Compare 1577 edition: 1 There were sent on this message (as some write) thrée or (as other haue) two bishops, two earles, two abbats, Thom. de la More. Thom. Wals two or (as Tho. de la More and Walsingham haue) foure barons, and for euerie countie, citie, and burrough, and likewise for the cinque ports, cer|teine knights and burgesses. The bishops that were sent were these (as T. de la More noteth) Iohn de Stratford bishop of Winchester, Adam de Torleton bishop of Hereford, and Henrie bishop of Lincolne. The two earles (as Southwell hath) were Lancaster and Warwike: the two barons, Rose and Court|ney: beside these (as he saith) there were two abbats, two priors, two iustices, two friers of the order of preachers, two of the Carmelits, two knights for the commons on the north side of Trent, and two for the other on the south side of the same riuer: two citizens for London, two burgesses for the cinque ports, so as in all there went of this message (as Southwell saith) thrée and twentie or rather foure and twentie per|sons of one degree and other.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 None of the frier minors went, bicause they would not be the bringers of so heauie tidings, sith he had euer borne them great good will. The bishops of Winchester and Lincolne went before, and com|ming to Killingworth, associated with them the earle of Leicester, of some called the earle of Lancaster, that had the king in kéeping. And hauing secret con|ference with the king, they sought to frame his mind, so as he might be contented to resigne the crowne to his sonne, bearing him in hand, that if he refused so to doo, the people in respect of the euill will which they had conceiued against him, would not faile but pro|céed to the election of some other that should happilie not touch him in linage. And s [...]th this was the onlie meane to bring the land in quiet, they willed him to consider how much he was bound in conscience to take that waie that should be so beneficiall to the whole realme.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 The king being sore troubled to heare such displea|sant newes, was brought into a maruelous agonie: but in the end, for the quiet of the realme and doubt of further danger to himselfe, he determined to fol|low their a [...]uise, and so when the other commissio|ners were come, and that the bishop of Hereford had declared the cause where [...] were sent, the king in presence of them all, notwithstanding his out|ward countenance discouered how much it inward|lie grieued him; yet after [...] [...]as come [...] himselfe, he answered that he [...] that he was [...] into this miserie through his owne offensed, Rich. [...] and therefore EEBO page image 341 he was contented patientlie to suffer it, but yet it could not (he said) but gréene him, that he had in such wise runne into the hatred of all his people: not|withstanding he gaue the lords most heartie thanks, that they had so forgotten their receiued iniuries,The kings answer. and ceassed not to beare so much good will towards his sonne Edward, as to wish that he might reigne ouer them. Therefore to satisfie them, sith otherwise it might not be, he vtterlie renounced his right to the kingdome, and to the whole administration thereof. And lastlie he besought the lords now in his miserie to forgiue him such offenses as he had committed against them. Ah lamentable ruine from roialtie to miserable calamitie, procured by them chéefelie that should haue beene the pillers of the kings estate, and not the hooked engins to pull him downe from his throne! So that here we see it verefied by triall, that

—miser at infoelix est etiam rex,

Nec quenquam (mihi crede) facit diadema beatum.