1566.] THE MURDER OF DARNLEY. 465 contrary they meant nothing but what became them as loyal subjects, they said that they submitted reluctantly to her resolution to postpone the settlement of the suc- cession, being most sorry that any manner of impediment had appeared to her Majesty so great as to stay her from proceeding in the same.' 1 They had however received a message implying ' that they had deserved to be de- prived, or at least sequestrated, much to their discomfort and infamy, 2 from their ancient and laudable custom, always from the beginning necessarily annexed to their assembly, and by her Majesty always 3 confirmed that is, a lawful sufferance and dutiful liberty to treat and devise matters honourable to her Majesty and profitable to the realm.' Before this message reached them ' they had made no determination to deal in any way to her discontentation ; they therefore besought her of her motherly love that they might continue in their course of duty, honouring and serving her like children, with- out any unnecessary, unaccustomed* or undeserved yoke of commandment ; so 5 should her Majesty continue the singular favour of her honour, wherein she did excel all monarchs, for ruling her subjects without misliking ; and they also would enjoy the like praise above all other people for obeying without constraint than the which 1 The words in Italics were added by Cecil. 2 Added in Cecil's hand. 3 The word first written was graciously.' Cecil scratched through graciously,' as if it implied that the liberties of the House of Commons depended on the pleasure of the So- vereign, and substituted ' always.' 4 Cecil's hand. 5 The conclusion is entirely Cecil's. VOL. VII. 30
