The Murder in the Tower: The Story of Frances, Countess of Essex

“Sir Gervase Helwys. Your Majesty may remember knighting him some time in 1603, I believe. A lawyer and a good fellow. Some years younger than that old fool Waad, but still of sober years. Would Your Majesty care for me to summon him that you might judge for yourself?”

James hesitated and Northampton went on: “He is a man of some means and ready to pay fourteen hundred pounds for the office.”

“Is that so?” said James. “We could do with the money.”

“I will send Sir Gervase to Your Majesty and when you have given the world I shall have great pleasure in sending that dotard Waad about his business. I shall sleep the happier in my bed of nights to know that he can no longer plot with Lady Arabella.”

It was thus that Sir William Waad was dismissed from the Tower and his place taken by Sir Gervase Helwys, a man determined to serve his patrons, the Howards, who had helped to advance his fortunes.

The Archbishop of Canterbury met the Earl of Northampton in one of the ante-rooms of Whitehall Palace.

“I like not this matter,” the Archbishop said.

“This matter of the divorce?” replied Northampton. “Why not? It would appear to be a straightforward matter.”

“The severing of a bond between those whom God hath joined together is never a straightforward matter.”

“Come, come, the King has expressed a wish that this matter should be speedily dealt with.”

“I cannot advise my bishops that this should be so. There is a great deal to consider. I have had an opportunity of speaking to my Lord Essex.”

“And he has denied the charge of impotency? Oh, come, my lord Archbishop, what worldly young man would willingly admit such a handicap?”

“He has said that although he has no desire to be a husband to Lady Essex, he would make a good husband for some other lady.”

“What is he implying? That some bewitchment makes him impotent with his wife?”

“I know not, my lord Earl. But I tell you this: I like not this case. Nor do I think it is one which can be settled in a hurry.”

Northampton stamped off in a rage. When he saw his niece he told her that the old Archbishop was against the divorce and they could be sure that he would do everything in his power to delay matters.

Frances was growing anxious. She was terrified of the power of Overbury so she went to see Anne Turner to tell her that something must be done quickly or she would be out of her mind.

“Who knows,” she cried, “what stories he will tell about me? He came to this house. He will have made inquiries about our friends. How much does that man know about us?”

“We must get to work on him at once.”

“Most speedily. What has Gresham been doing?”

“Alas, my lady, he is very sick. I visited his house in Thames Street but the other day to find him on his death bed. He is certain it is the end and he knows these things.”

“But what can we do now?”

“Do not imagine that, discovering this, I did not get to work immediately. Dr. Forman and Dr. Gresham are not the only wise men in London. I summoned Richard Weston who was an assistant to my late husband and something of an apothecary himself. He mentioned Dr. Franklin to me, and I remembered hearing my husband and Dr. Forman talk of him. He is a clever man, and shall I say more inclined to take a little risk than Dr. Forman was.”

“Then that is good. We have come to that stage when to take a risk is a necessity. I shall not sleep peacefully until Overbury is dead.”

Anne Turner lowered her eyes. Although murder was in their thoughts, they did not often mention it; and it was an indication of the Countess’s state of mind that she did so now.

“My dear friend,” said Anne Turner, “I know your feelings and I am with you in everything you do. Already I have spoken to Dr. Franklin and he understands exactly. He will supply us with what we need, but he says it is necessary that his medicine be administered regularly and over a certain period.”

“That’s true,” agreed Frances. “If Overbury were to die suddenly there would be an outcry and heaven knows where that would lead.”

“Dr. Franklin suggests that it be arranged for one of our servants to be introduced into the Tower to wait on the creature and so make sure that what is sent in is given to him and none other.”

“It’s an excellent idea. Who …?”

“Who but Richard Weston. He is willing, provided you are prepared to pay him well.”

Frances said quickly: “You know I am. I will pay handsomely for what I want.”

“Then, my dear friend, we have nothing to fear. The way is clear before us. From the moment Richard Weston is in the Tower, we shall begin the work.”

Frances left Hammersmith slightly appeased; she always felt better when she was able to take action.