would find it difficult to refuse to the entreaties of a dying prince. When Edward's mind was first set working upon the subject, the extremity of his danger was concealed from him, and Scheyfne was informed rightly, that one of the points pressed upon his consideration was the objection to a female sovereign. The plot was altogether precipitate and inconsistent: the Duke had resolved on nothing beyond setting Mary aside. Some time in the beginning of June Edward wrote with his own hand what he called 'his device for the succession.'[1]
For lack of issue male of my body to the issue male coming of the issue female, as I have after declared: to the Lady Frances's[2] heirs males, for lack of if she have any such issue before my death: to the Lady Jane's and her heirs males. To the Lady Catherine's heirs males. To the Lady Mary's heirs males. To the heirs males of the daughters which she [i.e. the Duchess of Suffolk] shall have hereafter. Then to the Lady Margaret's heir's males.[3] For lack of such issue, to the heirs males of the Lady Jane's
- ↑ It was altered by him in the interval between the first draft and his death, and the omissions and insertions mark the progress of the design. The reader will observe that the words which have a pen-stroke through them were in the original device, and were subsequently crossed out. The words in italics were insertions; but, like the original, were written by Edward himself. I transcribe from the careful copy printed for the Camden Society by Mr John Gough Nichols.—Queen Jane and Queen Mary, Appendix.
- ↑ Frances, Duchess of Suffolk, daughter of Mary, sister of Henry VIII. and Charles Brandon.
- ↑ Margaret Clifford, daughter of Eleanour, Countess of Cumberland.
