First Bishop Quotes in Elizabeth (1998)

[Elizabeth presents her ideas of religious reform to Parliament; the bishops are outraged and begin to argue]

First Bishop: Madam, by this act... by this act, you force us to relinquish our allegiance to the Holy Father.

Elizabeth: How can I force you, Your Grace? I am a woman.

[Bishops laugh]

Elizabeth: I have no desire to make windows into men's souls. I simply ask, can any man, in truth, serve two masters, and be faithful to both?

[Bishops start to argue again]

Bishop #2: Madam, this-this is heresy!

Elizabeth: No, Your Grace, this is... common sense.

[Bishops murmur in semi-agreement]

Elizabeth: Which is a most English virtue.

[Bishops laugh]