I. BOOK to Monceons, to bring the duke and dutchess of Lorain onward on their way; it was agreed between us, that he should repair the next day to Monceons to the queen mother there, to deliver her majesties letters; as also her answer to the articles propounded by the king. Touching his proceedings with her, I refer your lordship to his own letters. By him I understood at the return, that Q. mother would speak with me at her return to the town, if I had any thing to say unto her. So the 26 of this month [April] she repaired hither. And for that during the time of her abode here, she could have no leisure; she sent me word, that the next day, in the morning, I should repair unto her to S. Clou, four English miles from Paris; and that there I should have audience. So according to her appointment, I repaired thither the next morning, and at the time of my access unto her presence, I shewed her, that I was come thither to know how she rested satisfied with the answers she received from her majesty, sent by Mr. Cavalcant, to those articles as were propounded by the king and her, to the end I might advertise her majesty. She shewed me, that the answers made unto the articles seemed to her not to be direct; saving that which was made unto the second article concerning religion. Which, saith she, is very hard, and neerly toucheth the honour of my son; so far forth, as if he should yield thereto, the queen, your mistress, should receive also some part of the blemish, by accepting for an husband such an one, as by sudden change of religion might be thought drawn through worldly respects, void of all conscience and religion. I replyed, that I was willed to say unto her from her majesty, that she doubted not but that monsieur, her son, by her good persuasions, would accept in good part the said answer. Who meant not such sudden change of religion, as that he or his houshold should be compelled to use the rites of the English church, contrary to his or their consciences. But forasmuch as the granting unto him of the exercise of his religion, being contrary to her laws, might, by example, breed such an offence as was like to kindle such troubles as lately reigned in 1. France; whereof both her self and her said son had too good BOOK experience; she therefore hoped that he, who, if the match proceeded, was to sayle with her in one ship, and to run one fortune, would not require a thing which she by no means could yield to: who tendred nothing more than the quiet and repose of her subjects. And therefore, in respect thereof, could by no means consent to any such permission, as by any likelyhood might disturb the same. To which she replied, that the not having the exercise was as much as to change his religion: which thing he could not do upon a sudden, without the note to be of no religion. Which dishonour I am sure (added she) no respect can draw him to endanger himself to. And as he in respect of the said ignominy is resolved fully not to yield; so can I with no 8 reason persuade him thereto. And as for any peril that may happen by the same, I think rather it shal be the best way of safety for your mistress: who always, by the way of his brother's sword, should be the better able to correct any such evil subjects, as should go about to disturb the repose and quiet of her estate: which she may assure herself he wil do, without having respect to any religion: whereof lately some trial hath been made, by his consenting with the king, to have some good justice and example of punishment don at Roan. In answer whereof, I then besought her to consider as wel the queen's danger, as her son's honour. I shewed her that of this permission three great mischiefs would ensue. First, the violating of her laws. Secondarily, the offence of her good and faithful subjects. And lastly, the encourage. ment of the evil affected. Which three mischiefs if you wil weigh, said I, together with your son's honour, you shall find them of great moment: and that the queen's majesty, my mistress, hath great cause to stand to the denyal of any such permission, whereof is like to ensue so manifest peril. And as for the aid of the king's sword, I shewed her, that I thought, that the example by permission would do much more harm, than either his own or his brother's sword could do good. For that the issue of our mischiefs by civil dissen I. BOOK sions fell out commonly to be sudden and short, but very sharp; and were not drawn in length, as those that happen in other countries: we having neither walled towns nor forts to retyre to, thereby to protract our warrs. To this she answered, that she feared that her son would too soon be overcome with the queen's persuasions in that behalf; who was more zealous than able by reason to defend his religion. Whereby the same inconvenience of example wil not long last. For, saith she, it is generally feared by the catholics, that this match wil breed a change of religion throughout al Europe. In the end, she concluded, that neither monsieur, her son, nor the king, nor her self, could ever yield to any such sudden change for any respect: neither could her majesty wel desire it, considering how much it would touch his reputation, whom she is to match withal, if it procede. I asked then of her, whether she would have me so to advertise her majesty. She desired me in any case so to do; and to know directly, whether by yielding or not yielding to the said second article, with al reasonable caution, she meant to procede or forbear. Whereof she desired her majesty, at the furthest, to have answer within ten days; for that the king stayeth his progress onely upon that. And if so be she meant to procede, then to send the articles that are to be propounded by her majesty. Monsieur de la Mot, as I learn by monsieur de Foix, hath given very honorable report of the queen's procedings, assuring them, that there is nothing but sincerity meant. If her majesty resolve to procede, I learn that monsieur de Foix shal come over with the king's answer to such articles as shal be propounded by her majesty; and so to grow to some true conclusion. And so having nothing else to advertise her majesty at this present, I most humbly take my leave of your honour. At Paris, the 28th of April, 1571. Your honours to command, Number VIII. BOOK I. 9 A motion in parliament, 13 Elizab. about the succession to the crown; according to K. Henry VIII. his will. SO great a matter as we have in hand, which concerneth Cott. Lib. the whole realm universally, and every one of us particularly, Julins, F.6. I think I should not need any long proheme to purchase your favours, to be content to hear, or to move you to be attentive to mark, what shal be said. For as we, a few, be chosen of an infinite multitude, to treat and do those things that shal be for the benefit of the commonwealth, and be put in trust for all the body of the realm, so I trust hath nature graffed in us a desire to seek those things that may do us good, and avoid that may do us hurt. Wherefore not minding to use mo words than needs, nor fewer than methinketh the greatnes of the cause requireth, I wil directly procede unto the matter. The horrible murthers and bloody battels, that were of long time between the factions of the red rose and the white, the houses of York and Lancaster, for the crown of this realm, by the happy marriage of king Henry VII. and Q. Eliza beth, were ended. Whereby great quietnes and peace (thanks be unto God) hath followed in this realm. God grant it may so continue. This K. Henry VII. and Q. Elizabeth have issue K. Henry VIII. the lady Margaret and the lady Mary. K. Henry VIII. had issue king Edward, Q. Mary, and Q. Elizabeth, the queen's majesty that now is. The lady Margaret was first maried to James, the king of Scots; who had issue James, king of Scots, father unto Mary, now queen of Scots. After his decease she maried the earl of Angus; and had issue by him, the lady Margaret, now countess of Lenox. The lady Mary, the other daughter of K. Henry VII. was first maried to Lewis the French king, and had no issue by him. After that she was maried to Charles duke of Suffolk, first secretly in France, and after openly in England. The duke and shee had issue the lady Frances and the lady Eleoner. The lady Frances being eldest was maried to the marques of Dorset. .I. BOOK By whom she had issue the lady Katharine and the lady Mary. The lady Eleanor was maried to the earl of Cumberland, and had issue the lady Margaret, now wife to the lord Strange. By the statutes of the 28th and 35th of K. Henry VIII. the crown was entayled, as yee know, for lack of issue of K. Edward, to Q. Mary, and after to the queen's majesty that now is. And for lack of heirs of their bodies, to such person or persons, in remainder or reversion, as should please K. Henry VIII. and according to such estate, and after to such maner, form, and fashion, order or condition, as should be expressed and limited in his letters patents, or by his last will in writing, signed with his most gracious hand. For the more sure establishing of which succession, we the subjects of this realm (besides our promises by that act declared) were al sworn by oath, that we should be obedient to such as K. Henry, according to his said statute, should appoint to succede to the crown, and not to any other within this realm; nor to any foreign authority, power, or potentate. Which words I beseech you to imprint wel in your minds. Whereupon some say, K. Henry made his will accordingly, and put the heirs of the lady Frances first; and next of the lady Eleanor, in the remainder. Others say, that he made a will, but not to the statute; for it was not signed with his hand; and some say, that he made no will at all. The question groweth, whether the heirs of the Scottish queen, or the heirs of the lady Frances and the lady Eleanor be next inheritors to the crown; if it should please God to take from us the queen's majesty, without heirs of her body. Or whether none of them is inheritable; whereunto I wil declare my mind and judgment. For the legacies and bequests that Henry the king made to divers, both of lands and mony, declare manifestly that he made a will: for al were performed and satisfyed. As I am informed also, after his decease divers indentures tripartite were made between 10 K. Edward, the executors of K. Henries will, and others. And divers letters patents passed under the great seal of |