When an estate devolved to a female, the sovereign obliged her to marry anyone he pleased: whether the heir were male or female, the crown enjoyed the whole profit of the estate during the minority.

The giving of a rich wardship was a usual method of rewarding a courtier or favorite.
The inventions were endless which arbitrary power might employ for the extorting of money, while the people imagined that their property was secured by the crown's being debarred from imposing taxes.

Strype has preserved a speech of Lord Burleigh to the queen and council, in which are contained some particulars not a little extraordinary.[***] * Strype's Memoirs, vol.i.p.

137.
** Camden, p.

388.
*** Annals, vol.iv.p.