And so they departed [separated], with very few comfortable words of the Queen in English. But what she said in Spanish, GOD knoweth! It is thought that King Philip was there, behind a cloth [tapestry], and not shewn; and that he shewed himself a very friend in that matter, &c.
Thus Her Grace departing, went to her lodging again; and the sevennight after, was released of Sir Henry Bedingfield, "her gaoler," as she termed him, and his soldiers.
So Her Grace, set at liberty from imprisonment, went into the country, and had appointed to go with her, Sir Thomas Pope, one of Queen Mary's Councillors; and one of her Gentleman Ushers, Master Gage; and thus straitly was she looked to, all Queen Mary's time.
And this is the discourse of Her Highness's imprisonment.
Then there came to Lamheyre, Master Jerningham, and Norris, Gentleman Usher, Queen Mary's men; who took away from Her Grace, Mistress Asheley to the Fleet, and three others of her gentlemen to the Tower; which thing was no little trouble to Her Grace, saying, that "she thought they would fetch all away at the end." But God be praised! shortly after was fetched away Gardiner, through the merciful providence of the LORD's goodness, by occasion of whose opportune decease [13th November, 1555] the life of this so excellent Prince that is the wealth of England, was preserved.
After the death of this Gardiner; followed the death also, and dropping away of others, her enemies; whereby, by little and little, her jeopardy decreased, fear diminished, hope of more comfort began to appear, as out of a dark cloud; and though as yet Her Grace had no full assurance of perfect safety, yet more gentle entertainment daily did grow unto her, till the same day, which took away the said Queen Mary, brought in the same her foresaid sister, Lady Elizabeth in to the right of the Crown of England. Who, after so long restrainment, so great dangers escaped, such blusterous storms overblown, so many injuries digested and wrongs sustained: the mighty protection of our merciful GOD, to our no little safeguard, hath exalted and erected, out of thrall, to liberty; out of danger, to peace and rule; from dread, to dignity; from misery, to majesty; from mourning, to ruling; briefly, of a prisoner, hath made her a Prince; and hath placed her in her royal throne, being placed and proclaimed Queen with as many glad hearts of her subjects, as ever was any King or Queen in this realm before, or ever shall be (I think) hereafter.
In whose advancement, and this her princely governance, it cannot sufficiently be expressed what felicity and blessed happiness this realm hath received, in receiving her at the LORD's almighty and gracious hand. For as there have been divers Kings and Rulers over this realm, and I have read of some; yet could I never find in English Chronicles, the like that may be written of this our noble and worthy Queen, whose coming in was not only so calm, so joyful, so peaceable, without shedding of any blood; but also her reigning hitherto (reign now four years and more) hath been so quiet, that yet (the LORD have all the glory!) to this present day, her Sword is a virgin, spotted and polluted with no drop of blood.
In speaking whereof, I take not upon me the part of the Moral, or of the Divine Philosopher, to Judge of things done; but only keep me within the compass of an Historiographer, declaring what hath been before; and comparing things done, with things now present, the like whereof, as I said, is not to be found lightly in Chronicles before. And this, as I speak truly, so would I to be taken without flattery; to be left to our posterity, ad sempiternam clementiæ illius memoriam.