Series 3 > Mary Queen of Scots and the Babington plot

INTRODUCTION
CXX1X
come over, on the score ‘ that he would be very much
employed [i.e. in advising whether this or that course or
measure were morally right] and that the Doctor could
keep no secret from him.’
To sum up a most critical chapter.
1. The plot was commenced by Ballard coming from
abroad, commended by Morgan to Babington, whom he
makes acquainted with Savage. The conspiracy, i.e. the
resolution to put Mary on the throne, was formed 7 June,
and Gilbert heard in general of these still undeveloped
proposals about the same time. He then went abroad to
get all the information he could from Morgan, and then,
14/24 June, returned to bring the plot to a head, and was
back in London 26 June/6 July.
2. Babington, after admitting conspirators up to the
number of thirteen, arranged some method in their plans,
e.g. the murder by the six gentlemen was settled, though
the names of the six were never agreed upon. But he
soon tired of this, adopted a mor.e or less deliberate policy
of ‘ lingering,’ and confined his efforts to obtaining a licence
to travel. For this purpose he had three interviews,
25 June, 3 and 13 July, with Walsingham, who endeavoured
to win him over in order to ruin Mary. But Babington
did not betray his knowledge of the conspiracy, and he
did not suspect the meaning of Walsingham’s hints.
SECTION VII
Mary writes to Babington, 25 June-18 July.
1. Why she wrote.
During the months of March, April, and May, Mary
acknowledged the receipt of ‘ an infinite number of old
packets, being the mass which had been accumulating at