Series 3 > Mary Queen of Scots and the Babington plot

INTRODUCTION
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supplied. Through this familiarity, he gained the reputation
of a worthy man, both honourable and devout, and he was
often admitted to be present at Mass, the Sacraments and
exhortations. He knew exactly how to behave himself and
came to them without a shadow of suspicion.
‘ Having by his catholic demeanour and friendship with good
men acquired a high character, he tried to avail himself of it
to fasten himself upon me, and to obtain more familiarity
than I was anxious for. In short, he made me so many pro¬
mises and was so obsequious in his manner, that it made me
sniff, as at something that did not please. For instance, his
house, his room, his keys, his coffers would all be open to me,
and might be used by me. Whether he were at home or
absent, he would make arrangements, that in any time of peril
or difficulty whatever, I should always find a refuge in his
house. If I desired to send letters or money to any place
beyond the seas, he never had any doubt but that he could
help on my purpose, and send them from any harbour or any
port of the sea-coast.
‘ Now I knew that the possibility of any such promises was
beyond the reach of good or sincere catholics. It is not possible
for them to venture to make such offers, or to give such aid,
where all around was so disturbed and hostile. I began there¬
fore to avoid him by degrees and to see as little of him as pos¬
sible. Even this did not appear absolutely safe ; for I could
not long escape him, and his expostulation on account of my
altered behaviour. It became clear to me, that he felt himself
offended in no small degree. The marks of his affection began
to cool. I am not able to state what he afterwards attempted
against me, but rumour reported that he was the man who
betrayed me.’1
Babington knew in general that Poley was a man dis¬
trusted by catholics,2 but he did not know him personally,
1 Morris, Troubles, ii. 169. Weston's arrest was really due to accident.
2 ‘ Master Poley ' is mentioned in Leicester’s Commonwealth, written in
1584 (ed. 1642, p. 86) in a way that is meant to be uncomplimentary,
viz. as one of the Leicester faction, but no specific charge is advanced
against him. Babington even told his new friend that ‘ All men in
England being catholics had me [Poley] in general in vehement suspicion.’
{Foley’s Confession, Boyd, p. 597.I