24 REIGN OF ELIZABETH. [CH. 63. the irrecoverable dishonour of the King's name.' The Queen required that the charges against Morton should be examined, not by Lennox, but by indifferent judges, and she desired James to understand that if the story of Kirk o' Field was reopened, the accusations pressed against one should be pressed equally against all who had been concerned. 1 If this remonstrance produced no effect, ' you will then,' so Randolph's instructions concluded, ' seek out the party opposed to Lennox, who wish well to the King and to England; you will find what strength they can make, if her Majesty send a power to preserve the Earl and the realm from foreign practices ; ar, - you will tell them that we have ordered the Earls of B. int- ingdon and Hunsdon to put a power in readiness to be sent forward forthwith in case a milder course will not be taken by the King. If you find nothing can be ob- tained but extremity against Morton and his friends, you are immediately to send for such forces as the Lord-Lieutenant shall have prepared in such number and at such time as you shall think meet.' 2 In recommending Elizabeth to take a determined attitude, the whole council were for once heartily agreed. The nature of the conspiracy was so patent, the danger so serious and so widely spread, that minor differences vanished before the general necessity of self- defence. The cautious and moderate Sussex was ut one with the impetuous Walsingham. ' He was sorry,' 1 Commission to Thomas Eandolph, January 7 ; Walsingham to Ran dolph, January 8 : MSS. Scotland. '* Commission to Randolph.
