We are greatly indebted to you, my Lord Marquess
of Downham and Duke of Pendle Hill, that is to be,"
rejoined Sherborne, taking off his cap, with mock reve-
rence; " and perhaps, for the sake of your sweet sister
and my spouse, Dorothy, you will make interest to
have me appointed gentleman of the bedchamber?1'

" Doubt it not— doubt it not," replied Nicholas, in a
patronising tone.

" My ambition soars higher than yours, Sherborne,"
said Richard ; " I must be lord keeper of the privy seal
or nothing."

"Oh! what you will, gentlemen, what you will!"
cried Nicholas, "you can ask me nothing I will not
grant — always provided I have the means."

A turn in the road now showed them Hoo-hton

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 217

Tower, crowning the summit of an isolated and conical
hill, about two miles off. Rising proudly in the midst
of a fair and fertile plain, watered by the Ilibble and
the Darwen, the stately edifice seemed to command the
whole country. And so King James thought, as, from
the window of his chamber, he looked down upon the
magnificent prospect around him, comprehending on
the one hand the vast forests of Myerscough and Bow-
land, stretching as far as the fells near Lancaster, and,
on the other, an open but still undulating country,
beautifully diversified with wood and water, well-
peopled and well-cultivated, green with luxuriant
pastures, yellow with golden grain, or embowered with
orchards, boasting many villages and small towns, as
well as two lovely rivers, which combining their cur-
rents at Walton-le-Dale, gradually expanded till they
ncared the sea, which could be seen gleaming through
openings in the distant hills. As the King surveyed
this fair scene, and thought how strong was the position
of the mansion, situated as it was upon high cliffs
springing abruptly from the Darwen, and how fa-
vourably circumstanced, with its forests and park, for
the enjoyment of the chace, of which he was passion-
ately fond, how capable of defence, and how well
adapted for a hunting-seat, he sighed to think it
did not belong to the crown. Nor was he wrong in
his estimate of its strength, for in after years, during
the civil wars, it held out stoutly against the parlia-
mentary forces, and was only reduced at last by

218 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.

treachery, when part of its gate-tower was blown up,
destroying an officer and two hundred men, "in that
blast most wofully."

Though the hour was so early, the road was already
thronged, not only with horsemen and pedestrians of
every degree from Preston, but with rude lumber-
ing vehicles from the neighbouring villages of
Plessington, Brockholes, and Cuerden, driven by
farmers, who, with their buxom dames and cherry-
cheeked daughters, decked out in holiday finery, hoped
to gain admittance to Hoghton Tower, or, at all events,
obtain a peep of the King as he rode out to hunt. Most
of these were saluted by Nicholas, who scrupled not to
promise them admission to the outer court of the
Tower, and even went so far as to offer some of the
comelier damsels a presentation to the King. Occa-
sionally, the road was enlivened by strains of music
from a band of minstrels, by a song or a chorus from
others, or by the gamesome tricks of a party of
mummers. At one place, a couple of tumblers and a
clown were performing their feats on a cloth stretched on
the grass beneath a tree. Here the crowd collected for a
few minutes, but presently gave way to loud shouts,
attended by the cracking of whips, proceeding from two
grooms in the yellow and white livery of Sir Richard
Hoghton, who headed some half dozen carts rilled with
provisions, carcases of sheep and oxen, turkeys and
geese, pullets and capons, fish, bread, and vegetables,
all bent for Hoghton Tower; for though Sir Richard

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 219

had made vast preparations for his guests, he found his
supplies, great as they were, wholly inadequate to their
wants. Cracking their whips in answer to the shouts
with which they were greeted, the purveyors galloped
on, many a hungry wight looking wistfully after them.

Nicholas and his companions were now at the
entrance of Hoghton Park, through which the Dar-
wen coursed, after washing the base of the rocky
heights on which the mansion was situated. Here four
yeomen of the guard, armed with halbcrts, and an
officer, were stationed, and no one was admitted with-
out an order from Sir Richard Hoo-hton. Possessing a
pass, the squire and his companions with their atten-
dants were, of course, allowed to enter, but the throng
accompanying them were sent over the bridge, and
along a devious road skirting the park, which, though
it went more than a mile round, eventually brought
them to their destination.

Hoghton Park, though not very extensive, boasted a
great deal of magnificent timber, and in some places
was so thickly wooded that, according to Dr. Kucrden,
lc a man passing through it could scarce have seen the
sun shine at middle of day." Into one of these tene-
brous groves the horsemen now plunged, and for some
moments were buried in the gloom produced by
matted and overhanging boughs. Issuing once more
into the warm sunshine, they traversed a long and
beautiful sylvan glade, skirted by ancient oaks, with
mighty arms and gnarled limbs — the patriarchs of the

220 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.

forest. In the open ground on the left were scattered
a few ash trees, and beneath them browsed a herd of
fallow deer ; while crossing the lower end of the e^lade
was a large herd of red deer, for which the park was
famous, the hinds tripping nimbly and timidly away,
but the lordly stags, with their branching antlers, stand-
ing for a moment at gaze, and disdainfully regarding
the intruders on their domain. Little did they think
how soon and severely their courage would be tried, or
how soon the mort would be sounded for their -pryse
by the huntsman. But if, happily for themselves, the
poor leathern-coated fools could not foresee their doom,
it was not equally hidden from Nicholas, who predicted
wdiat would ensue, and pointed out one noble hart
which he thought worthy to die by the King's own
hand. As if he understood him, the stately beast
tossed his antlered head aloft, and plunged into the
adjoining thicket ; but the squire noted the spot where
he had disappeared.

The glade led them into the chace, a glorious hunt-
ing-ground of about two miles in circumference, sur-
rounded by an amphitheatre of wood, and studded by
noble forest trees. Variety and beauty were lent to it
by an occasional knoll, crowned with timber, or by
numerous ferny dells and dingles. As the horsemen
entered upon the chace, they observed at a short dis-
tance from them a herd of the beautiful, but fierce wild
cattle, originally from Bowland Forest, and still pre-
served in the park. White and spangled in colour,

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 221

with short sharp horns, fine eyes, and small shapely
limbs, these animals were of untameable fierceness,
possessed of great cunning, and ever ready to assault
any one who approached them. They would often at-
tack a solitary individual, gore him, and trample him
to death. Consequently, they were far more dreaded
than the wild boars, with which, as with every other
sort of game, the neighbouring woods were plenti-
fully stocked. Well aware of the danger they ran, the
party watched the herd narrowly and distrustfully,
and would have galloped on, but this would only have
provoked pursuit, and the wild cattle were swifter than
any horses. Suddenly, a milk-white bull trotted out
from the rest of the herd, bellowing fiercely, lashing
his sides with his tail, and lowering his head to the
ground, as if meditating an attack. His example was
speedily followed by the others, and the whole herd
began to beat the ground and roar loudly. Much
alarmed by these hostile manifestations, the party were
debating whether to stand the onset, or trust to the
ileetness of their steeds for safety, when just as the whole
herd, with tails erect, and dilated nostrils were gallop-
ing towards them, assistance appeared in the persons of
some ten or a dozen mounted prickers, who, armed with
long poles pointed with iron, issued with loud shouts
from an avenue opening upon the chace. At sight of
them, the whole herd wheeled round and fled, but were
pursued by the prickers till they were driven into the
depths of the furthest thicket. Six of the prickers
remained watching over them during the day, in order

222 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.

that the royal hunting party might not be disturbed,
and the woods echoed with the bellowing of the angry
brutes.

While this was going forward, the squire and his
companions, congratulating themselves on their narrow
escape, galloped off, and entered the long avenue of
sycamores, from which the prickers had emerged.

At the head of a steep ascent, partly hewn out
of the rock, and partly skirted by venerable and ma-
jestic trees, forming a continuation of the avenue,
rose the embattled gate -tower of the proud edifice
they were approaching, and which now held the
monarch of the land, and the highest and noblest of his
court as guests within its halls. From the top of the
central tower of the gateway floated the royal banner,
while at the very moment the party reached the foot
of the hill, they were saluted by a loud peal of ord-
nance discharged from the side towers, proclaiming that
the King had arisen ; and as the smoke from the
culverins wreathed round the standard, a flourish of
trumpets was blown from the walls, and martial music
resounded from the court.

Roused by these stirring sounds, Nicholas spurred bis
horse up the rocky ascent, and followed closely by his
companions, who were both nearly as much excited as
himself, speedily gained the great gateway — a massive
and majestic structure, occupying the centre of the
western front of the mansion, and consisting of three
towers of great strength and beauty, the mid tower far
over-topping the other two, as in the arms of Old

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 223

Castile, and sustaining, as was its right, the royal stand-
ard. On the platform stood the trumpeters with their
silk-fringed clarions, and the iron mouths of the cul-
verins, which had been recently discharged, protruded
through the battlements. The arms and motto of the
Hoghtons, carved in stone, wrere placed upon the gate-
way, with the letters '££. pj., the initials of the founder
of the tower. Immediately above the arched entrance
was the sculptured figure of a knight slaying a dragon.

In front of the gateway a large crowd of per-
sons were assembled, consisting of the inferior gentry
of the neighbourhood with their wives, daughters, and
servants, clergymen, attornies, chirurgeons, farmers, and
tradesmen of all kind from the adjoining towns of Black-
burn, Preston, Chorley, Haslingden, Garstang, and even
Lancaster. Representatives in some sort or other of almost
every town and village in the county might be found
amongst the motley assemblage, which, early as it was,
numbered several hundreds, many of those from the
more distant places having quitted their homes soon after
midnight. Admittance was naturally sought by all,
but here the same rule was observed as at the park
gate, and no one was allowed to enter, even the base
court, without authority from the lord of the mansion.
The great gates were closed, and two files of hal-
berdiers were drawn up under the deep archway, to
keep the passage clear, and quell disturbance in case
any should occur ; while a gigantic porter, stationed
in front of the wicket, rigorously scrutinised the passes.

224 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.

These precautions naturally produced delay, and though
many of the better part of the crowd were en-
titled to admission, it was not without much pushing
and squeezing, and considerable detriment to their gay
apparel, that they were enabled to effect their object.

The comfort of those outside the walls had not,
however, been altogether neglected by Sir Richard
Hoghton, for sheds were reared under the trees,
where stout March beer, together with cheese and
bread, or oaten cakes and butter, were freely distri-
buted to all applicants; so that, if some were disap-
pointed, few were discontented, especially when told that
the gates would be thrown open at noon, when, during
the time the King and the nobles feasted in the great
banquet-hall, they might partake of a wild bull
from the park, slaughtered expressly for the occasion,
which was now being roasted whole within the base court.
That the latter was no idle promise they had the as-
surance of thick smoke rising above the walls, laden
with the scent of roast meat, and, moreover, they could
see through the wicket a great fire blazing and crack-
ling on the green, with a huge carcase on an im-
mense spit before it, and a couple of turn-broaches
basting it*

As Nicholas and his companions forced their way
through this crowd, which was momently receiving ad-
ditions as fresh arrivals took place, the squire recognised
many old acquaintances, and was nodding familiarly
right and left, when he encountered a woman's eye

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 225

fixed keenly upon him, and to his surprise beheld Nance
Redferne. Nance, who had lost none of her good
looks, was very gaily attired, with her fine chestnut hair
knotted with ribands, her stomacher similarly adorned,
and her red petticoat looped up, so as to display an
exceedingly trim ancle and small foot ; and under other
circumstances, Nicholas might not have minded stay-
ing to chat with her, but just now it was out of the
question, and he hastily turned his head another
way. As ill luck, however, would have it, a stoppage
occurred at the moment, during which Nance forced
her way up to him, and taking hold of his arm, said in
a low tone,

" Yo mun tae me in wi' ye, squoire."

" Take you in with me — impossible," cried Nicholas.

uNah ! it's neaw impossible," rejoined Nance, perti-
naciously ; "yo con do it, an yo shan. Yo owe me a
good turn, and mun repay it now."

" But why the devil do you want to go in?" cried
Nicholas, impatiently. " You know the King is the
sworn enemy of all witches, and amongst this concourse,
some one is sure to recognise you, and betray you. I
cannot answer for your safety if I do take you in.
In my opinion, you were extremely unwise to venture
here at all."

" Ne'er heed my wisdom or my folly, boh do as cy
bid yo, or yo'n repent it," said Nance.

"Why, you can get in without my aid," observed

VOL. III. Q

226 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.

the squire, trying to laugh it off. " You can easily
fly over the walls."

" Ey ha' left my broomstick a-whoam," replied
Nance — " boh no more jesting. Win yo do it ?"

" Well, well, I suppose I must," replied Nicholas,
" but I wash my hands of the consequences. If ill
comes of it I am not to blame. You must go in as
Doll Wango — that is as a character in the masque to
be enacted to-night — d'ye mark ? "

Nance signified that she perfectly understood him.

The whole of this hurried discourse, conducted in
an undertone, passed unheard and unnoticed by the
bystanders. Just then, an opening took place amid
the crowd, and the squire pushed through it, hoping
to get rid of his companion, but he hoped in
vain, for clinging to his saddle she went on along with
him.

They were soon under the deep groined and ribbed
arch of the gate, and Nance would have been here
turned back by the foremost halberdier, if Nicholas had
not signified somewhat hastily that she belonged to his
party. The man smiled and offered no further opposi-
tion ; and the gigantic porter next advancing, Nicholas
exhibited his pass to him, which appearing sufficiently
comprehensive to procure admission ' for Richard and
Sherborne, they instantly availed themselves of the
license, while the squire fumbled in his doublet for a
further order for Nance. At last he produced it, and

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 227

after reading it, the gigantic warder exclaimed, with
a smile illumining his broad features,

" Ah ! I see; — this is an order from his worship Sir
Richard to admit a certain woman, who is to enact
Doll Wango in the masque. This is she, I suppose ?"
he added, looking at Nance.

"Ay, ay," replied the squire.

" A comely wench, by the mass," exclaimed the
porter. " Open the gate."

"No — not yet — not yet, good porter, till my claim
be adjusted," cried another woman, pushing forward,
quite as young and comely as Nance, and equally gaily
dressed. "lam the real Doll Wango, though I be
generally known as Dame Tetlow. The squire engaged
me to play the part before the King, and now this
saucy hussey has taken my place. But I'll have my
rights, that I will."

" Odd's heart ! two Doll Wangos!" exclaimed the
porter, opening his eyes.

"Two ! — Nay, beleedy ! boh there be three,1' ex-
claimed an immensely tall, stoutly proportioned woman,
stepping up, to the increased confusion of the squire,
and the infinite merriment of the bystanders, whose
laughter had been already excited by the previous part
of the scene. " Didna yo tell me at Myerscough to
come here, squire, an ey, Bess Baldwyn, should play
Doll Wango to your Jem Tospot ?"

" Play the devil, for that's what you all seem bent
Q2

228 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.

upon doing," exclaimed the squire, impatiently. " Away
with you ! I can have nothing to say to you !"

" You gave me the same promise at the Castle at
Preston last night," said Dame Tetlow.

" I had been drinking, and knew not what I said,"
rejoined Nicholas, angrily.

" Boh yo promised me, a few minutes ago, an yo're
sober enough now," cried Nance.

" Ey dunna knoa that," rejoined Dame Baldwyn,
looking reproachfully at him. " Boh what ey dun
knoa is, that nother o5 these squemous queans shan ge
in efore me."

And she looked menacingly at them, as if deter-
mined to oppose their ingress, much to the alarm of
the timorous Dame Tetlow, though Nance returned
her angry glances unmoved.

" For heaven's sake, my good fellow, let them all
three in," said Nicholas, in a low tone to the porter, at
the same time slipping a gold piece into his hand, %s or
there's no saying what may be the . consequence, for
they're three infernal viragos. I'll take the respon-
sibility of their admittance upon myself with Sir Ri-
chard."

"Well, as your worship says I don't like to see
quarrelling amongst women," returned the porter, in a
bland tone, " so all three shall go in ; and as to who is
to play Doll Wango, the Master of the Ceremonies
will settle that, so you need give yourself no more

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 229

concern about it ; but if I were called upon to
decide," he added, with an amorous leer at Dame
Baldwyn, whose proportions so well matched his own,
"I know where my choice would light. There
now !" he shouted, " Open wide the gate for Squire
Nicholas Assheton, of Downham, and the three Doll
Wangos."

And all obstacles being thus removed, Nicholas
passed on with the three females amidst the renewed
laughter of the bystanders. But he got rid of his
plagues as soon as he could, for, dismounting and throw-
ing his bridle to an attendant, he vouchsafed not a
word to any of them, but stepped quickly after Richard
and Sherborne, who had already reached the great fire
with the bull roasting before it.

Appropriated chiefly to stables and other offices, the
base court of Hoghton Tower consisted of buildings of
various dates, the greater part belonging to Elizabeth's
time, though some might be assigned to an earlier period,
while many alterations and additions had been recently
made in anticipation of the King's visit. Dating
back as far as Henry II., the family had originally
fixed their residence at the foot of the hill, on the
banks of the Darwen, but in process of time, swayed
by prouder notions, they mounted the craggy heights
above, and built a tower upon their crest. It is melan-
choly to think, that so glorious a pile, teeming with
so many historical recollections, and so magnificently

230 THE LANCASHIPwE WITCHES.

situated, should be abandoned, and suffered to go to de-
cay ; — the family having many years ago quitted it for
Walton Hall, near Walton-le-Dale, and consigned it to
the occupation of a few gamekeepers. Bereft of its
venerable timber, its courts grass grown, its fine oak
staircase rotting and dilapidated, its domestic chapel
neglected, its marble chamber broken and ruinous, its
wainscotings and ceilings cracked and mouldering, its
paintings mildewed and half effaced, Hoghton Tower
presents only the wreck of its former grandeur. Desolate
indeed are its halls, and their glory for ever departed.
However, this history has to do with it in the season of
its greatest splendour ; when it glistened with silks and
velvets, and resounded with loud laughter and blithe
music ; when stately nobles and lovely dames were
seen in the gallery, and a royal banquet was served in
the great hall ; when its countless chambers were filled
to overflowing, and its passages echoed with hasty feet;
when the base-court was full of huntsmen and falconers,
and enlivened by the neighing of steeds and the
baying of hounds ; when there was daily hunting in the
park, and nightly dancing and diversion in the hall, —
it is with Hoghton Tower at this season that the present
tale has to do, and not with it as it is now — silent,
solitary, squalid, saddening, but still whispering of the
glories of the past, still telling of the kingly pageant
that once graced it.

The base-court was divided from the court of lodinng

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 231

by the great hall and domestic chapel. A narrow
vaulted passage on either side led to the upper quadrangle,
the facade of which was magnificent, and far superior in
uniformity of design and style to the rest of the structure,
the irregularity of which, however, was not unpleasing.
The whole frontage of the upper court was richly moulded
and filleted, with ranges of mullion and transom windows,
capitals, and carved parapets crowned with stone balls.
Marble pillars, in the Italian style, had been recently
placed near the porch, with two rows of pilasters above
them, supporting a heavy marble cornice, on which
rested the carved escutcheon of the family. A flight of
stone steps led up to the porch, and within was a wide
oak staircase, so gentle of ascent, that a man on horse-
back could easily mount it, a feat often practised in later
days by one of the descendants of the house. In this
part of the mansion all the principal apartments were
situated, and here James was lodged. Here also was the
green room, so called from its hangings, which he used
for private conferences, and which was hung round
with portraits of his unfortunate mother, Mary Queen
of Scots ; of her implacable enemy, Queen Elizabeth ;
of his consort, Anne of Bohemia ; and of Sir Thomas
Hoghton, the founder of the tower. Adjoining it was
the Star-Chamber, occupied by the Duke of Bucking-
ham, with its napkin pannelling, and ceiling " fretted
with golden fires ;" and in the same angle were rooms
occupied by the Duke of Richmond, the Earls of Pern-

232 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.

broke and Nottingham, and Lord Howard of Effing-
ham. Below was the library, whither Doctor Thomas
Moreton, Bishop of Chester, and his Majesty's chap-
lain, with the three puisne judges of the King's Bench,
Sir John Doddridge, Sir John Crooke, and Sir Robert
Hoghton, all of whom were guests of Sir Richard, re-
sorted ; and in the adjoining wing was the great gal-
lery, where the whole of the nobles and courtiers
passed such of their time — and that was not much —
as was not occupied in feasting or out-of-doors' amuse-
ments.

Long corridors ran round the upper stories in this
part of the mansion, and communicated with an endless
series of rooms, which, numerous as they were, were
all occupied, and, accommodation being found impos-
sible for the whole of the guests, many were sent to the
new erections in the base court, which had been
planned to meet the emergency by the magnificent and
provident host. The nobles and gentlemen were, how-
ever, far outnumbered by their servants, and the con-
fusion occasioned by the running to and fro of the
various grooms of the chambers, was indescribable.
Doublets had to be brushed, ruffs plaited, hair curled,
beards trimmed, and all with the greatest possible ex-
pedition, so that, as soon as day dawned upon Hoghton
Tower, there was a prodigious racket from one end of
it to the other. Many favoured servants slept in
truckle-beds in their masters' rooms; but others, not so

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 233

fortunate, and unable to find accommodation even in
the garrets, for the smallest rooms, and those nearest the
roof, were put in requisition, slept upon the benches in
the hall, while several sat up all night carousing in the
great kitchen, keeping company with the cooks and
their assistants, who were busied all the time in pre-
parations for the feasting of the morrow.

Such was the state of things inside Hogliton Tower
early on the eventful morning in question, and out of
doors, especially in the base-court which Nicholas
was traversing, the noise, bustle, and confusion were
equally great. Wide as was the area, it was filled with
various personages, some newly arrived, and seeking
information as to their quarters, — not very easily ob-
tained, for it seemed everybody's business to ask ques-
tions, and no one's to answer them — some gathered in
groups round the falconers and huntsmen, who had
suddenly risen into great importance ; others, and these
were for the most part smart young pages, in brilliant
liveries, chattering, and making love to every pretty
damsel they encountered, putting them out of counte-
nance by their license and strange oaths, and rousing
the anger of their parents, and the jealousy of their
rustic admirers ; others, of a graver sort, with dress of
formal cut, and puritanical expression of countenance,
shrugging their shoulders, and looking sourly on the
whole proceedings — luckily they were in the minority,
for the generality of the groups were composed of

234 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.

lively and light-hearted people, bent apparently upon
amusement, and tolerably certain of finding it. Through
these various groups numerous lacqueys were passing
swiftly and continuously to and fro, bearing a cap,
a mantle, or a sword, and pushing aside all who inter-
fered with their progress, with a "by your leave, my
masters, — your pardon, fair mistress," — or " out of my
way, knave !" and as the stables occupied one entire
angle of the court, there were grooms without end
dressing the horses at the doors, watering them at the
troughs, or leading them about amid the admiring
or criticising bystanders. The King's horses were, of
course, objects of special attraction, and such as could
obtain a glimpse of them and of the royal coach
thought themselves specially favoured. Besides what
was going forward below the windows looking into
the court were all full of curious observers, and much
loud conversation took place between those placed at
them and their friends underneath. From all this
some idea will be formed of the tremendous din that
prevailed ; but though with much confusion there
was no positive disorder, still less brawling, for yeo-
men - of- the - guard being stationed at various points,
perfect order was maintained. Several minstrels, mum-
mers, and merry-makers, in various fantastic habits,
swelled the throng, enlivening it with their strains or
feats, and amongst other privileged characters ad-
mitted was a Tom o' Bedlam, a half-crazed licensed

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 235

beggar, in a singular and picturesque garb, with a
plate of tin engraved with his name attached to his
left arm, and a great ox's horn, which he was con-
tinually blowing, suspended by a leathern baldric from
his neck.

Scarcely had Nicholas joined his companions, than
word was given that the king was about to attend
morning prayers in the domestic chapel. Upon this,
an immediate rush was made in that direction by the
crowd, but the greater part were kept back by the
guard, who crossed their halberts to prevent their
ingress, and a few only were allowed to enter the
anti- chamber leading to the chapel, amongst whom
were the squire and his companions.

Here they were detained within it till service was
over, and, as prayers were read by the Bishop of Ches-
ter, and the whole Court was present, this was a great
disappointment to them. At the end of half-an-hour
two very courtly personages came forth, each bearing
a white wand, and announcing that the King was
coming forth, the assemblage immediately divided into
two lines to allow a passage for the monarch. Nicholas
Assheton informed Richard in a whisper that the fore-
most and stateliest of the two gentlemen was Lord
Stanhope, of Harrington, the Vice-Chamberlain, and
the other, a handsome young man of slight figure and
somewhat libertine expression of countenance, was the
renowned Sir John Finett, Master of the Ceremonies.

236 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.

Notwithstanding his licentiousness, however, which
was the vice of the age and the stain of the court, Sir
John was a man of wit and address, and perfectly con-
versant with the duties of his office, of which he has
left satisfactory evidence in an amusing tractate, " Fi-
netti Philoxenis."

Some little time elapsed before the King made his
appearance, during which the curiosity of such as had
not seen him, as was the case with Richard, was greatly
excited. The young man wondered whether the pe-
dantic monarch, whose character perplexed the shrewd-
est, would answer his preconceived notions, and whether
it would turn out that his portraits were like him.
While these thoughts were passing through his mind,
a shuffling noise was heard without, and King James
appeared at the doorway. He paused there for a mo-
ment to place his plumed and jewelled cap upon his
head, and to speak a word with Sir John Finett, and
during this Richard had an opportunity of observing
him. The portraits were like, but the artists had
nattered him, though not much. There was great
shrewdness of look, but there was also a vacant ex-
pression, which seemed to contradict the idea of pro-
found wisdom generally ascribed to him. When in
perfect repose, which they were not for more than
a minute, the features were thoughtful, benevolent,
and pleasing, and Richard began to think him quite
handsome, when another change was wrought by

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 237

some remark of Sir John Finett. As the Master
of the Ceremonies told his talc, the King's line
dark eyes blazed with an unpleasant light, and he
laughed so loudly and indecorously at the close of the
narrative, with his great tongue hanging out of his
mouth, and tears running down his cheeks, that the
young man was quite sickened. The King's face was
thin and long, the cheeks shaven, but the lips clothed
with moustaches, and a scanty beard covered his chin.
The hair was brushed away from the face, and the cap
placed at the back of the head, so as to exhibit a high
bald forehead, of which he wTas prodigiously vain.
James was fully equipped for the chace, and wore a
green silk doublet, quilted as all his garments were so
as to be dagger-proof, enormous trunk-hose, likewise
thickly stuffed, and buff boots, fitting closely to the
leg, and turned slightly over at the knee, with the edges
fringed with gold. This was almost the only appear-
ance of finery about the dress, except a row of gold
buttons down the jerkin. Attached to his girdle he
wore a large pouch, with the mouth drawn together
by silken cords, and a small silver bugle was suspended
from his neck by a baldric of green silk. Stiffly-
starched bands, edged with lace, and slightly turned
down on either side of the face, completed his attire.
There was nothing majestic, but the very reverse, in the
King's deportment, and he seemed only kept upright
by the exceeding stiffness of his cumbersome t clothes.

238 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.

With the appearance of being corpulent, he was not
so in reality, and his weak legs and bent knees were
scarcely able to support his frame. He always used a
stick, and generally sought the additional aid of a
favourite's arm.

In this instance the person selected was Sir Gilbert
Hoghton, the eldest son of Sir Richard, and subsequent
owner of Hoghton Tower. Indebted for the high court
favour he enjoyed partly to his graceful person and accom-
plishments, and partly to his marriage, having espoused
a daughter of Sir John Aston of Cranford, who, as sister
of the Duchess of Buckingham, and a descendant of
the blood royal of the Stuarts, was a great help to his
rapid rise, the handsome young knight was skilled in all
manly exercises, and cited as a model of grace in the
dance. Constant in attendance upon the court, he
frequently took part in the masques performed before it.
Like the King, he was fully equipped for hunting ; but
greater contrast could not have been found than between
his tall fine form and the King's ungainly figure. Sir
Gilbert had remained behind with the rest of the cour-
tiers in the chapel, but, calling him, James seized his
arm, and set forward at his usual shambling pace. As
he went on, nodding his head in return to the profound
salutations of the assemblage, his eye rolled round them
until it alighted on Richard Assheton, and, nudging
Sir Gilbert, he asked,

" Wha's that ? — a bonnie lad, but wacsome pale."

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES- 239

Sir Gilbert, however, was unable to answer the in-
quiry ; but Nicholas, who stood beside the young man,
was determined not to lose the opportunity of intro-
ducing him, and accordingly, moved a step forward,
and made a profound obeisance.

"This youth, may it please your Majesty," he said, " is
my cousin, Richard Assheton, son and heir of Sir Richard
Assheton, of Middleton, one of your Majesty's most loyal
and devoted servants, and who, I trust, will have the ho-
nour of being presented to you in the course of the day."

" We trust so, too, Maister Nicholas Assheton — for
that, if we dinna forget, is your ain name," replied
James; " and if the sire resembles the son, whilk is not
always the case, as our gude freend, Sir Gilbert, is
evidence, being as unlike his worthy father as a man
weel can be ; if, as we say, Sir Richard resembles this
callant, he must be a weel-faur'd gentleman. But, God's
santie, lad ! how came you in sic sad and sombre
abulyiements ? Hae ye nae braw claiths to put on to
grave our coming ? Black is na the fashion at our
court, as Sir Gilbert will tell ye, and though a suit o'
sables may become you, it's na pleasing in our sight.
Let us see you in gayer apparel at dinner."

Richard, who was considerably embarrassed by the
royal address, merely bowed, and Nicholas again took
upon himself to answer for him.

" Your Majesty will be pleased to pardon him,"
he said, " but he is unaccustomed to court fashions,

240 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.

having passed all his time in a wild and uncivi-
lised district, where, except on rare and happy
occasions like the present, the refined graces of life sel-
dom reach us."

" Weel, we wouldna be hard upon him," said the
King, good-naturedly, " and mayhap the family has
sustained some recent loss, and he is in mourning."

" I cannot offer that excuse for him, sire," replied
Nicholas, who began to flatter himself he was making
considerable progress in the monarch's good graces.
" It is simply an affair of the heart."

" Puir chiel ! we pity him," cried the King.
" And sae it is a hopeless suit, young sir ?" he added
to Richard. " Canna we throw in a good word for
ye ? Do we ken the lassie, and is she to be here
to-day?"

" I am quite at a loss how to answer your Majesty's
questions," replied Richard, " and my cousin Nicholas
has very unfairly betrayed my secret."

"Hoot, toot! nah, lad," exclaimed James, u it was
not he wha betrayed your secret, but our ain discern-
ment that revealed it to us. We kenned your ailment
at a glance. Few things are hidden from the King's
eye, and we could tell ye mair aboot yourself, and
the lassie you're deeing for, if we cared to speak it;
but just now we have other fish to fry, and must
awa' and break our fast, of the which, if truth maun
be spoken, we stand greatly in need, for creature

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 241

comforts maun bo aye looked to as weel as spiritual
wants, though the latter should be ever cared for first,
as is our ain rule, and in so doing we offer an example
to our subjects, which they will do weel to follow.
Later in the day, we will talk further to you on the
subject ; but, meanwhile, gie us the name of your
lassie loo."

" Oh! spare me, your Majesty," cried Richard.

" Her name is Alizon Nutter," interposed Nicholas.

" What! a daughter of Alice Nutter, of Rough Lee?"
exclaimed James.

" The same, sire," replied Nicholas, much surprised
at the extent of information manifested by the King.

4C Why, saul o' my body ! man, she's a witch — a
witch! d'ye ken that?" cried the King, with a look of
abhorrence ; " a mischievous and malignant vermin
with which this pairt of our realm is sair plagued, but
which, with God's help, we will thoroughly extirpate.
Sae the lass is a daughter of Alice Nutter, ha ! That
accounts for your grewsome looks, lad. Odd's life ! I see
it all now. I understand what is the matter with you.
Look at him, Sir Gilbert — look at him, I say. Does
nothing strike you as strange about him?"

" Nothing more than that he is naturally embar-
rassed by your Majesty's mode of speech," replied the
knight.

" You lack the penetration of the King, Sir Gilbert,"
cried James. " I will tell you what ails him. He is
bewitchit — forespoken."

VOL. III. R

242 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.

Exclamations were uttered by all the bystanders, and
every eye was fixed on Richard, who felt ready to sink
to the ground.

"I affirm he is bewitchit," continued the King;
" and wha sae likely to do it as the glamouring hizzie
that has ensnared him? She has ill blind in her veins,
and can chant deevil's cantrips as weel as the mither, or
ony gyre-carling o' them a'."

" You are mistaken, sire," cried Richard, earnestly.
" Alizon will be here to-day with my father and sister,
and if you deign to receive her, I am sure you will
iuclge her differently."

" We shall perpend the point of receiving her," re-
plied the King, gravely. " But we are rarely mistaken,
young man, and seldom change our opinion, except
upon gude grounds, and those you are na like to offer
us. Belike ye ha' been lang ill?"

" Oh ! no, your Majesty, I was suddenly seized,
about a month ago," replied Richard.

" Suddenly seized — eh !" exclaimed James, winking
cunningly at those near him ; " and ye swarfit awa' wi1
the pain? I guessed it. And whaur was Alizon the
while?"

" At that time she was a guest at Middleton," re-
plied Richard ; "but it is impossible my illness can in
any way be attributed to her. I will answer with my
life for her perfect innocence."

" You may have to answer wi' your life for your
misplaced faith in her," said the King : " but I tell you

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 243

nothing — nothing wicked, at all events — is impossible
to witches, and the haill case, even by your own
showin', is very suspicious. I have heard somewhat
of the story of Alice Nutter, but not the haill truth —
but there are folk here wha can enlighten us mair
fully. Thus much I do ken — that she is a notorious
witch, and a fugitive from justice, though aiblins you,
Maister Nicholas Assheton, could give an inkling of
her hiding-place if you were so disposed. Nay, never
look doited man," he added, laughing. " I bring nae
charges against you. Ye are na' on your trial noo.
But this is a serious matter, and maun be seriously
considered before we dismiss it. You say Alizon will
be here to-day. So fir week Canna you contrive to
produce the mother, too, Maister Nicholas ?"

" Sire !" exclaimed Nicholas.

" Nay, then, we must gang our ain way to wark,"
continued James. " We are tauld ye ha' a petition to
offer us, and our will and pleasure is that you present
it afore we go forth to the chace, and after we have
partaken of our matutinal refection, whilk we will no
langer delay ; for, sooth to say, we are weel nigh
famished. Look ye, sirs. Neither of you is to quit
Hoghton Tower without our permission had and ob-
tained. We do not place you under arrest — neither do
we inhibit you from the chace, or from any other sports,
but you are to remain here at our sovereign pleasure.
Have we your word that you will not attempt to dis-
obey the injunction?"

r2

244 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.

" You have mine, undoubtedly, sire," replied Ri-
chard.

" And mine, too," added Nicholas. " And I hope to
justify myself before your Majesty."

" We shall be weel pleased to hear ye do it, man,"
rejoined the King, laughing, and shuffling on. "But
we hae our doubts — we hae our doubts."

" His Majesty talks of going to breakfast, and says
he is famished," observed Nicholas to Sherborne, as
the King departed, " but he has completely taken away
my appetite.' '

"No wonder," replied the other.

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 245