第14章

ButtheKinghimselfwasleftfordeathbyaGreaterKing,andtheearthwastoberidofhimatlast.Hewasnowaswollen,hideousspectacle,withagreatholeinhisleg,andsoodioustoeverysensethatitwasdreadfultoapproachhim.Whenhewasfoundtobedying,CranmerwassentforfromhispalaceatCroydon,andcamewithallspeed,butfoundhimspeechless.Happily,inthathourheperished.Hewasinthefifty-sixthyearofhisage,andthethirty-eighthofhisreign.

HenrytheEighthhasbeenfavouredbysomeProtestantwriters,becausetheReformationwasachievedinhistime.Butthemightymeritofitlieswithothermenandnotwithhim;anditcanberenderednonetheworsebythismonster"scrimes,andnonethebetterbyanydefenceofthem.Theplaintruthis,thathewasamostintolerableruffian,adisgracetohumannature,andablotofbloodandgreaseupontheHistoryofEngland.

CHAPTERXXIX-ENGLANDUNDEREDWARDTHESIXTH

HENRYTHEEIGHTHhadmadeawill,appointingacouncilofsixteentogovernthekingdomforhissonwhilehewasunderage(hewasnowonlytenyearsold),andanothercounciloftwelvetohelpthem.ThemostpowerfulofthefirstcouncilwastheEARLOF

HERTFORD,theyoungKing"suncle,wholostnotimeinbringinghisnephewwithgreatstateuptoEnfield,andthencetotheTower.ItwasconsideredatthetimeastrikingproofofvirtueintheyoungKingthathewassorryforhisfather"sdeath;but,ascommonsubjectshavethatvirtuetoo,sometimes,wewillsaynomoreaboutit.

TherewasacuriouspartofthelateKing"swill,requiringhisexecutorstofulfilwhateverpromiseshehadmade.Someofthecourtwonderingwhatthesemightbe,theEarlofHertfordandtheothernoblemeninterested,saidthattheywerepromisestoadvanceandenrichTHEM.So,theEarlofHertfordmadehimselfDUKEOF

SOMERSET,andmadehisbrotherEDWARDSEYMOURabaron;andtherewerevarioussimilarpromotions,allveryagreeabletothepartiesconcerned,andverydutiful,nodoubt,tothelateKing"smemory.

Tobemoredutifulstill,theymadethemselvesrichoutoftheChurchlands,andwereverycomfortable.ThenewDukeofSomersetcausedhimselftobedeclaredPROTECTORofthekingdom,andwas,indeed,theKing.

AsyoungEdwardtheSixthhadbeenbroughtupintheprinciplesoftheProtestantreligion,everybodyknewthattheywouldbemaintained.ButCranmer,towhomtheywerechieflyentrusted,advancedthemsteadilyandtemperately.Manysuperstitiousandridiculouspracticeswerestopped;butpracticeswhichwereharmlesswerenotinterferedwith.

TheDukeofSomerset,theProtector,wasanxioustohavetheyoungKingengagedinmarriagetotheyoungQueenofScotland,inordertopreventthatprincessfrommakinganalliancewithanyforeignpower;but,asalargepartyinScotlandwereunfavourabletothisplan,heinvadedthatcountry.Hisexcusefordoingsowas,thattheBordermen-thatis,theScotchwholivedinthatpartofthecountrywhereEnglandandScotlandjoined-troubledtheEnglishverymuch.Butthereweretwosidestothisquestion;fortheEnglishBordermentroubledtheScotchtoo;and,throughmanylongyears,therewereperpetualborderquarrelswhichgaverisetonumbersofoldtalesandsongs.However,theProtectorinvadedScotland;andARRAN,theScottishRegent,withanarmytwiceaslargeashis,advancedtomeethim.TheyencounteredonthebanksoftheriverEsk,withinafewmilesofEdinburgh;andthere,afteralittleskirmish,theProtectormadesuchmoderateproposals,inofferingtoretireiftheScotchwouldonlyengagenottomarrytheirprincesstoanyforeignprince,thattheRegentthoughttheEnglishwereafraid.Butinthishemadeahorriblemistake;fortheEnglishsoldiersonland,andtheEnglishsailorsonthewater,sosetupontheScotch,thattheybrokeandfled,andmorethantenthousandofthemwerekilled.Itwasadreadfulbattle,forthefugitiveswereslainwithoutmercy.Thegroundforfourmiles,allthewaytoEdinburgh,wasstrewnwithdeadmen,andwitharms,andlegs,andheads.Somehidthemselvesinstreamsandweredrowned;

somethrewawaytheirarmourandwerekilledrunning,almostnaked;

butinthisbattleofPinkeytheEnglishlostonlytwoorthreehundredmen.TheyweremuchbetterclothedthantheScotch;atthepovertyofwhoseappearanceandcountrytheywereexceedinglyastonished.

AParliamentwascalledwhenSomersetcameback,anditrepealedthewhipwithsixstrings,anddidoneortwoothergoodthings;

thoughitunhappilyretainedthepunishmentofburningforthosepeoplewhodidnotmakebelievetobelieve,inallreligiousmatters,whattheGovernmenthaddeclaredthattheymustandshouldbelieve.Italsomadeafoolishlaw(meanttoputdownbeggars),thatanymanwholivedidlyandloiteredaboutforthreedaystogether,shouldbeburnedwithahotiron,madeaslave,andwearanironfetter.Butthissavageabsurditysooncametoanend,andwentthewayofagreatmanyotherfoolishlaws.

TheProtectorwasnowsoproudthathesatinParliamentbeforeallthenobles,ontherighthandofthethrone.Manyothernoblemen,whoonlywantedtobeasproudiftheycouldgetachance,becamehisenemiesofcourse;anditissupposedthathecamebacksuddenlyfromScotlandbecausehehadreceivednewsthathisbrother,LORDSEYMOUR,wasbecomingdangeroustohim.ThislordwasnowHighAdmiralofEngland;averyhandsomeman,andagreatfavouritewiththeCourtladies-evenwiththeyoungPrincessElizabeth,whorompedwithhimalittlemorethanyoungprincessesinthesetimesdowithanyone.HehadmarriedCatherineParr,thelateKing"swidow,whowasnowdead;and,tostrengthenhispower,hesecretlysuppliedtheyoungKingwithmoney.Hemayevenhaveengagedwithsomeofhisbrother"senemiesinaplottocarrytheboyoff.Ontheseandotheraccusations,atanyrate,hewasconfinedintheTower,impeached,andfoundguilty;hisownbrother"snamebeing-unnaturalandsadtotell-thefirstsignedtothewarrantofhisexecution.HewasexecutedonTowerHill,anddieddenyinghistreason.Oneofhislastproceedingsinthisworldwastowritetwoletters,onetothePrincessElizabeth,andonetothePrincessMary,whichaservantofhistookchargeof,andconcealedinhisshoe.Theselettersaresupposedtohaveurgedthemagainsthisbrother,andtorevengehisdeath.Whattheytrulycontainedisnotknown;butthereisnodoubtthathehad,atonetime,obtainedgreatinfluenceoverthePrincessElizabeth.

Allthiswhile,theProtestantreligionwasmakingprogress.Theimageswhichthepeoplehadgraduallycometoworship,wereremovedfromthechurches;thepeoplewereinformedthattheyneednotconfessthemselvestopriestsunlesstheychose;acommonprayer-

bookwasdrawnupintheEnglishlanguage,whichallcouldunderstand,andmanyotherimprovementsweremade;stillmoderately.ForCranmerwasaverymoderateman,andevenrestrainedtheProtestantclergyfromviolentlyabusingtheunreformedreligion-astheyveryoftendid,andwhichwasnotagoodexample.Butthepeoplewereatthistimeingreatdistress.

TherapaciousnobilitywhohadcomeintopossessionoftheChurchlands,wereverybadlandlords.Theyenclosedgreatquantitiesofgroundforthefeedingofsheep,whichwasthenmoreprofitablethanthegrowingofcrops;andthisincreasedthegeneraldistress.

Sothepeople,whostillunderstoodlittleofwhatwasgoingonaboutthem,andstillreadilybelievedwhatthehomelessmonkstoldthem-manyofwhomhadbeentheirgoodfriendsintheirbetterdays-tookitintotheirheadsthatallthiswasowingtothereformedreligion,andthereforerose,inmanypartsofthecountry.

ThemostpowerfulrisingswereinDevonshireandNorfolk.InDevonshire,therebellionwassostrongthattenthousandmenunitedwithinafewdays,andevenlaidsiegetoExeter.ButLORD

RUSSELL,comingtotheassistanceofthecitizenswhodefendedthattown,defeatedtherebels;and,notonlyhangedtheMayorofoneplace,buthangedthevicarofanotherfromhisownchurchsteeple.

Whatwithhangingandkillingbythesword,fourthousandoftherebelsaresupposedtohavefalleninthatonecounty.InNorfolk(wheretherisingwasmoreagainsttheenclosureofopenlandsthanagainstthereformedreligion),thepopularleaderwasamannamedROBERTKET,atannerofWymondham.Themobwere,inthefirstinstance,excitedagainstthetannerbyoneJOHNFLOWERDEW,agentlemanwhoowedhimagrudge:butthetannerwasmorethanamatchforthegentleman,sincehesoongotthepeopleonhisside,andestablishedhimselfnearNorwichwithquiteanarmy.Therewasalargeoak-treeinthatplace,onaspotcalledMousholdHill,whichKetnamedtheTreeofReformation;andunderitsgreenboughs,heandhismensat,inthemidsummerweather,holdingcourtsofjustice,anddebatingaffairsofstate.TheywereevenimpartialenoughtoallowsomerathertiresomepublicspeakerstogetupintothisTreeofReformation,andpointouttheirerrorstothem,inlongdiscourses,whiletheylaylistening(notalwayswithoutsomegrumblingandgrowling)intheshadebelow.Atlast,onesunnyJulyday,aheraldappearedbelowthetree,andproclaimedKetandallhismentraitors,unlessfromthatmomenttheydispersedandwenthome:inwhichcasetheyweretoreceiveapardon.But,Ketandhismenmadelightoftheheraldandbecamestrongerthanever,untiltheEarlofWarwickwentafterthemwithasufficientforce,andcutthemalltopieces.Afewwerehanged,drawn,andquartered,astraitors,andtheirlimbsweresentintovariouscountryplacestobeaterrortothepeople.NineofthemwerehangeduponninegreenbranchesoftheOakofReformation;andso,forthetime,thattreemaybesaidtohavewitheredaway.

TheProtector,thoughahaughtyman,hadcompassionfortherealdistressesofthecommonpeople,andasinceredesiretohelpthem.

Buthewastooproudandtoohighindegreetoholdeventheirfavoursteadily;andmanyofthenoblesalwaysenviedandhatedhim,becausetheywereasproudandnotashighashe.HewasatthistimebuildingagreatPalaceintheStrand:togetthestoneforwhichheblewupchurchsteepleswithgunpowder,andpulleddownbishops"houses:thusmakinghimselfstillmoredisliked.Atlength,hisprincipalenemy,theEarlofWarwick-Dudleybyname,andthesonofthatDudleywhohadmadehimselfsoodiouswithEmpson,inthereignofHenrytheSeventh-joinedwithsevenothermembersoftheCouncilagainsthim,formedaseparateCouncil;and,becomingstrongerinafewdays,senthimtotheTowerundertwenty-ninearticlesofaccusation.AfterbeingsentencedbytheCounciltotheforfeitureofallhisofficesandlands,hewasliberatedandpardoned,onmakingaveryhumblesubmission.HewaseventakenbackintotheCouncilagain,afterhavingsufferedthisfall,andmarriedhisdaughter,LADYANNESEYMOUR,toWarwick"seldestson.Butsuchareconciliationwaslittlelikelytolast,anddidnotoutliveayear.Warwick,havinggothimselfmadeDukeofNorthumberland,andhavingadvancedthemoreimportantofhisfriends,thenfinishedthehistorybycausingtheDukeofSomersetandhisfriendLORDGREY,andothers,tobearrestedfortreason,inhavingconspiredtoseizeanddethronetheKing.TheywerealsoaccusedofhavingintendedtoseizethenewDukeofNorthumberland,withhisfriendsLORDNORTHAMPTONandLORDPEMBROKE;tomurderthemiftheyfoundneed;andtoraisetheCitytorevolt.AllthisthefallenProtectorpositivelydenied;exceptthatheconfessedtohavingspokenofthemurderofthosethreenoblemen,buthavingneverdesignedit.Hewasacquittedofthechargeoftreason,andfoundguiltyoftheothercharges;sowhenthepeople-whorememberedhishavingbeentheirfriend,nowthathewasdisgracedandindanger,sawhimcomeoutfromhistrialwiththeaxeturnedfromhim-theythoughthewasaltogetheracquitted,andsentupaloudshoutofjoy.

ButtheDukeofSomersetwasorderedtobebeheadedonTowerHill,ateighto"clockinthemorning,andproclamationswereissuedbiddingthecitizenskeepathomeuntilafterten.Theyfilledthestreets,however,andcrowdedtheplaceofexecutionassoonasitwaslight;and,withsadfacesandsadhearts,sawtheoncepowerfulProtectorascendthescaffoldtolayhisheaduponthedreadfulblock.Whilehewasyetsayinghislastwordstothemwithmanlycourage,andtellingthem,inparticular,howitcomfortedhim,atthatpass,tohaveassistedinreformingthenationalreligion,amemberoftheCouncilwasseenridinguponhorseback.TheyagainthoughtthattheDukewassavedbyhisbringingareprieve,andagainshoutedforjoy.ButtheDukehimselftoldthemtheyweremistaken,andlaiddownhisheadandhaditstruckoffatablow.

Manyofthebystandersrushedforwardandsteepedtheirhandkerchiefsinhisblood,asamarkoftheiraffection.Hehad,indeed,beencapableofmanygoodacts,andoneofthemwasdiscoveredafterhewasnomore.TheBishopofDurham,averygoodman,hadbeeninformedagainsttotheCouncil,whentheDukewasinpower,ashavingansweredatreacherousletterproposingarebellionagainstthereformedreligion.Astheanswercouldnotbefound,hecouldnotbedeclaredguilty;butitwasnowdiscovered,hiddenbytheDukehimselfamongsomeprivatepapers,inhisregardforthatgoodman.TheBishoplosthisoffice,andwasdeprivedofhispossessions.

Itisnotverypleasanttoknowthatwhilehisunclelayinprisonundersentenceofdeath,theyoungKingwasbeingvastlyentertainedbyplays,anddances,andshamfights:butthereisnodoubtofit,forhekeptajournalhimself.ItispleasantertoknowthatnotasingleRomanCatholicwasburntinthisreignforholdingthatreligion;thoughtwowretchedvictimssufferedforheresy.One,awomannamedJOANBOCHER,forprofessingsomeopinionsthatevenshecouldonlyexplaininunintelligiblejargon.

Theother,aDutchman,namedVONPARIS,whopractisedasasurgeoninLondon.Edwardwas,tohiscredit,exceedinglyunwillingtosignthewarrantforthewoman"sexecution:sheddingtearsbeforehedidso,andtellingCranmer,whourgedhimtodoit(thoughCranmerreallywouldhavesparedthewomanatfirst,butforherowndeterminedobstinacy),thattheguiltwasnothis,butthatofthemanwhosostronglyurgedthedreadfulact.Weshallsee,toosoon,whetherthetimeevercamewhenCranmerislikelytohaverememberedthiswithsorrowandremorse.

CranmerandRIDLEY(atfirstBishopofRochester,andafterwardsBishopofLondon)werethemostpowerfuloftheclergyofthisreign.Otherswereimprisonedanddeprivedoftheirpropertyforstilladheringtotheunreformedreligion;themostimportantamongwhomwereGARDINERBishopofWinchester,HEATHBishopofWorcester,DAYBishopofChichester,andBONNERthatBishopofLondonwhowassupersededbyRidley.ThePrincessMary,whoinheritedhermother"sgloomytemper,andhatedthereformedreligionasconnectedwithhermother"swrongsandsorrows-sheknewnothingelseaboutit,alwaysrefusingtoreadasinglebookinwhichitwastrulydescribed-heldbytheunreformedreligiontoo,andwastheonlypersoninthekingdomforwhomtheoldMasswasallowedtobeperformed;norwouldtheyoungKinghavemadethatexceptioneveninherfavour,butforthestrongpersuasionsofCranmerandRidley.Healwaysvieweditwithhorror;andwhenhefellintoasicklycondition,afterhavingbeenveryill,firstofthemeaslesandthenofthesmall-pox,hewasgreatlytroubledinmindtothinkthatifhedied,andshe,thenextheirtothethrone,succeeded,theRomanCatholicreligionwouldbesetupagain.

Thisuneasiness,theDukeofNorthumberlandwasnotslowtoencourage:for,ifthePrincessMarycametothethrone,he,whohadtakenpartwiththeProtestants,wassuretobedisgraced.

Now,theDuchessofSuffolkwasdescendedfromKingHenrytheSeventh;and,ifsheresignedwhatlittleornorightshehad,infavourofherdaughterLADYJANEGREY,thatwouldbethesuccessiontopromotetheDuke"sgreatness;becauseLORDGUILFORDDUDLEY,oneofhissons,was,atthisverytime,newlymarriedtoher.So,heworkedupontheKing"sfears,andpersuadedhimtosetasideboththePrincessMaryandthePrincessElizabeth,andasserthisrighttoappointhissuccessor.AccordinglytheyoungKinghandedtotheCrownlawyersawritingsignedhalfadozentimesoverbyhimself,appointingLadyJaneGreytosucceedtotheCrown,andrequiringthemtohavehiswillmadeoutaccordingtolaw.Theyweremuchagainstitatfirst,andtoldtheKingso;buttheDukeofNorthumberland-beingsoviolentaboutitthatthelawyersevenexpectedhimtobeatthem,andhotlydeclaringthat,strippedtohisshirt,hewouldfightanymaninsuchaquarrel-theyyielded.

Cranmer,also,atfirsthesitated;pleadingthathehadsworntomaintainthesuccessionoftheCrowntothePrincessMary;but,hewasaweakmaninhisresolutions,andafterwardssignedthedocumentwiththerestofthecouncil.

Itwascompletednonetoosoon;forEdwardwasnowsinkinginarapiddecline;and,bywayofmakinghimbetter,theyhandedhimovertoawoman-doctorwhopretendedtobeabletocureit.Hespeedilygotworse.OnthesixthofJuly,intheyearonethousandfivehundredandfifty-three,hedied,verypeaceablyandpiously,prayingGod,withhislastbreath,toprotectthereformedreligion.

ThisKingdiedinthesixteenthyearofhisage,andintheseventhofhisreign.Itisdifficulttojudgewhatthecharacterofonesoyoungmightafterwardshavebecomeamongsomanybad,ambitious,quarrellingnobles.But,hewasanamiableboy,ofverygoodabilities,andhadnothingcoarseorcruelorbrutalinhisdisposition-whichinthesonofsuchafatherisrathersurprising.

CHAPTERXXX-ENGLANDUNDERMARY

THEDukeofNorthumberlandwasveryanxioustokeeptheyoungKing"sdeathasecret,inorderthathemightgetthetwoPrincessesintohispower.But,thePrincessMary,beinginformedofthateventasshewasonherwaytoLondontoseehersickbrother,turnedherhorse"shead,androdeawayintoNorfolk.TheEarlofArundelwasherfriend,anditwashewhosentherwarningofwhathadhappened.

Asthesecretcouldnotbekept,theDukeofNorthumberlandandthecouncilsentfortheLordMayorofLondonandsomeofthealdermen,andmadeameritoftellingittothem.Then,theymadeitknowntothepeople,andsetofftoinformLadyJaneGreythatshewastobeQueen.

Shewasaprettygirlofonlysixteen,andwasamiable,learned,andclever.Whenthelordswhocametoher,fellontheirkneesbeforeher,andtoldherwhattidingstheybrought,shewassoastonishedthatshefainted.Onrecovering,sheexpressedhersorrowfortheyoungKing"sdeath,andsaidthatsheknewshewasunfittogovernthekingdom;butthatifshemustbeQueen,sheprayedGodtodirecther.ShewasthenatSionHouse,nearBrentford;andthelordstookherdowntheriverinstatetotheTower,thatshemightremainthere(asthecustomwas)untilshewascrowned.ButthepeoplewerenotatallfavourabletoLadyJane,consideringthattherighttobeQueenwasMary"s,andgreatlydislikingtheDukeofNorthumberland.TheywerenotputintoabetterhumourbytheDuke"scausingavintner"sservant,oneGabrielPot,tobetakenupforexpressinghisdissatisfactionamongthecrowd,andtohavehisearsnailedtothepillory,andcutoff.SomepowerfulmenamongthenobilitydeclaredonMary"sside.Theyraisedtroopstosupporthercause,hadherproclaimedQueenatNorwich,andgatheredaroundheratthecastleofFramlingham,whichbelongedtotheDukeofNorfolk.For,shewasnotconsideredsosafeasyet,butthatitwasbesttokeepherinacastleonthesea-coast,fromwhenceshemightbesentabroad,ifnecessary.

TheCouncilwouldhavedespatchedLadyJane"sfather,theDukeofSuffolk,asthegeneralofthearmyagainstthisforce;but,asLadyJaneimploredthatherfathermightremainwithher,andashewasknowntobebutaweakman,theytoldtheDukeofNorthumberlandthathemusttakethecommandhimself.Hewasnotveryreadytodoso,ashemistrustedtheCouncilmuch;buttherewasnohelpforit,andhesetforthwithaheavyheart,observingtoalordwhorodebesidehimthroughShoreditchattheheadofthetroops,that,althoughthepeoplepressedingreatnumberstolookatthem,theywereterriblysilent.

Andhisfearsforhimselfturnedouttobewellfounded.WhilehewaswaitingatCambridgeforfurtherhelpfromtheCouncil,theCounciltookitintotheirheadstoturntheirbacksonLadyJane"scause,andtotakeupthePrincessMary"s.Thiswaschieflyowingtothebefore-mentionedEarlofArundel,whorepresentedtotheLordMayorandaldermen,inasecondinterviewwiththosesagaciouspersons,that,asforhimself,hedidnotperceivetheReformedreligiontobeinmuchdanger-whichLordPembrokebackedbyflourishinghisswordasanotherkindofpersuasion.TheLordMayorandaldermen,thusenlightened,saidtherecouldbenodoubtthatthePrincessMaryoughttobeQueen.So,shewasproclaimedattheCrossbySt.Paul"s,andbarrelsofwineweregiventothepeople,andtheygotverydrunk,anddancedroundblazingbonfires-littlethinking,poorwretches,whatotherbonfireswouldsoonbeblazinginQueenMary"sname.

Afteratendays"dreamofroyalty,LadyJaneGreyresignedtheCrownwithgreatwillingness,sayingthatshehadonlyaccepteditinobediencetoherfatherandmother;andwentgladlybacktoherpleasanthousebytheriver,andherbooks.MarythencameontowardsLondon;andatWansteadinEssex,wasjoinedbyherhalf-

sister,thePrincessElizabeth.TheypassedthroughthestreetsofLondontotheTower,andtherethenewQueenmetsomeeminentprisonersthenconfinedinit,kissedthem,andgavethemtheirliberty.AmongthesewasthatGardiner,BishopofWinchester,whohadbeenimprisonedinthelastreignforholdingtotheunreformedreligion.Himshesoonmadechancellor.

TheDukeofNorthumberlandhadbeentakenprisoner,and,togetherwithhissonandfiveothers,wasquicklybroughtbeforetheCouncil.He,notunnaturally,askedthatCouncil,inhisdefence,whetheritwastreasontoobeyordersthathadbeenissuedunderthegreatseal;and,ifitwere,whetherthey,whohadobeyedthemtoo,oughttobehisjudges?Buttheymadelightofthesepoints;

and,beingresolvedtohavehimoutoftheway,soonsentencedhimtodeath.Hehadrisenintopoweruponthedeathofanotherman,andmadebutapoorshow(asmightbeexpected)whenhehimselflaylow.HeentreatedGardinertolethimlive,ifitwereonlyinamouse"shole;and,whenheascendedthescaffoldtobebeheadedonTowerHill,addressedthepeopleinamiserableway,sayingthathehadbeenincitedbyothers,andexhortingthemtoreturntotheunreformedreligion,whichhetoldthemwashisfaith.Thereseemsreasontosupposethatheexpectedapardoneventhen,inreturnforthisconfession;butitmatterslittlewhetherhedidornot.

Hisheadwasstruckoff.

MarywasnowcrownedQueen.Shewasthirty-sevenyearsofage,shortandthin,wrinkledintheface,andveryunhealthy.Butshehadagreatlikingforshowandforbrightcolours,andalltheladiesofherCourtweremagnificentlydressed.Shehadagreatlikingtooforoldcustoms,withoutmuchsenseinthem;andshewasoiledintheoldestway,andblessedintheoldestway,anddoneallmannerofthingstointheoldestway,athercoronation.I

hopetheydidhergood.

ShesoonbegantoshowherdesiretoputdowntheReformedreligion,andputuptheunreformedone:thoughitwasdangerousworkasyet,thepeoplebeingsomethingwiserthantheyusedtobe.

Theyevencastashowerofstones-andamongthemadagger-atoneoftheroyalchaplainswhoattackedtheReformedreligioninapublicsermon.ButtheQueenandherpriestswentsteadilyon.

Ridley,thepowerfulbishopofthelastreign,wasseizedandsenttotheTower.LATIMER,alsocelebratedamongtheClergyofthelastreign,waslikewisesenttotheTower,andCranmerspeedilyfollowed.Latimerwasanagedman;and,ashisguardstookhimthroughSmithfield,helookedroundit,andsaid,"Thisisaplacethathathlonggroanedforme."Forheknewwell,whatkindofbonfireswouldsoonbeburning.Norwastheknowledgeconfinedtohim.TheprisonswerefastfilledwiththechiefProtestants,whowerethereleftrottingindarkness,hunger,dirt,andseparationfromtheirfriends;many,whohadtimeleftthemforescape,fledfromthekingdom;andthedullestofthepeoplebegan,now,toseewhatwascoming.

Itcameonfast.AParliamentwasgottogether;notwithoutstrongsuspicionofunfairness;andtheyannulledthedivorce,formerlypronouncedbyCranmerbetweentheQueen"smotherandKingHenrytheEighth,andunmadeallthelawsonthesubjectofreligionthathadbeenmadeinthelastKingEdward"sreign.Theybegantheirproceedings,inviolationofthelaw,byhavingtheoldmasssaidbeforetheminLatin,andbyturningoutabishopwhowouldnotkneeldown.Theyalsodeclaredguiltyoftreason,LadyJaneGreyforaspiringtotheCrown;herhusband,forbeingherhusband;andCranmer,fornotbelievinginthemassaforesaid.TheythenprayedtheQueengraciouslytochooseahusbandforherself,assoonasmightbe.

Now,thequestionwhoshouldbetheQueen"shusbandhadgivenrisetoagreatdealofdiscussion,andtoseveralcontendingparties.

SomesaidCardinalPolewastheman-buttheQueenwasofopinionthathewasNOTtheman,hebeingtoooldandtoomuchofastudent.OtherssaidthatthegallantyoungCOURTENAY,whomtheQueenhadmadeEarlofDevonshire,wastheman-andtheQueenthoughtsotoo,forawhile;butshechangedhermind.AtlastitappearedthatPHILIP,PRINCEOFSPAIN,wascertainlytheman-

thoughcertainlynotthepeople"sman;fortheydetestedtheideaofsuchamarriagefromthebeginningtotheend,andmurmuredthattheSpaniardwouldestablishinEngland,bytheaidofforeignsoldiers,theworstabusesofthePopishreligion,andeventheterribleInquisitionitself.

ThesediscontentsgaverisetoaconspiracyformarryingyoungCourtenaytothePrincessElizabeth,andsettingthemup,withpopulartumultsalloverthekingdom,againsttheQueen.ThiswasdiscoveredintimebyGardiner;butinKent,theoldboldcounty,thepeopleroseintheiroldboldway.SIRTHOMASWYAT,amanofgreatdaring,wastheirleader.HeraisedhisstandardatMaidstone,marchedontoRochester,establishedhimselfintheoldcastlethere,andpreparedtoholdoutagainsttheDukeofNorfolk,whocameagainsthimwithapartyoftheQueen"sguards,andabodyoffivehundredLondonmen.TheLondonmen,however,wereallforElizabeth,andnotatallforMary.Theydeclared,underthecastlewalls,forWyat;theDukeretreated;andWyatcameontoDeptford,attheheadoffifteenthousandmen.

Butthese,intheirturn,fellaway.WhenhecametoSouthwark,therewereonlytwothousandleft.NotdismayedbyfindingtheLondoncitizensinarms,andthegunsattheTowerreadytoopposehiscrossingtheriverthere,WyatledthemofftoKingston-upon-

Thames,intendingtocrossthebridgethatheknewtobeinthatplace,andsotoworkhiswayroundtoLudgate,oneoftheoldgatesoftheCity.Hefoundthebridgebrokendown,butmendedit,cameacross,andbravelyfoughthiswayupFleetStreettoLudgateHill.Findingthegateclosedagainsthim,hefoughthiswaybackagain,swordinhand,toTempleBar.Here,beingoverpowered,hesurrenderedhimself,andthreeorfourhundredofhismenweretaken,besidesahundredkilled.Wyat,inamomentofweakness(andperhapsoftorture)wasafterwardsmadetoaccusethePrincessElizabethashisaccomplicetosomeverysmallextent.Buthismanhoodsoonreturnedtohim,andherefusedtosavehislifebymakinganymorefalseconfessions.Hewasquarteredanddistributedintheusualbrutalway,andfromfiftytoahundredofhisfollowerswerehanged.Therestwereledout,withhaltersroundtheirnecks,tobepardoned,andtomakeaparadeofcryingout,"GodsaveQueenMary!"

Inthedangerofthisrebellion,theQueenshowedherselftobeawomanofcourageandspirit.Shedisdainedtoretreattoanyplaceofsafety,andwentdowntotheGuildhall,sceptreinhand,andmadeagallantspeechtotheLordMayorandcitizens.ButonthedayafterWyat"sdefeat,shedidthemostcruelact,evenofhercruelreign,insigningthewarrantfortheexecutionofLadyJaneGrey.

TheytriedtopersuadeLadyJanetoaccepttheunreformedreligion;

butshesteadilyrefused.Onthemorningwhenshewastodie,shesawfromherwindowthebleedingandheadlessbodyofherhusbandbroughtbackinacartfromthescaffoldonTowerHillwherehehadlaiddownhislife.But,asshehaddeclinedtoseehimbeforehisexecution,lestsheshouldbeoverpoweredandnotmakeagoodend,so,sheevennowshowedaconstancyandcalmnessthatwillneverbeforgotten.Shecameuptothescaffoldwithafirmstepandaquietface,andaddressedthebystandersinasteadyvoice.Theywerenotnumerous;forshewastooyoung,tooinnocentandfair,tobemurderedbeforethepeopleonTowerHill,asherhusbandhadjustbeen;so,theplaceofherexecutionwaswithintheToweritself.ShesaidthatshehaddoneanunlawfulactintakingwhatwasQueenMary"sright;butthatshehaddonesowithnobadintent,andthatshediedahumbleChristian.Shebeggedtheexecutionertodespatchherquickly,andsheaskedhim,"WillyoutakemyheadoffbeforeIlaymedown?"Heanswered,"No,Madam,"

andthenshewasveryquietwhiletheybandagedhereyes.Beingblinded,andunabletoseetheblockonwhichshewastolayheryounghead,shewasseentofeelaboutforitwithherhands,andwasheardtosay,confused,"OwhatshallIdo!Whereisit?"

Thentheyguidedhertotherightplace,andtheexecutionerstruckoffherhead.Youknowtoowell,now,whatdreadfuldeedstheexecutionerdidinEngland,throughmany,manyyears,andhowhisaxedescendedonthehatefulblockthroughthenecksofsomeofthebravest,wisest,andbestintheland.Butitneverstrucksocruelandsovileablowasthis.

ThefatherofLadyJanesoonfollowed,butwaslittlepitied.

QueenMary"snextobjectwastolayholdofElizabeth,andthiswaspursuedwithgreateagerness.FivehundredmenweresenttoherretiredhouseatAshridge,byBerkhampstead,withorderstobringherup,aliveordead.Theygotthereattenatnight,whenshewassickinbed.But,theirleadersfollowedherladyintoherbedchamber,whenceshewasbroughtoutbetimesnextmorning,andputintoalittertobeconveyedtoLondon.Shewassoweakandill,thatshewasfivedaysontheroad;still,shewassoresolvedtobeseenbythepeoplethatshehadthecurtainsofthelitteropened;andso,verypaleandsickly,passedthroughthestreets.

Shewrotetohersister,sayingshewasinnocentofanycrime,andaskingwhyshewasmadeaprisoner;butshegotnoanswer,andwasorderedtotheTower.TheytookherinbytheTraitor"sGate,towhichsheobjected,butinvain.Oneofthelordswhoconveyedherofferedtocoverherwithhiscloak,asitwasraining,butsheputitawayfromher,proudlyandscornfully,andpassedintotheTower,andsatdowninacourt-yardonastone.Theybesoughthertocomeinoutofthewet;butsheansweredthatitwasbettersittingthere,thaninaworseplace.Atlengthshewenttoherapartment,whereshewaskeptaprisoner,thoughnotsocloseaprisonerasatWoodstock,whithershewasafterwardsremoved,andwheresheissaidtohaveonedayenviedamilkmaidwhomsheheardsinginginthesunshineasshewentthroughthegreenfields.

Gardiner,thanwhomtherewerenotmanyworsemenamongthefierceandsullenpriests,caredlittletokeepsecrethissterndesireforherdeath:beingusedtosaythatitwasoflittleservicetoshakeofftheleaves,andlopthebranchesofthetreeofheresy,ifitsroot,thehopeofheretics,wereleft.Hefailed,however,inhisbenevolentdesign.Elizabethwas,atlength,released;andHatfieldHousewasassignedtoherasaresidence,underthecareofoneSIRTHOMASPOPE.

ItwouldseemthatPhilip,thePrinceofSpain,wasamaincauseofthischangeinElizabeth"sfortunes.Hewasnotanamiableman,being,onthecontrary,proud,overbearing,andgloomy;butheandtheSpanishlordswhocameoverwithhim,assuredlydiddiscountenancetheideaofdoinganyviolencetothePrincess.Itmayhavebeenmereprudence,butwewillhopeitwasmanhoodandhonour.TheQueenhadbeenexpectingherhusbandwithgreatimpatience,andatlengthhecame,tohergreatjoy,thoughhenevercaredmuchforher.TheyweremarriedbyGardiner,atWinchester,andtherewasmoreholiday-makingamongthepeople;buttheyhadtheirolddistrustofthisSpanishmarriage,inwhicheventheParliamentshared.ThoughthemembersofthatParliamentwerefarfromhonest,andwerestronglysuspectedtohavebeenboughtwithSpanishmoney,theywouldpassnobilltoenabletheQueentosetasidethePrincessElizabethandappointherownsuccessor.

AlthoughGardinerfailedinthisobject,aswellasinthedarkeroneofbringingthePrincesstothescaffold,hewentonatagreatpaceintherevivaloftheunreformedreligion.AnewParliamentwaspacked,inwhichtherewerenoProtestants.PreparationsweremadetoreceiveCardinalPoleinEnglandasthePope"smessenger,bringinghisholydeclarationthatallthenobilitywhohadacquiredChurchproperty,shouldkeepit-whichwasdonetoenlisttheirselfishinterestonthePope"sside.Thenagreatscenewasenacted,whichwasthetriumphoftheQueen"splans.CardinalPolearrivedingreatsplendouranddignity,andwasreceivedwithgreatpomp.TheParliamentjoinedinapetitionexpressiveoftheirsorrowatthechangeinthenationalreligion,andprayinghimtoreceivethecountryagainintothePopishChurch.WiththeQueensittingonherthrone,andtheKingononesideofher,andtheCardinalontheother,andtheParliamentpresent,Gardinerreadthepetitionaloud.TheCardinalthenmadeagreatspeech,andwassoobligingastosaythatallwasforgottenandforgiven,andthatthekingdomwassolemnlymadeRomanCatholicagain.

Everythingwasnowreadyforthelightingoftheterriblebonfires.

TheQueenhavingdeclaredtotheCouncil,inwriting,thatshewouldwishnoneofhersubjectstobeburntwithoutsomeoftheCouncilbeingpresent,andthatshewouldparticularlywishtheretobegoodsermonsatallburnings,theCouncilknewprettywellwhatwastobedonenext.So,aftertheCardinalhadblessedallthebishopsasaprefacetotheburnings,theChancellorGardineropenedaHighCourtatSaintMaryOvery,ontheSouthwarksideofLondonBridge,forthetrialofheretics.Here,twoofthelateProtestantclergymen,HOOPER,BishopofGloucester,andROGERS,aPrebendaryofSt.Paul"s,werebroughttobetried.Hooperwastriedfirstforbeingmarried,thoughapriest,andfornotbelievinginthemass.Headmittedbothoftheseaccusations,andsaidthatthemasswasawickedimposition.ThentheytriedRogers,whosaidthesame.Nextmorningthetwowerebroughtuptobesentenced;andthenRogerssaidthathispoorwife,beingaGermanwomanandastrangerintheland,hehopedmightbeallowedtocometospeaktohimbeforehedied.TothistheinhumanGardinerreplied,thatshewasnothiswife."Yea,butsheis,mylord,"saidRogers,"andshehathbeenmywifetheseeighteenyears."Hisrequestwasstillrefused,andtheywerebothsenttoNewgate;allthosewhostoodinthestreetstosellthings,beingorderedtoputouttheirlightsthatthepeoplemightnotseethem.

But,thepeoplestoodattheirdoorswithcandlesintheirhands,andprayedforthemastheywentby.Soonafterwards,RogerswastakenoutofjailtobeburntinSmithfield;and,inthecrowdashewentalong,hesawhispoorwifeandhistenchildren,ofwhomtheyoungestwasalittlebaby.Andsohewasburnttodeath.

Thenextday,Hooper,whowastobeburntatGloucester,wasbroughtouttotakehislastjourney,andwasmadetowearahoodoverhisfacethathemightnotbeknownbythepeople.But,theydidknowhimforallthat,downinhisownpartofthecountry;

and,whenhecamenearGloucester,theylinedtheroad,makingprayersandlamentations.Hisguardstookhimtoalodging,wherehesleptsoundlyallnight.Atnineo"clocknextmorning,hewasbroughtforthleaningonastaff;forhehadtakencoldinprison,andwasinfirm.Theironstake,andtheironchainwhichwastobindhimtoit,werefixedupnearagreatelm-treeinapleasantopenplacebeforethecathedral,where,onpeacefulSundays,hehadbeenaccustomedtopreachandtopray,whenhewasbishopofGloucester.Thistree,whichhadnoleavesthen,itbeingFebruary,wasfilledwithpeople;andthepriestsofGloucesterCollegewerelookingcomplacentlyonfromawindow,andtherewasagreatconcourseofspectatorsineveryspotfromwhichaglimpseofthedreadfulsightcouldbebeheld.Whentheoldmankneeleddownonthesmallplatformatthefootofthestake,andprayedaloud,thenearestpeoplewereobservedtobesoattentivetohisprayersthattheywereorderedtostandfartherback;foritdidnotsuittheRomishChurchtohavethoseProtestantwordsheard.Hisprayersconcluded,hewentuptothestakeandwasstrippedtohisshirt,andchainedreadyforthefire.Oneofhisguardshadsuchcompassiononhimthat,toshortenhisagonies,hetiedsomepacketsofgunpowderabouthim.Thentheyheapedupwoodandstrawandreeds,andsetthemallalight.But,unhappily,thewoodwasgreenanddamp,andtherewasawindblowingthatblewwhatflametherewas,away.Thus,throughthree-quartersofanhour,thegoodoldmanwasscorchedandroastedandsmoked,asthefireroseandsank;andallthattimetheysawhim,asheburned,movinghislipsinprayer,andbeatinghisbreastwithonehand,evenaftertheotherwasburntawayandhadfallenoff.

Cranmer,Ridley,andLatimer,weretakentoOxfordtodisputewithacommissionofpriestsanddoctorsaboutthemass.Theywereshamefullytreated;anditisrecordedthattheOxfordscholarshissedandhowledandgroaned,andmisconductedthemselvesinananythingbutascholarlyway.Theprisonersweretakenbacktojail,andafterwardstriedinSt.Mary"sChurch.Theywereallfoundguilty.OnthesixteenthofthemonthofOctober,RidleyandLatimerwerebroughtout,tomakeanotherofthedreadfulbonfires.

ThesceneofthesufferingofthesetwogoodProtestantmenwasintheCityditch,nearBaliolCollege.Oncomingtothedreadfulspot,theykissedthestakes,andthenembracedeachother.Andthenalearneddoctorgotupintoapulpitwhichwasplacedthere,andpreachedasermonfromthetext,"ThoughIgivemybodytobeburned,andhavenotcharity,itprofitethmenothing."Whenyouthinkofthecharityofburningmenalive,youmayimaginethatthislearneddoctorhadaratherbrazenface.Ridleywouldhaveansweredhissermonwhenitcametoanend,butwasnotallowed.

WhenLatimerwasstripped,itappearedthathehaddressedhimselfunderhisotherclothes,inanewshroud;and,ashestoodinitbeforeallthepeople,itwasnotedofhim,andlongremembered,that,whereashehadbeenstoopingandfeeblebutafewminutesbefore,henowstooduprightandhandsome,intheknowledgethathewasdyingforajustandagreatcause.Ridley"sbrother-in-lawwastherewithbagsofgunpowder;andwhentheywerebothchainedup,hetiedthemroundtheirbodies.Then,alightwasthrownuponthepiletofireit."Beofgoodcomfort,MasterRidley,"saidLatimer,atthatawfulmoment,"andplaytheman!Weshallthisdaylightsuchacandle,byGod"sgrace,inEngland,asItrustshallneverbeputout."Andthenhewasseentomakemotionswithhishandsasifhewerewashingthemintheflames,andtostrokehisagedfacewiththem,andwasheardtocry,"FatherofHeaven,receivemysoul!"Hediedquickly,butthefire,afterhavingburnedthelegsofRidley,sunk.Therehelingered,chainedtotheironpost,andcrying,"O!Icannotburn!O!forChrist"ssakeletthefirecomeuntome!"Andstill,whenhisbrother-in-lawhadheapedonmorewood,hewasheardthroughtheblindingsmoke,stilldismallycrying,"O!Icannotburn,Icannotburn!"Atlast,thegunpowdercaughtfire,andendedhismiseries.

Fivedaysafterthisfearfulscene,GardinerwenttohistremendousaccountbeforeGod,forthecrueltieshehadsomuchassistedincommitting.

Cranmerremainedstillaliveandinprison.HewasbroughtoutagaininFebruary,formoreexaminingandtrying,byBonner,BishopofLondon:anothermanofblood,whohadsucceededtoGardiner"swork,eveninhislifetime,whenGardinerwastiredofit.Cranmerwasnowdegradedasapriest,andleftfordeath;but,iftheQueenhatedanyoneonearth,shehatedhim,anditwasresolvedthatheshouldberuinedanddisgracedtotheutmost.ThereisnodoubtthattheQueenandherhusbandpersonallyurgedonthesedeeds,becausetheywrotetotheCouncil,urgingthemtobeactiveinthekindlingofthefearfulfires.AsCranmerwasknownnottobeafirmman,aplanwaslaidforsurroundinghimwithartfulpeople,andinducinghimtorecanttotheunreformedreligion.Deansandfriarsvisitedhim,playedatbowlswithhim,showedhimvariousattentions,talkedpersuasivelywithhim,gavehimmoneyforhisprisoncomforts,andinducedhimtosign,Ifear,asmanyassixrecantations.Butwhen,afterall,hewastakenouttobeburnt,hewasnoblytruetohisbetterself,andmadeagloriousend.

Afterprayersandasermon,Dr.Cole,thepreacheroftheday(whohadbeenoneoftheartfulpriestsaboutCranmerinprison),requiredhimtomakeapublicconfessionofhisfaithbeforethepeople.This,Coledid,expectingthathewoulddeclarehimselfaRomanCatholic."Iwillmakeaprofessionofmyfaith,"saidCranmer,"andwithagoodwilltoo."

Then,hearosebeforethemall,andtookfromthesleeveofhisrobeawrittenprayerandreaditaloud.Thatdone,hekneeledandsaidtheLord"sPrayer,allthepeoplejoining;andthenhearoseagainandtoldthemthathebelievedintheBible,andthatinwhathehadlatelywritten,hehadwrittenwhatwasnotthetruth,andthat,becausehisrighthandhadsignedthosepapers,hewouldburnhisrighthandfirstwhenhecametothefire.AsforthePope,hedidrefusehimanddenouncehimastheenemyofHeaven.HereuponthepiousDr.Colecriedouttotheguardstostopthatheretic"smouthandtakehimaway.

Sotheytookhimaway,andchainedhimtothestake,wherehehastilytookoffhisownclothestomakereadyfortheflames.Andhestoodbeforethepeoplewithabaldheadandawhiteandflowingbeard.Hewassofirmnowwhentheworstwascome,thatheagaindeclaredagainsthisrecantation,andwassoimpressiveandsoundismayed,thatacertainlord,whowasoneofthedirectorsoftheexecution,calledouttothementomakehaste!Whenthefirewaslighted,Cranmer,truetohislatestword,stretchedouthisrighthand,andcryingout,"Thishandhathoffended!"helditamongtheflames,untilitblazedandburnedaway.Hisheartwasfoundentireamonghisashes,andheleftatlastamemorablenameinEnglishhistory.CardinalPolecelebratedthedaybysayinghisfirstmass,andnextdayhewasmadeArchbishopofCanterburyinCranmer"splace.

TheQueen"shusband,whowasnowmostlyabroadinhisowndominions,andgenerallymadeacoarsejestofhertohismorefamiliarcourtiers,wasatwarwithFrance,andcameovertoseektheassistanceofEngland.EnglandwasveryunwillingtoengageinaFrenchwarforhissake;butithappenedthattheKingofFrance,atthisverytime,aidedadescentupontheEnglishcoast.Hence,warwasdeclared,greatlytoPhilip"ssatisfaction;andtheQueenraisedasumofmoneywithwhichtocarryiton,byeveryunjustifiablemeansinherpower.Itmetwithnoprofitablereturn,fortheFrenchDukeofGuisesurprisedCalais,andtheEnglishsustainedacompletedefeat.ThelossestheymetwithinFrancegreatlymortifiedthenationalpride,andtheQueenneverrecoveredtheblow.

TherewasabadfeverraginginEnglandatthistime,andIamgladtowritethattheQueentookit,andthehourofherdeathcame.

"WhenIamdeadandmybodyisopened,"shesaidtothosearoundthosearoundher,"yeshallfindCALAISwrittenonmyheart."I

shouldhavethought,ifanythingwerewrittenonit,theywouldhavefoundthewords-JANEGREY,HOOPER,ROGERS,RIDLEY,LATIMER,CRANMER,ANDTHREEHUNDREDPEOPLEBURNTALIVEWITHINFOURYEARSOF

MYWICKEDREIGN,INCLUDINGSIXTYWOMENANDFORTYLITTLECHILDREN.

ButitisenoughthattheirdeathswerewritteninHeaven.

TheQueendiedontheseventeenthofNovember,fifteenhundredandfifty-eight,afterreigningnotquitefiveyearsandahalf,andintheforty-fourthyearofherage.CardinalPolediedofthesamefevernextday.

AsBLOODYQUEENMARY,thiswomanhasbecomefamous,andasBLOODY

QUEENMARY,shewilleverbejustlyrememberedwithhorroranddetestationinGreatBritain.Hermemoryhasbeenheldinsuchabhorrencethatsomewritershaveariseninlateryearstotakeherpart,andtoshowthatshewas,uponthewhole,quiteanamiableandcheerfulsovereign!"Bytheirfruitsyeshallknowthem,"saidOURSAVIOUR.Thestakeandthefirewerethefruitsofthisreign,andyouwilljudgethisQueenbynothingelse.

CHAPTERXXXI-ENGLANDUNDERELIZABETH

THEREwasgreatrejoicingalloverthelandwhentheLordsoftheCouncilwentdowntoHatfield,tohailthePrincessElizabethasthenewQueenofEngland.WearyofthebarbaritiesofMary"sreign,thepeoplelookedwithhopeandgladnesstothenewSovereign.Thenationseemedtowakefromahorribledream;andHeaven,solonghiddenbythesmokeofthefiresthatroastedmenandwomentodeath,appearedtobrightenoncemore.

QueenElizabethwasfive-and-twentyyearsofagewhensherodethroughthestreetsofLondon,fromtheTowertoWestminsterAbbey,tobecrowned.Hercountenancewasstronglymarked,butonthewhole,commandinganddignified;herhairwasred,andhernosesomethingtoolongandsharpforawoman"s.Shewasnotthebeautifulcreaturehercourtiersmadeout;butshewaswellenough,andnodoubtlookedallthebetterforcomingafterthedarkandgloomyMary.Shewaswelleducated,butaroundaboutwriter,andratherahardswearerandcoarsetalker.Shewasclever,butcunninganddeceitful,andinheritedmuchofherfather"sviolenttemper.Imentionthisnow,becauseshehasbeensoover-praisedbyoneparty,andsoover-abusedbyanother,thatitishardlypossibletounderstandthegreaterpartofherreignwithoutfirstunderstandingwhatkindofwomanshereallywas.

ShebeganherreignwiththegreatadvantageofhavingaverywiseandcarefulMinister,SIRWILLIAMCECIL,whomsheafterwardsmadeLORDBURLEIGH.Altogether,thepeoplehadgreaterreasonforrejoicingthantheyusuallyhad,whentherewereprocessionsinthestreets;andtheywerehappywithsomereason.Allkindsofshowsandimagesweresetup;GOGandMAGOGwerehoistedtothetopofTempleBar,and(whichwasmoretothepurpose)theCorporationdutifullypresentedtheyoungQueenwiththesumofathousandmarksingold-soheavyapresent,thatshewasobligedtotakeitintohercarriagewithbothhands.Thecoronationwasagreatsuccess;and,onthenextday,oneofthecourtierspresentedapetitiontothenewQueen,prayingthatasitwasthecustomtoreleasesomeprisonersonsuchoccasions,shewouldhavethegoodnesstoreleasethefourEvangelists,Matthew,Mark,Luke,andJohn,andalsotheApostleSaintPaul,whohadbeenforsometimeshutupinastrangelanguagesothatthepeoplecouldnotgetatthem.

Tothis,theQueenrepliedthatitwouldbebetterfirsttoinquireofthemselveswhethertheydesiredtobereleasedornot;and,asameansoffindingout,agreatpublicdiscussion-asortofreligioustournament-wasappointedtotakeplacebetweencertainchampionsofthetworeligions,inWestminsterAbbey.Youmaysupposethatitwassoonmadeprettycleartocommonsense,thatforpeopletobenefitbywhattheyrepeatorread,itisrathernecessarytheyshouldunderstandsomethingaboutit.Accordingly,aChurchServiceinplainEnglishwassettled,andotherlawsandregulationsweremade,completelyestablishingthegreatworkoftheReformation.TheRomishbishopsandchampionswerenotharshlydealtwith,allthingsconsidered;andtheQueen"sMinisterswerebothprudentandmerciful.

Theonegreattroubleofthisreign,andtheunfortunatecauseofthegreaterpartofsuchturmoilandbloodshedasoccurredinit,wasMARYSTUART,QUEENOFSCOTS.Wewilltrytounderstand,inasfewwordsaspossible,whoMarywas,whatshewas,andhowshecametobeathornintheroyalpillowofElizabeth.

ShewasthedaughteroftheQueenRegentofScotland,MARYOF

GUISE.Shehadbeenmarried,whenamerechild,totheDauphin,thesonandheiroftheKingofFrance.ThePope,whopretendedthatnoonecouldrightfullywearthecrownofEnglandwithouthisgraciouspermission,wasstronglyopposedtoElizabeth,whohadnotaskedforthesaidgraciouspermission.AndasMaryQueenofScotswouldhaveinheritedtheEnglishcrowninrightofherbirth,supposingtheEnglishParliamentnottohavealteredthesuccession,thePopehimself,andmostofthediscontentedwhowerefollowersofhis,maintainedthatMarywastherightfulQueenofEngland,andElizabeththewrongfulQueen.MarybeingsocloselyconnectedwithFrance,andFrancebeingjealousofEngland,therewasfargreaterdangerinthisthantherewouldhavebeenifshehadhadnoalliancewiththatgreatpower.Andwhenheryounghusband,onthedeathofhisfather,becameFRANCISTHESECOND,KingofFrance,themattergrewveryserious.For,theyoungcouplestyledthemselvesKingandQueenofEngland,andthePopewasdisposedtohelpthembydoingallthemischiefhecould.

Now,thereformedreligion,undertheguidanceofasternandpowerfulpreacher,namedJOHNKNOX,andothersuchmen,hadbeenmakingfierceprogressinScotland.Itwasstillahalfsavagecountry,wheretherewasagreatdealofmurderingandriotingcontinuallygoingon;andtheReformers,insteadofreformingthoseevilsastheyshouldhavedone,wenttoworkintheferociousoldScottishspirit,layingchurchesandchapelswaste,pullingdownpicturesandaltars,andknockingabouttheGreyFriars,andtheBlackFriars,andtheWhiteFriars,andthefriarsofallsortsofcolours,inalldirections.ThisobdurateandharshspiritoftheScottishReformers(theScotchhavealwaysbeenratherasullenandfrowningpeopleinreligiousmatters)putupthebloodoftheRomishFrenchcourt,andcausedFrancetosendtroopsovertoScotland,withthehopeofsettingthefriarsofallsortsofcoloursontheirlegsagain;ofconqueringthatcountryfirst,andEnglandafterwards;andsocrushingtheReformationalltopieces.

TheScottishReformers,whohadformedagreatleaguewhichtheycalledTheCongregationoftheLord,secretlyrepresentedtoElizabeththat,ifthereformedreligiongottheworstofitwiththem,itwouldbelikelytogettheworstofitinEnglandtoo;andthus,Elizabeth,thoughshehadahighnotionoftherightsofKingsandQueenstodoanythingtheyliked,sentanarmytoScotlandtosupporttheReformers,whowereinarmsagainsttheirsovereign.AlltheseproceedingsledtoatreatyofpeaceatEdinburgh,underwhichtheFrenchconsentedtodepartfromthekingdom.Byaseparatetreaty,MaryandheryounghusbandengagedtorenouncetheirassumedtitleofKingandQueenofEngland.Butthistreatytheyneverfulfilled.

Ithappened,soonaftermattershadgottothisstate,thattheyoungFrenchKingdied,leavingMaryayoungwidow.ShewastheninvitedbyherScottishsubjectstoreturnhomeandreignoverthem;andasshewasnotnowhappywhereshewas,she,afteralittletime,complied.

ElizabethhadbeenQueenthreeyears,whenMaryQueenofScotsembarkedatCalaisforherownrough,quarrellingcountry.Asshecameoutoftheharbour,avesselwaslostbeforehereyes,andshesaid,"O!goodGod!whatanomenthisisforsuchavoyage!"ShewasveryfondofFrance,andsatonthedeck,lookingbackatitandweeping,untilitwasquitedark.Whenshewenttobed,shedirectedtobecalledatdaybreak,iftheFrenchcoastwerestillvisible,thatshemightbeholditforthelasttime.Asitprovedtobeaclearmorning,thiswasdone,andsheagainweptforthecountryshewasleaving,andsaidmanytimes,"Farewell,France!

Farewell,France!Ishallneverseetheeagain!"Allthiswaslongrememberedafterwards,assorrowfulandinterestinginafairyoungprincessofnineteen.Indeed,Iamafraiditgraduallycame,togetherwithherotherdistresses,tosurroundherwithgreatersympathythanshedeserved.

WhenshecametoScotland,andtookupherabodeatthepalaceofHolyroodinEdinburgh,shefoundherselfamonguncouthstrangersandwilduncomfortablecustomsverydifferentfromherexperiencesinthecourtofFrance.Theverypeoplewhoweredisposedtoloveher,madeherheadachewhenshewastiredoutbyhervoyage,withaserenadeofdiscordantmusic-afearfulconcertofbagpipes,I

suppose-andbroughtherandhertrainhometoherpalaceonmiserablelittleScotchhorsesthatappearedtobehalfstarved.

Amongthepeoplewhowerenotdisposedtoloveher,shefoundthepowerfulleadersoftheReformedChurch,whowerebitteruponheramusements,howeverinnocent,anddenouncedmusicanddancingasworksofthedevil.JohnKnoxhimselfoftenlecturedher,violentlyandangrily,anddidmuchtomakeherlifeunhappy.AllthesereasonsconfirmedheroldattachmenttotheRomishreligion,andcausedher,thereisnodoubt,mostimprudentlyanddangerouslybothforherselfandforEnglandtoo,togiveasolemnpledgetotheheadsoftheRomishChurchthatifsheeversucceededtotheEnglishcrown,shewouldsetupthatreligionagain.Inreadingherunhappyhistory,youmustalwaysrememberthis;andalsothatduringherwholelifeshewasconstantlyputforwardagainsttheQueen,insomeformorother,bytheRomishparty.

ThatElizabeth,ontheotherhand,wasnotinclinedtolikeher,isprettycertain.Elizabethwasveryvainandjealous,andhadanextraordinarydisliketopeoplebeingmarried.ShetreatedLadyCatherineGrey,sisterofthebeheadedLadyJane,withsuchshamefulseverity,fornootherreasonthanherbeingsecretlymarried,thatshediedandherhusbandwasruined;so,whenasecondmarriageforMarybegantobetalkedabout,probablyElizabethdislikedhermore.NotthatElizabethwantedsuitorsofherown,fortheystartedupfromSpain,Austria,Sweden,andEngland.HerEnglishloveratthistime,andonewhomshemuchfavouredtoo,wasLORDROBERTDUDLEY,EarlofLeicester-himselfsecretlymarriedtoAMYROBSART,thedaughterofanEnglishgentleman,whomhewasstronglysuspectedofcausingtobemurdered,downathiscountryseat,CumnorHallinBerkshire,thathemightbefreetomarrytheQueen.Uponthisstory,thegreatwriter,SIRWALTERSCOTT,hasfoundedoneofhisbestromances.

ButifElizabethknewhowtoleadherhandsomefavouriteon,forherownvanityandpleasure,sheknewhowtostophimforherownpride;andhislove,andalltheotherproposals,cametonothing.

TheQueenalwaysdeclaredingoodsetspeeches,thatshewouldneverbemarriedatall,butwouldliveanddieaMaidenQueen.Itwasaverypleasantandmeritoriousdeclaration,Isuppose;butithasbeenpuffedandtrumpetedsomuch,thatIamrathertiredofitmyself.

DiversprincesproposedtomarryMary,buttheEnglishcourthadreasonsforbeingjealousofthemall,andevenproposedasamatterofpolicythatsheshouldmarrythatveryEarlofLeicesterwhohadaspiredtobethehusbandofElizabeth.Atlast,LORD

DARNLEY,sonoftheEarlofLennox,andhimselfdescendedfromtheRoyalFamilyofScotland,wentoverwithElizabeth"sconsenttotryhisfortuneatHolyrood.Hewasatallsimpleton;andcoulddanceandplaytheguitar;butIknowofnothingelsehecoulddo,unlessitweretogetverydrunk,andeatgluttonously,andmakeacontemptiblespectacleofhimselfinmanymeanandvainways.

However,hegainedMary"sheart,notdisdaininginthepursuitofhisobjecttoallyhimselfwithoneofhersecretaries,DAVID

RIZZIO,whohadgreatinfluencewithher.HesoonmarriedtheQueen.Thismarriagedoesnotsaymuchforher,butwhatfollowedwillpresentlysayless.