A tertian or quartan fever was then prevalent in the Netherlands and in England, which was very fatal, especially to elderly persons of enfeebled health.[179] The Queen, who had been for some time visited by her usual attacks of illness, could not resist this disease, when suffering besides, as she was, from deep affliction at the disappointment of all her hopes, and from heart-rending anticipations of the future: once more she heard mass in her chamber--she died before it was ended, on the 17 November 1558. Cardinal Pole also was suffering: completely crushed by this news he expired the following night. It was calculated that thirteen bishops died a little before or after the Queen. As if by some predetermined fate the combination of English affairs which had been attempted during her government came at once to an end. NOTES: [165] The Queen imputed the chief blame to Paget 'Quand l'on a parle de la peyne des heretiques, il a sollicite les Seigneurs pour non y consentir ny donner lieu a peyne de mort' Renard a l'empereur, in Tytler ii. 386. [166] Les seigneurs quils ont pension du roy font tels et si bons offices es contrees et provinces du roy ou ils ont charge que l'on ne oye dire si non que le peuple est content de l'alliance; ce que divertit les mauvais.' Renard a l'empereur, 13 Oct. Papiers d'etat iv. 348. [167] Carta del rey Don Felipe a la princesa de Portugal Donna Juana su hermana, in Ribadeneyra, Historia del Scisma 381. [168] Renard informs King Ferdinand that this resolution would be adopted the 29 Nov (Papiers d'etat iv. 344), 'Confiant que la dispense soit generale, pour sans scrupule confirmer la possession des biens ecclesiastiques es mains de ceux qui les tiennent.' [169] 'La chambre haulte y faict difficulte pour ce, que l'autorite et jurisdiction des evesques est autorizee et que la peine semble trop griefve.' Renard a l'empereur, Papiers d'etat iv. 347. [170] Renard, ibid. 341. 'Le chancellier insistoit, que l'on declaira Mme. Elizabeth bastarde en ce parlement' They feared 'l'evidente et congnue contrariete qui seroit en tout le royaume.' [171] Condemnatio Johannis Hooper, in Burnet Coll. iii. 246. Compare Foxe, Martyrs vol. iii; Soames iv. [172] According to a despatch of Micheli (25 Nov. 1555) she says to the Parliament: 'che non ad altro fine dalla Maesta di dio era predestinata e riservata alla successione del regno, se non per servirsi di lei principalmente nella riduttione alla fede cattolica.' [173] Erat tanta in plerisque animorum obstinatio ac pertinacia, ut benignitati et clementiae nullum plane locum relinquerent.' Vita Poli, in Quirini i. 42. [174] Micheli, Relatione, 'Incontaminatissimo da ogni sorte di passione et interessi humani, non prevalendo in lui ni l'autorita de principi ni rispetto di sangue ni d'amicizia.'