3.

State Papers, Domestic, Elizabeth,

[In Burleigh’s hand.]

To be declared to the Commons House by the Speaker.

The Queen’s Majesty hath commanded me to let you understand that whereas shortly after she had given her answer to certain of this House, in the matters intended to have been required of her Majesty as the necessity of the time and other weighty considerations presently moved her, upon the sight of certain matters which some persons intended under pretence of dealing in the former suit, to propound in this House touching the crown of this realm, very unmeet for the time and place, and certainly dangerous to the common quietness of her subjects now assembled, did by her Majesty’s commandment will you all to stay your proceeding any further in the said matter at this time, and now being informed by such of this House as she hath cause to credit, that there is not now any determination of this House to receive or allow any such dangerous matter, as she before did doubt, is therefore pleased to remove¹ at this time her former commandments, not doubting but you will be answerable in your whole doings . . . and thinketh it good that you have regard to the expedition of the matters of most moment remaining amongst you, considering the expense of the time past and the shortness of that which is now to come, the term ending also so shortly as it shall.

[An addition.]

If any person after this message, shall either presently or at any time after during this session, in the Commons House begin any speech, tending directly or indirectly to make any declaration of any particular title to the succession of the crown of this realm, the Speaker shall forthwith in her Majesty’s name command the party to cease off from any such further speaking, and shall declare to the whole House that so is her Majesty’s express commandment.

This manner of answer her Majesty hath thought best without any further answer to the request that hath been made to have leave to confer upon the liberties of the House, forasmuch as thereof must needs have issued more inconvenience than were meet.

[Nov. 24, 1566. Signed by 11 members of the Privy Council.]

¹ In the MS. the word remove is crossed and deliver you at this point inserted in the Queen’s handwriting. Evidently Elizabeth was loath to yield. That the remove was put back in is clear from what we are told in the Commons Journals for November 25th.