Leicester and the reputed Poisoners of his Time

This subject receives interesting illustration in the *Memoirs of Gervas Holles*, who at some length describes the seduction of the Lady Sheffield, by Leicester, at Belvoir Castle, while attending the Queen on her Progress. A letter from the Earl to the lady of his love, contained the suspicious intimation— "*That he had not been unmindful in removing that obstacle* which hindered the full fruition of their contentments; that he had endeavoured one expedient already which had failed, but he would lay another which he doubted not would hit more sure." This letter the Lady Sheffield accidentally…