ully or
expeditiously satiate his vengeance on all these criminals as by
assembling a parliament, the usual instrument of his tyranny. The two
houses, having received the queen's confession, made an address to the
king. They entreated him not to be vexed with this untoward accident, to
which all men were subject; but to consider the frailty of human nature,
and the mutability of human affairs; and from these views to derive a
subject of consolation. They desired leave to pass a bill of attainder
against the queen and her accomplices; and they begged him to give his
assent to this bill, not in person, which would renew his vexation,
and might endanger his health, but by commissioners appointed for that
purpose. And as there was a law in force making it treason to speak ill
of the queen as well as of the king, they craved his royal pardon if any
of them should, on the present occasion, have transgressed any part of
the statute.

Having obtained a gracious answer to these requests, the parliament
proceeded to vote a bill of attainder for treason against the queen, and
the viscountess of Rocheford, who had conducted her secret amours; and
in this bill Colepepper and Derham were also comprehended. At the same
time they passed a bill of attainder for misprision of treason against
the old duchess of Norfolk, Catharine's grandmother; her uncle, Lord
William Howard, and his lady, together with the countess of Bridgewater,
and nine persons more; because they knew the queen's vicious course of
life before her marriage, and had concealed it. This was an effect of
Henry's usual extravagance, to expect that parents should so far forget
the ties of natural affection, and the sentiments of shame and decency,
as to reveal to him the most secret disorders of their family. He
himself seems to have been sensible of the cruelty of this proceeding;
for he pardoned the duchess of Norfolk and most of the others condemned
for misprision of treason.

However, to secure himself for the future, as well as his successors,
from this fatal accident, he engaged the parliament to pass a law
somewhat extraordinary. It was enacted, that any one who knew, or
vehemently suspected, any guilt in the queen, might, within twenty days,
disclose it to the king or council, without incurring the penalty of any
former law against defaming the queen; but prohibiting every one at
the same time, from spreading the matter abroad, or even privately
whispering it to ot