3.

** Monson, p. 169.

*** Monson, p. 165. Camden, p 569.

**** Strype, vol. iii.

She summoned, therefore, a parliament, in order to obtain supply: but
she either thought her authority so established that she needed to make
them no concessions in return, or she rated her power and prerogative
above money: for there never was any parliament whom she treated in a
more haughty manner, whom she made more sensible of their own weakness,
or whose privileges she more openly violated. When the speaker, Sir
Edward Coke, made the three usual requests, of freedom from arrests, of
access to her person, and of liberty of speech, she replied to him by
the mouth of Puckering, lord keeper, that liberty of speech was granted
to the commons, but they must know what liberty they were entitled to;
not a liberty for every one to speak what he listeth, or what cometh in
his brain to utter; their privilege extended no further than a liberty
of "aye" or "no:" that she enjoined the speaker, if he perceived any
idle heads so negligent of their own safety as to attempt reforming the
church, or innovating in the commonwealth, that he should refuse the
bills exhibited for that purpose, till they were examined by such as
were fitter to consider of these things, and could better judge of them:
that she would not impeach the freedom of their persons; but they must
beware lest, under color of this privilege, they imagined that any
neglect of their duty could be covered or protected: and that she would
not refuse them access to her person, provided it were upon urgent and
weighty causes, and at times convenient, and when she might have leisure
from other important affairs of the realm.[*]

Notwithstanding the menacing and contemptuous air of this speech, the
intrepid and indefatigable Peter Wentworth, not discouraged by his
former ill success, ventured to transgress the imperial orders of
Elizabeth. He presented to the lord keeper a petition, in which he
desired the upper house to join with the lower in a supplication to her
majesty for entailing the succession of the crown; and he declared that
he had a bill ready prepared for that purpose. This method of proceeding
was sufficiently respectful and cautious; but the subject was always
extremely disagreeable to the queen, and what she had expressly
prohibited any one from meddling with: she sent Wentworth immediately
to the Tower; committed Sir Thomas Bromley, who had seconded him,