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.