Having omitted other matters that were raised and the replies given to them on that occasion, we only wish to tell you what the queen said in reply to those you have just heard, and nothing more. The queen began by replying in this way:

‘I can see that your intentions are good and that you have been moved to speak in this way out of devotion to God, to me and to our kingdoms. Since God has given me the task of ruling over these realms, it is my intention to take for this purpose two prelates, who must be the most honourable and most worthy of all in character. They need to be people from our own country, and not foreigners. I also intend to choose the best men for what you recommend, and as many as deemed appropriate. This will be done with the agreement of the town communities. As for the matter of where I should stay, it is not fitting that I, as your queen, should roam round the countryside hunting, as kings are accustomed to do, but I should like to settle in the places you have mentioned and here in this city, and spend time with my officials, ruling and giving confidence to the kingdom with true and rightful justice. I shall endeavour to give audiences on the days that I deem necessary and shall ensure that all decisions taken will be seen and approved by all, or at least, by their majority.

‘With reference to what you said about Jewish officials, I assure you that I have always felt that Jews should not be permitted to hold office in this kingdom. During the time of my liege lord the king, I tried hard to prevent them having such positions. As I did not succeed in this while he was alive, when the king died, I immediately dismissed the treasurer and the customs receiver general in this city, and also all the Jewish tax-collectors and officials, as you are well aware. I have no intention of giving them back their jobs, or any other posts, or entrusting my revenues to them, because even if they do give me a greater return than the Christians, I would rather lose money than give my revenues to the Jews and go against justice and good practice.