A Clear And Innocent Conscience Fears

This line is attributed to Queen Elizabeth I from a letter to Lord Burghley (William Cecil), her principal secretary and later Lord Treasurer, who served her for 40 years. Elizabeth's reign was shadowed by assassination plots — most notably the Ridolfi (1571), Throckmorton (1583), and Babington (1586) conspiracies, the last of which led to the execution of Mary Queen of Scots. Her confidence in her own conscience as a defense reflects both personal conviction and a rhetorical strategy: projecting calm authority in the face of threats was central to how Elizabeth managed her court and her public image.