Catholics are freshly persecuted, in a roundabout way, because the Queen’s finger got too fat.

>A few days after Scaramelli’s audience, a small but significant event took place at Richmond Palace: the ring [Elizabeth]( https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/af/Darnley_stage_3.jpg) had worn wince her coronation, with which she [**had**] been “married to this kingdom,” was filed from her finger, where it had grown into her flesh. The news of the ring’s removal was received as an omen, “as if it portended that her marriage with the kingdom, contracted by the ring, would not be dissolved.” >A state of acute anxiety took hold at court and, as at all times of threat, Catholics encountered renewed hostility. _____________________________________________ **Source:** Lisle, Leanda De. "Westward… Descended a Hideous Tempest" *After Elizabeth: The Rise of James of Scotland and the Struggle for the Throne of England*. New York: Ballantine, 2005. 89. Print. _____________________________________________ **Further Reading:** [Elizabeth I of England / The Virgin Queen / Gloriana / Good Queen Bess]( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_I_of_England)