took ships of all nations, alleging that they had Portuguese goods on board.  Complaint being made to the Privy Council of England, the Earl of Surrey said, “The narrow seas should not be infested while he had estate enough to furnish a ship, or a son capable of commanding it.”  Upon this, two ships were immediately fitted out, and commanded by Sir Thomas and Sir Edward Howard, sons to the Earl of Surrey, at their own expense, when, having been some days at sea, they were separated by a storm, which gave Sir Thomas Howard an opportunity of coming up with Sir Andrew Barton in the Lion, whom he immediately engaged.  The fight was long and doubtful, for Barton, being an experienced seaman, and having under him a determined crew, made a desperate defence, himself cheering them with a boatswain’s whistle to his last breath.  The loss of their commander, however, caused them to submit, on which they received fair quarter and good usage.  In the meantime, Sir Edward attacked and captured the Jenny Perwin, after an obstinate resistance.  Both these ships, with as many of their crew as were left alive, about one hundred and fifty, were brought into the river Thames, on the 2nd of August 1511, as trophies of the victory.  The prisoners were sent to the Archbishop of York’s palace, now Whitehall, where they remained for some time, but were afterwards dismissed and sent into Scotland.

James the Fourth having then ascended the Scottish throne, after the murder of his predecessor, exceedingly resented this action, and instantly sent ambassadors to Henry demanding satisfaction, on which the king gave this memorable answer, “That the punishment of pirates was never held a breach of peace among princes.”  King James, however, was still dissatisfied, and from that time was never thoroughly reconciled to the English nation.

Sir Andrew was descended from a good family in Scotland, and adopted a seafaring life when very young.  A motive of concealment might be the cause of his erecting a mansion here, the roads being then almost impassable; and the extensive woods, which lay in almost every direction from this spot, together with its great distance from the sea-side, might be additional recommendations in its favour.  An opinion exists, though now involved in much doubt and obscurity, that his immediate descendant was the Sir Roger Barton whom we have already named, and unto whom this pious servant of the truth was about to commit himself.

On venturing through the gate, Marsh observed several men standing by a door on the left hand, being the principal entrance.

“What, ho!” said one, “art come to morning prayers?”

“Nay,” replied another, “his cap cleaves to a heretic’s sconce.”

“’Tis Marsh,” said the foremost of the group, who proved to be Roger Wrinstone, the knight’s prime minister, constable, and entrapper of heretics.  “Now, by my faith,” he continued, “if this wily fox do not think, by his coming, to take Justice by the nose, and outface her through his impudence.  But he will be sore mistaken if he think to outwit our master by his cunning.  Good friend, thy business?” said Wrinstone, cap in hand, addressing the minister scornfully, and thrusting his tongue into his cheek, to the great diversion of his companions, who, with shouts of laughter, began to ape the buffoonery of their leader.