was a threat to any who challenged his power, she could readily believe. That he posed a danger to the King himself seemed impossible. James was the source of all his authority, his riches. It would surely be madness to plot against him. He would stand to lose everything.
She opened her mouth to reply, but at that moment a loud cheer rose up from the Strand. The Queen turned back to the window at once, and Frances hastened to join her. In the distance, towards Westminster, she could just discern a cavalcade making its slow progress along the street. In the centre was a carriage, flanked on every side by mounted riders.
As it drew closer, Frances saw that the windows were draped with heavy black cloth. She had been surprised that the King had granted Raleigh’s request to travel to his hearing by carriage, rather than barge, knowing that this would attract more attention. If James hoped to limit his prisoner’s exposure to the adoring crowds, though, he would be disappointed. Raleigh had pulled back the drapes and was graciously waving his thanks to the people who lined his route back to the Tower. From this distance, Frances could not see the expression on his face, but she judged from the cheers and shouts of ‘God save you!’ that he was smiling.
‘Perhaps the outcome was not as we feared.’ But even as she spoke the words, she knew them to be false.
‘Sir Walter will go to his death with as merry a countenance as he showed the old Queen,’ Anne replied sadly. ‘Let us offer up our prayers that he enjoys greater fortune in the next world than he has in this.’
CHAPTER 27
29 October
Old Palace Yard was deserted when Frances arrived. The scaffold had been erected the previous night, just hours after Raleigh’s sentence had been pronounced. Thomas told her that Sir Walter had offered a spirited defence at his trial, despite being so weak with sickness that he had barely been able to stand. His courage had only faltered as the verdict had been delivered, and he had sunk to his knees, begging the King to show mercy. His pleas had fallen on deaf ears. The only clemency James had shown was to commute his sentence to beheading.
Frances had not slept that night and had risen before dawn. Raleigh would be brought here in a little under two hours’ time, as the bell of St Stephen’s tolled eight. Glancing towards the gatehouse, she saw a faint glimmer in one of the windows. The King had ordered that he spend the night there. Frances did not know if it was to save time or lessen the risk of escape. For a moment, she thought of running to the window and calling to him. But the idea faded as quickly as it had sparked. What could she say that Raleigh would be content for his gaolers to hear? Pray God he will find it in his heart to forgive me.
Thomas had begged her not to come, but she had been resolute. She had failed to save her old friend from the terror and humiliation of this death, but would be here to pray for him as the life was struck from his body. It had always been a source of shame and regret that she had lacked the strength to do the same for Tom. Looking around the courtyard now, she imagined her lover being dragged there on the wooden hurdle that had conveyed him from the Tower, his emaciated limbs jolting painfully on the cobbles. Thomas had told her that he had met his death with calm acceptance, apparently impervious to the horrors that the King’s executioner had visited upon his body. Tears pricked her eyes as she raised them to the heavens, imploring God to give Raleigh the same peace.
A few more people were filtering into the courtyard now, eager to secure a good vantage point. London was still crowded with revellers from the Lord Mayor’s Day celebration. They must consider it a boon to be witnessing this spectacle too, Frances reflected. She walked slowly to the opposite side of the scaffold, knowing that Raleigh would pass this way on the short walk from the gatehouse. Drawing up her hood against the cold, damp air, she closed her eyes in prayer.
By the time daylight broke, the courtyard was crowded with spectators, jostling and chattering excitedly. Frances judged that it could only be a few more minutes before eight o’