1563 ] THE ENGLISH A T II A VKE. 29 said it was not lie or his master who were most guilty of using religion as a stalking-horse to disturb their neighbours' peace. Cecil said the Bishop had encouraged Pole and For- tescue. The Bishop answered truly enough that he had had nothing to do with them or their follies. 'The meaning of it all/ de Quadra wroie to Philip, ' is this : they wish to dishearten the Catholics whom the Parliament will bring together from all parts of the realm. I am not to remain in this house because it has secret doors and entrances which we may use for mis- chief. They are afraid, and they have cause to be afraid. The heretics are furious at seeing me maintain the Ca- tholics here with some kind of authority, and they can- not endure it ; but a few days ago the Lord Keeper said that neither the Crown nor religion were safe so long as I was in the realm. It is true enough, as Cecil says, that I may any day be torn in pieces by the populace. Ever since this war in France, and the demonstrations in Paris against the heretics, the Protestant preachers have clamoured from the pulpit for the execution of
- Papists/ Even Cecil himself is bent on cruelty ; and
did they but dare they would not leave a Catholic alive in the land. ' But the faithful are too large a number, and if it comes to that they will sell their lives dear. London indeed is bad enough : it is the worst place in the realm : and it is likely I do not say it in any fear, but only because it is a thing which your Majesty should know that if they force me to reside within the walls
