**** After enacting this statute, the clergy, in order to
remove the odium from themselves, often took care that
recusants should be tried by the civil judges at the
assizes, rather than by the ecclesiastical commissioners.
Strype's Ann. vol. iv p. 264.

The expenses of the war with Spain having reduced the queen to great
difficulties, the grant of subsidies seems to have been the most
important business of this parliament; and it was a signal proof of the
high spirit of Elizabeth, that, while conscious of a present dependence
on the commons, she opened the session with the most haughty treatment
of them and covered her weakness under such a lofty appearance
of superiority. The commons readily voted two subsidies and four
fifteenths; but this sum not appearing sufficient to the court, an
unusual expedient was fallen upon to induce them to make an enlargement
in their concessions. The peers informed the commons in a conference,
that they could not give their assent to the supply voted, thinking it
too small for the queen's occasions: they therefore proposed a grant of
three subsidies and six fifteenths; and desired a further conference, in
order to persuade the commons to agree to this measure. The commons, who
had acquired the privilege of beginning bills of subsidy, took offence
at this procedure of the lords, and at first absolutely rejected the
proposal: but being afraid, on reflection, that they had by this refusal
given offence to their superiors, they both agreed to the conference,
and afterwards voted the additional subsidy.[*]

The queen, notwithstanding this unusual concession of the commons, ended
the session with a speech, containing some reprimands to them, and full
of the same high pretensions which she had assumed at the opening of the
parliament. She took notice, by the mouth of the keeper, that certain
members spent more time than was necessary by indulging themselves in
harangues and reasonings: and she expressed her displeasure on account
of their not paying due reverence to privy counsellors, "who," she told
them, "were not to be accounted as common knights and burgesses of the
house, who are counsellors but during the parliament; whereas the others
are standing counsellors, and for their wisdom and great service are
called to the council of the state."[**]

* D'Ewes, p. 483, 487, 488. Townsend, p. 66.

** D'Ewes, p. 466. Townsend, p. 17

The queen also, in her own p