A10 Essex prayes, Southampton playes

Notes. This rhyme seems to describe the different behaviour of Essex and his aristocratic followers after the failure of their attempt to rouse the City of London to take up arms on behalf of the Earl on 8 February 1601. The so-called Essex Rising was quickly proclaimed an act of treason by the Privy Council and its participants imprisoned—including Essex, Henry Wriothesley, Earl of Southampton, Roger Manners, Earl of Rutland, William Lord Sandys, Edward Lord Cromwell and William Parker, who was known as Lord Mounteagle but not formally recognized in that title by the Crown until 1604. By contrast, William Herbert, 3rd Earl of Pembroke, was committed to the Fleet prison (where some of Essex’s followers were also housed) a few days before the Rising for the offence of seducing one of the Queen’s maids of honour (this affair is discussed more fully in relation to “Chamberlaine Chamberlaine, one of her graces kinn”). Given its content, this rhyme was written after 8 February and probably before the trial of Essex and Southampton on 19 February. Essex was executed on 25 February 1601, ending his period of prayer and reflection.