Chapter 15 Summary

England enjoys peace and economic prosperity. The country provides refuge to skilled workers from France and the Netherlands, creating even more prosperity for England. The workers make felt, thread, lace, woven silk, parchment, paper, glass and steel instruments. Sir Thomas Gresham sets up a seat of commercial exchange on Cornhill, consisting of three wings enclosing a courtyard. Queen Elizabeth opens it and names it the Royal Exchange.

Meanwhile, the French propose another plan for marriage to Mary, Queen of Scots, bringing back the threat of the French re-entering Scotland and using it as their base for a Catholic invasion of England in Mary's interest. Queen Elizabeth stops this one by hinting that she is deeply interested in marrying the man herself. During lengthy negotiations, neither marriage takes place.

The English are tiring of Mary's plots. She was concerned in four major plots during...