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| In this letter, Jane explains the circumstances which
led to her becoming queen for nine days. Her assertion that she was
poisoned is nonsense.
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'Although my fault be such that but for the goodness and clemency of
the Queen, I can have no hope of finding pardon.... having given ear to those who at the time appeared not only
to myself, but also to the great part of this realm to be wise and now
have manifested themselves to the contrary, not only to my and their great
detriment, but with common disgrace and blame of all, they having with
shameful boldness made to blamable and dishonourable an attempt to give
to others that which was not theirs...[and my own] lack of prudence...for
which I deserve heavy punishment...it being known that the error imputed
to me has not been altogether caused by myself. [The Privy Council]....who
with unwontd caresses and pleasantness, did me such reverence as was not
at all suitable to my state. He [Dudley] then said that his Majesty had
well weighed an Act of Parliament...that whoever should acknowledge the
most serene Mary...or the lady Elizabeth and receive them as the true heirs
of the crown of England should be had all for traitors...wherefore, in
no manner did he wish that they should be heirs of him and of that crown,
he being able in every way to disinherit them. And therefore, before his
death, he gave order to the Council, that for the honour they owed to him...they
should obey his last will...As to the rest, for my part, I know not what
the Council had determined to do, but I know for certain that twice during
this time, poison was given to me, first in the house of the Duchess of
Northumberland and afterwards here in the Tower.... All these I have wished
for the witness of my innocence and the disburdening of my conscience.'
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