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other relations, in consideration of grants bestowed on that monastic establishment; directing, also, a provision for thirteen poor men.

Some were burned for heresy in this reign; among them, in 1494, was a widow of eighty, named Joan Boughton. She was enabled to declare that she thought but little of the fire, since it would but take her to the presence of Him who loved her. But the most atrocious act of papal cruelty was the burning of Tylsworth, at Amersham, in 1506, when his own daughter was dragged to the pile, and compelled to set fire to it by a torch held in her hand. The spot is still pointed out, where this dreadful atrocity was perpetrated by the persecuting church of Rome.

Upon the whole, Henry VII. possessed many commendable qualities; he showed much wisdom in promoting whatever he considered would be for the welfare of his people. The adversities of his early years much improved his character, though the original defect of obtaining the crown by force, with his constitutional avarice, led to many acts of severity and oppression, which rendered him unpopular, and brought down trials upon himself. This unpopularity was increased by the crafty and treacherous conduct Henry VII. displayed. Sir Thomas More states, that his proceedings were carried on so covertly, one thing pretended, and another meant, that when matters were most plain and open, some secret design was ever suspected.

Among the legislative enactments of this reign was the important law, making the alienation of landed property effectual by the legal process called levying fines. This tended much to break the power of the nobility, by affording facilities to the sale of their landed estates, while the giving security to purchasers encouraged buyers, and led many persons to invest in land the profits of increasing commerce. Other laws, with reference to legal proceedings, the encouragement of trade, and the prevention of frauds, might be

mentioned. Though some were founded on principles since found to be mistaken, by limiting the exertions of industry, and fixing the price of commodities, yet Henry should be commended for having acted according to the best of his abilities; he certainly perceived that a free interchange of commodities was for the advantage of all parties concerned. One establishment of this reign was the Star Chamber-so called from the star on the roof of the apartment where the judges sat. This was a summary court of judicature, which assisted the royal power by its course of proceedings; but these were subsequently abused, so as to become tyrannical and oppressive.

The depopulation caused by the civil wars and by pestilence, was shown by various enactments to restrain the extent of sheep-walks, then found more profitable to the agriculturist than the raising of corn. So low was the price of wheat, that at the commencement of this reign, ten days' labour would purchase a quarter of corn.

The engraving inserted in page 1, is from an old painting, representing the three children of Henry VII.: Arthur, who died before his father; Henry, afterwards the eighth monarch of that name; and Margaret, subsequently queen of Scotland, great grandmother of James, in whom the kingdoms were united. From this highly important circumstance, the daughter of Henry VII. becomes a very interesting character in English history.

A portion of the reign of Henry VII. belongs to the fifteenth century, but it is included in the present volume, to give a complete view of the reigns of the house of Tudor, a period of the greatest importance in the history of England.

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REIGNED THIRTY-SEVEN YEARS AND NINE MONTHS.

From 22nd of April, 1509, to 28th of January, 1547. THE reign of Henry VIII. is the most important in the British annals, both with reference to the events that occurred therein, and to the results of those events. This remark is applicable not only to the English nation, but also to the world at large. The proceedings have been differently represented, and are spoken of in very opposite terms, according to the feelings of speakers or writers, rather than from the effects of patient and impartial consideration. But the particulars concerning the history of this reign are now fully unfolded to the world, from original public and private documents. In the following pages, only brief, and for the most part only general notices of this eventful period can be given: but they are the results of the examination of many volumes; it is trusted with a desire for impartial research.

The events of this reign may be divided into three periods. 1. The early transactions previous to Henry's desire to be divorced from Catherine of Arragon. 2. The king's contest with the pope, and the reformation which followed the casting off of the papal supremacy. 3. The stormy latter years of this monarch.

PART I.

FROM A.D. 1509, TO A.D. 1527.

THE accession of Henry VIII., at the age of eighteen, was hailed by his subjects with much joy. His father, though he sought in many respects the welfare of the people, was very unpopular during his latter years, chiefly from the excessive pecuniary exactions he levied, but also from his severe measures in other respects. Under these circumstances the young king was highly popular, possessing many advantages, both natural and acquired, and having an undoubted title to the throne by descent, as well as by the voice of the nation. Being the second son, his father had destined him for the church; therefore, at an early age his attention was directed to literary pursuits. The seed fell into a favourable soil; though at twelve years of age he became heir to the throne, yet the young Henry had imbibed a taste for learning, which he cultivated even beyond the average of the leading scholars of that day. His person was healthy and well-formed, such as to command admiration, and to enable him to take part in all the active sports then practised. His temper and disposition were frank, `courteous, amiable, condescending; he was inclined to promote the enjoyments of those around him, whilst his habits of application qualified him to conduct state affairs. In directing these, he at first attended to the advice of the able ministers whom he collected about him. He engaged in pastimes and recreations, yet did not suffer himself to be wholly engrossed by them.

Such was Henry VIII. during the early years of his

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