I am officially proclaimed queen today by the Duke of Northumberland, here at the tower in the presence of the council, nobility, the clergy and, of course my own family. I don"t really believe it today any more than I did yesterday but, reluctantly, I put on the crown, which almost causes me to faint and I say that if the crown is rightfully mine and if it is truly God"s will, I shall do my duty.
Dudley informs me that the Bishop of London, Nicholas Ridley, preached yesterday at St. Paul"s Cross, calling Mary and Elizabeth Tudor bastards and further denouncing Mary as a papist who would destroy the true religion of England and make our country the pawn of foreign powers.
"On another matter but related," Dudley continues, "the council have this day received a letter from Mary expressing
