than they could be in any other living creature. I put my self wholly and entirely to your gracious mercy, at whose hand I cannot receive that punishment for the same that I have deserved. Secondly, to open mine heart to your Grace in these things which I have hitherto refused to condescend unto, and have now written with mine own hand sending the same to your Highness herewith. I shall never beseech your Grace to have pity and compassion of me, if ever you shall perceive that I shall prevyly or apertly vary or alter from one peice of that I have written and subscribed, or refuse to confirm, ratifie or declare the same where your Majesty shall appoint me. Thirdly, as I have and shall, knowing your excellent learning, virtue, wisdom and knowledge, put my soul into your direction, and by the same hath and will in all things from henceforth direct my conscience, so my body I do wholly commit to your mercy and fatherly pity; desiring no state, no condition nor no manner degree of living, but such as your Grace shall appoint unto me; knowledging and confessing that my state cannot be so vile as either the extremity of justice would appoint unto me, or as my offences have required and deserved; and whatsoever your Grace shall command me to do, touching any of these points, either for things past, present or to come, I shall as gladly do the same as your Majesty can command me. Most humbly therefore, beseeching your mercy, most gracious soveraign Lord and benign father, to have pity and compassion of your miserable and sorrowfull child, and with the abundance of your inestimable goodness to overcome mine iniquities towards God, your Grace, and your whole realm, as I may feel some sensible token of reconciliation, which, God is my Judge, I only desire without any respect. To whom I shall dayly pray for the preservation of your Highness, with the Queen’s grace, and that it may please him to send you issue. From Hownsdon at 11 of the clock at night. Your grace’s most humble and obedient daughter and handmaid, “MARYE.”[190] Henry was now pleased to accept Mary’s holocaust, and intimated to her his forgiveness. Cromwell’s hand is again evident in her reply. Even now, if left to her own expressions of affection, she might fail to attain to the proper degree of servility. On the 26th June she wrote:—