spirit of chivalry could supply that Christian spirit of love which "condescends to men of low estate." QUESTIONS.-Relate the anecdote given in illustration of the power of the clergy. By what was this power checked towards the close of this century?-State what is told of the desecration of Sunday. -Who was Wickliffe ?—Against whom did he preach ?-With what result? By whom was he upheld ?-Mention the greatest of his labors. What was the treatment of his remains? Name the colleges erected at Oxford during this period, and their founders. What is told of the founder of Pembroke Hall? What account is given of Chaucer?-Describe the gift presented to Richard II.—By whom was it given?—Name the three languages used in England. By whom were they severally adopted?—Which formed the basis of our present language? - Give some account of the law schools founded in London.-Describe the composition of the English parliament during this period. -Describe the character of the Commons. --Relate the origin and importance of the great city companies.-What body of foreign artisans were invited to England?-What is said of the introduction of coal?-Describe the amusements of this age.-What is said of Christmas festivities?--What ceremonies took place on St. Nicholas' day?--Give some description of the costumes of those days.-What great improvement took place in the condition of the villains.— What is said of the regard in which the common people were held? PART VII. ENGLAND DURING THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. HENRY IV.-HENRY V.-HENRY VI.-EDWARD IV.- A. D. 1399-1509. "She saw her sons with purple deaths expire, РОРЕ. CHAPTER XXIV. HENRY IV. CONSPIRACIES-REBELLION-PRINCE HENRY-THE KING'S ADVICE. THE fifteenth century was a time of so much war and tumult, that it may well be called one of the most unhappy periods of English history. At the close of the previous century, as we have already seen, Henry of Lancaster, a grandson of Edward III., had deposed his cousin Richard, and placed himself upon the throne. Henry IV. obtained, by this deed of violence, a crown to which he had no right. The true heir, after Richard, was Edmund Mortimer, Earl of March, a descendant of the second son of Edward III., whereas Henry of Lancaster was only descended from the third son of that monarch. 1399. wears Henry IV., having thus become king, was soon made to feel how thrice "uneasy lies the head that a crown," when that crown has been obtained by injustice and wrong. Conspiracies arose against him. One night, when the straw which composed his bed was examined, a sharp steel weapon was found concealed in it, which would no doubt have killed or seriously injured the king, had he lain it. down upon Henry IV. had been aided in his usurpation of the throne, by the Duke of Northumberland, his son Henry Percy (the Harry Hotspur of Shakspeare), and Northumberland's brother, the Earl of Worcester. Henry's ungrateful conduct to this powerful family of the Percys, at length roused them to rebel against him. They were joined by the Scottish earl, Douglas, and the Welsh prince, Owen ap-Gryffyth Vaughan; the latter better known by the name of Glendower, from the district in Wales of which he was a native. 1403. The king was no sooner made aware of this formidable rising, than he prepared, with a large force, to suppress it. Owing to the illness of Northumberland, and the absence of Glendower, the strength of the conspirators was greatly weakened; and when the two armies met in battle at Shrewsbury, although Percy and Douglas performed deeds of great valor, the one was slain, the other taken prisoner, and their cause entirely lost. 16. In the battle of Shrewsbury, Prince Henry, the eldest son of the king, gave the first proof of that valor which, in after years, rendered his military career so glorious. This young prince had filled his father's heart with sorrow and anxiety. Surrounded by wild companions, he spent his time amid scenes and occupations totally unfitted to prepare him for the cares of a crown, or the wise government of a kingdom. On one occasion, however, there had gleamed forth the promise of a nobler spirit. One of Prince Henry's evil companions had been brought for trial before the Chief Justice Gascoigne. The latter refused to release the culprit, notwithstanding the prince's earnest solicitations. Whereupon, Henry, becoming indignant, behaved in a manner so insulting to the dignity of the court, that the chief justice ordered him to the King's Bench prison. To this punishment the prince submitted. When the incident was related to the king, he exclaimed: "Happy is the king that has a magistrate endowed with courage to execute the laws upon such an offender: still more happy in having a son willing to submit to such a chastisement." One of the most interesting episodes in the history of this reign, is the story of the captivity of the young Prince James, afterwards James I. of Scotland. The royal boy had been embarked for France to save him from the hands of his uncle, the ruthless Duke of Albany, who had seized the government of the country. The vessel was captured by some English cruisers, and the prince, a boy of only twelve years, was brought a prisoner to the English court. the Seldom had a captive less cause to bewail his captivity, than young heir of the Scottish throne the nineteen years of his detention in England. The Round Tower of Windsor Castle was appropriated to his use, and there, amid the beauties of nature, having access to the best masters and books of the age, conversing with men of learning and refinement, he developed into one of the sweetest poets as well as one of the noblest characters of his time. His most celebrated work, called "The King's Quair" or Book, is a tender and elegant poem, suggested by his love for the Lady Joanna Beaufort, an English princess whom he afterwards married. James survived his restoration to the throne only thirteen years, falling the victim to a conspiracy among his turbulent nobles in 1436. In the year 1405, a conspiracy was raised against the English king, headed by Scroop, archbishop of York, and the Earl of Northumberland. By treacherous promises the forces of the conspirators were disbanded, and the venerable prelate seized and beheaded. This was the first instance, in English history, of sentence of death being executed against an archbishop. Although Henry of Lancaster could defeat the efforts of his human foes, he could not silence the still small voice of conscience, which ever reminded him, "by what by-paths, and indirect, crooked ways," he had gained his crown. Fearing that it might prove an insecure possession to his son, the king advised that prince, whenever he should succeed to the inheritance, to busy his subjects in foreign wars, and thus divert their minds from a too close inquiry into his title to the throne. In March, of the year 1413, whilst King Henry was praying before the shrine in Edward the Confessor's chapel, he was seized with a fit, and carried by his attendants to the lodgings of the abbot. There, in an apartment known as "The Jerusalem Chamber," on the 20th of the month, he breathed his last. His remains were interred in a beautiful tomb in Canterbury cathedral. QUESTIONS.-How does the fifteenth century compare with other periods of English history ?-How did Henry IV.'s claim to the crown compare with that of the Earl of March?-How was Henry IV.'s seizure of the crown punished?-To whom was Henry indebted for his throne?-How did he act towards the Percys, and what was the result?—Who aided the Percys in their conspiracy?—Where was a battle fought, and with what result? How did Prince Henry distinguish himself at Shrewsbury?—What had been his previous conduct?-Relate the anecdote given of Prince Henry and the chief justice.-What conspiracy arose in 1405?-How was it defeated and punished?-Was it customary to inflict capital punishment on the clergy?-What advice did the king give to his son, Prince Henry?-Relate the circumstances of the king's death. CHAPTER XXV. HENRY V. WARS IN FRANCE-AGINCOURT-TREATY OF TROYES-HENRY'S DEATH. 1413. PRINCE HENRY, upon his accession to the throne, hastened to adopt the advice which his father had given him. |