overlooked with our over great clemency, contrary to the advice and request of our subjects in Parliament and otherwise. Therefore they also, understanding from us how desirous we were to have some other means devised by them to withstand these mischiefs intended against us and the quiet state of the realm, and surety of our good subjects, than by execution of the aforesaid sentence as was required: they did after sundry consultations jointly with one accord, in the names of the Lords of Parliament, even by the particular votes of those assembled, and also of the Commons with one universal consent, representing the state of the realm, allege, declare, and protest, that upon their long and advised consultations by our commandment and for our satisfaction, they could not by any means find or devise how the surety of our royal person and the preservation of themselves and their posterity, with the good state of the realm, might be provided for without the publication and due execution of the sentence. Whereupon, being not only moved by our grief, but also overcome with the earnest requests, declarations, and important reasons of all our said subjects, the nobles and Commons, whose judgment, knowledge, and natural care of us and the whole realm we know doth far surmount all others being not so interested therein; and perceiving also the sentence to have been honourably, lawfully, and justly given conform to justice and the laws of the realm, we did yield, and do according to the said statute by this our proclamation under the Great Seal of England, declare, notify, and publish to all our subjects and other persons whatever that the said sentence is given in manner aforesaid to the intent that they and every one of them by this proclamation may have full understanding thereof. We do also instruct you that you record this our proclamation in our Court of Chancery as speedily as possible; find place and time for the proclaiming thereof; whereof fail you not. We have caused this proclamation to be made patent and sealed with the Great Seal of England. At our Manor of Richmond, the fourth day of December, the 29th year of our reign, and in the year of our Lord God 1586. GOD SAVE THE QUEEN. Following on the issue of this proclamation Elizabeth wrote the following letter to Paulet, which, taken in consideration with all the letters she wrote to that individual, is probably the best of them all for rank hypocrisy. A letter such as this is beyond words to criticise:— Elizabeth to Paulet, 10th December 1586: