The History of the Life Reign and Death of Queen Elizabeth, History (2 of 2)
The next day after this Cavalcade, she was Crowned at Westminster, by the Bishop of Carlile, all the other Bishops refusing to perform that Office, as fearing the Pope's Displeasure, and the Fall, or at least some Alteration of the Catholick Religion in this Kingdom, which they were resolved not to Conform themselves to. Her Devotion was so great, that every Morning, as soon as she was up, she spent some time in Prayer, and besides, at the appointed hours, she went constantly to her private Chappel. In Lent she was Clo…thed in Black, after the antient manner, hearing constantly an… attentively the Sermons, though she many times said, That she had rather tal… with God devoutly by Prayer, than hea… others speak eloquently of his Divine Majesty. As touching the Cross, the Blesse… Virgin, and the Saints, she had no contemptible Opinion, nor ever spoke otherwise of them than with Reverence, no… would allow others to speak irreverently o… them.
And by the Parliament it was unanimously enacted, That the Lady Elizabeth was by the Law of God, the Common▪ Law of England, and the Statutes of the Realm, the most Certain, Lawful, and Undoubted Queen of England, but however, without repealing the Statute where in her Father had Excluded her from th… Succession, or without making any Act … the Validity of her Mothers Marriage, o… which her Title principally depended For which Sir Nicholas Bacon, then Lo… Keeper, was condemned of Impruden… and Neglect, on whose Judgment the Queen wholly depended in matters … Law, seeing it had been objected by som… against Queen Mary, and for that reaso… her Ministers had been careful to have it repealed in what concerned her self. But Bacon not only knew the old Law Maxime, That the Crown takes away all the defects and stops in blood, and that from the time the Queen did▪ assume the Crown, the Fountain was cleared, and all Attainders and corruption of blood discharged. And besides, he possibly thought it more prudent that the Queen Mother's Marriage should pass as a thing unquestionable and no ways subject to dispute, than to ground it upon the inconstancy of Acts and Statutes. There pass'd also an Act for the restoring to the Crown the Tenths and first Fruits, first setled upon it in the time of King Henry the Eighth, and afterwards remitted by Queen Mary. There likewise passed an Act for the Dissolution of all those Monasteries, Convents, and Religious Orders, as had been Founded and Established by the late Queen. In the passing of these Acts there was little Opposition, but when they came to debate of the Act of Supremacy, it seemed to several a thing both strange and contrary to Nature and Policy, that a Woman should be declared Supream Head on Earth of the Church of England; whereupon, an Expedient was found out to satisfie their Cavils, and remove all Obstructions by putting in Governour instead of Head, the Act being couched in these Terms; That, whatsoever Jurisdictions, Priviledges, and Spiritual Preheminences, had been heretofore in use by any Ecclesiastical Authority whatsoever, to visit Ecclesiastical men, and correct all manner of Errors, Heresies, Schisms, Abuses and Enormities, should be for ever annexed to the Imperial Crown of England; That the Queen and her Successors might, by their Letters Patents, substitute certain men to exercise that Authority. Provided, that they should define nothing to be Heresie, but those things which were long before defined to be Heresies, out of the Sacred Canonical Scriptures, or the first four Oecumenical Councils, or other Councils, by the true and proper sence of the Holy Scriptures, or should thereafter be so defined by Authority of Parliament, with Assent of the Clergy of England, assembled in a Synod, that all and every Ecclesiastical Persons, Magistrates, Receivers of Pensions out of the Exchequer, such a… were to receive Degrees in the Universities, Wards that were to sue their Liveries, and to be invested in their Livings, and such as were to be admitted into the Number of the Queens Servants, &c. should be obliged by Oath to acknowledge the Queens Majesty to be the only and Supream Governour of her Kingdoms, in all Matters and Causes, as well Spiritual as Temporal, all Forreign Princes and Potentates being wholly excluded from taking Cognisance of Causes within her Dominions. This Act was stifly opposed by nine Bishops, and only two Temporal Lords, who were the Earl of Shrewsbury, and Anthony Brown Vicount Montacute, who had been sent in the time of Queen Mary to tender Obedience to the Apostolick See: But were joyfully and unanimously assented to by the far major part of the House of Commons, the Papists complaining that the Votes had been surprised, and that the Duke of Norfolk▪ the Earl of Arundel and Cecil, had by cunning procured Voices in favour of those Acts.
Now Men differing so much in points of Religion, it was ordered by Proclamation, that no man should speak unreverently of the Sacrament, and both kinds were allowed to be administred. But notwithstanding that, a Conference was appointed to be held at Westminster between the Papists and Protestants; 1. Concerning Common Prayer, and administration of the Sacraments in the Vulgar Tongue; 2. Concerning the Authority of the Church, in constituting and abrogating Ceremonies, to edification; and 3. Concerning the Sacrifice of the Mass: and Persons were chosen on both sides, for to dispute upon these Points: yet all fell to nothing, not being able to agree upon the Method they were to hold in their Disputations; the Papists not daring to dispute upon Points that had never been controverted in their Church, without having first consulted the Pope; but pretended and complained of the hard usage they had met with from the Lord Keeper Bacon, in not giving them time sufficient to consider upon the Points in Question; they looking upon him as their bitter Enemy. And some of the Popish Bishops were so fiery and so extravagant in their Expressions, as to declare, that the Queen, and all others that had occasioned the overthrow of the Superstitions of the Church of Ro…e, ought to suffer Excommunication; and for this their impertinent Zeal were clap… into Prison. But the more Prudent thought it more fit that this Censure should be left to the Pope, lest, as they were Subjects, such Declarations in them might prove to be Rebellion.
In the mean time, the Pope, being made perfectly well acquainted with all these passages, and being netled to the quick by so great a loss as he suffered by this change, he ordered Sir Edward Carne, who had been Ambassadour at the Court of Rome, for King Henry the Eighth, for Queen Mary, and now for Queen Elizabeth, not to act any longer as such: And to use his own words, By Vigour of a Commandment given by word of Mouth, by the Oracle of the most Holy Lord the Pope, in vertue of his most Holy Obedience, and under pain of his greater Excommunication, and loss of all his Goods and Lands, not to depart the City, but should take upon him the Government of the English Hospital. Which was likewise done, lest Sr. Edward should acquaint the Queen with the secret Practises of the French against her, and was willingly submitted to by him out of h… fervent Zeal to Popery; for either by th… Pope's Instigation, or the Sollicitation … the French King, or the Dauphin's Ambition, who had married the Queen … Scots, that Queen took upon her the stil… and Title of Queen of England, quartering the Arms thereof in her Plate, an… in all other things as she had Occasion… which she did as Cousin and next He… to the late Queen; by which means, sh… imputed Bastardy to the Queen then l… ving; which Extravagance, was afterwards the loss of that unfortunate Lady… Head.
As Queen Elizabeth was somethin… startled at these Proceedings, so it move… her to pursue the Reformation she ha… begun, with the more Eagerness. T… which end, she set out, by Advice of h… Council, a Body of Injunctions, bein… much the same with those that ha… been published in the beginning of t… Reign of King Edward, but better fut… to the Temper of that Juncture; … containing the severe Course taken … bout Ministers Marriages, the Posture … the Communion Table, the form … Prayers in the Congregation, and the use of singing, and of Reverences in Divine Worship to be kept in Churches. By the Injunctions she made way to her Visitation, which was performed by Commissioners in their several Circuits, and regulated by a Book of Articles, printed and published for that purpose. By Vertue of which Articles, the Commissioners removed all carved Images out of the Church, which had been formerly abused to Superstition; defacing likewise, all such Pictures, Paintings, and other Monuments, as were made for the Representation of feigned Miracles; and this they did with so much Order, Moderation, and Decency, that the Papists themselves, could not find Fault with, and without commiting the least Sacriledge, by appropriating to their own use any of the Plate or other Utensils, that had been restored, and bestowed upon the Church, in the late Queens Time. Inquiry was in like manner made into the Life and Doctrine of Ministers, their Diligence in their respective Cures, the Decency of their Apparel, the Respect that was borne them by their Parishoners, the Reverent Behaviour of all manner of Persons during Divine Service. Inquiry was also made into all sorts of Crimes, as frequenting of Taverns and other publick Houses by the Clergy, Adultery, Fornication, Drunkenness, amongst the Laity, with several other things that have since been practised in the Visitations of particular Bishops; an Oath of Supremacy was likewise offered to most of the Popish Bishops, and others of the Clergy, which they had most of them sworn to in the time of Henry the Eighth, and such as refused it were displaced, and others substituted in their places. And this was the Course and Method that was taken for the abolishing the Superstitions of Rome, and the introducing and setling the true Reformed Religion in this Kingdom, which was done with that ease, and with so little Commotion and Disturbance, as put all Christendom into Admiration, to see that Gradually, Maturely, and yet in a short time, this change had been brought to pass. For, after Popery had continued a full Month after Queen Maries Decease, in the same estate as formerly, on the Twenty seventh of December, the Epistles, Gospels, the Lords Prayer, Ten Commandments, the Creed, and the Litany, were allowed to be used in English: On the Twenty second of March, the Parliament being then Assembled, a Law of Edward the Sixth's was renewed, whereby both kinds were permitted to be administred in the Lords Supper: On the Twenty fourth of June, by Authority of an Act, the Sacrifice of the Mass was abolished, and the Liturgy in the English Tongue Established; in July, the Oath of Supremacy was ministred to the Bishops and others: And in August Images were removed out of the Churches, broken, or burnt. Thus was our Church purified from the Filth and Idolatries of Popery, and the Crown of England rendred more Independent than any other of Christendom, who had rendred and continued themselves Slaves by submitting themselves to the Yoke of Rome, and infinite Sums of Money were continued at home, that used to be Exhausted hence by the See of Rome, by Popish Artifice and Trifles, for first Fruits, Pardons, Dispensations, and other such like trash of Popery.
During these religious Transactions, and while that Ecclesiastical Affairs were thus setling, the Ministers of England and Spain at the Treaty of Peace at Cambray, did contend hard for the Restitution of Calice; all which, was however to no purpose, though they offered in Lieu thereof, to remit three Millions of Crowns that were due from the French. The Spaniard, at that time, holding firm to the English, both for that the English had lost it in his Quarrels, and that he was sensible, according to all Appearances, that it would be more for his Interest in the Netherlands, that it should be in the Hands of the English, than possessed by the French. On the contrary, the French maintained, that Calice alone was not sufficient to satisfie the Damages the English had done them, in helping the Spaniards to take their Towns; many places in Brittany having been burn'd by the English Fleet, their Ships taken, their Trade interrupted, and vast Sums of Money spent in hindring an Invasion of the English. But, the Spaniard in the mean while, having discovered Queen Elizabeth's Aversion to a Match with him, the Paces she had made towards the introducing the Reformed Religion, and her Resolution to treat with the French, without Communication first had with him, he grew faint, and fell off from promoting the English Pretensions; which being perceived by Queen Elizabeth, and fearing that she should be abandoned if she continued any longer in her demands upon that Point, or else, preferring Publick Good before Private Interest, she came at length to this Agreement; That the French King should peaceably enjoy for the Term of eight years, the Town of Calice, with the Appurtenances and sixteen great Pieces of Ordnance; and that when that term was expired, he should restore the same with the Town, to Queen Elizabeth; or otherwise, should pay unto the Queen, the Sum of five hundred thousand Crowns. In Consequence of which Accommodation, Peace was proclaimed on the 17th. of April, between the Queens Majesty on the one part, and the Most Christian King on the other; as likewise, between her and the King Dauphin, with his Wife the Queen of Scots, and all the Subjects and Dominions of the said four Princes. The People were however, dissatisfied with this Peace, in regard, that Calice was not restored, and laid the blame thereof upon the Bishops, and other Papists. But, the French King lived not long to enjoy the Benefit thereof, he being killed at a Turnament in Paris, by the Count de Montgomery; and though his eldest Son and Successor, Francis, caused the Queen of Scots, his Wife, to assume the Title and Arms of England, yet she resolved to bestow a Royal Obsequy on the King deceased, which was accordingly performed in St. Paul's Church in a most Solemn manner.
The Parliament being now to be dissolved, the House of Commons made an humble Address unto her, in which they most earnestly besought her, that for securing the Peace of the Kingdom, and the Satisfaction of all her good and loving Subjects, she would think of marrying, without particularizing to her any one man, but leaving to her the Choice of the Person. Whereto she made Answer, That she was obliged to them for their good Affections, and took their Application to her to be well intended; and the rather, because it contained no Limitation of Time or Person; which, had it done, she should have disliked it very much, and have looked upon it as a very great Presumption, That she had long since made choice of the State of Life wherein she then lived, and hoped that God would give her Strength and Constancy to go thorough with it; that if she had been inclined to have changed that Course, she neither wanted many Invitations to it, in the Reign of her Brother, nor many strong Impulsions in the time of her Sister. Moreover, says she, to satisfie you, I have already joyned my self in Marriage to a Husband, namely, the Kingdom of England, and behold, continued she, which I marvel you have forgotten, the Pledge of this my Marriage and my Wedlock with my Kingdom; and thereupon, took the Ring off her Finger, wherewith, at her Coronation, she had in a set Form of Words, given her self in Marriage to her Kingdom: And then, making a Pause, And do not, said she, upbraid me with miserable lack of Children; for, every one of you, and as many as are Englishmen, are Children and Kinsmen to me, of whom, if God deprive me not, (which God forbid) I cannot, without injury be accounted Barren. And then having promised she would take a Husband in case the good of the State should so require, she licensed them to depart to their several Businesses.
Amongst other Acts that passed during this Session of Parliament, besides those that have been already related, was a severe one against any violence offered against the Queens Person; one concerning going to Church upon Sundays and Holydays, a Mulct of Twelve Pence being imposed for every days Absence: Likewise one concerning Seditious Rumours against the Queen, Merchandize, Shipping, Cloathing, Iron-works, and of Tumultuous and Unlawful Meetings; and besides several others, one concerning the Possessions of Archbishops and Bishops; That they should not Give, Grant, or Lease out the Livings of the Church, but for one and twenty Years, or three Lives, to others than the Queen and her Successours, reserving the old Rents. But that Exception for the Queen, proved beneficial to the Bishops and her Courtiers, who abused her Bounty to the dammage of the Church, for which reason
The Queen Coming through ye City in Triump…
The Return of the Gospell.
The Poolling down & burning of Popish Images
it was repealed in the beginning of the Reign of King James. In this Parliament, there was not a Person proscribed, tho' usual in the first Parliament of every Reign, but several were restored in Blood, and then it was dissolved.
Shortly after which, came the Duke of Finland, as Ambassador from the King of Sweden, to propose a Marriage between Her Majesty and Prince Ericus, that King's Eldest Son; and, this Ambassadour having been magnificently treated by the Queen, was at length dismissed, with the same Success as all the rest, who, before and after, came upon that Errand.
And now the Emperour and the Catholick Princes, interceeded with the Queen by several Letters, that such Bishops as were displaced might meet with a kind Usage, and that the Papists might be allowed Churches by themselves, in Cities. Whereto she made Answer, Although those Popish Bishops have insolently and openly repugned against the Laws and Quiet of the Realm, and do now obstinately reject that Doctrine, which most part of themselves, under Henry the Eighth, and Edward the Sixth, had of their own Accord, with Heart and Hand, publickly in their Sermons and Writings, taught unto others, when they themselves were not private Men, but publick Magistrates: yet would she, for so great Princes Sakes, deal favourably with them, though not without Offence to her own Subjects: But, grant them Churches to celebrate their Divine Offices in, apart by themselves, she cannot, with the Safety of the Common-wealth, and without wrong to her own Honour and Conscience. Neither is there any Cause why she should grant them, seeing England embraceth no new and strange Doctrine, but the same which Christ hath commanded, the Primitive and Catholick Church hath received, and the Ancient Fathers have with one Voice and Mind approved. And to allow Churches with contrary Rites and Ceremonies; besides, that it openly repugneth against the Laws established by Authority of Parliament, were nothing else but to sow Religion out of Religion, to distract good Men's Minds, to cherish factious Men's Humours, disturb Religion and Commonwealth, and mingle Divine and Humane things: Which were a thing indeed evil, in Example worst of all, to her own good Subjects hurtful, and to themselves, to whom it is granted, neither greatly Commodious, nor yet at all safe. She was therefore determined out of her Natural Clemency, and especially at their request, to be willing to heal the private Insolency of a few by much Connivance; yet so as she might not encourage their obstinate minds by Indulgence.
The Spaniard having lost all hopes of a Match between Queen Elizabeth and himself, and fearing lest the Crown of England might happen to be joyned to the Scepter of France, he perswaded the Emperour Ferdinand to propose one of his Sons for a Husband to Queen Elizabeth; which accordingly he did by an Ambassadour, whom he sent to that purpose, but all to the same effect as the rest that had been before him.
In the mean time, those of the Reformed Religion in Scotland, being weary of the French insolency and oppression, and no longer able to endure the Idolatries and Impositions of the Church of Rome, proceeded of their own Authority to a change in Religion; and being influenced by the greatest Men in the Kingdom, and stirr'd up by Knox in his Sermons, they fell upon destroying all Altars and Images in several Places, demolishing of some Religious Houses, and burning of others; And being countenanced and seconded by the Nobility, they seize upon Perth and other places, and assuming to themselves the Name of the Congregation, they managed their own Affairs apart from the rest of the Kingdom, and began to stand upon such high Terms, as to pass an Act for the depriving the Queen Regent of all Place and Power in the publick Government. Whereupon the Queen Regent, to provide for her own security, having already received some Forces out of France, though not sufficient, she desires, and is assisted with farther Supplies. Hereupon the Heads of the Congregation, dispatch Melvin, and Maitland, Lord Secretary to the Queen of England, making Complaints, that since the Queen of Scots had been married to the Dauphin, the Government of the Kingdom was changed, all Places laid waste by Foreign Souldiers, the highest Offices of the Kingdom were bestowed upon French-men, the Castles and all other fortified Places put into their hands, and the purer Money of the Realm was embased for their gain; and that by these and such other like Contrivances, the French made way for their seizing on the Crown of Scotland, in case it happened otherwise than well with their Queen; and therefore they implore her Succours and Assistance for the expulsion of that People, who might otherwise be destructive, and of ill Consequence to both Realms. Whereupon this Affair being taken into consideration, some were of Opinion, that it was not safe for the Queen to condescend and comply with their desires, but others were for the Queens granting them▪ Succours, considering that the French were making such extraordinary Preparations, both in France and Germany, of Men and Ammunition for to be transported into Scotland, as were not only sufficient to subdue that Kingdom to their Wills, but seemed to threaten an Invasion of England, through that Door, by their Contracting Alliances with other States, and the French King's taking upon him the Title of England, and therefore that the Queen was obliged, both out of Piety and Prudence, to give such assistance to the Scots, as might hinder the French from taking possession of that Kingdom.
Hereupon, great Preparations were made for this Expedition, the Duke of Norfolk was appointed Lieutenant General in the Northern parts towards Scotland; the Earl of Sussex, who had been Deputy of Ireland in the late Queens time, was sent back thither, with Instructions for the preventing any Change in that Kingdom; and the Queens Commissioners being met with those of the Scots at Berwick, it was concluded, and a League made to this Effect: That whereas the French go against all right and reason to subdue Scotland, and unite it to the Scepter of France, the Queen of England shall take the Duke of Chastel-heraut, Heir apparent to the Crown of Scotland, and the Scotish Nobility and People unto her Protection, as long as the French King hath Mary Queen of Scots in marriage, and a year after. She shall send an Army by Sea and Land, with all Warlike provision, to expel and exclude the French out of Scotland. She shall not enter into Peace with the French, but with condition that Scotland may enjoy her Ancient Liberty. The Forts and Strong Holds, recovered by the Aid of the English from the French, shall forthwith be razed, or else delivered into the hands of the Duke of Norfolk, at his choice. The English shall fortifie no Places in Scotland, but by the Consent of the Duke of Chastel-heralt, and the Nobility of Scotland. The Confederates shall aid the English all they can; they shall hold for Enemies all whosoever shall be Enemies to the English. They shall not suffer the Kingdom of Scotland to be united to France, by any other means than as they are now conjoyned by Marriage. If England be invaded by the French on this side the Rivor Tine, the Scots shall send two thousand Horse and a thousand Foot under the Queen of England's Pay. But if it be invaded beyond the Tine, they shall joyn with the English, to assist them with all the Power they can make, and that at their own Charges, the space of thirty dayes, as they use to do for the Defence of Scotland. The Earl of Argyle, Justicer General of Scotland, shall do his best that the North part of Ireland be reduced into order, upon certain Conditions, on which the Lieutenant of Ireland and he shall agree. Finally, it is prescribed what both of them shall perform, in case Mac Conel or other Hebridians shall attempt any thing in Scotland or Ireland. For Confirmation of these Articles, before such time as the English Army enter into Scotland, Hostages shall be sent into England, to be changed every Sixth or Fourth Month, at the Choice of the Scots, during the Marriage betwixt the French King and the Queen of Scots, and a year after, the Duke of Chastel-herault and the Confederate Earls and Parliamentary Barons, shall ratifie these Articles by their hands and Seals, within twenty days: And withal, (for as much as the Queen of England undertaketh these things, in no other respect, than in regard of Amity and Neighbourhood, to defend the Scots from the Yoke of servitude; they shall make Declaration that they will yield Obedience to the Queen of Scots,) and the King her Husband, in all things which shall not make for the taking away of their ancient Liberty.
In Consequence of this Agreement, and of the publick Declarations of the French, of their design to invade England, an Army of six thousand Foot and three thousand Horse, were sent into Scotland, under the Command of the Lord Gray, an expert Captain; and some ships being sent to block up the Frieth of Edenborough, they dispersed and put to flight some French Men of War that hovered upon that Coast.
About the time that the English Army entred Scotland, the French made Proposals and Promises▪ of restoring Calice, in case the Queen would recall her Forces: Which she absolutely refused, saying; That she looked upon Calice as a poor Fisher Town, in comparison of the safety and security of all Brittain. Now the French seeing that the English had blocked up the Town of Leith by Sea and Land, i… such … ▪ as that there was no possibility of relieving it, and finding themselves … able to maintain their projects against… English Courages and Power, the Fr… King proposeth a Peace; and to that … sendeth. Embassadours to Edenborough▪ … confer and treat with C…cyl, and Nicho… W…tton Dea… of Canterbury and York▪ … were sent thither as Commissioners … Queen Elizabeth, who came at length▪ to this Conclusion; That all the French Forces should immediately depart out of Scotland, except sixty men only to b… left in Dunbar, and as many in the Fo… of Nachkeeth; that they should be transported, for their greater Security, in English Bottoms; that all matters of Religio… should be referred to the following Parliament; that an Act of Oblivion should be passed for the Indemnity of all who ha… borne Arms on either side; that a general▪ Bond of Love and Amit… should b… made betwixt the Lords and their … r…nts of both Religions: And … ▪ amongst many other Particulars, That n… ther the Queen of Scots, nor the French King, should, from thence forward▪ … the Titles and Arms of England. … Articles being signed for both Kin… the French … Scotland▪ … English Army being returned home, was thereupon disbanded. Shortly after which, the Earls of Morton and Glencarn were sent by the Congregation to pay their most …mble Thanks and Acknowledgments to …er Majesty, for her ready and successful Assistance, and to implore the Continuation of her Favour and Protection, in case they should be invaded by the French, or any other Enemies. Whereof, having received gracious Assurances, and being …obly entertained, and bountifully rewarded with Gifts and Presents, they returned with such Joy and Satisfaction to …he Congregation, that for these Reasons, and for the further engaging her Protection, they obliged themselves by their Subscription, to embrace the Liturgy, with all the Rites and Ceremonies of the Church of England; which, for a time, remained the only Form of Worship retained in the Kirke of Scotland. After which, they caused a Parliament to be called, in Pursuance of the Articles of the Pacification; from which no Person▪ w…ed, who had any Right of Suff…ose Authority three Acts pa…g wholly to the promoting and establishing of the Reformation. The first was for the abolishing the Pope's Jurisdiction and Authority within that Realm; the second, For the annulling all Statutes made in former Times, for maintenance of Idolatry and Superstition; and the third, for the Punishments of the Sayers and Hearers of Mass.
And now let us return to England, where the Earl of Arrain, being recommended by the Protestants of Scotland, for a Husband to Queen Elizabeth; by that means, to have united the two Crowns: this Match was handsomly rejected by her and with great Commendation of the Person. The like Address was made by the King of Denmark, in Favour of Adolph Duke of Holstein, a Prince who had gained great Honours by the Wars, and who came himself over, for that purpose, but was dismissed by the Queen with the Honour of the Garter, and a yearly Pension; whereby she bound him for ever to her Interests.
At home, Sir William Pickering, the Earl of Arundel, and Robert Dudley, the Duke of Northumberland's younger S… statter'd themselves with the hopes … taining unto the Honour of being her Husband.
In the mean time, the Lord Vicount Montacute, the Queens Ambassador in Spain, represents to that King the Necessity of the Scotish War; endeavours to free the Scots from all Aspersions of Rebellion; proving, though a zealous Catholick, that the Religion that was now introduced into England, was wholly consonant to the Sacred Scriptures, and the four first General Councils; and demanded, that the League of Burgundy might be renewed. Whereto, that King replyed, That the confirming of the League was in no wise necessary, bemoaneth the Change of Religion in England, is troubled at the Expedition into Scotland, sendeth back the Order of the Garter, and taketh unkindly some Repulses in things of small Moment; and though he gave some necessary Cautions, as to Clauses to be inserted in the Treaty of Edenborough, and for a while, opposed the French Practi… at Rome, who endeavoured to pro…rt Queen Elizabeth to be excommunicated; yet his Ministers▪ incensing him▪ … more and more against the Engl… Affronts were offered to the Queens Ambassador at his Court; and he is likewise said to have then endeavoured to perswade the new elected Pope to thunder out his Bulls of Excommunication against her Majesty. But the Court of Rome, being sensible how little she valued those empty Crackers, instead of complying with the Spaniard; sent to her the Abbot Vincentio Papalia, with secret Instructions, and fawning Letters, whereof you have here an Abstract.