IV. The Sources

PART A FREEDOM OF SPEECH UNDER ELIZABETH

1.

Commons Journals, I.

Page 76.

[Nov. 9, 1566.] Mr. Vice-Chamberlain [Sir Francis Knollys] declared the Queen’s Majesty’s express commandment to this House that they should no further proceed in their suit, but to satisfy themselves with her Highness’ promise of marriage. Mr. Secretary [Cecil] and Mr. Comptroller [Croft] severally rehearsed the like matter.

[Nov. 11th.] Paul Wentworth, one of the burgesses, moved whether the Queen’s commandment was not against the liberties; whereupon arose divers arguments continuing from nine of the clock till two afternoon. . . .

Pages 76–77.

[Nov. 12th.] Mr. Speaker, being sent for to attend upon the Queen’s Majesty . . . at his coming [to the House] . . . began to shew that he had received a special commandment from her Highness to this House, notwithstanding her first commandment, that there should not be further talk of that matter [the question of a successor in case the Queen should die without issue], and if any person thought not himself satisfied, but had further reasons, let him come before the Privy Council, there to shew them.

Page 78.

[Nov. 25th.] Mr. Speaker, coming from the Queen’s Majesty, declared her Highness’ pleasure to be that for her good will to the House, she did revoke her two former commandments, requiring the House no further at this time to proceed in the matter. Which revocation was taken of all the House most joyfully, with most hearty prayer and thanks for the same.

Page 81.

[Jan. 2, 1567. Queen’s speech in closing Parliament.] . . . It pleased the Queen’s Majesty to declare . . . that she seemed not pleased with the doings of the Commons for busying themselves in this session with matters which did not appertain at this time. . . .

¹ It will be observed in this and in several of the following extracts that some of the same selections have been used as Prothero avails himself of in his excellent collection of documents. It was quite impossible to go over Elizabethan parliamentary sources and not to use some of the same passages.