Leanda de Lisle quotes:

But as Shakespeareâ??s Richard II boasts, â??Not all the water in the rough rude sea/Can wash the balm off from an anointed king.

If my faults deserve punishment, my youth at least, and my imprudence were worthy of excuse

There was no more dangerous a time in a nation's life than the passing of a ruler when the succession was in doubt.