Note 205 — Chapter IX

The king's speech about Goodman, Baillie tells us, gave great satisfaction to all; "with much humming was it received."—P. 240. Goodman petitioned the house that he might be executed, rather than become the occasion of differences between the king and parliament. This was earlier in time, and at least equal in generosity, to Lord Strafford's famous letter; or perhaps rather more so, since, though it turned out otherwise, he had greater reason to expect that he should be taken at his word. It is remarkable, that the king says in his answer to the Commons, that no priest had been executed merely for religion, either by his father or Elizabeth, which, though well meant, was quite untrue. Parl. Hist. 712; Butler, ii. 5.