Monopoly was a severe
burden to the middle and poorer classes. Also, the power of patent
holders to arrest and imprison persons charged with infringing
upon their rights was extended to any disliked person.
When the House of Commons protested against monopolies in 1601,
Elizabeth reduced them. She addressed her Council and the Commons
saying that "Mr. Speaker, you give me thanks, but I doubt me that
I have more cause to thank you all than you me; and I charge you
to thank them of the Lower House from me. For had I not received a
knowledge from you, I might have fallen into the lapse of an error
only for lack of true information. Since I was queen yet did I
never put my pen to any grant but that upon pretext and semblance
made unto me, it was both good and beneficial to the subject in
general, though a private profit to some of my ancient servants
who had deserved well. But the contrary being found by experience,
I am exceedingly beholding to such subjects as would move the same
at the first. And I am not so simple to suppose but that there be
some of the Lower House whom these grievances never touched; and
for them I think they speak out of zeal to their countries and not
out of spleen or malevolent affection, as being parties grieved.
And I take it exceedingly gratefully from them, because it gives
us to know that no respects or interests had moved them other than
the minds they bear to suffer no diminution of our honor and our
subjects' love unto us, the zeal of which affection tending to
ease my people and knit their hearts unto me, I embrace with a
princely care.
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