32 THE CECILS
meet Cardinal Pole, the Papal Legate, who was on his way to London to grant absolution to the Kingdom ; and in the following year he attended the Cardinal to Calais on his abortive embassy to negotiate peace between France and the Emperor. He was chosen to represent the county of Lincoln in the Parliament of 1555, and was in some danger owing to his outspoken opposition to the Government on the question of confiscating the estates of Protestant exiles. " I spoke my mind freely," he says in his Diary, " whereby I incurred displeasure ; but it is better to serve God than man."
Probably, however, he kept himself as much as possible in the background during this reign, though Lloyd says that " when he was out of place he was not out of service in Queen Mary's days ; his abilities being as necessary in those times as his inclination ; and that Queen's Council being as ready to advance him at last, as they were to use him all her reign." l
Meanwhile he maintained communication with the Princess Elizabeth, who had known and trusted him for several years. So early as Sep- tember, 1549, ner " cofferer," Thomas Parry, writes to him in a way which shows that Elizabeth thought him the person in highest authority about the Protector, and believed in his integrity. 2 In April, 1553, she asked for his advice in connection with the " lewd demeanour " of one Mr. Keye, the
1 State Worthies, ed. 1766, I. 358.
2 Tytler, I. 201.
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