repealed by
which she was illegitimatised. With Paget's help she faced down these
objections, and declared that she would be crowned at once; she
appointed the 1st of October for the ceremony; on the 28th of
September she sent for the council to attempt an appeal to their
generosity. She spoke to them at length of her past life and
sufferings, of the conspiracy to set her aside, and of the wonderful
Providence {p.061} which had preserved her and raised her to the
throne; her only desire, she said, was to do her duty to God and to
her subjects; and she hoped, turning as she spoke, pointedly to
Gardiner, that they would not forget their loyalty, and would stand by
her in her extreme necessity. Observing them hesitate, she cried, "My
lords, on my knees I implore you"--and flung herself on the ground at
their feet.[138]

[Footnote 138: "Devant les quelz elle se mist a
genoulx."--Renard to Charles V.: _Rolls House
MSS._]

The most skilful acting could not have served Mary's purpose better
than this outburst of natural emotion; the spectacle of their kneeling
sovereign overcame for a time the scheming passions of her ministers;
they were affected, burst into tears, and withdrew their opposition to
her wishes.[139]

[Footnote 139: Ibid.]

On the 30th, the procession from the Tower to Westminster through the
streets was safely accomplished. The retinues of the lords protected
the queen from insult, and London put on its usual outward signs of
rejoicing; St. Paul's spire was rigged with yards like a ship's mast,
an adventurous sailor sitting astride on the weathercock five hundred
feet in the air:[140] there was no interruption; and the next day
(October 1), Arras having sent the necessary unction,[141] the
ceremony was performed at the Abbey without fresh burdens being laid
on Mary's conscience.

[Footnote 140: The Hot Gospeller, half-recovered
from his gaol fever, got out of bed to see the
spectacle, and took his station at the west end of
St. Paul's. The procession passed so close as
almost to touch him, and one of the train seeing
him muffled up, and looking more dead than alive,
said, There is one that loveth her majesty well, to
come out in such condition. The queen turned her