ents were sure at last to
recommend themselves to her sound discernment. The more credit he gained
with his mistress, the more was he exposed to the envy of her other
counsellors; and as he had been supposed to adopt the interests of the
house of Suffolk, whose claim seemed to carry with it no danger to the
present establishment, his enemies, in opposition to him, were naturally
led to attach themselves to the queen of Scots. Elizabeth saw without
uneasiness this emulation among her courtiers, which served to augment
her own authority: and though she supported Cecil whenever matters
came to extremities, and dissipated every conspiracy against him,
particularly one laid about this time for having him thrown into the
Tower on some pretence or other,[*] she never gave him such unlimited
confidence as might enable him entirely to crush his adversaries.

Norfolk, sensible of the difficulty which he must meet with in
controlling Cecil's counsels, especially where they concurred with the
inclination as well as interest of the queen, durst not open to her his
intentions of marrying the queen of Scots, but proceeded still in the
same course of increasing his interest in the kingdom, and engaging more
of the nobility to take part in his measures. A letter was written to
Mary by Leicester, and signed by several of the first rank, recommending
Norfolk for her husband, and stipulating conditions for the advantage of
both kingdoms; particularly, that she should give sufficient surety
to Elizabeth, and the heirs of her body, for the free enjoyment of the
crown of England, that a perpetual league, offensive and defensive,
should be made between their realms and subjects; that the Protestant
religion should be established by law in Scotland; and that she should
grant an amnesty to her rebels in that kingdom.[**]

* Camden, p. 417.

** Lesley, p. 50. Camden, p. 420. Haynes, p. 535, 539

When Mary returned a favorable answer to this application, Norfolk
employed himself with new ardor in the execution of his project; and
besides securing the interests of many of the considerable gentry and
nobility who resided at court, he wrote letters to such as lived at
their country seats, and possessed the greatest authority in the several
counties.[*] The kings of France and Spain, who interested themselves
extremely in Mary's cause, were secretly consulted, and expressed their
approbation of these measures.[**] And though Elizabeth's c