LECTURE V

PARTIES IN THE STATE

On December 21, 1585, a remarkable scene took place in the English House of Commons.  The Prince of Orange, after many attempts had failed, had been successfully disposed of in the Low Countries.  A fresh conspiracy had just been discovered for a Catholic insurrection in England, supported by a foreign invasion; the object of which was to dethrone Elizabeth and to give her crown to Mary Stuart.  The Duke of Alva, at the time of the Ridolfi plot, had pointed out as a desirable preliminary, if the invasion was to succeed, the assassination of the Queen of England.  The succession being undecided, he had calculated that the confusion would paralyse resistance, and the notorious favour with which Mary Stuart’s pretensions were regarded by a powerful English party would ensure her an easy victory were Elizabeth once removed.  But this was an indispensable condition.  It had become clear at last that so long as Elizabeth was alive Philip would not willingly sanction the landing of a Spanish army on English shores.  Thus, among the more ardent Catholics, especially the refugees at the Seminary at Rheims, a crown in heaven was held out to any spiritual knight-errant who would remove the obstacle.  The enterprise itself was not a difficult one.  Elizabeth was aware of her danger, but she was personally fearless.  She refused to distrust the Catholics.  Her household was full of them.  She admitted anyone to her presence who desired a private interview.  Dr. Parry, a member of Parliament, primed by encouragements from the Cardinal of Como and the Vatican, had undertaken to risk his life to win the glorious prize.  He introduced himself into the palace, properly provided with arms.  He professed to have information of importance to give.  The Queen received him repeatedly.  Once he was alone with her in the palace garden, and was on the point of killing her, when he was awed, as he said, by the likeness to her father.  Parry was discovered and hanged, but Elizabeth refused to take warning.  When there were so many aspirants for the honour of removing Jezebel, and Jezebel was so easy of approach, it was felt that one would at last succeed; and the loyal part of the nation, led by Lord Burghley, formed themselves into an association to protect a life so vital to them and apparently so indifferent to herself.

The subscribers bound themselves to pursue to the death all manner of persons who should attempt or consent to anything to the harm of her Majesty’s person; never to allow or submit to any pretended successor by whom or for whom such detestable act should be attempted or committed; but to pursue such persons to death and act the utmost revenge upon them.