Series 3 > Mary Queen of Scots and the Babington plot

1 MARY STUART AND THE BABINGTON PLOT
Walsingham, and then, at least (whatever may have
happened before), the compact between them was soon
settled.
What their contract exactly was is, of course, not on
record. But the numerous letters of Gilbert, both to
Walsingham and to his servant Phelippes, leave no doubt
that Gilbert was taken on as a 'provocateur. Yet one
caution on this point may be necessary for us. According
to our ideas, such an agent would presumably be encouraged
at once to foment plots, and perhaps the more the merrier.
But that was not in the least Elizabeth’s view. Her ideal
was that every one should be kneeling in obedience before
her. That any subject should show resentment and much
more hostility, was a crime of inconceivable gravity. So,
while she allowed Walsingham to dabble in a little vague
plot-mongering, if he assured her that this was a necessary
precaution, and practised by other princes ; yet no general
permission would be a valid safeguard, if the plotting were
real and serious, unless her licence had been specifically
obtained for each case. The example of Parry illustrates
this; and when Gilbert eventually sought safety in flight, the
explanation he gave to Walsingham was—You can imagine
how fearful a thing it was—‘ to deal with such treacherous
companions without any warrant or discharge ’ (p. 120).
As we proceed, we shall find that even Poulet and Wal¬
singham himself have to get leave ‘ from on high,’ when
a new development in their game has to be begun. It
was quite unlikely therefore that a mere tool like Gilbert
should have received a really free licence to conspire.
His flight, when he saw the crash coming, shows how
clearly he perceived this ; and the indictment, followed
by a death sentence on him, which Walsingham at once
ordered evidently confirms it.
So Gilbert had to walk warily in his mischief-making.
Yet being a born master of the art, he knew how to dare,