proofs of their hostile
intentions:[*] that they only waited till Scotland should be entirely
subdued; and having thus deprived the English of the advantages
resulting from their situation and naval power, they prepared means for
subverting the queen's authority: that the zealous Catholics in England,
discontented with the present government, and satisfied in the legality
of Mary's title, would bring them considerable reenforcement, and would
disturb every measure of defence against that formidable power: that the
only expedient for preventing these designs, was to seize the present
opportunity, and take advantage of a like zeal in the Protestants of
Scotland; nor could any doubt be entertained with regard to the justice
of a measure founded on such evident necessity, and directed only to the
ends of self-preservation: that though a French war, attended with great
expense, seemed the necessary consequence of supporting the malecontents
in Scotland, that power, if removed to the continent, would be much less
formidable; and a small disbursement at present would, in the end,
be found the greatest frugality: and that the domestic dissensions of
France, which every day augmented, together with the alliance of Philip,
who, notwithstanding his bigotry and hypocrisy, would never permit the
entire conquest of England, were sufficient to secure the queen against
the dangerous ambition and resentment of the house of Guise.[**]

* Forbes, vol. i. p. 134, 136, 149, 150, 159, 165, 181, 194,
229, 231, 235--241, 253.

** Forbes, vol. i. p 387 Jebb, vol. i. p. 448. Keith,
Append. 24.

Elizabeth's propensity to caution and economy was, though with some
difficulty,[*] overcome by these powerful motives and she prepared
herself to support by arms and money the declining affairs of the
congregation in Scotland. She equipped a fleet, which consisted of
thirteen ships of war; and giving the command of it to Winter, she sent
it to the Frith of Forth: she appointed the young duke of Norfolk her
lieutenant in the northern counties; and she assembled, at Berwick, an
army of eight thousand men under the command of Lord Gray, warden of
the east and middle marches. Though the court of France, sensible of the
danger, offered her to make immediate restitution of Calais, provided
she would not interpose in the affairs of Scotland, she resolutely
replied, that she never would put an inconsiderable fishing-town
in competition wit