onsent
was always supposed as a previous condition to the finishing of this
alliance, it was apparently Norfolk's intention, when he proceeded such
lengths without consulting her, to render his party so strong, that it
should no longer be in her power to refuse it.[***]

It was impossible that so extensive a conspiracy could entirely escape
the queen's vigilance and that of Cecil. She dropped several intimations
to the duke, by which he might learn that she was acquainted with his
designs; and she frequently warned him to beware on what pillow he
reposed his head:[****] but he never had the prudence or the courage to
open to her his full intentions. Certain intelligence of this dangerous
combination was given her first by Leicester, then by Murray,[v] who, if
ever he was sincere in promoting Norfolk's marriage, which is much to be
doubted, had at least intended for his own safety and that of his party,
that Elizabeth should in reality, as well as in appearance, be entire
arbiter of the conditions, and should not have her consent extorted by
any confederacy of her own subjects. This information gave great alarm
to the court of England; and the more so, as those intrigues were
attended with other circumstances, of which, it is probable, Elizabeth
was not wholly ignorant.

* Lesley, p. 62.

** Lesley, p. 63.

*** State Trials, vol. i. p. 82.

**** Camden, p. 420. Spotswood, p. 231.

v Lesley, p. 71. It appears by Haynes, (p. 521, 525,) that
Elizabeth had heard rumors of Norfolk's dealing with Murray;
and charged the latter to inform her of the whole truth,
which he accordingly did. See also the earl of Murray's
letter produced on Norfolk's trial.

Among the nobility and gentry that seemed to enter into Norfolk's views,
there were many who were zealously attached to the Catholic religion,
who had no other design than that of restoring Mary to her liberty, and
who would gladly, by a combination with foreign powers, or even at the
expense of a civil war, have placed her on the throne or England. The
earls of Northumberland and Westmoreland, who possessed great power
in the north, were leaders of this party; and the former nobleman made
offer to the queen of Scots, by Leonard Dacres, brother to Lord Dacres,
that he would free her from confinement, and convey her to Scotland,
or any other place to which she should think proper to retire.[*] Sir
Thomas and Sir Edward Stanley,