VIII. Considerations for Elizabeth's Safety. December 1584?

Extract

This paper is in Sir Christopher Hatton's hand. It is undated and there is practically no internal evidence to assist in fixing its date. It reads like a brief for the introduction to a speech in favor of some measure for Elizabeth's safety. In December 1584 Hatten brought forward a bill in the House of Commons the object of which was to discourage conspiracy against the Queen's life especially on the part of those “that shall or may pretend title to this Crown.” It passed both Houses of Parliament and became law (27 Eliz. c. i.). These notes in Hatton's hand perhaps have some connection with the speech which he made in support of this bill. The bill had its first reading in the House of Commons on the 14th of December, 1584 (D'Ewes p. 339). The speech itself has not been preserved.