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Bourgoin went to Sir Amyas； who； as he himself was troubled with
sciatica； should have understood better than anyone the need of the
remedies for which the queen asked。 But this request； simple as it
was； raised great difficulties。 Sir Amyas replied that he could do
nothing without referring to his companion； Drury； but that paper and
ink might be brought； and that he； Master Bourgoin； could then make a
list of the needful plants； which they would try to procure。
Bourgoin answered that he did not know English well enough； and that
the village apothecaries did not know enough Latin； for him to risk
the queen's life for some error by himself or others。 Finally； after
a thousand hesitations； Paulet allowed Bourgoin to go out； which he
did； accompanied by the apothecary Gorjon； so that the following day
the queen was able to begin to doctor herself。
Mary Stuart's presentiments had not deceived her： Tuesday； February
17th； at about two o'clock in the afternoon； the Earls of Kent and
Shrewsbury； and Beale sent word to the queen that they desired to
speak with her。 The queen answered that she was ill and in bed； but
that if notwithstanding what they had to tell her was a matter of
importance； and they would give her a little time； she would get up。
They made answer that the communication they had to make admitted of
no delay； that they begged her then to make ready； which the queen
immediately did； and rising from her bed and cloaking herself； she
went and seated herself at a little table； on the same spot where she
was wont to be great part of the day。
Then the two earls； accompanied by Beale； Arnyas Paulet； and Drue
Drury； entered。 Behind them； drawn by curiosity； full of terrible
anxiety； came her dearest ladies and most cherished servants。 These
were； of womenkind； the Misses Renee de Really； Gilles Mowbray；
Jeanne Kennedy； Elspeth Curle； Mary Paget； and Susan Kercady； and of
men…kind； Dominique Bourgoin her doctor； Pierre Gorjon her
apothecary； Jacques Gervais her surgeon； Annibal Stewart her footman；
Dither Sifflart her butler； Jean Laudder her baker； and Martin Huet
her carver。
Then the Earl of Shrewsbury； with head bared like all those present；
who remained thus as long as they were in the queen's room； began to
say in English； addressing Mary
〃Madam； the Queen of England； my august mistress； has sent me to you；
with the Earl of Kent and Sir Robert Beale； here present； to make
known to you that after having honourably proceeded in the inquiry
into the deed of which you are accused and found guilty； an inquiry
which has already been submitted to your Grace by Lord Buckhurst； and
having delayed as long as it was in her power the execution of the
sentence； she can no longer withstand the importunity of her
subjects； who press her to carry it out； so great and loving is their
fear for her。 For this purpose we have come the bearers of a
commission； and we beg very humbly； madam； that it may please you to
hear it read。〃
〃Read； my lord； I am listening；〃 replied Mary Stuart； with the
greatest calmness。 Then Robert Beale unrolled the said commission；
which was on parchment； sealed with the Great Seal in yellow wax； and
read as follows：
〃Elizabeth； by the grace of God； （queen of England； France； and
Ireland； etc。； to our beloved and faithful cousins； George； Earl of
Shrewsbury； Grand Marshal of England； Henry； Earl of Kent； Henry；
Earl of Derby； George； Earl of Cumberland； Henry； Earl of Pembroke；
greeting： ＇The Earls of Cumberland； Derby； and Pembroke did not
attend to the queen's orders； and were present neither at the reading
of the sentence nor at the execution。＇
〃Considering the sentence by us given； and others of our Council；
nobility； and judges； against the former （queen of Scotland； bearing
the name of Mary； daughter and heiress of James v； King of Scotland；
commonly called Queen of Scotland and Dowager of France； which
sentence all the estates of our realm in our last Parliament
assembled not only concluded； but； after mature deliberation；
ratified as being just and reasonable； considering also the urgent
prayer and request of our subjects； begging us and pressing us to
proceed to the publication thereof； and to carry it into execution
against her person； according as they judge it duly merited； adding
in this place that her detention was and would be daily a certain and
evident danger； not only to our life； but also to themselves and
their posterity； and to the public weal of this realm； as much on
account of the Gospel and the true religion of Christ as of the peace
and tranquillity of this State； although the said sentence has been
frequently delayed； so that even until this time we abstained from
issuing the commission to execute it： yet； for the complete
satisfaction of the said demands made by the Estates of our
Parliament； through which daily we hear that all our friends and
subjects； as well as the nobility； the wisest； greatest； and most
pious； nay； even those of inferior condition； with all humility and
affection from the care they have of our life； and consequently from
the fear they have of the destruction of the present divine and happy
state of the realm if we spare the final execution； consenting and
desiring the said execution； though the general and continual
demands； prayers； counsels； and advice were in such things contrary
to our natural inclination； yet； being convinced of the urgent weight
of their continual intercessions tending to the safety of our person；
and also to the public and private state of our realm； we have at
last consented and suffered that justice have its course； and for its
execution； considering the singular confidence we have in your
fidelity and loyalty together for the love and affection that you
have toward us； particularly to the safe…guarding of our person and
our country of which you are very noble and chief members； we summon；
and； for the discharge of it we enjoin you； that at sight of these
presents you go to the castle of Fotheringay； where the former Queen
of Scotland is； in the care of our friend and faithful servant and
counsellor； Sir Amyas Paulet； and there take into your keeping and do
that by your command execution be done on her person； in the presence
of yourselves and the said Sir Amyas Paulet； and of all the other
officers of justice whom you command to be there： in the meantime we
have for this end and this execution given warrant in such a way and
manner； and in such a time and place； and by such persons； that you
five； four； three； or two； find expedient in your discretion；
notwithstanding all laws； statutes； and ordinances whatsoever；
contrary to these presents； sealed with our Great Seal of England；
which will serve for each of you； and all those who are present； or
will make by your order anything pertaining to the execution
aforesaid full and sufficient discharge for ever。
〃Done and given in our house