Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 11.djvu/561

 I585-] THE BOND OF ASSOCIATION. 545 down by which to choose between them. Something was done, however, though not all. It was provided that if the realm was invaded or a rebellion instigated after the close of the present session, by or for any one pretending a title to the crown after the Queen's death ; or if anything was imagined to the hurt of her Majesty's person, by any one or with the privity of any one that pretended title, such pretender, after due inquiry and conviction, should be for ever dis- qualified. The association bond was modified by a clause that every English subject might, on her Majesty's direction in that behalf, pursue any person to death by whom or by whose assent such act should have been attempted ; and should the attempt be successful, the Lords of the council, with five other earls and seven peers, not being themselves persons making title to the crown, were ap- pointed a commission with the Judges and the Master* of the Rolls, to examine the cause of the Queen's death and execute the offenders and their abettors. 1 Vague and defective as the Act was for the dangers to be anticipated, should the Queen be assassinated, were scarcely lessened, if the inducements to assassinate her were diminished it was now allowed to pass ; but in- asmuch as Parry had confessed that the object of him- self and Morgan had been to place the Queen of Scots upon the throne, and as Morgan was known to be her confidential agent in Paris, ' a motion was made, with 27 Elizabeth, cap. I. 35