“In as humble and lowly a manner as is possible for a child to use to her father and sovereign Lord, I beseech your Grace of your daily blessing, which is my chief desire in this world. And in the same humble wise knowledging all the offences that I have done to your Grace, since I had first discretion to offend unto this hour, I pray your Grace, in the honour of God, and for your fatherly pity to forgive me them; for the which I am as sorry as any creature living; and next unto God, I do and will submit me in all things to your goodness and pleasure, to do with me whatsoever shall please your Grace, humbly beseeching your Highness to consider that I am a woman and your child, who hath committed her soul to God, and her body to be ordered in this world, as it shall stand with your pleasure; whose order and direction, whatsoever it shall please your Highness to limit and direct to me I shall most humbly and willingly stand content to follow, obey and accomplish in all points. And so in the lowliest manner that I can, I beseech your Grace to accept me, your humble daughter, which doth not a little rejoice to hear the comfortable tidings, not only to me, but to all your Grace’s realm, concerning the marriage which is between your Grace and the Queen, now being your Grace’s wife, my mother-in-law. The hearing whereof caused nature to constrain me to be an humble suitor to your Grace, to be so good and gracious Lord and father to me, as to give me leave to wait upon the Queen, and to do her Grace such service as shall please her to command me, which my heart shall be as ready and obedient to fulfill (next unto your Grace) as the most humble servant that she hath. Trusting in your Grace’s mercy to come into your presence, which ever hath and shall be the greatest comfort that I can have within this world; having also a full hope in your Grace’s natural pity, which you have allwayes used as much or more than any Prince christened, that your Grace will show the same upon me your most humble and obedient daughter; who daily prayeth God to have your Grace in his holy keeping, with a long life, and as much honour as ever had king, and to send your Grace shortly a Prince, whereof no creature living shall more rejoice or heartlier pray for continually than I, as my duty bindeth me. “From Hounsdon, the first day of June (1536). “By your Grace’s most humble daughter and handmaid, “MARYE.”[180]