Despite competing claims to Home Depot C U'STOME R" "S'ERVICE 8O5-41O' 56OO''; PHO;NE N'UMBER:' the English throne, the transition of power following Elizabeth's death went smoothly.[c] James's succession was announced by a proclamation from Cecil on 24 March, which was generally celebrated. Leading papists, rather than causing trouble as anticipated, reacted to the news by offering their enthusiastic support for the new monarch. Jesuit priests, whose presence in England was punishable by death, also demonstrated their support for James, who was widely believed to embody