before
them the infinite and unspeakable miseries that would fall out upon any
such change, which miseries were evidently seen by the fruits of that
hard and cruel government holden in countries not far distant.

"We do look," said the Queen, "that the most part of them should have,
upon this instant extraordinary occasion, a larger proportion of
furniture, both for horsemen and footmen, but especially horsemen, than
hath been certified thereby to be in their best strength against any
attempt, or to be employed about our own person or otherwise. Hereunto
as we doubt not but by your good endeavors they will be the rather
conformable, so also we assure ourselves that almighty God will so bless
these their loyal hearts borne toward us, their loving sovereign, and
their natural country, that all the attempts of any enemy whatsoever
shall be made void and frustrate, to their confusion, your comfort, and
to God's high glory."[2]

[2] Strype, cited in Southey: _Naval History_.

Letters of a similar kind were also sent by the council to each of the
nobility and to the great cities. The Primate called on the clergy for
their contributions; and by every class of the community the appeal was
responded to with liberal zeal, that offered more even than the Queen
required. The boasting threats of the Spaniards had roused the spirit of
the nation, and the whole people "were thoroughly irritated to stir up
their whole forces for their defence against such prognosticated
conquests; so that in a very short time all her whole realm, and every
corner, were furnished with armed men, on horseback and on foot; and
those continually trained, exercised, and put into bands in warlike
manner, as in no age ever was before in this realm.

"There was no sparing of money to provide horse, armor, weapons, powder,
and all necessaries; no, nor want of provision of pioneers, carriages,
and victuals, in every county of the realm, without exception, to attend
upon the armies. And to this general furniture every man voluntarily
offered, very many their services personally without wages, others money
for armor and weapons, and to wage soldiers--a matter strange, and never
the like heard of in this realm or elsewhere. And this general reason
moved all men to large contributions: that when a conquest was to be
withstood wherein all should be lost, it was no time to spare a
portion."[3]

[3] Copy of contemporary letter in the Harleian Collecti