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,appointingacouncilofsixteentogovernthekingdomforhissonwhilehewasunderagehewasnowonlytenyearsold,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.Italsomadeafoolishlawmeanttoputdownbeggars,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.InNorfolkwheretherisingwasmoreagainsttheenclosureofopenlandsthanagainstthereformedreligion,thepopularleaderwasamannamedROBERTKET,atannerofWymondham.Themobwere,inthefirstinstance,excitedagainstthetannerbyoneJOHNFLOWERDEW,agentlemanwhoowedhimagrudge:butthetannerwasmorethanamatchforthegentleman,sincehesoongotthepeopleonhisside,andestablishedhimselfnearNorwichwithquiteanarmy.Therewasalargeoak-treeinthatplace,onaspotcalledMousholdHill,whichKetnamedtheTreeofReformation;andunderitsgreenboughs,heandhismensat,inthemidsummerweather,holdingcourtsofjustice,anddebatingaffairsofstate.TheywereevenimpartialenoughtoallowsomerathertiresomepublicspeakerstogetupintothisTreeofReformation,andpointouttheirerrorstothem,inlongdiscourses,whiletheylaylisteningnotalwayswithoutsomegrumblingandgrowlingintheshadebelow.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,whourgedhimtodoitthoughCranmerreallywouldhavesparedthewomanatfirst,butforherowndeterminedobstinacy,thattheguiltwasnothis,butthatofthemanwhosostronglyurgedthedreadfulact.Weshallsee,toosoon,whetherthetimeevercamewhenCranmerislikelytohaverememberedthiswithsorrowandremorse.
CranmerandRIDLEYatfirstBishopofRochester,andafterwardsBishopofLondonwerethemostpowerfuloftheclergyofthisreign.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,thatshemightremainthereasthecustomwasuntilshewascrowned.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,andmadebutapoorshowasmightbeexpectedwhenhehimselflaylow.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,inamomentofweaknessandperhapsoftorturewasafterwardsmadetoaccusethePrincessElizabethashisaccomplicetosomeverysmallextent.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,thepreacherofthedaywhohadbeenoneoftheartfulpriestsaboutCranmerinprison,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,andwhichwasmoretothepurposetheCorporationdutifullypresentedtheyoungQueenwiththesumofathousandmarksingold-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.ThisobdurateandharshspiritoftheScottishReformerstheScotchhavealwaysbeenratherasullenandfrowningpeopleinreligiousmattersputupthebloodoftheRomishFrenchcourt,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.