The generous Sidney spent all his means, and loaded himself with debt, in order to relieve the necessities of the poor soldiers.

He protested that if the Queen would not pay her troops, she would lose her troops, but that no living man should say the fault was in him.

"What relief I can do them I will," he wrote to his father-in-law; "I will spare no danger, if occasion serves.

I am sure that no creature shall lay injustice to my charge." Very soon it was discovered that the starving troops had to contend not only with the Queen's niggardliness but with the dishonesty of her agents.

Treasurer Norris was constantly accused by Leicester and Sidney of gross peculation.