It would make a pitiful and strange story, here by the way, to touch and recite what examinations and rackings of poor men there were, to find out the knife that should cut her throat! what gaping among the Lords of the Clergy to see the day, wherein they might wash their goodly white rochets in her innocent blood? But especially the Bishop of WINCHESTER, STEPHEN GARDINER, then Lord Chancellor, and ruler of the rost. Who then, within few days after [_March, 1554_], came unto her, with divers other of the Council, and examined her of the talk that was at Ashridge, betwixt her and Sir JAMES A CROFT concerning her removing from thence to Donnington Castle, requiring her to declare, "What she meant thereby?" At the first, she, being so suddenly taken, did not well remember any such house: but within a while, well advising herself, she said, "Indeed, I do now remember that I have such a place: but I never lay in it, in all my life. And as for any that hath moved me thereunto, I do not remember." Then to enforce the matter, they brought forth Sir JAMES A CROFT. The Bishop of WINCHESTER demanded of her, "What she said to that man?" She answered that, "She had little to say to him, or to the rest that were then prisoners in the Tower. But my Lords!" quoth she, "you do examine every mean prisoner of me! wherein, methinks, you do me great injury! If they have done evil, and offended the Queen's Majesty, let them answer to it accordingly. I beseech you, my Lords! join not me in this sort with any of these offenders! And as concerning my going unto Donnington Castle, I do remember Master HOBY and mine Officers, and you Sir JAMES A CROFT! had such talk: but what is that to the purpose, my Lords! but that I may go to my own houses at all times?" The Lord of ARUNDEL, kneeling down, said, "Your Grace saith true! and certainly we are very sorry that we have so troubled you about so vain matters." She then said, "My Lords, you did sift me very narrowly! But well I am assured, you shall do no more to me, than GOD hath appointed: and so, GOD forgive you all!" At their departing, Sir JAMES A CROFT kneeled down, declaring that "He was sorry to see the day in which he should be brought as a witness against Her Grace." "But, I assure your Grace," said he, "I have been marvellously tossed and examined touching your Highness; which, the Lord knoweth! is strange to me. For I take GOD to record! before all your Honours! I do not know anything of that crime that you have laid to my charge! and will thereupon take my death, if I should be driven to so straight a trial." [There seems no doubt that at the back of all the following efforts to alleviate and terminate the imprisonment of the Princess, was the ever faithful Sir WILLIAM CECIL, working by many secret means, as far as he dare.] [Side note: These were not the Officers of the Tower, but such as went in white and green.]