THE EARL OF SOMERSET. 411 



QUESTIONS OF CONVENIENCE, WHEREUPON HIS MAJESTY 

 MAY CONFER WITH SOME OF HIS COUNCIL. 



WHETHER, if Somerset confess at any time before 

 his trial, his majesty shall stay trial in respect of far 

 ther examination concerning practice of treason, as 

 the death of the late prince, the conveying into Spain 

 of the now prince, or the like ; for till he confess the 

 less crime, there is [no] likelihood of confessing the 

 greater ? 



Whether, if the trial upon that reason shall be 

 put off, it shall be discharged privately by dissolving 

 the commission, or discharging the summons ? Or 

 whether it shall not be done in open court, the peers 

 being met, and the solemnity and celebrity pre 

 served ; and that with some declaration of the cause 

 of putting off the farther proceeding ? 



Whether the days of her trial and his shall be 

 immediate, as it is now appointed ; or a day between, 

 to see, if, after condemnation, the lady will confess 

 of this lord ; which done, there is no doubt but he 

 will confess of himself? 



Whether his trial shall not be set first, and hers 

 after, because then any conceit, which may be wrought 

 by her clearing of him, may be prevented ; and it 

 may be he will be in the better temper, hoping of 

 his own clearing, and of her respiting ? 



What shall be the days ; for Thursday and Friday 

 can hardly hold in respect of the summons ; and it 



