Spedding, with no knowledge of the real truth, says, that the Queen persistently refused to see Francis, and that "at the same time his means were running very low...heavy debts...importunate creditors...he must obtain an increasing income."

Strangely enough neither Spedding nor subsequent academics saw the definite connection between the Queen's displeasure and Francis Bacon's loss of income.

Why were his means running very low?
Why was he in debt?
Where had his income hitherto come from?
What was its source?

These vital questions Spedding never faced and answered. He leaves the question of his income a bigger mystery than ever, for he has said that in Bacon's thirty-fist year (1592) "I do not find he was getting into practice."

Everything points the truth: That his income hitherto had been provided by the Queen, and that Elizabeth, incensed at her son's conduct in attempting to stop her war supplies, and to limit her prerogative, simply retorted by ruthlessly stopping his allowance. She was just the self-willed, passionate type of woman to say:

This young half-bastard of mine has had the impertinence to attempt to stop my supplies from Parliament: I will stop his supplies and see how he likes it.

His debts had been incurred through writing, printing, publishing, and the expenses of his staff of "pens" housed at his scrivenery at Twickenham Park. The cessation of his allowance plunged him into considerable embarassment for he had no money...hence he continued anxiety to be on the same friendly terms with his mother, to be allowed to see her.