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