Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 9.djvu/107

ENGLISH PARTIES. ish ; if she was declared free, it would be greater. If she was declared an offender in the murdering of her husband, she would be less able to be a person perilous ; if her offence was passed over in silence, the scar of the wound would wear out.' So much for the Queen of Scots. For the Duke of Norfolk, and for her Majesty's intentions towards him, she must remember that there were as yet no proofs against him, ' and if he was tried and not convicted, it would not only save but increase his credit.' The Duke's offence, so far as could be seen at present, did not l come within the compass of treason,' ' and better it were in the beginning to foresee the matter than to attempt it with discredit, not without opinion of evil will or malice.' He sent Elizabeth a copy of the statute of Edward III. He recommended that in the inquiry into Norfolk's behaviour the word treason should not be mentioned. ' Better,' he said, half in irony 'better marry the Duke to somebody. Provide him with a wife and his hopes of the Scotch Queen will pass away.' 1 Elizabeth was but half convinced. On the 8th of October an order was made out to Sir Francis Knowles to take charge of the person of the Duke of Norfolk and conduct him to the Tower. 2 He was not prepared for so decisive measures. He had communicated since his arrest with Don Guerau, under the impression that he was too large a person to be rudely handled, and 1 Cecil to Elizabeth, October 6, 1569 : Endorsed, ' My advice to her Majesty in the Duke of Norfolk's case : Cotton. MSS. CALIG. C. i. 2 Commission to Sir F. Knowles, October 8 : MSS. Domestic.