Chapter 24 Summary

Elizabeth is asked to become Queen of Holland, Zeeland, and Utrecht, guaranteeing war with Spain. Instead, she promises armed assistance for holding three ports open but otherwise refuses the offer. The States still desire a titular head, and make Leicester Governor-General of the United Provinces. Elizabeth's ailments become better immediately and she chastises Leicester by letter. Then she learns Lady Leicester and a train of ladies and gentlewomen, with rich coaches and many horses, plan to join him in the Netherlands. This is inappropriate. Lady Leicester is stopped from taking a larger entourage than the queen has. Elizabeth sends Leicester money for his troops, but his battles are badly planned and finances are badly administered.

Mary, Queen of Scots, has been openly aiding Elizabeth's enemies for seventeen years. Her supervision passes to Sir Amhas Paulet, a loyal, puritanical, efficient servant of the Privy...