March 1603 Bacon wrote to his friend John Davies, a fellow barrister, statesman and poet, the author of Nosce Teipsum and afterwards Attorney General for Ireland, who was journeying to Scotland to see the new King on State matters.

From the light of this illuminating letter we can discern what may have been dark in the prededing hints and asides.

It is his name that is at stake, his Tudor birth. Any biting or nibbling at the name of Bacon (note that covert jest of "nibbling at Bacon") would entrap him; it would tear away the veil of his real identity to the King.

He wants Davis to defend his good name, to aver that he is content to be known as Bacon, a commoner, and does not presume on his royal pedigree.

He wants his friend to answer for him to the King to assure him of his loyalty and to repress any suggestions that he has ever made any overt claim to the Throne.