Then Her Grace desired of the Lords, that "She might not land at the stairs where all traitors and offenders customably used to land" [called the Traitor's Gate].
They answered that "it was past their remedy; for that otherwise they had in commandment."
"Well," said she, "if it be so, my Lords! I must needs obey it: protesting before all your Honours, that here now steppeth as true a subject as ever was, towards the Queen's Highness. And before thee, O GOD! I speak it; having none other friends, but only Thee!"
The Lords declared unto her that "there was no time then to try the truth."
"You have said well, my Lords!" quoth she, "I am sorry that I have troubled you!"
So then they passed on [i.e., through the Traitor's Gate], and went into the Tower: where were a great company of harnessed men, and armed soldiers warding on both sides: whereat she being amazed, called the Lords to her, and demanded "the cause, why those poor men stood there?"
They declared unto her, that "it was the use and order of the place so to do."
"And if it be," quoth she, "for my cause; I beseech you that they may be dismissed."
Whereat, the poor men kneeled down, and with one voice, desired GOD to preserve Her Grace; who, the next day, were released of their cold coats.
After this, passing a little further, she sat down upon a cold stone, and there rested herself.