f them, Gregory XIII, {338} sanctioned an attempt at her
assassination. [Sidenote: Conspiracies] In 1580 there appeared at the
court of Madrid one Humphrey Ely, later a secular priest. He informed
the papal nunciature that some English nobles, mentioned by name, had
determined to murder Elizabeth but wished the pope's own assurance
that, in case they lost their lives in the attempt, they should not
have fallen into sin by the deed. After giving his own opinion that
the bull of Pius V gave all men the right to take arms against the
queen in any fashion, the nuncio wrote to Rome. From the papal
secretary, speaking in the pope's name, he received the following reply:

As that guilty woman of England rules two so noble
realms of Christendom, is the cause of so much harm to
the Catholic faith, and is guilty of the loss of so many
million souls, there is no doubt that any one who puts
her out of the world with the proper intention of serving
God thereby, not only commits no sin but even wins
merit, especially seeing that the sentence of the late
Pius V is standing against her. If, therefore, these
English nobles have really decided to do so fair a work,
your honor may assure them that they commit no sin.
Also we may trust in God that they will escape all danger.
As to your own irregularity [caused to the nuncio as a
priest by conspiracy to murder] the pope sends you his
holy blessing.[1]

A conspiracy equally unsuccessful but more famous, because discovered
at the time, was that of Anthony Babington. Burghley's excellent
secret service apprised the government not only of the principals but
also of aid and support given to them by Philip II and Mary Queen of
Scots. Parliament petitioned for the execution of Mary. Though there
was no doubt of her guilt, Elizabeth hesitated to give the dangerous
example of sending a crowned head to the block. {339} With habitual
indirection she did her best to get Mary's jailer, Sir Amyas Paulet, to
put her to death without a warrant. Failing in this, she finally
signed the warrant, [Sidenote: Mary beheaded, February 8, 1587] but
when her council acted upon it in secret haste lest she should change
her mind, she flew into a rage and, to prove her innocence, heavily
fined and imprisoned one of the privy council whom she selected as
scapegoat.

[Sidenote: War with Spain]

The war with Spain is sometimes regarded as the inevitable consequence
of the r