I 5 66.] THE MURDER OF DARNLEY. 459 but that the Lords should haA^e gone along with them she confessed had filled her with wonder. There were some among them who had placed their swords at her disposal when her sister was on the throne, and had invited her to seize the crown ; l she knew but too well that if she allowed a successor to be named, there would be found men who would approach him or her with the same en- couragement to disturb the peace of the realm. If she pleased she could name the persons to whom she alluded. When time and circumstances would allow she would see to the matter of their petition before they asked her ; she would be sorry to be forced into doing anything which in reason and justice she was bound to do ; and she concluded with a request that her words should not oe misinterpreted/ So long as she was speaking to the lay Peers she controlled her temper ; but her passion required a safety- valve, and she rarely lost an opportunity of affronting and insulting her bishops. Turning sharp round where Grindal and Pilkington were standing ' And you doctors/ she said it was her pleasure to ignore their right to a higher title ; 2 ' you, I understand, 1 ' Entre los cuales habia habido algunos que reynando su hermana le ofrecian a ella ayuda y la querian mover a que quisicse procurar en su vida la corona.' De Silva al Rey, II November, 1566: MS. Siman- cas.. It is tolerably certain that the Queen used these words. De Silva heard them first from the Queen her- self, and afterwards from the Lords who were present. 2 'Volviendose a los obispos que se hallaron presentes a la pla- tica, dij6, Vosotros doctores, no le* llamando obispos, que haceis muchas oraciones/ &c.
