es she would remember
their services. In a second address she said her pleasure was that
when the privy council, or any of them within their jurisdiction,
should recommend "men of learning and wisdom," their directions should
"be regarded and followed."[611] Yet there was not perhaps any wish to
have the House of Commons unfairly packed. Mary desired, probably
{p.294} with sincerity, "to have the assembly of the most chiefest
men in the realm for advice and counsel."

[Footnote 610: The queen to all sheriffs, mayors,
etc.--For the well choosing of the knights of the
shire and burgesses:

"Trusty and well-beloved, we greet you well: and
whereas for certain great and weighty causes
touching both the honour of Almighty God, and the
wealth and good government of this our realm, we
have summoned our High Court of Parliament, to be
holden at Westminster, the 20th of January next:
and forasmuch as we consider that a great part of
the furthering of such things, as shall be treated
in our said parliament, and bringing them to good
effect, shall consist in the well appointing and
choosing of such as shall be knights of shires,
citizens of any city, or burgesses of other towns
corporate, we have thought good to require you to
have good regard, and so far forth as in you may
lie, to provide that such as shall be appointed may
be men given to good order, Catholic, and discreet,
and so qualified, as the antient law of this realm
requireth; giving the freeholders, citizens,
burgesses within our said county to understand,
what our will and pleasure is in that behalf.
Hereby as you shall do good service unto God and
this your country, so shall you also do us right
acceptable pleasure, which we shall consider
towards you as any occasion may shew. Given under
our signet, December 10, 1557."--_MS. Mary,
Domestic_, vol. xii.]

[Footnote 611: _MS._ Ibid.]

How the parliament wo