buttheKingwassosecretinallhedid,thateventhenhegaveitaconsequence,whichitcannotbesupposedtohaveinitselfdeserved.
AtlastPerkinWarbeckranaway,andtookrefugeinanothersanctuarynearRichmondinSurrey.Fromthishewasagainpersuadedtodeliverhimselfup;and,beingconveyedtoLondon,hestoodinthestocksforawholeday,outsideWestminsterHall,andtherereadapaperpurportingtobehisfullconfession,andrelatinghishistoryastheKing\'sagentshadoriginallydescribedit.HewasthenshutupintheToweragain,inthecompanyoftheEarlofWarwick,whohadnowbeenthereforfourteenyears:eversincehisremovaloutofYorkshire,exceptwhentheKinghadhadhimatCourt,andhadshownhimtothepeople,toprovetheimpostureoftheBaker\'sboy.Itisbuttooprobable,whenweconsiderthecraftycharacterofHenrytheSeventh,thatthesetwowerebroughttogetherforacruelpurpose.Aplotwassoondiscoveredbetweenthemandthekeepers,tomurdertheGovernor,getpossessionofthekeys,andproclaimPerkinWarbeckasKingRichardtheFourth.Thattherewassomesuchplot,islikely;thattheyweretemptedintoit,isatleastaslikely;thattheunfortunateEarlofWarwick-lastmaleofthePlantagenetline-
wastoounusedtotheworld,andtooignorantandsimpletoknowmuchaboutit,whateveritwas,isperfectlycertain;andthatitwastheKing\'sinteresttogetridofhim,isnolessso.HewasbeheadedonTowerHill,andPerkinWarbeckwashangedatTyburn.
SuchwastheendofthepretendedDukeofYork,whoseshadowyhistorywasmademoreshadowy-andeverwillbe-bythemysteryandcraftoftheKing.Ifhehadturnedhisgreatnaturaladvantagestoamorehonestaccount,hemighthavelivedahappyandrespectedlife,eveninthosedays.ButhedieduponagallowsatTyburn,leavingtheScottishlady,whohadlovedhimsowell,kindlyprotectedattheQueen\'sCourt.Aftersometimesheforgotheroldlovesandtroubles,asmanypeopledowithTime\'smercifulassistance,andmarriedaWelshgentleman.Hersecondhusband,SIR
MATTHEWCRADOC,morehonestandmorehappythanherfirst,liesbesideherinatombintheoldchurchofSwansea.
Theill-bloodbetweenFranceandEnglandinthisreign,aroseoutofthecontinuedplottingoftheDuchessofBurgundy,anddisputesrespectingtheaffairsofBrittany.TheKingfeignedtobeverypatriotic,indignant,andwarlike;buthealwayscontrivedsoasnevertomakewarinreality,andalwaystomakemoney.Histaxationofthepeople,onpretenceofwarwithFrance,involved,atonetime,averydangerousinsurrection,headedbySirJohnEgremont,andacommonmancalledJohnaChambre.Butitwassubduedbytheroyalforces,underthecommandoftheEarlofSurrey.TheknightedJohnescapedtotheDuchessofBurgundy,whowaseverreadytoreceiveanyonewhogavetheKingtrouble;andtheplainJohnwashangedatYork,inthemidstofanumberofhismen,butonamuchhighergibbet,asbeingagreatertraitor.Hunghighorhunglow,however,hangingismuchthesametothepersonhung.
Withinayearafterhermarriage,theQueenhadgivenbirthtoason,whowascalledPrinceArthur,inremembranceoftheoldBritishprinceofromanceandstory;andwho,whenalltheseeventshadhappened,beingtheninhisfifteenthyear,wasmarriedtoCATHERINE,thedaughteroftheSpanishmonarch,withgreatrejoicingsandbrightprospects;butinaveryfewmonthshesickenedanddied.AssoonastheKinghadrecoveredfromhisgrief,hethoughtitapitythatthefortuneoftheSpanishPrincess,amountingtotwohundredthousandcrowns,shouldgooutofthefamily;andthereforearrangedthattheyoungwidowshouldmarryhissecondsonHENRY,thentwelveyearsofage,whenhetooshouldbefifteen.Therewereobjectionstothismarriageonthepartoftheclergy;but,astheinfalliblePopewasgainedover,and,asheMUSTberight,thatsettledthebusinessforthetime.
TheKing\'seldestdaughterwasprovidedfor,andalongcourseofdisturbancewasconsideredtobesetatrest,byherbeingmarriedtotheScottishKing.
AndnowtheQueendied.WhentheKinghadgotoverthatgrieftoo,hismindoncemorerevertedtohisdarlingmoneyforconsolation,andhethoughtofmarryingtheDowagerQueenofNaples,whowasimmenselyrich:but,asitturnedoutnottobepracticabletogainthemoneyhoweverpracticableitmighthavebeentogainthelady,hegaveuptheidea.HewasnotsofondofherbutthathesoonproposedtomarrytheDowagerDuchessofSavoy;and,soonafterwards,thewidowoftheKingofCastile,whowasravingmad.
Buthemadeamoney-bargaininstead,andmarriedneither.
TheDuchessofBurgundy,amongtheotherdiscontentedpeopletowhomshehadgivenrefuge,hadshelteredEDMUNDDELAPOLEyoungerbrotherofthatEarlofLincolnwhowaskilledatStoke,nowEarlofSuffolk.TheKinghadprevaileduponhimtoreturntothemarriageofPrinceArthur;but,hesoonafterwardswentawayagain;
andthentheKing,suspectingaconspiracy,resortedtohisfavouriteplanofsendinghimsometreacherousfriends,andbuyingofthosescoundrelsthesecretstheydisclosedorinvented.Somearrestsandexecutionstookplaceinconsequence.Intheend,theKing,onapromiseofnottakinghislife,obtainedpossessionofthepersonofEdmunddelaPole,andshuthimupintheTower.
Thiswashislastenemy.Ifhehadlivedmuchlongerhewouldhavemademanymoreamongthepeople,bythegrindingexactiontowhichheconstantlyexposedthem,andbythetyrannicalactsofhistwoprimefavouritesinallmoney-raisingmatters,EDMUNDDUDLEYandRICHARDEMPSON.ButDeath-theenemywhoisnottobeboughtoffordeceived,andonwhomnomoney,andnotreacheryhasanyeffect-presentedhimselfatthisjuncture,andendedtheKing\'sreign.
Hediedofthegout,onthetwenty-secondofApril,onethousandfivehundredandnine,andinthefifty-thirdyearofhisage,afterreigningtwenty-fouryears;hewasburiedinthebeautifulChapelofWestminsterAbbey,whichhehadhimselffounded,andwhichstillbearshisname.
ItwasinthisreignthatthegreatCHRISTOPHERCOLUMBUS,onbehalfofSpain,discoveredwhatwasthencalledTheNewWorld.Greatwonder,interest,andhopeofwealthbeingawakenedinEnglandthereby,theKingandthemerchantsofLondonandBristolfittedoutanEnglishexpeditionforfurtherdiscoveriesintheNewWorld,andentrustedittoSEBASTIANCABOT,ofBristol,thesonofaVenetianpilotthere.Hewasverysuccessfulinhisvoyage,andgainedhighreputation,bothforhimselfandEngland.
CHAPTERXXVII-ENGLANDUNDERHENRYTHEEIGHTH,CALLEDBLUFFKING
HALANDBURLYKINGHARRY
PARTTHEFIRST
WEnowcometoKingHenrytheEighth,whomithasbeentoomuchthefashiontocall\'BluffKingHal,\'and\'BurlyKingHarry,\'andotherfinenames;butwhomIshalltakethelibertytocall,plainly,oneofthemostdetestablevillainsthateverdrewbreath.Youwillbeabletojudge,longbeforewecometotheendofhislife,whetherhedeservesthecharacter.
Hewasjusteighteenyearsofagewhenhecametothethrone.
Peoplesaidhewashandsomethen;butIdon\'tbelieveit.Hewasabig,burly,noisy,small-eyed,large-faced,double-chinned,swinish-lookingfellowinlaterlifeasweknowfromthelikenessesofhim,paintedbythefamousHANSHOLBEIN,anditisnoteasytobelievethatsobadacharactercaneverhavebeenveiledunderaprepossessingappearance.
Hewasanxioustomakehimselfpopular;andthepeople,whohadlongdislikedthelateKing,wereverywillingtobelievethathedeservedtobeso.Hewasextremelyfondofshowanddisplay,andsowerethey.ThereforetherewasgreatrejoicingwhenhemarriedthePrincessCatherine,andwhentheywerebothcrowned.AndtheKingfoughtattournamentsandalwayscameoffvictorious-forthecourtierstookcareofthat-andtherewasageneraloutcrythathewasawonderfulman.Empson,Dudley,andtheirsupporterswereaccusedofavarietyofcrimestheyhadnevercommitted,insteadoftheoffencesofwhichtheyreallyhadbeenguilty;andtheywerepilloried,andsetuponhorseswiththeirfacestothetails,andknockedaboutandbeheaded,tothesatisfactionofthepeople,andtheenrichmentoftheKing.
ThePope,soindefatigableingettingtheworldintotrouble,hadmixedhimselfupinawaronthecontinentofEurope,occasionedbythereigningPrincesoflittlequarrellingstatesinItalyhavingatvarioustimesmarriedintootherRoyalfamilies,andsoledtoTHEIRclaimingashareinthosepettyGovernments.TheKing,whodiscoveredthathewasveryfondofthePope,sentaheraldtotheKingofFrance,tosaythathemustnotmakewaruponthatholypersonage,becausehewasthefatherofallChristians.AstheFrenchKingdidnotmindthisrelationshipintheleast,andalsorefusedtoadmitaclaimKingHenrymadetocertainlandsinFrance,warwasdeclaredbetweenthetwocountries.Nottoperplexthisstorywithanaccountofthetricksanddesignsofallthesovereignswhowereengagedinit,itisenoughtosaythatEnglandmadeablunderingalliancewithSpain,andgotstupidlytakeninbythatcountry;whichmadeitsowntermswithFrancewhenitcouldandleftEnglandinthelurch.SIREDWARDHOWARD,aboldadmiral,sonoftheEarlofSurrey,distinguishedhimselfbyhisbraveryagainsttheFrenchinthisbusiness;but,unfortunately,hewasmorebravethanwise,for,skimmingintotheFrenchharbourofBrestwithonlyafewrow-boats,heattemptedinrevengeforthedefeatanddeathofSIRTHOMASKNYVETT,anotherboldEnglishadmiraltotakesomestrongFrenchships,welldefendedwithbatteriesofcannon.Theupshotwas,thathewasleftonboardofoneoftheminconsequenceofitsshootingawayfromhisownboat,withnotmorethanaboutadozenmen,andwasthrownintotheseaanddrowned:thoughnotuntilhehadtakenfromhisbreasthisgoldchainandgoldwhistle,whichwerethesignsofhisoffice,andhadcastthemintotheseatopreventtheirbeingmadeaboastofbytheenemy.Afterthisdefeat-whichwasagreatone,forSirEdwardHowardwasamanofvalourandfame-theKingtookitintohisheadtoinvadeFranceinperson;firstexecutingthatdangerousEarlofSuffolkwhomhisfatherhadleftintheTower,andappointingQueenCatherinetothechargeofhiskingdominhisabsence.HesailedtoCalais,wherehewasjoinedbyMAXIMILIAN,EmperorofGermany,whopretendedtobehissoldier,andwhotookpayinhisservice:withagooddealofnonsenseofthatsort,flatteringenoughtothevanityofavainblusterer.
TheKingmightbesuccessfulenoughinshamfights;buthisideaofrealbattleschieflyconsistedinpitchingsilkententsofbrightcoloursthatwereignominiouslyblowndownbythewind,andinmakingavastdisplayofgaudyflagsandgoldencurtains.Fortune,however,favouredhimbetterthanhedeserved;for,aftermuchwasteoftimeintentpitching,flagflying,goldcurtaining,andothersuchmasquerading,hegavetheFrenchbattleataplacecalledGuinegate:wheretheytooksuchanunaccountablepanic,andfledwithsuchswiftness,thatitwaseverafterwardscalledbytheEnglishtheBattleofSpurs.Insteadoffollowinguphisadvantage,theKing,findingthathehadhadenoughofrealfighting,camehomeagain.
TheScottishKing,thoughnearlyrelatedtoHenrybymarriage,hadtakenpartagainsthiminthiswar.TheEarlofSurrey,astheEnglishgeneral,advancedtomeethimwhenhecameoutofhisowndominionsandcrossedtheriverTweed.ThetwoarmiescameupwithoneanotherwhentheScottishKinghadalsocrossedtheriverTill,andwasencampeduponthelastoftheCheviotHills,calledtheHillofFlodden.Alongtheplainbelowit,theEnglish,whenthehourofbattlecame,advanced.TheScottisharmy,whichhadbeendrawnupinfivegreatbodies,thencamesteadilydowninperfectsilence.Sothey,intheirturn,advancedtomeettheEnglisharmy,whichcameoninonelongline;andtheyattackeditwithabodyofspearmen,underLORDHOME.Atfirsttheyhadthebestofit;buttheEnglishrecoveredthemselvessobravely,andfoughtwithsuchvalour,that,whentheScottishKinghadalmostmadehiswayuptotheRoyalStandard,hewasslain,andthewholeScottishpowerrouted.TenthousandScottishmenlaydeadthatdayonFloddenField;andamongthem,numbersofthenobilityandgentry.
Foralongtimeafterwards,theScottishpeasantryusedtobelievethattheirKinghadnotbeenreallykilledinthisbattle,becausenoEnglishmanhadfoundanironbeltheworeabouthisbodyasapenanceforhavingbeenanunnaturalandundutifulson.But,whateverbecameofhisbelt,theEnglishhadhisswordanddagger,andtheringfromhisfinger,andhisbodytoo,coveredwithwounds.Thereisnodoubtofit;foritwasseenandrecognisedbyEnglishgentlemenwhohadknowntheScottishKingwell.
WhenKingHenrywasmakingreadytorenewthewarinFrance,theFrenchKingwascontemplatingpeace.Hisqueen,dyingatthistime,heproposed,thoughhewasupwardsoffiftyyearsold,tomarryKingHenry\'ssister,thePrincessMary,who,besidesbeingonlysixteen,wasbetrothedtotheDukeofSuffolk.AstheinclinationsofyoungPrincesseswerenotmuchconsideredinsuchmatters,themarriagewasconcluded,andthepoorgirlwasescortedtoFrance,whereshewasimmediatelyleftastheFrenchKing\'sbride,withonlyoneofallherEnglishattendants.ThatonewasaprettyyounggirlnamedANNEBOLEYN,nieceoftheEarlofSurrey,whohadbeenmadeDukeofNorfolk,afterthevictoryofFloddenField.AnneBoleyn\'sisanametoberemembered,asyouwillpresentlyfind.
AndnowtheFrenchKing,whowasveryproudofhisyoungwife,waspreparingformanyyearsofhappiness,andshewaslookingforward,Idaresay,tomanyyearsofmisery,whenhediedwithinthreemonths,andleftherayoungwidow.ThenewFrenchmonarch,FRANCISTHEFIRST,seeinghowimportantitwastohisintereststhatsheshouldtakeforhersecondhusbandnoonebutanEnglishman,advisedherfirstlover,theDukeofSuffolk,whenKingHenrysenthimovertoFrancetofetchherhome,tomarryher.ThePrincessbeingherselfsofondofthatDuke,astotellhimthathemusteitherdosothen,orforeverloseher,theywerewedded;andHenryafterwardsforgavethem.InmakinginterestwiththeKing,theDukeofSuffolkhadaddressedhismostpowerfulfavouriteandadviser,THOMASWOLSEY-anameveryfamousinhistoryforitsriseanddownfall.
WolseywasthesonofarespectablebutcheratIpswich,inSuffolkandreceivedsoexcellentaneducationthathebecameatutortothefamilyoftheMarquisofDorset,whoafterwardsgothimappointedoneofthelateKing\'schaplains.OntheaccessionofHenrytheEighth,hewaspromotedandtakenintogreatfavour.HewasnowArchbishopofYork;thePopehadmadehimaCardinalbesides;andwhoeverwantedinfluenceinEnglandorfavourwiththeKing-whetherhewereaforeignmonarchoranEnglishnobleman-
wasobligedtomakeafriendofthegreatCardinalWolsey.
Hewasagayman,whocoulddanceandjest,andsinganddrink;andthoseweretheroadstosomuch,orrathersolittle,ofaheartasKingHenryhad.Hewaswonderfullyfondofpompandglitter,andsowastheKing.HeknewagooddealoftheChurchlearningofthattime;muchofwhichconsistedinfindingartfulexcusesandpretencesforalmostanywrongthing,andinarguingthatblackwaswhite,oranyothercolour.ThiskindoflearningpleasedtheKingtoo.Formanysuchreasons,theCardinalwashighinestimationwiththeKing;and,beingamanoffargreaterability,knewaswellhowtomanagehim,asacleverkeepermayknowhowtomanageawolforatiger,oranyothercruelanduncertainbeast,thatmayturnuponhimandtearhimanyday.NeverhadtherebeenseeninEnglandsuchstateasmyLordCardinalkept.Hiswealthwasenormous;equal,itwasreckoned,totherichesoftheCrown.HispalaceswereassplendidastheKing\'s,andhisretinuewaseighthundredstrong.HeheldhisCourt,dressedoutfromtoptotoeinflamingscarlet;andhisveryshoesweregolden,setwithpreciousstones.Hisfollowersrodeonbloodhorses;whilehe,withawonderfulaffectationofhumilityinthemidstofhisgreatsplendour,ambledonamulewitharedvelvetsaddleandbridleandgoldenstirrups.
Throughtheinfluenceofthisstatelypriest,agrandmeetingwasarrangedtotakeplacebetweentheFrenchandEnglishKingsinFrance;butongroundbelongingtoEngland.Aprodigiousshowoffriendshipandrejoicingwastobemadeontheoccasion;andheraldsweresenttoproclaimwithbrazentrumpetsthroughalltheprincipalcitiesofEurope,that,onacertainday,theKingsofFranceandEngland,ascompanionsandbrothersinarms,eachattendedbyeighteenfollowers,wouldholdatournamentagainstallknightswhomightchoosetocome.
CHARLES,thenewEmperorofGermanytheoldonebeingdead,wantedtopreventtoocordialanalliancebetweenthesesovereigns,andcameovertoEnglandbeforetheKingcouldrepairtotheplaceofmeeting;and,besidesmakinganagreeableimpressionuponhim,securedWolsey\'sinterestbypromisingthathisinfluenceshouldmakehimPopewhenthenextvacancyoccurred.OnthedaywhentheEmperorleftEngland,theKingandalltheCourtwentovertoCalais,andthencetotheplaceofmeeting,betweenArdresandGuisnes,commonlycalledtheFieldoftheClothofGold.Here,allmannerofexpenseandprodigalitywaslavishedonthedecorationsoftheshow;manyoftheknightsandgentlemenbeingsosuperblydressedthatitwassaidtheycarriedtheirwholeestatesupontheirshoulders.
Therewereshamcastles,temporarychapels,fountainsrunningwine,greatcellarsfullofwinefreeaswatertoallcomers,silktents,goldlaceandfoil,giltlions,andsuchthingswithoutend;and,inthemidstofall,therichCardinalout-shoneandout-glitteredallthenoblemenandgentlemenassembled.AfteratreatymadebetweenthetwoKingswithasmuchsolemnityasiftheyhadintendedtokeepit,thelists-ninehundredfeetlong,andthreehundredandtwentybroad-wereopenedforthetournament;theQueensofFranceandEnglandlookingonwithgreatarrayoflordsandladies.Then,fortendays,thetwosovereignsfoughtfivecombatseveryday,andalwaysbeattheirpoliteadversaries;thoughtheyDOwritethattheKingofEngland,beingthrowninawrestleonedaybytheKingofFrance,losthiskinglytemperwithhisbrother-in-arms,andwantedtomakeaquarrelofit.Then,thereisagreatstorybelongingtothisFieldoftheClothofGold,showinghowtheEnglishweredistrustfuloftheFrench,andtheFrenchoftheEnglish,untilFrancisrodealoneonemorningtoHenry\'stent;and,goinginbeforehewasoutofbed,toldhiminjokethathewashisprisoner;andhowHenryjumpedoutofbedandembracedFrancis;andhowFrancishelpedHenrytodress,andwarmedhislinenforhim;andhowHenrygaveFrancisasplendidjewelledcollar,andhowFrancisgaveHenry,inreturn,acostlybracelet.
Allthisandagreatdealmorewassowrittenabout,andsungabout,andtalkedaboutatthattimeand,indeed,sincethattimetoo,thattheworldhashadgoodcausetobesickofit,forever.
Ofcourse,nothingcameofallthesefinedoingsbutaspeedyrenewalofthewarbetweenEnglandandFrance,inwhichthetwoRoyalcompanionsandbrothersinarmslongedveryearnestlytodamageoneanother.But,beforeitbrokeoutagain,theDukeofBuckinghamwasshamefullyexecutedonTowerHill,ontheevidenceofadischargedservant-reallyfornothing,exceptthefollyofhavingbelievedinafriarofthenameofHOPKINS,whohadpretendedtobeaprophet,andwhohadmumbledandjumbledoutsomenonsenseabouttheDuke\'ssonbeingdestinedtobeverygreatintheland.ItwasbelievedthattheunfortunateDukehadgivenoffencetothegreatCardinalbyexpressinghismindfreelyabouttheexpenseandabsurdityofthewholebusinessoftheFieldoftheClothofGold.Atanyrate,hewasbeheaded,asIhavesaid,fornothing.Andthepeoplewhosawitdonewereveryangry,andcriedoutthatitwastheworkof\'thebutcher\'sson!\'
Thenewwarwasashortone,thoughtheEarlofSurreyinvadedFranceagain,anddidsomeinjurytothatcountry.Itendedinanothertreatyofpeacebetweenthetwokingdoms,andinthediscoverythattheEmperorofGermanywasnotsuchagoodfriendtoEnglandinreality,ashepretendedtobe.NeitherdidhekeephispromisetoWolseytomakehimPope,thoughtheKingurgedhim.TwoPopesdiedinprettyquicksuccession;buttheforeignpriestsweretoomuchfortheCardinal,andkepthimoutofthepost.SotheCardinalandKingtogetherfoundoutthattheEmperorofGermanywasnotamantokeepfaithwith;brokeoffaprojectedmarriagebetweentheKing\'sdaughterMARY,PrincessofWales,andthatsovereign;andbegantoconsiderwhetheritmightnotbewelltomarrytheyounglady,eithertoFrancishimself,ortohiseldestson.
TherenowaroseatWittemberg,inGermany,thegreatleaderofthemightychangeinEnglandwhichiscalledTheReformation,andwhichsetthepeoplefreefromtheirslaverytothepriests.ThiswasalearnedDoctor,namedMARTINLUTHER,whoknewallaboutthem,forhehadbeenapriest,andevenamonk,himself.ThepreachingandwritingofWickliffehadsetanumberofmenthinkingonthissubject;andLuther,findingonedaytohisgreatsurprise,thattherereallywasabookcalledtheNewTestamentwhichthepriestsdidnotallowtoberead,andwhichcontainedtruthsthattheysuppressed,begantobeveryvigorousagainstthewholebody,fromthePopedownward.Ithappened,whilehewasyetonlybeginninghisvastworkofawakeningthenation,thatanimpudentfellownamedTETZEL,afriarofverybadcharacter,cameintohisneighbourhoodsellingwhatwerecalledIndulgences,bywholesale,toraisemoneyforbeautifyingthegreatCathedralofSt.Peter\'s,atRome.WhoeverboughtanIndulgenceofthePopewassupposedtobuyhimselfofffromthepunishmentofHeavenforhisoffences.
LuthertoldthepeoplethattheseIndulgenceswereworthlessbitsofpaper,beforeGod,andthatTetzelandhismasterswereacrewofimpostorsinsellingthem.
TheKingandtheCardinalweremightilyindignantatthispresumption;andtheKingwiththehelpofSIRTHOMASMORE,awiseman,whomheafterwardsrepaidbystrikingoffhisheadevenwroteabookaboutit,withwhichthePopewassowellpleasedthathegavetheKingthetitleofDefenderoftheFaith.TheKingandtheCardinalalsoissuedflamingwarningstothepeoplenottoreadLuther\'sbooks,onpainofexcommunication.Buttheydidreadthemforallthat;andtherumourofwhatwasinthemspreadfarandwide.
Whenthisgreatchangewasthusgoingon,theKingbegantoshowhimselfinhistruestandworstcolours.AnneBoleyn,theprettylittlegirlwhohadgoneabroadtoFrancewithhissister,wasbythistimegrownuptobeverybeautiful,andwasoneoftheladiesinattendanceonQueenCatherine.Now,QueenCatherinewasnolongeryoungorhandsome,anditislikelythatshewasnotparticularlygood-tempered;havingbeenalwaysrathermelancholy,andhavingbeenmademoresobythedeathsoffourofherchildrenwhentheywereveryyoung.So,theKingfellinlovewiththefairAnneBoleyn,andsaidtohimself,\'HowcanIbebestridofmyowntroublesomewifewhomIamtiredof,andmarryAnne?\'
YourecollectthatQueenCatherinehadbeenthewifeofHenry\'sbrother.WhatdoestheKingdo,afterthinkingitover,butcallshisfavouritepriestsabouthim,andsays,O!hismindisinsuchadreadfulstate,andheissofrightfullyuneasy,becauseheisafraiditwasnotlawfulforhimtomarrytheQueen!Notoneofthosepriestshadthecouragetohintthatitwasrathercurioushehadneverthoughtofthatbefore,andthathismindseemedtohavebeeninatolerablyjollyconditionduringagreatmanyyears,inwhichhecertainlyhadnotfrettedhimselfthin;but,theyallsaid,Ah!thatwasverytrue,anditwasaseriousbusiness;andperhapsthebestwaytomakeitright,wouldbeforhisMajestytobedivorced!TheKingreplied,Yes,hethoughtthatwouldbethebestway,certainly;sotheyallwenttowork.
IfIweretorelatetoyoutheintriguesandplotsthattookplaceintheendeavourtogetthisdivorce,youwouldthinktheHistoryofEnglandthemosttiresomebookintheworld.SoIshallsaynomore,thanthatafteravastdealofnegotiationandevasion,thePopeissuedacommissiontoCardinalWolseyandCARDINALCAMPEGGIO
whomhesentoverfromItalyforthepurpose,totrythewholecaseinEngland.Itissupposed-andIthinkwithreason-thatWolseywastheQueen\'senemy,becauseshehadreprovedhimforhisproudandgorgeousmanneroflife.But,hedidnotatfirstknowthattheKingwantedtomarryAnneBoleyn;andwhenhedidknowit,heevenwentdownonhisknees,intheendeavourtodissuadehim.
TheCardinalsopenedtheircourtintheConventoftheBlackFriars,neartowherethebridgeofthatnameinLondonnowstands;
andtheKingandQueen,thattheymightbenearit,tookuptheirlodgingsattheadjoiningpalaceofBridewell,ofwhichnothingnowremainsbutabadprison.Ontheopeningofthecourt,whentheKingandQueenwerecalledontoappear,thatpoorill-usedlady,withadignityandfirmnessandyetwithawomanlyaffectionworthytobealwaysadmired,wentandkneeledattheKing\'sfeet,andsaidthatshehadcome,astranger,tohisdominions;thatshehadbeenagoodandtruewifetohimfortwentyyears;andthatshecouldacknowledgenopowerinthoseCardinalstotrywhethersheshouldbeconsideredhiswifeafterallthattime,orshouldbeputaway.
Withthat,shegotupandleftthecourt,andwouldneverafterwardscomebacktoit.
TheKingpretendedtobeverymuchovercome,andsaid,O!mylordsandgentlemen,whatagoodwomanshewastobesure,andhowdelightedhewouldbetolivewithheruntodeath,butforthatterribleuneasinessinhismindwhichwasquitewearinghimaway!
So,thecasewenton,andtherewasnothingbuttalkfortwomonths.ThenCardinalCampeggio,who,onbehalfofthePope,wantednothingsomuchasdelay,adjourneditfortwomoremonths;
andbeforethattimewaselapsed,thePopehimselfadjourneditindefinitely,byrequiringtheKingandQueentocometoRomeandhaveittriedthere.ButbygoodluckfortheKing,wordwasbroughttohimbysomeofhispeople,thattheyhadhappenedtomeetatsupper,THOMASCRANMER,alearnedDoctorofCambridge,whohadproposedtourgethePopeon,byreferringthecasetoallthelearneddoctorsandbishops,hereandthereandeverywhere,andgettingtheiropinionsthattheKing\'smarriagewasunlawful.TheKing,whowasnowinahurrytomarryAnneBoleyn,thoughtthissuchagoodidea,thathesentforCranmer,posthaste,andsaidtoLORDROCHFORT,AnneBoleyn\'sfather,\'TakethislearnedDoctordowntoyourcountry-house,andtherelethimhaveagoodroomforastudy,andnoendofbooksoutofwhichtoprovethatImaymarryyourdaughter.\'LordRochfort,notatallreluctant,madethelearnedDoctorascomfortableashecould;andthelearnedDoctorwenttoworktoprovehiscase.Allthistime,theKingandAnneBoleynwerewritingletterstooneanotheralmostdaily,fullofimpatiencetohavethecasesettled;andAnneBoleynwasshowingherselfasIthinkveryworthyofthefatewhichafterwardsbefelher.
ItwasbadforCardinalWolseythathehadleftCranmertorenderthishelp.ItwasworseforhimthathehadtriedtodissuadetheKingfrommarryingAnneBoleyn.Suchaservantashe,tosuchamasterasHenry,wouldprobablyhavefalleninanycase;but,betweenthehatredofthepartyoftheQueenthatwas,andthehatredofthepartyoftheQueenthatwastobe,hefellsuddenlyandheavily.GoingdownonedaytotheCourtofChancery,wherehenowpresided,hewaswaiteduponbytheDukesofNorfolkandSuffolk,whotoldhimthattheybroughtanordertohimtoresignthatoffice,andtowithdrawquietlytoahousehehadatEsher,inSurrey.TheCardinalrefusing,theyrodeofftotheKing;andnextdaycamebackwithaletterfromhim,onreadingwhich,theCardinalsubmitted.AninventorywasmadeoutofalltherichesinhispalaceatYorkPlacenowWhitehall,andhewentsorrowfullyuptheriver,inhisbarge,toPutney.Anabjectmanhewas,inspiteofhispride;forbeingovertaken,ridingoutofthatplacetowardsEsher,byoneoftheKing\'schamberlainswhobroughthimakindmessageandaring,healightedfromhismule,tookoffhiscap,andkneeleddowninthedirt.HispoorFool,whominhisprosperousdayshehadalwayskeptinhispalacetoentertainhim,cutafarbetterfigurethanhe;for,whentheCardinalsaidtothechamberlainthathehadnothingtosendtohislordtheKingasapresent,butthatjesterwhowasamostexcellentone,ittooksixstrongyeomentoremovethefaithfulfoolfromhismaster.
TheonceproudCardinalwassoonfurtherdisgraced,andwrotethemostabjectletterstohisvilesovereign;whohumbledhimonedayandencouragedhimthenext,accordingtohishumour,untilhewasatlastorderedtogoandresideinhisdioceseofYork.Hesaidhewastoopoor;butIdon\'tknowhowhemadethatout,forhetookahundredandsixtyservantswithhim,andseventy-twocart-loadsoffurniture,food,andwine.Heremainedinthatpartofthecountryforthebestpartofayear,andshowedhimselfsoimprovedbyhismisfortunes,andwassomildandsoconciliating,thathewonallhearts.Andindeed,eveninhisprouddays,hehaddonesomemagnificentthingsforlearningandeducation.Atlast,hewasarrestedforhightreason;and,comingslowlyonhisjourneytowardsLondon,gotasfarasLeicester.ArrivingatLeicesterAbbeyafterdark,andveryill,hesaid-whenthemonkscameoutatthegatewithlightedtorchestoreceivehim-thathehadcometolayhisbonesamongthem.Hehadindeed;forhewastakentoabed,fromwhichheneverroseagain.Hislastwordswere,\'HadI
butservedGodasdiligentlyasIhaveservedtheKing,Hewouldnothavegivenmeover,inmygreyhairs.Howbeit,thisismyjustrewardformypainsanddiligence,notregardingmyservicetoGod,butonlymydutytomyprince.\'ThenewsofhisdeathwasquicklycarriedtotheKing,whowasamusinghimselfwitharcheryinthegardenofthemagnificentPalaceatHamptonCourt,whichthatveryWolseyhadpresentedtohim.Thegreatestemotionhisroyalminddisplayedatthelossofaservantsofaithfulandsoruined,wasaparticulardesiretolayholdoffifteenhundredpoundswhichtheCardinalwasreportedtohavehiddensomewhere.
Theopinionsconcerningthedivorce,ofthelearneddoctorsandbishopsandothers,beingatlastcollected,andbeinggenerallyintheKing\'sfavour,wereforwardedtothePope,withanentreatythathewouldnowgrantit.TheunfortunatePope,whowasatimidman,washalfdistractedbetweenhisfearofhisauthoritybeingsetasideinEnglandifhedidnotdoashewasasked,andhisdreadofoffendingtheEmperorofGermany,whowasQueenCatherine\'snephew.Inthisstateofmindhestillevadedanddidnothing.Then,THOMASCROMWELL,whohadbeenoneofWolsey\'sfaithfulattendants,andhadremainedsoeveninhisdecline,advisedtheKingtotakethematterintohisownhands,andmakehimselftheheadofthewholeChurch.This,theKingbyvariousartfulmeans,begantodo;butherecompensedtheclergybyallowingthemtoburnasmanypeopleastheypleased,forholdingLuther\'sopinions.YoumustunderstandthatSirThomasMore,thewisemanwhohadhelpedtheKingwithhisbook,hadbeenmadeChancellorinWolsey\'splace.But,ashewastrulyattachedtotheChurchasitwaseveninitsabuses,he,inthisstateofthings,resigned.
BeingnowquiteresolvedtogetridofQueenCatherine,andtomarryAnneBoleynwithoutmoreado,theKingmadeCranmerArchbishopofCanterbury,anddirectedQueenCatherinetoleavetheCourt.Sheobeyed;butrepliedthatwherevershewent,shewasQueenofEnglandstill,andwouldremainso,tothelast.TheKingthenmarriedAnneBoleynprivately;andthenewArchbishopofCanterbury,withinhalfayear,declaredhismarriagewithQueenCatherinevoid,andcrownedAnneBoleynQueen.
Shemighthaveknownthatnogoodcouldevercomefromsuchwrong,andthatthecorpulentbrutewhohadbeensofaithlessandsocrueltohisfirstwife,couldbemorefaithlessandmorecrueltohissecond.Shemighthaveknownthat,evenwhenhewasinlovewithher,hehadbeenameanandselfishcoward,runningaway,likeafrightenedcur,fromhersocietyandherhouse,whenadangeroussicknessbrokeoutinit,andwhenshemighteasilyhavetakenitanddied,asseveralofthehouseholddid.But,AnneBoleynarrivedatallthisknowledgetoolate,andboughtitatadearprice.Herbadmarriagewithaworsemancametoitsnaturalend.
Itsnaturalendwasnot,asweshalltoosoonsee,anaturaldeathforher.
CHAPTERXXVIII-ENGLANDUNDERHENRYTHEEIGHTH
PARTTHESECOND
THEPopewasthrownintoaveryangrystateofmindwhenheheardoftheKing\'smarriage,andfumedexceedingly.ManyoftheEnglishmonksandfriars,seeingthattheirorderwasindanger,didthesame;someevendeclaimedagainsttheKinginchurchbeforehisface,andwerenottobestoppeduntilhehimselfroaredout\'Silence!\'TheKing,notmuchtheworseforthis,tookitprettyquietly;andwasverygladwhenhisQueengavebirthtoadaughter,whowaschristenedELIZABETH,anddeclaredPrincessofWalesashersisterMaryhadalreadybeen.
OneofthemostatrociousfeaturesofthisreignwasthatHenrytheEighthwasalwaystrimmingbetweenthereformedreligionandtheunreformedone;sothatthemorehequarrelledwiththePope,themoreofhisownsubjectsheroastedalivefornotholdingthePope\'sopinions.Thus,anunfortunatestudentnamedJohnFrith,andapoorsimpletailornamedAndrewHewetwholovedhimverymuch,andsaidthatwhateverJohnFrithbelievedHEbelieved,wereburntinSmithfield-toshowwhatacapitalChristiantheKingwas.
But,thesewerespeedilyfollowedbytwomuchgreatervictims,SirThomasMore,andJohnFisher,theBishopofRochester.Thelatter,whowasagoodandamiableoldman,hadcommittednogreateroffencethanbelievinginElizabethBarton,calledtheMaidofKent-anotherofthoseridiculouswomenwhopretendedtobeinspired,andtomakeallsortsofheavenlyrevelations,thoughtheyindeedutterednothingbutevilnonsense.Forthisoffence-asitwaspretended,butreallyfordenyingtheKingtobethesupremeHeadoftheChurch-hegotintotrouble,andwasputinprison;but,eventhen,hemighthavebeensufferedtodienaturallyshortworkhavingbeenmadeofexecutingtheKentishMaidandherprincipalfollowers,butthatthePope,tospitetheKing,resolvedtomakehimacardinal.UponthattheKingmadeaferociousjoketotheeffectthatthePopemightsendFisheraredhat-whichisthewaytheymakeacardinal-butheshouldhavenoheadonwhichtowearit;andhewastriedwithallunfairnessandinjustice,andsentencedtodeath.Hediedlikeanobleandvirtuousoldman,andleftaworthynamebehindhim.TheKingsupposed,Idaresay,thatSirThomasMorewouldbefrightenedbythisexample;but,ashewasnottobeeasilyterrified,and,thoroughlybelievinginthePope,hadmadeuphismindthattheKingwasnottherightfulHeadoftheChurch,hepositivelyrefusedtosaythathewas.Forthiscrimehetoowastriedandsentenced,afterhavingbeeninprisonawholeyear.Whenhewasdoomedtodeath,andcameawayfromhistrialwiththeedgeoftheexecutioner\'saxeturnedtowardshim-aswasalwaysdoneinthosetimeswhenastateprisonercametothathopelesspass-heboreitquiteserenely,andgavehisblessingtohisson,whopressedthroughthecrowdinWestminsterHallandkneeleddowntoreceiveit.But,whenhegottotheTowerWharfonhiswaybacktohisprison,andhisfavouritedaughter,MARGARET
ROPER,averygoodwoman,rushedthroughtheguardsagainandagain,tokisshimandtoweepuponhisneck,hewasovercomeatlast.Hesoonrecovered,andnevermoreshowedanyfeelingbutcheerfulnessandcourage.Whenhewasgoingupthestepsofthescaffoldtohisdeath,hesaidjokinglytotheLieutenantoftheTower,observingthattheywereweakandshookbeneathhistread,\'Iprayyou,masterLieutenant,seemesafeup;and,formycomingdown,Icanshiftformyself.\'Alsohesaidtotheexecutioner,afterhehadlaidhisheadupontheblock,\'Letmeputmybeardoutoftheway;forthat,atleast,hasnevercommittedanytreason.\'
Thenhisheadwasstruckoffatablow.ThesetwoexecutionswereworthyofKingHenrytheEighth.SirThomasMorewasoneofthemostvirtuousmeninhisdominions,andtheBishopwasoneofhisoldestandtruestfriends.Buttobeafriendofthatfellowwasalmostasdangerousastobehiswife.
WhenthenewsofthesetwomurdersgottoRome,thePoperagedagainstthemurderermorethaneverPoperagedsincetheworldbegan,andpreparedaBull,orderinghissubjectstotakearmsagainsthimanddethronehim.TheKingtookallpossibleprecautionstokeepthatdocumentoutofhisdominions,andsettoworkinreturntosuppressagreatnumberoftheEnglishmonasteriesandabbeys.
Thisdestructionwasbegunbyabodyofcommissioners,ofwhomCromwellwhomtheKinghadtakenintogreatfavourwasthehead;
andwascarriedonthroughsomefewyearstoitsentirecompletion.
Thereisnodoubtthatmanyofthesereligiousestablishmentswerereligiousinnothingbutinname,andwerecrammedwithlazy,indolent,andsensualmonks.Thereisnodoubtthattheyimposeduponthepeopleineverypossibleway;thattheyhadimagesmovedbywires,whichtheypretendedweremiraculouslymovedbyHeaven;
thattheyhadamongthemawholetunmeasurefullofteeth,allpurportingtohavecomeoutoftheheadofonesaint,whomustindeedhavebeenaveryextraordinarypersonwiththatenormousallowanceofgrinders;thattheyhadbitsofcoalwhichtheysaidhadfriedSaintLawrence,andbitsoftoe-nailswhichtheysaidbelongedtootherfamoussaints;penknives,andboots,andgirdles,whichtheysaidbelongedtoothers;andthatallthesebitsofrubbishwerecalledRelics,andadoredbytheignorantpeople.
But,ontheotherhand,thereisnodoubteither,thattheKing\'sofficersandmenpunishedthegoodmonkswiththebad;didgreatinjustice;demolishedmanybeautifulthingsandmanyvaluablelibraries;destroyednumbersofpaintings,stainedglasswindows,finepavements,andcarvings;andthatthewholecourtwereravenouslygreedyandrapaciousforthedivisionofthisgreatspoilamongthem.TheKingseemstohavegrownalmostmadintheardourofthispursuit;forhedeclaredThomasaBecketatraitor,thoughhehadbeendeadsomanyyears,andhadhisbodydugupoutofhisgrave.Hemusthavebeenasmiraculousasthemonkspretended,iftheyhadtoldthetruth,forhewasfoundwithoneheadonhisshoulders,andtheyhadshownanotherashisundoubtedandgenuineheadeversincehisdeath;ithadbroughtthemvastsumsofmoney,too.Thegoldandjewelsonhisshrinefilledtwogreatchests,andeightmentotteredastheycarriedthemaway.
Howrichthemonasterieswereyoumayinferfromthefactthat,whentheywereallsuppressed,onehundredandthirtythousandpoundsayear-inthosedaysanimmensesum-cametotheCrown.
Thesethingswerenotdonewithoutcausinggreatdiscontentamongthepeople.Themonkshadbeengoodlandlordsandhospitableentertainersofalltravellers,andhadbeenaccustomedtogiveawayagreatdealofcorn,andfruit,andmeat,andotherthings.
Inthosedaysitwasdifficulttochangegoodsintomoney,inconsequenceoftheroadsbeingveryfewandverybad,andthecarts,andwaggonsoftheworstdescription;andtheymusteitherhavegivenawaysomeofthegoodthingstheypossessedinenormousquantities,orhavesufferedthemtospoilandmoulder.So,manyofthepeoplemissedwhatitwasmoreagreeabletogetidlythantoworkfor;andthemonkswhoweredrivenoutoftheirhomesandwanderedaboutencouragedtheirdiscontent;andtherewere,consequently,greatrisingsinLincolnshireandYorkshire.Thesewereputdownbyterrificexecutions,fromwhichthemonksthemselvesdidnotescape,andtheKingwentongruntingandgrowlinginhisownfatway,likeaRoyalpig.
Ihavetoldallthisstoryofthereligioushousesatonetime,tomakeitplainer,andtogetbacktotheKing\'sdomesticaffairs.
TheunfortunateQueenCatherinewasbythistimedead;andtheKingwasbythistimeastiredofhissecondQueenashehadbeenofhisfirst.AshehadfalleninlovewithAnnewhenshewasintheserviceofCatherine,sohenowfellinlovewithanotherladyintheserviceofAnne.Seehowwickeddeedsarepunished,andhowbitterlyandself-reproachfullytheQueenmustnowhavethoughtofherownrisetothethrone!ThenewfancywasaLADYJANESEYMOUR;
andtheKingnosoonersethismindonher,thanheresolvedtohaveAnneBoleyn\'shead.So,hebroughtanumberofchargesagainstAnne,accusingherofdreadfulcrimeswhichshehadnevercommitted,andimplicatinginthemherownbrotherandcertaingentlemeninherservice:amongwhomoneNorris,andMarkSmeatonamusician,arebestremembered.AsthelordsandcouncillorswereasafraidoftheKingandassubservienttohimasthemeanestpeasantinEnglandwas,theybroughtinAnneBoleynguilty,andtheotherunfortunatepersonsaccusedwithher,guiltytoo.Thosegentlemendiedlikemen,withtheexceptionofSmeaton,whohadbeentemptedbytheKingintotellinglies,whichhecalledconfessions,andwhohadexpectedtobepardoned;butwho,Iamverygladtosay,wasnot.TherewasthenonlytheQueentodisposeof.ShehadbeensurroundedintheTowerwithwomenspies;
hadbeenmonstrouslypersecutedandfoullyslandered;andhadreceivednojustice.Butherspiritrosewithherafflictions;
and,afterhavinginvaintriedtosoftentheKingbywritinganaffectinglettertohimwhichstillexists,\'fromherdolefulprisonintheTower,\'sheresignedherselftodeath.Shesaidtothoseabouther,verycheerfully,thatshehadheardsaytheexecutionerwasagoodone,andthatshehadalittleneckshelaughedandclaspeditwithherhandsasshesaidthat,andwouldsoonbeoutofherpain.AndsheWASsoonoutofherpain,poorcreature,ontheGreeninsidetheTower,andherbodywasflungintoanoldboxandputawayinthegroundunderthechapel.
ThereisastorythattheKingsatinhispalacelisteningveryanxiouslyforthesoundofthecannonwhichwastoannouncethisnewmurder;andthat,whenhehearditcomeboomingontheair,heroseupingreatspiritsandorderedouthisdogstogoa-hunting.
Hewasbadenoughtodoit;butwhetherhediditornot,itiscertainthathemarriedJaneSeymourtheverynextday.
IhavenotmuchpleasureinrecordingthatshelivedjustlongenoughtogivebirthtoasonwhowaschristenedEDWARD,andthentodieofafever:for,Icannotbutthinkthatanywomanwhomarriedsucharuffian,andknewwhatinnocentbloodwasonhishands,deservedtheaxethatwouldassuredlyhavefallenontheneckofJaneSeymour,ifshehadlivedmuchlonger.
CranmerhaddonewhathecouldtosavesomeoftheChurchpropertyforpurposesofreligionandeducation;but,thegreatfamilieshadbeensohungrytogetholdofit,thatverylittlecouldberescuedforsuchobjects.EvenMILESCOVERDALE,whodidthepeopletheinestimableserviceoftranslatingtheBibleintoEnglishwhichtheunreformedreligionneverpermittedtobedone,wasleftinpovertywhilethegreatfamiliesclutchedtheChurchlandsandmoney.ThepeoplehadbeentoldthatwhentheCrowncameintopossessionofthesefunds,itwouldnotbenecessarytotaxthem;
buttheyweretaxedafreshdirectlyafterwards.Itwasfortunateforthem,indeed,thatsomanynoblesweresogreedyforthiswealth;since,ifithadremainedwiththeCrown,theremighthavebeennoendtotyrannyforhundredsofyears.OneofthemostactivewritersontheChurch\'ssideagainsttheKingwasamemberofhisownfamily-asortofdistantcousin,REGINALDPOLEbyname-whoattackedhiminthemostviolentmannerthoughhereceivedapensionfromhimallthetime,andfoughtfortheChurchwithhispen,dayandnight.AshewasbeyondtheKing\'sreach-beinginItaly-theKingpolitelyinvitedhimovertodiscussthesubject;
buthe,knowingbetterthantocome,andwiselystayingwherehewas,theKing\'sragefelluponhisbrotherLordMontague,theMarquisofExeter,andsomeothergentlemen:whoweretriedforhightreasonincorrespondingwithhimandaidinghim-whichtheyprobablydid-andwereallexecuted.ThePopemadeReginaldPoleacardinal;but,somuchagainsthiswill,thatitisthoughtheevenaspiredinhisownmindtothevacantthroneofEngland,andhadhopesofmarryingthePrincessMary.Hisbeingmadeahighpriest,however,putanendtoallthat.Hismother,thevenerableCountessofSalisbury-whowas,unfortunatelyforherself,withinthetyrant\'sreach-wasthelastofhisrelativesonwhomhiswrathfell.Whenshewastoldtolayhergreyheadupontheblock,sheansweredtheexecutioner,\'No!Myheadnevercommittedtreason,andifyouwantit,youshallseizeit.\'So,sheranroundandroundthescaffoldwiththeexecutionerstrikingather,andhergreyhairbedabbledwithblood;andevenwhentheyheldherdownupontheblockshemovedherheadabouttothelast,resolvedtobenopartytoherownbarbarousmurder.Allthisthepeoplebore,astheyhadborneeverythingelse.
Indeedtheyboremuchmore;fortheslowfiresofSmithfieldwerecontinuallyburning,andpeoplewereconstantlybeingroastedtodeath-stilltoshowwhatagoodChristiantheKingwas.HedefiedthePopeandhisBull,whichwasnowissued,andhadcomeintoEngland;butheburnedinnumerablepeoplewhoseonlyoffencewasthattheydifferedfromthePope\'sreligiousopinions.TherewasawretchedmannamedLAMBERT,amongothers,whowastriedforthisbeforetheKing,andwithwhomsixbishopsarguedoneafteranother.Whenhewasquiteexhaustedaswellhemightbe,aftersixbishops,hethrewhimselfontheKing\'smercy;buttheKingblusteredoutthathehadnomercyforheretics.So,HEtoofedthefire.
Allthisthepeoplebore,andmorethanallthisyet.Thenationalspiritseemstohavebeenbanishedfromthekingdomatthistime.
Theverypeoplewhowereexecutedfortreason,theverywivesandfriendsofthe\'bluff\'King,spokeofhimonthescaffoldasagoodprince,andagentleprince-justasserfsinsimilarcircumstanceshavebeenknowntodo,undertheSultanandBashawsoftheEast,orunderthefierceoldtyrantsofRussia,whopouredboilingandfreezingwateronthemalternately,untiltheydied.
TheParliamentwereasbadastherest,andgavetheKingwhateverhewanted;amongothervileaccommodations,theygavehimnewpowersofmurdering,athiswillandpleasure,anyonewhomhemightchoosetocallatraitor.ButtheworstmeasuretheypassedwasanActofSixArticles,commonlycalledatthetime\'thewhipwithsixstrings;\'whichpunishedoffencesagainstthePope\'sopinions,withoutmercy,andenforcedtheveryworstpartsofthemonkishreligion.Cranmerwouldhavemodifiedit,ifhecould;
but,beingoverbornebytheRomishparty,hadnotthepower.Asoneofthearticlesdeclaredthatpriestsshouldnotmarry,andashewasmarriedhimself,hesenthiswifeandchildrenintoGermany,andbegantotrembleathisdanger;nonethelessbecausehewas,andhadlongbeen,theKing\'sfriend.ThiswhipofsixstringswasmadeundertheKing\'sowneye.ItshouldneverbeforgottenofhimhowcruellyhesupportedtheworstofthePopishdoctrineswhentherewasnothingtobegotbyopposingthem.
Thisamiablemonarchnowthoughtoftakinganotherwife.HeproposedtotheFrenchKingtohavesomeoftheladiesoftheFrenchCourtexhibitedbeforehim,thathemightmakehisRoyalchoice;buttheFrenchKingansweredthathewouldrathernothavehisladiestrottedouttobeshownlikehorsesatafair.HeproposedtotheDowagerDuchessofMilan,whorepliedthatshemighthavethoughtofsuchamatchifshehadhadtwoheads;but,thatonlyowningone,shemustbegtokeepitsafe.AtlastCromwellrepresentedthattherewasaProtestantPrincessinGermany-thosewhoheldthereformedreligionwerecalledProtestants,becausetheirleadershadProtestedagainsttheabusesandimpositionsoftheunreformedChurch-namedANNEOFCLEVES,whowasbeautiful,andwouldanswerthepurposeadmirably.TheKingsaidwasshealargewoman,becausehemusthaveafatwife?
\'Oyes,\'saidCromwell;\'shewasverylarge,justthething.\'OnhearingthistheKingsentoverhisfamouspainter,HansHolbein,totakeherportrait.Hansmadeherouttobesogood-lookingthattheKingwassatisfied,andthemarriagewasarranged.But,whetheranybodyhadpaidHanstotouchupthepicture;orwhetherHans,likeoneortwootherpainters,flatteredaprincessintheordinarywayofbusiness,Icannotsay:allIknowis,thatwhenAnnecameoverandtheKingwenttoRochestertomeether,andfirstsawherwithoutherseeinghim,hesworeshewas\'agreatFlandersmare,\'andsaidhewouldnevermarryher.Beingobligedtodoitnowmattershadgonesofar,hewouldnotgiveherthepresentshehadprepared,andwouldnevernoticeher.HeneverforgaveCromwellhispartintheaffair.Hisdownfalldatesfromthattime.
Itwasquickenedbyhisenemies,intheinterestsoftheunreformedreligion,puttingintheKing\'sway,atastatedinner,anieceoftheDukeofNorfolk,CATHERINEHOWARD,ayoungladyoffascinatingmanners,thoughsmallinstatureandnotparticularlybeautiful.
Fallinginlovewithheronthespot,theKingsoondivorcedAnneofClevesaftermakingherthesubjectofmuchbrutaltalk,onpretencethatshehadbeenpreviouslybetrothedtosomeoneelse-
whichwouldneverdoforoneofhisdignity-andmarriedCatherine.Itisprobablethatonhisweddingday,ofalldaysintheyear,hesenthisfaithfulCromwelltothescaffold,andhadhisheadstruckoff.Hefurthercelebratedtheoccasionbyburningatonetime,andcausingtobedrawntothefireonthesamehurdles,someProtestantprisonersfordenyingthePope\'sdoctrines,andsomeRomanCatholicprisonersfordenyinghisownsupremacy.Stillthepeopleboreit,andnotagentlemaninEnglandraisedhishand.
But,byajustretribution,itsooncameoutthatCatherineHoward,beforehermarriage,hadbeenreallyguiltyofsuchcrimesastheKinghadfalselyattributedtohissecondwifeAnneBoleyn;so,againthedreadfulaxemadetheKingawidower,andthisQueenpassedawayassomanyinthatreignhadpassedawaybeforeher.
Asanappropriatepursuitunderthecircumstances,Henrythenappliedhimselftosuperintendingthecompositionofareligiousbookcalled\'AnecessarydoctrineforanyChristianMan.\'Hemusthavebeenalittleconfusedinhismind,Ithink,ataboutthisperiod;forhewassofalsetohimselfastobetruetosomeone:
thatsomeonebeingCranmer,whomtheDukeofNorfolkandothersofhisenemiestriedtoruin;buttowhomtheKingwassteadfast,andtowhomheonenightgavehisring,charginghimwhenheshouldfindhimself,nextday,accusedoftreason,toshowittothecouncilboard.ThisCranmerdidtotheconfusionofhisenemies.
IsupposetheKingthoughthemightwanthimalittlelonger.
Hemarriedyetoncemore.Yes,strangetosay,hefoundinEnglandanotherwomanwhowouldbecomehiswife,andshewasCATHERINE
PARR,widowofLordLatimer.Sheleanedtowardsthereformedreligion;anditissomecomforttoknow,thatshetormentedtheKingconsiderablybyarguingavarietyofdoctrinalpointswithhimonallpossibleoccasions.Shehadverynearlydonethistoherowndestruction.AfteroneoftheseconversationstheKinginaveryblackmoodactuallyinstructedGARDINER,oneofhisBishopswhofavouredthePopishopinions,todrawabillofaccusationagainsther,whichwouldhaveinevitablybroughthertothescaffoldwhereherpredecessorshaddied,butthatoneofherfriendspickedupthepaperofinstructionswhichhadbeendroppedinthepalace,andgavehertimelynotice.Shefellillwithterror;butmanagedtheKingsowellwhenhecametoentrapherintofurtherstatements-bysayingthatshehadonlyspokenonsuchpointstodiverthismindandtogetsomeinformationfromhisextraordinarywisdom-thathegaveherakissandcalledherhissweetheart.And,whentheChancellorcamenextdayactuallytotakehertotheTower,theKingsenthimabouthisbusiness,andhonouredhimwiththeepithetsofabeast,aknave,andafool.SonearwasCatherineParrtotheblock,andsonarrowwasherescape!
TherewaswarwithScotlandinthisreign,andashortclumsywarwithFranceforfavouringScotland;but,theeventsathomeweresodreadful,andleavesuchanenduringstainonthecountry,thatI
needsaynomoreofwhathappenedabroad.
Afewmorehorrors,andthisreignisover.Therewasalady,ANNE
ASKEW,inLincolnshire,whoinclinedtotheProtestantopinions,andwhosehusbandbeingafierceCatholic,turnedheroutofhishouse.ShecametoLondon,andwasconsideredasoffendingagainstthesixarticles,andwastakentotheTower,andputupontherack-probablybecauseitwashopedthatshemight,inheragony,criminatesomeobnoxiouspersons;iffalsely,somuchthebetter.
Shewastorturedwithoututteringacry,untiltheLieutenantoftheTowerwouldsufferhismentotorturehernomore;andthentwopriestswhowerepresentactuallypulledofftheirrobes,andturnedthewheelsoftherackwiththeirownhands,sorendingandtwistingandbreakingherthatshewasafterwardscarriedtothefireinachair.Shewasburnedwiththreeothers,agentleman,aclergyman,andatailor;andsotheworldwenton.
EithertheKingbecameafraidofthepoweroftheDukeofNorfolk,andhissontheEarlofSurrey,ortheygavehimsomeoffence,butheresolvedtopullTHEMdown,tofollowalltherestwhoweregone.Thesonwastriedfirst-ofcoursefornothing-anddefendedhimselfbravely;butofcoursehewasfoundguilty,andofcoursehewasexecuted.Thenhisfatherwaslaidholdof,andleftfordeathtoo.