ars; receiving a fate most necessary and most
deserved,[698] yet claiming from us that partial respect which is due to
all persons who will risk their lives in an unselfish cause. For the Nun
herself, we may feel even a less qualified regret. Before her death she was
permitted to speak a few words to the people, which at the distance of
three centuries will not be read without emotion.

"Hither am I come to die," she said, "and I have not been the only cause of
mine own death, which most justly I have deserved; but also I am the cause
of the death of all these persons which at this time here suffer. And yet I
am not so much to be blamed, considering that it was well known unto these
learned men that I was a poor wench without learning; and therefore they
might have easily perceived that the things which were done by me could not
proceed in no such sort; but their capacities and learning could right well
judge that they were altogether feigned. But because the things which I
feigned were profitable unto them, therefore they much praised me, and bare
me in hand that it was the Holy Ghost and not I that did them. And I being
puffed up with their praises, fell into a pride and foolish fantasye with
myself, and thought I might feign what I would, which thing hath brought me
to this case, and for the which I now cry God and the King's Highness most
heartily mercy, and desire all you good people to pray to God to have mercy
on me, and on all them that here suffer with me."[699]

And now the closing seal was to be affixed to the agitation of the great
question of the preceding years. I have said that throughout these years
the uncertainty of the succession had been the continual anxiety of the
nation. The birth of a prince or princess could alone provide an absolute
security; and to beget a prince appeared to be the single feat which Henry
was unable to accomplish. The marriage so dearly bought had been followed
as yet only by a girl; and if the king were to die, leaving two daughters
circumstanced as Mary and Elizabeth were circumstanced, a dispute would
open which the sword only could decide. To escape the certainty of civil
war, therefore, it was necessary to lay down the line of inheritance by a
peremptory order; to cut off resolutely all rival claims; and in
legislating upon a matter so vital, and hitherto so uncertain and
indeterminate, to enforce the decision with the most stringent and exacting
penalties. From the Heptar