Series 3 > Mary Queen of Scots and the Babington plot

INTRODUCTION
Ixxxi
5. Ballard's First Steps in Politics, 1585.
Ballard’s meddling in politics had been very very slight
before the year 1586. Perhaps the only serious cause for
suspicion is offered by his visit to Morgan and Paget at
the end of 1584. But even if he did then begin to co¬
operate with them, it is probable that he did not as yet
do more than send them news of the same class that we
now read in our daily papers. After his return to England,
in January 1585, he made a short tour among the catholic
gentry of East Anglia, and another (perhaps two) between
Whitsuntide and Bartilmas (June to August). The latter
journey, we know, was made with a political object, but
not a very serious one. During these journeys Ballard
probably sought out such catholic gentlemen as were
likely to favour forcible measures. He came into com¬
munication with Mr. David Ingleby, brother of Sir William
Ingleby of Ripley, who had married Lady Margaret Neville,
daughter of the Earl of Westmorland. Ingleby, though
now a fugitive, was perhaps the most earnest and extreme
supporter of the ancien rigime who still remained in
England. Another friend was Edward Windsor, brother
of Lord Windsor, and afterwards one of the conspirators.
The first* definitely political act, with which we can connect
Ballard’s name, was to procure for these gentlemen news
of the plans of the Scottish catholics. This he did through
John Boste, another priest and afterwards a martyr.
Though the matter is a small one, it may be worth quoting
the abstract of Ballard’s examination of 5 September
1586, in which he is reported to have confessed as follows :
‘ Ballard saith that the last year [1585] in summer he was
sent by David Ingleby and Edward Windsor into the North to
Ballard’s name was never heard. It is, however, no exaggeration to say
that his treasons were among the greatest calamities which Catholicism
in England has had to endure.
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