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Token Rings: Nicholas

In the metrical chronicle of the 'Life of Sir Nicholas Throgmorton' we find that when Elizabeth heard rumours of the death of her sister, Queen Mary, to be really sure, she sent Sir Nicholas Throgmorton to the palace to request one of the ladies of the bed-chamber, who was in her confidence, ' if the queen were really dead, to send her as a token the black enamelled ring which Her Majesty wore night and day':- ، 報 She said (since nought exceedeth woman's fears, Who still do dread some baits of subtlety):

Sir Nicholas, know a ring my sister wears Enamell'd black-a pledge of loyalty- The which the King of Spain in spousals gave.

If aught fall out amiss, 'tis that I crave. 'But hark! ope not your lips to anyone In hope us to obtain of courtesy, Unless you know my sister first be gone, For grudging minds will still coyne (coin) treachery. So shall thyself be safe, and us be sure.

Who takes no hurt shall need no care of cure.' Elizabeth's meaning seems to have been that the ring should not be sought for until Mary's death.

A ring 'token' was also the announcement of Queen Elizabeth's death. Lady Scroope, it seems, gave the first intelligence of the event by dropping from the window of the palace a sapphire ring to her brother, Sir Robert Carey, who was lurking beneath the chamber of death at Richmond. He departed with this ring at his utmost speed to announce the tidings to the Scottish monarch.