CHAPTER V

ON THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT OF ELIZABETH

General Remarks--Defective Security of the Subject's Liberty--Trials for Treason and other Political Offences unjustly conducted--Illegal Commitments--Remonstrance of Judges against them--Proclamations unwarranted by Law--Restrictions on Printing--Martial Law--Loans of Money not quite voluntary--Character of Lord Burleigh's Administration--Disposition of the House of Commons --Addresses concerning the Succession--Difference on this between the Queen and Commons in 1566--Session of 1571--Influence of the Puritans in Parliament--Speech of Mr. Wentworth in 1576--The Commons continue to seek Redress of ecclesiastical Grievances--Also of Monopolies, especially in the Session of 1601--Influence of the Crown in Parliament --Debate on Election of non-resident Burgesses--Assertion of Privileges by Commons--Case of Ferrers, under Henry VIII.--Other Cases of Privilege--Privilege of determining Contested Elections claimed by the House--The English Constitution not admitted to be an absolute Monarchy--Pretensions of the Crown Page 215