behalf of Philip, or from France on behalf of the Queen of Scots. His
own advice, therefore, was, that Mary should frankly acknowledge her
sister as her presumptive successor; Elizabeth might be married to
Courtenay, and, in default of heirs of her own body, it might be
avowed and understood that those two should be king and queen. Could
she make up her mind to this course, could she relinquish her dreams
of restoring the authority of the pope, of meddling with the church
lands, and interfering with the liberties of her people, she might
rely on the loyalty of the country, and her personal inclinations
would not be interfered with.[169]

[Footnote 169: Renard to Charles V., November 4:
_Rolls House MSS._]

Both the lines of conduct thus sketched were consistent and
intelligible, and either might have been successfully followed. But
neither the one nor the other satisfied Mary. She would have Philip,
she would have the pope, and she would not recognise her sister. If
she insisted on choosing a husband for herself, she felt it would be
difficult to refuse her; her object was to surprise the council into
committing themselves, and she succeeded. On the 8th of November, when
they were in session in a room in the palace, Renard presented Mary in
the emperor's name with a formal offer of Philip's hand, and requested
a distinct answer, Yes or no. The queen said she would consult her
ministers, and repaired in agitation to the council-room.[170]
Distrusting {p.074} one another, unprepared for the sudden demand,
and unable to consult in her presence, the lords made some answer,
which she interpreted into acquiescence: Mary returned radiant with
joy, and told the ambassador that his proposal was accepted.

[Footnote 170: "Visage intimide et gestes
tremblans."--Renard to Charles V.: _Rolls House
MSS._]

A momentary lull followed, during which Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of
Canterbury, Lady Jane Grey, Lord Guilford, Lord Ambrose, and Lord
Henry Dudley were taken from the Tower on foot to the Guildhall, and
were there tried, found guilty of high treason, and sentenced to die.
Lady Jane the queen still intended to spare; the Dudleys she meant to
pause upon. Cranmer, in a grave, mild letter, explained what his
conduct had been with respect to his so-called treason; but his story,
creditable to him as it was, produced no effect; Cranmer w