278 THE PROCEEDINGS OF 



the board s end, and so continued till he was licensed 

 to stand up. 



THE NAMES OF THE COMMISSIONERS. 



Lord Archbishop, 

 Lord Keeper, &c. 



IT was opened, that her majesty being imperial, 

 and immediate under God, was not holden to render 

 account of her actions to any ; howbeit, because she 

 had chosen ever to govern, as well with satisfaction 

 as with sovereignty, and the rather, to command 

 down the winds of malicious and seditious rumours 

 wherewith men s conceits may have been tossed to 

 and fro, she was pleased to call the world to an un 

 derstanding of her princely course held towards the 

 earl of Essex, as well in here-before protracting as 

 in. now proceeding. 



The earl repairing from his government into this 

 realm in August last, contrary to her majesty ex 

 press and most judicial commandment, though the 

 contempt were in that point visible, and her majesty s 

 mind prepared to a just and high displeasure, in 

 regard of that realm of Ireland set at hazard by his 

 former disobedience to her royal directions, yet kept 

 that stay, as she commanded my lord only to his 

 chamber in court, until his allegations might by her 

 privy council be questioned and heard ; which ac 

 count taken, and my lord s answers appearing to be 

 of no defence, that shadow of defence which was 

 offered consisted of two parts, the one his own con 

 ceit of some likelihood of good effects to ensue of 



