overeign and peremptory
decision.[***]

Though the commons showed so little spirit in opposing the authority
of the crown, they maintained, this session, their dignity against an
encroachment of the peers, and would not agree to a conference which,
they thought, was demanded of them in an irregular manner. They
acknowledged, however, with all humbleness, (such is their expression,)
the superiority of the lords: they only refused to give that house any
reason for their proceedings; and asserted, that where they altered a
bill sent them by the peers, it belonged to them to desire a conference,
not to the upper house to require it.[****]

* D'Ewes, p. 259.

** D'Ewes, p. 252.

*** D'Ewes, p. 257.

**** D'Ewes, p. 263.

The commons granted an aid of one subsidy and two fifteenths. Mildmay,
in order to satisfy the house concerning the reasonableness of this
grant, entered into a detail of the queen's past expenses in supporting
the government, and of the increasing charges of the crown, from the
daily increase in the price of all commodities. He did not, however,
forge to admonish them, that they were to regard this detail as the pure
effect of the queen's condescension, since she was not bound to give
them any account how she employed her treasure.[*]

* D'Ewes, p. 246.

CHAPTER XLI.

ELIZABETH.

{1580.} The greatest and most absolute security that Elizabeth enjoyed
during her whole reign, never exempted her from vigilance and attention;
but the scene began now to be more overcast, and dangers gradually
multiplied on her from more than one quarter.

The earl of Morton had hitherto retained Scotland in strict alliance
with the queen, and had also restored domestic tranquility to that
kingdom; but it was not to be expected, that the factitious and
legal authority of a regent would long maintain itself in a country
unacquainted with law and order; where even the natural dominion
of hereditary princes so often met with opposition and control. The
nobility began anew to break into factions; the people were disgusted
with some instances of Morton's avarice; and the clergy, who complained
of further encroachments on their narrow revenue, joined and increased
the discontent of the other orders. The regent was sensible of his
dangerous situation; and having dropped some peevish expressions, as
if he were willing or desirous to resign, the noblemen of the opposite
party, favori