For plainly hath it fallen out, by sundry proofs most true, She was the only maintainer of all this treacherous crew: For trial whereof we may see, how that our gracious Queen, Both having care the very truth most plainly might be seen, And she with honour might be tried, in that she was a Prince, Did cause the chiefest peers her faults by justice to convince: Who did assemble at her place, by name called Fotheringay, There to examine out the truth, and hear what she could say; And to that end did then direct to them a large commission For to examine every one in whom they found suspicion. Who meeting at that place, it plainly did appear, How that she was the chiefest cause of all our troubles here. And that she by persuasions did seek for to withdraw The subjects' hearts from this our Queen, who erst had lived in awe; And that the treasons named before were all by her consent, And that she author was thereof, and did the same invent, Whereto her answer was so light, and to so small effect, As that the weakness of the same her treasons did detect. And thereupon these peers of State, having a due regard To what she could object thereto, and likewise nothing spared By circumstance to search out truth, did forthwith then pronounce That she was guilty of these crimes, and could not them renounce. Which sentence so by them declared, was by our Queen's consent, Plainly revealed to all estates in court of Parliament; And was by them considered of, who then did all agree To join in suit unto her Grace, the same to ratify. Queen Mary's Letter to Queen Elizabeth. _Strickland's Letters of Mary Queen of Scots_, vol. ii. p. 200. FOTHERINGAY, December 19, 1586. MADAME,--Having with difficulty obtained leave from those to whom you have committed me to open to you all I have on my heart, as much for exonerating myself from any ill-will, or desire of committing cruelty, or any act of enmity against those with whom I am connected in blood; as also, kindly, to communicate to you what I thought would serve you, as much for your weal and preservation as for the maintenance of the peace and repose of this isle, which can only be injured if you reject my advice. You will credit or disbelieve my discourse, as it seems best to you. I am resolved to strengthen myself in Christ Jesus alone, who, to those invoking Him with a true heart, never fails in His justice and consolation, especially to those who are bereft of all human aid; such are under His holy protection: to Him be the glory! He has equalled my expectation, having given me heart and strength, _in spe contra spem_, to endure the unjust calumnies, accusations, and condemnations (of those who have no such jurisdiction over me) with a constant resolution to suffer death for upholding the obedience and authority of the Apostolical Roman Catholic Church.