Certainly his path was slippery and perilous along those icy summits of power, and he had need to look well to his footsteps.
Before Heneage had arrived in the Netherlands, Sir Thomas Shirley, despatched by Leicester to England with a commission to procure supplies for the famishing soldiers, and, if possible, to mitigate the Queen's wrath, had, been admitted more than once to her Majesty's presence.

He had fought the Earl's battle as manfully as Davison had done, and, like that envoy, had received nothing in exchange for his plausible arguments but bitter words and big oaths.

Eight days after his arrival he was introduced by Hatton into the privy chamber, and at the moment of his entrance was received with a volley of execrations.
"I did expressly and peremptorily forbid his acceptance of the absolute government, in the hearing of divers of my council," said the Queen.
Shirley.--"The necessity of the case was imminent, your Highness.

It was his Lordship's intent to do all for your Majesty's service.

Those countries did expect him as a governor at his first landing, and the States durst do no other than satisfy the people also with that opinion.
The people's mislike of their present government is such and so great as that the name of States is grown odious amongst them.