[255] Gregorio Leti in his Historia di Elisabetta publishes a letter written by Elizabeth to the Admiral (vol. i., p. 171) in which she declined the offer of his hand. There is no possibility of verifying the fact, as the original letter to which Leti had access has since disappeared; but as he has proved himself careful in instances which have been verified, there is no reason to doubt his accuracy in those which cannot be submitted to a like scrutiny.
[256] Ellis’s Letters, vol. ii., p. 151, 1st series.
[257] Lansdowne MS. 1236, f. 26. Printed in Ellis’s Letters, vol. ii., p. 149, 1st series (a facsimile of this letter in Mary’s own hand is on the next page).
[258] Leti, Historia di Elisabetta, vol. i., p. 180. Printed in Letters of Royal and Illustrious Ladies, vol. iii., p. 193.
[259] Record Office, State Papers, vol. vi., 19, 20, 21, 22 Feb. 1549.
[260] Journal of King Edward’s Reign, written in the King’s own hand.
[261] Burnet, History of the Reformation, vol. ii., p. 187.
[262] Latimer’s Sermons, 1st edition, 4th sermon. The passage was expunged in the later editions.
[263] Add. MS. 5151, f. 308, Brit. Mus.
[264] Statutes of the Realm, iv., 110.