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'Although my fault be such that but for the goodness
and clemency of the Queen, I can have no hope of finding
pardon...having given ear to those who at the time appeared not only to
myself, but also to the great part of this realm to be wise and now have
manifested themselves to the contrary, not only to my and their great
detriment, but with common disgrace and blame of all, they having with
shameful boldness made to blamable and dishonourable an attempt to give
to others that which was not theirs...[and my own] lack of
prudence...for which I deserve heavy punishment...it being known that
the error imputed to me has not been altogether caused by myself. [The
Privy Council]...who with unwontd caresses and pleasantness, did me such
reverence as was not at all suitable to my state. He [Dudley] then said
that his Majesty had well weighed an Act of Parliament...that whoever
should acknowledge the most serene Mary...or the lady Elizabeth and
receive them as the true heirs of the crown of England should be had all
for traitors...wherefore, in no manner did he wish that they should be
heirs of him and of that crown, he being able in every way to disinherit
them. And therefore, before his death, he gave order to the Council,
that for the honour they owed to him...they should obey his last
will...As to the rest, for my part, I know not what the Council had
determined to do, but I know for certain that twice during this time,
poison was given to me, first in the house of the Duchess of
Northumberland and afterwards here in the Tower...All these I have
wished for the witness of my innocence and the disburdening of my
conscience.'
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