1584.] EXPULSION OF MENDOZA. 419 To gain her confidence, and to explain his coming over, he had the audacity to tell her that overtures had been made to him to kill her, concealing indeed nothing of the story but his own assent. According to his own story, he wished to frighten her into a change of policy. 1 ' The Queen/ he says, ' took it doubtfully.' She told him that no Catholic who would live as a loyal subject 'should be troubled either for religion or for the supremacy ; ' but her manner was cold and stern, and ' he departed with fear.' Soon after this the answer came from the Vatican . The Cardinal of Como wrote in the name of the Pope to bid him at once and for ever lay aside his needless scruples. The father of Christendom sent his benediction, with indulgences and remission of sins for the faithful son who would do the Church so great a service, and promised not only favour in heaven, but substantial acknowledgments up- on earth. 2 Thus encouraged, Parry resumed his half- Conde de Olivarez, 10 Hebrero : MSS. Simancas. 1 All these circumstances, and Parry's whole history, were related by himself on his trial : State Trials, vol. i. 2 ' La Santita di N. S. ha veduto le lettere di V. S. con la fede inclusa, e non pu6 se non laudare la buona disposition e e risolutione che scrive di tenere verso il servitio e benefcio publico, nel che la Santita sua 1' e- sorta di perseverare con fame riu- scire li effctti che V. S. promctte : et acciocht: tanto maggiormente V. S. sia ajutata da quel buon spirito che 1* ha mosso, le concede sua Benedi- tione, plenaria Indulgenza e Een>is- sione di tutti li peccati secondo che V. S. ha chiesto, assicurandosi che oltre il inerito che n' havera in cielo, vuole anco sua Santita constituirsi debitore a riconoscere li meriti di V. S. in ogni tniglior modo che po- tra, &c. Di Roma, a 30 di Gennaro, 1584.' Trial of William Parry: State Trials, vol. i.
