CHAP X

December

bond between Elizabeth

Elizabeth herself wrote to the Queen of Scots, no 1566 longer insisting on the Treaty of Leith-no longer stipulating for embarrassing conditions. Substantially concedProposed ing all the points which were in dispute between them, she proposed that they should mutually bind themselves by a contract, in which Mary Stuart should undertake to do nothing against Elizabeth during the lifetime of herself or her children; while Elizabeth would ‘engage never to do or suffer anything to be done to the prejudice of the Queen of Scots' title and interest as her next cousin."

and the Queen of Scots.

The Queen of Scots declared herself, in reply, assured of Elizabeth's 'good mind and entire affection' towards her; she did not doubt that in time her sister would proceed to the perfecting and consideration of that which she had begun to utter, as well to her own people as to other nations-the opinion which her sister had of the equity of her cause;' and she promised to send a commission to London to settle the terms in which the

to justify your counsels, which now
are ignorant to what scope they are
directed.'

On the 17th of November Mary
Stuart herself wrote to Cecil, saying
'that the bruits were passed which
reported him to be a hinderer to her
advancement, and that she knew him
to be a wise man.'

On the 18th Murray wrote that 'he had always found Cecil most earnest to produce good feeling and a sound understanding between England and Scotland, and between the two Queens; and so,' he said, 'my trust is that ye will continue favourable to the end in all her High ness's affairs, which for my own

part I will most earnestly crave of you, being most assured there is no daughter in the isle doth more reverence her natural mother nor my Sovereign the Queen your mistress. Nor sure I am can she be induced by any means to seek or procure that which may in any sort offend her Majesty.'-Scotch MSS. Rolls House.

It is possible that even Cecil's vigilance had been laid asleep by the submissive attitude which the Queen of Scots had assumed towards Elizabeth, and by the seeming restoration of Murray to her confidence.

1 Elizabeth to the Queen of Scots, December, 1566.-MS. Rolls House.

contract might pass orderly to both their content- CHAP X ments.'1

Thus the struggle was over; though unrecognized by a formal Act of Parliament, Mary Stuart had won the day and was virtually regarded as the heir presumptive to the English throne. Elizabeth's own wishes had pointed throughout to this conclusion, if the Queen of Scots would consent to seek her object in any other capacity than as the representative of a revolution. The reconciliation of the two factions in Scotland, and the restoration of Murray and Maitland to confidence and authority were accepted as an indication of a changed purpose; and harassed by her subjects, goaded into a marriage which she detested, and exhausted by a struggle which threatened a dangerous breach between herself and the nation, Elizabeth closed the long chapter of distrust, and yielded or prepared to yield all that was demanded of her.

Having thus made up her mind she resolved to break up the Parliament and to punish the refractory House of Commons by a dissolution. After another election the Puritans would be in a minority. The succession could be legally established without division or quarrel, guarded by such moderate guarantees as might secure the mutual toleration of the two creeds.

For the first time in parliamentary history a session had been wasted in barren disputes. On the 2nd of January between two and three in the afternoon the Queen appeared in the House of Lords to bring it to an end. The Commons were called to the bar; the Speaker Mr. Onslow read a complimentary address, in which he described the English nation as happy in a sovereign who understood

1 The Queen of Scots to Elizabeth, Jan. 3, 1567.—Scotch MSS. Rolls House.

1567 January

1567

CHAP X her duties, who prevented her subjects from injuring one another, and knew how to make quiet among the January ministers of religion.' He touched on the many excellences of the constitution, and finally with some imprudence ventured an allusion to the restrictions on the royal authority.

The close

of the Session.

There be,' he said, for the prince provided princely prerogatives and royalties, yet not such as the prince can take money or other things or do as she will at her own pleasure without order; but quietly to suffer her subjects to enjoy their own without wrongful oppression; whereas other princes by their liberty do take as pleaseth them.'

'Your Majesty,' he went on, turning to Elizabeth, 'has not attempted to make laws contrary to order, but orderly has called this Parliament, which perceived certain wants and thereunto have put their helping hands, and for help of evil manners good laws are brought forth.'

Then going to the sorest of all sore and wounding subjects, he concluded, we give hearty thanks to God for that your Highness has signified your pleasure of your inclination to marriage, which afore you were not given unto; which is done for our safeguard that when God shall call you, you may leave of your own body to succeed you. Therefore God grant us that you will shortly embrace the holy state of matrimony when and with whom God shall appoint and shall best like your Majesty.'

Elizabeth's humour-none the happiest at the commencement-was not improved by this fresh chafing of her galled side. She had come prepared to lecture others not to listen to a homily. She beckoned Bacon to her and spoke a few words to him. He then rose and said that the general parts of the Speaker's address her

Majesty liked well, and therefore he need not touch on CHAP X them; on the latter and more particular expressions used in it a few words were necessary.

'Politic orders,' he said, 'be the rules of all good acts, and touching them that you have made to the overthrowing of good laws (your Bill of Religion, with which you meant to tyrannize over conscience), these deserve reproof as well as the others deserve praise. In which like cause you err in bringing her Majesty's prerogative into question, and for that thing wherein she meant not to hurt any of your liberties. Her Majesty's nature however is mild; she will not be austere; and therefore though at this time she suffer you all to depart quietly into your counties for your amendment, yet as it is needful she hopeth the offenders will hereafter use themselves well.'

The Acts of the session were then read out and received the royal assent; all seemed over, and it was by this time dusk; when Elizabeth herself in the uncertain light rose from the throne, stood forward in her robes and spoke.

1567

January

Elizabeth.

'My Lords and other Commons of this assembly: Speech of although the Lord Keeper hath according to order very well answered in my name, yet as a periphrasis I have a few words further to speak unto you, notwithstanding I have not been used nor love to do it in such open assemblies. Yet now-not to the end to amend his talk, but remembering that commonly princes' own words are better printed in the hearers' memory than those spoken by her command-I mean to say thus much unto you.

'I have in this assembly found such dissimulation where I always professed plainness, that I marvel thereat; yea two faces under one hood, and the body rotten

1567

CHAP X being covered with the two vizors succession and liberty -which they determined must be either presently January granted, denied, or deferred; in granting whereof they had their desire; and denying or deferring thereofthose things being so plaudable as indeed to all men they are they thought to work me that mischief which never foreign enemy could bring to pass-which is the hatred of my Commons.

'But alas! they began to pierce the vessel before the wine was fined, and began a thing not foreseeing the end, how by this means I have seen my well-willers from my enemies, and can as meseemeth very well divide the House into four :

1. The broachers and workers thereof, who are in the greatest fault.

2. The speakers who by eloquent tales persuaded the rest are next in degree.

'3. The agreers who being so light of credit that the eloquence of those tales so overcame them that they gave more credit thereunto than unto their own wits.

4. Those that sat still and mute and meddled not therewith, but rather wondered disallowing the matter; who in my opinion are most to be excused.

'But do you think that either I am so unmindful of your surety by succession wherein is all my care, considering I know myself to be but mortal? No, I warrant you. Or that I went about to break your liberties? No, it never was in my meaning; but to stay you before you fell into the ditch. For all things have their time; and although perhaps you may have after me a betterlearned or wiser, yet I assure you, none more careful over you; and therefore henceforth, whether I live to see the like assembly or no, or whoever it be, yet beware how you prove your prince's patience as you have now done mine.