IN MEMORIAM John Swett PINNOCK'S IMPROVED EDITION OP DR. GOLDSMITH'S HISTORY OF ENGLAND, FROM THE INVASION OF JULIUS CAESAR TO THE DEATH OF GEORGE n. WITH A CONTINUATION TO THE YEAR 1845. WITH QUESTIONS FOR EXAMINATION AT THE END OF EACH SECTION. BESIDES A VARIETY OF VALUABLE INFORMATION, ADDED THROUGHOUT THE WORK. CONSISTING OF Tables of Contemporary Sovereigns and Eminent Persons. Copious Explanatory Notes. Remarks on the Politics, Manners, and Literature of the Age. An Outline of the Constitution, &c. Ac ILLUSTRATED WITH NUMEROUS ENGRAVINGS. FORTY-FIFTH AMERICAN, FROM THE THIRTY-FIFTH ENGLISH EDITION. PHILADELPHIA: * THOMAS, COWPERTHWAIT & CO. 1846. *?V ,4 V Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1838, By F. W. Greenough, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Eastern District of Penn- sylvania. PREFACE TO THE AMERICAN EDITION Next to our own national history, it is incumbent on American youth to make themselves acquainted with that of the country from which we derive our political existence, and the most valuable of our cus- toms and institutions. The history of England will never cease to be interesting to us. It will never be other than a valuable and important branch of instruc- tion in our schools. Among all the histories of that country which have been written, none has been so long and so deservedly popular as that of Dr. Goldsmith. Whether this be owing to its attractive and perfectly intelligible style, or to the vivid impression which his simple and clear narrative of the facts never fails to leave, it is not now important to inquire. The fact of its established classical charac- ter, is sufficient to justify the publisher in selecting the most approved edition of this work, to be revised and adapted to the use of schools in our own country. The mass of illustrative matter, consisting of notes, tables, engravings, &c, which the reader will find in the present edition, may be regarded as adding greatly to its value; and the complete and careful series of ques- tions appended to each section will claim the especial notice of teachers. 3 64 ! 6(15 INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. Brief sketch of the Saxon Idols from which the Days of the Week received their names. The idols which our Saxon ancestors worshipped were various ; but those which are delineated in the Frontispiece, and from which the days of the week derive their names, were the principal objects of their adoration. The Idol of Ihe SUN. This Idol, which represented the glorious luminary of the day, was the chief object of their adoration. It is described like the bust of a man, set upon a pillar; holding, with outstretched arms, a burning wheel be- fore his breast. The first day of the week was especially dedicated to its adoration, which they termed the Sun's daeg ; hence is derived the word Sunday. The Idol of tie MOON. The next, was the Idol of the Moon, which they worshipped on the second day of the week, called by them Moon's daeg ; and since by us Monday. The form of this idol is intended to represent a woman, habited in a short coat, and a hood, with two long ears. The moon which she holds in her hand designates the quality. The Idol of TUISCO. Tuisco was at first deified as the father and ruler of the Teutonic race, but in course of time he was worshipped as the son of the earth. From him came the Saxon words Tuisco' s daeg, which we call Tuesday. He is represented standing on a pedestal, as an old Venerable sage, clothed with the skin of an animal, and holding a sceptre in the right hand. The Idol WODEN, or ODIN. Woden, or Odin, was the supreme divinity of the Northern nations. This hero is supposed to have emigrated from the East, but from what country, or at what time, is not known. His exploits form the greatest part of the mythological creed of the Northern nations, and his achievements are magnified beyond all credibility. The name of the fourth day of the week, called by the Saxon's Woden's daeg, aDd by us Wednesday, is derived from this personage. Woden is represented in a bold and martial attitude, clad in armour, with a broad sword, uplifted, in his right hand. The Idol THOB. Thor, the eldest and bravest of the sons of Woden and Friga, was, after his parents, considered as the greatest god among the Saxon and a2 Vi OF THE IDOLATRY OF THE SAXONS, &C. Danes. To him the fifth day of the week, called by them Thor's daeg, and by us Thursday, was consecrated. Thor is represented as sitting on a throne, with a crown of gold on his head, adorned with a oircle in front, wherein were set twelve bright bur- nished gold stars, and with a regal sceptre in his right hand. The Idol FRIG A, or FREA. Friga, or Frea, was the wife of Woden, or Odin ; and, next to him, the most revered divinity among the heathen Saxons, Danes, and other Northern nations. In the most ancient times, Friga, or Frea, was the same with the goddess Hertha, or Earth. To her the sixth day of the week was consecrated, which by the Saxons was written Friga's daeg, corresponding with our Friday. Friga is represented with a drawn sword in her right hand, and a bow in her left. The Idol S EATER. The Idol Seater is represented on a pedestal, whereon is placed a perch, on the sharp prickled back of which he stood. His head was un- covered, and his visage lean. In his left hand he held up a wheel, and in his right was a pail of water, wherein were flowers and fruits ; and his dress consisted of a long coat, girded with linen. The appellation given to the day of his celebration is still retained. The Saxons named it Seater's daeg, which we call Saturday. It will be seen, in our explanation of the Mythological plate, that the names of the days of tue week owe their origin to the names given by the Saxons to their chief idols. We shall here observe, that the names which they gave to the months were singularly descriptive of the seasons, and, therefore, we subjoin them : re- marking, by the way, that the names of the months adopted by the French during the Revolution, though more elegant, were not more appropriate than those of the Saxons, whose ideas they appear to have borrowed.— Their first month was styled. Midwinter Monath ... December. Jlefter Yula (or after Christmas) January. Sol Monath (From the returning sun) Februart. Rethe Monath .... .(Rugged Month) March. Easter Monath. . j (F ™S er ^ X °" .ffff^. ^T.. .^™!*!?! } AntiL. Trimilchi (From cows being milked thrice a day) May. Sere Monath (Dry month) June. Mad Monath (The meads being then in bloom) .--. . July. Weod Monath (From the luxuriance of weeds) August. Heefest Monath . . . .(Harvest month) September. „- , -, „. . ( (From winter approaching with the full moon of ) -.' _. _ Winter Fylltsh..^ that month) .» J 1 .. .... * { October. „, , -, „,. ( (From the blood of cattle slain that month, and) — '.V.., Blot Monath. . . . j * stored for winter provision) ..'.,..{ November. THE HISTORY OF ENGLAND. • . a ' » CHAPTER I. THE ANCIENT BRITONS. OP BRITAIN,* FROM THE INVASION OF JULIUS CiESAR,f B. C. 54, TO THE ABDICATION OF THE ROMANS.^ SECTION I. Theirs was the science of a martial race, To shape the lance or decorate the shield E'en the fair virgin stain'd her native grace, To give new horrors to the tented field. 1. Britain was but very little known to the rest of the world before the time of the Romans. The coasts oppo- site Gaul§ were frequented by merchants, who traded thither for such commodities as the natives were able to produce, and who, it is thought, after a time, possessed themselves of all the maritime places where they had at first been permitted to reside. 2. Finding the country fertile, and commodiously situated for trade, they settled upon the seaside, and introduced the practice of agricul- ture ; but it was very different with the inland inhabitants of the country, who considered themselves as the lawful possessors of the soil, and avoided all correspondence with the new comers, whom they viewed as intruders upon theii property,!! and therefore harassed by repeated wars. * Britain, the name given to England, Scotland, and Wales, united t Julius Csesar was a most eloquent writer and successful warrior; he assumed the title of emperor, which roused the jealousy of many of the principal Roman citizens, by whom he was assassinated in the senate-house, in the 56th year of his age. t The ancient inhabitants of Rome, in Italy. $ Gaul was the ancient name of France. II Geoffrey of Monmouth, an ancient English historian, says, that the Bri- tish isles were first peopled 1100 years before Christ, and asserts that Brutus, the great grandson of iEneas, colonized them with the descendants of those Trojans, who, after the destruction of Troy, settled in Greece or Italy. This account is, however, unsupported by any genuine historical documents, and is, therefore, now treated as purely fabulous, though in less enlightened ages a story so romantic easily passed current. 7 8 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 3. The inland inhabitants are represented as extremely numerous, living in cottages thatched with straw, and feeding larg« herds of cattle. They lived mostly upon milk, or flesh produced by' the chase.* What clothes they wore, to cover any -, part .of their bodies, were usually the skins of beasts ; but the arms, legs, and thighs were left naked, and were usually painted blue. 4. Their hair, which was long, flowed down upon their backs and shoul- ders ; while their beards were kept close shaven, except upon the upper lip, where they were suffered to grow. The dress of savage nations is everywhere pretty much the same, being calculated rather to inspire terror than to excite love or respect. 5. As to their government, it consisted of several small principalities, each under its respective leader ; and this seems to be the earliest mode of dominion with which man- kind are acquainted, and is deduced from the natural privi- leges of paternal authority. Upon great and imminent dangers, a commander-in-chief was chosen by common consent, in a general assembly ; and to him was committed the conduct of the general interest, the power of making peace or leading to war, and the administration of justice. 6. Their forces consisted chiefly of foot, and yet they could bring a considerable number of horse into the field upon great occasions. They likewise used chariots in battle, which, with short scythes fastened to the ends of the axletrees, inflicted terrible wounds, spreading horror and devastation wheresoever they drove. f 7. Nor while the chariots were thus destroying, were the warriors who con- ducted them unemployed : they darted their javelins against the enemy, ran along the beam, leaped on the ground, re- sumed their seat, stopped or turned their horses at full speed, and sometimes cunningly retreated to draw the enemy into confusion. 8. The religion of the Britons was one of the most con- siderable parts of their government; and the Druids, 4 * The ancient Britons were so habitually regular and temperate, that they only began to grow old at a hundred and twenty years. — Plutarch, De Placitis Philosophies. t Csesar gives a most animated description of the dexterity of the Britons in managing their war chariots, which he ascribes to constant use and in- cessant exercise ; thereby intimating that the Britons were continually en- gaged in intestine wars. — Ccesar's Com. lib. iv. t The Druids were d : vided into three different classes ; the Bards, who were the heroic historians and genealogical poets : the Vates, who were the sacred musicians, the religious poets, and the pretended prophets ; the third THE ANCIENT BRITONS. An Ancient Briton. who were the guardians of it, possessed great authority among them. No species of superstition was ever more terrible than theirs : besides the severe penalties which they were permitted to inflict in this world, they inculcated the eternal transmigration of souls, and thus extended their authority as far as the fears of their votaries.* 9. They class, which was by far the most numerous, and who performed all the other offices of religion, were called by the general name of Druids, which appella- tion was commonly given to the whole fraternity. Their supreme chief was styled the Arch-druid. To the priesthood were also attached a number of females, called Druidesses, who were likewise divided into three classes ; those of the first, vowed perpetual virginity, and lived together, sequestered from the rest of the world : these were great pretenders to divination, pro- phecy, and miracles, and were highly venerated by the people. The second class consisted of certain devotees, who, though married, spent the greater part of their time with the Druids in assisting in the offices of religion, oc- casionally returning to their husbands. The third and lowest class waited on the Druids, and performed the most servile offices about the temples, &c. The priesthood, in the most ancient times, was hereditary in all countries, and was particularly so in the Celtic nations ; where the order of Druids did not only descend to their posterity, but the office of priests was likewise he- reditary in families. * Among a people so credulous as the ancient Britons, it is no wonder that those who possessed such high authority among them as the Druids, practised the greatest impositions; accordingly we read, that the Druids were in the habit of borrowing large sums of the people, which they pro- mised to repay in the other world — " Druida? pecuniam mutuo accipiebant in posteriore vita reddituri." — Palricius 10 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. sacrificed human victims, which they burnt in large wicker idols, made so capacious as to contain a multitude of per- sons at once, who were thus consumed together. To these rites, tending to impress ignorance with awe, they added the austerity of their manners and the simplicity of their lives. They lived in woods, caves, and in hollow trees ; their food was acorns and berries, and their drink water. These arts caused the people not only to respect, but almost to adore them. The most remarkable Druidical monument in England is the circle of stones on Salisbury plain, called Stonehenge ; it appears to have been a great national temple. 10. It may be easily supposed that the manners of the people took a tincture from the discipline of their teachers. Their lives were simple, but they were marked with cruelty and fierceness ; their courage was great, but neither dignified by mercy nor perseverance. Caesar invading Britain. 11. The Britons had long remained in this rude but in- dependent state, when Csesar, having overrun Gaul with his victories, and willing still further to extend his fame, determined upon the conquest of a country that seemed to promise an easy triumph ; accordingly, when the troops designed for the expedition were embarked, he set sail for Britain about midnight, and the next morning arrived on the coast near Dover, where he saw the rocks and cliffs covered with armed men to oppose his landing. THE ANCIENT BRITONS. 11 12. The Britons had chosen Cassivelau'nus* for their commander-in-chief; but the petty princes under his com- mand, either desiring his station, or suspecting his fidelity, threw off their allegiance. 13. Some of them fled with their forces into the internal parts of the kingdom, others submitted to Caesar, till at length Cassivelau'nus himself, weakened by so many desertions, resolved upon making what terms he was able, while he yet had power to keep the field. 14. The conditions offered by Caesar, and ac- cepted by him, were, that he should send to the continent double the number of hostages at first demanded, and that he should acknowledge subjection to the Romans. Caesar, however, was obliged to return once more to compel the Britons to complete their stipulated treaty. Questions for Examination. 1. Was Britain well known before the time of its invasion by the Romans? By whom were, at that time, the coasts opposite Gaul frequented ? 2. Who introduced the practice of agriculture ? 3. 4. Describe the inland inhabitants. 5. Of what did the government of the ancient Britons consist ? 6, 7. What was their chief force ? 8. Who were the ministers of their religion ? 9. Did they ever sacrifice human victims ? 10. What were the manners of the people ? 11. Who first determined on the conquest of Britain? 12. 13. Whom did the Britons choose for their leader? 14. What conditions were offered by Caesar, and accepted by Cassivelaunus SECTION II. Great Boadicea Thy very fall perpetuates thy fame, And Suetonius' laurels droop with shame. — Dibdin. 1. Upon the accession of Augus'tus,f that emperor had formed a design of visiting Britain, but was diverted from it by the unexpected revolt of the Panno'nians.f Tiberius,§ wisely judging the empire already too exten- sive, made no attempt upon Britain. From that time the natives began to improve in all the arts which contribute to the advancement of human nature. 2. The wild extravagances of Calig'ula,|| by which he * Sometimes written Cassibelau'nus, or Cassibe'lan. t Augus'tus was the son of Julius Caesar's niece, adopted by Csesar. He was the second emperor of Rome. % The people of Hungary, which country was formerly called Pannonia $ The third emperor of Rome. U A Roman emperor, the successor of Tibe'rius. 12 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. threatened Britain with an invasion, served rather to expose him to ridicule than the island to danger. At length, the Romans, in the reign of Clau'dius,* began to think seri- ously of reducing them under their dominion. The ex- pedition for this purpose was conducted in the beginning by Plau'tius and other commanders, with that success which usually attended the Roman arms. 3. Carac'tacus was the first who seemed willing, by a vigorous effort, to rescue his country, and repel its insulting and rapacious conquerors. This rude soldier, though with inferior forces, continued, for above nine years, to oppose and harass the Romans ; till at length he was totally routed and taken prisoner by Osto'rius Scap'ula, who sent him in triumph to Rome. 4. While Carac'tacus was being led through Rome, he appeared no way dejected at the amazing concourse of spectators that were gathered upon this occa- sion ; but casting his eyes on the splendours that surrounded him, "Alas !" cried he, "how is it possible that a people possessed of such magnificence at home, could envy me a humble cottage in Britain ?" The emperor was affected by the British hero's misfortunes, and won by his address. He ordered him to be unchained on the spot, and set at liberty with the rest of the captives. 5. The cruel treatment of Boadi'cea, queen of the Ice'ni, drove the Britons once more into open rebellion. Prasat'- agus, king of the Ice'ni, at his death had bequeathed one half his dominions to the Romans, and the other to his daughters, thus hoping, by the sacrifice of a part, to secure the rest to his family. But it had a different effect ; for the Roman procurator immediately took possession of the whole : and when Boadi'cea, the widow of the deceased, attempted to remonstrate, he ordered her to be scourged like a slave, and made slaves of her daughters. 6. These outrages were sufficient to produce a revolt throughout the island. The Ice'ni, as being the most deeply interested in the quarrel, were the first to take arms ; all the other states soon followed the example ; and Boadi'cea, a woman of great beauty and masculine spirit, was appointed to head the common forces, which amounted to two hundred and thirty thousand fighting men. 7. These, exasperated by their wrongs, attacked several of the Roman settlements and colonies with success : Suetoni'us, who commanded the Roman forces, hastened to relieve London, which was al- * The son of Drufcus, and successor of Calig'ula. THE ANCIENT BRITONS, 13 ready a flourishing colony ; but found, on his arrival, that it would be requisite for the general safety to abandon that place to the merciless fury of the enemy. 8. London was soon, therefore, reduced to ashes ; such of the inhabitants as remained in it were massacred ; and the Romans, with all other strangers, to the number of seventy thousand, were cruelly put to the sword. Flushed with these suc- cesses, the Britons no longer sought to avoid the enemy, but boldly came to the place where Suetoni'us awaited their arrival, posted in a very advantageous manner with a body of ten thousand men. 9. The battle was obstinate and bloody. Boadi'cea herself appeared in a chariot with her two daughters, and harangued her army with masculine in- trepidity ; but the irregular and undisciplined bravery of her troops was unable to resist the cool intrepidity of the Romans. They were routed with great slaughter ; eighty thousand perished in the field, and an infinite number were made prisoners ; while Boadi'cea herself, fearing to fall into the hands of the enraged victor, put an end to her life by poison. 10. The general who firmly established the dominion of the Romans in this island was Ju'lius Agric'ola,* who go- verned it during the reigns of Vespa'sian,f Ti'tus,| and Domi'tian,§ and distinguished himself as well by his cou- rage as humanity. For several years after the time of Agric'ola, a profound peace seems to have prevailed in Britain, and little mention is made of the affairs of the island by any historian. 11. At length, however, Rome, that had for ages given laws to nations, and diffused slavery and oppression over the known world, began to sink under her own magnifi- cence. Mankind, as if by a general consent, rose up to vindicate their natural freedom ; almost every nation as- serting that independence of whieh they had been so long unjustly deprived. 12. During these struggles the British youth were fre- quently drawn away into Gaul, to give ineffectual succour * Julius Agric'ola was the father-in law of Ta'citus, the celebrated his tonan. t Vespa'sian was the tenth Roman emperor ; he was valiant, but very avaricious. ? Ti'tus was the eleventh Roman emperor, the son of Vespasian ; he was so good a man that he was called the "delight of mankind." v Domi'tian was the twelfth Roman emperor, and brother to Ti'tns ; he was a great persecutor of the Christians, and of a most cruel disposition. B 14 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. to the various contenders for the empire, who, failing in every attempt, only left the name of tyrants behind them.* In the mean time, as the Roman forces decreased in Britain, the Piets and Scotsf continued still more boldly to infest the northern parts ; and crossing the friths, which the Ro- mans could not guard, in little wicker boats covered with leather, filled the country, wherever they came, with slaugh- ter and consternation. 13. The Romans, therefore, finding it impossible to stand their ground in Britain, in the reign of the emperor Valen- tin'ian took their last leave of the island, after being masters of it for nearly four hundred years, and now left the natives to the choice of their own government and kings. They gave them the best instructions the calamitous times would permit, for exercising their arms, and repairing their ran> parts ; and helped them to erect a new wall of stone across the island, for they had not, at that time, artisans skilful enough among themselves to repair that which had been built by the emperor Sev'erus. The ruins of this wall, and the fortresses by which the Eoman colonies were defended, are among the most interesting relics of antiquity in England. Questions for Examination. 1. What prevented Augustus from visiting Britain ? Did Tiberius make an attempt upon Britain ? 2. What exposed Caligula to ridicule ? 3. Who was the first person that was willing to repel the invaders ? How long did Caractacus harass the Romans ? 4. What remarks did Caractacus make on witnessing the splendour of Rome? 5. What caused the Britons to rebel ? Who commanded Boadicea to be ill treated ? 6. What were the consequences ? 7. Who commanded the Roman forces at that time ? 8. What was the fate of London and its inhabitants ? 9 Describe Boadicea's conduct, and the result of this battle. 10. At what time did peace prevail in Great Britain? 11. What was the situation of Rome at this time ? 22. What were the nations that infested the northern parts ? 13. When did the Romans take their leave of Britain ? And how long had they been masters of it ? * According to the "Nolitia Imperii" no less than twelve British corps of infantry and cavalry were constantly dispersed in the distant provinces of the empire; while foreign soldiers were, according to the invariable policy of the Romans, stationed in Britain. t The names by which the inhabitants of Scotland were at that time dis- tinguished. " The Picts (so called from Piclich, a plunderer, and not from Picti, painted), and the Scots from Scuite, a wanderer, in the Celtic tongue, were only different tribes of Caledonians." — Dr. Henry. THE SAXONS. 15 CHAPTER II. THE SAXONS. SECTION L But hark 1 what foreign drum on Thanet's isle Proclaims assistance ? 'Tis the Saxon band, By Hengist led, and Horaa :— see, they smile, And greet their hosts with false, insidious hand. — Dibdin. 1. (A. D. 447.) The Britons, being now left to them- selves, considered their new liberties as their greatest cala- mity. The Picts and Scots, uniting together, began to look upon Britain as their own, and attacked the northern wall, which the Romans had built to keep off their incursions,, with success. Having thus opened to themselves a passage, they ravaged the whole country with impunity, while the Britons sought precarious shelter in the woods and moun- tains.* 2. It was in this deplorable and enfeebled state that the Britons had recourse to the Saxons, a brave people ; who, for their strength and valour, were formidable to all the Merman nations around them, and supposed to be more than a match for the gods themselves. They were a people restless and bold, who considered war as their trade ; and were, in consequence, taught to consider victory as a doubt- ful advantage, but courage as a certain good. 3. A nation., however, entirely addicted to war, has seldom wanted the imputation of cruelty, as those terrors which are opposed without fear are often inflicted without regret. The Saxons are represented as a very cruel nation : but we must re- member that their enemies have drawn the picture. 4. It was no disagreeable circumstance to these ambitious people to be invited into a country upon which they had for ages been forming designs. In consequence, therefore, of the solemn invitation of Vor'tigern, who was then king of Bri- tain, they arrived with fifteen hundred men, under the com- mand of Hen'gist and Hor'sa, who were brothers, and * In this extremity, they made application for succour to ^Etius, prefect of Gaul, in the following remarkable words : — " The groans of the wretched Britons, to the thrice-appointed Consul ^Eti us. — The barbarians drive us into the sea, and the sea forces us back on the swords of the barbarians, so that we have nothing left us but the wretched choice of being either dfowned or murdered." JEtius was, however, too closely engaged in opposing Attala, *he renowned king of the Huns (who, from the havoc he made where vet his sword was drawn, was denominated "llie scourge of God"), to besiov* -ay .attention .on the Britons. 10 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. landed on the isle of Than'et.* 5. There they did not long remain inactive ; but being joined by the British forces, they boldly marched against the Picts and Scots, who had advanced as far as Lincolnshire, and soon gained a complete victory over them. (A. D. 450.) The Saxons, however, being sensible of the fertility of the country to which they came, and the barrenness of that which they had left behind, invited over great numbers ot their countrymen to become sharers in their new expedi- tion. 6. Accordingly they received a fresh supply of five thousand men, who passed over in seventeen vessels, and soon made a permanent establishment in the island. The British historians, in order to account for the easy conquest of their country by the Saxons, assign their trea- chery, not less than their valour, as a principal cause. 7. They allege, that Vor'tigern was artfully inveigled into a passion for Rowe'na, the daughter of Hen'gist; and, in order to marry her, was induced to settle the fertile pro- vince of Kent upon her father, from whence the Saxons could never after be removed.t It is alleged, also, that upon the death of Vor'timer, which happened shortly after the victory he obtained at Eg'glesford, Vor'tigern, his fa- ther, was reinstated upon the throne. 8. It is added, that this weak monarch, accepting of a festival from Hen'gist, three hundred of his nobility were treacherously slaugh tered, and himself detained as a captive. After the death of Hen'gist, several other German tribes, allured by the success of their countrymen, went over in great numbers. 9. A body of Saxons, under the conduct of Ella and his three sons, had some time before laid the. foundation of the kingdom of the South Saxons, thougji not without great opposition and bloodshed. This new kingdom included Surry, Sussex, and the New Forest ; and extended to the frontiers of Kent. 10. Another tribe of the Saxons, under the command of Cerdic, and his son Kenric, landed in the west, and from thence took the name of West Saxons. These met with * Than'et is an island of Kent. Margate and Ramsgate are its principal towns. + Our old English historians say, that when the beautiful Rowe'na was fi st introduced to Vor'tigern, " she presented him, on her knee, with a cup of wine, saying ' Waes heal, hlaford cyning,' or 4 Be of health, Lord King !' to which Vor'tigern, being instructed in the custom, answered, 4 Drinc heal,' or, ' I drink your health.' " — It is proper here to observe, however, that some able historians have declared, that no authentic documents exist concerning these stories of Vor'tigern and Rowe'na, or of the slaughter of the British nobles : and that they are inclined to believe the whole a fiction, or, at least very much exaggerated, THE SAXONS. 17 & very vigorous opposition from the natives, but being rein- forced from Germany,* and assisted by their countrymen on the island, they routed the Britons ; and although retarded in their progress by the celebrated king Arthur,f they had strength enough to keep possession of the conquest they had already made, Cerdic, therefore, with his son Kenric, es- tablished the third Saxon kingdom in the island, namely that of the West Saxons, including the counties of Hants, Dorset, Wilts, Berks, and the Isle of Wight. 11. It was in opposing this Saxon invader tha* the ce- lebrated prince Arthur acquired his fame. However un- successful all his valour might have been in the end, yet his name made so great a figure in the fabulous annals of the times, that some notice must be taken of him. 12. This prince is of such obscure origin, that some authors suppose him to be the son of king Ambro'sius,;}: and others only his nephew ; others again affirm that he was a Cornish prince, and son of Gurlois, king of that province. However this foe, it is certain he was a commander of great valour ; and, could courage alone have repaired the miserable state of the Britons, his might have been effectual. 13. According to the most authentic historians, he worsted the Saxons in twelve successive battles. In one of these, namely, that fought at Caerbadon, in Berks, it is asserted that he killed no less than four hundred and forty of the enemy with his own hand. But the Saxons Were too numerous and power- ful to be extirpated by the desultory efforts of single va- lour ; so that a peace, and not a conquest, was the im- mediate fruit of his victories. 14. The enemy, therefore, still gained ground ; and this prince, in the decline of life, had the mortification, from some domestic troubles of his own, to be a patient spectator of their encroachments. His first wife had been carried off by Melnas, king of Somerset- shire, who detained her a whole year at Glas'tonbury,§ until Arthur, discovering the place of her retreat, advanced with an army against the seducer, and obliged him to give her back. 15. In his second wife, perhaps, he may have been more fortunate, as we have no mention made of her ; but it was otherwise with his third consort, who was car- * A large country of Europe, comprising many kingdoms and states, t A British prince, who established Christianity at York, m the room of paganism, or worshipping of idols, t King of the Britons. $ Glas'tonbury is a town in Somersetshire, noted for a famous abbey; B2 18 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. ried off by his own nephew, Mordred. This produced a re bellion, in which the king and his traitorous kinsman, meet- ing in battle, slew each other. Questions for Examination 1. Who ravaged England with impunity ? 2. To whom did the Britons have recourse for assistance in their distress ? 3. What character is given of the Saxons ? 4. Where did the Saxons land ? 5. Whom did the Saxons defeat ? 6. By what means can the easy conquest of the Britons be accounted for ? 7. How did the Saxons obtain possession of the province of Kent ? 8. Were not many of the British nobility treacherously slaughtered ? 9. Who laid the foundation of the South Saxon kingdom? 10. Who gave rise to the name of the West Saxons ? 11, 12- What celebrated British prince opposed the Saxons wilh success? 13. What extraordinary feat of valour is related of him ? 14. What domestic troubles afflicted Arthur in the decline of life? SECTION II. While undecided yet which part should fail, Which nation rise, the glorious Lord of all. — Creech. 1. (A.D. 575.) In the mean time, while the Saxons were thus gaining ground in the west, their countrymen were not less active in the other parts of the island. Adventurers still continuing to pour over from Germany, one body of them, under the command of Uffa, seized upon the counties of Cambridge, Suffolk, and Norfolk, and gave their com- mander the title of king of the East Angles,* which was the fourth Saxon kingdom founded in Britain. 2. Another body of these adventurers formed a kingdom under the title of East Saxony, or Essex, comprehending Essex, Middlesex, and part of Hertfordshire. This king- dom, which was dismembered from that of Kent, formed the fifth Saxon principality founded in Britain. 3. The kingdom of Mercia was the sixth which was es- tablished by these fierce invaders, comprehending all the middle counties, from the banks of the Severn to the frontiers of the two last-named kingdoms. The seventh and last kingdom which they obtained was that of Northumberland,! one of the most powerful and extensive of them all. This was formed from the union of * Comprehending Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridge, and the Isle of Ely. t Northumberland, that is, the land north of the river Humber, con- tained s-ix counties in England, and extended as far as the Frith of Edin- t-.u-,:. in Scotland, THE SAXONS. IP two smaller Saxon kingdoms, the one called Berni'cia, con- taining the present county of Northumberland and the bishoprick of Durham ; the subjects of the other, called Dei'ri, extending themselves over Lancashire and York- shire. 4. These kingdoms were united in the person of Ethelred, king of Northumberland, by the explusion of Edwin, his brother-in-law, from the kingdom of the Deiri, and the seizure of his dominions. In this manner, the na- tives being overpowered, or entirely expelled, seven king- doms were established in Britain, which have since been well known by the name of the Saxon heptarchy. 5. The Saxons, being thus well established in all the desi- rable parts of the island, and having no longer the Britons to contend with, began to quarrel among themselves. A country divided into a number of petty independent princi- palities, must ever be subject to contention, as jealousy and ambition have more frequent incentives to operate. 6. After a series, therefore, of battles, treasons, and stratagems, all their petty principalities fell under the power of Egbert, king of Wessex, whose merits deserved dominion, and whose prudence secured his conquests. By him all the kingdoms of the heptarchy were united under one common jurisdiction ; but, to give splendour to his authority, a gene- ral council of the clergy and laity was summoned at Win- chester, where he was solemnly crowned king of England, by which name the united kingdom was thenceforward called. 7. Thus, about four hundred years after the first arrival of the Saxons in Britain, all the petty settlements were ^united into one great state, and nothing offered but prospects of peace, security, and increasing refinement. It was about this period that St. Gregory undertook to send missionaries among the Saxons, to convert them to Christianity. 8. It is said, that, before his elevation to the papal chair, he chanced one day to pass through the slave- market at Rome, and perceiving some children of great beauty, who were set up for sale, he inquired about their country, and finding they were English pagans^he is said to have cried out in the Latin language, Non Angli sea Angel i, forent, si essent Christiani. " They would not be English, but angels, had they been Christians."* 9. From * Inquiring further trie name of their province, he was answered Dein (a district of Northumberland). " Deiri," replied St. Gregory, " that is good : they are called to the mercy of God from his anger ; that is, de Ira. Bui 20 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. that time he was struck with an ardent desire to convert that unenlightened nation, and ordered a monk, named Augus'- tine, and others of the same fraternity, to undertake the mission into Britain. This pious monk, upon his first landing in the Isle of Thanet, sent one of his interpreters to Eth'elbert, the Kent- ish king, declaring he was come from Rome with offers of eternal salvation. 10. The king immediately ordered them to be furnished with all necessaries, and even visited them, though without declaring himself as yet in their favour. Augus'tine, however, encouraged by this favourable recep- tion, and now seeing a prospect of success, proceeded with redoubled zeal to preach the gospel. 11. The king openly espoused the Christian religion : while his example wrought so successfully on his subjects, that numbers of them came voluntarily to be baptized, the missionary loudly declaring against any coercive means towards their conversion. In this manner the other kingdoms, one after the other, em- braced the faith : and England was soon as famous for its superstition, as it had once been for its averseness to Chris- tianity. The Saxon ecclesiastics were in general men of great piety and learning. The most celebrated among them was the venerable Bede, born A. D. 673, died A. D. 735, whose his- tory of the Anglo-Saxon Church was so highly valued by King Alfred, that he translated it from the Latin language, in which it was written, into the Saxon. Questions for Examination. 1. Whence did adventurers continue to come ? , What counties formed the fourth kingdom of the Saxons ? 2. What counties did the fifth Saxon kingdom comprehend ? 3. What was the sixth kingdom called ? What was the seventh kingdom ? and how was it formed ? 4. What was the general name given to the seven Saxon kingdoms ? 5. What happened to the Saxons after the Britons were subdued ? 6. Under whose power did all the petty principalities fall ? 7. At about what period were missionaries sent among the Saxons to con- vert them to Christianity ? 8,9. What was the circumstance which occasioned the sending missionaries into Britain ? 10. How were the missionaries received by the Saxon monarch ? 11. What effect was produced by the king's example ? how is the king of that province named ?" He was told jElla, or Ali.a. " Alleluiah !" cried he, " we must endeavour that the praises of God be sung in this country " — Hume. c INVASION OF THE DANES. 21 ^ CHAPTER III. THE INVASION OF THE DANES. FROM THE END OF THE HEPTARCHY TO THE REIGN OF WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR. SECTION I. The Danes ! the Danes ! the young and aged cry. And mothers press their infants as they fly. — Dibdin. 1. (A.D. 832.) Peace and unanimity had been scarcely- established in England, when a mighty swarm of those na- tions called Danes* and Northmen, subsequently corrupted into Normen or Normans, who had possessed the country bordering on the Baltic,t began to level their fury against England. A small body of them at first landed on the coasts, with a view to learn the state of the country ; and havmg committed some depredations, fled to their ships for safety. 2. About seven years after this first attempt, they made a descent upon the kingdom of Northumberland, where they pillaged a monastery, but their fleet being shattered by a storm, they were defeated by the inhabitants and put to the sword. It was not till about five years after the accession of Egbert,;}: that their invasions became truly formidable, From that time they continued with unceasing ferocity, until the whole kingdom was reduced to a state of the most dis- tressing bondage. § 3. Though often repulsed, they always obtained their end of spoiling the country, and carrying the plunder away. It was their method to avoid coming, if possible, to a general engagement ; but, scattering themselves over the face of the country, they carried away indiscriminately, as well the inhabitants themselves, as all their moveable possessions. 4. At length, however, they resolved upon making a set- * The Danes were inhabitants of Denmark, a kingdom in the north of Europe. t The Baltic is an inland sea in the north of Europe. X Egbert was the first sole monarch in England. $ Nothing could be more dreadful than the manner in which these fierce barbarians carried on their incursions; they spared neither age nor sex, and each commander urged the soldiers to inhumanity. One of their celebratea chieftains, named Oliver, gained, from his dislike to the favourite amusement of his soldiers (that of tossing children on the points of their spears), the con teraptuous surname of Burnakal, or "The Preserver of Children." 22 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. tlement in the country ; and landing on the Isle of Thanet, stationed themselves there. In this place they kept their ground, notwithstanding a bloody victory gained over them by Eth'elwolf. The reign of Eth'elbald, his successor, was of no long continuance ; however, in a short space, he crowded together a number of vices sufficient to render his name odious to posterity. 5. This prince was succeeded by his brother Eth'elred, a brave commander, but whose valour was insufficient to re- press the Danish incursions. In these exploits he was always assisted by his younger brother, Alfred, afterwards surnamed the Great, who sacrificed all private resentment to the public good, having been deprived by the king of a large patrimony. 6. It was during Eth'elred's reign that the Danes, penetrating into Mercia, took up their winter-quarters at Nottingham ; from whence the king attempting to dislodge them, received a wound in the battle, of which he died, leaving his brother Alfred the inheritance of a kingdom that was now reduced to the brink of ruin. 7. The Danes had already subdued Northumberland and East Anglia, and had penetrated into the very heart of Wes- sex. The Mercians were united against Alfred ; the de- pendence upon the other provinces of the empire was but precarious : the lands lay uncultivated, through fear of con- tinual incursions ; and all the churches and monasteries were burnt to the ground. In this terrible situation of affairs nothing appeared but objects of terror, and every hope was lost in despair. 8. The wisdom and virtues of one man alone were found sufficient to bring back happiness, security and order ; and all the calamities of the times found redress from Alfred. 9. This prince seemed born not only to defend his bleed ing country, but even to adorn humanity. He had given very early instances of those great virtues which afterwards gave splendour to his reign ; and was anointed by pope Leo as future king, when he was sent by his father, for his education, to Rome. On his return from thence, he became every day more the object of his father's fond affections ; and that perhaps was the reason why his education was at first neglected. He had attained the age of twenty before he was made acquainted with the lowest elements of litera- ture ; but hearing some Saxon poems read, which recounted the praise of heroes, his whole mind was roused, not only to obtain a similitude of glory, but also to be able to transmit INVASION OF THE DANES. 23 that glory to posterity. 10. Encouraged by the queen his mother, and assisted by a penetrating genius, he soon learned to read these compositions, and proceed from thence to a knowledge of Latin authors, who directed his taste, and rec- tified his ambition. He was scarcely come to the throne when he was obliged to oppose the Danes, who had seized Wilton,* and were ex- ercising their usual ravages on the country around. 11. He marched against them with the few troops he could assemble on a sudden, and a desperate battle was fought, to the disad- vantage of the English. But it was not in the power of misfortune to abate the king's diligence, though it repressed his power to do good. He was in a little time enabled to hazard another engagement ; so that the enemy, dreading his courage and activity, proposed terms of peace, which he did not think proper to refuse. 12. They, by this treaty, agreed to relinquish the kingdom ; but instead of complying with their engagements, they only removed from one place to another, burning and destroying wherever they came. CONTEMPORARY SOVEREIGNS. Popes. a. D. Gregory IV , 823 SergiusII 844 Leo IV. 847 Benedict III 855 Nicholas 1 858 Emperors of the East. Michael II 821 A.D. Theophilus 1 829 Michael III 842 Emperors of the West, and Kings of France. Lewis 1 814 Lotharius 840 LewisII 855 EMINENT PERSONS. Kings of Scotland. AD. CongallusIII 824 Dongallus 829 Alpinus 834 KennethusII 849 Donaldus V 859 Constantius II 865 In the reign of Egbert : Earls Osmond and Dudda. Bishops Wigfurth and Herefurth. — In the reigns of Ethelbald and Ethelbert : Swithun, bishop of Winchester. Osryck, earl of Hampton. Lambert and Ethelhard, archbishops of Canterbury. — In the reign of Ethelred: Osbricht and Ella, Northumbrian princes, who were killed while bravely opposing the Danes. Questions for Examination. 1. What enemies disturbed the tranquillity which England enjoyed after the union of the seven Saxon kingdoms ? What mode of wa.fare was practised by the Danes 1 2. What loss did the Danes suffer by sea ? 3. What did the Danes carry away ? 4. Where did they at length establish themselves ? 5. Who succeeded Ethelbald ? By whom was Ethelred assisted ? * Wilton is the county town of Wiltshire, though Salisbury is now its pnn cipal plaee 24 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 6. What was the cause of Ethelred's death ? and to whom did he leave the kingdom ? 7,8 What was the cause of the lands remaining uncultivated ? 9, 10. What is related of Alfred's youth and early disposition ? 11. What was the success of this prince against the Danes ? 12. In what manner did the Danes observe their treaty with Alfred ? SECTION II. .Replete with soul the monarch stood alone. And built, on freedom's basis, England's throne; A legislator, parent, warrior, sage. He died, the light of a benighted age. — Dibdin. 1. (A. D. 877.) Alfred, thus opposed to an enemy whom no stationary force could resist, and no treaty could bind, found himself unable to repel the efforts of those ravagers who from all quarters invaded him. New swarms of the enemy arrived every year upon the coast, and fresh inva- sions were still projected. Some of his subjects, therefore, left their country, and retired into Wales,* or fled to the continent. Others submitted to the conqueror, and purchased their lives by their freedom. 2. In this universal defection, Alfred vainly attempted to remind them of the duty they owed their country and their king ; but, finding his remon- strances ineffectual, he was obliged to give way to the wretched necessity of the times. Accordingly, relinquish- ing the ensigns of his dignity, and dismissing his servants, he dressed himself in the habit of a peasant, and lived for some time in the house of a herdsman, who had been in- trusted with the care of his cattle. 3. In this manner, though abandoned by the world, and fearing an enemy in every quarter, still he resolved to continue in his country, to catch the slightest occasion for bringing it relief. In his solitary retreat, which was in the county of Somerset, at the conflu- ence of the rivers Parret and Thone, he amused himself with music, and supported his humble lot with the hopes of bet- ter fortune. 4. It is said, that one day, being commanded by the herdsman's wife, who was ignorant of his quality, to take care of some cakes which were baking by the fire, he happened to let them burn, on which she severely upbraided him for neglect. Previous to his retirement, Alfred had concerted measures for assembling a few trusty friends, whenever an opportunity should offer of annoying the enemy, who were in possession of the whole country. 5. This chosen band, still faithful " Wales consists of twelve counties on the west of England, annexed to it by Edward the First. ALFRED THE GREAT. 25 to their monarch, took shelter in the forests and marshes of Somerset, and from thence made occasional irruptions upon straggling parties of the enemy. Their success in this rapa- cious and dreary method of living encouraged many more to join their society, till at length, sufficiently augmented, they repaired to their monarch, who had by Mat time been reduced by famine to the last extremity.* 6. Meanwhile Ubba, the chief of the Danish commanders, carried terror over the whole land, and now ravaged the country of Wales without opposition. The only place where he found resistance was in his return from the castle of Kenwith, into which the Earl of Devonshire had retired with a small body of troops. 7. This gallant soldier, find- ing himself unable to sustain the siege, and knowing the danger of surrendering to a perfidious enemy, was resolved, by one desperate effort, to sally out and force his way through the besiegers, sword in hand. The proposal was embraced by all his followers : while the Danes, secure in their numbers, and in their contempt of the enemy, were not only routed with great slaughter, but Ubba, their gene- ral, was slain. 8. This victory once more restored courage to the dispi- rited Saxons ; and Alfred, taking advantage of their favour- * The life of Alfred is full of the most interesting events. Among nu- merous anecdotes related of him by the old English historians, the follow- ing we think worthy of a place in this work, as it affords a striking illustra- tion of his benevolence, and is a proof of the privations he, in common with his trusty adherents, underwent during their seclusion in Somersetshire: — " It happened one day during the winter, which proved uncommonly severe, that he had sent all his attendants out to endeavour to procure fish, or some kind of provisions ; so difficult was the enterprise esteemed, that the king and queen only were excused from the employment. When they were gone, the king, as was his custom, whenever he had an opportunity, took a book, and began reading, whilst Elswitha was employed in her domestic con- cerns ; they had not long continued thus engaged, before a poor pilgrim, ac- cidentally passing that way, knocked at the gate, and begged they would give him something to eat. The humane king called Elswitha, and desired her to give the poor man part of what provision there was in the fort : the queen, finding only one loaf, brought it to Alfred, to show how slender their store was, at the same time representing the distress the family would labour under, should they return from their foraging unsuccessful. The king, not deterred by this scanty view from his charitable purpose, but rather inter- nally rejoicing at this trial of his humanity, cheerfully gave the poor Chris- tian one-half of the loaf; consoling the queen with this religious reflection, 1 That He who could feed five thousand with five loaves and two fishes, could make (if it so pleased him) that half of the loaf suffice for more than their necessities.' When the traveller departed, the king returned to hi> reading, and felt that satisfaction which most surely results from a beneficeni action. Nor was it long unrewarded, for his companions returned with so great a quantity of provisions, that they were not exposed to any similar in- conveniences during their seclusion." c 26 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. able disposition, prepared to animate them to a vigorous exertion of their superiority. He soon, therefore, apprized them of the place of his retreat, and instructed them to be ready with all their strength at a minute's warning. 9. But still none was found who would undertake to give intelli- gence of the forces and posture of the enemy. Not know- ing, therefore, a person in whom he could confide, he un- dertook this dangerous task himself. In the simple dress of a shepherd, with his harp in his hand, he entered the Danish camp, tried all his musical arts to please, and was so much admired, that he was brought even into the presence of Guthrum, the Danish prince, with whom he remained some days. 10. He there remarked the supine security of the Danes, their contempt of the English, their negligence in foraging and plundering, and their dissolute wasting of such ill-gotten booty. Having made his observations, he returned to his retreat; and, detaching proper emissaries among his subjects, appointed them to meet him in the forest of Selwood, a summons which they gladly obeyed. 11. It was against the most unguarded quarter of the enemy that Alfred made his most violent attack ; while the Danes, surprised to behold an army of English, whom they considered as totally subdued, made but a faint resistance. Notwithstanding the superiority of their numbers, they were routed with great slaughter ; and though such as es- caped fled for refuge into a fortified camp in the neighbour- hood, being unprovided for a siege, in less than a fortnight they were compelled to surrender at discretion. 12. By the conqueror's permission, those who did not choose to embrace Christianity embarked for Flanders,* under the command of one of their generals, called Hastings. Guth- rum, their prince, became a convert, with thirty of his no- bles, and the king himself answered for him at the font. 13. Alfred had now attained the meridian of glory ; he possessed a greater extent of territory than had ever been enjoyed by any of his predecessors ; the kings of Wales did him homage for their possessions, the Northumbrians! received a king of his appointing, and no enemy appeared to give him the least apprehensions, or excite an alarm. 14. In this state of prosperity and profound tranquillity, which lasted for twelve years, Alfred was diligently em- ployed in cultivating the arts of peace, and in repairing the damages which the kingdom had sustained by war. * Now a DGrt of the Netherlands. t The inhabitants of Northumberland. ALFRED THE GREAT. 27 15. His care was to polish the country by arts, as he had protected it by arms ; and he is said to have drawn up a body of laws.* His care for the encouragement of learn- ing did not a little tend to improve the morals and restrain the barbarous habits of the people. When he came to the throne, he found the English sunk into the grossest igno- rance and barbarism, proceeding from the continual dis- orders of the government, and from the ravages of the Danes. 16. He himself complains, that, on his accession, he knew not one person south of the Thames, who could so much as interpret the Latin service. f To remedy this deficiency, he invited over the most celebrated scholars from all parts of Europe ; he founded, or at least re-esta- blished the university of Oxford, and endowed it with many privileges ; and he gave, in his own example, the strongest incentives to study. 17. He usually divided his time into three equal portions : one was given to sleep, and the re- fection of his body, by diet and exercise ; another to the despatch of business ; and the third to study and devotion.}: He made a considerable progress in the different studies of grammar, rhetoric, philosophy, architecture, and geometry. He was an excellent historian ; he understood music ; he was acknowledged to be the best Saxon poet of the age, and left many works behind him, some of which remain to this day. 18. To give a character of this prince, would * Alfred established a regular militia throughout England, and raised a considerable naval force, by which means he was enabled to repel the fu ture incursions of the Danes. He afterwards established a reg dar police , dividing the kingdom into counties, and the counties into hun.lreds and tithings. So well regulated was the police which he established, that it is eaid he had golden bracelets hung up near the highways, which no robber dared to touch. Yet he never deviated from the nicest regard to the liberty of his people ; and there is a remarkable sentiment preserved in his will, namely, that " It is just the English should for ever remain as free as their own thoughts.'" t So little, indeed, was learning attended to by the great, that Asser, the biographer of Alfred, mentions with astonishment, that the king taught his youngest son, Ethelward, to read, before he made him acquainted with hunting. I The piety of Alfred was as conspicuous as his prowess, and in those days of ignorance, he enlightened by his pen no less than by his example, the people over whom he swayed the sceptre. One of his literary labours was the rendering the Holy Gospels into the Saxon tongue, from which we extract the Lord's Prayer, and insert it here as a specimen of the language spoken by the English at that period : "Feeder ure thu the earth on heafenum, si thin mama gehalgod, to be cuith* thin rice, Gewurthe hin willa on earthen svva swa on heafenum, urne ge da?gwanlican hlaf syle us to daeg ; and forgyf us ure gyltas, swa swa we forgivath urum gyltendum, and ne geladde thu us on consenting ac alyse us recorded, that once during this campaign, Richard was dangerously sick, and his disorder requiring fresh fruit, and snow to render it cool, the generous Saracen sent both in profusion, and thus saved the life of the only foe he d readed. ( Vila Saladina.) RICHARD I. 71 He made his entry into London in triumph : and such was the profusion of wealth shown by the citizens, that the German lords who attended him were heard to say, that if the emperor had known of their affluence, he would not so easily have parted with their king. He soon after ordered himself to be crowned anew at Winchester. He convoked a general council at Nottingham, at which he confiscated all his brother John's possessions, who had basely endeavoured to prolong his captivity, and gone over to the king of France with that intent. However, he pardoned him soon after, with this generous remark : "I wish I could as easily for- get my brother's offence as he will my pardon." 14. Richard's death was occasioned by a singular acci- dent. A vassal of the crown had taken possession of a treasure, which was found by one of the peasants in dig- ging a field in France ; ajid to secure the remainder, he sent part of it to the king. Richard, as superior lord, sensible that he had a right to the whole, insisted on its being sent to him ; and, upon refusal, attacked the castle of Chalus, where he understood this treasure had been deposited. 15. On the fourth day of the siege, as he was riding round the place to observe where the assault might be given with the fairest probability of success, he was aimed at by Bertrand »e Gourdon, an archer, from the castle, and pierced in the shoulder with an arrow. The wound was not in itself dan- gerous ; but an unskilful surgeon, endeavouring to disen- gage the arrow from the flesh, so rankled the wound, that it mortified, and brought on fatal symptoms. 16. Rich?rd, when he found his end approaching, made a will, in which he bequeathed the kingdom, with all his treasure, to his brother John, except a fourth part, which he distributed among his servants. He ordered also that the archer who had shot him should be brought into his presence, and de- manded what injury he had done him, that he should take away his life? The prisoner answered with deliberate intre- pidity : 17. " You killed, with your own hand, my father and my two brothers, and you intended to have hanged me. I am now in your power, and my torments may give you revenge ; but I will endure them with pleasure, since it is my consolation that I have rid the world of a tyrant." Rich- ard, struck with this answer, ordered the soldier to be pre- sented with one hundred shillings, and set at liberty ; but Marcade, the general under him, like a true ruffian, ordered him to be flayed alive, and then hanged. Richard died in 72 HISTORY OF ENCLAND. the tenth year of his reign, and the forty-second of his age- leaving only one natural son, named Philip, behind him. Questions for Examination. 1. With whom did Richard embark for the crusades ? 2. Of what number did the armies consist ? 4. On Philip's return to France, who was left to conduct the war ? 5. Who opposed Richard on his march to besiege Jerusalem? 6. Can you repeat the particulars of the battle ? 8. What circumstance induced Richard to come to an accommodation with Saladin? 9. In returning home, what happened to Richard ? 11. How was it discovered that Richard was a prisoner? 12. By what means did Richard recover his liberty ? 13. Who endeavoured to prolong Richard's captivity ? and what was his re- mark on this occasion ? 15. Can you relate the singular accident which caused the death of Richard ? 17. What was the answer of the person who shot the king CONTEMPORARY SOVEREIGNS. Popes. a.d. Clement III 1188 CelestineUI 1191 impcentlll 1198 Emperors of the East. Isaac II 1186 A.D. Alexis III 1195 Emperors of the West. Frederic 1 1152 Henry VI 1190 Philip 1 1197 EMINENT PERSONS. Kings of France. Philip II Portugal. San. I. Denmark. Can. V. 1182 Scotland. William 1165 A.D 1180 1180 Hubert, archbishop of Canterbury. Henry Fitzalwyn, first lord mayor of London. William Longchamp, bishop of Ely, regent in Richard's absence. Robin Hood and Little John, the celebrated outlaws. JOHN. 73 * CHAPTER X. JOHN. Stato Born 1165. Died October 7th, 1216. Began to reign April 6th, 1199. Reigned 17i years. SECTION I. Wnen faithless John usurp' d the sullied crown. What ample tyranny ! Six tedious years Our helpless fathers in despair ohey'd The Papal interdict; and who ouey'd The Sovereign plundered 1 — Shenstone. 1. (A. D. 1190.) John,* who was readily put in pos- session of the English throne, lost no time to second his interest on the continent; and his first care was to recover the revolted provinces from young Arthur, his nephew. But from the pride and cruelty of his temper, he soon be- came hateful to his subjects ; and his putting his nephew, who had a right to the erown, to death, with his own hand, in prison, served to render him completely hateful. 2. Hitherto John was rather hateful to his subjects than contemptible ; they rather dreaded than despised him. But he soon shewed that he might be offended, if not with- out resentment, at least with impunity. It was the fate of this vicious prince to make those the enemies of himself whom he wanted abilities to make the enemies of each other. The clergy had for some time acted as a community independent of the crown, and had their elections of each other generally confirmed by the pope, to whom alone they owed subjection. 3. However, the election of archbishops had for some time been a continual subject of dispute be- tween the suffragan bishops and the Augustine monks, and both had precedents to confirm their pretensions. John sided with the bishops, and sent two knights of his train, who were fit instruments for such a prince, to expel the monks from their convent, and to take possession of their revenues. 4. The pope was not displeased with these di- visions ; and, instead of electing either of the persons ap- pointed by the contending parties, he nominated Stephen Langton as archbishop of Canterbury. John, however, refusing to admit the man of the pope's choosing, the king- dom was put under an interdict. This instrument of terror in the hands of the see of Rome was calculated to strike the senses in the highest degree, and to operate upon the * Sumamed Sans Tcrre or Lackland. G 74 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. superstitious minds of the people. 5. By it a stop was im mediately put to divine service, and to the administration of all the sacraments but baptism. The church-doors were shut; the statues of the saints were laid on the ground; the dead were refused Christian burial, and were thrown into ditches on the highways, without the usual rites, or any funeral solemnity. 6. No situation could be more deplorable than that of John upon this occasion. Furious at his indignities, jealous of his subjects and apprehending an enemy in every face, it is said that, fearing a conspiracy against his life, he shut himself up a whole night in the castle of Nottingham, and suffered none to approach his person. But what was his consternation when he found that the pope had actually given away his kingdom to the monarch of France, and that the prince of that country was actually preparing an army to take possession of his crown ! 7. John, who, unsettled and apprehensive, scarcely knew where to turn, was still able to make an expiring effort to receive the enemy. All hated as he was, the natural en- mity between the French and the English, the name of king, which he still retained, and some remaining power, put him at the head of sixty thousand men — a sufficient number indeed, but not to be relied on — and with these he advanced to Dover. 8. Europe now regarded the im- portant preparations on both sides with impatience ; and the decisive blow was soon expected, in which the church was to triumph or to be overthrown. But neither Philip nor John had ability equal to the pontiff by whom they were actuated ; who appeared on this occasion too refined a politician for either. He only intended to make use of Philip's power to intimidate his refractory son, not to destroy him. 9. He intimated, therefore, to John, by his legate, that there was but one way to secure himself from impending danger; which was to put himself under the pope's protection, who was a merciful father, and still willing to receive a repentant sinner to his bosom. John was too much intimidated by the manifest danger of his situation not to embrace every means offered for his safety. He assented to the truth of the legate's remonstrances, and took an oath to perform whatever stipulation the pope should impose. 10. John having thus sworn to the performance of an unknown command, the artful Italian so well managed the barons, and so effectually intimidated the king, that he JOHN. 75 persuaded him to take the most extraordinary oath in all the records of history, before all the people, kneeling upon his knees, and with his hands held up between those of the legate. 11. "I John, by the grace of God, king of England, and lord of Ireland, in order to* expiate my sins, from my own free will, and the advice of my barons, give to the church of Rome, to pope Innocent, and his successors, the kingdom of England, and all other prerogatives of my crown. I will hereafter hold them as the pope's vassal. I will be faithful to God, to the church of Rome, to the pope my master, and his successors legitimately elected. I pro- mise to pay him a tribute of a thousand marks yearly ; to wit, seven hundred for the kingdom of England, and three hundred for the kingdom of Ireland." — 12. Having thus done homage to the legate, and agreed to reinstate Langton in the primacy, he received the crown, which he had been supposed to have forfeited, while the legate trampled under his feet the tribute which John had consented to pay. Thus, by this most scandalous concession John once more averted the threatened blow. In this manner, by repeated acts of cruelty, by expedi- tions without effect, and humiliations without reserve, John was beeome the detestation of all mankind. Questions for Examination. 1. What was the conduct of John on succeeding to the throne ? 2, 3. Of what nature was the disagreement between the king and the clergy which produced such serious consequences to the nation ? 4. Why was the kingdom put under an interdict ? 5. What were the consequences of it ? 6. To what distress was John reduced ? 9. To what humiliating concessions did John submit ? 11. What oath did the king take ? 12. What degrading ceremony followed ? SECTION II. This is the place Where England's ancient barons, dad in arms, And stern with conquest, from their tyrant king (Then rendered tame) did challenge and secure The Charter of thy Freedom. — Akenside. 1. (A. D. 1215.) The barons had long been forming a confederacy against him ; but their union was broken, or their aims disappointed, by various and unforseen accidents. At length however they assembled a large body of men at Stamford, and from thence, elated with their power, they marched to Brackley, about fifteen miles from Oxford, the 76 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. place where the court then resided. 2. John, nearing of their approach, sent the archbishop of Canterbury, the earl of Pembroke, and others of the council, to know the parti- culars of their request, and what those liberties were which they so earnestly importuned him to grant. The barons delivered a schedule, containing the chief articles of their demands, and of which the former charters of Henry and Edward the Confessor formed the ground-work. No sooner were those shown to the king, than he burst into a furious passion, and asked why the barons did not also demand his kingdom ? swearing that he would never comply with such exorbitant demands ! But the confederacy was now too strong to fear much from the consequences of his resent- ment. 3. They chose Robert Fitzwalter for their general, whom they dignified with the title of " mareschal of the army of God, and of the holy church," and proceeded, without further ceremony, to make war upon the king. They besieged Northampton ; they took Bedford ; they were joyfully received in London. They wrote circular letters to all the nobility and gentlemen who had not yet declared in their favour, and menaced their estates with de- vastation, in case of refusal or delay. 4. John, struck with terror, first offered to refer all dif- ferences to the pope alone, or eight barons ; four to be chosen by himself and four by the confederates. This the barons scornfully rejected. He then assured them that he would submit at discretion ; and that it was his supreme pleasure to grant all their demands : a conference was ac- cordingly appointed, and all things adjusted for this most important treaty. 5. The ground where the king's commissioners met the barons was between Staines and Windsor,* at a place called Runimede, still held in reverence by posterity as the spot where the standard of freedom was first erected in England. There the barons appeared with a vast number of knights and warriors, on the fifteenth day of June, while those on the king's part came a day or two after. Both sides encamped apart, like open enemies. The de- bates between power and precedent are generally but of short continuance. 6. The barons, having arms in their hands, would admit but a few abatements ; and the king's agents being for the most part in their interests, few debates * Here is the strongest castle in England : it was the general residence of his late majesty, and was originally built by William the Conqueror. John. 7? King John compelled to ratify Magna Charta. ensued. After some days the king, with a facility that was somewhat suspicious, signed and sealed the charter required of him ; a charter which continues in force to this day, and is the famous bulwark of English liberty, which now goes by the name of Magna Charta. 7. This famous deed either granted or secured freedom to those orders of the kingdom that were already possessed of freedom ; namely, to the clergy, the barons, and the gentlemen : as for the inferior and the greater part of the people, they were as yet held as slaves, and it was long before they could come to a participation of legal protection. 8. John, however, could not long brook these conces- sions that were extorted from his fears : he therefore took the first opportunity of denying to be the least governed by them. 9. This produced a second civil war, in which the barons were obliged to have recourse to the king of France for assistance. Thus England saw nothing but *a prospect of being every way undone. If John succeeded, a tyrannical and implacable monarch was to be their tormentor ; if the French king was to prevail, the country was ever after to submit to a more powerful monarchy, and was to become a province of France. What neither human prudence could foresee nor policy suggest was brought about by a happy and unexpected accident. g2 78 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 10. John had assembled a considerable army, with a view to make one great effort for the crown ; and at the head of a large body of troops, resolved to penetrate into the heart of the kingdom. With these resolutions he de- parted from Lynn, which, for its fidelity, he had distin- guished with many marks of favour, and directed his route towards Lincolnshire. His road lay along the shore, which was overflowed at high-water ; but not being apprised of this, or being ignorant of the tide of the place, he lost all his carriages, treasure, and baggage, by its influx. 11. He himself escaped with the greatest difficulty, and arrived at the abbey of Swinstead, where his grief for the loss he had sustained, and the distracted state of his affairs, threw him into a fever, which soon appeared to be fatal. Next day, being unable to ride on horseback, he was carried in a litter to the castle of Seaford, and from thence removed to New- ark, where, after having made his will, he died in the fifty- first year of his age, and the eighteenth of his detested reign.* 12. Seldom has any throne been disgraced by a monarch so depraved as John ; before his accession he had rebelled against a fond father, and treacherously attempted the life of a generous brother : to secure himself on the throne he murdered his nephew, prince Arthur, and detained his niece, the princess Eleanora, in perpetual imprisonment. He repudiated one wife and imprisoned another, and violated his faith to both with the most abandoned pro- fligacy. He showed his contempt for religion by habitually swearing, and wantonly violating the most solemn oaths. If he was a bad man, he was a worse king ; he subjected himself to the ignominious yoke of Rome; he suffered France to take possession of the Norman provinces, almost without a struggle; and at home he acted the part of a lustful and bloody tyrant, sporting with the honours, the fortunes, and the lives of his unhappy subjects. Yet, by the blessing of Providence, his tyranny became the source of the greatest benefits to posterity, since his intolerable oppressions drove the barons into rebellion, and procured them the great charter, which was the first foundation of British freedom. * King John once demanded 10,000 marks from a Jew of Bristol ; and, on his refusal, ordered one of his teeth to be drawn every day till he should romp!), The Jew lost seven teeth, and then paid the sum required of Liu HENRY III. 79 Questions for Examination, 1. Did the barons assemble an army in opposition to the king ? 2. What were their demands ? and what answer did the king return ? 3. 4. What consequences followed ? 5, 6 Can you mention the circumstances which attended the signing of Magna Charta ? 8. What produced a second civil war? 9. What great effort did John resolve to make ? 10, 11. What was the accident which befel John, and accelerated his death ? 12. What was the character of John ? Popes. A.D. Innocent III 1198 HonoriuslII 1215 Emperdrs of the East. Alexis III 1195 Alexis IV 1203 CONTEMPORARY SOVEREIGNS. Kings of A.D. Alexis V.... 1204 Theodore 1 15505 Emperors of the West. Philip 1197 OthoIV 1208 Frederic II 1211 EMINENT PERSONS. A.D. France. Philip II.. 1189 Portug. Sanchol.. 1185 AdolphusII.. 1212 Den. Waldemar II. 1202 Scotland. William. 1165 Alexander II. 1214 Stephen Langton, archbishop of Canterbury ; he divided our Bible into chapters and verses. Robert Fitzwalter, general of the barons' army John de Courcy, earl of Ulster, famous for his strength and prowess. Prince Arthur, nephew to the king, by whom he is supposed to have been murdered. CHAPTER XI. HENRY ni. Born J207. Died Nov. 16th, 1272. Began to reign October 17th, 1216. Reigned 56 years. SECTION I. Humane, indulgent, kind ev'n to a fault; Yet wanting energy when cares assault His reien, though turbulent, an instance brings Of " Mercy throned in the heart of kings." — Dibdin. 1. (A.D. 1216.) A claim was made upon the death of John, in favour of young Henry, the son of the late king, who was now but nine years of age. The earl of Pem- broke, a nobleman of great worth and valour, who had 80 HISTORY OF ENGLAND* faithfully adhered to John in all the fluctuations of his for- tune, determined to support his declining interests, and had him solemnly crowned by the bishops of Winchester, Bath, and Gloucester. 2. The young king was of a character the very opposite to his father ; as he grew up to man's estate, he was found to be gentle, merciful, and humane ; he appeared easy and good-natured to his dependents, but no way formidable to his enemies. Without activity or vigour, he was unfit to govern in war ; without distrust or suspicion, he was imposed upon in times of peace. 3. As weak princes are never without governing favour- ites, he first placed his affections on Hubert de Burgh, and he becoming obnoxious to the people, the place was soon supplied by Peter De Roches, bishop of Winchester, a Poictevin by birth, a man remarkable for his arbitrary con- duct, for his courage, and his abilities. Henry, in pursuance of this prelate's advice, invited over a great number of Poic- tevins, and other foreigners, who having neither principles nor fortunes at home, were willing to adopt whatever schemes their employers should propose. 4. Every office and com- mand was bestowed on these unprincipled strangers, whose avarice and rapacity were exceeded only by their pride and insolence. So unjust a partiality to strangers very naturally excited the jealousy of the barons ; and they even ventured to assure the king, that, if he did not dismiss all foreigners from court, they would drive both him and them out of the kingdom ; but their anger was scarcely kept within bounds when they saw a new swarm of these intruders come over from Gascony, with Isabella, the king's mother, who had some time before been married to the count de la Marche. 5. To these just causes of complaint were added the king's unsuccessful expedition to the continent, his total want of economy, and his oppressive exactions, which were but the result of the former. The kingdom therefore waited with gloomy resolution, determined to take vengeance when the general discontent arrived at maturity. 6. This imprudent preference, joined to a thousand other illegal evasions of justice, at last impelled Simon Montford, earl of Leicester, to attempt an innovation in the government, and to wrest the sceptre from the feeble hand that held it. This nobleman was the son of the famous general who com- manded against the Albigenses, a sect of enthusiasts that had been destroyed some time before in the kingdom of S i- HENRY III. 81 voy. He was married to the king's sister ; and by his power and address was possessed of a strong interest in the nation, having gained equally the affections of the great and the little. 7. The place where the formidable confederacy which he had formed first discovered itself was in the parliament house, where the barons appeared incomplete armour. The king, upon his entry, asked them what was their intention ; to which they submissively replied, to make him their sovereign, by confirming his power, and to have their grievances re- dressed. 8. Henry, who was ready enough to promise whatever was demanded, instantly assured them of his inten- tion to give all possible satisfaction ; and, for that purpose, summoned a parliament at Oxford, to digest a new plan ol government, and to elect proper persons who were to be in- trusted with the chief authority. This parliament, after- wards called the " mad parliament," went expeditiously to work upon the business of reformation. 9. Twenty-four barons were appointed, with supreme authority, to reform the abuses of the state, and Leicester was placed at their head. The whole state in their hands underwent a complete alteration ; all its former officers were displaced ; and crea- tures of the twenty -four barons were put into their room. They not only abridged the authority of the king, but the efficacy of parliament, giving up to twelve persons all parlia- mentary power between each session. Thus these insolent nobles, after having trampled upon the crown, threw pros- trate the rights of the people, and a vile oligarchy was on the point of being established for ever. 10. The first opposition that was made to these usurpa- tions was from a power which but lately began to take a place in the constitution. The knights of the shire, who for some time had begun to be regularly assembled in a se- parate house, now first perceived these grievances, and com- plained against them. They represented that their own interests and power seemed the only aim of all their decrees ; and they even called upon the king's eldest son, prince Ed- ward, to interpose his authority, and save the sinking nation Questions for Examination. 1. By whom was the interest of the young king secured ? 2. What is the character given of him ? 3. Who were his favourites ? 82 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 4. By what means did he excite the jealousy of the barons ? 6. Who attempted an innovation in the government ? 7. What are the particulars of the conspiracy formed by the barons ? 9. In whom was the supreme authority vested ? 10. By whom were these usurpations opposed, and of what did they com- plain ? SECTION II. The fate of war. capricious, now ordains, That Edward, Henry's son, shall break his chains. — Dibdin. 1. (A. D. 1264.) Prince Edward was at this time about twenty-two years of age. The hopes which were conceived of his abilities and his integrity rendered him an important personage in the transactions of the times, and in some mea- sure atoned for the father's imbecility. He had, at a very early age, given the strongest proofs of courage, of wisdom, and of constancy. At first, indeed, when applied to, ap- pearing sensible of what his father had suffered by levity and breach of promise, he refused some time to listen to the people's earnest application ; but, being at last persuaded to concur, a parliament was called, in which the king assumed his former authority. 2. This being considered as a breach of the late conven- tion, a civil war ensued, in which, in a pitched battle, the earl of Leicester became victorious, and the king was taken prisoner, but soon after exchanged for prince Edward, who was to remain as a hostage to ensure the punctual observance of the former agreement. With all these advantages, however, Leicester was not so entirely secure, but that he still feared the combination of the foreign states against him, as well as the internal machina- tions of the royal party. In order, therefore, to secure his ill-acquired power, he was obliged to have recourse to an aid till now entirely unknown in England, namely, that of the body of the people. 4. He called a parliament, where, be- sides the barons of his own party, and several ecclesiastics, who were not immediate tenants of the crown, he ordered returns to be made of two knights from every shire ; and also deputies from the boroughs, which had been hitherto consi- dered as too inconsiderable to have a voice in legislation. This is the first confused outline of an English house of commons. The people had been gaining some consideration since the gradual diminution of the force of the feudal system. 5. This parliament, however, was found not so very com HENRY III. 83 plying as he expected. Many of the barons, who had hi- therto steadfastly adhered to his party, appeared disgusted at his immoderate ambition ; and many of the people, who found that a change of masters was not a change for happi- ness, began to wish for the re-establishment of the royal family. 6. In this exigence, Leicester, finding himself unable to oppose the concurring wishes of the nation, was resolved to make a merit of what he could not prevent ; and he ac- cordingly released prince Edward from confinement, and had him introduced at Westminster-hall, where his freedom was confirmed by the unanimous voice of the barons. But though Leicester had all the popularity of restoring the prince, yet he was politic enough to keep him still guarded by his emis- saries, who watched all his motions, and frustrated all his aims. 7. The prince, therefore, upon hearing that the duke of Gloucester was up in arms in his cause, took an opportunity to escape from his guards, and put himself at the head of his party. A battle soon after ensued ; but the earl's army ha- ving been exhausted by famine on the mountains of Wales, were but ill able to sustain the impetuosity of young Ed- ward's attack, who bore down upon them with incredible fury. During this terrible day, Leicester behaved with as- tonishing intrepidity ; and kept up the spirit of the action from two o'clock in the morning till nine at night. 8. At last, his horse being killed under him, he was compelled to fight on foot ; and, though he demanded quarter, yet the ad- verse party refused it, with a barbarity common enough in the times we are describing. The old king, who was placed in the front of the battle, was soon wounded in the shoulder ; and, not being known by his friends, he was on the point of being killed by a soldier ; but crying out, " I am Henry of Winchester, the king !" he was saved by a knight of the royal army. 9. Prince Edward, hearing the voice of his father, instantly ran to the spot where he lay, and had him conducted to a place of safety. The body of Leicester being found among the dead, was barbarously mangled by one Ro- ger Mortimer; and then, with an accumulation of inhuma- nity, sent to the wretched widow, as a testimony of the royal party's success. 10. This victory proved decisive ; and the prince, having thus restored peace to the kingdom, found his affairs so firmly established, that he resolved upon taking the cross, which was at that time the highest object of human ambition 84 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. In pursuance of this resolution, Edward sailed from Eng- land with a large army, and arrived at the camp of Lewis, king of France, which lay before Tunis, where he had the misfortune to hear of that good monarch's death before his arrival. The prince, however, no way discouraged by this ovent, continued his voyage, and arrived at the Holy Land n safety. 11. He was scarcely departed upon this pious expedition, when the health of the old king began to decline ; and he found not only his own constitution, but also that of the state, in such a dangerous situation, that he wrote letters to his son, pressing him to return with all dispatch. 12. At last, being overcome with the cares of government, and the infirmities of age, he ordered himself to be removed, by easy journeys, from St. Edmunds to Westminster, and that same night expired in the sixty-fourth year of his age, and the fifty-seventh of his reign ; the longest to be met with in the annals of England, until that of George the Third.* Questions for Examination. 1. What were the circumstances which warranted the hopes conceived by prince Henry ? 2. What was the result of the battle between the king and Leicester ? 3. 4. By what means did Leicester endeavour to secure his power ? 5. Did the Parliament comply with his wishes ? 6. Why did Leicester resolve to release prince Edward ? , 8, 9. Can you relate the circumstance which took place in the action be- tween prince Edward and Leicester ? 10. What were Edward's determination and conduct after this victory ? 11. During Edward's absence, what was the situation of the king and the na- tion? 12. At what age did Henry die ? and how long did he reign ? * The interest paid in this reign, for money in the East Indies, amounted, it is said, to twenty-five, and even sometimes to thirty-six per cent. But in- stances occurred in England of fifty per cent, being paid for money. No wonder, therefore, that the Jews, who were the only money-lenders, should be tempted to stay in the kingdom, notwithstanding the grievous extortions that were practised on them. Henry granted a charter to the town of Newcastle, in which he gave the inhabitants a license to dig coal. The houses of the city of London were till this period mostly thatched with straw , for it appears that an order was issued, that all houses therein should be covered with tiles or slate, instead of straw; more especially such as stood in the best streets, which were then but few in comparison with the present for where Cheapside now stands (which is the heart of the city), was at that time a field, the principal part of the city lying more eastward. From Tem- ple Bar to the city (then the village) of Westminister, where the Strand now stands, was no more than a mere highway or country road, having, however, many noblemen's houses and gardens adjoining to it ; which have since given names to streets there erected. This, indeed, was the case in several subse» quent reigns. EDWARD I. 85 CONTEMPORARY SOVEREIGNS Popes. A.D. Honorius 111 1216 Gregory IX 1227 Celestine IV 1241 Innocent IV 1243 Alexander IV 1254 Urban IV 1261 Clement IV 1265 Gregory X 1271 Emperor a of the East. Theodore 1 1204 John III 1222 Theodore II 1225 John IV 1259 A.D. Michael VIII 1259 Emperor of the West. Frederick II 1211 Kings of France, Philip II 1180 Louis VIII 1223 St. Louis IX 1226 Philip III 1270 Kings of Portugal. Alphonso HI 1202 SanchoII 1233 EMINENT PERSONS. AlphonsusIV 1247 Kings of Denmark. Waldemar. 1202 Eric VI 1240 Abel 1 1250 Christopher I . . . . 1252 Eric VIII 1259 King of Sweden. Waldemar 1250 Kings of Scotland. Alexander II 1214 Alexander III 1249 Richard Magnus, Edmund of Abingdon, Boniface, and Robert Kilwarby archbishops of Canterbury. Des Roches, bishop of Winchester, and Lord Chancellor* Earl of Pembroke, protector. Montford, earl of Leicester general of the barons. CHAPTER XII. EDWARD I. Born 1236. Died July ?th, 1307. Began to reign Nov. 16th, 1272. Reigned 34 years. Tho red cross flies in Holy Land, The Saracen his crescent waves. And English Edward's gallant band Seek proud renown or glorious graves. — Dibdin. 1. (A.D. 1274.) While the unfortunate Henry was thus vainly struggling with the ungovernable spirit of his subjects, his son and successor, Edward*, was employed in the holy wars, where he revived the glory of the English name, and made the enemies of Christianity tremble. He was stabbed, however, by one of those Mahometan enthusiasts, called Assassins, as he was one day sitting in his tent, and was cured not without great difficulty. 2. Some say that he * In the reigns of the earlier Norman kings the Lord Chancellor wai usually a clergyman, and was frequently styled the keeper of the king's conscience. The Court of Chancery did not exist under the Saxon Dynasty. t From the great length and slenderness of his legs, he was surnamed Longshanks. 86 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. owed his safety to the piety of Eleanora, his wife, who sucked the poison from the wound, to save his life at the hazard of her own. Though the death of the late king happened while the successor was so far from home, yet measures had been so well taken, that the crown was transferred with the greates* tranquillity. 3. As Edward was now come to an undisputed throne, the opposite interests were proportionably feeble. The barons were exhausted by long and mutual dissensions ; the clergy were divided in their interests, and agreed only in one point, to hate the pope, who had for some time drained them with impunity ; the people, by some insurrections against the convents, appeared to hate the clergy with equal animosity. But these disagreeing orders concurred in one point, that of esteeming and reverencing the king, who therefore thought this the most favourable conjuncture for uniting England with Wales. 4. The Welsh had for many ages enjoyed their own laws, language, customs and opinions. They were the remains of the ancient Britons, who had escaped Roman and Saxon invasions, and still preserved their free- dom and their country uncontaminated by the admission of foreign conquerors. 5. But as they were, from their num- ber, incapable of withstanding their more powerful neigh- bours on the plain, their chief defence lay in the inaccessible mountains, those natural bulwarks of the country. When- ever England was distressed by factions at home, or its forces called off by wars abroad, the Welsh made it a constant practice to pour in their irregular troops, and lay the open country waste wherever they came. 6. Nothing could be more pernicious to a country than several neighbouring independent principalities, under different commanders, and pursuing different interests; the mutual jealousies of such were sure to harass the people ; and, whenever victory was purchased, it was always at the expense of the general wel- fare. 7. Sensible of this, Edward had long wished to reduce that incursive people, and had ordered Llewelyn to do ho- mage for his territories : which summons the Welsh prince refused to obey, unless the king's own son should be deli- vered as a hostage for his safe return. The king was not displeased at this refusal, as it served to give him a pretext for his intended invasion. He therefore levied an army against Llewelyn, and marched into his country with certain assurance of success. EDWARD 1. 87 8. Upon the approach of Edward, the Welsh prince took refuge among the inaccessible mountains of Snowdon,* and and there resolved to maintain his ground, without trusting to the chance of a battle. These were the steep retreats that had for many ages defended his ancestors against all the attempts of the Roman and Saxon conquerors. But Edward, equally vigorous and cautious, having explored every part of his way, pierced into the very centre of Llewelyn's ter- ritories, and approached the Welsh army in its vast retreats. 9. Here, after extorting submission from the Welsh prince, the king retired. But an idle prophecy, in which it was fore- told by Merlin that Llewelyn was to be the restorer of Bru- ton's empire in Britain, was an inducement sufficiently strong to persuade this prince to revolt once more, and hazard a decisive battle against the English. 10. With this view he marched into Radnorshire, and, passing the river Wye, his troops were surprised and defeated by Edward Mortimer, while he himself was absent from his army, upon a confer- ence with some of the barons of that country. Upon his return, seeing the dreadful situation of his affairs, he ran desperately into the midst of the enemy, and quickly found that death he so ardently sought for. David, the brother of this unfortunate prince, soon after fell in the same cause ; and with him expired the independence of the Welsh nation, A. D. 1282. 11. It was soon after united to the kingdom of England, and made a principality, and given to the eldest son of the king. Foreign conquest might add to the glory, but this added to the felicity of the kingdom. The Welsh are now blended with the conquerors ; and, in the revolution of a few ages, all national animosity was entirely forgotten. 12. Soon after, the death of Margaret, queen of Scotland, gave him hopes of adding Scotland also to his dominions. The death of this princess produced a most ardent dispute about the succession to the Scottish throne, it being claimed by no less than twelve competitors. The claims, however, of all the other candidates were reduced to three, who were the descendants of the earl of Huntingdon by three daugh ters : John Hastings, who claimed in right of his mother, as one of the co-heiresses of the crown ; John Baliol, who alleged his right, as being descended from the eldest daugh- ter, who was his grandmother ; and Robert Bruce, who was * From the summit of which may be seen part of Ireland, Scotland, Eng- land, and all North Wales. 83 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. Baliol surrendering his crown to Edward L the actual son of the second daughter. This dispute being referred to Edward's decision, with a strong degree of as- surance he claimed the crown for himself, and appointed Baliol his deputy. 13. Baliol being thus placed on the Scottish throne, less a king than a vassal", Edward's first step was sufficient to con- vince that people of his intentions to stretch the prerogative to the utmost. Upon the most frivolous pretence, he sent six different summonses for Baliol to appear in London, at different times in one year ; so that the poor Scottish king soon perceived that he was possessed of the name only, but not the authority of a sovereign. Willing, therefore, to shake off the yoke of so troublesome a master, Baliol re- volted, and procured the pope's absolution from his former oath of homage. 14. But no power the Scots could bring into the field was able to withstand the victorious army of Edward. He overthrew their forces in many engagements, and thus be- coming undisputed master of the kingdom, he took every precaution to secure his title, and to abolish those distinc- tions which might be apt to keep the nation in its former independence. Baliol was carried a prisoner to London, and compelled to surrender his crown ; and Edward care- fully destroyed all records and monuments of antiquity tha inspired the Scots with a spirit of national pride. EDWARD I. 89 Questions for Examination. 1. What disaster befel Edward in the Holy Land ? 2. To whose care is it said he owed his life ? 3. What was the situation of the kingdom at Edward's accession ? 4. What was the state of the Welsh at this time ? 5. What was the constant practice of the Welsh towards England ? 7. What method did Edward pursue to reduce Wales { 8. What was its success ? 9. What induced Llewelyn again to revolt? 10. What followed this defeat ? 11. To whom was the principality of Wales given after its union with England ? *2. What happened, at this time, that gave Edward hopes of adding Scotland to his dominions ? How many competitors claimed the Scottish throne ? and what were the names of the three principal ? 13. What method did Baliol take to shake off the yoke of Edward 15. What was the result of this struggle for independence ? SECTION II. Still are the Scots determined to oppose And treat intruding Edward's friends as foes; Till the revengeful king, in proud array, Swears to make Scotland bend beneath his sway. — Macdonald. t. (A. D. 1296. j These expeditions, however, terminated •ather in glory than advantage ; the expenses which were requisite for carrying on the war were not only burdensome to the king, but even, in the event, threatened to shake him on his throne. In order at first to set the great machine in motion, he raised considerable supplies by means of his parliaments, and that august body was then first modelled by him into the form in which it continues to this day. 2. As a great part of the property of the kingdom was, by the in- troduction of commerce, and the improvement of agricul- ture, transferred from the barons to the lower classes of the people, so their consent was now thought necessary for the raising any considerable supplies. For this reason he issued writs to the sheriffs, enjoining them to send to parliament, along with two knights of the shire (as in the former reign), two deputies from each borough within their county ; and these provided with sufficient power from their constituents to grant such demands as they should think reasonable for the safety of the state. 3. One of the first efforts, therefore, was to oblige the king's council to sign the Magna Charta, and to add a clause to secure the nation for ever against all impositions and taxes without the consent of parliament. This the king's council (for Edward was at that time in Flanders) readily agreed to sign ; and the king himself, when h2 90 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. it was sent over to him, after some hesitation, thought pro per to do the same. 5. These concessions he again con- tinued after his return : and, though it is probable he was averse to granting them, yet he was at last brought to give a plenary consent to all the articles that were demanded of him. Thus, after the contest of an age, the Magna Charta was finally established ; nor was it the least circumstance in its favour, that its confirmation was procured from one of the greatest and boldest princes that ever swayed the Eng- lish sceptre. 5. In the mean time William Wallace*, so celebrated in Scottish story, attempted to rescue Scotland from the Eng- lish yoke. He was a younger son of a gentleman who lived in the western part of the kingdom. He was a man of a gigantic stature, incredible strength, and amazing intrepidity ; eagerly desirous of independence, and possessed with the most disinterested spirit of patriotism. To this man had resorted all those who were obnoxious to the English govern- ment ; the proud, the bold, the criminal, and the ambitious. 6. These, bred among dangers and hardships themselves could not forbear admiring in their leader a degree of pa tience under fatigue and famine, which they supposed beyond the power of human nature to endure ; he soon, therefore, became the principal object of their affection and their esteem. His first exploits were confined to petty ravages, and occa- sional attacks upon the English : but he soon overthrew the English armies and slew their generals. 7. Edward, who had been over in Flanders while these misfortunes happened in England, hastened back with im- patience to restore his authority, and secure his former con- quest. He quickly levied the whole force of his dominions and at the head of a hundred thousand men directed his course to the north, fully resolved to take vengeance upon the Scots for their late defection. 8. A battle was fought at Falkirk, in which Edward gained a complete victory, leaving twelve thousand of the Scots, or as some will have it, fifty thousand, dead upon the field, while the English had not a hundred slain. A blow so dreadful had not as yet entirely crushed the spirit of the Scottish nation ; and after a short interval they began to breathe from their calamities. 9. Wallace, who had gained *He was of an ancient family, and was chosen regent of Scotland during the captivity of Baliol. EDWARD I. 91 all their regards by his valour, shewed that he still merited them more by his declining the rewards of ambition. Per- ceiving how much he was envied by the nobility, and know- ing how prejudicial that envy would prove to the interests of his country, he resigned the regency of the kingdom, and humbled himself to a private station. 10. He proposed Cummin as the most proper person to supply his room ; and that nobleman endeavoured to show himself worthy of this pre-eminence. He soon began to annoy the enemy ; and, not content with a defensive war, made incursions into the southern counties of the kingdom, which Edward had im- agined wholly subdued. They attacked an army of English lying at Roslin, near Edinburgh, and gained a complete victory. 11. But it was not easy for any circumstances of bad fortune to repress the enterprising spirit of the king. He assembled a great fleet and army ; and entering the frontiers of Scotland, appeared with a force which the enemy could not think of resisting in the open field. Assured of suc- cess, he marched along, and traversed the kingdom from one end to the other, ravaging the open country, taking all the castles, and receiving the submissions of all the nobles. 12. There seemed to remain only one obstacle to the final destruction of the Scottish monarchy, and that was William Wallace, who still continued refractory : and wandering with a few forces from mountain to mountain, preserved his native independence and usual good fortune. But even their feeble hopes from him were soon disappointed ; he was betrayed into the king's hands by Sir John Monteith, his friend, whom he had made acquainted with the place of his concealment, being surprised by him as he lay asleep in the neighbourhood of Glasgow. 13. The king, willing to strike the Scots with an example of severity, ordered him to be conducted in chains to London, where he was hanged, drawn and quartered, with the most brutal ferocity. Robert Bruce, who had been one of the competitors for the crown, but was long kept prisoner in London, at length escaping from his guards, resolved to strike for his country's freedom. 14. Having murdered one of the king's servants, he left himself no resource but to confirm by desperate valour what he had begun in cruelty, and he soon expelled such of the English forces as had fixed themselves in the kingdom. Soon after he was solemnly crowned king, by 4 he bishop of St. Andrew's, in the abbey of Scone ; and 92 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. numbers flocked to his standard, resolved to confirm his pretensions. 15. Thus, after twice conquering the king- dom, and as often pardoning the delinquents ; after having spread his victories in every quarter of the country, and receiving the most humble submissions ; the old king saw that his whole work was to begin afresh, and that nothing but the final destruction of the inhabitants could give him assurance of tranquillity. But no difficulties could repress the ardent spirit of this monarch, who, though now verging towards his decline, yet resolved to strike a parting blow, and to make the Scots once more tremble at his appearance. 16. He vowed revenge against the whole nation; and averred that nothing but reducing them to the completest bondage could satisfy his resentment. He summoned his prelates, nobility, and all who held by knight's service, to meet him at Carlisle, which was appointed as the general rendezvous : and in the mean time he detached a body of forces before him to Scotland, under the command of Aymer de Valence, who began the threatened infliction by a complete victory over Bruce, near Methven, in Perthshire. 17. Immediately after this dreadful blow, the resentful king appeared in person, entering Scotland with his army di- vided into two parts, and expecting to find, in the opposi- tion of the people, a pretext for punishing them. But this brave prince, who was never cruel but from motives of policy, could not strike the poor submitting natives, who made no resistance. His anger was disappointed in their humiliation ; and he was ashamed to extirpate those who only opposed patience to his indignation. 18. His death put an end to the apprehensions of the Scots, and effectually rescued their country from total subjection. He sickened and died at Carlisle, of a dysentery: enjoining his son with his last breath, to prosecute the enterprise, and never to desist till he had finally subdued the kingdom. He ex- pired July 7, 1307, in the sixty-ninth year of his age, and the thirty -fifth of his reign ; after having added more to the solid interests of the kingdom than any of those who went before or succeeded him. Questions for Examination. 1. What circumstances led to the modelling the parliament into its presen form? 2. What was the manner observed in framing the parliament ? 3. What was one of their first efforts ? EDWARD I. 93 4. Was the king at first favourable to the measure ? 5. By whom was an attempt made to rescue Scotland from the English yoke ? 6. Who were the first adherents of Wallace ? 7. With what number of troops did Edward march towards the north ? 8. Did any engagement take place between the forces of Edward and Wallace ? What was the issue of this engagement ? 9. What was the conduct of Wallace afterwards ? 12. In what manner was Wallace afterwards surprised ? 13. What was the manner of his death ? 14. What took place after Bruce's escape from London ? 15. What was the conduct of the king on this occasion ? 18. Where did the king die ? and what enterprise did he enjoin his son to prosecute ? CONTEMPORARY SOVEREIGNS. Popes. a.d. Gregory X 1271 Innocent V 1276 Adrian V 1276 John XXI 1276 Nicholas III 1277 Martin IV 1281 HonoriusIV 1285 Nicholas IV 1288 CelestineV 1294 Boniface VIII 1294 Benedict IX 1303 Clement V 1305 Emperors of the East. Michael VIII 1259 A.D. AndronicusII 1283 Emperors of the West. Frederic II* 1212 Rodolphus 1 1273 Adolphus of Nassau 1291 Albert 1298 Kings of France. Philip III 1270 Philip IV 1285 Kings of Portugal. Adolphus III 1247 Dennis 1275 Kings of Denmark. AD. Eric VII 1259 Eric VIII 1286 Kings of Sweden. Magnus II 1279 Birgerll 1299 Kings of Scotland. Alexander III.... 1246 JohnBaliol 1293 Robert Bruce 1306 EMINENT PERSONS. John Peckham, Robert Winchelsea, Walter Reynolds, and John Stratford archbishops of Canterbury. Richard, earl of Cornwall. Rodger Bigod, earl of Norfolk. Humphry Bohun, earl of Hereford. John Plantagenet, earl of Warwick. Roger Bacon. Wickliffe.t * After the death of Frederic II. there was an interregnum in the Western empire until Rodolphus ; during which the following princes either reigned, or were elected : Conrad III. ; William, earl of Holland ; Richard, earl of Cornwall ; Edward IV. ; and Alphonso, king of Castile. — Lochman. t Wickliffe was the first preacher of the reformed doctrines in England , he was the author of a valuable translation of the New Testament, and of several able tracts on the usurpations of the Romish church. 94 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAPTER XIII. EDWARD II, Born 1284. Died Sept. 21, 1327. Began to reign July 7, 1307. Reigned 20 years. SECTION I. Immersed in soft effeminacy's down. The feeble prince his subjects' good neglects For minions, who monopolize the crown, And stain the sceptre which their vice protects. — Dibdin. 1. (A. D. 1307.) Edward, surnamed Caernarvon,* was in the twenty-third year of his age when he succeeded his father ; of an agreeable figure, of a mild harmless disposi- tion, and apparently addicted to few vices. But he soon gave symptoms of his unfitness to succeed so great a mo- narch as his father ; he was rather fond of the enjoyment of his power than of securing it, and lulled by the flattery of his courtiers, he thought he had done enough for glory when he accepted the crown. 2. Instead, therefore, of prosecuting the war against Scotland, according to the in- junctions he had received from his dying father, he took no steps to check the progress of Bruce ; his march into that country being rather a procession of pageantry than a warlike expedition. 3. Weak monarchs are ever governed by favourites ; and the first Edward placed his affections upon was Piers Gavestone, the son of a Gascon knight, who had been em- ployed in the service of the late king. The young man was adorned with every accomplishment of person and mind that was capable of creating affection ; but he was utterly destitute of those qualities of heart and understanding that serve to procure esteem. He was beautiful, witty, brave, and active ; but then he was vicious, effeminate, de- bauched, and trifling. These were qualities entirely adapted to the taste of the young monarch, and he seemed to think no rewards equal to his deserts. 4. Gavestone, on the other hand, intoxicated with his power, became haughty and overbearing, and treated the English nobility, from whom it is probable he received marks of contempt, with scorn and derision. A conspiracy, therefore, was soon formed against him, at the head of which queen Isabel and the earl of Lancaster, a nobleman of great power, were associated. 5. It was easy to perceive that a combination of the nobles, while the queen secretly assisted their designs, * From the place of his birth, Caernarvon Castle in Wales. EDWARD II. 95 would be too powerful against the efforts of a weak king and a vain favourite. The king, timid and wavering, banished him (A. D. 1312) at their solicitation, and recalled him soon after. This was sufficient to spread an alarm over the whole kingdom ; all the great barons flew to arms, and the earl of Lancaster put himself at the head of this irresistible confederacy. The unhappy Edward, instead of attempting to make resistance, sought only for safety : ever happy in the company of his favourite, he embarked at Teignmouth, and sailed with him to Scarborough, where ne left Gavestone as in a place of safety, and then went back to York himself, either to raise an army to oppose his enemies, or by his presence to allay their animosity. 6. In the mean time, Gavestone was besieged in Scarborough by the earl of Pembroke ; and, had the garrison been sufficiently supplied with provisions, the place would have been im- pregnable. But Gavestone, sensible of the bad condition of the garrison, took the earliest opportunity to offer terms of capitulation. He stipulated that he should remain in Pembroke's hands as a prisoner for two months ; and that endeavours should be used in the mean time for a general accommodation. 7. But Pembroke had no intention that he should escape so easily : he ordered him to be conducted to the castle of Deddington, near Banbury, where, on pre- tence of other business, he left him with a feeble guard, of which the earl of Warwick having received information, attacked the castle in which the unfortunate Gavestone was confined, and quickly made himself master of his person. The earls of Lancaster, Hereford, and Arundel were soon apprized of Warwick's success, and informed that their common enemy was now in custody in Warwick castle. 8. Thither, therefore, they hastened with the utmost expe- dition, to hold a consultation upon the fate of their prisoner. This was of no long continuance ; they unanimously re- solved to put him to death, as an enemy to the kingdom, and gave him no time to prepare for his execution. They instantly had him conveyed to a place called Blacklow-hill, where a Welsh executioner, provided for that purpose, severed his head from his body. 9. To add to Edward's misfortunes, he soon after suf- fered a most signal defeat from the Scots army under Bruce, near Bannockburn ;* and this drove him once more to seek * Near Stirling. Edward was so sure of conquest, that he brought with him William Baston, a Carmelite, and a famous poet, to celebrate his victory. 96 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. tor relief in some favourite's company. 10. The name of his new favourite was Hugh de Spenser, a young man of a noble English family, of some merit, and very engaging accomplishments. His father was a person of a much more estimable character than the son ; he was venerable for his years, and respected through life for his wisdom, his valour, and his integrity. 11. But these excellent qua- lities were all diminished and vilified from the moment he and his son began to share the king's favour, who even dis- possessed some lords unjustly of their estates, in order to accumulate them upon his favourite. This was a pretext the king's enemies had been long seeking for : the earls of Lancaster and Hereford flew to arms ; sentence was pro- cured from parliament of perpetual exile against the two Spensers, and a forfeiture of their fortunes and estates. 12. The king, however, at last rousing from his lethargy, took the field in the defence of his beloved Spenser, and at the head of thirty thousand men pressed the earl of Lan- caster so closely, that he had not timejto collect his forces together ; and, flying from one place to another, he was at last stooped in his way towards Scotland by Sir Andrew Harcla, and made prisoner. 13. As he had formerly shown little mercy to Gavestone, there was very little extended to him upon this occasion. He was condemned by a court- martial ; and led, mounted on a lean horse, to an eminence near Pomfret, in circumstances of the greatest indignity, where he was beheaded by a Londoner. 14. A rebellion, thus crushed, served only to increase the pride and rapacity of young Spenser ; most of the forfeitures were seized for his use ; and in his promptitude to seize the delinquents, he was guilty of many acts of rapine and injus tice.* Questions for Examination. 1. What was the disposition of Edward II. ? 2. What was his conduct in regard to Scotland ? 3. What was the character of Gavestone, the king's first favourite? 4. Who formed a conspiracy against the king ? 5. What was the conduct of the king on this occasion ? * In the year 1315, the perpetual rains and cold weather having not only destroyed the harvest, but produced a mortality among the cattle, the parlia- ment endeavoured to moderate the prices of provisions. The rates establish- ed were, of our present money, as follows: for the best ox, not corn fed, 2Z 8s., corn fed, 31. 12s. ; a fat hog, two years old, 10s. ; a fat wether, unshorn, 5s., shorn, 3s. 6d. ; a fat goose, sevenpence halfpenny ; a fat capon, 6d. ; a fat hen 3d. ; two chickens. 3d ; four pigeons, 3d. ; and twenty-four eggs. 3d. EDWARD II 97 6. Where was Gavestone besieged ? and on what conditions did he sur render himself? 7, 8. Were these conditions observed ? and what was the conduct of the no bles towards him? ■ 9. What misfortune did Edward experience in Scotland ? 10. Who were the Spensers ? 11. On what pretext did the king s enemies fly to arms ? 12. How did the king act on this emergency 13. What was the manner of executing the earl of Lancaster T SECTION II. Mark what convulsions heave his martyr'd breast. — Lewis. I. (A.D. 1325.) But he was now to oppose a more for- midable enemy in queen Isabella, a cruel haughty woman, who fled over to France, and refused to appear in England till Spenser was removed from the royal presence, and ba- nished the kingdom. By this reply she gained two very considerable advantages : she became popular in England, where Spenser was universally disliked ; and she had the pleasure of enjoying the company of a young nobleman, whose name was Mortimer, upon whom she had lately placed her affections, and whom she indulged with all the familiari- ties that her criminal passion could confer. 2. The queen's court now, therefore, became a sanctuary for all the male contents who were banished their own country, or who chose to come over. Accordingly, soon after, accompanied by three thousand men-at-arms, she set out from Dort* harbour, and landed safely, without opposition, on the coast of Suf- folk. She had no sooner appeared than there seemed a ge- neral revolt in her favour : and the unfortunate king found the spirit of disloyalty was not confined to the capital alone, but diffused over the whole kingdom. 3. He had placed some dependence upon the garrison which was stationed in the castle of Bristol, under the command of the elder Spen- ser ; but they mutinied against their governor, and that un- fortunate favourite was delivered up, and condemned by the tumultuous barons to the most ignominious death. He was hanged on a gibbet, in his armour ; his body was cut in pieces and thrown to the dogs ; and his head was sent to Winchester, where it was set upon a pole, and exposed to the populace, * Dort, or Dordrecht, is a city of Holland, situated on an island of the Meuse. By an* irruption of the river Meuse, seventy-two villages and one hundred thousand persons were lost. It is said to have been occasioned by the malice of a man, who wished to inundate his neigh hour's ground, by do «troying the dyke near his house. I 98 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 4. Young Spenser, the unhappy son, did not long survive his father ; he was taken, with some others who had follow- ed the fortunes of the wretched king, in an obscure convent in Wales, and the merciless victors resolved to glut their revenge in adding insult to cruelty. The queen had not pa- tience to wait the formality of a trial, but ordered him imme- diately to be led forth before the insulting populace, and seemed to take a savage pleasure in feasting her eyes with his distresses. 5. The gibbet erected for his execution was fifty feet high ; his head was sent to London, where the citi- zens received it in brutal triumph, and fixed it on the bridge. Several other lords also shared his fate ; all deserving pity in- deed, had they not themselves formerly justified the present inhumanity by setting a cruel example. 6. In the mean time, the king, who hoped to find refuge in Wales, was quickly discovered, and delivered up to his ad- versaries, who expressed their satisfaction in the grossness of their treatment. He was conducted to the capital, amidst the insults and reproaches of the people, and confined in the Tower. A charge was soon after exhibited against him, in which no other crimes but his incapacity to govern, his in- dolence, his love of pleasure, and his being swayed by evil counsellors, were objected against him. His deposition was quickly voted by parliament ; he was assigned a pension for nis support : his son Edward, a youth of fourteen, was fix- ed upon to succeed him, and the queen was appointed regent during the minority. 7. The deposed monarch but a short time survived his misfortunes : he was sent from prison to prison, a wretched outcast, and the sport of his inhuman keepers. He had been at first consigned to the custody of the earl of Lancaster ; but this nobleman showing some marks of respect and pity, he was taken out of his hands, and delivered over to lords Berkeley, Montravers, and Gournay, who were intrusted with the charge of guarding him a month about. 8. Whatever his treatment from lord Berkeley might have been, the other two seemed resolved that he should enjoy none of the comforts of life while in their custody. They practised every kind of indignity upon him, as if their design had been to accelerate his death by the bitterness of his suffer- ings. (A.D. 1328.) But when his persecutors saw that his death might not arrive, even under every cruelty, till a revolution had been made in his favour, they resolved to rid themselves of their fears by destroying him at once. 9. Accordingly his two keepers, Gournay and Montravers, EDWARD III. 99 came to Berkeley castle, where Edward was then confined and murdered him by a most cruel and torturing process, which left no marks of external violence. Questions for Examination, 1. What other enemy had Edward now to oppose ? 2. Was there any revolt in the queen's favour ? and by whom was she ac companied ? 3. What happened to the elder Spenser ? 5. In what manner was the younger Spenser executed ? 6. What were the proceedings against the king ? 7. Did the king long survive his misfortunes ? 8. Can you relate the indignities practised upon him ? 9. What was the manner of the king's murder? and by whom was it com- mitted ? Popes. A.D. Clement V 1305 John XXII 1316 Emperors of the East. Andronicus II 1283 Andronicus III.... 1320 Emperors of the West. Albert 1 1298 Henry VIII 1304 CONTEMPORARY SOVEREIGNS. Kings of Denmark. A.D. Lewis IV.... 1314 Kings of France. Philip IV 3284 LewisX 1314 Philip V 1316 Charles IV 1322 Kings of Portugal. Dennis 1272 Alphonsus IV 1325 EMINENT PERSONS. A.D. Eric VIII 1286 Christopher 11 1319 Kings of Sweden. Berger II 1290 Magnus III 1320 King of Scotland. Robert Bruce 1306 John Offord, archbishop of Canterbury. Thomas Plantagenet, earl of Lan- caster. Roger, lord Mortimer ; Piers Gavestone and the two Spensers, fa- vourites of the king. CHAPTER XIV. EDWARD III. Born 1312. Died June 21, 1377. Began to reign Sept. 22, 1327. Reigned nearly 50 years. SECTION I. With form and aspect to command respect, With mind, desert and talent to protect, Edward presents a model to admire; His subjects' hearts before their sovereign bend. The widow's guardian and the orphan's sire ; Foe to the vicious, to the good a friend. — Dibdin. 1. (A.D. 1327.) The parliament by which young Ed- ward was raised to the throne, during the life of his father appointed twelve persons as his privy counsel, to direct the operations of government. Mortimer, the queen's favourite, 100 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. who mignt naturally be set down as one of the members, artfully excluded himself, under a pretended show of mode- ration ; but at the same time he secretly influenced all the measures that came under their deliberation. 2. He caused the greater part of the royal revenues to be settled on the queen-dowager, and he seldom took the trouble to consult the ministers of government in any public undertak- ing. The king himself was even so besieged by the fa- vourite's creatures, that no access could be procured to him, and the whole sovereign authority was shared between Mortimer and the queen, who took no care to conceal her criminal attachment. 3. At length, however, Edward was resolved to shake of! an authority that was odious to the nation, and particularly restrictive upon him. But such was the power of the fa- vourite, that it required as much precaution to overturn the usurper as to establish the throne. The queen and Morti- mer had for some time chosen the castle of Nottingham for the place of their residence ; it was strictly guarded, the gates locked every evening, and the keys carried to the queen. 4. It was therefore agreed between the king and some of the barons, who secretly entered into his designs, to seize upon them in the fortress ; and for that purpose Sir William Bland, the governor, was induced to admit them by a secret subterraneous passage, which had been formerly contrived for an outlet, but was now hidden with rubbish, and known only to one or two. It was by this, therefore, the noblemen in the king's interest entered in the night ; and Mortimer, without having it in his power to make any re- sistance, was seized in apartments adjoining those of the queen. 5. It was in vain that she endeavoured to protect him ; in vain she entreated them to spare her " gentle Mor- timer ;" the barons, deaf to her entreaties, denied her that pity which she had so often refused to others. Her para- mour was condemned by the parliament, which was then sitting, without being permitted to make his defence, or even examining a witness against him. He was hanged on a gibbet, at a place called Elms, about a mile from London, where his body was left hanging for two days after. 6. The queen, who certainly was the most culpable, was shielded by the dignity of her station ; she was only disgraced from all share of power, and confined for life in the castle of Ris- ings, with a pension of three thousand pounds a year. From this confinement she was never after set free ; and though EDWARD III. 101 the king annually paid her a visit of decent ceremony, yet she found herself abandoned to universal: cortteirxp^ and de- testation ; and continued, for about twenty-five years after, a miserable monument of blighted ambiiion. - ' >V '• » J > :• : • 7. In order still more to secure the people's- affections, '*; ] Edward made a successful irruption into Scotland, in which, in one battle, fought at Halidon hill, about thirty thousand of the Scots were slain. Soon after, he turned his arms against France, which was at that time particularly unfortu- nate. Three sons of Philip the Fair, in full parliament, ac- cused their wives of adultery ; and in consequence of this accusation, they were condemned and imprisoned for life. 8. Lewis Hutin, successor to the crown of France, caused his wife to be strangled, and her lovers to be flayed alive. After his death, as he left only a daughter, his nexi brother, Philip the Tall, assumed the crown in prejudice of the daughter, and vindicated his title by the Salic law, which laid it down that no female should succeed to the crown. Edward, however, urged his pretensions, as being, by his mother Isabella, who was daughter to Philip the Fair, and sister to the three last kings of France, rightful heir to the crown. But first he, in a formal manner, consulted his par- liament on the propriety of the undertaking, obtained their approbation, received a proper supply of wool, which he intended to barter with the Flemings ; and being attended with a body of English forces, and several of his nobility, he sailed into Flanders, big with his intended conquests. 9. The first great advantage gained by the English was in a naval engagement on the coast of Flanders, in which the French lost two hundred and thirty ships, and had thirty thousand of their seamen and two of their admirals slain. 10. The intelligence of Edward's landing, and the devas- tation caused by his troops, who dispersed themselves over the whole face of the country, soon spread universal conster- nation through the French court. Caen was taken and plundered by the English without mercy ; the villages and towns, even up to Paris, shared the same fate ; and the French had no other resource, but by breaking down their bridges, to attempt putting a stop to the invader's career. 11. Philip, then king of France, was not idle in making pre- parations to repress the enemy. He had stationed one of his generals, Godemar de Faye, with an army on the oppo- site side of the river Somme, over which Edward was to 12 102 HISTORY OF ENGLAND, pass ; M'hile be* himself, at the head of one hundred thon* *and fighting* men; advanced to give the English battle. 12. As both armies had for some time been in sight of •each other, nothing was so eagerly expected on each side as V brattle ; 'and although the forces were extremely dispropor- tionatej the English amounting only to thirty thousand, the French to a hundred and twenty thousand, yet Edward re- solved to indulge the impetuosity of his troops, and to put all to the hazard of a battle. He accordingly chose his ground with advantage, near the village of Crecy,* and there deter- mined to wait with tranquillity the shock of the enemy. He drew up his men on a gentle ascent, and divided them into three lines. The first was commanded by the young prince of Wales ; the second was conducted by the earls of North- ampton and Arundel ; and the third, kept as a body of re- serve, was headed by the king in person. 13. On the other side, Philip, impelled by resentment, and confident of his numbers, was more solicitous in bring- ing the enemy to an engagement than prudent in taking measures for its success. He led on his army in three bodies opposite to those of the English. The first line con- sisted of fifteen thousand Genoese cross-bow men, the second body was led by the king of France's brother, and he him- self was at the head of the third. Questions for Examination, 2. By whom, and in what manner, were the operations of the government conducted ? 4. What was the conduct of the king at this time ? 5. What was the fate of Mortimer ? What was the queen's punishment ? 7. In what undertaking did Edward succeed ? 8. What is the Salic law ? 9. What was the first advantage gained by the English ? 10. What did the English in France ? 11. What preparations did the king of France make to oppose Edward ? 12. Where did Edward choose his ground ? How did he draw up his army ? and who conducted it ? 13 How did Philip lead on his army ? * Here ihe king of Bohemia was slain, and the motto, " Ich dien," I serve, was found under the ostrich feathers which he wore on his helmet Edward, the Black Prince, adopted this motto, and it has ever since continued to be the motto of the prince of Wales. At this battle, cannon were first made use of EDWARD III. 103 SECTION II. }n frequent showers their shafts the archers hail'd, n headlong charge successive hosts aasail'd : But motionless as his own island's rocks, Uudaunted Edward met their furious shocks. — Cooke. 1. (A.U. 1346.) About three in the afternoon, the famou3 battle of Crecy began, by the French king's ordering the Genoese archers to charge ; but they were so fatigued with their march, that they cried out for a little rest before they should engage. The count Alencon, being informed of their petition, rode up, and reviled them as cowards, commanding them to begin their onset without delay. Their reluctance to begin was still more increased by a heavy shower, which fell at that instant, and relaxed their bow-strings ; so that the discharge they made produced but very little effect. 2. On the other hand, the English archers, who had kept their bows in cases, and were favoured by a sudden gleam of sun- shine, that rather dazzled the enemy, let rly their arrows so thick, and with such good aim, that nothing was to be seen among the Genoese but hurry, terror, and dismay. The young prince of Wales had presence of mind to take advan- tage of their confusion, and to lead on his line to the charge. The French cavalry, however, commanded by the count Alencon, wheeling round, sustained the combat, and began to hem the English in. 3. The earls of Arundel and North- ampton now came to assist the prince, who appeared fore- most in the very shock ; and, wherever he appeared, turned the fortune of the day. The thickest of the battle was now gathered around him, and the valour of a boy filled even veterans with astonishment ; but their surprise at his courage could not give way to their fears for his safety. Being ap- prehensive that some mischance might happen to him at the end, an officer was despatched to the king, desiring that suc- cours might be sent to the prince's relief. 4. Edward, who had all this time, with great tranquillity, viewed the engage- ment from a windmill, demanded, with seeming deliberation, if his son were dead ; but being answered that he still lived, and was giving astonishing instances of his valour, " Then tell my generals," cried the king, " that he shall have no as- sistance from me ; the honour of the day shall be his ; let him show himself worthy of the profession of arms, and let him be indebted to his own merit alone for victory." 5. This speech, being reported to the prince and his attendants, inspired them with new courage ; they made a fresh attack upon the French cavalry, and count Alencon, their bravest 104 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. King Edward III. and the burgesses of Calais. commander, was slain. This was the beginning of their total overthrow ; the French, being now without a compe- tent leader, were thrown into confusion ; the whole army took to flight, and were put to the sword by the pursuers without mercy, till night stopped the carnage. 6. Never was a victory more seasonable, or less bloody to the English, than this. Notwithstanding the great slaughter of the enemy, the conquerors lost but one squire, three knights, and a few of inferior rank. But this victory was attended with still more substantial advantages ; for Edward, as moderate in conquest as prudent in his methods to obtain it, resolved to secure an easy en- trance into France for the future. 7. With this view he laid siege to Calais, at that time defended by John de Vienne, an experienced commander, and supplied with every thing necessary for defence. These operations, though slow were at length successful. It was in vain that the governor made a noble defence, that he excluded all the uselesb mouths from the city, which Edward generously permitted to pass. 8. Edward resolved to reduce it by famine, and it was at length taken, after a twelve months' siege, the de- fendants having been reduced to the last extremity. He re- solved to punish the obstinacy of the townsmen by the death of six of the most considerable citizens, who offered them- selves, with ropes round their necks, to satiate his indigna- tion ; buthe spared their lives at the intercession of the queen EDWARD III. 105 9. While Edward was reaping victories upon the conti- nent, the Scots, ever willing to embrace a favourable oppor- tunity of rapine and revenge, invaded the frontiers with a numerous army, headed by David Bruce, their king. This unexpected invasion, at such a juncture, alarmed the English, but was not capable of intimidating them. 10. Lionel, Edward's son, who was left guardian of England during his father's absence, was yet too young to take upon him the command of an army ; but the victories on the continent seemed to inspire even women with valour. Philippa, Ed- ward's queen, took upon her the conduct of the field, and prepared to repulse the enemy in person : accordingly, hav- ing made lord Percy general under her, she met the Scots at a place called Nevil's Cross, near Durham, and offered them battle. 11. The Scots king was no less impatient to engage ; he imagined that he might obtain an easy victory against undisciplined troops, and headed by a woman. But he was miserably deceived. His army was quickly routed and driven from the field. Fifteen thousand of his men were cut to pieces ; and he himself, with many of his nobles and knights, were taken prisoners, and carried in triumph to London, A.D. 1346. 12. A victory gained by the Black Prince,* near Poictiers, followed not long after, in which John, king of France, was taken prisoner, and led in triumph through London, amidst an amazing concourse of spectators. Two kings, prisoners in the same court, and at the same time, were considered as glorious achievements ; but all that England gained by them was only glory. Whatever was won in France, with all the dangers of war, and the expense of preparation, was successively, and in a manner, silently lost, without the mortification of a defeat. 13. The English, by their frequent supplies, had been quite exhausted, and were unable to continue an army in the field. Charles, who had succeeded his father John, who died a prisoner in the Savoy, on the other hand, cautiously forbore to come to any decisive engagement ; but was con- tent to let his enemies waste their strength in attempts to plunder a fortified country. When they were tired, he then was sure to sally forth, and possess himself of such places as they were not strong enough to defend. 14. He first fell upon Ponthieu ; the citizens of Abbeville opened their gates to him ; those of St. Valois, Rue, and Crotoy imitated the * Edward, the Prince of Wales. He was called the Black Prince, from the color of his armor. 100 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. example ; and the whole country was, in a little time, re- duced to total submission. The southern provinces were, in the same manner, invaded by his generals with equal suc- cess; while the Black Prince, destitute of supplies from England, and wasted by a cruel and consumptive disorder, was obliged to return to his native country, leaving the affairs of the south of France in a most desperate condition. 15. But what of all other things served to cast a gloom over the latter part of this splendid reign was the approaching death of the Black Prince, whose constitution showed but too manifestly the symptoms of a> speedy dissolution. This valiant and accomplished prince died in the forty-sixth year of his age, leaving behind him a character without a single blemish ; and a degree of sorrow among the people that time could scarcely alleviate. 16. The king was most sensibly affected with the loss of his son, and tried every art to allay his uneasiness. He removed himself entirely from the duties and burdens of the state, and left his kingdom to be plundered by a set of rapa- cious ministers. He did not survive the consequences of his bad conduct, but died about a year after the prince, at Sheene, in Surrey, deserted by all his courtiers, even by those who had grown rich by his bounty. He expired in the sixty-fifth year of his age, and fifty-first of his reign, 1377 ; a prince more admired than beloved by his subjects, and more an object of their applause than their sorrow. 17. It was in this reign that the order of the Garter was instituted ; the number was to consist of twenty-four per- sons besides the king. A story prevails, but unsupported by any ancient authority, that the countess of Salisbury, at a ball, happening to drop her garter, the king took it up, and presented it to her with these words, " Honi soi qui mal y pense ;" — " Evil be to him that evil thinks." This accident, it is said, gave rise to the order and the motto,* A. D. 1349. Edward left many children by his queen, Philippa of Hainhault. His eldest son, the Black Prince, died before * " Some do affirme, that this order beganne fyrst by king Richard Ccenr de Lion, at the siege of the eitie of Acres, where in his greate necessytie there was but twenty-five knights that firmlye and surelye abode by him, where he caused all of them to wear thonges of blue leythere aboute their legges, and afterwards they were called knights."— RastelVs Chronicle. EDWARD III. 107 him ; but he left a son named Richard, who succeeded to the ihrone.* Questions for Examination, 1. Describe the situation and conduct of the Genoese archers. 2. What circumstances operated in favour of the English archers ? What advantage did the prince of Wales take of it? 3. What astonishing bravery did the prince display ? 4. What answer did the king make, when he was requested to send relief to the prince ? 6. How many did the English lose in the battle ? 8. How long did Edward besiege Calais ? 9. What did the Scots in the mean time ? 10. What female prepared to repulse the enemy ? 11. What was the fate of the Scotch ? 12. What did England gain by its royal prisoners ? 14. What obliged the Black Prince to return to England ? 15. What character is given of the prince ? 17. When was the order of the Garter instituted ? What accident is said to have given rise to the institution of this order ? CONTEMPORARY SOVEREIGNS. Popes. A.D. John XII 1316 Benedict XI...... 1334 Clement VI 1342 Innocent VI 1352 Urban V 1362 Gregory XI 1370 Emperors of the East. Andronicus III ... . 1320 John V 1341 John VI 1355 Emperors of the West. Louis IV 1314 A.D. Charles IV 1347 Kings of France. Charles IV 1322 Philip VI 1328 John 1 1353 Charles V 1364 Kings of Portugal. Alphonsus IV.... 1325 Pedro 1 1357 Ferdinand 1 1367 Kings of Denmark. Christopher II.... 1319 EMINENT PERSONS. A.D. Waldemarin... 1340 OlausIII 1375 Kings of Sweden. Magnus I II 1320 Albert 1363 Kings of Scotland. Robert Bruce ... . 1306 David II 1330 Edward Baliol... 1332 David II. (restor.) 1342 Robert (Stuart) II. 1370 Thomas Brad ward in, Simon Islip, Simon Langham, William Whittlesey, and Simon Sudbury, archbishops of Canterbury. Edward, the Black Prince, lohn Lord Chandos. Latimer, the lord chamberlain, &c. *In this reign the statute of high-treason was first enacted. St Stephen's chapel (now the house of commons) was built, and Windsor castle changed from a fortress to a palace. 108 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAPTER XV. RICHARD II. Born 1367. Deposed Sept. 30, 1399. Died Jan. 10, 1400. Began to reign June 21, 1377. Reigned 22£ years. SECTION I. Sprung from a sire and grandsire of renown, Yet he was scarce deserving of a crown. — Egerton. 1. (A. D. 1377.) Richard the Second was but eleven years old when he came to the throne of his grandfather, and found the people discontented and poor, the nobles proud and rebellious. As he was a minor, the government was vested in the hands of his three uncles, the dukes of Lancaster, York, and Gloucester ; and as the late king had left the kingdom involved in many dangerous and expensive wars, which demanded large and constant supplies, the murmurs of the people increased in proportion. 2. The expenses of armaments to face the enemy on every side, and a want of economy in the administration, entirely ex- hausted the treasury ; and a new tax of three groats on every person above fifteen was granted by parliament as a supply. The indignation of the people had been for some time increasing ; but a tax so unequitable, in which the rich paid no more than the poor, kindled the resentment of the latter into a flame. 3. It began in Essex, where a report was industriously spread that the peasants were to be destroyed, their houses burned, and their farms plundered. A blacksmith, well known by the name of Wat Tyler, was the first that incited them to arms. The tax-gatherers, coming to this man's house while he was at work, demanded payment for his daughter, which he refused, alleging she was under the age mentioned in the act. 4. One of the brutal collectors insisted on her being a full-grown woman, and behaved in the most indecent manner. This provoked the father to such a degree, that he instantly struck him dead with a blow of his hammer. The standers-by ap- plauded his spirit, and one and all resolved to defend his con- duct. He was considered as a champion in the cause, and appointed the leader and spokesman of the people. 5. It is easy to imagine the disorders committed by this tumultuous rabble ; the whole neighbourhood rose in arms : they burned RICHARD II. 109 and plundered wherever they came, and revenged upon their former masters all those insults which they had long sus- tained with impunity. As the discontent was general, the insurgents increased in proportion as they approached the capital. The flame soon propagated itself into Kent, Here- fordshire, Surrey, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridge, and Lincoln. 6. They were found to amount to above a hundred thousand men by the time they arrived at Blackheath. At the head of one party of these was Wat Tyler, who led his men into Smithfield, where he was met by the king, who invited him to a conference, under a pretence of hearing and re- dressing his grievances. Tyler, ordering his companions to retire till he should give them a signal, boldly ventured to meet the king in the midst of his retinue, and accordingly began the conference. 7. The demands of this demagogue are censured by all the historians of the time as insolent and extravagant ; and yet nothing can be more just than those they have delivered for him. He required that all slaves should be set free, and all commonages should be open to the poor as well as the rich ; and that a general pardon should be passed for the late outrages. 8. Whilst he made these demands, he now and then lifted up his sword in a menacing manner; which insolence so raised the indignation of William Walworth, then mayor of London, attending on the king, that without considering the danger to which he exposed his majesty, he stunned Tyler with a blow of his mace, while one of the king's knights, riding up, despatched him with his sword. 9. The mutineers, seeing their leader fall, prepared themselves to take revenge ; and their bows were now bent for execution, when Richard, though not yet quite sixteen years of age, rode up to the rebels, and with admirable presence of mind, cried out, " What, my people, will you then kill your king ? Be not concerned for the loss of your leader; I myself will now be your general; follow me now into the field, and you shall have whatever you desire." The awed multitude immediately desisted : they followed the king, as if mechanically, into the field, and there he granted them the same charter that he had before given to their companions, but which he soon afterwards revoked in parliament.* * Gower, the poet, wrote some Latin verses on this rebellion, part of which are here inserted, as a specimen of the literature of this reign j nor will they be less acceptable, we trust, from the ludicrous effect produced by putting English nick-names into a Latin dress : K 110 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 10. Hitherto the king had acted under the control of the regency, who did all they could devise to abridge his power. However, in an extraordinary council of the nobility, as- sembled after Easter, he, to the astonishment of all present, desired to know his age ; and being told that he was turned of two-and-twenty, he alleged that it was time then for him to govern without help ; and that there was no reason that he should be deprived of those rights which the meanest of his subjects enjoyed. 1 1 . Being thus set at liberty to conduct the business of government at discretion, it quickly appeared that he wanted those arts that are usually found to procure a lasting respect; he was fond of luxurious pleasures and idle ostentation ; he admitted the meanest ranks to his familiarity ; and his con- versation was not adapted to impress them with a reverence for his morals or abilities. 12. The cruelty shown to the duke of Gloucester, who, upon slight suspicions, was sent to confinement in Calais, and there murdered in prison, with some other acts equally arbitrary, did not fail to in- crease those animosities which had already taken deep root in the kingdom. The aggrandizement of some new favour- ites contributed still more to make the king odious ; but though he seemed resolved, by all his actions, to set his subjects against him, it was accident that gave occasion for his overthrow. 13. The duke of Hereford appeared in parliament, and accused the duke of Norfolk of having spoken seditious words against his majesty in a private con- versation. Norfolk denied the charge, gave Hereford the lie, and offered to prove his innocence by single combat. 1 Watte vocat cui Thoma venit, neque Symme retardat, Batque, Gibbe simul, Hykke venire subent. Colle furit quern Bobbe juvat, nocumenta parantes, Cum quibus ad damnum Wille coire volat. Grigge rapit, dum Davie strepit, comes est quibus Hobbe Larkin et in medio non minor esse putat. Hudde ferit, quem Judde terit, dum Tibbe juvatur, Jacke domosque viros vellit, et ense necat," &e. Which are thus humorously translated by Andrews. Wat cries, Tom flies, nor Svmkin stays aside ; And Batt and Gibb, and Hyke, they summon loud, Collin and Hob combustibles provide, While Will the mischief forwards in the crowd ; Greg hawls, Bob bawls, and Davy joins the cry, With Lary, not the least among the throng ; Hodge drubs, Jude scrubs, while Tib stands grinning by, And Jack with sword and fire-brand madly strides along. RICHARD II. Ill As proofs were wanting for legal trial, the lords readily ac- quiesced in that mode of determination ; the time and place were appointed, and the whole nation waited with anxious suspense for the event. 14. At length the day arrived on which the duel was to be fought ; and the champions having just begun their career, the king stopped the combat, and ordered both the combatants to leave the kingdom. The duke of Norfolk he banished for life, but the duke of Here- ford only for ten years. Thus the one was condemned to exile without being charged with any offence, and the othei without being convicted of any crime. The duke of Nor- folk was overwhelmed with grief and despondence at the judgment awarded against him : he retired to Venice, where, in a little time after, he died of a broken heart. 15. Here- ford's behaviour on this occasion was resigned and sub- missive, which so pleased the king, that he consented to shorten the date of his banishment four years ; and he also granted him letters patent, ensuring him the enjoyment of any inheritance which should fall to him during his absence ; but upon the death of his father, the duke of Lancaster, which happened shortly after, Richard revoked those letters, and retained the possession of the Lancaster estate to him- self. A. D. 1388. Questions for Examination. 1. At what age and under what circumstances did Richard come to the throne ? 2. In whose hands was the government vested ? 3. Who was the first person that excited the people to arms ? 5, 6. What disorders were committed by the rebels ? and who was therr leader ? 7. What conditions were requested from the king by Wat Tyler ? 8. By whom was Wat Tyler slain ? 9. What was the conduct of the king on this occasion? 10. Did the subsequent conduct of the king serve to make him respected by his subjects ? 13. What gave occasion to his overthrow ? 14. With what severity did the king treat Norfolk and Hereford ? SECTION II. O ! let ua then intestive discord shun, We ne'er can be but by ourselves undone. — Savage. 1. (A. D. 1398.) Such complicated injuries served to inflame the resentment of Hereford against the king ; and although he had hitherto concealed it, he now set no bounds to his indignation, but even conceived a desire of dethroning 112 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. a person who had shown himself so unworthy of power Indeed, no man could be better qualified for an enterprise of this nature than the earl of Hereford; he was cool, cautious, discerning, and resolute. 2. He had served with distinction against the infidels of Lithuania; and he had thus joined to his other merits those of piety and valour. He was stimulated by private injuries, and had alliance and fortune sufficient to give weight to his measures. He only waited the absence of the king from England to put his schemes into execution ; and Richard's going over into Ire- land, to quell an insurrection there, was the opportunity he had long looked for. 3. Accordingly he instantly embarked at Nantz, with a retinue of sixty persons, in three small vessels, and landed at Ravenspur, in Yorkshire. The earl of Northumberland, who had long been a malecontent, together with Henry Percy, his son, who, from his ardent valour, was surnamed Hot- spur, immediately joined them with their forces. After this junction the concourse of people coming to enlist under his banner was so great, that in a few days his army amounted to sixty thousand men. 4. While these things were transacting in England, Richard continued in Ireland in perfect security. Contrary winds, for three weeks together, prevented his receiving any news of the rebellion which had begun in his native do- minions ; wherefore, upon landing at Milford Haven with a body of twenty thousand men, he saw himself in a dreadful situation, in the midst of an enraged people, without any friend on whom to rely ; and forsaken by those who, in the sunshine of his power, had only contributed to fan his follies. 5. His little army gradually began to desert him, till at last he found that he had not above six thousand men who followed his standard. Thus not knowing whom to trust, or where to turn, he saw no other hopes of safety but to throw himself upon the generosity of the enemy, and to gain from pity what he could not obtain by arms. He therefore sent Hereford word that he was ready to sub- mit to whatever terms he thought proper to prescribe, and that he earnestly desired a conference. 6. For this pur- pose the earl appointed him to meet at a castle within about ten miles of Chester, where he came next day with his army. Richard, who the day before had been brought thither by the duke of Northumberland, descrying his rival's approach from the walls, went down to receive him ; RICHARD II. 113 while Hereford, after some ceremony, entered the castle in complete armour, only his head was bare, in compliment to the fallen king. 7. Richard received him with that open air for which he had been remarkable, and kindly bade him welcome. " My lord king," returned the earl, with a cool respectful bow, "I am come sooner than you appointed, because your people say, that for one-and-twenty years yon have governed with rigour and indiscretion. They arr very ill satisfied with your conduct ; but if it please God, i will help you to govern them better for the time to come." To this declaration the king made no other answer but " Fair cousin, since it pleases you, it pleases us likewise." 8. But Hereford's haughty answer was not the only mortification the unfortunate Richard was to endure. After a short conversation with some of the king's attendants, Hereford ordered the king's horses to be brought out of the stable ; and the wretched animals being produced, Richard was placed upon one, and his favourite, the earl of Salis- bury, on the other. 9. In this mean equipage they rode to Chester; and were conveyed to the castle with a great noise of trumpets, and through a vast concourse of people, who were no way moved at the sight. In this mariner he was led triumphantly along from town to town, amidst mul- titudes, who scoffed at him, and extolled his rivals. " Long live the good duke of Lancaster, our deliverer!" was the general cry ; but as for the king, to use the pathetic words of the poet, " None cried God bless him !" 10. Thus, after repeated indignities, he was confined a close prisoner in the Tower, there, if possible, to undergo a still greater variety of studied insolence and flagrant contempt. The wretched monarch, humbled in this manner, began to lose the pride of a king with the splendours of royalty, and his spirit sunk to his circumstances. There was no great dif- ficulty, therefore, in inducing him to sign a deed, by which he renounced his crown, as being unqualified for governing the kingdom. 11. Upon this resignation Hereford founded his principal claim : but, willing to fortify his pretensions with every appearance of justice, he called a parliament, which was readily brought to approve and confirm his claim. A frivolous charge, of thirty-three articles, was drawn up, and found valid against the king ; upon which he was solemnly deposed, and the earl of Hereford elected in his stead, by the title of Henry the Fourth. 12. Thus began the contest between the houses of York and Lancas- k2 ^ 114 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. Richard II. surrendering his crown. ter ; which, for several years after, deluged the kingdom with blocd ; and yet, in the end, contributed to settle and confirm the constitution. 13. When Richard was deposed, the earl of Northum- berland made a motion in the house of peers, demanding the advice of parliament with regard to the future treatment of the deposed king. To this they replied, that he should be imprisoned in some secure place, where his friends and partizans should not be able to find him. This was accord- ingly put in practice ; but while he still continued alive, the usurper could not remain in safety. Indeed, some conspi- racies and commotions which followed soon after, induced Henry to wish for Richard's death ; in consequence of Which, one of those assassins that are found in every court, ready to commit the most horrid crimes for reward, went down to the place of this unfortunate monarch's confinement in the castle of Pomfret, and with eight of his followers, rushed into his apartments. 14. The king, concluding their design was to take away his life, resolved not to fall un- revenged, but to sell it as dearly as he could ; wherefore, wresting a pole-axe from one of the murderers, he soon laid four of their number dead at his feet. But he was at length overpowered, and struck dead by the blow of a pole- axe ; although some assert that he was starved in prison. 15. Thus died the unfortunate Richard, in the thirty-fourth RICHARD II. 15 year of his age, and the twenty-third of his reign. Though his conduct was blameable, yet the punishment he suffeied was greater than his offences ; and in the end his sufferings made more converts to his family and cause than ever his most meritorious actions could have procured them. He left no posterity, either legitimate or otherwise. Questions for Examination. 1. By whom was the king opposed ? 3. By whom was Hereford joined on his arrival in England ? 4. In what maimer did the king conduct himself? 6. Can you mention the indignities the king afterwards suffered ? 7. How did Richard receive the earl of Hereford ? and what passed at the interview between them ? 8. 9. To what other mortifications was the king obliged to submit ? 10. What circumstances preceded his resignation of the crown? 11. By whom was he succeeded ? 12. What dreadful contest now commenced ? 13. After Richard was deposed, in what manner was he treated ? 14. Relate the circumstances which attended the murder of Richard. 15. Describe his character. CONTEMPORARY SOVEREIGNS. Popes. a.d. Gregory XI 1370 Urban VI 1378 Boniface IX 1389 Emperors of the East. John VI 1355 Emanuel II 1391 Emperors of the West. Charles IV 1347 Winceslaus 1378 Kings of France. A.D. Charles V 1364 Charles VI 1380 Kings of Portugal. Ferdinand. 1367 John 1 1385 King and Queen of Denmark. OlausIII 1375 A.D. Margaret 1385 Queen of Sweden. Margaret held Sweden with Denmark 1397 Kings of Scotland. Robert II 1370 Robert III 1390 EMINENT PERSONS. William Courtney, Thomas Arundel, archbishops of Canterbury. William Walworth, lord mayor of London. Roger Mortimer ; earl of March, grand- son to Clarence, heir apparent. Henry of Bolingbroke. Vere, duke of Ireland. William of Wykeham, bishop of Winchester, founder of Winches ter College, and of Merlon College, Oxford. 1 l G HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAPTER XVI. HENRY IV. Born 1307. Died March 20, 1413. Began to reign October 1, 1399. Reigned 13 years. Heaven knows by what bye-paths and crooked ways J met this crown ; and I myself know well How troublesome it sat upon my brow.— Shakspeare. 1. (A.D. 1399.) Henry soon found that the throne of an usurper is but a bed of thorns. Such violent animosities broke out among the barons in the first session of this par- liament, that forty challenges were given and received, and forty gauntlets were thrown down as pledges of the sincerity of their resentment. But though these commotions were seemingly suppressed by his moderation for that time, yet one conspiracy broke out after another, and were detected in the formation, or actually punished in the field. 2. That formed against him by the earl of Northumber- land was the most formidable. It was in a skirmish between the Scots and English that Archibald, earl of Douglas, with many of the Scots nobility, were taken prisoners by the earl of Northumberland, and carried to Alnwick castle. When Henry received intelligence of this victory, he sent the earl orders not to ransom his prisoners, as he intended to detain them, in order to increase his demands in making peace with Scotland. 3. This message was highly resented by the earl of Northumberland, who, by the laws of war that pre- vailed in that age, had a right to the ransom of all such as he had taken in battle. The command was still more irk- some, as he considered the king his debtor, both for his se- curity and his crown. Accordingly, stung with this supposed injury, he resolved to overturn a throne which he had the chief hand in establishing. - 4. A scheme was laid, in which the Scots and Welsh were to unite their forces, and to assist Northumberland in elevating Mortimer, as the true heir to the crown of Eng- land. When all things were prepared for the intended in- surrection, the earl had the mortification to find himself unable to lead on the troops, being seized with a sudden illness at Berwick. But the want of his presence was well supplied by his son, Henry Percy, surnamed Hotspur, who took the command of the troops, and marched them towards Shrewsbury, in order to join his forces with those of Glen HENRY IV. 117 dower, a Welsh chieftain, who some time before had been exchanged from prison, and had now advanced with his forces as far as Shropshire. 5. Upon the junction of these two armies, they published a manifesto, which aggravated their real grievances, and invented more. In the mean time, Henry, who had received no intelligence of their designs, was at first greatly surprised at the news of this rebellion. But fortune seemed to befriend him on this occasion : he had a small army in readiness, which he had levied for an in- tended war against the Scots, and knowing the importance of despatch against such active enemies, he instantly hurried down to Shrewsbury, that he might give the rebels battle. 6. Upon the approach of the two armies, both sides seem- ed willing to give a colour to their cause by showing a de- sire of reconciliation ; but, when they came to open their mutual demands, the treaty was turned into abuse and re- crimination. On one side was objected rebellion and ingra- titude ; on the other, tyranny and usurpation. 7. The two armies were pretty nearly equal, each consisting of about twelve thousand men ; the animosity on both sides was in- flamed to the highest pitch ; and no prudence nor military skill could determine on which side the victory might in- cline ; accordingly, a very bloody engagement ensued, in which the generals on both sides exerted themselves with great bravery. Henry was seen everywhere in the thickest of the fight ; while his valiant son, who was afterwards the renowned conqueror of France, fought by his side ; and, though wounded in the face by an arrow, still kept the field, and performed astonishing acts of valour. 8. On the other side, the daring Hotspur supported that renown which he had acquired in so many bloody engagements, and every- where sought out the king as a noble object of indignation. At last, however, his death from an unknown hand decided the victory ; and the fortune of Henry once more prevailed. On that bloody day, it is said, that no less than two thousand three hundred gentlemen were slain, and about six thousand private men, of whom two-thirds were of Hotspur's army. 9. While this furious transaction was going forward, Nor- thumberland, who was lately recovered from his indisposi- tion, was advancing with a body of troops to reinforce the army of malecontents, and take upon him the command: but hearing by the way of his son's and brother's misfortune, he dismissed his troops, not daring to keep the field with sc small a force, before an army superior in number, and flush- 118 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. ed with recent victory. 10. The earl, therefore, for a while, attempted to find safety by flight \ but at last, being pressed by his pursuers, and finding himself totally without resource, he chose rather to throw himself upon the king's mercy than lead a precarious and indigent life in exile. Upon his appearing before Henry at York, he pretended that his sole intention in arming was to mediate between the two parties ; and this, though but a very weak apology, seemed to satisfy the king. Northumberland, therefore, re- ceived a pardon ; Henry probably thinking that he was suf- ficiently punished by the loss of his army and the death of his favourite son. 11. By these means Henry seemed to surmount all his troubles ; and the calm which was thus produced was em- ployed by him in endeavours to acquire popularity, which he had lost by the severities exercised during the preceding part of his reign. For that reason, he often permitted the house of commons to assume powers which had not be*en usually exercised by their predecessors. A.D. 1407. 12. In the sixth year of his reign, when they voted him the supplies, they appointed treasurers of their own, to see the money disbursed for the purposes intended ; and required them to deliver in their accounts to the house. They pro- posed thirty very important articles for the government of the king's household ; and, on the whole, preserved their privileges and freedom more entire during his reign than in that of any of his predecessors. 13. But while the king thus laboured, not without success, to retrieve the reputation he had lost, his son Henry, the prince of Wales, seemed equally bent on incurring the public aversion. He became notorious for all kinds of debauchery, and ever chose to be surrounded by a- set of wretches, who took pride in commit- ting the most illegal acts, with the prince at their head. 14. The king was not a little mortified at this degeneracy in his eldest son, who seemed entirely forgetful of his sta- tion, although he had already exhibited repeated proofs of his valorous conduct and generosity. Such were the ex- cesses into which he ran, that one of his dissolute compa- nions having been brought to trial before Sir William Gas- coigne, chief justice of the king's bench, for some misde- meanour, the prince was so exasperated at the issue of the trial, that he struck the judge in open court. 15. The ve- nerable magistrate, who knew the reverence that was due to his station, behaved wiifr i dignitv that became his office HENRY IV. ilO and immediately ordered the prince to be committed to pri- son. When this transaction was reported to the king, who was an excellent judge of mankind, he could not help ex- claiming in a transport — " 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 !" This, in fact, is one of the first great instances we read in the English history of a magistrate doing justice in opposition to power ; since, upon many former occasions, we find the judges only ministers of royal caprice. 16. Henry, whose health had for some time been declin- ing, did not long outlive this transaction. He was subject to fits, which bereaved him for the time of his senses ; and which at last brought on his death at Westminster, in the forty-sixth year of his age, and the fourteenth of his reign Questions for Examination. 1. In what situation did Henry find himself on ascending the throne ? 2. Who was the most formidable opponent of Henry ? 4. For what purpose were the Scots and Welsh to unite their forces ? 7. Relate the valorous conduct of the king and prince. 8. What was the fate of Hotspur ? 10. What became of the earl of Northumberland ? 12. What at this time were the powers assumed by the house of commons < 13. What was the conduct of the prince of Wales ? 15. For what offence did the chief justice imprison him ? What did the prince exclaim when he heard the of prince's committal ? 16. What caused the death of the king ? CONTEMPORARY SOVEREIGNS. Popes. A.D. Boniface IX 1389 Innocent VII .. 1404 Gregory XII 1406 Alexander V 1409 John XXIII....... 1410 Emperor of the East. Emanuel II 1391 Emperors of the West. A.D. Winceslaus 1378 Robert Le Pet 1400 Sigismund 1410 King of France. rles VI... Charles 1380 King of Portugal. John 1 1385 King and Queen of Denmark and Sweden. A.D Margaret 1385 Eric XIII 1411 King of Scotland. Robert III 1390 EMINENT PERSONS. Thomas Arundel, archbishop of Canterbury. Edward Mortimer Henry Percy, surnamed Hotspur. Chief Justice Gascoigne. Sir Robert Knowles. Sir Richard Whittington, lord mayor of London. John Gower, and Geoffrey Chaucer. HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAPTER XVII. HENRY V. Born 1388. Died Aug. 31, 1422. Began to reign March 20, 1413. Reigned 9£ years. Now terror seemed to make the field its own. — Egerton. 1. (A. D. 1413.) The first steps taken by the young king confirmed all those prepossessions entertained in his favour. He called together his former abandoned companions : ac- quainted them with his intended reformation ; exhorted them to follow his example ; and thus dismissed them from his presence, allowing them a competency to subsist upon till he saw them worthy of further promotion. 2. The faithful ministers of his father at first began to tremble for their former justice in the administration of their duty ; but he soon eased them of their fears by taking them into his friendship and confidence. Sir William Gascoigne, who thought himself the most obnoxious, met with praise instead of reproaches, and was exhorted to persevere in the same rigorous and impartial execution of justice. 3. About this time the heresy of WicklifTe,* or Lol- lardism, as it was called, began to spread every day more and more, while it received a new lustre from the protec- tion and preaching of sir John Oldcastle, baron of Cobham, who had been one of the king's domestics, and stood high in his favour. The primate, however, indicted this noble- man, and, with the assistance of his suffragans, condemned him as a heretic to be burnt alive. 4. Cobham, however, escaping from the Tower, in which he was confined, the day before his execution, privately went up to London to take a signal revenge on his enemies. But the king, apprized of his intentions, ordered that the city gates should be shut ; and coming by night with his guards into St. Giles's-fields, seized such of the conspirators as appeared, and afterwards laid hold of several parties that were hastening to the ap- * John WicklifTe, a celebrated English divine, was the father of the re- formation of the English church from popery. He first opposed the authority of the pope, and being cited to appear before the bishop of London, it caused great tumult. His tenets were solemnly condemned in an assembly held at Oxford ; he, however, escaped the malice of his enemies, and died peaceably at Lutterworth, in 1384. HF.NRY V. 121 pointed place. 5. Some of these were executed, but the greater number pardoned. Cobham himself found means of escaping for that time, but he was taken about four years after ; and never did the cruelty of man invent, or crimes draw down, such torment as he was made to endure. He was hung up with a chain by the middle, and thus, at a slow fire, burned, or rather roasted, alive. 6. Henry, to turn the minds of the people from such hideous scenes, resolved to take advantage of the troubles in which France was at that time engaged ; and assembling a great fleet and army at Southampton, landed at Harfleur, at the head of an army of six thousand men-at-arms, and twenty-four thousand foot, mostly archers. But although the enemy made but a feeble resistance, yet the climate seemed to fight against the English, a contagious dysentery carrying off three parts of Henry's army. 7. The English monarch, when it was too late, began to repent of his rash inroad into a country where disease and a powerful army everywhere threatened destruction ; he, therefore, began to think of retiring into Calais. The enemy, however, resolved to intercept his retreat; and after he had passed the small river of Tertois, at Blangi, he was surprised to observe, from the heights, the whole French army drawn up in the plains of Agincourt,* and so posted, that it was impossible for him to proceed on his march without coming to an engagement. 8. No situation could be more unfavourable than that in which he found himself. His army was wasted with disease : the soldiers' spirits worn down with fatigue, destitute of pro- visions, and discouraged by their retreat. Their whole body amounted to but nine thousand men, and these were to sustain the shock of an enemy nearly ten times their number, headed by expert generals, and plentifully sup- plied with provisions. 9. As the enemy were so much superior, he drew, up his army on a narrow ground between two woods, which guarded each flank ; and he patiently expected, in that position, the attack of the enemy. The constable of France was at the head of one army, and Henry himself, with Edward, duke of York, commanded the other. 10. For a time both armies, as if afraid to begin, kept silently gazing at each other, neither willing to * Agincourt is a village m the province of Artois. formerly part of th* French Netherlands. -22 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. break their ranks by making the onset ; which Henry per- ceiving, with a cheerful countenance cried out, " My friends, since they will not begin, it is ours to set the example ; come on, and the blessed Trinity be our pro- tection !" Upon this the whole army set forward with a shout, while the French still waited their approach with intrepidity. 11. The English archers, who had long been famous for their great skill, first let fly a shower of arrows three feet long, which did great execution. The French cavalry advancing to repel these, two hundred bowmen, who lay till then concealed, rising on a sudden, let fly among them, and produced such a confusion, that the archers threw by their arrows, and rushing in, fell upon them sword in hand. The French at first repulsed the assailants, who were enfeebled by disease ; but they soon made up the defect by their valour; and, resolving to conquer or die, burst in upon the enemy with such impetuosity, that the French were soon obliged to give way. 12. They were overthrown in every part of the field ; their numbers, being crowded into a very narrow space, were incapable of either flying or making any resistance, so that they covered the ground with heaps of slain. After all appearance of opposition was over, there was heard an alarm from behind, which proceeded from a number of peasants who had fallen on the English baggage, and were putting those who guarded it to the sword. 13. Henry, now seeing the enemy on all sides of him, began to enter- tain apprehensions from his prisoners, the number of whom exceeded even that of his army. He thought it necessary, therefore, to issue general orders for putting them to death ; 6ut on a discovery of a certainty of his victory, he stopped the slaughter, and was still able to save a great number. 14. This severity tarnished the glory which his victory would otherwise have acquired, but all the heroism of that age is tinctured with barbarity. In this battle the French lost ten thousand men and fourteen thousand prisoners : the English only forty men in all.* 15. France was at that time (A. D. 1417) in a wretched situation ; the whole kingdom appeared as one vast theatre The duke of York and earl of Suffolk were among the few who fell in this battle on the side of the English. Also three valiant Welshmen named Davy Gam, Roger Vaughan, and Walker Lloyd, who had rescued the king, ana were afterwards knighted by him as they lay bleeding to death —Monslrekt HENRY V. 123 of crimes, murders, injustice, and devastation. The duke of Orleans was assassinated by the duke of Burgundy ; and the duke of Burgundy, in his turn, fell by the treachery of the dauphin. 16. A state of imbecility, into which Charles had fallen, made him passive in every transaction ; and Henry, at last, by conquests and negotiation, caused himself to be elected heir to the crown. The principal articles of this treaty were, that Henry should espouse the princess Catharine, daughter of the king of France ; that king Charles should enjoy the title and dignity for life, but that Henry should be declared heir to the crown, and should be intrusted with the present administration of the government; that France and England should for ever be united under one king, but should still retain their respective laws and privileges. 17. In consequence of this, while Henry was everywhere victorious, he fixed his residence at Paris ; and while Charles had but a small court, he was attended with a very magnifi- cent one. (A. D. 1421.) On Whit-Sunday, the two kings and their two queens, with crowns on their heads, dined to- gether in public ; Charles receiving apparent hoaiage, but Henry commanding with absolute authority.* 18. Henry, at that time, when his glory had nearly reached its summit, and both crowns were just devolved upon him, was seized with a fistula, a disorder which, from the unskilfulness of the physicians of the times, soon became mortal. He expired with the same intrepidity with which he had lived, in the thirty-fourth year of his age, and the tenth of his reign. Questions for Examination, I. What were the first steps taken by the young king? 3. What remarkable circumstance did the heresy of Wickliffe produce ? 5. What was the melancholy fate of sir John Old castle, baron of Cobham ? * The revenues of the government, and the grants of parliament, were so inadequate to Henry's expensive armies and expeditions, that he was forced to pawn his crown to his uncle, Cardinal Beaufort, for a large sum ; and cer- tain jewels to the lord mayor of London, for ten thousand marks ; he was also obliged to pledge two gold chased basons, weighing together 281b. 8oz. to two canons of St. Paul's, for six hundred marks ; and two golden shells to the dean of Lincoln, for one hundred more. The cost of his army was great , each knight received 20s. per diem ; a squire 10s. and each archer 5s. Be- sides which, he had a costly band of music, among which were ten clarions, which played an hour, night and morning, before his tent— Berirand <;en erected to his memory, he generously replied, "Let him repose in peace, and be thankful that he does repose ; were he to awake, he would the stoutest of us tremble." HENRY VI. ]27 11. But the incapacity of Henry began to appear in a fuller light ; and a foreign war being now extinguished, the people began to prepare for the horrors of intestine strife. In this period of calamity a new interest was revived, which had lain dormant in the times of prosperity and triumph. Richard, duke of York, was descended, by the mother's side, from Lionel, one of the sons of Edward the Third ; whereas the reigning king was descended from John of Gaunt, a younger son of the same monarch : Richard, there- fore, stood plainly in succession before Henry ; and he began to think the weakness and unpopularity of the present reign a favourable moment for ambition. The ensign of Richard was a white rose, that of Henry a red : and this gave name to the two factions, whose animosity was now about to drench the kingdom with slaughter. 12. Among the number of complaints which the unpopu- larity of the government gave rise to, there were some which even excited insurrection ; particularly that headed by John Cade, which was of the most dangerous nature. This man was a native of Ireland, who had been obliged to fly over to France for his crimes ; but seeing the people, upon his re- turn, prepared for violent measures, he assumed the name of Mortimer ; and at the head of twenty thousand Kentish men, advanced towards the capital, and encamped at Black- heath. The king, being informed of this commotion, sent a message to demand the cause of their assembling in arms ; and Cade, in the name of the community, answered that their only aim was to punish evil ministers, and to procure a redress of grievances for the people. 13. But committing some abuses, and engaging with the citizens, he was aban- doned by most of his followers ; and retreating to Rochester, was obliged to fly alone into the woods of Kent, where, a price being set upon his head by proclamation, he was dis- covered and slain.* 14. In the mean time the duke of York secretly fomented these disturbances, and pretending to espouse the cause of the people, still secretly aspired to the crown ; and, though he wished nothing so ardently, yet he was for some time prevented by his own scruples from seizing it. What his in- * The inscription on Cade's standard consisted of the following doggerel sufficiently indicative of the levelling doctrines of him and his rebel compa rtious : " When Adam delv'd and Eve span, Who was then a gentleman?" 128 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. trigues failed to bring about, accident produced according to his desires. 15. The king falling into a distemper, which so far increased his natural imbecility that it even rendered him incapable of maintaining the appearance of royalty York was appointed lieutenant and protector of the king- dom, with powers to hold and open parliaments at pleasure. Questions for Examination* 1. What happened on the death of the king? 2, 3. Relate the history of Joan of Arc. 4. By what artifices did the French court support their declining fortunes ? 6. What enterprise did Joan undertake ? 7. Were the French successful ? 8. In what manner was Joan of Arc made prisoner ? 9. What was the fate of this extraordinary woman ? 10. In what state were the English affairs at this time ? 11. What new interest was now revived against Henry ? and to whatconse* quences did it lead ? 12. Mention the particulars of an insurrection which took place, and the cause which occasioned it. 13. What was the fate of the principal conspirators ? 14. Who secretly fomented these disturbances ? 15. Who was appointed protector of the kingdom ? and on what occasion ? SECTION II. While second Richard's blood for vengeance calls, Doom d for his grandsire's guilt, poor Henry falls. — Savage. 1. (A.D. 1452.) Being thus invested with a plenitude of power, he continued in the enjoyment of it for some time ; but at length the unhappy king recovered from his lethargic complaint ; and, as if waking from a dream, perceived with surprise that he was stripped of all his authority. Henry was married to Margaret of Anjou,* a woman of a masculine* understanding, who obliged him to take the field, and in a manner dragged him to it, where both sides came to an en- gagement, in which the Yorkists gained a complete victory. f 2. The king himself being wounded, and taking shelter in a cottage near the field of battle, was taken prisoner, and treated by the victor with great respect and tenderness. Henry was now merely a prisoner, treated with the splen- did forms of royalty ; yet, indolent and sickly, he seemed * Daughter of Ren6, titular king of Sicily ; an ambitious, enterprising, and courageous woman. She supported the rights of her husband with great fortitude and activity, till the fatal defeat at Tewkesbury, which put an end to all her enterprises. t This battle was the first of St. Alban's. HENRY VI. 129 pleased with his situation, and did not regret that power which was not to be exercised without fatigue. But Mar- garet once more induced him to assert his prerogative. 3. The contending parties met at Bloreheath, on the borders of Staffordshire, Sept. 23, 1459, and the Yorkists gained some advantages ; but Sir Andrew Trollop deserted with all his men to the king ; and this so intimidated the whole army of the Yorkists, that they separated the next day, without strik- ing a single blow. Several other engagements followed, with various success ; Margaret being at one time victorious, at another in exile ; the victory upon Wakefield-green,* in which the duke of York was slain, seemed to fix her good fortune. ^ 4. But the earl of Warwick, who now put himself at the head of the Yorkists, was one of the most celebrated gene- rals of the age, formed for times of trouble, extremely artful, and incontestably brave, equally skilful in council and the field ; and inspired with a degree of hatred against the queen that nothing could suppress. He commanded an army, in which he led about the captive king, to give a sanction to his attempts. 5. Upon the approach of the Lancastrians, he conducted his forces, strengthened by a body of London- ers, who were very affectionate to his cause, and gave battle to the queen at St. Alban's. In this, however, he was de- feated. About two thousand of the Yorkists perished in the battle, and the person of the king again fell into the hands of his own party, to be treated with apparent respect, but real contempt. 6. In the mean time young Edward, the eldest son of the late duke of York, began to repair the losses his party had lately sustained, and to give spirit to the Yorkists. This prince, in the bloom of youth, remarkable for the beauty of his person, his bravery, and popular deportment, advanced towards London with the remainder of Warwick's army ; and, obliging Margaret to retire, entered the city amidst the acclamations of the people. Perceiving his own popularity, he supposed that now was the time to lay his claim to the crown ; and his friend Warwick, assembling the citizens in St. John's Fields, pronounced an harangue, setting forth the title of Edward, and inveighing against the tyranny and usurpation of the house of Lancaster. A.D. 1461. 7. Botli sides at length met near Towton, in the county of York, to • In the West Riding of Yorkshire. 130 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. decide the fate of the empire, and never was England de- populated by so terrible an engagement. It was a dreadful sight to behold a hundred thousand men of the same country engaged against each other ; and all to satisfy the ambition of the weakest or the worst of mankind. While the army of Edward was advancing to the charge, there happened a great fall of snow, which, driving full in the face of the enemy, blinded them ; and this advantage, seconded by ar impetuous onset, decided the victory in his favour. Edward issued orders to give no quarter ; and a bloody slaughter ensued, in which near forty thousand of the Lancastrians were slain. 8. The weak and unfortunate Henry, always imprudent, and always unsuccessful, was taken prisoner, carried to London with great ignominy, and conducted to the Tower. Margaret was rather more fortunate : she contrived to escape out of the kingdom, and took refuge with her father in Flan- ders.* 9. Edward being now, by means of the earl of Warwick, fixed upon the throne, reigned in peace and security, while his title was recognised by parliament, and universally sub- mitted to by the people. A.D. 1464. He began, therefore, to give a loose to his favourite passions, and a spirit of gal- lantry, mixed with cruelty, was seen to prevail in his court. The very same palace which one day exhibited a spectacle of horror, was to be seen the day following with a mask or pageant ; and the king would at once gallant a mistress and inspect an execution. 10. In order to turn him from these pursuits, which were calculated to render him unpopulai, the earl of Warwick advised him to marry ; and with his consent went over to France, to procure Bona of Savoy, as queen, and the match was accordingly concluded. But whilst the earl was hastening the negotiation in France, the * Margaret, flying with her son into a forest, was attacked during the night by robbers, who despoiled her of her rings and jewels, and treated her with the utmost indignity. The partition of this great booty having raised a vio- lent quarrel among them, she took an opportunity of flying with her son into the thickest part of the forest, where she wandered till she was overcome with hunger and fatigue. While in this wretched condition, she saw a rob- ber approaching with his naked sword; she suddenly embraced the resolution of trusting entirely to his faith and generosity, and presenting to him the young prince, " Here, my friend," said she, " I commit to your care the safety of the king's son." The man, struck with the singularity of the event, and recalled to virtue by the flattering confidence reposed in him, vowed, not only to abstain from all injury against the princess, but to devote himself entirely to her service. By his means she reached the sea-coast, and embarked for Flanders. — De MoleviUe. fyc. HENRY VI. 131 king himself rendered it abortive at home, by marrying Elizabeth Grey,* with whom he had fallen in love, and whom he had vainly endeavoured to debauch. 11. Having thus given Warwick real cause of offence, he was resolved to widen the breach by driving him from the council. War- wick, whose prudence was equal to his bravery, soon made use of both to assist his revenge ; and formed such a com- bination against Edward, that he was in his turn obliged to fly the kingdom. Thus, once more, the poor, passive king Henry was released from prison to be placed upon a danger- ous throne. A parliament was called, which confirmed Henry's title with great solemnity ; and Warwick was him- self received among the people under the title of king- maker. 12. But Edward's party, though repressed, was not de- stroyed. Though an exile in Holland, he had many partisans at home ; and, after an absence of nine months, being seconded by a small body of troops, granted to him by the duke of Burgundy, he made a descent at Ravenspur, in Yorkshire. Though, at first, he was coolly received by the English, yet his army increased upon his march, while his moderation and feigned humility still added to the number of his partisans. London, at that time ever ready to admit the most powerful, opened her gates to him ; and the wretched Henry was once more plucked from a throne to be sent back to his' former mansion. 13. Nothing now, therefore, remained to Warwick, but to cut short an anxious suspense, by hazarding a battle. Edward's fortune prevailed. They met at St. Alban's, and the Lancastrians were defeated ; while Warwick himself, leading a chosen body of troops into the thickest of the slaughter, fell, in the midst of his ei»';mies, covered with wounds. Margaret, receiving the fatal news of the death of the brave Warwick, and the total destruction of her party, gave way to her grief, for the first time, in a torrent of tears ; and, yielding to her unhappy fate, took sanctuary in the abbey of Beaulieu, in Hampshire. 14. She had not been long in this melancholy abode be- * Elizabeth Grey was daughter of sir Richard Woodville. The king first saw her at court, whither she had repaired to present a petition for the reco- very of the confiscated lands of her late husband, sir John Grey, who was slain in arras on the side of Henry. She told Edward, when he first addressed her on the subject of his love, that though too humble to be his wife, she was too high to become his concubine 132 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. foro she found some few friends still waiting to assist her fallen fortunes. She had now fought battles in almost every province in England ; Tewkesbury-park was the last scene that terminated her attempts. 15. The duke of Somerset headed her army : a man who had shared her dangers, and had ever been steady in her cause. When Edward first at- tacked him in his intrenchments, he repulsed him with such vigour, that the enemy retired with precipitation ; upon which the duke, supposing them routed, pursued, and order- ed lord Wenlock to support his charge. But unfortunately, this lord disobeyed his orders ; and Somerset's forces were soon overpowered by numbers. 16. In this dreadful exi- gence, the duke finding that all was over, became ungovern' able in his rage ; and beholding Wenlock inactive, and remaining in the very place where he had first drawn up his men, giving way to his fury, with his heavy battle-axe m both hands he ran upon the coward, and with one blow dashed out his brains. 17. The queen and the prince were taken prisoners after the battle, and brought into the presence of Edward. The young prince appeared before the conqueror with undaunted majesty; and being asked, in an insulting manner, how he dared to invade England without leave, more mindful of his high birth than of his ruined fortunes, he boldly replied, " I have entered the dominions of my father, to revenge his in- juries, and to redress my own." 18. The barbarous Ed- ward, enraged at his intrepidity, struck him on his mouth with his gauntlet ; and this served as a signal for further brutality : the dukes of Gloucester, Clarence, and others, like wild beasts, rushing on the unarmed youth at once, stabbed him to the heart with their daggers. To complete the tragedy, Henry himself was soon after murdered in cold blood. Of all those that were taken, none were suffered to survive but Margaret lisrself. 19. It was perhaps expected that she would be ransomed by the king of France ; and in this they were not deceived, as that monarch paid the king of England fifty thousand crowns for her freedom. This extraordinary woman, after having sustained the cause of her husband in twelve battles, after having survived her friends, fortunes, and children, died a few years after in privacy in France, very miserable indeed ; but with few other claims to our pity, except her courage and her distresses.* * During this and several previous reigns, a most absurd fashion was fol lowed by the people. It was customary to wear the beaks or points of their HENRY VI. 133 1. Questions for Examination, What was the issue of the first battle between the houses of York and Lancaster ? 2. What was the fortune of Henry? 3. Where did the contending parties next meet ? What circumstances gave the advantage to Henry's party ? 4. Who was the commander of the Yorkists ? 5. What was his success ? 6. Who now laid claim to the crown ? 7. What were the particulars of the action at Towton ? 8 What happened to Margaret and the young prince after the battle ? 9. How did Edward conduct himself after his accession ? 11 For what reason did Warwick combine against Edward ? By what title was Warwick received among the people ? 13. What was the fortune of the next battle ? 14. What followed this engagement ? 17. What was the answer of the young prince to Edward ? 18. What was his treatment ? What was the fate of Henry ? 19. What of Margaret? CONTEMPORARY SOVEREIGNS. Popes. a.d. Martin V 1417 Eugenius VI 1431 Nicholas V 1447 Calixtus III 1455 Pius II 1458 Emperors of the East. Emanuel II 1391 John VII 1429 Constantine III. and last Christian emperor. Suc- ceeded by his conqueror Ma- homet II. who A.D. took Constantino- ple by storm,May 29 1453 Emperors of the West. Sigismund 1410 Albert II 1438 Frederick HI 1440 Kiyigs of France- Charles VII 1452 Louis XI 1461 Kings of Portugal. John 1 1385 A.D Edward..... 1433 Alphonsus 1438 Kings of Denmark and Sweden. Eric IX 1411 Christopher III.... 1439 Christian 1 1448 Kings of Scotland. Robert III 1390 James 1 1424 James II 1437 James III 1460 EiMINENT PERSONS. John Stratford and John Kemp, archbishops of Canterbury. De La Pole, duke of Suffolk. The Dukes of Bedford, Gloucester, Exeter, and bishop of Winchester, regents and guardians to the king. Richard, duke of York. shoes so long, that it was necessary to tie them up to their knees with laces or chains, to enable them to walk without stumbling : gentlemen used for this purpose chains made of silver, ^ r silver gilt, and others used laces. This ridiculous. custom was now (A.D. 1467) prohibited,. on the forfeiture of twen- ty shillings, and the pain of cursing by the clergy. Whatever absurdities in dress may have been rendered fashionable in modern times, certainly none have exceeded this folly of our ancestors. M 134 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. \ CHAPTER XIX. EDWARD IV. Born 1441. Died April 9th, 1482. Began to reign March 5th, 1461. Reigned 22 years. Edward, to each voluptuous vice a slave. Cruel, intemp'rate, vain, suspicious, brave. — Egerton. I. (A.D. 1478.) Edward, being now free from great enemies, turned to the punishment of those of lesser note ; so that the gibbets were hung with his adversaries, and their estates confiscated to his use. Whilst he was rendering himself terrible on the one hand, he was immersed in abandoned pleasures on the other. Nature, it seems, was not unfavourable to him in personal charms ; as he was universally allowed to be the most beau- tiful man of his time. 2. His courtiers also seemed willing to encourage those debaucheries in which they had a share ; and the clergy, as they themselves practised every kind of lewdness with impunity, were ever ready to lend absolution to all his failings. The truth is, enormous vices had been of late too common. Among his other cruelties, that to his brother, the duke of Clarence, is the most remarkable. The king, hunting one day in the park of Thomas Burdet, a creature of the duke's, killed a white buck, which was a great favourite of the owner. Burdet, vexed at the loss, broke into a passion, and wished the horns of the deer in the belly of the person who had advised the king to that insult. For this trifling exclamation, Burdet was tried for his life, and publicly ex- ecuted at Tyburn. 4. The duke of Clarence, upon the death of his friend, vented his grief in renewed reproaches against his brother, and exclaimed against the iniquity of the sentence. The king, highly offended with this liberty, or using that as a pretext against him, had him arraigned be- fore the house of peers, and appeared in person as his ac- cuser. 5. In those times of confusion, every crime alleged by the prevailing party was fatal ; the duke was found EDWARD V. 135 guilty ; and, being granted a choice of the manner in which he would die, was privately drowned in a butt of malmsey in the Tower: a whimsical choice, and implying that he had an extraordinary passion for that liquor. 6. However, if this monarch's reign was tyrannical, it was but short ; while he was employed in making prepara- tions for a war with France, he was seized with a distemper, of which he expired in the forty-second year of his age, and counting from the deposition of the late king, in the twenty- third of his reign. Questions for Examination. 1. What was now the conduct of Edward ? 2. For what was Burdet tried and executed ? 4. Relate the cruelty of Edward towards his brother. 5. What kind of death did the duke of Clarence prefer ? 6. How long did Edward the Fourth reign ? CONTEMPORARY SOVEREIGNS. Popes. a.d. Pius II 1458 Paul II 1464 SextuslV '.. 1471 Emperor of Germany. Frederic II 1440 Emperors of the Turks. Mahomet II 1453 A.D, Bajazet II 1481 King of France. Louis IX 1461 Kings of Portugal. AlphonsusV 1438 John II 1481 EMINENT PERSONS. Kings of Denmark and Sweden. A.D. Christian 1 1440 JohnI 1481 James ng c Bin: Thomas Borlieur, archbishop of Canterbury ; Nevil, earl of Warwick, call- ed the king-maker; Beaufort, duke of Somerset ; Richard, duke of Glouces- ter; Tiptoft, earl of Worcester ; William Caxton, mercer of London, the first printer (practised his art in Westminster Abbey, 1471). Jane Shore. CHAPTER XIX. EDWARD V. Born 1470. Died June, 1483. Began to reign April 9, 1483. Reigned 3 months. What's this That rises like the issue of a king, And bears upon his baby brow the round And top of sov'reignty 1 Shakspeare. 1. (A.D. 1483.) The duke of Gloucester, who had been made protector of the realm, upon a pretence of guarding the persons of the late king's children from danger, conveyed them both to the Tower. 136 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. Having thus secured them, his next step was to spread a report of their illegitimacy ; and by pretended obstacles, ta put off the day appointed for young Edward's coronation. His next aim was to despatch Lord Hastings, whom he knew to be warmly in the young king's interest. 2. Having summoned Lord Hastings to a council in the Tower, he entered the room knitting his brows, biting his lips, and showing, by a frequent change of countenance, the signs of some inward perturbation. A silence ensued for some time : and the lords of the council looked upon each other, not without reason expecting some horrid catas- trophe. 3. Laying bare his arm, all shrivelled and decayed, he accused Jane Shore and her accomplices of having pro- duced this deformity by their sorceries ; upon which Hast- ings cried, " If they have committed such a crime, they deserve punishment."—" If !" cried the protector, with a loud voice ; " dost thou answer me with ifs ? I tell thee they have conspired my death ; and that thou, traitor, art an ac- complice in the crime." 4. He struck the table twice with his hand, and the room was instantly filled with armed men. * 1 arrest thee," continued he, turning to Hastings, " for high- treason ;" and at the same time gave him in charge to the soldiers. Hastings was obliged to make a short con- fession to the next priest that was at hand ; the protector crying out, by St. Paul, that he would not dine till he had seen his head taken off. He was accordingly hurried out to the little green before the Tower chapel, and there beheaded on a log of wood that accidentally lay in the way. 5. Jane Shore, the late king's favourite, was the next that felt his indignation. This unfortunate woman was an ene- my too humble to excite his jealousy : yet, as he had ac- cused her of witchcraft, of which all the world saw she was innocent, he thought proper to make her an example for those faults of which she was really guilty. 6. She had been formerly deluded from her husband, who was a goldsmith in Lombard-street, and continued to live with Ed- ward, the most guiltless favourite in his abandoned court. It was very probable that the people were not displeased at seeing one again reduced to her former meanness who had for a while been raised above them, and enjoyed the smiles of a court. 7. The charge against her was too notorious to be denied ; she pleaded guilty, and was accordingly con- demned to walk barefooted through the city, and to do pe- iiance in St. Paul's church in a white sheet, with a wax EDWARD V. 137 taper in her hand, before thousands of spectators. She lived above forty years after this sentence, and was reduced to the most extreme indigence. 8. The protector now began to throw off the mask, and to deny his pretended regard for the sons of the late king, thinking it high time to aspire to the crown more openly. He had previously gained over the duke of Buckingham, a man of talents and power, by bribes and promises of future favour. This nobleman, therefore, used all his arts to cajole the populace and citizens at St. Paul's cross ; and, construing their silence into consent, his followers cried " Long live king Richard !" Soon after, the mayor and aldermen waiting upon Richard with an offer of the crown, he accepted it with seeming reluctance Questions for Examination. 1. What was the conduct of the duke of Gloucester towards the young princes ? 2, 3. By what vile arts did he get rid of lord Hastings ? 5. Who next felt his indignation ? 6. Who was Jane Shore ? 7. What punishment did she suffer ? 8. In what manner did Richard contrivo to procure an offer of the crown ? CONTEMPORARY SOVEREIGNS. Pope. A.D. SextusIV 1471 Emperor of Germany. Frederic III 1440 Emperor of the Turks. Bajazetll 1481 King of France. A.D. Charles VIII 1483 King of Portugal. John II 1481 EMINENT PERSONS. King of Denmark ana Sweden. A.D. John 1481 King of Scotland. JamealH 1460 Richard, duke of Gloucester, protector. Edward, earl of Warwick ; Margaret, countess of Salisbury (children of George, duke of Clarence) Earl Grey ; marquis of Dorset ; William LordT Hastings. William Caxton, mercer, of London, the first English printer ; he established a printing press in Westminster-abbey, A. D. 1471. x2 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAPTER XXI. RICHARD m. Born 1450. Died Aug. 23, 1485. Began to reign June 27, 1483. Reigned 2 years. Tetchy and wayward was his infancy ; His school-days frightful, desperate, wild, and furious; His prime of mnnhood daring, bold and venturous ; His age confirm'd, proud, subtle, sly, and bloody. — Shakspeare. 1.* (A. D. 1483.) One crime ever draws on another; justice will revolt against fraud, and usurpation require? security. As soon, therefore, as Richard was seated upon the throne, he sent the governor of the Tower orders to put the two young princes to death ; but this brave man, whose name was Brackenbury, refused to be made the instrument of a tyrant's will ; but submissively answered, that he knew not how to imbrue his hands in innocent blood. A fit in- strument, however, was not long wanting; sir James Tyrrel readily undertook the office, and Brackenbury was ordered to resign to him the keys for one night. 2. Tyrrel, choosing three associates, Slater, Deighton, and Forest, came in the night-time to the door of the chamber where the princes were lodged, and, sending in the assassins, he bid them ex- ecute their commission, while he himself stayed without. They found the young princes in bed, and fallen into a sound sleep : after suffocating them with a bolster and pil- lows, they showed their naked bodies to Tyrrel, who ordered them to be buried at the stairs' foot, deep in the ground, under a heap of stones. 3. But while the usurper thus endeavoured to establish his power, he found it threatened in a quarter where he least expected an attack. The duke of Buckingham, who had been instrumental in placing him on the throne, now took disgust, being refused some confiscated lands for which he solicited. He therefore levied a body of men in Wales, and advanced with hasty marches towards Gloucester, where he designed to cross the Severn. 4. Just at that time the river was swoln to such a degree, that the country on both sides was deluged, and even the tops of some hills were covered with water. The inundation continued for ten days ; during which Buckingham's army, composed of * See the note at the end of the reign of Henry VII. RICHARD III. 139 Welshmen, could neither pass the river nor find subsistence on their own side ; they were therefore obliged to disperse, and return home, notwithstanding all the duke's efforts to prolong their stay. 5. In this helpless situation, the duke, after a short deliberation, took refuge at the house of one Bannister, who had been his servant, and who had received repeated obligations from his family ; but the wicked seldom lind, as they seldom exert, friendship. Bannister, unable to resist the temptation of a large reward that was set upon the duke's head, went and betrayed him to the sheriff of Shropshire : who, surrounding the house with armed men, seized the duke, in the habit of a peasant, and conducted him to Salisbury ; where he was instantly tried, condemned, and executed, according to the summary method practised in those days. 6. Amidst the perplexity caused by many disagreeable occurrences, the king received information that the earl of Richmond was making preparations to land in England, and assert his claims to the crown. Richard, who knew not in what quarter he might expect the invader, had taken post at Nottingham, in the Centre of the kingdom ; and had given commission to several of his creatures to oppose the enemy wherever he should land. 7. Some time after, however, the earl of Richmond, who was a descendant from John of Gaunt, by the female line, resolved to strike for the crown. He had been obliged to quit the kingdom ; but he now, knowing how odious the king was, set out from Harfleur, in Normandy, with a retinue of ^bout two thousand persons, and after a voyage of six days, arrived at Milford-haven, in Wales, where he landed without opposition. 8. Upon news of this descent, Richard, who was pos- sessed of courage and military conduct, his only virtues, instantly resolved to meet his antagonist and decide their mutual pretensions by a battle. Richmond, on the other hand, being reinforced by sir Thomas Bouchier, sir Walter Hungerford, and others, to the number of about six thou- sand, boldly advanced with the same intention ; and in a few days both armies drew near Bos worth-field,* where the contest that had now for more than forty years filled the kingdom with civil commotions, and deluged its plains with blood, was determined by the death of Richard, who was * In Leicestershire. The battle fought at this place was the last of thir* ceen between the houses of York and Lancaster. 140 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. slain in battle : while Richmond was saluted king by th* title of Henry the Seventh.* Questions for Examination, 1. What was the first act of Richard ? 2. In what manner were his orders executed ? 3. From what quarter and on what occasion was Richard first threatened 4. What obliged Buckingham's army to disperse ? ft. What was the fate of the duke of Buckingham ? 6. With what new opposer did Richard now contend ? 7. Where did Richmond land ? 8. By whom was he joined ? Where did the armies meet? What was the result of the battle ? CONTEMPORARY SOVEREIGNS. Popes. A.T>. SextusIV 1471 Innocent V1I1 1484 Emperor of Germany. Frederic II 1440 Emperor of the Turks. Bajazetll 1481 King of France. Charles VIII 1483 King of Portugal. John II 1481 EMINENT PERSONS. King of Denmark and Stveden. A.E John 14& King of Scotland. James HI 1461 Henry Tudor, earl of Richmond earl of Oxford. Thomas, lord Stanle Stafford, duke of Buckingham. Vere, ey. Howard, duke of Norfolk. Francis, viscount Lovel. Sir Richard Ratcliffe. Sir William Catesby. * Richard's body, after being exposed, was buried in the church of the Grey Friars, at Leicester. Henry VII. bestowed a monument on it, which was demolished at the dissolution of abbeys under Henry VIII. ; and the monarch's stone coffin actually served for a horse-trough, at the White Horse Inn ; " Sic transit gloria mundi !" HENRY VII. 141 CHAPTER XXII. -/ HENRY VII. Born 1456. Died April 23, 1509. Began to reign Aug. 23, 1485. Reigned 23} years. SECTION I. But oh ! how altered was the mournful tone, When Harry Richmond, armed with title true, His baldrick 'cross his shoulder flung, And with enliv'ning trumpet blew A call to arms that through the island rung! His claim announcing to the English throne. — Dibdin. 1. (A. D. 1485.) Henry's first care, upon coming to the throne, was to marry the princess Elizabeth, daughter of Edward the Fourth ; and thus he blended the interest of the houses of York and Lancaster, so that ever after they were incapable of distinction. 2. A great part of the miseries of his predecessors pro- ceeded from their poverty, which was mostly occasioned by riot and dissipation. Henry saw thak money alone could turn the scale of power in his favour ; and, therefore, hoarded up all the confiscations of his enemies with the utmost frugality. Immediately after his marriage with Elizabeth, he issued a general pardon to all such as chose to accept it ; but people were become so turbulent and factious, by a long course of civil war, that no governor could rule them, nor any king please ; so that one rebellion seemed extinguished only to give rise to another. 3. There lived in Oxford one Richard Simon, a priest, who possessing some subtlety, and more rashness, trained up Lambert Simnel, a baker's son, to counterfeit the person of the earl of Warwick, the son of the duke of Clarence, who was smothered in a butt of malmsey. But, as the im- postor was not calculated to bear a close inspection, it was thought proper to show him first at a distance ; and Ireland was judged the fittest theatre for him to support his assumed character. 4. In this manner Simnel, being joined by lord Lovel, and one or two lords more of the discontented party, re- solved to pass over into England ; and accordingly landed in Lancashire, from whence he marched to York, expecting the country would rise and join him as he marched along. But in this he was deceived; the people, averse to join a body of German and Irish troops, by whom he was sup- 142 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. ported, and kept in awe by the king's reputation, remained in tranquillity, or gave all their assistance to the royal cause. 5. The opposite armies met at Stoke, in the county of Nottingham, and fought a battle, which was more bloody, and more obstinately disputed, than could have been ex- pected from the inequality of their forces. 6. But a vic- tory at length declared in favour of the king, and it proved decisive. Lord Lincoln perished in the field of battle : lord Lovel was never more heard of, and it is supposed he shared the same fate. Simnel, with his tutor Simon, were taken prisoners; and four thousand of the common men fell in the battle. Simon, being a priest, could not be tried by the civil power, and was only committed to close con- finement. 7. Simnel was too contemptible to excite the king's fear or resentment ; he was pardoned, and made a scullion in the king's kitchen, whence he was afterwards advanced to the rank of falconer, in which mean employ- ment he died. 8. A fresh insurrection began in Yorkshire. The people resisting the commissioners who were appointed to levy the taxes, the earl of Northumberland attempted to enforce the king's command ; but the populace, being by this taught to believe that he was the adviser of their oppressions, flew to arms, attacked his house, and put him to death. The mutineers did not stop there; but, by the advice of one John Archamber, a seditious fellow of mean appearance, they chose sir John Egremont for their leader, and prepared themselves for a vigorous resistance. 9. The king, upon hearing of this rash proceeding, immediately levied a force, which he put under the earl of Surry : and this nobleman, encountering the rebels, dissipated the tumult, and took their leader, Archamber, prisoner. Archamber was shortly after executed, but sir John Egremont fled to the court of the dutchess of Burgundy, the usual retreat of all who were obnoxious to government in England. 10. One would have imagined, that from the ill success of Simnel's imposture, few would be willing to embark in another of a similar kind ; however, the old dutchess of Burgundy, rather irritated than discouraged by the failure of her past enterprises, was determined to disturb that go- vernment which she could not subvert, A. D. 1492. She first procured a report to be spread that the young duke of York, said to have been murdered in the Tower, was still living ; and finding the rumour greedily received, she soon HENRY VII. 143 produced a young man who assumed his name and cha- racter. 11. The person chosen to sustain this part was one Osbeck, or Warbeck, the son of a converted Jew, who had been over in England during the reign of Edward IV. where he had this son named Peter, but corrupted, after the Flemish manner, into Peterkin, or Perkin. 12. The dutchess of Burgundy found this youth entirely suited to ner purposes ; and her lessons, instructing him to personate the duke of York, were easily learned and strongly retained by a youth of very quick apprehension. In short, his graceful air, his courtly address, his easy manner, and elegant conversation, were capable of imposing upon all but such as were conscious of the imposture. The English, ever ready to revolt, gave credit to all these absurdities ; while the young man's prudence, conversation, and deportment served to confirm what their disaffection and credulity had begun. 13. Among those who secretly abetted the cause of Perkin were lord Fitzwalter, sir Simond Mountford, sir Thomas Thwaits, and sir Robert Clifford. But the person of the greatest weight, and the most dangerous opposition, was sir William Stanley, the lord chamberlain, and brother to the famous lord Stanley, who had contributed to place Henry on the throne. This personage, either moved by a blind credulity, or more probably by a restless ambition, entered into a regular conspiracy against the king ; and a correspondence Was settled between the malecontents in England and those in Flanders. 14. While the plot was thus carrying on in all quarters, Henry was not inattentive to the designs of his enemies. He spared neither labour nor expense to detect the false- hood of the pretender to his crown ; and was equally assi- duous in finding out who were his secret abettors. For this purpose he dispersed his spies through all Flanders, and brought over, by large bribes, some of those whom he knew to be in the enemy's interest. 15. Among these, sir Robert Clifford was the most remarkable, both for his con- sequence, and the confidence with which he was trusted. From this person Henry learnt the whole of Perkin's birth and adventures, together with the names of all those who had secretly combined to assist him. The king was pleased with the discovery ; but the more trust he gave to his spies, the higher resentment did he feign against them. 16. At first he was struck with indignation at the ingra- 144 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. titude of many of those about him; but, concealing his resentment for a proper opportunity, he almost at the same instant arrested Fitzwalter, Mountford, and Thwaits, to- gether with William Danbury, Robert Ratcliff, Thomas Cressenor, and Thomas Astwood. All these were arraigned, convicted, and condemned for high-treason. Mountford, Ratcliff, and Danbury were immediately executed ; the rest received a pardon. Questions for Examination, 1 . What was Henry's first care ? 2. What prudent measures did he take to secure his power ? 3. Who counterfeited the person of the earl of Warwick ? 4 By whom was Simnel joined ? 5, 6. What were the consequences of this rebellion ? 7. What became of Simnel ? 8. What caused a fresh insurrection ? and what was the conduct of th« mutineers ? 10. What other imposture was now undertaken? 11. Who was chosen to personate the duke of York ? 12. Who instructed Perkin to personate him? 13. Who were his abettors ? 14. 15. What was Henry's conduct on this occasion ? 16. What was the fate of those who opposed the king ? SECTION II. James backed the cause of that weak prince Warbeck, that Flemish counterfeit, Who on the gibbet paid the cheat. — Scott. 1. (A. D. 1494.) The young adventurer, thus finding his hopes frustrated in England, went next to try his fortune in Scotland. In that country his luck seemed greater than in England, James IV., the king of that country, receiving him with great cordiality. He was seduced to believe the story of his birth and adventures ; and he carried his con- fidence so far, as to give him in marriage lady Catharine Gordon, daughter of the earl of Huntley, and a near kins- woman of his own ; a young lady eminent for virtue as well as beauty. 2. But not content with these instances of favour, he was resolved to attempt setting him on the throne of England. It was naturally expected that, upon Perkin's first appearance in that kingdom, all the friends of the house of York would rise in his favour. Upon this ground, therefore, the king of Scotland entered England with a numerous army, and proclaimed the young adven- turer wherever he went. But Perkin's pretensions, attended HENRY VII. 145 by repeated disappointments, were now become stale, even in the eyes of the populace ; so that, contrary to expecta- tion, none were found to second his views. 3. In this manner the restless Perkin, being dismissed Scotland, and meeting with a very cold reception from the Flemings, who now desired to be at peace with the English, resolved to continue his scheme of opposition, and took re- fuge among the wilds and fastnesses of Ireland. A. D. 1497. Impatient of an inactive life, he held a consultation with his followers, Heme, Skelton; and Astley, three broken tradesmen ; and by their advice he resolved to try the affec- tions of the Cornisli men; and he no sooner made his ap- pearance among them at Bodmid, in Cornwall, than the populace, to the number of three thousand, flocked to his standard. 4. Elated with this appearance of success, he took on. him, for the first time, the title of Richard the Fourth, king of England ; and, not to suffer the spirits of his adherents to languish, he led them to the gates of Exeter. Finding the inhabitants obstinate in refusing to admit him, and being unprovided with artillery to force an entrance, he broke up the siege of Exeter, and retired to Taunton. 5. His followers, by this time, amounted to seven thousand men, and appeared ready to defend his cause ; but his heart failed him upon being informed that the king was coming down to oppose him ; and, instead of bringing his men into the field, he privately deserted them, and took sanctuary in the monastery of Beaulieu, in the New Forest. His wretched adherents, left to the king's mercy, found him still willing to pardon ; and except a few of the ringleaders, none were treated with capital severity. 6. At the same time some other persons were employed to treat with Perkin, and to persuade him, under promise of a pardon, to deliver himself up to justice, and to confess and explain all the circumstances of his imposture. His affairs being altogether desperate, he embraced the king's offer without hesitation, and quitted the sanctuary. Henry being desirous of seeing him, he was brought to court, and conducted through the streets of London in a kind of mock triumph, amidst the derision and insults of the populace, which he bore with the most dignified resignation. 7. He was then compelled to sign a confession of his former life and conduct, which was printed and dispersed throughout the nation ; but it was so defective and contradictory, that instead of explaining the pretended imposture, it left it still N 146 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. more doubtful than before ; and this youth's real pretensions are to this very day an object of dispute among the learned. After attempting once or twice to escape from custody, he was hanged at Tyburn: and several of his adherents suf- fered the same ignominious death. 8. There had been hitherto nothing in this reign but plots, treasons, insurrections, impostures, and executions ; and it is probable that Henry's severity proceeded from the continual alarm in which they held him. It is certain that no prince ever loved peace more than he ; and much of the ill will of his subjects arose from his attempts to repress their inclinations for war. The usual preface to all his treaties was, " That, when Christ came into the world, peace was sung; and when he went out of the world, peace was bequeathed." 9. He had all along two points in view ; one to depress the nobility and clergy, and the other to exalt and humanize the populace. With this view he procured an act, by which the nobility were granted a power of disposing of their estates ; a law infinitely pleasing to the commons, and not disagreeable even to the nobles, since they had thus an im- mediate resource for supplying their taste for prodigality, and answering the demands of their creditors. The blow reached them in their posterity alone ; but they were too ignorant to be affected by such distant distresses. JO. He was not remiss also in abridging the pope's power, while at the same time he professed the utmost sub- mission to his commands, and the greatest respect for the clergy. But while he thus employed his power in lowering the influence of the nobles and clergy, he was using every art to extend the privileges of the people. In fact, his greatest efforts were directed to promote trade and commerce, because they naturally introduced a spirit of liberty, and disengaged them from all dependence, except upon the laws and the king. 11. Before this great era, all our towns owed their origin to some strong castle in the neighbour- hood, where some powerful lord generally resided. These were at once fortresses for protection, and prisons for all sorts of criminals. In this castle there was usually a gar- rison armed and provided, depending entirely on the noble- man's support and assistance. 12. To these seats of pro- tection, artificers, victuallers, and shopkeepers naturally resorted, and settled on some adjacent spot, to furnish the lord and his attendants with all the necessaries they mighi HENRY VII. 147 require. The farmers also, and the husbandmen, in the neighbourhood, built their houses there, to be protected against the numerous gangs of robbers, called Robertsmen, that hid themselves in the woods by day, and infested the open country by night. 13. Henry endeavoured to bring the towns from such a neighbourhood, by inviting the in- habitants to a more commercial situation. He attempted to teach them frugality, and a just payment of debts, by his own example; and never once omitted the rights of the merchant, in all his treaties with foreign princes. 14. Henry having seen England, in a great measure, civilized by his endeavours, his people pay their taxes with- out constraint, the nobles confessing subordination, the laws alone inflicting punishment, the towns beginning to live in- dependent of the powerful, commerce every day increasing, the spirit of faction extinguished, and foreigners either fearing England or seeking its alliance, he began to see the approaches of his end, and died of the gout in his stomach, (A. D. 1509), having lived fifty-two years, and reigned twenty-three. The reign of Henry VII. produced so many beneficial changes in the condition of England, and the manners of its people, that many historians have attributed to the monarch a larger share of wisdom and virtue than is justly his due He was a faithless friend, a bitter enemy, a cruel husband to an amiable consort, an undutiful son to his venerable mother, a careless father, and an ungenerous master. He maintained peace because his avarice disinclined him to the expenses of war ; he increased the power of the people through jealousy of the nobles, and he checked the papal encroachments, because they interfered with his taxes. In- ordinate love of money and unrelenting hatred of the house of York* were his ruling passions, and the chief sources of all his vices and all his troubles. * The pretensions of Perkin Warbeck, the last who claimed the crown in right of the house of York, will naturally occur to the reader's mind, and some anxiety will be felt to leam whether he was really an unfortunate prince or a crafty impostor. The latter opinion seems to have prevailed principally on the authority of Shakspeare and lord Bacon, certainly the two greatest names in our literature, but as certainly witnesses wholly unworthy of credit in the present instance. They wrote to please queen Elizabeth, who was naturally anxious to raise the character of her grandfather Henry VII. and depreciate that of his rival Richard III. The first point to be ascertained is the fact of the murder of the two young princes, and this, which would at once have decided the pretensions of Warbeck, was so far from being proved, that the inquisition taken and published by Henry's command is so full of contradictions and palpable 148 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. Questions for Examination. 1. Where next did the young adventurer try his fortune ? and what was his success ? 3. After his disappointment in Scotland, what was Perkin's future scheme .of opposition ? 4. What title did Ferkin assume? 5. What was his conduct afterwards? 6. In what manner did Henry treat him? 7. Of what nature was his confession ? and what his fate ? 8. From what cause proceeded Henry's severity ? What was his usual preface to his treaties ? . , 9. What were the two points which Henry had always in view ? and what plan did he pursue to attain them? 10. How did he abridge the power of the pope? 11, 12. Before this era, what was the state of the towns in England ? 13, 14. By what means did Henry civilize his country ? When did the king die ? and what was his character ? CONTEMPORARY SOVEREIGNS. Popes. A.D. Innocent VIII 1484 Alexander VI 1492 Pius III 1503 Julius III 1503 Emperors of Germany. Frederick II 1440 Maximilian 1 1493 Emperor of the Turks. Bajazetll 1481 Kings of France. Charles VIII 1483 Louis XII 1498 King and Queen ofSjiain. Ferdinand* the Catholic, and Isabella 1475 Kings of Portugal. John 1481 A.D. Emanuel 1495 King of Denmark and Sweden. John 1481 Kings of Scotland. James III 1460 James IV 1489 absurdities, that Henry himself never made use of it in any of his later declarations. Besides, the persons who were said to have confessed the murder were never brought to trial for the crime. The next evidence brought forward on the side of Henry is the confession extorted from Warbeck after he was made prisoner. Like the former, it bears internal evidence of its own falsehood, though the unfortunate young man is said to have repeated it at the time of his death. On the other side, we have the evidence of the dutchess of Burgundy, who could have had no possible motive for joining in such a foul conspiracy against the husband of her own niece ; and to say nothing of a host of friends of the house of York, we have the negative evidence of the dowager-queen, whom Henry kept in close confinement from the moment of Warbeck's ap- pearance. To have brought him into her presence would at once have set the question at rest, for surely the mother would have known whether it was her son or not that stood -before her. But Henry took especial care to prevent such an interview, and the inference is, that he had just reason to dread that its consequences would be a confirmation of Warbeck's preten- sions. — T. * Till this period, Spain had been divided into three different governments, v:z. Leon, Castile and Arragon, under distinct sovereigns; but by the mar- riage of Ferdinand and Isabella, heiress of Castile and Arragon, the whole was united in one kingdom. henry vni. 149 EMINENT PERSONS. John Morton, Henry Chicheley, Thomas Langton, archbishops of Canter- bury. Margaret, countess of Richmond, mother of the king. Cardinal Morton, lord chancellor. Fox, bishop of Winchester. Sebastian Cabot, a great navigator. Empson and Dudley, extortionate ministers of the king. CHAPTER XXIIL HENRY VIII. . Born 1491. D*ed January 28, 1547. Began to reign April 22> 1509. Reigned 37| years. SECTION I. Now Henry reigns, to learning much inclin'd, But of strong passions, and a savage mind. — Egertoiu 1. (A.D. 1509.) No prince ever came to the throne with a conjuncture of circumstances more in his favour than Henry the Eighth, who now, in the eighteenth year of his age, undertook the government of the kingdom. As he was at the head of a formidable army, fifty thousand strong, and as a war with France was the most pleasing to the peo- ple, he determined to head his forces for the conquest of that kingdom. 2. But France was not threatened by him alone : the Swiss, in another quarter, with twenty-five thousand men, were preparing to invade it ; while Ferdinand of Arragon, whom no treaties could bind, was only waiting for a convenient opportunity of attack on his side to advantage. Never was the French monarchy in so distressed a situation ; but the errors of its assailants procured its safety. 3. After an ostentatious but ineffectual campaign, a truce was con- cluded between the two kingdoms ; and Henry continued to dissipate, in more peaceful follies, those immense sums which had been amassed by his predecessor for very differ- ent purposes. 4. In this manner, while his pleasures on the one hand engrossed Henry's time, the preparations for repeated ex- peditions exhausted his treasures on the other. , As it was natural to suppose the old ministers, who were appointed to direct him by his father, would not willingly concur in these idle projects, Henry had, for some time, discontinued asking their advice, and chiefly confided in the counsels of n2 150 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. Thomas, afterwards cardinal Wolsey, who seemed to second him in his favourite pursuits. 5. Wolsey was a minister who complied with all his master's inclinations, and flattered him in every scheme to which his sanguine and impetuous temper was inclined. He was the son of a private gentle- man, at Ipswich. He was sent to Oxford so early, that he was a bachelor at fourteen, and at that time was called the boy bachelor. He rose by degrees, upon quitting college, from one preferment to another, till he was made rector of Lymington by the marquis of Dorset, whose children he had instructed. 6. He was soon recommended as chaplain to Henry the Seventh ; and being employed by that mo- narch in a secret negotiation respecting his intended mar- riage with Margaret of Savoy, he acquitted himself to the king's satisfaction, and obtained the praise both of diligence and dexterity. 7. That prince having given him a commis- sion to Maximilian, who at that time resided at Brussels, was surprised in less than three days to see Wolsey present himself before him ; and, supposing he had been delinquent, began to reprove his delay. Wolsey, however, surprised him with an assurance that he had just returned from Brus- sels, and had successfully fulfilled all his majesty's com- mands. 8. His despatch on that occasion procured him the deanery of Lincoln ; and in this situation it was that he was introduced by Fox, bishop of Winchester, to the young king's notice, in Hopes that he would have talents to sup- plant the earl of Surry, who was the favourite at that time ; and in this Fox was not out in his conjectures. Presently after being introduced at court, he was made a privy coun- sellor ; and as such had frequent opportunities of ingratia- ting himself with the young king, as he appeared at once complying, submissive, and enterprising. 9. Wolsey used every art to suit himself to the royal temper; he sung, laughed, and danced with every libertine of the court; neither his own years, which were nearly forty, nor his character as a clergyman, were any restraint upon him, or tended to check, by ill-timed severities, the gayety of his companions. To such a weak and vicious monarch as Henry, qualities of this nature were highly pleasing; and Wolsey was soon acknowledged as the chief favourite, and to him was intrusted the chief administration of affairs. 10. The people began to see with indignation the new fa- vourite's mean condescensions to the king, and his arro- gance to themselves. They had long regarded the vicious HENRY VIII. 151 haughtiness and the unbecoming splendour of the clergy with envy and detestation ; and Wolsey's greatness served to bring a new odium upon that body, already too much the object of the people's dislike. His character, being now placed in a more conspicuous point of light, daily began to manifest itself the more. 11. Insatiable in his acquisitions, but still more magnificent in his expense ; of extensive ca- pacity, but still more unbounded in enterprise ; ambitious of power, but still more desirous of glory ; insinuating, en- gaging, persuasive, and at other times lofty, elevated, and commanding ; haughty to his equals, but affable to his de- pendants ; oppressive to~ the people,, but liberal to his friends ; more generous than grateful ; formed to take the ascendant in every intercourse, but vain enough not to cover his real superiority. 12. In order to divert the envy of the public from his inordinate exaltation, he soon entered into a correspondence with Francis the First, of France, who had taken many methods to work upon his vanity, and at last succeeded. In consequence of that monarch's wishes, Henry was per- suaded by the cardinal to an interview with that prince. This expensive congress was held between Guisnes and Andres, near Calais, within the English pale, in compliment to Henry for crossing the sea. Questions for Examination. 1. What combination of circumstances favoured Henry the Eighth on com- ing to the throne ? 3. What was the conduct of Henry after the truce with France ? 4. In what counsels did Henry chiefly confide ? 5 Whose son was cardinal Wolsey ? 6 What disgraceful circumstance happened to Wolsey? 7, 8. What circumstances led to Wolsey's advancement? 9. What were the arts used by Wolsey to please the king ? 10. What were the consequences? 1 1 . In what manner did Wolsey's character now manifest itself? 12 With whom did he enter into a correspondence ? SECTION II. At Guisnes, where France and England met In dazzling panoply of gold. — Dibdin. 1. (A.D. 1520.) Some months before, a defiance had beer, sent by t\e two kings to each other's court, and through all the chief cities of Europe, importing that Henry and 152 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. Francis, with fourteen aids, would be ready in the plains of Picardy to answer all comers, that were gentlemen, a tilt and tournay.* Accordingly, the monarchs, now al gorgeously apparelled, entered the lists on horseback Francis, surrounded with Henry's guards, and Henry with those of Francis. 2. They were both at that time the most comely personages of their age, and prided themselves on their expertness in the military exercises. The ladies were the judges in these feats of chivalry ; and they put an end to the encounter whenever they thought proper. In these martial exercises, the crafty French monarch gratified Henry's vanity by allowing him to enjoy a petty pre-eminence in these pastimes. 3. By this time all the immense treasures of the late king were quite exhausted on empty pageants, guilty pleasures, or vain treaties and expeditions. But the king relied on Wolsey alone for replenishing his coffers ; and no person could be fitter for the purpose. 4. His first care was to get a large sum of money from the people, under the title of a benevolence ; which, added to its being extorted, had the mortification of being considered as a free gift. Henry little minded the manner of its being raised, provided he had the enjoyment of it ; however, his minister met with some oppo- sition in his attempts to levy these extorted contributions. In the first place, having exacted a considerable sum from the clergy, he next addressed himself to the house of com- mons ; but they only granted him half the supplies he de- manded. 5. Wolsey was at first highly offended at their parsimony, and desired to be. heard in the house ; but as this would have destroyed the very form and constitution of that august body, they replied, that none could be permitted to sit and argue there but such as had been elected mem- bers. This was the first attempt made in this reign to render the king master of the debates in parliament. Wolsey first paved the way, and, unfortunately for the kingdom, Henry too well improved upon his plans soon after. 6. Hitherto the administration of all affairs was carried on by Wolsey ; for the king was contented to lose, in the embraces of his mistresses,, all the complaints of his sub- jects ; and the cardinal undertook to keep him ignorant, in order to continue his uncontrolled authority. But now a period was approaching that was to put an end to this * This game was instituted by Henry I. of Germany, A.D. 919, and abo- lished ir. 1.560. HENRY VIII. 153 minister's exorbitant power. One of the most extraordi- nary and important revolutions that ever employed the attention of man was now ripe for execution. This was no less a change than the reformation. 7. The vices and impositions of the church of Rome were now almost come to a head ; and the increase of arts and learning among the laity, propagated by means of printing, which had been lately invented, began to make them resist that power, which was originally founded on deceit. A.D. 1519. Lee the Tenth was at that time pope, and eagerly employed in building the church of St. .Peter, at Rome. In order tr procure money for carrying on that expensive undertaking he gave a commission for selling indulgences, a practic. that had often been tried before. 8. These were to free the purchaser from the pains of purgatory ; and they would serve even for one's friends, if purchased with that inten* tion. The Augustine friars* had usually been employed in Saxony to preach the indulgences, and from this trust had derived both profit and consideration ; but the pope's minister, supposing that they had found out illicit methods of secreting the money, transferred this lucrative employ- ment from them to the Dominicans/!" 9. Martin Luther, professor in the university of Wirtemberg, was an Augft- tine monk, and one of those who resenteci this transfer of the sale of indulgences from one order to another. He began to show his indignation by preaching against their efficacy; and being naturally of a fiery temper, and pro- voked by opposition, he inveighed against the authority of the pope himself. Being driven hard by his adversaries, still as he enlarged his reading, in order to support his tenets, he discovered some new abuse or error in the church of Rome. 10. In this dispute, it was the fate of Henry to be champion on both sides. His father, who had given him the education of a scholar, permitted him to be instructed in school divinity, which then was the princi- pal object of learned inquiry. Henry, therefore, willing to convince the world of his abilities in that science, obtained the pope's permission to read the works of Luther, which * They observed the rule of St. Augustine, prescribed them by pope Alex- ander IV. in 1256. This rule was, to have all things in common: the rich, who entered among them, were compelled to sell their possessions, and give them to the poor. t In some places called jacobins, and in others predicants, or preaching friars ; they were obliged to take a vow of absolute poverty, and to abandon entirely their revenues and possessions. 154 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. had been forbidden under pain of excommunication. 1 1 . In consequence of this, the king defended the seven sacraments, out of St. Thomas Aquinas; and showed some dexterity in this science, though it is thought that Wolsey had the chief hand in directing him. A book being thus finished in haste, it was sent to Rome for the pope's approbation, which it was natural to suppose would not be withheld. The pontiff, ravished with its eloquence and depth, compared it to the labours of St. Jerome, or St. Augustine, and re- warded the author of it with the title of defender of the faith ; little imagining that Henry was soon to be one the most terrible enemies that ever the church of Rome had to contend with. Questions for Examination, 1, 2. Relate the particulars of the congress that took place in the plains of Picardy. 3. In what manner were the late king's treasures exhausted ? 4. How were the king's coffers replenished ? 5. What was the first attempt made to render the king master of the de- bates in parliament ? 6. Why did Wolsey endeavour to keep the king ignorant of the complaints of Iiis subjects? 7. What practices led to the reformation ? ^ In what manner did Luther oppose the transfer of the sale of induJ gences ? 10, 11. What was the king's conduct on this occasion? and what was his reward ? SECTION III. When, thunderstruck, that eagle Wolsey fell. — Young. 1. (A.D. 1527.) Henry had now been eighteen years married to Catharine of Arragon, who had been brought over from Spain, and married to his eldest brother, who died a few months after. But, notwithstanding the submis- sive deference paid for the indulgence of the church, Hen- ry's marriage with this princess did not pass without scru- ple and hesitation, both on his own side and on that of the people. 2. However, his scruples were carried forward, though perhaps not at first excited by a motive much more powerful than the tacit suggestion of his conscience. It happened that among the maids of honour then attending the queen, there was one Anna Bullen, the daughter of sir Thomas Bullen, a gentleman of distinction, and related to most of the nobility, He had been employed by the king HENRY VIII. 155 in several embassies, and was married to a daughter of the duke of Norfolk. 3. The beauty of Anna surpassed what- ever had hitherto appeared at this voluptuous court ; and her education, which she had received at Paris setoff her personal charms. Henry, who had never learned the art of restraining any passion that he desired to gra- tify, saw and loved her ; but, of course, could not marry her without previously divorcing his wife, queen Catha- rine of Arragon. 4. This obstacle, therefore, he hardly undertook to remove ; and as his own queen was now become hateful to him, in order to procure a divorce, he alleged that his conscience rebuked him for having so long been married to the wife of his brother. In this pretended perplexity, therefore, he applied to Cle ment the Seventh, who owed him many obligations, desir- ing him to dissolve the bull of the former pope, which had given him permission to marry Catharine ; and to declare that it was not in the power, even of the holy see, to dis- pense with the law so strictly enjoined in Scripture. 5. The unfortunate pope, unwilling to grant, yet afraid to re- fuse, continued to promise, recant, dispute, and temporize ; hoping that the king's passion would never hold out during the tedious course of an ecclesiastical controversy. In this he was entirely mistaken. Henry had been long taught to dispute as well as he, and quickly found or wrested many texts in Scripture to favour his opinions, or his passions. 6. During the course of a long perplexing negotiation, on the issue of which Henry's happiness seemed to depend, he had at first expected to find in his favourite Wolsey a warm defender and a steady adherent ; but in this he found him- self mistaken. Wolsey seemed to be in pretty much the same dilemma with the pope. On the one hand, he was to please his master the king, from whom he had received a thousand marks of favour ; and on the other hand, he feared to disoblige the pope, whose servant he more imme- diately was, and who, besides, had power to punish his dis- obedience. 7. He, therefore, resolved to continue neuter in the controversy ; and, though of all men the most haughty, he gave way on this occasion to Campeggio, the pope's nun- cio, in all things, pretending a deference to his skrll in canon law. Wolsey's scheme of temporizing was highly displeas- ing to the king, but for a while he endeavoured to stifle his resentment, until he could act with more fatal certainty. 156 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. He for some time looked out for a man of equal abilities and less art ; and it was not long before accident threw in his way one Thomas Cranmer, of greater talents, and probably of more integrity. 8. Thus finding himself provided with a person who could supply Wolsey's place, he appeared less reserved in his resentments against that prelate. The attorney-general was ordered to prepare a bill of indictment against him ; and he was soon after commanded to resign the great seal. Crimes are easily found out against a favourite in disgrace, and the courtiers did not fail to increase the catalogue of his errors. He was ordered to depart from York-place palace ; and all his furniture and plate were converted to the king's use. 9. The inventory of his goods being taken, they were found to exceed even the most extravagant surmises. He was soon after arrested by the earl of Northumberland, at the king's command, for high-treason, and preparations were made for conducting him from York, where he then resided, to London, in order to take his trial. 10. He at first refused to comply with the requisition, as being a cardinal ; but find- ing the earl bent on performing his commission, he com- plied, and set out by easy journeys to London, to appear as a criminal, where he had acted as a king. In his way he stayed a fortnight at the earl of Shrewsbury's ; where one day, at dinner, he was taken ill, not without violent suspi- cions of having poisoned himself. Being brought forward from thence, he with much difficulty reached Leicester-ab- bey ; where the monks coming out to meet him, he said, " Father Abbot, I am come to lay my bones among you :" and immediately ordered his bed to be prepared. 11. As his disorder increased, an officer being placed near him, at once to guard and attend him, he spoke to him alittle before he expired to this effect : " Had I but served God as dili- gently as I have served the king, he would not have given me over in my gray hairs. But this is the just reward 1 must receive for my indulgent pains and study ; not regard- ing my service to God, but only to my prince." He died soon after, in all the pangs of remorse, and left a life which had all along been rendered turbid by ambition, and wretch- ed by mean assiduities. * 12. The tie that held Henry to the church being thus broken,^ie resolved to keep no farther measures with the pontiff. He, therefore, privately married Anna Bullen, HENRY VIII. 157 Death of Queen Catharine of Arragon. whom he had created marchioness of Pembroke ; the duke of Norfolk, uncle to the new queen, her father, and Dr. Cranmer, being present at the ceremony. Soon after, cir- cumstances compelled him publicly to own his marriage ; and, to cover his disobedience to the pope with an appear- ance of triumph, he passed with his beautiful bride through London with a magnificence greater than had ever been known before. But though Henry had thus seceded from the church, yet he had not addicted himself to the system of the reformers. 13. As the monks had all along shown him the greatest resistance, he resolved at once to deprive them of future power to injure him. He accordingly empowered Thomas Cromwell, who was now made secretary of state, to send commissioners into the several counties of England to inspect the monasteries, and to report with rigorous exactness the conduct and deportment of such as were resident there. This employment was readily undertaken by some creatures of the court, namely, Layton, London, Price, Gage, Peter, and Bellasis, who are said to have discovered monstrous disorders in many of the religious houses. The accusations, whether true or false, were urged with great clamour against these communities, and a general horror was excited in the nation against them. 14. Queen Catharine of Arragon, Henry's first wife, lived in retirement after her divorce until her decease. She was one of the brightest characters in English history. Her charac- ter and death are admirably depicted by Shakspeare. O 158 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. Questions for Examination. 1. Who was Henry's first wife ? 2. Whom did he afterwards wish to obtain? 3. What description is given of Anna Bullen ? 4. What pretence did Henry allege to procure a divorce * 5. What was the conduct of the pope ? 6. What were the circumstances which put an end to Wolsey's power ? 8. In what manner did the king act towards him ? 9. What account is given of the inventory of his goods ? 10. What circumstances preceded the death of Wolsey ? 11. Relate Wolsey's expression immediately before his death. 12. What followed Wolsey's death? 13. What commission did the king give to Cromwell ? 14. What is said of queen Catharine ? SECTION IV. Tyrannic cruelty, voluptuous pride, Insatiable licentiousness and guilt. So share this monarch, we can ne'er decide On what one vice his ruling wish was built. — Dibdin. 1. (A.D. 1536.) A new visitation of the religious houses was soon after appointed, and fresh crimes were also pro- duced ; so that his severities were conducted with such seem- ing justice and success, that in less than two years he became possessed of all the monastic revenues. These, on the whole, amounted to six hundred and forty-five, of which twenty-eight had abbots who enjoyed a seat in parliament. Ninety colleges were demolished in several counties ; two thousand three hun- dred and seventy-four chantries and free chapels, and a hun- dred and ten hospitals. 2. The whole revenue of these esta- blishments amounted to one hundred and sixty-one thousand pounds, which was about a twentieth part of the national income. But as great murmurs were excited by some on this occasion, Henry took care that all those who could be useful to him, or even dangerous in case of opposition, should be sharers in the spoil. He either made a gift of the revenues of the convents to his principal courtiers, or sold them at low prices, or exchanged them for other lands on very disadvantageous terms. 3. Henry's opinions were at length delivered in a law, which, from its horrid consequences, was afterwards termed the Bloody Statute ; by which it was ordained, that who- ever, by word or writing, denied transubstantiation, whoever maintained that the communion in both kinds was necessary, whoever asserted that it was lawful for priests to marry, whoever alleged that vows of chastity might be broken, whoever maintained that private masses were unprofitable, or that auricular confession was unnecessary, should be found HENRY VIII. 159 guilty of heresy, and burned or hanged as the court should determine. 4. As the people were at that time chiefly com- posed of those who followed the opinions of Luther, and such as still adhered to the pope, this statute, with Henry ? s former decrees, in some measure included both, and opened a field for persecution, which soon after produced its dread- ful harvests. Bainham and Bilney were burned for their opposition to popery. Sir Thomas More and bishop Fisher were beheaded for denying the king's supremacy. 5. These severities, however, were preceded by one of a different nature, ariting neither from religious nor political causes, but merely from a tyrannical caprice. Anna Bullen, his queen, had always been favourable to the reformation, and consequently had many enemies on that account, who only waited some fit occasion to destroy her credit with the king, and that occasion presented itself but too soon. 6. The king's passion was by this time abated, and he became as desirous to divorce the queen as he had formerly been to marry her. He was now fallen in love, if we may so prostitute the expression, with another, and was desirous to marry Jane Seymour, who had for some time been maid of honour to the queen. 7. In the mean time her enemies were not remiss in rais- ing an accusation against her. The duke of Norfolk, from his attachment to the old religion, took care to produce seve- ral witnesses, accusing her of impropriety with some of the meaner servants of the court. Four persons were par- ticularly pointed out as her favourites ; Henry Norris, groom of the stool ; Weston and Breton, gentlemen of the king's bedchamber; together with Mark Smeaton, a musi- cian. 8. Accordingly, soon after, Norris, Weston, Breton, and Smeaton were tried in Westminster-hall, when Smeaton was prevailed upon, by the promise of a pardon, to confess a criminal correspondence with the queen ; but he was never confronted with her he accused ; and his execution with the rest, shortly after, served to acquit her of the charge. 9. Norris, who had been much in the king's favour, had an offer of his life if he would confess his crime, and accuse his mistress; but he rejected the proposal with contempt, and died professing her innocence and his own. The queen and her brother were tried by a jury of peers ; but upon what proof or pretence the crime was urged against them is unknown: the chief evidence, it is said, amounted to no more than that Rochford had been seen to lean on her 160 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. bed before some company. 10. Part of the charge against her was, that she had declared to her attendants that the king never had her heart: which was considered as a slander upon the throne, and strained into a breach of law by statute, by which it was declared criminal to throw any slander upon the king, queen, or their issue. The unhappy queen, though unassisted by counsel, defended herself with great judgment and presence of mind ; and the spectators could not forbear declaring her entirely innocent. 11. She answered distinctly to all the charges brought against her : but the king's authority was not to be controlled^ she was declare*! guilty, and her sen- tence ran that she should be burned or beheaded at the king's pleasure. On the morning of her execution, her sentence being mitigated into beheading, she sent for Kingstone, the keeper of the Tower, to whom, upon entering the prison, she said, " Mr. Kingstone, I hear I am not to die till noon, and I am sorry for it ; for I thought to be dead before this time, and free from a life of pain." 12. The keeper attempting to comfort her by assuring her the pain would be very little, she replied, " I have heard the executioner is very expert; and (clasping her neck with her hands, laughing) I have but a little neck." When brought to the scaffold, from a con- sideration of her child Elizabeth's welfare, she would not inflame the minds of the spectators against her prosecutors, but contented herself with saying, that " she was come to die as she was sentenced by the law." 13. She would ac- cuse none, nor say any thing of the ground upon which she was judged ; she prayed heartily for the king, and called him " a most merciful and gentle prince : that he had always been to her a good and gracious sovereign ; and if that any one should think proper to canvass her cause, she desired him to judge the best." She was beheaded by the execu- tioner of Calais, who was brought over, as much more expert than any in England. 14. The very next day after her execution he married the lady Jane Seymour, his cruel heart being no way softened by the wretched fate of one that had been so lately the object of his warmest affections. He also ordered his parliament to give him a divorce between her sentence and execution, and thus he endeavoured to render Elizabeth, the only child he had by her, illegitimate, as he had in the same manner, formerly, Mary, his only child by queen Catharine. HENRY VIII* 161 Questions for Examination. 1. What monastic revenues now came into the king's possession? 2. What was the amount of these revenues ? 3. What were the opinions of Henry ? 4. What were the horrid consequences ? 5. What tyrannical act preceded these severities ? 7. Relate the charges alleged against Anna Bullen. 9. What is said to have been the chief evidence against her ? 10. What strange charge was brought against her? 11. What was her behaviour on the trial ? 12,13. What at her execution ? 14. In what manner did the king act after her execution ? . SECTION V. Superior Cranmer, in a crowd alone, Dares friendship with the virtuous fallen own. — Dibdin. 1. (A.D. 1537.) In the midst of these commotions the fires of Smithfield were seen to blaze with unusual fierce- ness. Those who adhered to the pope, or those who fol- lowed the doctrines of Luther, were equally the objects of royal vengeance and ecclesiastical persecution. From the multiplied alterations which were made in the national sys- tems of belief, mostly drawn up by Henry himself, few knew what to think, or what to profess. 2. They were ready enough to follow his doctrines, how inconsistent or contradictory soever ; but, as he was continually changing them himself, they could hardly pursue so fast as he advanceu before them. Thomas Cromwell, raised by the king's ca- price from being a blacksmith's son to be a royal favourite (for tyrants ever raise their favourites from the lowest of the people), together with Cranmer, now become archbishop of Canterbury, were both seen to favour the reformation with all their endeavours. 3. On the other hand, Gardiner, bishop of Winchester, together with the duke of Norfolk, were for leading the king back to his original faith. In fact, Henry submitted to neither ; his pride had long been so inflamed by flattery, that he thought himself entitled to regulate, by his own single opinion, the religious faith of the whole nation. 4. Soon after, no less than five hundred persons were im- prisoned for contradicting the opinions delivered in the Bloody Statute : and received protection only from the lenity of Cromwell. Lambert, a schoolmaster, and doctor Barnes, who had been instrumental in Lambert's execution, felt the 02 162 HISTORY OF ENGLAND- severity of the persecuting spirit, and by a bill in parliament, without any trial, were condemned to the flames, discussing theological questions at the very stake. With Barnes were executed one Gerrard, and Jerome, for the same opinions. Three catholics also, whose names were Abel, Featherstone, and Powel, were dragged upon the same hurdles to execu- tion ; and who declared that the most grievous part of their punishment was the being coupled with such heretical mis- creants as were united in the same calamity. 5. During these horrid transactions, Henry was resolved to take another queen, Jane Seymour having died ; and after some negotiations upon the continent, he contract- ed marriage with Anne of Cleves, his' aim being, by her means, to fortify his alliance with the princes of Ger- many. 6. His aversion, however, to the queen secretly increased every day ; and he at length resolved to get rid of her and his prime minister together. He had a strong cause of dislike to him for his late unpropitious alliance ; and a new motive was soon added for increasing his displeasure. Henry had fixed his affection on Catharine Howard, niece to the duke of Norfolk ; and the only method of gratifying this new passion was, as in the former cases, discarding the present queen to make room for a new one. The duke of Norfolk had long been Cromwell's mortal enemy, and eagerly embraced this opportunity to destroy a man he considered as his rival. 7. He therefore, made use of all his niece's arts to ruin the favourite ; and when this project was ripe for execution, he obtained a commission from the king to arrest Cromwell for high-treason. His disgrace was no sooner known, than all his friends forsook him, except Cranmer, who wrote such a letter to Henry in his behalf, as no other man in the kingdom would have presumed to offer. How- ever, he was accused in parliament of heresy and treason ; and without even being heard in his own defence, condemn- ed to suffer the pains of death, as the king should think proper to direct. 8. When he was brought to the scaffold, his regard for his son hindered him from expatiating upon his own innocence. He thanked God for bringing him to death for his transgressions ; confessed he had often been seduced, but that he now died in the catholic faith. But the measure of Henry's severities was not yet filled up. He had thought himself very happy in his new mar- riage. He was so captivated with the queen's accomplish- ments, that he gave public thanks for his felicity, and desired HENRY VIII. 163 his confessor to join with him in the sams thanksgiving. 9. This joy, however, was of very short duration. While the king was at York, upon an intended conference with the king of Scotland, a man of the name of Lassels waited upon Cranmer at London ; and, from the information of his sis- ter, who had been servant to the dutchess-dowager of Nor- folk, he gave a very surprising account of the queen's crimi- nality. When the queen was first examined relative to her crime, she denied the charge ; but afterwards, finding that her accomplices were her accusers, she confessed her crime in part, but denied some of the circumstances. 10. Three maids of honour, who were admitted to her secrets, still further alleged her guilt; and some of them made such confessions as tended to augment the nature of her crime. The servile parliament* upon being informed of the queen's crime and confession, quickly found her guilty, and petitioned the king that she might be punished with death ; that the same penalty might be inflicted on the lady Rochford, her friend and confidant ; and that her grandmother, the dutchess-dowager of Norfolk, together with her father, mother, and nine others, men and women, as having been privy to the queen's irregularities, should participate in her punishment. With this petition the king was most graciously pleased to agree ; they were condemned to death by an act of attainder, which, at the same time, made it capital for all persons to conceal their knowledge of the criminality of any future queen. 11. The queen was beheaded on Tower-hill, together with the lady Rochford, who found no great degree of compassion, as she had herself before tampered in blood. Questions for Examination. 1 What cruel persecution followed the multiplied alterations in the nationa. belief? 2. Who favoured the reformation ? 3. Who endeavoured to lead the king back to popery ? 5. Upon whom did Henry fix his affections ? 6. What caused Henry's dislike to Cromwell ? and what was the conse quence ? 164 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 9. In what manner was the king informed of the criminality of his queen ? 10. Who were the witnesses that alleged her guilt ? 11. What was the fate of the queen ? SECTION VI. I would not have Buch a heart in ray bosom For the dignity of the whole body.— Shakspcare. 1. (A. D. 1543.) In about a year after the death of the last queen, Henry once more changed his condition, by marrying his sixth and last wife, Catherine Parr, who was a widow. She was the widow of the late lord Latimer; and was considered as a woman of discretion and virtue. Slie had already passed the meridian of life, and managed this capricious tyrant's temper with prudence and success. 2. Still, however, the king's severity to his subjects con- tinued as fierce as ever. For some time he had been incom- moded by an ulcer in his leg ; the pain of which, added to his corpulence and other infirmities, increased his natural irascibility to such a degree, that scarcely any of his domes- tics approached him without terror. It was not to be ex- pected, therefore, that any who differed from him in opinion should, at this time particularly, hope for pardon. 3. Though his health was declining apace, yet his im- placable cruelties were not the less frequent. His resentment was diffused indiscriminately to all ; at one time a protes- tant, and at another a catholic, were the objects of his se- verity. The duke of Norfolk, and his son, the earl of Surry, were the last that felt the injustice of the tyrant's groundless suspicions. 4. The duke was a nobleman who had served the king with talent and fidelity ; his son was a young man of the most promising hopes, who excelled in every accomplishment that became a scholar, a courtier, and a soldier. He excelled in all the military exercises which were then in request ; he encouraged the fine arts by his practice and example ; and it is remarkable that he was the first who brought our language, in his poetical pieces, to any degree of refinement. 5. He celebrated the fair Geraldine in all his sonnets, and maintained hei superior beauty in all places of public contention. These HENRY VIII. 165 qualifications, however, were no safeguard to him against Henry's suspicions ; he had dropped some expressions of resentment against the king's ministers, upon being dis- placed from the government of Boulogne ; and the whole family was. become obnoxious from the late conduct of Catharine Howard, the queen, who was executed. 6. From these motives, therefore, private orders were given to arrest father and son ; and accordingly they were ar- rested both on the same day, and confined in the Tower. Surry being a commoner, his trial was the more expe- ditious : and as to proofs, there were many informers base enough to betray the intimacies of private confidence, and air the connexions of blood. The dutchess-dowager of Richmond, Surry's own sister, enlisted herself among the number of his accusers ; and sir Richard Southwell also, his most intimate friend, charged him with infidelity to the king. 7. It would seem that, at this dreary period, there was neither faith nor honour to be found in all the nation. Surry denied the charge, and challenged his' ac- cuser to single combat. This favour was .refused him ; and it was alleged that he had quartered the arms of Edward the Confessor on his escutcheon, which alone was sufficient to convict him of aspiring to the crown. To this he could make no reply ; and indeed any answer would have been needless; for neither parliaments nor juries, during this reign, seemed to be guided by any other proofs but the will of the crown. 8. This young nobleman was, therefore, condemned for high-treason, notwithstanding his eloquent and spirited defence ; and the sentence was soon after exe- cuted upon him on Tower-hill. In the mean time the duke endeavoured to mollify the king by letters of submission ; but the monster's hard heart was rarely subject to tender impressions. 9. The parliament meeting on the fourteenth day of January (.A.D. 1546), a bill of attainder was found against the duke of Norfolk ; as it was thought he could not so easily have been convicted on a fair hearing by his peers. The death-warrant was made out, and immediately sent to the lieutenant of the Tower. The duke prepared for death ; the following morning was to be his last ; but an event of greater consequence to the kingdom intervened, and prevented his execution. 10. The king had been for some time approaching fast towards his end ; and for several days all those about his person plainly saw that his speedy death was inevitable 166 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. The disorder in his leg was now grown extremely painful ; and this, added to his monstrous corpulency, which ren- dered him unable to stir, made him more furious than a chained lion. He had been very stern and severe ; he was now outrageous. In this state he had continued for nearly four years before his death, the terror of all, and the tor- mentor of himself ; his courtiers having no inclination to make an enemy of him, as they were more ardently em- ployed in conspiring the death of each other.* 11. In this manner, therefore, he was suffered to struggle, without any of his domestics having the courage to warn him of his ap- proaching end ; as more than once, during this reign, per- sons had been put to death for foretelling the death of the king. At last, sir Anthony Denny had the courage to dis- close to him this dreadful secret ; and, contrary to his usual custom, he received the tidings with an expression of resig- nation. 12. His anguish and remorse were at this time greater than can be expressed ; he desired that Cranmer might be sent for ; but before that prelate could arrive he was speechless. Cranmer desired him to give some sign of his dving in the faith of Christ ; he squeezed his hand, and immediately expired, after a reign of thirty-seven years and nine months, in the fifty-sixth year of his age. 13. Some kings have been tyrants from contradiction and revolt ; some from being misled by favourites ; and some from a spirit of party ; but Henry was cruel from a * The irritability of the king was so ungovernable, that many fell victims to it ; and his queen, who constantly attended him with the most tender and dutiful care, had also, as will be seen by the following account, nearly fallen a sacrifice. Henry's favourite topic of conversation was theology, and Catharine had unwarilv ventured to raise objections against his arguments Henry, highly provoked that she should presume to differ from his opinion complained of her obstinacy to Gardiner, bishop of Winchester, the chancel lor, who inflamed his anger by representing the queen as a dangerous here tic. Hurried by their insinuations, he went so far as to direct the chancellor to draw up articles of impeachment, which he signed. This paper fortu- nately fell into the hands of one of the queen's friends, who immediately car- ried the intelligence to her. Next morning she paid her usual visit to the king, and finding him disposed to challenge her to an argument on divinity she modestly declined the conversation, saying, that it did not become a weak woman to dispute with one, who, by his superior learning, was enti- tled to dictate, not only to her, but to the whole world ; and that if ever she had ventured to object to any thing he advanced, it was only for the 6ake of her own instruction, and to engage him upon topics which diverted his pains. This seasonable piece of flattery suddenly revived his affections, and the chancellor coming soon after with a numerous escort, tc seize the queen and carry her to the Tower, the king treated him very roMgh'y, calling him knave, fool, and beast, and commanded him to be gone- — De Moleville's O tat Britain. HENRY VIII. 167 depraved disposition alone ; cruel in government, cruel in religion, and cruel in his family. Our divines have taken some pains to vindicate the character of this brutal prince, as if his conduct and our reformation had any connexion with each other. There is nothing so absurd as to defend the one by the other ; the most noble designs are brought about by the most vicious instruments ; for we see even that cruelty and injustice were thought necessary to be employed in our holy redemption. Questions for Examination, 1. To whom was the king now married ? 2. What at this time increased the king's irascibility ? 3. Who were the last who felt this severity ? 4, 5. What character is given of the earl of Surry ? 6. Who appeared among the number of Surry's accusers ? 7. What was the chief charge alleged against this nobleman ? 8. Where was he executed ? 9. What was the fate of his father, the duke of Norfolk? 10. What description is given of the king during his illness ? CONTEMPORARY SOVEREIGNS. Popes. A.T). Julius II.. 1503 LeoX 1513 Adrian VI 1522 Clement VII 1523 Paul III 1534 Emperors of Germany. Maximilian I. .... 1493 Charles V 1519 Emperors of the Turks. BajazetH 1481 SelimI 1512 Solimanll 1520 Kings of France, a.d. Louis XII 1498 Francis 1 1515 Kings and Qu. of Spain. Philip 1 1504 Joan 1506 Charles 1 1516 Kings of Portugal. Emanuel 1495 John III 1512 Kings of Denmark and Sweden. John : 1481 EMINENT PERSONS. A.T>. Christian II 1513 Kings of Denmark alone. Frederick 1 1524 Christian III 1533 King of Sweden alone. Gustavus Vasa* . . . 1522 Kings and Queen of Scotland. James IV 1498 James V 1514 Mary 1542 Thomas Cranmer, archbishop of Canterbury ; cardinal Wolsey and sir Thomas More, lord chancellors ; Thomas, lord Cromwell ; Gardiner, bishop of Winchester ; Henry Howard, earl of Surry ; Nicholas, lord Vaux ; John Bourchier, lord Berners ; George Boleyn, viscount Rochford ; John, lord Lumley ; Edward, lord Sheffield ; dean Collet. * Gustavus Vasa delivered Sweden from the Danish joke , and for his recomoense was elected its independent sovereign. HM* HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAPTER XXIV. EDWARD VI. Rom 1537. Died July 6, 1553. Began to reign Jan. 29, 1547- Reigned 6£ years. Men perish in advance, as if the sun Should set ere noon. Young. 1. (A. D. 1547.) Henry the Eighth was succeeded on the throne by his only son, Edward the Sixth, now in the ninth year of his age. The late king, in his will, which he expected would be implicitly obeyed, fixed the majority of the prince at the completion of his eighteenth year ; and, in the mean time, appointed sixteen executors of his will, to whom, during the minority, he intrusted the government of the king and kingdom : the duke of Somerset, as protector, being placed at their head. 2. The protector, in his schemes for advancing the re- formation, had always recourse to the counsels of Cranmer, who, being a man of moderation and prudence, was averse to violent changes, and determined to bring over the people by insensible innovations to his own peculiar system. 3. A committee of bishops and divines had been appointed by the council to frame a liturgy for the service of the church ; and this work was executed with great moderation, precision, and accuracy. A law was also enacted, permit- ting priests to marry ; the ceremony of auricular confession, though not abolished, was left at the discretion of the people, who were not displeased at being freed from the spiritual tyranny of their instructors ; the doctrine of the real pre- sence was the last tenet of popery that was wholly aban- doned by the people, as both the clergy and laity were loth to renounce so miraculous a benefit as it was asserted to be. 4. However, at last, not only this, but all the principal opinions and practices of the catholic religion, contrary to what the Scripture authorizes, were abolished ; and the reformation, such as we have it, was almost entirely com- pleted in England. With all these innovations the people and clergy in general acquiesced ; and Gardiner and Bon- ner were the only persons whose opposition was thought of any weight; they were, therefore, sent to the Tower, and threatened with the king's further displeasure in case of dis- obedience. A.D. 1548. EDWARD VI,, 169 5. For all these the protector gained great applause and popularity ; but he was raised to an enviable degree of eminence, and his enemies were numerous in proportion to his exaltation. Of all the ministers at that time in council, Dudley, earl of Warwick, was the most artful, ambitious, and unprincipled. Resolved, at any rate, to possess the principal place under the king, he cared not what means were to be used in acquiring it. However, unwilling to throw off the mask, he covered the most exorbitant views under the fairest appearances. Having associated himself with the earl of Southampton, he formed a strong party in the council, who were determined to free themselves from the control the protector assumed over them. That noble- man was, in fact, now grown obnoxious to a very prevailing party in the kingdom. 7. He was hated by the nobles for his superior magnificence and power ; he was hated by the catholic party for his regard to the reformation ; he was disliked by many for his severity to his brother ; besides, the great estate he had raised at the expense of the church and the crown rendered him obnoxious to all. The palace* which he was then building in the Strand served also, by its magnificence, and still more so by the unjust methods* that were taken to raise it, to expose him to the censures of the public. The parish church of St. Mary, with three bishops' houses, were pulled down to furnish ground and materials for the structure. 8. He was soon afterwards sent to the Tower ; and the chief article of which he was accused was his usurpation of the government, and taking all the power into his own hands ; but his great riches were the real: cause. Several others of a slighter tint were added to invigorate this accu- sation, but none of them could be said to amount to high- treason. 9. In consequence of these, a bill of attainder was preferred against him in the house of lords : but Somerset contrived for this time to elude the rigour of their sentence, by having previously, on his knees, confessed the charge before the members of the council. 10. In consequence of this confession, he was deprived of all his offices and goods, together with a great part of his landed estates, which were forfeited to' the use of the crown. This fine on his estate was soon after remitted by the king ; and Somerset, once more, contrary to the expectation of all, recovered his li * StiM called Somerset house. P i70 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. berty. He was even readmitted into the council. Happy for him if his ambition had not revived with his security ! 11. In fact, he could not help now and then bursting out into invectives against the king and government, which were quickly carried to his secret enemy, ,the earl of Warwick, who was now become the duke of Northumberland. As he was surrounded with that nobleman's creatures, they took care to reveal all the designs which they had themselves first suggested ; and Somerset soon found the fatal effects of his rival's resentment. 12. He was, by Northumberland's command, arrested, with many more accused of being his partisans, and was, with his wife, the dutchess, also thrown into prison. He was now accused of having formed a design to raise an insurrection in the north ; of attacking the train-bands on a muster-day ; of plotting to secure the Tower, and to excite a rebellion in London. 13. These charges he strenuously denied ; but he con- fessed one of as heinous a nature, which was, that he had laid a project for murdering Northumberland, Northampton, and Pembroke at a banquet, which was to be given them Dy lord Paget. He was soon after brought to trial before the marquis of Winchester, who sat as high-steward on the occasion, with twenty-seven peers more, including Northum- berland, Pembroke, and Northampton, who were at once his judges and accusers ; and being found guilty, was brought to the scaffold on Tower-hill, where he appeared without the least emotion, in the midst of a vast concourse of the populace, by whom he was beloved. 14. He spoke to them with great composure, protesting that he had always promoted the service of his king, and the interests of true religion to the best of his power. The people attested their belief of what he said by crying out, " It is most true." An universal tumult was beginning to take place ; but Somerset desiring them to be still, and not interrupt his last medita- tions, but to join with him in prayer, he laid down his head, and submitted to the stroke of the executioner. 15. In the mean time, Northumberland had long aimed at the first authority ; and the infirm state of the king's health opened alluring prospects to his ambition. He re- presented to that young prince that his sisters, Mary and Elizabeth, who were appointed by Henry's will to succeed in failure of direct heirs to the crown, had been declared ille- gitimate by parliament ; that the queen of Scots, his aunt, stood excluded by the king's will, and, being an alien also. EDWARD VI. 171 lost all right of succeeding. 16. And, as the three princesses were thus legally excluded, the succession naturally devolved to the marchioness of Dorset, whose next heir was the lady Jane Grey, a lady every way accomplished for government, as well by the charms of her person as the virtues and ac- quirements of her mind. The king, who had long sub- mitted to all the politic views of this designing minister, agreed to have the succession admitted to council, where Northumberland had influence soon after to procure an easy concurrence. 17. In the mean time, as the king's health declined, the minister laboured to strengthen his own interests and con- nexions. His first aim was to secure the interest of the marquis of Dorset, father to lady Jane Grey, by procuring for him the title of duke of Suffolk, which was lately become extinct. Having thus obliged this nobleman, he then pro- posed a match between his fourth son, lord Guildford Dud- ley and the lady Jane Grey. 18. Still bent on spreading his interests as widely as possible, he married his own daughter to Lord Hastings, and had these marriages solem- nized with all possible pomp and festivity. Meanwhile, Edward continued to languish, and several fatal symptoms of consumption began to appear. It was hoped, however, that his youth and temperance might get the better of his disorders ; and, from their love, the people were unwilling to think him in danger. 19. It had been remarked, indeed, by some, that his health was visibly seen to decline from the moment that the Dudleys were brought about his per- son. The character of Northumberland might have justly given some colour to suspicion ; and his removing all, ex- cept his own emissaries, from about the king, still farther increased the distrusts of the people. Northumberland, however, was no way uneasy at their murriiurs ; he was as- siduous in his attendance upon the king, and professed the most anxious concern for his safety ; but still drove forward his darling scheme of transferring the succession to his own daughter-in-law. 20. The young king was put into the hands of an igno- rant woman, who very confidently undertook his cure. After the use of her medicines, all the bad symptoms in- creased to a most violent degree ; he felt a difficulty of speech and breathing ; his pulse failed ; his legs swelled ; his colour became livid, and many other symptoms appeared of his approaching end. He expired ai Greenwich, in the six- 172 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. King Edward VI. refusing to place his foot on the Bible. teenth year of his age, and the seventh of his reign, greatly regretted by all, as his early virtues gave a prospect of the continuance of a happy reign, July 6, 1553. An anecdote is related of this king to illustrate his piety and reverence for the Scriptures. When in his library, one day, being desirous to reach a book on a high shelf, he was offered a large Bible as a footstool. But he refused the offer, with strong expressions of disapprobation towards the attendant who had made it. Questions for Examination. 1. Who succeeded Henry the Eighth ? Who was appointed protector during the king's minority ? 2, 3. By what methods was the reformation begun and completed ? 4. Who were sent to the Tower for their aversion to the reformation? 5. By whom was the protector opposed ? 7. For what reasons was he universally disliked ? 8. What was the chief article of accusation against him ? 9. By what means did he elude the rigour of his sentence ? 10. Did the protector regain his authority ? 11. \n what mariner did he then conduct himself? 12. By whose command was he afterwards arrested? Of what was he accused ? 13. What confession did he make ? 14. What was his behaviour when brought to the scaffold ? 15. Who next aspired to the chief authority? 16. 17. What means did he take to secure it ? 18, 19. What circumstances preceded the king's death ? 20. Where and at what age did Edward the Sixth die ? MARY. 173 CONTEMPORARY SOVEREIGNS. Popes. A.D. Paul III 1534 Julius III 1550 Emperor of Germany and King of Spain. Charles V 1547 Emperor of the Turks. A.D. Solimanll 1520 King of France. Henry II 154? King of Portugal. John III 1541 EMINENT PERSONS, King of Denmark. A.D. Charles II 1534 King of Sweden. Gustavus Vasa. . . . 1522 Queen of Scotland. Mary 1542 Cranmer, archbishop of Canterbury. Heath and Day, bishops of Worcester and Chichester. Lord Seymour. Dukes of Somerset and Northumberland Guildford, Lord Dudley. Lady Jarre Grey. CHAPTER XXV. MARY. Born 1516. Died December 1, 1558. Began to reign July 16, 153a Reigned 5 years. When persecuting zeal made royal sport With royal innocence in Mary's court, Then Bonner, blythe as shepherd at a wake, Enjoy'd the show, and danced about the stake- — Cowper. 1. (A.D. 1553.) Upon the death of Edward, two candi- dates put in their pretensions to the crown ; Mary, Henry's daughter by Catharine of Arragon, relying on the justice of her cause ; and lady Jane Grey, being nominated in the late young king's will, and upon the support of the duke of Northumberland, her father-in law. Mary was strongly bi- goted to the popish superstitions, having been bred up among churchmen, and having been even taught to prefer martyr- dom to a denial of her belief. 2. As she had lived in conti- nual restraint, she was reserved and gloomy ; she had, even during the life of her father, the resolution to maintain her sentiments, and refused to comply with his new institutions. Her zeal had rendered her furious ; and she was not only blindly attached to her religious opinions, but even to the popish clergy who maintained them. 3. On the other hand, Jane Grey was strongly attached to the reformers ; and, though yet but sixteen, her judgment had attained to such a degree of maturity as few have been found to possess. All historians agree that the solidity of her understanding, improved by continual application, rendered her the wonder of her age. Jane, who was in a great measure ignorant of p2 174 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. all the transactions in her favour, was struck with equa grief and surprise when she received intelligence of them. She shed a flood of tears, appeared inconsolable, and it was not without the utmost difficulty that she yielded to the en- treaties of Northumberland, and the duke her father. 4. Orders were given also for proclaiming her throughout the kingdom ; but these were but very remissly obeyed. When she was proclaimed in the city, the people heard her acces- sion made public without any signs of pleasure ; no applause ensued, and some even expressed their scorn and con tempt. 5. In the mean time, Mary, who had retired, upon the news of the king's death, to Kenning Hall, in Norfolk, sent circular letters to all the great towns and nobility in the kingdom, reminding them of her right, and commanding them to proclaim her without delay. Her claims soon be- came irresistible ; in a little time she found herself at the head of forty thousand men ; while the few who attended Northumberland continued irresolute, and he even feared to lead them to the encounter. 6. Lady Jane, thus finding that all was lost, resigned her royalty, which she had held but ten days, with marks of real satisfaction, and retired with her mother to their own habitation. Northumberland, also, who found his affairs desperate, and that it was impossible to stem the tide of po- pular opposition, attempted to quit the kingdom ; but he was prevented by the band of pensioner guards, who informed him that he must stay to justify their conduct in being led out against their lawful sovereign. Thus circumvented on all sides, he delivered himself up to Mary, and was soon af- terwards executed in a summary way. Sentence was a.so pronounced against lady Jane and lord Guildford, but with- out any intention for the present of putting it into execution. 7. Mary now entered London, and with very little effu- sion of blood saw herself joyfully proclaimed, and peaceably settled on the throne. This was a flattering prospect ; but soon the pleasing phantom was dissolved. Mary was mo- rose, and a bigot ; she was resolved to give back their for- mer power to the clergy ; and thus once more to involve the kingdom in all the horrors from which it had just emerged. Gardiner, Tonstal, Day, Heath, and Vesey, who had been confined or suffered losses, for their catholic opinions, dur- ing the late reign, were taken from prison, reinstated in their sees, and their former sentences repealed. MARY. 175 8. A parliament, which the queen called soon after, seem- ed willing to concur in all her measures ; they at one blow repealed all the statutes, with regard to religion, which had passed during the reign of her predecessors ; so that the na- tional religion was again placed on the same footing on which it stood in the early part of the reign of Henry the Eighth. 9. While religion was thus returning to its primitive abuses, the queen's ministers, who were willing to strengthen her power by a catholic alliance, had been for some time looking out for- a proper consort ; and they at length chose Philip, prince of Spain, son to the celebrated Charles the Fifth. In order to avoid any disagreeable remonstrance from the people, the articles of marriage were drawn as fa- vourable as possible to the interest and honour of England ; and this in some measure stilled the clamours that had already been begun against it. 10. The discontents of the people rose to such a pitch, that an insurrection, headed by sir Thomas Wyat, suc- ceeded ; but Wyat, being made prisoner, was condemned and executed, with some of his adherents. But what ex- cited the compassion of the people most of all, was the execution of lady Jane Grey, and her husband, lord Guild- ford Dudley, who were involved in the punishment, thougn not in the guilt of this insurrection. 11. Two days after Wyat was apprehended, lady Jane and her husband were ordered to prepare for death. Lady Jane, who had long before seen the threatening blow, was no way surprised at the message, but bore it with heroic resolution ; and being informed that she had three days to prepare, she seemed displeased at so long a delay. 12. On the day of her exe- cution her husband desired permission to see her ; but this she refused, as she knew the parting would be too tender for her fortitude to withstand. The place at first designed for their execution was without the Tower : but their youth, beauty, and innocence being likely to raise an insurrection among the people, orders were given that they should be executed within the verge of the Tower. 13. Lord Dudley was the first that suffered ; and while the lady Jane was conducting to the place of execution, the officers of the Tower met her, bearing along the headless body of her husband streaming with blood, in order to be interred in the Tower chapel. She looked on the corpse for some time without any emotion : and then, with a sigh, desired them I7P HISTORY OF ENGLAND. Death of Lady Jane Grey. fo proceed. 14. On the scaffold she made a speech, in which she alleged that her offence was not the having laid her hand upon the crown, but the not rejecting it with suf- ficient constancy; that she had less erred through ambition than filial obedience ; and she willingly accepted death as the only atonement she could make to the injured state ; and was ready by her punishment to show, that innocence is no plea in excuse for deeds that tend to injure the community. After speaking to this effect, she caused her- self to be disrobed by her women, and with a steady serene countenance submitted to the executioner. 15. At the head of those who drove these violent mea* sures forward were Gardiner, bishop of Winchester, and cardinal Pole, who was now returned from Italy. Pole, who was nearly allied by birth to the royal family, had always conscientiously adhered to the catholic religion, and had incurred Henry's displeasure, not only by refusing to assent to his measures, but by writing against him. 16. It was for this adherence that he was cherished by the pope, and now sent over to England as legate from the holy see. Gardiner was a man of a very different character; his chief aim was to please the reigning prince, and he had shown already many instances of his prudent conformity. MARY. 177 Questions for Examination. 1. What were the pretensions of the two candidates for the crown f 2. What was the character of Mary ? 3. What is said of lady Jane Grey ? 4. In what manner was her proclamation received ? 5. How did Mary act, and what was her success ? 6 What was the fate of the duke of Northumberland ? 7. What was Mary's conduct after her accession? 8. Did the parliament concur in her religious views ? 9. What plan was resolved on to strengthen the catholic power? 11. What was the fate of lady Jane Grey and her hushand ? 12—14. Mention the circumstances that attended their execution. 15, 16. Who were the instigators of those violent measures ? SECTION II. Curst superstition which deludes the mind And makes it to the tender feelings blind. — Anon- 1. (A. D. 1554.) A persecution, therefore, began by the martyrdom of Hooper, bishop of Gloucester, and Rogers, prebendary of St. Paul's. They were examined by com- missioners appointed by the queen, with the chancellor at the head of them. Saunders and Taylor, two other clergy- men, whose zeal had been distinguished in carrying on the reformation, were the next that suffered. 2. Bonner, bishop of London, bloated at once with rage and luxury, let loose his vengeance without restraint, and seemed to take a pleasure in the pains of the unhappy suf- ferers ; while the queen, by her letters, exhorted him to pursue the pious work without pity or interruption. Soon after, in obedience to her commands, Ridley, bishop of London, and the venerable Latimer, bishop of Worcester, were condemned together. 3. Ridley had been one of the ablest champions for the reformation ; his piety, learning, and solidity of judgment were admired by his friends and dreaded by his enemies. The night before his execution, he invited the mayor of Oxford and his wife to see him ; and, when he beheld them melted into tears, he himself appeared quite unmoved, inwardly supported and comforted in that hour of agony. When he was brought to the stake to be burnt, he found his old friend Latimer there before him, 4. Of all the prelates of that age, Latimer was the most remarkable for his unaffected piety, and the simplicity of his manners. He had never learnt to flatter in courts : and his open rebuke was dreaded by all the great, who at that time too much deserved it. 5. His sermons, which 178 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. remain to this day, show that he had much learning ano much wit; and there is an air of sincerity running through them, not to be found elsewhere. When Ridley began to comfort his ancient friend, Latimer was as ready, on his part, to return the kind office : " Be of good cheer, brother," cried he ; " we shall this day kindle such a torch in Eng- land, as, I trust in God, shall never be extinguished." 6. A furious bigot ascended to preach to them and the people, while the fire was preparing; and Ridley gave a most serious attention to his discourse. No way distracted by the preparations about him, he heard him to the last, and then told him he was ready to answer all he had preached upon, if he were permitted a short indulgence ; but this was refused him. At length fire was set to the pile ; Latimer was soon out of pain : but Ridley continued to suffer much longer, his legs being consumed before the fire reached his vitals. 7. Cranmer's death followed soon after, and struck the whole nation with horror. His love of life had formerly prevailed. In an unguarded moment he was induced, to sign a paper condemning the reformation ; and now his enemies, as we are told of the devil, after having rendered him completely wretched, resolved to destroy him. 8. Being led to the stake, and the fire beginning to be kindled round him, he stretched forth his right hand, and held it in the flames till it was consumed, while he fre- quently cried out, in the midst of his sufferings, " That unworthy hand !" at the same time exhibiting no appearance of pain or disorder. When the fire attacked his body, he seemed to be quite insensible to his tortures : his mind was wholly occupied upon the hopes of a future reward. After his body was destroyed, his heart was found entire ; an emblem of the constancy with which he suffered. 9. It was computed that, during this persecution, two hundred and seventy-seven persons suffered by fire, besides those punished by imprisonment, fines, and confiscations. Among those who suffered by fire, were five bishops, twenty-one clergymen, eight lay gentlemen, eighty-four tradesmen, one hundred husbandmen, fifty-five women, and four children. All this was terrible ; and yet the temporal affairs of the kingdom did not seem to be more successful. 10. (A. D. 1557.) Calais, that had now for above two hundred years been in possession of the English, was attacked, and by a sudden and unexpected assault, being MARY. 179 blockaded up on every side, was obliged to capitulate ; so that in less than eight days, the duke of Guise recovered a city that had been in possession of the English since the time of Edward the Third, who had spent eleven months in besieging it. This loss filled the whole kingdom with murmurs, and the queen with despair; she was heard to say, that, when dead, the name of Calais would be found engraven upon her heart. 11. These complicated evils, a murmuring people, an in- creasing heresy, a disdainful husband, and an unsuccessful war, made dreadful depredations on Mary's constitution. She began to appear consumptive, and this rendered her mind still more morose and bigoted. The people now, therefore, began to turn their thoughts to her successor ; and the princess Elizabeth came into a greater degree of consideration than before. 12. Mary had been long in a very declining state of health; and having mistaken the nature of her disease, she made use of an improper regi- men, which had increased her disorder. Every reflection now tormented her. The consciousness of being hated by her subjects, and the prospect of Elizabeth's succession, whom she hated, preyed upon her mind, and threw her into a lingering fever, of which she died, after a short and un- fortunate reign of five years, four months, and eleven days, in the forty-third year of her age. Questions for Examination. 1. Who were the first in this reign who suffered martyrdom for their re ligion ? 2. Who were the principal actors in this persecution? 3. 4. Describe the behaviour and character of Ridley and Latimer. 6. What words did Latimer make use of at the stake to his friend and fellow-sufferer? 8. What is said of the character and death of Cranmer ? 9. How many persons are said to have Deen burnt on account of their re ligious tenets ? 10. By what means was Calais obliged to capitulate ? 11. What hastened Mary's death? 12. How long did she reign ? CONTEMPORARY SOVEREIGNS. Poms. a.d. Julius III 1550 Marcellus II 1555 PaulIV 1555 Emperor of Germany. Charles V 1519 Emperors of the Turks. Solimanll 1520 King of France. A.D. Henry II 1547 King of Spain. Philip II 1555 King- of Portugal. John III 1521 King of Denmark. A.I. Frederic n 1549 King of Sweden. Gustavus Vasa. . . 1522 Queen of Scotland. Mary 1542 180 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. EMINENT PERSONS. Archbishop Cranmer; bishops Ridley, Hooper, Latimer, Ferres, Rogers Saunders, Taylor, and many others of the clergy who suffered for their re ligion. Cardinal Pole, bishops Gardiner, Bonner, Thirlby, &c. who were fiery supporters of the papal power.* Lord Stafford. CHAPTER XXVI. ELIZABETH. Born 1533. Died March 24, 1603. Began to reign November 7, 1558. Reigned 44£ years. SECTION I. 1. (A. D. 1558.) Nothing could exceed the joy that was diffused among the people upon the accession of Elizabeth, who now came to the throne without any opposition. This favourite of the people, from ike beginning, resolved upon reforming the church, even while she was held in the constraints of a prison ; and now, upon coming to the crown, she immediately set about it. A parliament soon after completed what the prerogative had begun ; act after act was passed in favour of the reformation ; and in a single session the form of religion was established as we at present have the happiness to enjoy it. 2. A state of permanent felicity is not to be expected here ; and Mary Stuart, commonly called Mary queen of Scots, was the first person that excited the fears or the re- sentment of Elizabeth. Henry the Seventh had married his eldest daughter, Margaret, to James, king of Scotland, who dying, left no issue that came to maturity except Mary, * " The common net at that time for catching of protestants was the real presence, and this net was used to catch the princess Elizabeth ; for being asked one time, what she thought of the words of God, this is my body, whether she thought it the true body of Christ that was in the sacrament ? It is said, that after some pausing, she thus answered:— Christ was the word that spake it, He took the bread and brake it. And what that word did make it, That I believe and take it Which, though it may seem but a slight expression, yet hath it more solidnesp than at first sight appears ; at least it served her turn, at that time to escape the net, which by direct answer she could not have done." ELIZABETH. 181 afterwards surnamed Mary queen of Scots. 3. At a very- early age, this princess, being possessed of every accom- plishment of person and mind, was married to Francis, the dauphin of France, who, dying, left her a widow at the age of nineteen. Upon the death of Francis, Mary, the widow, still seemed disposed to keep up the title ; but, finding her- self exposed to the persecutions of the dowager-queen, who now began to take the lead in France, she returned home to Scotland, where she found the people strongly impressed with the gloomy enthusiasm of the times. 4. A difference of religion between the sovereign and the people is ever productive of bad effects; since it is apt to produce con- tempt on the one side, and jealousy on the other. Mary could not avoid regarding the sour manners of the reforming clergy, who now bore the sway among the Scots, with a mixture of ridicule and hatred ; while they, on the other hand, could not look tamely on gayeties and levities which she introduced among them, without abhorrence and resent- ment. The jealousy thus excited began every day to grow stronger ; the clergy only waited for some indiscretion in the queen to fly out into open opposition ; and her impru- dence but too soon gave them sufficient opportunity. 5. Mary, upon her return, had married the earl of Darn- ley ; but having been dazzled by the pleasing exterior of her new lover, she had entirely forgotten to look to the accom- plishments of his mind. Darnley was but a weak and igno- rant man ; violent, yet variable in his enterprises ; insolent, yet credulous, and easily governed by flatterers. She soon, therefore, began to convert her admiration into disgust : and Dainley, enraged at her increasing coldness, pointed his vengeance against every person he supposed the cause of this change in her sentiments and behaviour. 6. There was then in the court one David Rizzio, the son of a musician at Turin, himself a musician, wliom Mary took into her confidence. She consulted him on all occa- sions ; no favours could be obtained but by his intercession ; and all suitors were first obliged to gain Rizzio to their interests by presents or by flattery. 7. It was easy to persuade a man of Darnley's jealous and uxorious temper that Rizzio was the person who had estranged the queen's affections from him : and a surmise once conceived became to him a certainty. He soon, therefore, Consulted with some lords of his party, who accompanying vhim into the queen's apartments, where Rizzio then was, they dragged Q 182 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. him into the antechamber, where he was despatched with fifty-six wounds ; the unhappy princess continuing her la- mentations while they were perpetrating their horrid crime. 8. Being informed, however, of his fate, Mary at once dried her tears, and said she would weep no more, for she would now think of revenge. She, therefore, concealed her resent- ment, and so far imposed upon Darnley, her husband, that he put himself under her protection, and soon after attended her to Edinburgh, where he was told the place would be favourable to his health. 9. Mary lived in the palace of Holyrood-house ; but as the situation of that place was low, and the concourse of people about the court necessarily attended with noise, which might disturb him in his present infirm state, she fitted up an apartment for him in a solitary house at some distance, called the Kirk of Field. Mary there gave him marks of kindness and attachment; she conversed cordially with him, and she lay some nights in a room under his. 10. It was on the 9th of February that she told him she would pass that night in the palace, because the marriage of one of her servants was to be there celebrated in her pre- sence. But dreadful consequences ensued. About two o'clock in the morning, the whole city was much alarmed at hearing a great noise ; the house in which Darnley lay was blown up with gunpowder. His dead body was found at some distance in a neighbouring field, but without any marks of violence or contusion. No doubt could be enter- tained but that Darnley was murdered, and the general sus- picion fell upon Bothwell, a person lately taken into Mary's favour, as the perpetrator. 11. One crime led on to another ; Bothwell, though ac- cused of being stained with the husband's blood, though universally odious to the people, had the confidence, while Mary was on her way to Stirling, on a visit to her son, to seize her at the head of a body of eight hundred horse, and to carry her to Dunbar, where he forced her to yield to his purposes. 12. It was then thought by the people that the measure of his crimes was complete ; and that he who was supposed to kill the queen's husband, and to have pos- sessed himself of her person, could expect no mercy : but they were astonished upon finding, instead of disgrace, that Bothwell was taken into more than former favour ; and to crown all, that he was married to Mary, having divorced lis own wife to procure his union. ELIZABETH. 183 13. This was a fatal alliance to Mary; and the people were now wound up, by the complication of her guilt, to pay very little deference to her authority. An association was formed that took Mary prisoner, and sent her into con- finement to the castle of Lochlevin, situated in a lake of that name, where she suffered all the severities of an unkind keeper, an upbraiding conscience, with a feeling heart. 14. The calamities of the great, even though justly de- served, seldom fail of creating pity, and procuring friends. Mary, by her charms and promises, had engaged a young gentleman, whose name was George Douglas, to assist her in escaping from the place wherein she was confined ; and this he effected by conveying her in disguise in a small boat, rowed by himself, ashore. It was now that, the news of hei enlargement being spread abroad, all the loyalty of the peo- ple seemed to revive once more, and in a few days she saw herself at the head of six thousand men. Questions for Examination, 1. What were the first acts of Elizabeth in favour of? 2. Who was the first person that excited her resentment? From whom was Mary queen of Scots descended ? 3. To whom was she first married ? 4. Why is the difference of religion between the sovereign and the people apt to produce bad effects ? 5. Describe the character of the earl of Damley. 6. Who was David Rizzio ? 7. What was the fate of Rizzio? 8. On what did Mary determine in consequence ? 9. How did she affect to treat her husband ? 10. Relate the circumstances of the earl of Darnley's death- 13. Where was Mary confined? 14. By what means did she escape ? SECTION II. But malice, envy, cruelty and spleen, To death doom'd Scotia's dear devoted queen. — Macdonald. 1. (A. D. 1568.) A battle was fought at Langside, near Glasgow, which was entirely decisive against the queen of Scots ; and now, being totally ruined, she fled southward from the field of battle with great precipitation, and came with a few attendants to the borders of England, where sne hoped for protection from Elizabeth, who, instead of pro- tecting, ordered her to be put in confinement, yet treated her with all proper marks of respect. 2. She was accora- 184 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. ingly sent to Tutbury-castle, in the county of Stafford, and put into the custody of the earl of Shrewsbury ; where she had hopes given her of one day coming into favour, and that, unless her own obstinacy prevented, an accommodation might at last take place. 3. The duke of Norfolk was the only peer who enjoyed the highest title of nobility in England ; and the qualities of his mind were correspondent to his high station. Bene- ficent, affable, and generous, he had acquired the affections of the people ; and yet, from his moderation, he had never alarmed the jealousy of the sovereign. He was at this time a widower, and being of a suitable age to espouse the queen of Scots, her own attractions, as well as his interest, made him desirous of the match. 4. Elizabeth, however, dreaded such an union, and the duke was soon after made prisoner, and sent to the Tower. Upon his releasement from thence, new projects were set on foot by the enemies of the queen and the reformed religion, secretly fomented by Rodolphi, an instrument of the court of Rome, and the bishop of Ross, Mary's minister in England. 5. It was concerted by them that Norfolk should renew his designs upon Mary, and raise her to the throne, to which it is pro- bable he was prompted by passion as well as interest ; and this nobleman entering into their schemes, he, from being at first only ambitious, now became criminal. His servants were brought to make a full confession of their master's guilt ; and the bishop of Ross, soon after finding the whole discovered, did not scruple to confirm their testimony. 6. The duke was instantly committed to the Tower, and or- dered to prepare for his trial. A jury of twenty-five peers unanimously passed sentence upon him; and the queen, four months after, reluctantly signed the warrant for his execution. He died with great calmness and constancy ; and, though he cleared himself of any disloyal . intentions against the queen's authority, he acknowledged the justice of the sentence by which he suffered. 7. These conspiracies served to prepare the way for Mary's ruin, whose greatest misfortunes proceeded rather from the violence of her friends than the malignity of her enemies. Elizabeth's ministers had long been waiting for some signal instance of the captive queen's enmity, which they could easily convert into treason ; and this was not long wanting. 8. About this time (A.D. 1586), one John Ballard, a popish priest, who had been bred in the English ELIZABETH. 185 seminary at Rheims, resolved to compass the death of the queen, whom he considered as the enemy of his religion ; and with that gloomy resolution came over to England in the disguise of a soldier, with the assumed name of captain Fortescue. He bent his endeavours to bring about at once the project of an assassination, an insurrection, and an invasion. 9. The first person he addressed himself to was Anthony Babington, of Dethick, in the county of Derby, a young gentleman of good family, and possessed of a very plentiful fortune. This person had been long remarkable for his zeal in the catholic cause, and in particular for his attachment to the captive queen. He, therefore, came readily into the plot, and procured the concurrence and assistance of some other associates in this dangerous under- taking. 10. The next step was to apprize Mary of the conspiracy formed in her favour ; and this they effected by conveying their letters to her by the means of a brewer that supplied the family with ale, through a chink in the wall of her apartment. In these, Babington informed her of a design laid for a foreign invasion, the plan of an insur- rection at . home, the scheme for her delivery, and the conspiracy for assassinating the usurper, by six noble gentlemen, as he termed them, all of them his private friends, who from the zeal which they bore the catholic cause, and her majesty's service, would undertake the tragical execution. 11. To these Mary replied, that she approved highly of the design ; that the gentlemen might expect all the rewards which it should ever be in her power to confer ; and that the death of Elizabeth was a necessary circumstance, previous to any further attempts, either foi her delivery or the intended insurrection. 12. The plot being thus ripe for execution, and the evidence against the conspirators incontestable, Walsing- ham, who was privately informed of all, resolved to suspend their punishment no longer. A warrant was accordingly issued out for the apprehension of Babington and the rest of the conspirator, who covered themselves with various disguises, and endeavoured to keep themselves concealed. But they were soon discovered, thrown into prison, and brought to trial. In their examination they contradicted each other, and the leaders were obliged to make a full confession of the truth. Fourteen were con- demned and executed ; seven of whom died acknowledging their crime. Q2 186 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. ■ 13. The execution of these wretched men only prepared the way for one of still greater importance, in which a cap- tive queen was to submit to the unjust decision of those who had no right, but that of power, to condemn her. Accord- ingly a commission was issued to forty peers, with five judges, or the major part of them, to try and pass sentence upon Mary, daughter and heir of James the Fifth, king of Scotland, commonly called queen of Scots, and dowager of France. 14. Thirty-six of these commissioners arriving at the castle of Fotheringay on the 11th of November, 1586, presented her with a letter from Elizabeth, commanding her to submit to a trial for a late conspiracy. The principal charge against her was urged by serjeant Gaudy, who ac- cused her. with knowing, approving, and consenting to Babington's conspiracy. This charge was supported by Babington's confession, and" by the copies which were taken of their correspondence, in which her approbation of the queen's murder was expressly declared. 15. Whatever might have been this queen's offences, it is certain that her treatment was very severe. She desired to be put in possession of such notes as she had taken pre- paratory to her trial ; but this was refused her. She de- manded a copy of her protest; but her request was not complied with. She even required an advocate to plead her cause against so many learned lawyers as had under- taken to urge her accusations ; but all her demands were rtjected, and after an adjournment of some days, sentence of death was pronounced against her in the Star Chamber in Westminster, all the commissioners except two being present. Independent of the affairs of Mary queen of Scots, the contents of this section are barren of information. It must not, however, be supposed, that a period of eighteen years of the reign of Elizabeth afforded no matter worthy of the notice of the historian ; and we shall therefore endeavour to supply the deficiency by the following brief chronological memoranda : — On St. Bartholomew's day, 1572, a dreadful massacre of the Protestants took place in France ; a circum- stance which proved very detrimental to the Scottish queen, as many of her adherents, who were Protestants, dreaded her attachment to a religion that allowed its votaries to em- ploy such abominable measures. In 1573, Elizabeth found means, by economy, without imposing any additional burdens on her subjects, to discharge, with interest, not only all the ELIZABETH. 187 debts she had incurred in her reign, but those of Edward VI. her brother, and of her sister Mary. In 1574, so great a dearth prevailed in England, that wheat sold for six shillings a bushel. In 1577, pocket-watches were first brought into England from Germany. In 1579, a proclamation was issued, prohibiting the enlarging of the city of London ; to effect which, it was ordered that no new houses should be built within three miles of the gates of the city. In the same year the Turkey Company was established. In 1580, the use of coaches was first introduced into England by the earl of Arundel. Before that time the queen, on public occa- sions, rode on horseback behind her chamberlain. In the year 1580, also, Francis Drake, the first English- man who circumnavigated the globe, returned from his voyage. He brought home with him immense treasures, which he had taken from the Spaniards; and many of the English courtiers, dreading the Spanish power, advised Eli- zabeth to discountenance the gallant adventurer. But the queen, who admired valour, and was allured by the prospect of sharing the booty, conferred on him the honour of knight- hood, and accepted a banquet from him at Deptford, on board the ship which had achieved so memorable a voyage. Questions for Examination. 1. Where did Mary fly after her defeat at Langside? 2. Where was she confined ? 3. Describe the character of the duke of Norfolk. 4. Of what was he desirous ? 5. What were the designs of the duke of Norfolk ? 6. What were the consequences ? 8. What conspiracy was now formed in Mary's favour ? 10. By what means was Mary informed of it ? 12. What was the fate of the conspirators ? 14. What was the principal charge alleged against Mary ? 15. What favours were refused her previous to her sentence ? 188 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. SECTION III. _J~-~- . Dejected pity by her side, Her soul-subduing voice applied. — Collins. 1. (A. D. 1586.) Whether Elizabeth was really sincere in her apparent reluctance to execute Mary, is a question which, though usually given against her, I will not take upon me to determine. Certainly there were great arts used by her courtiers to incline her to the side of severity; as they had every thing to fear from the resentment of Mary in case she ever succeeded to the throne. 2. Accord- ingly the kingdom was now filled with rumours of plots, treasons, and insurrections ; and the queen was continually kept in alarm by fictitious dangers. She, therefore, appeared to be in great terror and perplexity ; she was observed to sit much alone, and mutter to herself half sentences, im- porting the difficulty and distress to which she was reduced. 3. In this situation she one day called her secretary, Da- vison, whom she order to draw out secretly the warrant for Mary's execution, informing him that she intended keep- ing it by her, in case any attempt should be made for the delivery of that princess. She signed the warrant, and then commanded it to be carried to the chancellor, to have the seal affixed to it. 4. Next morning, however, she sent two gentlemen successively to desire that Davison would not go to the chancellor until she should see him: but Davison telling her that the warrant had been already sealed, she seemed displeased at his precipitation. Davison, who probably wished himself to see the sentence executed, laid the affair before the council, who unanimously resolved that the warrant should be immediately put in execution ; and promised to justify Davison to the queen. 5. Accord- ingly, the fatal instrument was delivered to Beale, who summoned the noblemen to whom it was directed ; namely, the earls of Shrewsbury, Derby, Kent, and Cumberland, and these together set out for Fotheringay-castle, accompanied by two executioners, to despatch their bloody commission. 6. Mary heard of the arrival of her executioners, who ordered her to prepare for death at eight o'clock the next morning. Early on the fatal morning she dressed herself in a rich habit of silk and velvet, the only one which she had reserved for this solemn occasion. Thomas Andrews, the under-sheriff of the county, then entering the room, he informed her that the hour was come, and that he must ELIZABETH. 1 89 attend her to the place of execution. 7. She replied that she was ready, and bidding her servants farewell, she pro- ceeded, supported by two of her guards, and followed the sheriff with a serene composed aspect, with a long veil of linen on her head, and in her hand a crucifix of ivory. 8. She then passed into another hall, the noblemen and the sheriff going before, and Melvil, her master of the household, bearing up her train, where was a scaffold erected, and covered with black. As soon as she was seated, Beale began to read the warrant for her execution. Then Fletcher, dean of Peterborough, standing without the rails, repeated a long exhortation, which she desired him to forbear, as she was firmly resolved to die in the catholic religion. The room was crowded with spectators, who beheld her with pity and distress ; while her beauty, though dimmed by age and affliction, gleamed through her sufferings, and was still remarkable in this fatal moment. 9. The two executioners kneeling, and asking her pardon, she said she forgave them, and all the authors of her death, as freely as she hoped for forgiveness from her Maker ; and then once more made a solemn protestation of her innocence. Her eyes were then covered with a linen handkerchief; and she laid herself down without any fear or trepidation. Then reciting a psalm, and repeating a pious ejaculation, her head was severed from her body, at two strokes, by the execu- tioners. 10. Thus perished Mary, in the forty-fifth year of her age, and the nineteenth of her captivity in England. She was a woman of great accomplishments ; and the beauty of her person, the graces of her air, and charms of her conversa- tion, combined to make her one of the most amiable of women, and to produce a deep impression on all who had intercourse with her. She was ambitious and active in her temper, yet inclined to cheerfulness and society. She par- took sufficiently of manlike virtues to give her vigour in the prosecution of her purposes, without relinquishing those soft graces which compose the proper ornament of her sex. Such indeed were, on the one hand, her natural advantages and her acquirements, and on the other her faults, that an enumeration of her qualities might seem to be a panegyric, while an account of her conduct must, in some parts, wear the aspect of severe satire and invective. Her numerous misfortunes, the solitude of her long capti- vity, and the persecutions to which she had been exposed on 190 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. account of her religion, had produced in her a degree of bigotry in her later years ; and such were the prevalent spirit and principles of the age, that we need not wonder if her zeal, her resentment, and her interest uniting, induced her to give consent to a design which conspirators, actuated by the first of these motives only, had formed against the life of Elizabeth. In contemplating the contentions of mankind, we find almost ever both sides culpable ; Mary, who was stained with crimes that deserved punishment, was put to death by a princess who had no just pretensions to inflict punishment on her equal. 11. In the mean time, Philip, king of Spain, who had long meditated the destruction of England, and whose ex- tensive power gave him grounds to hope for success, now began to put his projects into execution. The point on which he rested his glory, and the perpetual object of his schemes, was to support the catholic religion, and exter- minate the reformation. The revolt of his subjects in the Netherlands still more inflamed his resentment against the English, as they had encouraged that insurrection, and as- sisted the revolters. He had, therefore, for some time been making preparations to attack England by a powerful in- vasion, and now every part of his vast empire resounded with the noise of armaments, and every art was used to levy supplies for that great design. 12. The marquis of Santa Cruz, a sea-officer of great reputation and experience, was destined to command the fleet, which consisted of a hundred and thirty vessels, of a greater size than any that had hitherto been seen in Europe. The duke of Parma was to conduct the land forces, twenty thou- sand of whom were on board the fleet, and thirty-four thou- sand more were assembled in the Netherlands, ready to be transported into England ; no doubt was entertained of this fleet's success ; and it was ostentatiously styled the Invin- cible Armada. 13. Nothing could exceed the terror and consternation which all ranks of people felt in England upon the news of this terrible armada being under sail to invade them. A fleet of not above thirty ships of war, and those very small in comparison, was all that was to oppose it at sea ; and as for resisting it by land, that was supposed to be impossible, as the Spanish army was composed of men well disciplined, and long inured to danger. ELIZABETH. 191 14. Although the English fleet was much inferior in num- ber and size of shipping to that of the enemy, yet it was much more manageable, the dexterity and courage of the mariners being greatly superior. Lord Howard of Effing- ham, a man of great courage and capacity, as lord admiral, took upon him the command of the navy. 15. Drake, Hawkins, and Frobisher, the most renowned seamen in Europe, served under him ; while a small squad- ron, consisting of forty vessels, English and Flemish, com- manded by lord Seymour, lay off Dunkirk, in order to intercept the duke of Parma. This was the preparation made by the English ; while all the protestant powers in Europe regarded the enterprise as the critical event which was to decide for ever the fate of their religion. Questions for Examination. 2. With what rumours was the kingdom filled ? 3. What orders did Elizabeth give to her secretary ? 5. To whom was the warrant of Mary's death delivered ? 6, 7, 8. Relate the particulars of her execution. 9. What was her behaviour at the fatal hour ? 11. Who now meditated the destruction of England? What was the chief object of his schemes ? 12. Who were his principal officers ? What was the amount of the Spanish forces ? 13. What was the number of the English ships ? 14. Who commanded them ? 15. What other preparations were made by the English t 192 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. SECTION IV. Destruction follows where her flag is seen, And haughty Spaniards stoop to Britain's queen.— Anon. ' 1. (A. D. 1588.) In the mean time, while the Spanish armada was preparing to sail, the admiral Santa Cruz died, as likewise the vice-admiral Palino ; and the command of the expedition was given to the duke de Medina Sidonia, a person utterly inexperienced in sea affairs ; and this, in some measure, served to frustrate the design. But some other accidents also contributed to its failure. 2. Upon leaving the port of Lisbon, the armada the next day met with a violent tempest, which sunk several of the smallest of their shipping, and obliged the fleet to put back into har- bour. After some time spent in refitting, they again put to sea ; where they took a fisherman, who gave them intelli- gence that the English fleet, hearing of the dispersion of the armada in a storm, had retired back into Plymouth har- bour, and most of the mariners were discharged. 3. From this false intelligence, the Spanish admiral, instead of going directly to the coast of Flanders, to take in the troops stationed there, as he had been instructed, resolved to sail for Plymouth, and destroy the shipping laid up in that harbour. But Effingham, the English admiral, was very well prepared to receive them ; he was just got out of port when he saw the Spanish armada coming full sail towards him, disposed in the form of a half moon, and stretching seven miles from one extremity to the other. 4. However, the English admiral, seconded by Drake, Hawkins, and Frobisher, attacked the armada at a distance, pouring in their broad- sides with admirable dexterity. They did not choose to en- gage the enemy more closely, because they were greatly inferior in the number of ships, guns, and weight of metal ; nor could they pretend to board such lofty ships without manifest disadvantage. However two Spanish galleons were disabled and taken. 5. As the armada advanced up the channel, the English still followed, and infested their rear; and their fleet continually increasing from different ports, they soon found themselves in a capacity to attack the Spanish fleet more nearly, and accordingly fell upon them while they were as yet taking shelter in the port of Calais. 6. To increase their confusion, Howard took eight of his smaller ships, and filling them with combustible materials, sent them, as if they had been fire-ships, one ELIZABETH. lUS after the other, into the midst of the enemy. The Spaniards, taking them for what they seemed to be, immediately took flight, in great disorder ; while the English, profiting by their panic, took or destroyed about twelve of the enemy. 7. This was a fatal blow to Spain ; the duke de Medina Sidonia, being thus driven to the coast of Zealand, held a council of war, in which it was resolved, that, as their am- munition began to fail, as their ships had received great damage, and the duke of Parma had refused to venture his army under their protection, they should return to Spain Tsy sailing round the Orkneys, as the winds were contrary to his passage directly back. 8. Accordingly they pro- ceeded northward, and were followed by the English fleet as far as Flamborough-head, where they were terribly shat- tered by a storm. Seventeen of the ships, having five thousand men on board, were afterwards cast away on the Western isles, and the coast of Ireland. Of the whole armada, three-and-fifty ships only returned to Spain, in a miserable condition ; and the seamen, as well as soldiers, who remained, only served by their accounts to intimidate their countrymen from attempting to renew so dangerous an expedition. 9. From being invaded, the English, in their turn, attacked the Spaniards. Of those who made the most signal figure in the depredations upon Spain, was the young earl of Essex, a nobleman of great bravery, generosity, and genius; and fitted not only for the foremost ranks in war by his valour, but to eonduct the intrigues of a court by his eloquence and address. 10. In all the masques which were then performed, the earl and Elizabeth were generally coupled as partners ; and although she was almost sixty, and he not half so old, yet her vanity overlooked the disparity ; the world told her she was young, and she herself was willing to think so. This young earl's interest in the queen's affections, as may naturally be supposed, promoted his interests in the state ; and he conducted all things at his discretion. 11. But, young and inexperienced as he was, he at length began to fancy that the popularity he possessed, and the flatteries he received, were given to his merits, and not to his favour. In a debate before the queen, between him and Burleigh, about the choice of a governor for Ireland, he was so heated in the argument, that he entirely forgot both the rules and duties of civility. 12. He turned his back on the queen in a contemptuous manner, which so provoked her resentment, 194 HISTOKY OF ENGLAND. that she instantly gave him a box on the ear. Instead of recollecting himself, and making the submission due to her sex and station, he clapped his hand to his sword, and swore he would not bear such usage even from her father. This offence, though very great, was overlooked by the queen ; her partiality was so prevalent, that she reinstated him in her former favour, and her kindness seemed to have acquired new force from that short interruption of anger and resent- ment. 13. The death also of his rival, Lord Burleigh, which happened shortly after, seemed to confirm his power. At that time the earl of Tyrone headed the rebellious na- tives of Ireland ; who, not yet thoroughly brought into sub- jection by the English, took every opportunity to make incursions upon the more civilized inhabitants, and slew all they were able to overpower. 14. To subdue these was an employment that Essex thought worthy of his ambition; nor were his enemies displeased at thus removing him from court, where he obstructed all their private aims of prefer ment. But it ended in his ruin. Instead of attacking the enemy in their grand retreat in Ulster, he led his forces into the province of Munster, where he only exhausted his strength, and lost his opportunity against a people that sub- mitted at his approach, but took up arms when he retired. 15. This issue of an enterprise, from which much was ex- pected, did not fail to provoke the queen most sensibly ; and her anger was still more heightened by the peevish and impatient letters which he daily wrote to her and the council. But her resentment against him was still more justly let loose, when she found, that, leaving the place of his appoint- ment, and without any permission demanded or obtained, he returned from Ireland, to make his complaints to herself in person. 16. Though Elizabeth was justly offended, yet he soon won upon her temper to pardon him. He was now ordered to continue a prisoner in his own house till the queen's fur- ther pleasure should be known, and it is probable that the discretion of a few months might have reinstated him in all his former employments ; but the impetuosity of his cha- racter would not suffer him to wait for a slow redress of what he considered as wrongs : and the queen's refusing his v equest to continue him in possession of a lucrative mono- poly of sweet wines, which he had long enjoyed, spurred him on to the most violent and guilty measures. (A.D. 1600.) 17. Having long built with fond credulity on his ELIZABETH. 195 great popularity, he began to hope, from the assistance of the giddy multitude, that revenge upon his enemies in coun- cil, which he supposed was denied him from the throne. His greatest dependence was upon the professions of the citizens of London, whose schemes of religion and govern- ment he appeared entirely to approve ; and while he grati fied the puritans, by railing at the government of the church, he pleased the envious, by exposing the faults of those in power. 18. Among other criminal projects, the result of blind rage and despair, it was resolved that sir Christopher Blount, one of his creatures, should, with a choice detach- ment, possess himself of the palace gates ; that sir John Davis should seize the hall ; sir Charles Danvers the guard- chamber; while Essex himself should rush in from the Mews, attended by a body of his partisans, into the queen's presence, and entreat her to remove his and her enemies, to assemble a new parliament, and to correct the defects of the present administration. Questions for Examination, I, 2. What were the circumstances that contributed to retard the armada! 4. Describe the gallant conduct of the English. 7, 8. What were the consequences ? 9. What was the character of the earl of Essex f 12. How did he behave to the queen ? 13. What expedition did he undertake ? 14. What was his success ? 15, 16. In what manner did he increase the queen's resentment? 17. From whom did Essex expect assistance ? 18. On what project did he afterwards resolve ? SECTION V. Raleigh, with hopes of new discoveries fired. And all the depths of human wit inspired, Moved o'er the western world in search of fame. Adding fresh gJory to Elisa's name. — Dr. King 1. (A. D. 1601.) While Essex was deliberating upon the manner in which he should proceed, he received a pri- vate note, by which he was warned to provide for his own safety. He now, therefore, consulted with his friend*, touching the emergency of their situation ; they were desti- tute of arms and ammunition, while the guards at the palace were doubled, so that any attack there would be fruitless. 2. While he and his confidants were in consultation, a per- son, probably employed by his enemies, came in as a mes- senger from the citizens, with tenders of friendship and 106 HISTORY OF ENGLAND assistance against all his adversaries. Wild as the projec was of raising the city in the present terrible conjuncture, it was resolved on ; but the execution of it was delayed till the day following. 8. Early in the morning of the next day, he was attended by his friends the earls of Rutland and Southampton, the lords Sandes, Parker, and Monteagle, with three hundred persons of distinction. The doors of Essex-house were im- mediately locked, to prevent all strangers from entering ; and the earl now discovered his scheme for raising the city more fully to all the conspirators. In the mean time, sir Walter Raleigh sending a message to Ferdinando Georges, this officer had a conference with him in a boat on the Thames, and there discovered all their proceedings. 4. The earl of Essex, who now saw that all was to be hazarded, resolved to leave his house, and to sally forth to make an insurrec- tion in the city. But he had made a very wrong estimate in expecting that popularity alone would aid him in time of danger ; he issued out with about two hundred followers, armed only with swords ; and in his passage to the city was joined by the earl of Bedford and lord Cromwell. 5. As he passed through the streets, he cried aloud, " For the queen ! for the queen ! a plot is laid for my life ;" hoping to engage the populace to rise ; but they had received orders from the mayor to keep within their houses ; so that he was not joined by a single person. 6. In this manner, attended by a few of his followers, the rest having privately retired, he made towards the river ; and, taking a boat, arrived once more at Essex-house, where he began to make preparations for his defence. But his case was too desperate for any re- medy from valour ; wherefore, after demanding in vain for hostages and conditions from his besiegers, he surrendered at discretion, requesting only civil treatment and a fair and impartial hearing. 7. Essex and Southampton were immediately carried to the archbishop's palace at Lambeth, from whence they were the next day conveyed to the Tower, and tried by the peers on the nineteenth of February following. Little could be urged in their defence ; their guilt was too flagrant ; and though it deserved pity, it could not meet an acquittal. Essex, after condemnation, was visited by that religious horror which seemed to attend him in all his disgraces: He was terrified almost to despair by the ghostly remon- strances of his own chaplain ; he was reconciled to hi* ELIZABETH, 197 Queen Elizabeth signing the death-warrant of Essex. enemies, and made a full confession of his conspiracy 8. It is alleged upon this occasion, that he had strong hopes of pardon from the irresolution which the queen seemed to discover before she signed the warrant for his execution. She had given him formerly a ring, which she desired him to send her in any emergency of this nature, and that it should procure his safety and protection. This ring was actually sent by the countess of Nottingham, who, being a concealed enemy to the unfortunate earl, never delivered it ; while Elizabeth was secretly fired at his obstinacy in mak- ing no application for mercy or forgiveness. 9. The fact is, she appeared herself as much an object of pity as the unfortunate nobleman she was induced to condemn. She signed the warrant for his execution ; she countermanded it; she again resolved on his death, and again felt a new return of tenderness. At last she gave her consent to his execution, and was never seen to enjoy one happy day more. 10. With the death of her favourite Essex, all Elizabeth's pleasures seemed to expire ; she afterwards went through the business of the state merely from habit, but her satisfac- tions were no more. Her distress was more than sufficient to destroy the remains of her constitution ; and her end was now visibly seen to approach. Her voice soon after left her; she fell into a lethargic slumber, which continued some hours ; and she expired gently, without a groan, in the r2 198 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. seventieth year of her age, and the forty-fifth of her reign, 11. Her character differed with her circumstances ; in the beginning she was moderate and humble ; towards the end of her reign haughty and severe. Though she was possess ed of excellent sense, yet she never had the discernment to discover that she wanted beauty ; and to flatter her charms at the age of sixty-five was the surest road to her favour and esteem. 12. But whatever were her personal defects, as a queen she is ever to be remembered by the English with gratitude. It is true, indeed, that she carried her prerogative in parlia- ment to its highest pitch, so that it was tacitly allowed in that assembly that she was above all laws, and could make and unmake them at pleasure ; yet still she was so wise and good as seldom to exert that power which she claimed, and to enforce few acts of her prerogative which were not for the benefit of her people. 13. It is true, in like manner, that the English, during her reign, were put in possession of no new or splendid acquisitions ; but commerce was daily growing up among them, and the people began to find that the theatre of their truest conquests was to be on the bosom of the ocean. A nation, which had hitherto been the object of every invasion, and a prey to every plunderer, now as- serted its strength in turn, and became terrible to its invad- ers. 14. The successful voyages of the Spaniards and Por- tuguese began to excite their emulation, and they planned several expeditions for discovering a shorter passage to the East Indies. The famous sir Walter Raleigh, without any assistance from government, colonized New England, while internal commerce was making equal improvements ; and many Flemings, persecuted in their native country, found, together with their arts and industry, an easy asylum in England. 15. Thus the whole island seemed as if roused from her long habits of barbarity ; arts, commerce, and le- gislation began to acquire new strength every day ; and such was the state of learning at that time, that some fixed that period as the Augustan age of England. Sir Walter Raleigh and Hooker are considered as among the first im- provers of our language. 16. Spenser and Shakspeare are too well known as poets to be praised here ; but, of all man- kind, Francis Bacon, lord Verulam, who flourished in this reign, deserves, as a philosopher, the highest applause ; his style is copious and correct, and his wit is only surpassed by his learning and penetration. 17. If we look through ELIZABETH. 109 history, and consider the rise of kingdoms, we shall scarcely find an instance of a people becoming, in so short a time, wise, powerful, and happy. Liberty, it is true, still conti- nued to fluctuate ; Elizabeth knew her own power, and stretched it to the very verge of despotism ; but, now that commerce was introduced, liberty soon after followed ; for there never was a nation that was perfectly commercial that submitted long to slavery. Questions for Examination, 1. What project did Essex resolve on for raising the city ? 3, 4, 5. How did he proceed to effect this ? 6, 7. What was the fate of Essex and Southampton ? 8. What induced Essex to have hopes of pardon? 9. What was Elizabeth's conduct on this occasion ? 10. Did ^Elizabeth long survive the death of her favourite ? 11. What was her character ? 13. What was the political condition of England at the death of Elizabeth ? 14. Did any important events take place during her reign ? 15. What was the state of learning ? and what eminent men flourished at thu time ? CONTEMPORARY SOVEREIGNS Popes. A.D. Paul IV 1555 Pius IV 1559 PiusV 1505 Gregory XIII 1572 SextusV 1585 Urban VII 1590 Gregory XIV 1590 Innocent IX 1591 Clement VIII 1592 Emperors of Germany. Ferdinand 1 1558 Maximilian II 15G4 Rodolphus II 1576 Emperors of the Turks. Solimanll 1520 A.D. Selim II 1566 Amurathlll 1574 Mahomet III 1595 Kings of France. Henry II 1547 Francis II 1559 Charles IX 1560 Henry III 1574 Henry IV 1589 King of Spain. Philip II 1555 Kings of Portugal. Sebastian 1557 Henry 1579 Union of Spain and Portugal. A.D. Philip II 1580 Philip III 1597 Kings of Denmark. Christian IV 1558 Frederick II 1559 Kings of Sweden. EricX 1556 John III 1569 Sigismund 1592 Queen and King of Scotland. Mary 1542 James VI 1567 EMINENT PERSONS. Shakspeare. Spenser. Bacon. Sir Philip Sidney. Sir Walter Raleigh.* Sir Francis Drake. Lord Howard of Effingham. Cecil, lord Burleigh. Ro- bert Dudley, earl of Leicester. Sir Martin Frobisher. Sir John Hawkma ganza, their king. \ V 236 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. all lost in the unbounded stretch of power that lay before hirn. 2. Having been appointed to command the army in Ire- land, he prosecuted the war in that kingdom with his usual success. He had to combat against the royalists, com- manded by the duke of Ormond, and the native Irish, led on by O'Neil. But such ill-connected and barbarous troops could give very little opposition to Cromwell's more nu- merous forces, conducted by such a general, and emboldened by long success. He soon overran the whole country ; and, after some time, all the towns revolted in his favour, and opened their gates at his approach. 3. But, in these conquests, as in all the rest of his actions, there appeared a brutal ferocity, that would tarnish the most heroic valour. In order to intimidate the natives from defending their towns, he, with a barbarous policy, put every garrison that made any resistance to the sword. 4. After his return to England, upon taking his seat, he received the thanks of the house, by the mouth of the speaker, for the services he had done the commonwealth in Ireland. They then proceeded to deliberate upon choosing a general for conducting the war in Scotland, where they had espoused the royal cause, and placed young Charles, the son of their late monarch, on the throne. Fairfax re- fusing this command upon principle, as he had all along declined opposing the presbyterians, the command necessa- rily devolved upon Cromwell, who boldly set forward for Scotland, at the head of an army of sixteen thousand men/ 5. The Scots, in the mean time, who had invited over their wretched king to be a prisoner, not a ruler among them, prepared to meet the invasion. A.D. 1650. A battle soon ensued, in which they, though double the number of the English, were soon put to flight, and pursued with great slaughter, while Cromwell did not lose above forty men in all. 6. In this terrible exigence young Charles embraced a resolution worthy a prince who was willing to hazard all for empire. Observing that the way was open to England, he resolved immediately to march into that country, where he expected to be reinforced by all the royalists in that part of the kingdom. 7. But he soon found himself disappointed in the expec- tation of increasing his army. The Scots, terrified at the prospect of so hazardous an enterprise, fell from him in great THE COMMONWEALTH. 237 numbers. The English, affrighted at the name of his op- ponent, dreaded to join him ; but his mortifications were still more increased as he arrived at Worcester, when in- formed that Cromwell was marching with hasty strides from Scotland, with an army increased to forty thousand men. 8. The news had scarcely arrived, when that active general himself appeared ; and, falling upon the town on all sides, broke in upon the disordered royalists. The streets were strewed with slaughter ; the whole Scots army were either killed or taken prisoners ; and the king himself, having given many proofs of personal valour, was obliged to fly. 9. Imagination can scarcely conceive adventures more romantic, or distress more severe, than those which at- tended the young king's flight from the scene of slaughter. After various escapes, and one-and-forty days concealment, he landed safely at Feschamp, in Normandy ; no less than forty men and women having, at different times,. been privy to his escape. 10. Th'e particulars of Charles's escape, after the battle of Worcester, are truly interesting. He left the fatal scene of action, accompanied by the duke of Buckingham, the earls of Derby and Lauderdale, the lords Talbot, Wilmot, and fifty horse, and, without halting, arrived at Whiteladies, twenty-five miles from Worcester, at five o'clock in the morning. There he thought it best for his safety to separate from his companions, and, without intrusting them with his intentions, he went to Boscobel, a lone house in Staffordshire, inhabited by one Penderell, a farmer, whose fidelity remained unshaken, though death was denounced against all who con- cealed the king, and a great reward promised to any one who should betray him. Penderell, and his four brothers, having clothed the king in a garb like their own, led him into the neighbouring wood, put a bill into his hand, and em- ployed themselves in cutting faggots with him. For better concealment he mounted upon an oak, where he sheltered himself among the branches and leaves for twenty-four hours. There he saw several soldiers passing in search of him. This tree was afterwards called the royal oak, and for many years was regarded by the neighbourhood with great veneration. Thence he passed with imminent danger from one cottage to another, feeling all the varieties of famine, fatigue and pain, till he reached the house of Mr. Lane, a gentleman of good reputation and fortune in Staffordshire. In this station the king remained many days in quiet and 238 HIST0BY OF ENGLAND. security. Thence he went to one of Mr. Lane's relations, within five miles of Bristol, where he intended to embark ; but finding that no ship was to sail for a month from that place, he was obliged to go elsewhere for a passage, and escaped from being discovered and arrested at Lyme, only by a few minutes. Charles passed through many other adventures, assumed different disguises, in every step was exposed to imminent dangers, and received daily proofs of uncorrupted fidelity. A little bark was at last found at Brighthelmstone, (at that time a small fishing-town in Sussex, but now a place of considerable magnitude and opulence,) where his majesty embarked, and arrived safely at Fres- champ, in Normandy, October 22d. 11. In the mean time, Cromwell, crowned with success, returned in triumph to London, where he was met by the speaker of the house, accompanied by the mayor of London, and the magistrates, in all their formalities. His first care was to take advantage of his late success, by depressing the Scots, who had so lately withstood the work of the gospel, as he called it. 12. An act was passed for abolishing roy- alty in Scotland, and annexing that kingdom, as a conquered province, to the English commonwealth. It was empow- ered, however, to send some members to the English par- liament. Judges were appointed to distribute justice, and the people of that country, now freed from the tyranny of the ecclesiastics, were not much dissatisfied with their pre- sent government. The prudent conduct of Monk, who was left by Cromwell to complete their subjection, served much to reconcile the minds of the people, harassed with dissen- sions, of which they never well understood the cause. 13. In this manner, the English parliament, by the means of Cromwell, spread their uncontested authority over all the British dominions. Ireland was totally subdued by Ireton and Ludlow. All the settlements in America, that had de- clared for the royal cause, were obliged to submit ; Jersey, Guernsey, Scilly, and the Isle of Man, were brought easily under subjection. Thus mankind saw, with astonishment, a parliament composed of sixty or seventy obscure and illi- terate members governing a great empire with unanimity and success. 14. Without any acknowledged subordination except a council of state, consisting of thirty-eight, to whom all addresses were made, they levied armies, maintained fleets, and gave laws to the neighbouring powers of Europe. 15. The finances were managed with economy and exact- THE COMMONWEATLH. 239 ness. Few private persons became rich by the plunder of the public : the revenues of the crown, the lands of the bishops, and a tax of a hundred and twenty thousand pounds each month, supplied the wants of the government, and gave vigour to all their proceedings. Questions for Examination. 1. What was the nature of Cromwell's ambition? 2. What success attended him in Ireland ? 3. What cruelty tarnished his victories ? 4. Whom did the parliament appoint to the command of the army against Scotland ? 5. What was Cromwell's success? 6. What resolution did prince Charles embrace ? 7. What news did the prince receive at Worcester ? 8. What was the result of his undertaking ? . 9. What were his sufferings ? and how did he escape ? 10. Mention more particularly the incidents of this escape. 11. What was Cromwell's first care after his return? 12. What act was now passed respecting Scotland ? 13 — 15. What was the state of the British empire at this time ? SECTION II. An evil soul, producing holy writ, Is like a villain with a smiling cheek ; A goodly apple rotten at the core. — Shakspeare. 1. (A. D. 1652.) The parliament, having thus reduced their native dominions to perfect obedience, next resolved to chastise the Dutch, who had given but very slight cause of complaint. It happened that one doctor Dorislaus, who was of the number of the late king's judges, being sent by the parliament as their envoy to Holland, was assassinated by one of the royal party, who had taken refuge there. 2. Some time after, also, Mr. St. John, appointed their ambassador to that court, was insulted by the friends of the prince of Orange. These were thought motives sufficient to induce the commonwealth of England to declare war against them. The parliament's chief dependence lay in the activity and courage of Blake, their admiral ; who, though he had not embarked in naval command till late in life, yet surpassed all that went before him in courage and dexterity. 3. On the other side, the Dutch opposed to him 240 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. their famous admiral Van Tromp, to whom they have never since produced an equal. Many were the engagements be- tween these celebrated admirals, and various was their suc- cess. Sea-fights, in general, seldom prove decisive; and the vanquished are soon seen to make head against the victor. Several dreadful encounters, therefore, rather served to show the excellence of the admirals, than to determine their superiority. 4. The Dutch, however, who felt many great disadvantages by the loss of their trade, and by the total suspension of their fisheries, were willing to treat for a peace ; but the parliament gave them a very unfavourable answer. It was the policy of that body to keep their navy on foot as long as they could ; rightly judging, that, while the force of the nation was exerting by sea, it would di- minish the power of general Cromwell by land, which was become very formidable to them. 5. This great aspirer, however, quickly perceived their designs ; and, from the first, saw that they dreaded his growing power, and wished its diminution. All his mea- sures were conducted with a bold intrepidity that marked his character, and he now saw that it was not necessary to wear the mask of subordination any longer. Secure, there- fore, in the attachment of the army, he resolved to make another daring effort; and persuaded the officers to present a petition for payment of arrears and redress of grievances, which he knew would be rejected by the commons with disdain. 6. The petition was soon drawn up and pre- sented, in which the officers, after demanding their arrears, desired the parliament to consider how many years they had sat ; and what professions they had formerly made of their intentions to new-model the house, and establish free dom on the broadest basis. 7. The house was highly offended at the presumption of the army, although they had seen, but too lately, that their own power was wholly founded on that very presumption. They appointed a committee to prepare an act ordaining that all persons who presented such petitions for the future should be deemed guilty of high-treason. To this the offi- cers made a very warm remonstrance, and the parliament as angry a reply ; while the breach between them every moment grew wider. 8. This was what Cromwell had long wished, and had long foreseen. He was sitting in the council with his officers, when informed of the subject on which the house was deliberating ; upon which he rose up, THE COMMONWEALTH. mm 241 Cromwell dismissing the parliament. in the most seeming fury, and turning to major Vernon, he cried out, that he was compelled to do a thing that made the very hairs of his head stand on end. 9. Then hasten- ing to the house with three hundred soldiers, and with the marks of violent indignation on his countenance, he entered. Stamping with his foot, which was the signal for the soldiers to enter, the place was immediately filled with armed men. r Vlven addressing himself to the members: "For shame,'" said he, " get you gone. Give place to honester men ; to those who will more faithfully discharge their trust. 10. You are no longer a parliament : I tell you, you are no longer a parliament : the Lord lias done with you." Sir Harry Vane exclaiming against this conduct : " Sir Harry," cried Cromwell, with a loud voice, " O ! sir Harry Vane, the Lord deliver me from sir Harry Vane." He then, in the coarsest and most violent manner, reproached many of the members, by name, with their vices. " It is you," con- tinued he, "that have forced me upon this. 11. I have sought the Lord night and day, that he would rather slay me than put me upon this work." Then pointing to the mace, " Take away," cried he, " that bauble." After which, turning out all the members, and clearing the hall, he ordered the doors to be locked, and, putting the key in His pocket, returned to Whitehall. 12. The persons selected for his next parliament were the lowest, meanest, and the most ignorant among the citi- X . ^C/yi / m 242 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. zens, and the very dregs of the fanaties. He was well ap- prized, that, during the administration of such a group of characters, he alone must govern, or that they must soon throw up the reins of government, which they were unqua- lified to guide. Accordingly, their practice justified his sa- gacity. One of them particularly, who was called Praise God Barebone, a canting leather seller, gave his name to this odd assembly, and it was called Barebone's parliament. 15. The very vulgar now began to exclaim against so foolish a legislature ; and they themselves seemed not insen- ' sible of the ridicule which every day was thrown out against them. Accordingly, by concert, they met earlier than the rest of their fraternity, and observing to each other that this parliament had sat long enough, they hastened to Crom- well, with Rouse their speaker at their head, and into his hands they resigned the authority with which he had invest- ed them. Questions for Examination. • 1. What circumstances produced a war with the Dutch ? 2. On what admiral did the English place their chief dependence 3. To whom was Blake opposed ? 4. What was the result of the war ? 5. What petition did Cromwell persuade the officers to present ? 7. In what manner did the parliament receive the petition ? 7 — 11. Relate the particulars of this dispute, and its result. 12. Of whom was the next parliament composed? and what was it called ? 13. To whom did they resign their authority ? SECTION III. Established violence and lawless might, Avowed and hallowed by the name of right. — Route's Lucan. 1. (A.D. 1653.) Cromwell accepted their resignation with pleasure ; but being told that some of the members were refractory, he sent colonel White to clear the house of such as ventured to remain there. They had placed one Moyer in the chair by the time that the colonel had arrived ; and being asked by the colonel what they did there, Moyer replied very gravely, that they were seeking the Lord " Then may you go elsewhere," cried White ; " for to my certain knowledge, the Lord has not been here these many years." 2. This shadow of a parliament being dissolved, the offi- cers, by their own authority, declared Cromwell protector THE COMMONWEALTH. 243 of the commonwealth of England. He was to be addressed by the title of highness ; and his power was proclaimed in London, and other parts of the kingdom. Thus an obscure and vulgar man, at the age of fifty-three, rose to unbounded power : first by following small events in his favour, and at length by directing great ones. 3. Cromwell chose his council from among his officers, who had been the companions of his dangers and his victo- ries, to each of whom he assigned a pension of one thousand pounds a year. He took care to have his troops, upon whose fidelity he depended for support, paid a month in ad- vance ; the magazines were also well provided, and the public treasure managed with frugality and care ; while his activity, vigilance, and resolution were such, that he disco- vered every conspiracy against his person, and every plot for an insurrection, before they took effect. 4. His management of foreign affairs, though his schemes were by no means political, yet well corresponded with his character, and for a while were attended with success. The Dutch, having been humbled by repeated defeats, and totally abridged of their commercial concerns, were obliged at last to sue for peace, which he gave them upon terms rather too favourable. 5. He insisted upon their paying deference to the British flag ; he compelled them to abandon the interest of the king, and to pay eighty-five thousand pounds, as an indemnification for former expenses ; and to restore the English East India Company a part of those dominions of which they had been dispossessed by the Dutch, during the former reign, in that distant part of the world. 6. He was not less successful in his negotiation with the court of France. Cardinal Mazarin, by whom the affairs of that kingdom were conducted, deemed it necessary to pay deference to the protector ; and desirous rather to prevail by dexterity than violence, submitted to Cromwell's imperious character, and thus procured ends equally beneficial to both. 7. The court of Spain was not less assiduous in its endea- vours to gain his friendship, but was not so successful. This vast monarchy, which, but a few years before, had threatened the liberties of Europe, was now reduced so low as to be seareely able to defend itself. Cromwell, however, who knew nothing of foreign politics, still continued to re- gard its power with an eye of jealousy, and came into an association with France to depress it still more. 8. He lent thai court a body of six thousand men to attack the Spanish 244 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. dominions in the Netherlands ; and, upon obtaining a signal victory by his assistance at Dunes, the French put Dunkirk, which they had just taken from the Spaniards, into his hands, as a reward for his attachment. 9. But it was by sea that he humbled the power of Spain with still more effectual success. Blake, who had long made himself formidable to the Dutch, and whose fame was spread over Europe, now became still more dreadful to the Spanish monarchy. He sailed with a fleet into the Medi- terranean, whither, since the time of the crusades, no Eng- lish fleet had ever ventured to advance. He there conquered all that dared to oppose^, him. 10. Casting anchor before Leghorn, he demanded >rfnrd Hollis ; Dudley, lord North ; J. Touchet, earl of Castlehaven and baron Audley ; H, Pierpont, marquis of Dorchester; J. Wilmot, earl of Rochester ; t Anthony Ashley ; Heneage Finch, <^rl of Nottingham ; -Francis North, lord-keeper Guildford; J. Robarts, earl of Radnor; Arthur Annesley, earl of Anglesea; marquis of Argyle, H. Finch, earl of Winchelsea ; A Carey, lord Falkland ; Anne, countess of Dorset, Pembroke, and Montgomery ; Margaret, dutchess of Newcastle. CHAPTER XXXI. JAMES II. Born 1633. Began to reign February 6, 1685. Abdicated the throne January 22, 1688. Reigned 2£ years. SECTION I. Noar Bridgewater, the fatal place Of Monmouth's downfall and disgrace, The hopeless duke, half starved, half drowned, In covert of a ditch was found. -~Dibdin. 1. (A. D.) 1685.) The duke of York, who succeeded his brother by the title of king James the second, had been bred a papist by his mother, and was strongly bigoted to his principles. He went openly to mass with all the ensigns of his dignity, and even sent one Caryl as his agent to Rome, * i * The strange character of this highly-gifted but profligate nobleman, is thus graphically described by Dryden: *' A man so various that he seemed to he Not one, but all mankind's, epitome : Stiff in opinion — always in the wrong- Was every thing by starts, hut nothing long; Who in the course of one revolving moon Was chemist, fiddler , statesman, and buffoon." He died in wretchedness. Pope thus describes the miserable end of his career : " In the worst inn's worst room, with mat half hung, The George and Garter dangling from that bed Where tawdry yellow strove with dirty red, Great Villiers lies— alas ! how changed from him That life of pleasure, and that soul of whim ! There victor of his health, of fortune, friends And fame, the lord of useless thousands ends." t Rochester was equally celebrated for his wit and profligacy. His mock epitaph on Charles II. contains a severe but just character of that monarch : " Here lies our mutton-eating king, Whose word no man relies on ; He never said a foolish thing, And never did a wise one." 2z2 270 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. to make submission to the pope, and to pave the way for the* readmission of England into the bosom of the catholic church. 2. A conspiracy, set on foot by the duke of Monmouth, was the first disturbance in this reign. He had, since his last conspiracy, been pardoned, but was ordered to depart the kingdom, and had retired to Holland. Being dismissed from thence by the prince of Orange, upon James's acces- sion he went to Brussels, where finding himself still pursued by the king's severity, he resolved to retaliate, and make an attempt upon the kingdom. 3. He had ever been the dar- ling of the people, and some averred that Charles had mar- ried his mother, and owned Monmouth's legitimacy at his death. The duke of Argyle seconded his views in Scot- land, and they formed the scheme of a double insurrection ; so that, while Monmouth should attempt to make a rising in the west, Argyle was also to try his endeavours in the north. 4. Argyle was the first who landed in Scotland, where he published his manifestos, put himself at the head of two thousand five hundred men, and strove to influence the peo- ple in his cause. But a formidable body of the king's forces coming against him, his army fell away, and he himself, after being wounded in attempting to escape, was taken pri- soner by a peasant, who found him standing up to his neck in a pool of water. He was % from thence carried to Edin- burgh, where, after enduring many indignities with a gallant spirit, he was publicly executed. 5. Meanwhile Monmouth was by this time landed in Dorsetshire, with scarcely a hundred followers. However, his name was so popular, and so great was the hatred of the people both for the person and religion of James, that in four days he had assembled a body of above two thousand men. 6. Being advanced to Taunton, his numbers had increased to six thousand men ; and he was obliged every day, for want of arms, to dismiss numbers who crowded to his stand- ard. He entered Bridgewater, Wells, and Frome, and was proclaimed in all those places ; but he lost the hour of action in receiving and claiming these empty honours. 7. The king was not a little alarmed at his invasion ; but still more so at the success of an undertaking that at first ap- peared desperate. Six regiments of British troops were recalled from Holland, and a body of regulars, to the nurr>- james a. 271 ber of three thousand men, were sent, under the command of the earls of Feversham and Churchill, to check the progress of the rebels. 8. They took post at Sedgemore, a village in the neighbourhood of Bridgewater, and were joined by the militia of the county in considerable numbers. It was there that Monmouth resolved, by a desperate effort, to lose his life or gain the kingdom. The negligent disposition made by Feversham invited him to the attack ; and his faith- ful followers showed what courage and principle could do against discipline and numbers. 9. They drove the royal infantry from their ground, and were upon the point of gain- ing the victory, when the misconduct of Monmouth, and the cowardice of lord Grey, who commanded the horse, brought all to ruin. This nobleman fled at the first onset ; and the rebels being charged in flank by the victorious army, gave way, after three hours' contest. 10. About three hundred were killed in the engagement, and a thousand in the pur- suit ; and thus ended an enterprise rashly begun, and more feebly conducted. Monmouth fled from the field of battle about twenty miles, till his horse sunk under him. He then alighted, and chang- ing his clothes with a shepherd, fled on foot, attended by a German count, who had accompanied him from Holland. 11. Being quite exhausted with hunger and fatigue, they both lay down in a field, and covered themselves with fern. The shepherd being found in Monmouth's clothes by the pursuers, increased the diligence of the search ; and by the means of blood-hounds he was detected in this miserable situation, with raw peas in his pocket, which he had gathered in the fields to sustain life. 12. He wrote the most sub- missive letters to the king; and that monarch, willing to feast his eyes with the miseries of a fallen enemy, gave him an audience. At this interview the duke fell upon his knees, and begged his life in the most abject terms. He even signed a paper, offered him by the king, declaring his own illegitimacy ; and then the stern tyrant assured him that his crime was of such a nature as could not be pardoned. 13. The duke, perceiving that he had nothing to hope from the clemency of his uncle, recollected his spirits, rose up, and retired with an air of disdain. He was followed to the scaf- fold with great compassion from the populace. He warned the executioner not to fall into the same error which he had committed in beheading Russel, where it had been necessary to redouble the blow. 14. But this only increased the se- 272 , HISTORY OF ENGLAND. verity of the punishment ; the man was seized with an.uni* versal trepidation, and he struck a feeble blow, upon which the duke raised his head from the block, as if to reproach him ; he gently laid down his head a second time, and the executioner struck him again and again to no purpose. He at last threw the axe down ; but the sheriff compelled him to resume the attempt, and at two more blows the head was severed from the body. 15. Such was the end of James, duke of Monmouth, the darling of the English people. He was brave, sincere, and good-natured, open to flattery, and by that seduced into an enterprise which exceeded his capa- city. 16. But it were well for the insurgents, and fortunate for the king, if the blood that was now shed had been thought a sufficient expiation for the late offence. The victorious army behaved with the most savage cruelty to the prisoners taken after the battle. Feversham, immediately after the victory, hanged up above twenty prisoners. 17. The military severities of the commanders were still inferior to the legal slaughters committed by judge Jefferies, who was sent down to try the delinquents. The natural brutality of this man's temper was inflamed by continual in- toxication. He told the prisoners, that if they would save him the trouble of trying them, they might expect some fa- vour, otherwise he would execute the law upon them with the utmost severity. 18. Many poor wretches were thus allured into a confession, and found that it only hastened their destruction. No less than eighty were executed at Dorchester ; and, on the whole, at Exeter, Taunton, and Wells, two hundred and fifty-one are computed to have fallen by the hands of the executioner. Questions for Examination. 1 . In what manner did James act on succeeding to the throne ? 2, 3. What was the first disturbance in this reign ? and who were the prin- cipals concerned in it ? 4. What success attended Argyle's attempt ? 5 — 10. Relate the particulars of Monmouth's invasion. 11. In what situation was he found ? 12. What was his conduct after he was taken ? 13, 14. Relate what happened at his execution. 15. What was his character ? 16. How were the prisoners treated ? 17. What was the conduct of judge Jefferies ? 18. How many rebels are said to have been executed ? JAMES II. 273 SECTION II. With persecution arni'ri, the sacred code Of law he dashes thoughtless to the ground. — Valpy. 1. (A.D. 1686.) In ecclesiastical matters, James proceed- ed with still greater injustice. Among those who distin- guished themselves against popery was one Dr. Sharpe, a clergyman of London, who declaimed with just severity against those who changed their religion by such arguments as the popish missionaries were able to produce. 2. This being supposed to reflect upon the king, gave great offence at court ; and positive orders were given to the bishop of London to suspend Sharpe, till his majesty's pleasure should be further known. The bishop refused to comply ; and the king resolved to punish the bishop himself for disobe- dience. 3. To effect his design, an ecclesiastical commission was issued out, by which seven commissioners were invested with a full and unlimited authority over the whole church of England. Before this tribunal the bishop was summoned, and not only he, but Sharpe, the preacher, suspended. 4. The next step was to allow the liberty of conscience to all sectaries ; and he was taught to believe, that the truth of the catholic religion would then, upon a fair trial, gain the victory. He, therefore, issued a declaration of general indulgence, and asserted that non-conformity to the esta- blished religion was no longer penal. 5. To complete his work, he publicly sent the earl of Castlemain ambassador extraordinary to Rome, in order to express his obedience to the pope, and to reconcile his king- dom to the catholic communion. Never was there so much contempt thrown upon an embassy that was so boldly un- dertaken. The court of Rome expected but little success from measures so blindly conducted. They were sensible that the king was openly striking at those laws and opinions, which it was his business to undermine in silence and se- curity. 6. The Jesuits soon after were permitted to erect colleges in different parts of the kingdom ; they exercised the catho- lic worship ip the most public manner ; and four catholic bishops, consecrated in the king's chapel, were sent through the kingdom to exercise their episcopal functions, under the title of apostolic vicars. 274 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 7. Father Francis, a Benedictine monk, was recommend- ed by the king to the university of Cambridge, for a degree of master of arts. But his religion was a stumbling-block which the university could not get over; and they pre- sented a petition, beseeching the king to recall his mandate. 8. Their petition was disregarded, and their deputies denied a hearing : the vice-chancellor himself was summoned to appear before the high commission court, and deprived of his office ; yet the university persisted, and father Francis was refused. 9. The place of president of Magdalen college, one of the richest foundations in Europe, being vacant, the king sent a mandate in favour of one Farmer, a new convert to popery, and a man of bad character in other respects. The fellows of the college made very submissive applications to the king for recalling his mandate ; they refused admitting the candi- date ; and James, finding them resolute in the defence of their privileges, ejected them all except two. 10. A second declaration for liberty of conscience was published about the same time with the former ; but with this peculiar injunction, that all divines should read it after service in their churches. (A. D. 1688.) The clergy were known universally to disapprove of these measures, and they were now resolved to disobey an order dictated by the most bigoted motives. They were determined to trust their cause to the favour of the people, and that universal jealousy which prevailed against the encroachment of the crown. 11. The first champions of this service of danger were Loyde, bishop of St. Asaph ; Ken, of Bath and Wells ; Turner, of Ely ; Lake, of Chichester; White, of Peterborough; and Tre- lawney, of Bristol. These, together with Sancroft, the pri- mate, concerted the address, in the form of a petition to the king, which, with the warmest expressions of zeal and sub- mission, remonstrated that they could not read his declaration consistent with their consciences, or the respect they owed the protestant religion. 12. The king hi a fury summoned the bishops before the council, and there questioned them whether they would ac- knowledge their petition. They for some time declined giving an answer ; but being urged by the chancellor, they at last owned it. On their refusal to give bail, an order was immediately drawn for their commitment to the Tower, and the crown lawyers received directions to prosecute them for a seditious libel. JAMES II. 275 Questions for Examination, 1. In what way did Dr. Sharpe give offence to the king ? 2. What was the conduct of James on that occasion ? 3. By what means did he effect his design ? 4. What was his next step ? 5. Whom did he send ambassador extraordinary to Rome ? and how wai the embassy received ? 6. Relate the further proceedings of James. 9. What took place at Magdalen college ? 10. What were the consequences of another declaration ? 11. Who were the first that disobeyed the king's mandate ? 12. In what manner did James act on this occasion ? SECTION III. Forsaken thus, he other thoughts revolves To quit the realm, and many a scheme resolves : But let him go, nor heed, though thus you make The gentle duke his lonely journey take. — Hoole. 1. (A. D. 1688.) The twenty-ninth day of June was fixea for their trial ; and their return was more splendidly attended than their imprisonment. The cause was looked upon as in- volving the fate of the nation ; and future freedom, or future slavery, awaited the decision. The dispute was learnedly managed by the lawyers on both sides. 2. Holloway and Powel, two of the judges, declared themselves in favour of the bishops. The jury withdrew into a chamber, where they passed the whole night; but next morning they returned into court, and pronounced the bishops not guilty. 3. West- minister-hall instantly rang with loud acclamations, which were communicated to the whole extent of the city. They even reached the camp at Hounslow, where the king was at dinner, in lord Feversham's tent. His majesty, demanded the cause of these rejoicings, and being informed that it was nothing but the soldiers shouting at the delivery of the bishops, " Call you that nothing ?" cried he ; "but so much the worse for them !" 4. It was in this posture of affairs that all people turned their eyes upon William, prince of Orange, who had married Mary, the eldest daughter of king James. William was a prince who had, from his earliest entrance into business, been immersed in dangers, calamities, and politics. The ambition of France, and the jealousies of Hol- land, had served to sharpen his talents, and to give him a propensity for intrigue. 5. This politic prince now plainly saw that James had incurred the most violent hatred of his subjects. (A. D 276 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 1688.) He was minutely informed of their discontents ; and by seeming to discourage, still farther increased them, hoping to gain the kingdom for himself in the sequel. 6. The time when the prince entered upon this enterprise was just when the people were in a flame about the recent insult offered to their bishops. He had before this made considerable augmentations to the Dutch fleet, and the ships were then lying ready in the harbour. Some additional troops were also levied, and sums of money raised for other purposes were converted to the advancement of this expe- dition. 7. So well concerted were his measures, that, in three days, above four hundred transports were hired ; the army fell down the rivers and canals from Nimeguen, with all ne cessary stores ; and the prince set sail from Helvoetsluys, with a fleet of nearly five hundred vessels, and an army of above fourteen thousand men. It was given out that this invasion was intended for the coast of France ; and many of the English, who saw the fleet pass along their coasts, little expected to see it land on their own shores. Thus, after a voyage of two days, the prince landed his army at the village of Broxholme, in Torbay, on the fifth of November, which was the anniversary of the gunpowder treason. 8. But though the invitation from the English was very general, the prince had for some time the mortification to find himself joined by very few. He marched first to Exe- ter, where the country people had been so much terrified at the executions which had ensued on Monmouth's rebellion, that they continued to observe a strict neutrality. 9. He remained for ten days in expectation of being joined by the malecontents, and at last began to despair of success. But, just when he began to deliberate about re-embarking his forces, he was joined by several persons of consequence, and the whole country soon after came flocking to his standard. The nobility, clergy, officers, and even the king's own ser- vants and creatures, were unanimous in deserting James. 10. Lord Churchill had been raised from the rank of a page, md had been invested with a high command in the army ; had been created a peer, and owed his whole fortune to the king's bounty ; even he deserted among the rest, and carried with him the duke of Grafton, the natural son of the late king, colonel Berkeley, and some others. 11. The prince of Denmark, and Anne, his favourite JAMES II. 277 daughter, perceiving the desperation of his circumstances, resolved to leave him, and take part with the prevailing side. When he was told that the prince and princess had followed the rest of his favourites, he was stung with most bitter anguish. " God help me," cried he, in the extremity of his agony, " my own children have forsaken me!" 12. The king, alarmed every day more and more with the prospect of a general disaffection, was resolved to hearken to those who advised his quitting the kingdom. To prepare for this, he first sent away the queen, who arrived safely at Calais, under the conduct of count Lauzun, an old favoifrite of the French king. He himself soon after disappeared in the night-time, attended only by sir Edward Hale, a new convert : but was discovered and brought back by the mob. But shortly after, being confined at Rochester, and ob- serving that he was entirely neglected by his own subjects, he resolved to seek safety from the king of France, the only friend he had still remaining. 14. He accordingly fled to the sea-side, attended by his natural son, the duke of Ber- wick, where he embarked for the continent, and arrived in safety at Ambleteuse in Picardy, from whence he hastened to the court of France, where he still enjoyed the empty title of a king, and the appellation of a saint, which flat- tered him more. 15. The king having thus abdicated the throne, the next consideration was the appointing a successor. (A.D. 1688.) Some declared for a regent ; others, that the princess of Orange should be invested with regal power, and the young prince considered as supposititious. After a long debate in both houses, a new sovereign was preferred to a regent, by a majority of two voices. It was agreed that the prince and princess of Orange should reign jointly as king and queen of England, while the administration of government should be placed in the hands of the prince only. Questions for Examination. 1 -3. Relate the circumstances which attended the bishops' trial. 4. To whom did the people look for deliverance ? h What was the situation of the people when William entered upon this enterprise ? 7 What measures did William concert to effect the invasion of England ? Where did he land ? (0. By whom was the king deserted ? il. What exclamation did the king make when he was told that the princo and princess had forsaken him ? 2 A 278 HISTORY OP ENGLAND. 12. What resolution did the king adopt ? 14. To what court did James repair ? 15. What followed the king's abdication ? CONTEMPORARY SOVEREIGNS. Pope. A.D. Innocent XI 1676 Emperor of Germany. Leopold Emperc Mahomet IV 1649 Emperors of the Turks. A.D. SolymanI 1687 King of France. Louis XIV 1643 King of Spain. Charles II 1665 EMINENT PERSONS. King of Portugal. A.D. Pedro II 1683 King of Denmark. Christian V 1678 King of Sweden. Charles XI 1660 The duke of Monmouth. Spencer, earl of Sunderland. Prince James, otherwise called the Pretender. Judge Jefferies. Colonel Kirk. G. Savile, marquis of Halifax. George, earl of Berkeley. Thomas Osborne, duke of Leeds. H. Booth, lord Delamore, and earl of Warrington. C. Sackville, earl Dorset. H. Cavendish, duke of Devonshire. J. Thomson, lord Ha- versham. Colin Lindsey, earl of Balcarras. James Dalrymple, viscount Stair. R. Graham, viscount Preston. Roger Palmer, earl of Castlemain. CHAPTER XXXII. WILLLIAM III. Born 1650. Died March 8, 1702. Landed in England, November 5, 168a Began to reign January 22, 1689. Reigned 13 years. SECTION I. By turns they tell, And listen, each with emulous glory fired, How William conquer'd, and how France retired, How Providence o'er William's temples held, On Boyne's propitious banks, the heav'nly shield. — Prior. 1. (A.D. 1687.) William was no sooner elected to the throne, than he began to experience the difficulty of govern- ing a people, who were more ready to examine the com mands of their superiors than to obey them. 2. His reign commenced with an attempt similar to that which had been the principal cause of all the disturbances in the preceding reign, and which had excluded the monarch from the throne. William was a Calvinist, and consequently averse to persecution ; he therefore began by attempting those laws which enjoined uniformity of worship ; and, though he could not entirely succeed in his design, a tolera- tion was granted to such dissenters as should take the oaths of allegiance, and hold no private conventicle. 3. In the mean time, James, whose authoritv was still WILLIAM III. XJ79 acknowledged in Ireland, embarked at Brest for that kingdom, and on May 22d arrived at Kinsale. He soon after made his public entry into Dublin, amidst the acclamations of the inhabitants. He found the appearance of things in that country equal to his most sanguine expectations. Tyrconnel, the lord-lieutenant, was devoted to his interests ; his old army was steady, and a new one raised, amounting together to nearly forty thousand men. 4. As soon as the season would permit, he went to lay siege to Londonderry, a town of small importance in itself, but rendered famous by the stand it made on this occasion. 5. The besieged endured the most poignant sufferings from fatigue and famine, until at last relieved by a store- ship, that happily broke the boom laid across the river to prevent a supply. The joy of the inhabitants at this unex- pected relief was only equalled by the rage and disappoint- ment of the besiegers. The army of James was so dispirited by the success of this enterprise, that they abandoned the siege in the night; and retired with precipitation, after having lost about nine thousand men before the place. 6. It was upon the opposite sides of the river Boyne that both armies came in sight of each other, inflamed with all the animosities arising from a difference of religion, hatred, and revenge. (A.D. 1690.) The river Boyne at this place was not so deep but that men might wade over on foot ; however, the banks were rugged, and rendered dangerous by old houses and ditches, which served to defend the latent enemy. 7. William, who now headed the protestant army, had no sooner arrived, but he rode along the side of the river in sight of both armies, to make proper observations upon the plan of battle ; but in the mean time, being per- ceived by the enemy, a cannon was privately brought out, and planted against him where he was sitting. The shot killed several of his followers, and he himself was wounded in the shoulder. 8. Early the next morning, at six o'clock, king William gave orders to force a passage over the river. This the army undertook in three different places ; and, after a furious cannonading, the battle began with unusual vigour. The Irish troops, though reckoned the best in Europe abroad, have always fought indifferently at home. 9. After an obstinate resistance, they fled with precipitation, leaving the French and Swiss regiments, w T ho came to their assistance, to make the best retreat they could William led on his 280 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. Battle of Aughrim and death of General St Ruth. horse in person ; and contributed by his activity and vigi lance to secure the victory. James was not in the battle* but stood aloof during the action, on the hill of Dunmore, surrounded with some squadrons of horse ; and at intervals was heard to exclaim, when he saw his own troops repuls- ing those of the enemy, " O spare my English subjects !" 10. The Irish lost about fifteen hundred men, and the protestants about one-third of that number. The victory was splendid, and almost decisive ; but the death of the duke of Schomberg, who was shot as he was crossing the water, seemed to outweigh the whole loss sustained by the enemy. 11. The last battle fought in favour of James was at Aughrim. (A.D. 1691.) The enemy fought with surpris- ing fury, and the horse were several times repulsed ; but the English wading through the middle of a bog up to the waist in mud, and rallying with some difficulty on the firm ground on the other side, renewed the combat with great fury. 12. St. Ruth, the Irish general, being killed, his fate so discouraged his troops, that they gave way on all sides, and retreated to Limerick, where they resolved to make a final stand, after having lost above five thousand of the flower of their army. 13. Limerick, the last retreat of the Irish forces, made a brave defence : but soon seeing the enemy advanced within ten paces of the bridge-foot, and perceiving themselves surrounded on all sides, they determined to capitulate ; a negotiation was immediately begun, and hostilities ceased on both sides. 14. The Ro~ WILLIAM III. 281 man catholics, by this capitulation, were restored to the enjoyment of those liberties in the exercise of their religion, which they had possessed in the reign of king Charles the Second. All persons were indulged with free leave to re- move with their families and effects to any other country, except England *nd Scotland. In consequence of this, above fourteen thousand of those who had fought for king James went over into France, having transports provided by government for conveying them thither. Questions for Examination, 1, 2. What were the first acts of William ? 3. In what manner was James received in Ireland ? 4. What was the state of affairs in that country ? 5. Relate the particulars of the siege of Londonderry. 6. Where did the armies first meet ? 7. By what means was William wounded ? 8. 9. What was the issue of this battle ? Describe the conduct of the rival kings during tins engagement. 10. What loss did each side sustain ? 11. Where was the next battle fought? 12. How many of the Irish fell in this engagement ? 13. What was the last place of their retreat ? 14. What Avere the articles of their capitulation ? SECTION II. Yet Fame shall stay and bend to William's praise, Of him her thousand ears shall hear triumphant lays ; Of him her tongue shall talk, on him her eyes shall gaze. — Congreve. 1. (A.D. 1692.) James was now reduced to the lowest state of despondence : his designs upon England were quite frustrated, so that nothing was left his friends but the hopes of assassinating the monarch on the throne. These base attempts, as barbarous as they were useless, were not en- tirely disagreeable to the temper of James. 2. It is said he encouraged and proposed them ; but they all proved unser- viceable to his cause, and only ended in the destruction of the undertakers. From that time till he died, which was about seven years, he continued to reside at St. Germains, a pensioner on the bounty of Louis, and assisted by occa- sional liberalities from his daughter and friends in England. He died on the sixteenth day of September, in the year 1700, after having laboured under a tedious sickness ; and many miracles, as the people thought, were wrought at his tomb. 3. Indeed, the latter part of his life was calculated to inspire the superstitious with reverence for his piety. * T «* subjected himself to acts of uncommon penance and 2a2 282 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. mortification. He frequently visited the poor monks of La Trappe, who were edified by his humble and pious deport- ment. 4. His pride and arbitrary temper seemed to have vanished with his greatness ; he became affable, kind, and easy to all his dependants ; and at his last illness conjured his son to prefer religion to every worldly advantage, — a counsel which that prince strictly obeyed. He died with great marks of devotion, and was interred, at his own request, in the church of the English benedictines at Paris, without any funeral solemnity. 5. William, upon accepting of the crown, was resolved to preserve, as much as he was able, that share of preroga- tive which still was left him. But at length he became fatigued with opposing the laws which parliament every day were laying round his authority, and. gave up the contest. 6. He admitted every restraint upon the prerogative in Eng- land, upon condition of being properly supplied with the means of humbling the power of France. War, and the balance of power in Europe, were all he knew, or indeed desired to understand. Provided the parliament furnished him with supplies for these purposes, he permitted them to rule the internal polity at their pleasure. 7. For the prose- cution of the war with France, the sums of money granted to him were incredible. The nation, not content with fur- nishing him with such sums of money as they were capable of raising by the taxes of the year, mortgaged these taxes, and involved themselves in debts which they have never since been able to discharge. 8. For all that profusion of wealth granted to maintain the imaginary balance of Europe, England received in return the empty reward of military glory in Flanders, and the consciousness of having given their allies, particularly the Dutch, frequent opportunities of being ungrateful. The war with France continued during the greatest part of this king's reign ; but at length the treaty of Rys wick, A.D. 1697, put an end to those contentions, in which England had engaged without policy and came off without advantage. 9. In the general pacification her interests seemed entirely deserted ; and for all the treasures she had sent to the con- tinent, and all the blood which she had shed there, the only equivalent she received was an acknowledgment of kinjT William's title from the king of France. 10. William was naturally of a very feeble constitution : and it was by this time almost exhausted by a series of con- WILLIAM HI. 283 tinual disquietude and action. He had endeavoured to re pair his constitution, or at least to conceal its decays, by exercise and riding. On the twenty-first day of February, in riding to Hampton-court from Kensington, his horse fell under him, and he was thrown with such violence, that his collar-bone was fractured. His attendants conveyed him to the palace at Hampton-court, where the fracture was re- duced, and in the evening he returned to Kensington in his coach. 11. The jolting of the carriage disunited the frac- ture once more, and the bones were again replaced, under Bidioo, his physician. This in a robust constitution would have been a trifling misfortune ; but in him it was fatal. For some time he appeared in a fair way of recovery ; but, falling asleep on his couch, he was seized with a shivering, which terminated in a fever and diarrhoea, which soon be- came dangerous and desperate. 11. Perceiving his end approaching, the objects of his former care still lay next his heart ; and the fate of Europe seemed to remove the sensa- tions he might be supposed to feel for his own. The earl of Albemarle arriving from Holland, he conferred with him in private on the posture of affairs abroad. Two days after, having received the sacrament from archbishop Tenison, he expired in the fifty-second year of his age, after having reigned thirteen years. Questions for Examination, 1. To what situation was James reduced ? and what were the designs of hia friends ? 2. When and where did James die ? 3. How did the exiled monarch spend the latter part of his life ? 4. What counsel did he give to his son in his last illness ? 5. What was William's resolution on accepting the crown ? 6. Did his actions correspond with that resolution ? 7. In what manner did William act? 8. 9. What consequences resulted from the war with France ? 10,11. What accident happened to William? and what were the conse- quences 12. What object lay nearest his heart? How long did William reign, and what was his age ? CONTEMPORARY SOVEREIGNS. Popes. A.D. Alexander VIII.... 1689 fnnocent XII 1691 Clement XI 1700 Emperor of Germany. Leopold 1638 Emperors of the Turks. Soliman III 1687 A.D. Achmetll 1691 Mustaphall 1695 King of France. Louis XIV 1643 Kings of Spain. Charles II 1665 Philip V 1700 King of Portugal. Pedro II 1683 King of Denmark. Christian V 1670 Kings of Sweden. Charles XI 1660 Charles XII 1691 284 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. EMINENT PERSONS. Sir Isaac Newton. John Locke. Archbishop Tillotson. Bishop Burnet. Duke Schomberg. General Schomberg, son of the duke. Montague, earl 1 lalifax. Russel, earl of Oxford. John, lord Somers. Anthony Ashley Cooper, earl of Shaftesbury (grandson to the nobleman mentioned in a former reign). Sheffield, duke of Buckingham. John, lord Cutts. Admir ' **•-<■«' lord Berkley, &c. CHAPTER XXXIII. ANNE. Born 1664. Died August, 1714. Began to reign March 8, 1702. Reigned 12£ years. SECTION I. Ye active streams, wher'er your waters flow, Let distant climes and farthest nations know What ye from Thames and Danube have been taught, How Anne commanded, and how Marbro' fought. — Prior. 1. (A.D. 1702.) Anne, married to prince George of Denmark, ascended the throne in the thirty-eighth year of her age, to the general satisfaction of all parties. She was the second daughter of king James, by his first wife, the daughter of chancellor Hyde, afterwards earl of Clarendon. Upon coming to the crown, she resolved to declare war against France, and communicated her intentions to the house of commons, by whom it was approved, and war was proclaimed accordingly. 2. This declaration of war, on the part of the English, was seconded by similar declarations by the Dutch and Germans on the same day. The French monarch could not suppress his anger at such a combination, but his chief re- sentment fell upon the Dutch. He declared with great emo- tion, that, as for these gentlemen pedlars, the Dutch, they should one day repent their insolence and presumption in declaring war against one whose power they had formerly felt and dreaded. 3. However, the affairs of the allies were no way influenced by his threats. The duke of Marl- borough had his views gratified, in being appointed genera) of the English forces : and he was still farther flattered by the Dutch, who, though the earl of Athlone had a right to share the command, appointed Marlborough generalissimo of the allied army. 4. And it must be confessed, that few men shone more, either in debate or action, than he ; serene in the midst of danger, and indefatigable in the cabinet ; so ANNE. 2&5 Marlborough. that he became the most formidable enemy to France that England ever produced, since the conquering times of Creasy and Agincourt. 5. A great part of the history of this reign consists in bat- tles fought upon the continent, which, though of very little advantage to the interest of the nation, were very great additions to its honour. These triumphs, it is true, are passed away, and nothing remains of them but the names of Blenheim, Ramilies, Oudenarde, and Malplaquet, where the allied army gained great, but (with respect to England) use- less victories. 6. A conquest of much greater national importance was gained with less expense of blood and treasure in Spain. The ministry of England, understanding that the French were employed in equipping a strong squadron in Brest, sent out sir Cloudesly Shovel and sir George Rooke to watch their motions. Sir George, however, had further orders to convoy a body of forces in transport-ships to Barcelona, upon which a fruitless attack was made by the prince of Hesse. 7. Finding no hopes, therefore, from this expedition, in two days after the troops were re-embarked, sir George Rooke, joined by sir Cloudesly, called a council of war on board the fleet, as they lay off the coast of Africa. In this they resolved to make an attempt upon Gibraltar, a city then be- longing to the Spaniards, at that time ill provided with o garrison, as neither expecting nor fearing such an attempt. ANNE. 286 8. The town of Gibraltar stands upon a tongue of land, as the mariners call it, and defended by a rock inaccessible on every side but one. The prince of Hesse landed his troops, to the number of eight hundred, on the continent ad- joining, and summoned the town to surrender, but without effect. 9. Next day the admiral gave orders for cannonading the town ; and, perceiving that the enemy were driven from their fortifications at a place called the South Mole Head, ordered captain Whitaker to arm all the boats, and assault that quarter. Those officers who happened to be nearest the Mole immediately manned their boats without orders, and entered the fortifications sword in hand. 10. Bat they were premature ; for the Spaniards sprung a mine, by which two lieutenants and about one hundred men were killed or wounded. Nevertheless, the two captains, Hicks and Jumper, took possession of a platform, and kept their ground until they were sustained by captain Whitaker, and the rest of the seamen, who took a redoubt between the Mole and the town by storm. Then the governor capitulated, and the prince of Hesse entered the place, amazed at the success of the attempt, considering the strength of the fortifications, 11. When the news of this conquest was brought to Eng- land, it was for some time in debate whether it was a cap- ture worth thanking the admiral for. It was at last consi- dered as unworthy public gratitude ; and, while the duke of Marlborough was extolled for useless services, sir George Iiooke was left to neglect, and soon displaced from his com- mand for having so essentially served his country. A strik- ing instance, that, even in the most enlightened age, popular applause is most usually misplaced. 12. Gibraltar has ever since remained in the possession of the English, and continues of the utmost use in refitting that part of the navy destined to annoy an enemy, or protect our trade in the Mediterra- nean. Here the English have a repository capable of con- taining all things necessary for the repairing of fleets or the equipment of armies. 13. While the English were thus victorious by land and sea, a new scene of contention was opened on the side of Spain, where the ambition of the European princes exerted itself with the same fury that had filled the rest of the conti- nent. Philip the Fourth, grandson of Louis the Fourteenth, had been placed upon the throne of that kingdom, and had been received with the joyful concurrence of the greatest part of his subjects. 14. He had also been nominated successor ANNE. 287 to the crown by the late king of Spain's will. But, in a former treaty among the powers of Europe, Charles, son of the emperor of Germany, was appointed heir to that crown ; and this treaty had been guaranteed by France herself, though she now resolved to reverse that consent in favour of a de- scendant of the house of Bourbon. 15. Charles was still farther led on to put in for the crown of Spain by the invi- tations of the Catalonians, who declared in his favour, and by the assistance of the English and the Portuguese, who promised to arm in his cause. He was furnished with two hundred transports, thirty ships of war, and nine thousand men, for the conquest of that extensive empire. But the earl of Peterborough, a man of romantic bravery, offered to conduct them ; and his single service was thought equiva- lent to armies. 16. The earl of Peterborough was one of the most sin- gular and extraordinary men of the age in which he lived. When yet but fifteen, he fought against the Moors in Africa ; at twenty he assisted in compassing the revolution, and he now carried on the war in Spain almost at his own expense ; his friendship for the duke Charles being one of his chief motives to this great undertaking. He was deformed in his person ; but of a mind the most generous, honourable, and active. His first attempt upon landing in Spain was the taking of Barcelona, a strong city, with a garrison of five thousand men, while the whole army amounted to little more than nine thousand. The prince of Hesse was killed in this action. 17. These successes, however, were but of short continu- ance; Peterborough being recalled, and the army under Charles being commanded by the lord Galway. This no- bleman, having received intelligence that the enemy, under the command of the duke of Berwick, was posted near the town of Almanza, he advanced thither to give him battle. 18. The conflict began about two in the afternoon, and the whole front of each army was fully engaged. The centre, consisting chiefly of battalions from Great Britain and Hol- land, seemed at first victorious ; but the Portuguese horse, by whom they were supported, betaking themselves to flight in the first charge, the English troops were flanked and sur- rounded on every side. 19. In this dreadful emergency they formed themselves into a square, and retired to an emi nence where being ignorant of the country, and destitute of all supplies, they were obliged to surrender prisoners of ■ms HISTORY OF ENGLAND. Death of the prince of Heise at Barcelona. war, to the number of ten thousand men. This victory was complete and decisive ; and all Spain, except the province of Catalonia, returned to their duty to Philip their sovereign. Questions for Examination. 1. Who succeeded William ? Against whom did Anne declare war ? 2. How did the French monarch express his anger ? 3. Who was appointed generalissimo ? 4. What is his character ? 5. Where did the nation gain great victories ? 6, 7. What important conquest was next obtained ? 8—10. Relate the particulars. 11. What opinion did the nation entertain of it? 12. Was not this opinion unfounded ? 13 — 15. What new scenes of contention arose ? 16. What were the character and conduct of the earl of Peterborough? 18, 19. Relate the particulars of the battle of Almanza. SECTION II. Henceforth, she said, in each returning year, One stem ihe thistle and ihe rose shall bear ; The thistle's lasting grace— thou, O my rose, shaltbe; The warlike thistle's arm a sure defence to thee. — Rowe. 1. (A. D. 1707.) The councils of the queen had hitherto been governed by a whig ministry ; for, though the duke of Marlborough had first started in the tory interest, he soon joined the opposite faction, as he found them most sincere ANNE. 299 in their desires to humble the power of France. The whigs, therefore, still pursued the schemes of the late king ; and impressed with a republican spirit of liberty, strove to humble despotism in every part of Europe. 2. In a go- vernment, where the reasoning of individuals, retired from power, generally leads those who command, the designs of the ministry must alter as the people happen to change. The people, in fact, were beginning to change. But pre- vious to the disgrace of the whig ministry, whose fall was now hastening, a measure of the greatest importance took place in parliament; a measure that had been wished by many, but thought too difficult for execution. 3. What X mean is, the union between the two kingdoms of England and Scotland ; which though they were governed by one sovereign since the accession of James the First, yet were still ruled by their respective parliaments, and often professed to pursue opposite interests and different designs. 4. The attempt for an union was begun at the commence- ment of this reign ; but some disputes arising relative to the trade of the East, the conference was broken up, and it was thought that an adjustment would be impossible. 5. It was revived by an act in either parliament, granting power to commissioners, named on the part of both nations, to treat on the preliminary articles of an union, which should after- wards undergo a more thorough discussion by the legislative body of both kingdoms. The choice of these commission- ers was left to the queen, and she took care that none should be employed but such as heartily wished to promote so de- sirable a measure. 6. Accordingly, the queen having appointed commission- ers on both sides, they met in the council-chamber of the Cockpit, near Whitehall, which was the place appointed for the conferences. As the queen frequently exhorted the commissioners to despatch the articles of this famous Union were soon agreed to, and signed by the commissioners ; and it only remained to lay them before the parliaments of both nations. 7. In this famous treaty it was stipulated that the succes- sion to the united kingdom should be vested in the house of Hanover ; that the united kingdoms should be represented by one and the same parliament ; that all the subjects of Great Britain should enjoy a communion of privileges and advantages. 8. That they should have the same allowance and privileges, with respect to commerce and customs ; that 2B 290 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. the laws concerning public right, civil government, and policy, should be the same through the two united king* doms ; but that no alteration should be made in the laws which concerned private rights, except for the evident benefit of the subjects of Scotland. 9. That the courts of session, and all other courts of judicature in Scotland, should re- main, as then constituted by the laws of that kingdom, with the same authority and privileges as before the union ; and that Scotland should be represented in the parliament of Great Britain by sixteen peers and forty-five commoners, to be elected in such a manner as should be settled by the present parliament of Scotland. 10. That all peers of Scot- land should be considered as peers of Great Britain, and rank immediately after the English peers of the like degree at the time of the union, and before such as should be created after it; that they should enjoy all privileges of English peers, except that of sitting or voting in parliament, or sitting upon the trial of peers ; and that all the insignia of royalty and government should remain as they were. 11. That all laws or statutes in either kingdom, as far as they may be inconsistent with the terms of these articles, should cease, and be declared void by the respective parlia- ments of the two kingdoms. These were the principal articles of the union ; and it only remained to obtain the sanction of the legislature of both kingdoms to give them authority. 12. The arguments of these different assemblies were suited to the audience. To induce the Scots parliament to come into the measure, it was alleged, by the ministry and their supporters, that an entire and perfect union would be the solid foundation of a lasting peace. It would secure their religion, liberty, and property ; remove the animosities that prevailed among themselves, and the jealousies that subsisted between the two nations. 13. It would increase their strength, riches, and commerce ; the whole island would be joined in affection, and freed from all apprehen- sions of different interests ; it would be enabled to resist all its enemies, support the protestant interests, and maintain the liberties of Europe. It was observed, that the less the wheels of government were clogged by a multiplicity of councils, the more vigorous would be their exertions. 14. They were shown that the taxes which, in consequence of this union, they were to pay, were by no means so pro- portionably great as their share in the legislature ; that then ANNE. 291 taxes did not amount to a seventieth part of those supplied by the English ; and yet their share in the legislature was not a tenth part less. Such were the arguments in favour of the union addressed to the Scots parliament. 15. In the English houses it was observed, that a powerful and dan- gerous nation would thus for ever be prevented from giving them any disturbance. That, in case of any future rupture, England had every thing to lose, and nothing to gain, against a nation that was courageous and poor. 16. On the other hand, the Scots were fired with indig- nation at the thought of losing their ancient and indepen- dent government. The nobility found themselves degraded in point of dignity and influence, by being excluded from their seats in parliament. The trading part of the nation beheld their commerce loaded with heavy duties, and con- sidered their new privileges of trading to the English plan- tations in the West Indies as a very uncertain advantage. 17. In the English house it also was observed, that the union of a rich with a poor nation would always be benefi- cial to the latter, and that the former could only hope for a participation of their necessities. It was said that the Scots reluctantly yielded to this coalition, and it might be likened to a marriage with a woman against her consent 18. It was supposed to be an Union made up of so many unmatched pieces, and such incongruous ingredients, that it eould never take effect. It was complained that the proportion of the land-tax paid by the Scots was small, and unequal to their share in the legislature. 19. At length, notwithstanding all opposition made by the tories, every article in the union was approved by a great majority in both parliaments. Thus all were obliged to acquiesce in an union of which they at first had not the sagacity to distinguish the advantage. Questions for Examination. 1. By whom had the queen's counsels hitherto been governed ? 2, 3. What important measure took place in parliament ? 4—6. By what means was the union effected ? 7 — 11. Kelate the stipulations contained in this famous treaty. 12—14. What arguments were used to induce the Scots to come into the measure ? io. What arguments were made use of to the English? 16. In what manner did the Scots receive this message ? 17 How was it received by the English ? 18. What opinion was held concerning it? i£. Did the measure succeed ? 292 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. SECTION III. Of Church and State who dearest deems Should carefully avoid extremes. — Dibdin. 1. (A.D. 1708.) In the mean time the whig ministry was every day declining. Among the number of those whom the dutchess of Marlborough had introduced to the queen, to contribute to her private amusement, was one Mrs. Masham, her own kinswoman, whom she had raised from indigence and obscurity. The dutchess, having gained the ascendent over the queen, became petulant and insolent, and relaxed in those arts by which she had risen. 2. Mrs. Masham, who had her fortune to make, was more humble and assiduous ; she flattered the foibles of the queen, and assented to her prepossessions. She soon saw the queen's inclination to the tory set of opinions, their divine right and passive obedience ; and instead of attempting to thwart her, as the dutchess had done, she joined in with her partiality, and even outdid her in her own way. 3. This lady was, in fact, the tool of Mr. Harley, secre- tary o*" state, who also some time before had insinuated himself into the queen's good graces, who had determined to sap the credit of the whig ministers. His aim was to unite the tory interest under his own shelter, and to expel the whigs from the advantages which they had long enjoyed under government. 4. In this career of his ambition he chose for his coad- jutor Henry St. John, afterwards the famous lord Boling- broke ; a man of great eloquence, and greater ambition ; enterprising, restless, active, and haughty, with some wit and little principle. To this junto was added sir Simon Har- court, a lawyer, a man of great abilities. 5. It was now perceived that the people themselves began to be weary of a whig ministry, whom they formerly ca- ressed. To them they imputed the burdens under which they groaned, — burdens which they had been hitherto ani- mated to bear by the pomp of triumph ; but the load of which they felt in a pause of success. 6. Harley, afterwards known by the title of lord Oxford, was at the bottom of all these complaints ; and though they did not produce an immediate effect, yet they did not fail of a growing and steady operation. 7. At length the whig party of the ministry opened their eyes to the intrigues of the tories. But it was now too late , ANNE, 293 they had entirely lost the confidence of the queen. Harley soon threw off the mask of friendship, and took more vigorous measures for the prosecution of his designs. In him the queen reposed all her trust, though he had now no visible concern in the administration, 8. The first triumph of the tories, in which the queen discovered a public par- tiality in their favour, was seen in a transaction of no great importance in itself, but from the consequence it produced. The parties of the nation were eager to engage, and they wanted but the watchword to begin. This was given by a man neither of abilities, property, nor powers but whom accident brought forward on this occasion. 9. Henry Sacheverel was a clergyman bred at Oxford, of narrow intellects, and an overheated imagination. He had acquired some popularity among those who had dis- tinguished themselves by the name of high churchmen, and had taken all occasions to vent his animosity against the dissenters. At the summer assizes at Derby, he held forth in that strain before the judges. On the fifth of November, in St. Paul's church, he, in a violent declamation, defended the doctrine of non-resistance, inveighed against the tolera- tion of dissenters, declared the church was dangerously at- tacked by its enemies, and slightly defended by its false friends. " 10. He sounded the trumpet for the zealous, and exhorted the people to put on the whole armour of God. Sir Samuel Gerrard, lord mayor, countenanced this ha- rangue, which, though very weak both in matter and style, was published under his protection, and extolled by the tories as a masterpiece of writing. These sermons owed all their celebrity to the complexion of the times, and they are now deservedly neglected. 11. Mr. Dolben, son of the archbishop of York, laid a complaint before the house of commons against these rhap- sodies, and thus gave force to what would soon have been forgotten. The most violent paragraphs were read, and the sermons voted scandalous and seditious libels. Sache verel was brought to the bar of the house, and he, far from disowning the writing of them, gloried in what he had done, and mentioned the encouragement he had received to publish them from the lord mayor, who was then present. 12. Being ordered to withdraw, it was resolved to impeach him of high crimes and misdemeanours at the bar of the house of lords ; Mr. Dolben was fixed upon to conduct the prosecution, in the name of the commons of England. A 2b2 294 HISTORY OF ENGLAND committee was appointed to draw up articles of impeach* ment : Sacheverel was taken into custody : and a day was appointed for his trial before the lords in Westminster-hall, 13. The eyes of the whole kingdom were turned upon this very extraordinary trial, which lasted three weeks, and excluded all other public business for the time. The queen herself was every day present as a private spectator, whilst vast multitudes attended the culprit each day as he went to the hall, shouting as he passed, or silently praying for his success. The managers for the commons were sir Joseph Jekyi, Mr. Eyre, solicitor-general, sir Peter King, recorder, general Stanhope, sir Thomas Parker, and Mr. Walpole. 14. The doctor was defended by sir Simon Harcourt and Mr. Philips, and assisted by doctor Atterbury, doctor Small- ridge, and doctor Friend. While the trial continued, nothing could exceed the violence and outrage of the populace. They surrounded the queen's sedan,, exclaiming, " God bless your majesty and the church ! We hope your majesty is for doctor Sacheverel." 15. They destroyed several meeting-houses, plundered the dwellings of many eminent dissenters, and even proposed to attack the bank. The queen, in compliance with the request of the commons, published a proclamation for suppressing the tumults ; and several persons, being apprehended, were tried for high- treason. Two were convicted, and sentenced to die ; but neither suffered. 16. When the commons had gone through their charge, the managers for Sacheverel undertook his defence with great art and eloquence. He afterwards recited a speech himself, which, from the difference found between it and his sermons, seemed evidently the work of another* 17. In it he solemnly justified his intentions towards the queen and her government. He spoke in the most respectful terms of the revolution, and the protestant succession. He maintained the doctrine of non-resistance as the tenet of the church in which he was brought up ; and in a pathetic con- clusion endeavoured to excite the pity of his audience Questions for Examination. 1, 2. What circumstances led to the fall of the whig ministers X 3, 4. Who were the principal persons opposed to them ? 5. What made the people dissatisfied ? 6. Who was the cause of their discontent? 7. In whom did the queen repose her trust ? 8. In what accident originated the contention between the two parties 9. What was the subject of Sacheverel's writings ? 10. Who countenanced and extolled them ? 1 1. What notice did parliament take of these writings ? 12. What followed ? 13. Who were the managers for the commons ? 14. By whom was he defended ? What was the conduct of the populace ? 15. Whit outrages did they commit ? 16, 17. What was the purport of Sacheverel's defence . SECTION IV. Next to the thunderer let Anne stand In piety supreme as in command ; Famed for victorious arms and generous aid, Young Austria's refuge, and fierce Bourbon's dread. — LansdotOne. 1. (A.D. 1709.) At length, after much obstinate dispute and virulent altercation, Sacheverel was found guilty, by a majority of seventeen voices ; but no less than four-and- thirty peers entered a protest against this decision. He was prohibited from preaching for three years ; and his two sermons were ordered to be burnt by the hand of the com- mon hangman, in presence of the lord mayor and the two sheriffs. The lenity of this sentence, which was in a great measure owing to the dread of popular resentment, was considered by the tories as a triumph. 2. Such was the complexion of the times, when the queen thought proper to summon a new parliament ; and being a friend to the tories herself, she gave the people an opportunity of indulging themselves in choosing representa- tives to her mind. In fact, very few were returned but such as had distinguished themselves by their zeal against the whig administration. 3. In the mean time the campaign in Flanders was con- ducted with the most brilliant success. The duke of Marlborough had every motive to continue the war, as it gratified not only his ambition, but his avarice.; a passion that obscured his shining abilities. 4. The king of France appeared extremely desirous of a peace, and resolved to solicit a conference. He employed one Perkum, resident of the duke of Holstein at the Hague, to negotiate upon this subject, and he ventured also to solicit the duke himself in private. A conference was at length begun at Gertruydenburg, under the influence of Marlbo- rough, Eugene, and Zinzendorf, who were all three, from private motives, entirely averse to the treaty. 5. Upon this occasion the French minvsters were subjected to every spe- 296 HISTORY OP ENGLAND. cies of mortification. Spies were placed upon all their conduct. Their master was insulted, and their letters were opened ; till at last Louis resolved to hazard another cam- paign. 6. It was only by insensible degrees that the queen seemed to acquire courage enough to second her inclinations, and depose a ministry that had long been disagreeable to her. Harley, however, who still shared her confidence, did not fail to inculcate the popularity, the justice, and the secu- rity of such a measure ; and, in consequence of his advice, she began the changes, by transferring the post of lord- chamberlain from the duke of Kent to the duke of Shrews- bury, who had lately voted with the tories, and maintained an intimate correspondence with Mr. Harley. 7. Soon after the earl of Sunderland, secretary of state, and son-in- law to the duke of Marlborough, was displaced, and the earl of Dartmouth put in his room. Finding that she was rather applauded than condemned for this resolute proceed- ing, she resolved to become entirely free. . 8. Soon after the earl of Godolphin was divested of his office, and the treasury put in commission, subjected to the direction of Mr. Harley, who was appointed chancellor of the exchequer, and under-treasurer. 9. The earl of Rochester was declared president of the council, in the room of lord Somers. The staff of the lord-steward, being taken from the duke of Devonshire, was given to the duke of Buckingham ; and Mr. Boyle was removed from the secretary's office to make way for Mr. Henry St. John. The lord chancellor having resigned the great seal, it was first put in commission, and then given to sir Simon Har- court. 10. The earl of Wharton surrendered his commis- sion of lord-lieutenant of Ireland, and that employment was conferred upon the duke of Ormond. Mr. George Grenville was appointed secretary of war, in the room of Mr. Robert Walpole ; and, in a word, there was not one whig left in any office of the state, except the duke of Marlborough. He was still continued the reluctant general of the army ; but he justly considered himself as a ruin entirely undermined, and just ready to fall. 11. But the triumph was not yet complete until the parliament was brought to confirm and approve the queen's choice. The queen, in her speech, recommended the pro- secution of the war with vigour. The parliament were ardent in their expressions of zeal and unanimity. They exhorted her to discountenance all such principles and ANNE. 297 measures as had lately threatened her royal crown and dignity. This was but an opening to what soon after fol- lowed. 12. The duke of Marlborough, who but a few months before had been so highly extolled and caressed by the representatives of the people, was now become the object of their hatred and reproach. His avarice was justly upbraided ; his protracting the war was said to arise from that motive. Instances were every where given of his fraud and extortion. These might be true ; but party had no moderation, and even his courage and conduct were called in question. 13. To mortify the duke still more, the thanks of the house of commons were voted to the earl of Peter- borough for his services in Spain, when they were refused to the duke for those in Flanders ; and the lord-keeper, who delivered them to Peterborough, took occasion to drop some reflection against the mercenary disposition of his rival. 14. Nothing now, therefore, remained of the whig sys- tem, upon which this reign was begun, but the war, which continued to rage as fierce as ever, and which increased in expense every year as it went on. It was the resolution of the present ministry to put an end to it at any rate, as it had involved the nation in debt almost to bankruptcy ; and as it promised, instead of humbling the enemy, only to become habitual to the constitution. 15. It only remained to remove the duke of Marlborough from his post, as he would endeavour to traverse all their negotiations. But here again a difficulty started; this step could not be taken without giving offence to the Dutch, who placed entire confidence in him ; they were obliged, there- fore, to wait for some convenient occasion. Upon his return from the campaign he was accused of having taken a bribe of six thousand pounds a year from a Jew, who con- tracted to supply the army with bread ; and the queen thought proper to dismiss him from all his employments. 16. This was the pretext made use of, though his fall had been predetermined ; and though his receiving such a bribe was not the real cause of his removal, yet candour must confess that it ought to have been so. In the mean time, Prior, much more famous as a poet than a statesman, was sent over with proposals to France ; and Menager, a mar of no great station, returned with Prior to London, with full powers to treat upon the pre- liminaries. 17. The ministry having got thus far, the great difficulty 298 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. still lay before them, of making the terms of peace agreeable to all the confederates. The earl of Strafford, who had been lately recalled from the Hague, where he resided as ambassador, was now sent back to Holland, with orders to communicate to the pensionary Heinsius the preliminary proposals, to signify the queen's approbation of them, and to propose a place where the plenipotentiaries should assemble. 18. The Dutch were very averse to begin the conference, upon the inspection of the preliminaries. They sent over an envoy to attempt to turn the queen from her resolution ; but, finding their efforts vain, they fixed upon Utrecht as a place of general conference, and they granted passports to the French ministers accordingly. 19. The conference began at Utrecht, under the conduct of Robinson, bishop of Bristol, lord privy-seal, and the earl of Strafford, on the side of the English ; of Buys and Van- derdusson, on the part of the Dutch ; and of the marshal d'Uxelles, the cardinal Polignac, and Mr. Menager, in behalf of France. The ministers of the emperor and the duke of Savoy assisted, and the other allies sent also pleni- potentiaries, though with the utmost reluctance. 20. As England and France were the only two powers that were seriously inclined to peace, it may be supposed that all the other deputies served rather to retard than advance its pro- gress. They met rather to start new difficulties, and widen the breach, than to quiet the dissensions of Europe. Questions for Examination. 1. Was Sacheverel found guilty ? What was his sentence ? 2. Which party prevailed in the new parliament ? 3 — 5. What took place in Flanders ? 6 — 10. What change in the ministry took place ? 11. In what manner did the parliament act ? 12, 13. What conduct was observed towards the duke of Marlborough ? 14. What was the resolution of the present ministry? 15. With what crime was Marlborough charged ? 16. 17. What proceedings were now adopted ? 18. Were the Dutch averse to the measure ? 19 Where did the conference begin ? By whom was it conducted ? 20 What retarded its progress ? ANNE. SECTION V. No reign than Anne's in war more justly crown'd, No reign for learning justly more renown'd ; 299 3~ Elizabeth a Shaksneare own'd ; Charles could a Milton boast; .-> But Anne saw Newton high enthroned, >>. Charles could ut Anne saw '. Amid the heavenly host. — Dibdin 1. (A.D. 1712.) The English ministers, therefore, finding multiplied obstructions from the deliberations of their allies, set on foot a private negotiation with France. They stipu- lated certain advantages for the subjects of Great Britain in a concerted plan of peace. They resolved to enter into such mutual confidence with the French as would anticipate all clandestine transactions to the prejudice of the coalition. 2. In the beginning of August, secretary St. John, who had been created lord viscount Bolingbroke, was sent to the court of Versailles to remove all obstructions to the separate treaty. He was accompanied by Mr. Prior and the abbe Gualtier, and treateJ with the most distinguished marks of respect. He was caressed by the French king and the marquis de Torcy, with whom he adjusted the principal interests of the duke of Savoy and the elector of Bavaria. 3. At length the treaties of peace and commerce between England and France being agreed on by the plenipotentiaries on either side, and ratified by the queen, she acquainted the parliament of the steps she had taken. 4. The articles of this famous treaty were longer can- vassed, and more warmly debated, than those of any other treaty read of in history. The number of different interests concerned, and the great enmity and jealousy subsisting between all, made it impossible that all could be satisfied; and indeed there seemed no other method of obtaining peace but that which was taken, for the two principal powers concerned to make their own articles, and to leave the rest for a subject of future discussion. 5. The first stipulation was, that Philip, now acknow- ledged king of Spain, should renounce all right to the crown of France, the union of two such powerful kingdoms being thought dangerous to the liberties of Europe. It was agreed that the duke of Berri, Philip's brother, and after him in succession, should also renounce his right to the crown of Spain, in case he became king of France. 6. It was stipulated that the duke of Savoy should possess the island of Sicily, with the title of king, together with Fenis - trelles, and other places on the continent; which increase of dominion was in some measure made out of the spoils of the French monarchy. The Dutch had that barrier 300 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. granted them, which they so long sought after ; and if the crown of France was deprived of some dominions to enrich the duke of Savoy, on the other hand the house of Austria was taxed to supply the wants of the Hollanders, who were put in possession of the strongest towns in Flanders. 7. With regard to England, its glory and its interests were secured. The fortifications of Dunkirk, a harbour that might be dangerous to their trade in time of war, were ordered to be demolished, and its port destroyed. Spain gave up all right to Gibraltar and the island of Minorca. France resigned her pretensions to Hudson's Bay, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland ; but they were left in possession of Cape Breton, and the liberty of drying their fish upon the shore. 8. Among these articles, glorious to the English nation, their setting free the French protestants confined in the prisons and galleys for their religion, was not the least meritorious. For the emperor, it was stipulated, that he should possess the kingdom of Naples, the dutchy of Milan, and the Netherlands. The king of Prussia was to have Upper Guelder ; and a time was fixed for the emperor's acceding to these articles, as he had for some time obsti- nately refused to assist at the negotiation. 9. Thus Europe seemed to be formed into one great republic, the different members of which were cantoned out to different governors, and the ambition of any one state amenable to the tribunal of all. Thus it appears that the English ministry did justice to all the world ; but their country denied that jus- tice to them. -. 10. But while the whigs were attacking the tory minis- ters from without, these were in much greater danger from their own internal dissensions. Lord Oxford and lord Bo- lingbroke, though they had started with the same principles and designs, yet, having vanquished other opposers, now began to turn their strength against each other. Both began to form separate interests, and to adopt different principles. Oxford's plan was the more moderate ; Bolingbroke's the more vigorous, but the more secure. 11. Oxford, it wag thought, was entirely for the Hanoverian succession ; Bo* lingbroke had some hopes of bringing in the pretender But though they hated each other most sincerely, yet they were for a while kept together for the good offices of their friends and adherents, who had the melancholy prospect of seeing the citadel of their hopes, while openly besieged from without, secretly undermined within. ANNE 301 12. This was a mortifying prospect for the tories ; but it was more particularly displeasing to the queen, who daily saw her favourite minister declining, while her own health kept pace with their contentions. Her constitution was now quite broken. One fit of sickness succeeded another ; and what completed the ruin of her health was the anxiety of her mind. These dissensions had such an effect upon her spirits and constitution, that she declared she could not outlive it, and immediately sunk into a state of lethargic in- sensibility. 13. Notwithstanding all the medicines which the physicians could prescribe, the distemper gained ground so fast, that the day afterwards they despaired of her life, and the privy council were assembled on the occasion. All the members, without distinction, being summoned from the different parts of the kingdom, began to provide for the security of the constitution. 14. They sent a letter to the elector of Hanover, informing him of the queen's desperate situation, and desiring him to repair to Holland, where he would be attended by a British squadron to con- vey him to England. At the same time they despatched instructions to the earl of Strafford, at the Hague, to desire the states-general to be ready to perform the guarantee of the protestant succession. 15. Precautions were taken to secure the sea-ports ; and the command of the fleet was bestowed upon the earl of Berkeley, a professed whig. These measures, which were all dictated by that party, answered a double end. It argued their own alacrity in the cause of their new sovereign, and seemed to imply a danger to the state from the disaffection of the opposite interest. 16. On the thirtieth of July, the queen seemed some- what relieved by medicines, rose from her bed about eight o'clock, and walked a little. After some time, casting her eyes on a clock that stood in her chamber, she continued to gaze on it for some minutes. One of the ladies in waiting asked her what she saw there more than usual, to which the queen only answered by turning her eyes upon her with a dying look. 17. She was soon after seized with a fit of apoplexy. She continued all night in a state of stu- pefaction, and expired the next morning, in the forty-ninth year of her age. She reigned more than twelve years over a people that was now risen to the highest pitch of refine- ment; that had attained by their wisdom all the advantages 2C 302 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. of opulence, and, by their valour, curity and conquest.* all the happiness of se- Questions for Examination. 1, 2. What circumstances preceded the treaty with France ? 3, 4. After its conclusion, in what manner was it received? 5. What was the first stipulation ? 6. What the next ? 7. How did the treaty regard England ? 8. Which article of the treaty was meritorious to the English nation ? What were the stipulations regarding the emperor and the king of Prussia ? 9. What appearance did Europe now exhibit ? 10. What dissension took, place between Oxford and Bolingbroke 11. What was thought to be their different views'? , 12. What effect had this disunion on the queen ? 13 — 15. When the queen's life was despaired of, what measures were taken ? 16. What immediately preceded the queen's death ? 17. How long did she reign ? What was the situation of England at her death ? CONTEMPORARY SOVEREIGNS. Pope. A. D. Clement XI 1700 Emperors of Germany. Leopold 1658 Joseph 1 1705 Charles VI 1711 Emperor of the Turks. Mustaphall 1695 A. D. Achmetlll 1703 King of France. Louis XIV. 1643 King of Spain. Philip V 1700 King of Portugal. Pedro II 1683 a; r». John V 1707 King of Denmark. Frederick IV 1669 King of Sweden. Charles XII 1697 King of Prussia. Frederick 1 1701 * It has been a subject of general remark, that England flourished more under the reigns of Elizabeth and Anne, than under those of its most distinguished kings. Though the actions and principles of these princesses were widely differ- ent, yet their reigns were equally remembered with gratitude by their subjects, and both of them have acquired the endearing epithets of good queens. With a pleasing countenance and melodious voice, were united in the person of queen Anne those amiable virtues, which add so great a lustre to the charms of beauty, and place the female character in so admirable a light. Good-natured, affable and kind ; she was an affectionate wife, a tender mother, a warm friend, a gene- rous patroness, and a benevolent and merciful sovereign. Though she was defi- cient in the shining qualities of queen Elizabeth, yet she surpassed that princess in her fondness for her subjects; and as Elizabeth acquired the good will of the English by the greatness of her actions, so Anne was beloved by her people, be- cause she evinced a maternal affection for them. Nor should the fact pass unno- ticed, that notwithstanding the prevalence of factions and the dissensions of par- ties, during this reign, the blood of no subject was shed for treason. GEORGE I. 303 EMINENT PERSONS. Chnrchill, duke of Marlborough;* lord Bolingbroke ; sir William Temple; Boyle, earl of Orrery: Swift; Sidney, earl of Godolphin ; Harley.earl of Oxford ; Mordaunt, earl of Peterborough; Howard, earl of Suffolk ; D. Finch, earl of Nottingham; G. Grenville, lord Lansdowne ; Philip, duke of Wharton : R. lord Raymond : lord-chancellor King : T. lord Paget ; Sarah dutchess of Marlborough. CHAPTER XXXIV. GEORGE I. Born 1660. Died June 11, 1727. Began to reign August 1, 1714. Reigned 12J years. SECTION I. The common weal should be the first pursuit Of the crown'd warrior ; for the royal brows The people first enwreathed, — Seward. 1. (A. D. 1714.) Pursuant to the act of succession, George the First, son of Ernest Augustus, first elector of Brunswick, and the princess Sophia, grand-daughter to * John Churchill, duke of Marlborough, was the son of sir Winston Churchill, and was born at Ashe, in Devonshire, in 1650. At the age of 12 he became page to the duke of York. About 1666 he was made an ensign in the guards, and served for some time at Tangier ; and this seems to have decided him in the choice of a profession. He was a great favourite at court, and the duchess of Cleveland presented him £ 5,000, with which he purchased a life-annuity. In 1772 he accompanied the duke of Monmouth to the continent as a captain of grenadiers, and there fought under the great Turenne, with whom he was known by the name of the handsome Englishman. At the siege of Maestricht he dis- tinguished himself so highly as to obtain the public thanks of the king of France. Returning to England, he advanced from one post to another. On the accession of James II., he was created baron Churchill of Sundridge, and on that of Wil- liam and Mary, earl of Marlborough. When Anne took the throne in 1702, he was made captain general of all the forces at home and abroad, and sent plenipo- tentiary to the Hague, where he was also made captain-general by the states. This was followed by a series of the most splendid campaigns ever made by the armies of England. But in 1711, he was removed from his command by a minis- try that was opposed to him. At the accession of George I. he was reinstated. After assisting in the defeat of the rebellion in 1715, he withdrew from public employments, and died in 1722, in the 73d year of his age. The dutchess, his widow, a lady of great ambition and avarice, became very celebrated, and died in 1744, after amassing great wealth. The palace which was built for him by the nation at Woodstock, near Oxford, after his celebrated victory at Blenheim, is one of the finest structures in the kingdom. Blenheim. The architect, sir John Vanburgh, has been censured as having built it in too heavy a style ; and this caused the mock epitaph on him to be received with much favour : Lie heavy on him, earth, for he Laid many a heavy load on thee. But many consider the criticism unjust. 304 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. James the First, ascended the British throne. His mature age, he being 1 now fifty-four years old, his sagacity and experience, his numerous alliances, and the general tran- quillity of Europe, all contributed to establish his interests, and to promise him a peaceable and happy reign. 2. His abilities, though not shining, were solid ; he was of a very different disposition from the Stuart family whom he suc- ceeded. These were known, to a proverb, for leaving their friends in extremity. George, on the contrary, soon after his arrival in England, was heard to say, " My maxim is, never to abandon my friends, to do justice to all the world, and to fear no man." 3. To these qualifications of resolution and perseverance he joined great application to business. However, one fault with respect to England remained behind ; he studied the interest of those subjects ne had left more than those he came to govern. 4. The queen had no sooner resigned her breath, than the privy-council met, and three instruments were produced, by which the elector appointed several of his known adhe- rents to be added as lords-justices to seven great officers of the kingdom. Orders also were immediately issued out for proclaiming George, king of England, Scotland, and Ireland. The regency appointed the earl of Dorset to carry him the intimation of his accession to the crown, and to attend him on his journey to England. They sent the general officers, in whom they could confide, to their posts ; they reinforced the garrison of Portsmouth, and appointed the celebrated Mr. Addison secretary of state. 5. To mortify the late ministry the more, lord Bolingbroke was obliged to wait every morning in the passage among the servants with his bag of papers, where there were persons purposely placed to insult and deride him. No tumult appeared, no commo- tion arose against the accession of the new king, and this gave a strong proof that no rational measures were even taken to obstruct his exaltation. 6. When he first landed at Greenwich, he was received by the duke of Northumberland, captain of the life-guard, and the lords of the regency. When he retired to his bed- chamber, he sent for such of the nobility as had distin- guished themselves by their zeal for his succession. Bu* the duke of Ormond, the lord-chancellor, and the lord-trea- surer, found themselves excluded. 7. The king of a faction is but the sovereign of half his GEORGE V 305 subjects. Of this, however, the new-elected monarch did not seem to be sensible. It was his misfortune, and con- sequently that of the nation, that he was hemmed round by men who soured him with their own interests. None now but the leaders of a party were admitted into employment. The whigs, while they pretended to secure the crown for their king, were, with all possible arts, confirming their own interests, extending their connexions, and giving laws to the sovereign. 8. An instantaneous and total change was made in all the offices of trust, honour, and advantage. The whigs governed the senate and the court, whom they would have oppressed ; bound the lower orders of people with severe laws, and kept them at a distance by vile distinctions ; and taught them to call this — liberty ! 9. These partialities soon raised discontents among the peo- ple, and the king's attachment considerably increased the discontents throughout the kingdom. The clamour of the church's being in danger was revived. Birmingham, Bris- tol, Norwich, and Reading, still remembered the spirit with which they had declared for Sacheverel ; and now the cry was, " Down with the whigs, and Sacheverel for ever !" 10. Upon the first meeting of the new parliament, in which the whigs, with the king at their head, were predo- minant, nothing was expected but the most violent measures against the late ministry, nor were the expectations of man- kind disappointed. (A.D. 1714.) 11. The lords professed their hopes that the king would be able to recover the reputation of the kingdom on the con- tinent, the loss of which they affected to deplore. The commons went much further ; they declared their resolution to trace out those measures by which the country was de- pressed ; they resolved to seek after those abettors on whom the pretender seemed to ground his hopes ; and they deter- mined to bring such to condign punishment. 12. It was the artifice, during this and the succeeding reign, to stigmatize all those who testified their discontent against government as papists and Jacobites. All who at- tempted to speak against the violence of their measures were reproached as designing to bring in the pretender ; and most people were consequently afraid to murmur, since discontent was so near akin to treason. The people, therefore, beheld the violence of their conduct in silent fright, internally dis- approving, yet not daring to avow their detestation. 13. A committee was appointed, consisting of twenty 2c2 306 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. persons, to inspect all the papers relative to the late negoti- ation for peace ; and to pick out such of them as might serve as subjects of accusation against the late ministry. After some time spent in this disquisition, Mr. Walpole, as chair- man of the committee, declared to the house that a report was drawn up ; and in the mean time moved that a warrant might be issued for apprehending Mr. Matthew Prior and Mr. Thomas Harley, who, being in the house, were imme- diately taken into custody. 14. He then impeached lord Bolingbroke of high-treason. This struck some of the members with amazement : but they were still more asto- nished, when lord Coningsby, rising up, was heard to say, " The worthy chairman has impeached the hand, but I im- peach the head ; he has impeached the scholar, and I the master; I impeach Robert earl of Oxford and the earl of Mortimer of high-treason, and other crimes and misdemea- nours." Questions for Examination. 1. Under what circumstances did George I. ascend the throne ? 2. What were his abilities and disposition ? What was his maxim ? 3. What fault has been attributed to him ? 4. What was the first act of the privy council? 5 In what manner was Bolingbroke treated ? 6 By whom was the king received on his landing ? 7 By whom was the king advised, and what was the result ? 8, 9. What did these partialities produce ? 10, 1 1. In what manner did the new parliament act? 12. What did their proceedings produce ? 13, 14. For what purpose was a committee appointed? SECTION II. Where Scotland's cloud-capped hills appear, See Mar the rebel standard rear : The rash pretender's hopes are vain ; His followers dispersed or slain. — Davies. 1. (A.D. 1714.) When lord Oxford appeared in the house of lords the day following, he was avoided by the peers as infectious ; and he had now an opportunity of discovering the baseness of mankind. When the articles were read against him in the ho'jse of commons, a warm debate arose upon that in which he was charged with having advised tht French king of the manner of gaining Tournay from the Dutch. 2. Mr. Walpole alleged that it was treason. Si^ Joseph Jekyl, a known whig, said that he could never be of opinion that it amounted to treason. It was his principle GEORGE I. 307 he said, to do justice to all men, from the highest to the lowest. He hoped he might pretend to some knowledge of the law, and would not scruple to declare, upon this part of the question, in favour of the criminal. 3. To this Wal- pole answered, with great warmth, that there were several persons, both in and out of the committee, who did not in the least yield to that member in point of honesty, and ex- ceeded him in- the knowledge of the laws, and yet were satisfied that the charge in that article amounted to high- treason. 4. This point being decided against the earl, and the other articles proved by the house, the lord Coningsby, attended by the whig members, impeached him soon after at the bar of the house of lords ; demanding, at the same time, that he might lose his seat, and be committed to cus- tody. When this point came to be debated in the house of lords, a violent altercation ensued. Those who still adhered to the deposed minister, maintained the injustice and danger of such proceedings. 5. At last the earl himself rose up, and with great tranquillity observed, that, for his own part, he always acted by the immediate directions and command of the queen, his mistress : he had never offended against any known law, and was unconcerned for the life of an in- significant old man. Next day he was brought to the bar, where he received a copy of his indictment, and was allow- ed a month to prepare his answer. Though Dr. Mead de- clared, that if the earl should be sent to the Tower his Life would be in danger, it was carried in the house that he should be committed. 6. At the same time the duke of Ormond and lord Boling- broke, having omitted to surrender themselves (for they had actually fled to the continent) within a limited time, it was ordered that the earl-marshal should rase out their names and arms from among the list of peers ; and inventories were taken of their estates and possessions, which were declared forfeited to the crown. 7. Lord Oxford being confined in the Tower, he continued there for two years, during which time the nation was in a continual ferment, from an actual rebellion that was carried on unsuccessfully. After the execution of some lords, who were taken in arms, the nation seemed glutted with blood, and that was the time that lord Oxford petitioned to be brought to trial. 8. He knew that the fury of the nation was spent on objects that were really culpable, and expected that his case would look like innocence itsel r compared to 308 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. theirs. A day, therefore, at his own request, was assigned him, and the commons were ordered to prepare for their charge. At the appointed time the peers repaired to the court in Westminster-hall, where lord Cowper presided as lord high steward. 9. But a dispute arising between the lords and commons, concerning the mode of liis trial, the lords voted that the prisoner should be set at liberty. To this dispute he probably owed the security of his title and fortune ; for, as to the articles importing him guilty of high- treason, they were at once malignant and frivolous, so that his life was in no manner of danger. 10. In the mean time these vindictive proceedings excited the indignation of the people, who perceived that the ave- nues to royal favour were closed against all but a faction. The flames of rebellion were actually kindled in Scotland. The earl of Mar, assembling three hundred of his own vas- sals in the Highlands, proclaimed the pretender at Castle- down, and set up his standard at a place called Braemaer, assuming the title of lieutenant-general of his majesty's forces. 11. To second these attempts, two vessels arrived in Scotland from France, with arms, ammunition, and a number of officers, together with assurances to the earl, that me pretender himself would shortly come over to head his «wn forces. The earl, in consequence of ihis promise, soon found himself at the head of ten thousand men, well armed and provided. 12. The duke of Argyle> apprized of his in- tentions, and at any rate willing to prove his attachment to the present government, resolved to give him battle in the neighbourhood of Dumblain, thong*, his forces did not amount to half the number of the enemy. After an engagement, which continued several hours, in the evening both sides 4rew off, and both sides claimed the victory. 13. Though the possession of the field was kept by neither, yet certainly fill the honour and all the advantages of the day belonged to the duke of ArgyJe. It was sufficient for him to have inter- rupted the progress of the enemy ; for, in their circumstances, delay was defeat. The earl of Mar soon found his disap^ pointment and losses increase. The castle of Inverness, ot which he was in possession, was delivered up to the king by lord Lovat, who had hitherto professed to act in the in- terest of the pretender. 14. The marquis of Tullibardine forsook the earl, in order to defend his own part of the coun- try ; and many of the clans, seeing no likelihood of coming soon to a second engagement, returned quietly home ■ for GEORGE I. 309 an irregular army is much easier led to battle than induced to bear the fatigues of a campaign. 15. In the mean time the rebellion was much more un- successfully prosecuted in England. From the time the pretender had undertaken this wild project at Paris, in which the duke of Ormond and lord Bolingbroke were engaged, lord Stair, the English ambassador there, had penetrated all his designs, and sent faithful accounts of all his measures, and all his adherents, to the ministry at home. Upon the first rumour, therefore, of an insurrection, they imprisoned several lords and gentlemen, of whom they had a suspicion. 16. The earls of Home, Wintown, Kinnoul, and others, were committed to the castle of Edinburgh. The king ob- tained leave from the lower house to seize sir William Wyndham, sir John Packington, Harvey Combe, and others. The lords Lansdowne and Duplin were taken into custody. Sir William Wyndham's father-in-law, the duke of Somer- set, offered to become bound for his appearance, but his surety was refused. Questions for Examination, 1. What was the conduct of the peers towards lord Oxford ? 2. In what way was he defended by sir John Jekyl ? 3. What was the answer of Walpole ? 4. Who impeached the earl of Oxford before the lords? 5. What answer did his lordship make to the charge ? 6. What proceedings were taken against Ormond and Bolingbroke ? 7. In what state was the nation at this time ? 8. Under what circumstances did Oxford request his trial ? 9. What occasioned his being set at liberty ? 10. What excited the indignation of the people ? 11 — 14. Relate the particulars of the rebellion of Scotland. 15. Who, penetrating into the wild project of the pretender, sent accounts of all his measures ? 16. Who were imprisoned in consequence ? SECTION III. Swift to the north his troops he leads O'er rapid floods iind hills of snow; No toil the glorious march impedes That bears the Briton to the foe. — Anon 1. (A.D. 1715.) All these precautions were not able to stop the insurrection in the western counties, where it was already begun. However, all their preparations were weak and ill-conducted, every measure was betrayed to government as soon as projected, and many revolts suppressed in the very outset. 2. The university of Oxford was treated with great severity on this occasion. Major-general Pepper, with 310 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. a strong detachment of dragoons, took possession of the city at daybreak, declaring that he would instantly shoot any of the students who should presume to appear without the limits of their respective colleges. The insurrections in the northern counties came to greater maturity. 3. In the month of Oc- tober, 1715, the earl of Derwentwater, and Mr. Forster, took the field with a large body of horse, and being joined by some gentlemen from the borders of Scotland, proclaimed the pretender. Their first attempt was to seize upon New- castle, in which they had many friends, but they found the gates shut against them, and were obliged to retire to Hex- ham. 4. To oppose these, general Carpenter was detached by government with a body of nine hundred men, and an engagement was hourly expected. The rebels had pro- ceeded by the way of Kendal and Lancaster to Preston, of which place they took possession without any resistance. But this was the last stage of their ill-advised incursion ; for general Wills, at the head of seven thousand men, came up to the town to attack them, and from his activity there was no escaping. 5. They now, therefore, began to raise barri- cados, and to place the town in a posture of defence, repuls- ing the first attack of the royal army with success. Next day, however, Wills was reinforced by Carpenter, and the town was invested on all sides. In this deplorable situation, to which they were reduced by their own rashness, Forster hoped to capitulate with the general, and accordingly sent colonel Oxburgh, who had been taken prisoner, with a trumpeter, to propose a capitulation. 6. This, however, Wills refused, alleging that he would not treat with rebels, and that the only favour they had to expect was to be spared from immediate slaughter. These were hard terms, yet no better could be obtained. They accordingly laid down their arms, and were put under a strong guard ; all the noblemen and leaders were secured, and a few of the officers tried for deserting from the royal army, and shot by order of a court- martial. The common men were imprisoned at Chester and Liverpool ; the noblemen and considerable officers were sent to London, and led through the streets, pinioned and bound together, to intimidate their party. 7. The pretender might, by this time, have been con- vinced of the vanity of his expectations, in supposing that the whole country would rise up in his cause. His affairs were actually desperate ; yet, with his usual infatuation, he resolved to hazard his person among his friends in Scotland; GEORGE I. 311 at a time when such a measure was too late for success. 8. Passing, therefore, through France in disguise, and embark- ing in a small vessel at Dunkirk, he arrived, after a passage of a few days, on the coast of Scotland, with only six gen- tlemen in his train. He passed unknown through Aberdeen to Feterosse, where he was met by the earl of Mar, and about thirty noblemen and gentlemen of the first quality. 9. There he was solemnly proclaimed. His declaration, dated at Commercy, was printed and dispersed. He went from thence to Dundee, where he made a public entry, and in two days more he arrived at Scoon, where he intended to have the ceremony of the coronation performed. He order- ed thanksgivings to be made for his safe arrival ; he enjoined the ministers to pray for him in their churches ; and, with- out the smallest share of power, went through the ceremo- nies of royalty, which threw an air of ridicule on all his conduct. 10. Having thus spent some time in unimportant parade, he resolved to abandon the enterprise with the same levity with which it was undertaken. Having made a speech to his grand council, he informed them of his want of money, arms, and ammunition, for undertaking a campaign, and therefore deplored that he was compelled to leave them. He once more embarked on board a small French ship that lay in the harbour of Montrose, accompanied by several lords, his adherents, and in five days arrived at Gravelin. 11. In this manner ended a rebellion, which nothing but imbecility could project, and nothing but rashness could support. But though the enemy was no more, the fury of the victors did not seem in the least to abate with success. The law was now put in force with all its terrors ; and the prisons of London were crowded with those deluded wretches, whom the ministry seemed resolved not to pardon. 12. The commons, in their address to the crown, declared they would prosecute in the most rigorous manner the authors of the late rebellion. In consequence of which the earls of Derwentwater, Nithisdale, Carnwath, and Wintown, the lords Widrington, Kenmuir, and Nairne, were impeached, and, upon pleading guilty, all but lord Wintown received sentence of death. No entreaties could soften the ministry to spare these unhappy men. The countess of Derwent- water, with her sister and several other ladies of the first dis- tinction, being introduced into the presence of the king, be- sought his clemency for her husband, but without effect. 13. Orders were despatched for executing the lords Der- 312 HISTORY OF ENGLAND Countess of Derwentwater interceding for her husband. wentwater, Nithisdale, and Kenmuir immediately ; the rest were respited to a farther time. Nithisdale, however, had the good fortune to escape in women's clothes, which were brought to him by his mother, the night before he was to have been executed. Derwentwater and Kenmuir were brought to the scaffold on Tower-hill at the time appointed. Both underwent their sentence with calm intrepidity, pitied by all, and seemingly less moved themselves than those who beheld them. 14. In the beginning of April, commissioners for trying the rebels met in the court of common pleas, when bills were found against Mr. Forster, Mr. Mackitosnh, and twenty of their confederates. 15. Forster escaped from Newgate, and reached the con tinent in safety ; the rest pleaded not guilty. Pitts, the keeper of Newgate, being suspected of having connived at Forster's escape, was tried for his life, but acquitted. Yet, notwithstanding this, Mackintosh and several other prisoners broke from Newgate, after having mastered the keeper and turnkey, and disarmed the sentinel. 16. The court pro- ceeded to the trial of those that remained : four or five were hanged, drawn, and quartered at Tyburn ; two-and-twenty were executed at Preston and Manchester; and about a thousand prisoners experienced the king's mercy, if such it might be called, to be transported to North America. 17. A rupture with Spain, which ensued some time aftei GEORGE I. 313 served once more to raise the declining expectations of the pretender and his adherents. It was hoped that, by the assistance of cardinal Alberoni, the Spanish minister, a new insuirection might be carried on in England. The duke of Ormond was the person fixed upon to conduct this expedi- tion ; and he obtained from the Spanish eourt a fleet of ten ships of war and transports, having on board six thousand regular troops, with arms for twelve thousand more. 18. But fortune was still as unfavourable as ever. Having set sail, and proceeded as far as Cape Finisterre, he was encoun- tered by a violent storm, which disabled his fleet, and frus- trated the expedition. This misfortune, together with the bad success of the Spanish arms in Sicily, and other parts of Europe, induced Philip to wish for peace ; and he at last consented to sign the quadruple alliance. This was at that time thought an immense acquisition, but England, though she procured the ratification, had no share in the advantage of the treaty. Questions for Examination. 1 Of what nature was the insurrection in the western counties ? 2. In what manner was the university of Oxford treated ? 3. By whom was the pretender first proclaimed ? 4. Relate the manner in which they were opposed. 5. 6. What was the result of the siege of Preston ? 8, 9. What was the next proceeding of the pretender ? 10. What was his conduct on abandoning this enterprise ? 11. What was the conduct of the victors ? 12. What was the declaration of the commons ? and what was the cona© quence 13. What orders were now despatched ? 14 — 16. Relate the particulars which regarded the other rebels. 17. What rupture raised the declining hopes of the pretender? 18. What was the result ? SECTION IV. The South Sea bubble now appears. Which caused some smiles, some countless tear*, And set half" Europe by the ears. — Dibdin. 1. (A.D. 1721.) It was about this time that one John Law, a Scotchman, had cheated France by erecting a com- pany under the name of the Mississippi, which promised that deluded people great wealth, but which ended in involv- ing the French nation in great distress. It was now that the people of England were deceived by a project entirely similar, which is remembered by the name of the South 3D 314 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. Sea Scheme, and which was felt long after by thousands. 2. To explain this as concisely as possible, it is to be ob- served, that ever since the revolution under king William, the government, not having had sufficient supplies granted by parliament, or what was granted requiring time to be collected, they were obliged to borrow money from several different companies of merchants, and, among the rest, from that company which traded to the South Sea. The South Sea company having made up their debt to the government ten millions, instead of six hundred thousand pounds, which they usually received as interest, were satisfied with five hundred thousand pounds. 3. It was in this situation of things that one Blount, who had been bred a scrivener, and was possessed of all the cunning and plausibility requisite for such an undertaking, proposed to the ministry, in the name of the South Sea company, to buy up all the debts of the different companies of merchants, and thus to become the sole creditor of the state. 4. The terms he offered to government were ex- tremely advantageous. The South Sea company was to redeem the debts of the nation out of the hands of the private proprietors, who were creditors to the government, upon whatever terms they could agree on ; and for the interest of this money, which they had thus redeemed, and taken into their own hands, they would be contented to be allowed by government, for six years, five per cent. ; then the interest should be reduced to four per cent. ; and should at any time be redeemable by parliament. 5. But now came the part of the scheme big with fraud and ruin. As the directors of the South Sea company could not of them- selves be supposed to possess money sufficient to buy up the debts of the nation, they were empowered to raise it by opening a subscription to a scheme for trading to the South Seas, from which commerce immense ideal advantages were promised by the cunning directors, and still greater expected by the rapacious credulity of the people. All persons, therefore, who were creditors to the government, were invited to come in, and exchange their stocks for that of the South Sea company. 6. The directors' books were no sooner opened for the first subscription, than crowds came to make the exchange of their stock for South Sea stock. The delusion was art- fully continued and spread. Subscriptions in a very few '.lays sold for double the price they had been bought at. GEORGE I. 315 The scheme succeeded even beyond the projectors' hopes, and the whole nation was infected with a spirit of avaricious enterprise. The infatuation • prevailed ; the stock increased to a surprising degree, and to nearly ten times the value of what it was subscribed for. 7. After a few months, however, the people awoke from their dreams of riches, and found that all the advantages they expected were merely imaginary, while thousands of families were involved in one common ruin. 8. The principal delinquents were punished by parlia- ment with a forfeiture of all such possessions and estates as they had acquired during the continuance of this popular phrensy, and some care also was taken to redress the suf- ferers. The discontents occasioned by these public calami- ties once more gave the disaffected party hopes of succeed- ing. But in all their councils they were weak, divided, and wavering. 9 The first person that was seized upon suspicion was Francis Atterbury, bishop of Rochester, a prelate long ob- noxious to the present government, and possessed of abilities to render him formidable to any ministry he opposed. His papers were seized, and he himself confined to the Tower. Soon after the duke of Norfolk, the Earl of Orrery, the lord North and Grey, and some others of inferior rank, were ar- rested and imprisoned. Of all these, however, only the bishop, who was banished, and one Mr. Layer, who was hanged at Tyburn, felt the severity of government, the proofs against the rest amounting to no convictive evidence, 10. The commons about this time finding many abuses had crept into the court of chancery, which either impeded justice or rendered it venal, they resolved to impeach the chancellor, Thomas earl of Macclesfield, at the bar of the house of lords, for high crimes and misdemeanors. 11. This was one of the most laborious and best contested trials in the annals of England. The trial lasted twenty days. The earl proved, that the sums he had received for the sale of places in chancery had been usually received by former lord chancellors ; but reason told that such receipts were contrary to strict justice. Equity, therefore, prevailed above precedent ; the earl was convicted of fraudulent prac- tices, and condemned to a fine of thirty thousand pounds, with imprisonment till the sum should be paid, which was accordingly discharged about six weeks after. 12. In this manner, the corruption, venality, and avarice 316 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. of the times had increased with the riches and luxury of the nation. Commerce introduced fraud, and wealth introduced prodigality. It must be owned that the parliament made some new efforts to check the progress of vice and immorality, which now began to be diffused through every rank of life. But they were supported neither by the co-operation of the ministry, nor the voice of the people. 13. It was now two years since the king had visited his electoral dominions of Hanover. He, therefore, soon after the breaking up of the parliament, prepared for a journey thither. (A. D. 1727.) Having appointed a regency in his absence, he embarked for Holland, and lay upon his land- ing at a little town called Voet. Next day he proceeded on his journey, and in two days more, between ten and eleven at night, arrived at Delden, to all appearance in per- fect health. 14. He supped there very heartily, and conti- nued his progress early the next morning, but between eight and nine ordered his coach to stop. It being per- ceived that one of his hands lay motionless, Monsieur Fa- brice, who had formerly been servant to the king of Swe- den, and who now attended king George, attempted to quicken the circulation, by chafing it between his hands. 15. As this had no effect, the surgeon, who followed on horseback, was called, and he also rubbed it with spirits. Soon after the king's tongue began to swell, and he had just strength enough to bid them hasten to Osnaburgh. Then falling insensibly into Fabrice's arms, he never recovered, but expired about eleven o'clock the next morning, in the sixty-eighth year of his age, and the thirteenth of his reign Questions for Examination, 1. What was the conduct of the South Sea scheme ? 2. Explain the nature of it. 3. What proposition was made to the ministry ? 4. What were the terms ? 5. What part of the scheme wasfull of fraud and ruin ? 6. What success attended it ? 8. How were the principal delinquents punished ? 9. What persons were now seized as obnoxious to government ? 10. On what charge was the earl of Macclesfield impeached ? 11. Relate the particulars of his trial. 12. What was now the state of the nation ? 13. About what time did the king prepare to visit his electoral dominions 1 14. What happened on his progress thither ? 15. In what manner did the king die ? and what was his age ? GEORGE II. 317 CONTEMPORARY SOVEREIGNS. Popes. a.d. errant XI 1700 'nnocent XIII 1721 Benedict XIII 1724 Emperor of Germany. Charles VI....... 1711 Emperor of the Turks. \chmetIII 1703 Emperor of Russia. Peter the Great, first emperor 1722 Empress of Russia. A.D. Catherine 1 1725 Kings of France. Louis XIV 1643 Louis XV 1715 King of Spain. Philip V 1700 King of Portugal. JohnV :.... 1707} EMINENT PERSONS. King of Denmark. A.D. Frederick IV 1699 King and Queen of Sweden. Charles XII 1697 Utricia Leonora... HIS King of Prussia. Frederic II 171? Sir William Windham. Sir Robert Walpole. William Pulteney. Francis, bishop Atterbury. John, lord Hervey. John Perceval, earl of Egmont, CHAPTER XXXV. Born 1683. Died October 35, GEORGE II. 1760. Began to reign June II, 1727. 33^ years. SECTION I. Reigned The royal sire to realms of bliss removed, 2. In what manner was the courage of the English admirals show*, 3. What important event obscured the lustre of these victories ? 4. What circumstances preceded the king's death ] . What was the cause of his death ? 5. What was his age, and how long did he reign ? 6. What was the situation of the country at that time 1 7. 8. What is the character of the king as given by his friends ? 9, 10. What, as given by his enemies ] CONTEMPORARY SOVEREIGNS. Popes. Emperors of the Turks. A. D. Benedict XIII 1724 Clement XII 1738 Benedict XIV 1740 Clement XIII 1758 Emperors of Germany. Charles VI 1711 Charles VII 1740 Francis Stephen 1745 Emperors and Empresses of Russia. Peter II 1727 Anne 1730 John 1740 Elizabeth 1741 King of France. Louis XV 1715 Kings of Spain. Philip V. (restored) 1724 Ferdinand VI 1745 A. D. AchmetHI 1703 Mahomet V 1730 Osman II 1754 Mustapha III 1757 Kings of Portugal. John V 1707 Joseph 1750 Kings of Denmark. Frederick IV 1699 Christian VI 1730 Frederick V 1746 Kings of Sweden. Frederick 1720 Adolphus 1750 Kings of Prussia. Frederick II 1713 Frederick III 1740 GEORGE III. EMINENT PERSONS. 361 William Pitt, earl of Chatham, Admiral Hawke. General Wolfe. Alexander Pope. James Thomson.* Dr. Young. John, lord Carteret Philip, earl of Hardwick. Henry Pelham. H. lord Hyde and Corn- bury. Horatio, lord Walpole. George Booth, earl of Warrington. J. Hamilton, earl of Abercorn, &c. &c. &c. CHAPTER XXXVL GEORGE IH. Born 1738. Died 1820. Began to reign 1760. Reigned 59 years, SECTION I. Hail, monarch i born the pledge of happier days, To guard our freedom and our glories raise, Given to the world to spread religion's sway, And pour o'er many a land the mental day. — Mickle. 1. (October 25, 1760.) Though the health of George IL ha^been long declining, his death was totally unexpected, and the ministry, being unprepared for such an event, felt not a little embarrassed when they first waited on their new sovereign. George HI., who succeeded, was the son of Frederick, prince of Wales, and Augusta, princess of Saxe- Gotha. In consequence of the premature death of his * The encouragement given to literary exertion during the reign of queen Anne, was altogether withdrawn by her successors. Pope and Swift, indeed, still continued to be patronized by their former friends, but rising merit was entirely neglected. Frederick, prince of Wales, during his brief career, was an ostentatious rather than a generous patron of letters ; but after his death, even the semblance of encouragement was laid aside. The ministry had even the incredible meanness to deprive poor Thompson of a miserable pittance settled on him by Frederick. After enduring great distress, this poet at length obtained a small place, through the interest of lord Lyttleton, but he did not live to enjoy its advantages : to the disgrace of the nation and its rulers, he died in difli- ffulties and debt, 3H 362 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. father, who died without ascending the throne, his education bad devolved upon his mother, by whom he was brought up in the strictest privacy. She had unfortunately quarrelled with the late king, and the prince, though now in his twenty- second year, had been consequently such a stranger to the court of his grandfather, that he was unacquainted even with the persons of the ministers. 2. His first address to the council was gracious and conciliatory : the only remarkable occurrence that distinguished the opening of the new reign was the elevation of the earl of Bute to the office of privy counsellor. 3. The parliament was assembled in Novem- ber, and the king's first speech gave universal satisfaction to the country. The civil list was fixed at the annual sum of 800,000/. ; and liberal supplies were voted for the main- tenance of the war in which the country was engaged. The king, in return for this instance of affection on the part of the people, assented to a bill for further securing the inde- pendence of the judges, by providing that their offices should not be vacated on the demise of the crown. 4. (A.D. 1761.) The act of settlement prohibiting the sovereigns of Britain from intermarrying with Roman Ca- tholics, his majesty was precluded from seeking a consort in the great families of Europe ; he therefore selected as his bride a daughter of the house of Mecklenburgh Strelitz, a small principality in the north of Germany ; the marriage was celebrated on the 8th of September, and on the 22d ol the same month the ceremony of the coronation was per- formed with great pomp and magnificence. 5. The war which had been carried on with great spirit and success under the auspices of Mr. Pitt, continued to be supported with unabated vigour ; prince Ferdinand, at the head of the allies, pursued his victorious career in Germany, and Belleisle was captured by a British force under the command of admiral Keppel and general Hodgson. The French court, terrified at these losses, made an abortive at- tempt to obtain peace, but having failed in this, a successful application for assistance was made to the king of Spain, and a secret treaty, called the Family Compact, was made between the two powers. 6. This transaction, though carefully concealed, did not escape the penetration of Mr. Pitt ; he warned his colleagues of the insidious designs of Spain, and urged them to send out a fleet to intercept the Spanish flota, or strike some other decisive blow before the nostile projects of that court were ripe for execution. This GEORGE III. 363 proposal was very coolly received by the other members of the cabinet ; they were not in possession of all the informa- tion which their colleague had obtained, and they were besides jealous of the influence which Mr. Pitt's superior popularity conferred. The project was finally rejected, and Mr. Pitt immediately resigned. As a mark of gratitude, however, for his eminent public services, a pension of 3000/. a year was settled on him for three lives, and his wife was created baroness Chatham. 7. The retirement of this popular minister was generally attributed to the secret influence of the earl of Bute, who was supposed to have obtained complete ascendency over the mind of his royal master. This suspicion created ge- neral displeasure among the people ; on the lord mayor's day, when his majesty and suite proceeded to dine in the city, the king and queen were received with coldness and silence, the earl of Bute was grossly insulted, but Mr. Pitt was welcomed with the loudest acclamations. 8. In a few months the wisdom of Mr. Pitt's anticipa tions was fully established ; the hostile designs of Spain could no longer be concealed, and when the British ambas- sador remonstrated, he received nothing but evasive answers, or flat refusals to all his demands. He was in consequence recalled, and in a short time after a declaration of war was published against Spain. 9. A new parliament being assembled, the consideration yf a provision for the queen, in the event of her surviving his majesty, was recommended from the throne. An annu- ity of 100,000/. was settled on her for life, together with the palace of Somerset house (afterwards exchanged for Buckingham house), and the lodge and lands of Richmond park. 10. (A.D. 1762.) No change of importance had hitherto been made in the cabinet, except the appointment of the earl of Bute to the office of secretary of state ; but a more important alteration had long, been meditated, one that in- volved almost a complete revolution in the domestic policy of England. Since the accession of the house of Bruns- wick, the administration of public affairs had been prin- cipally confided to some of the great families, by whose exertions that race of sovereigns had been placed upon the throne. Their power had been considerably strengthened by the suppression of the two rebellions in 1715 and 1745 ; and the two former kings, more attached to their German 304 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. dominions than to their British kingdoms, surrendered the government of these countries to their ministers without reluctance. The new sovereign of Britain was entirely- free from German predilections ; in the court of his mother he had been taught to dislike the politics of his grandfather, and he had no longer any reason to dread dangers from the change, for the claims of the young pretender had long since sunk into total insignificance. Unfortunately, the earl of Bute, to whom the management of such an important change was confided, did not possess abilities equal to the task. His domestic virtues, his refined taste, and generous liberality had made him deservedly beloved in private life ; but his reserved habits, his coldness of manner, and his total igno- rance of state affairs, made his public career odious to the people, painful to himself, and injurious to the popularity of his sovereign. 11. It was resolved to get rid of the Pelham family, which had been so long at the head of affairs ; the duke of Newcastle was made so uneasy in his situation, that he resigned his post as first lord of the treasury, and was suc- ceeded by the earl of Bute ; the greater part of the ministers imitated the duke's example ; and even the duke of Devon- shire, whose exertions in behalf of the Hanoverian succes- sion had been rewarded by the place of lord chamberlain, found it necessary to resign his situation. A furious paper- war ensued, and party spirit, which had slept during the triumphant administration of Mr. Pitt, was revived, and raged with unparalleled fury. National prejudices contri- buted to fan the flame ; the earl of Bute was a Scotchman, and the old jealousy between the natives of the northern and southern divisions of the country was made a formidable engine of party hostility. 12. The war was carried on with equal vigour and suc- cess by the new administration. The French and Spaniards having in vain endeavoured to detach the Portuguese from their alliance with England, sent an army to invade the country : but an English body of auxiliaries was imme- diately despatched to Portugal, and the progress of the in- vaders was soon checked. At first, indeed, the bigoted Portuguese refused to unite cordially with their heretical allies ; but when count de la Lippe was appointed to the command of their armies, he entered cordially into the views of the English general, and the Spaniards were defeated in two decisive engagements. Spain suffered still more s** GEORGE III. 365 verely in other quarters of the globe ; Havannah, with plunder to the amount of three millions sterling, was taken by the earl of Albemarle and admiral Pococke ; the city of Manilla surrendered to general Draper and admiral Corn- ish ; it was ransomed for the stipulated sum of one million, but the Spaniards violated their engagements, and the ran- som was never paid. Two valuable treasure ships, con- taining property to the amount of two millions sterling, were about the same time captured by British cruisers. (August 12, 1762.) While the wagons that conveyed the treasure taken from the Spanish vessels to the Tower were passing in front of the palace, the cannon in the park an- nounced the birth of a prince of Wales, and this coincidence not a little increased the public joy at this happy event. 13. While the arms of England were thus triumphant in various quarters of the globe, the king of Prussia, her prin- cipal, and, indeed, her almost only ally, after a series of brilliant exploits, which have immortalized his name, seemed to have been brought to the very brink of ruin by the junc- tion of the Russians with his inveterate enemies. At the very moment, however, that his destruction seemed certain, he was rescued by one of those sudden revolutions which baffle all human calculation. Elizabeth, empress of Russia, dying, was succeeded by her nephew, Peter III., who was an enthusiastic admirer of the Prussian king ; he not only concluded a peace with Frederick, but even joined his arms to those of that monarch, and began to act hostilely against his former allies. Peter was, however, soon dethroned by his subjects; Catharine II., his consort, then became em- press of Russia ; she withdrew her forces from those of the king of Prussia, and resolved to maintain a strict neutrality. Frederic was not slow in availing himself of these favour- able circumstances, and soon amply retrieved his former losses. 14. All parties were now seriously anxious for the resto- ration of peace. France was deprived of her colonial pos- sessions, and saw her commerce on the brink of ruin ; Spain had suffered still more severely ; the Austrians and Prus- sians were wearied of campaigns, which left the armies at their close nearly in the same situation they occupied at the commencement ; and England, notwithstanding her triumphs, felt that a continuation of such exertions would soon ex- haust her resources. The seven years' war was terminated b\ general p^ace, bv which England was permitted to re- 2h2 366 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. tain Canada and several other conquests, receiving also from Spain, Florida, in exchange for the Havannah. 15. Though the terms of the peace were very favourable to the interests of the English, yet the nation, intoxicated by success, re- gretted the termination of the war. The articles had been signed several months before the city of London could be prevailed upon to present a tardy and reluctant address of congratulation ; and on the day of its presentation, the lord- mayor (Beckford) refused to attend, and the bells of the different churches rung muffled peals during the procession. Questions for Examination. 1. By whom was George II. succeeded ? 2. Did any thing remarkable occur at the first meeting of the privy council ? 3. What proceedings took place in parliament ? 4. To whom did George III. unite himself in marriage ? 5. Did any circumstances tend to show hostile dispositions in the Spanish court ? 6. Under what circumstances did Mr. Pitt resign his office ? 7. What were the consequences of his resignation ? 8. Were Mr. Pitt's suspicions of the Spanish court well founded ? 9. What dowry was settled on the queen ? JO. What great change took place in the administration ? 11. Did any evil consequences result from the change of ministry? 12. How was the war conducted ? what triumphs did the English obtain ? 13. By what means was the king of Prussia rescued from his difficulties? 14. Why were all parties anxious to terminate the war ? 15. Was the peace popular in England ? SECTION II. Like smone emitted from Vesuvius* top, (Dread harbinger of the volcano's powers,) So breathe the fires of discontent — nor stop Till all around is wrapt in burning showers.— Brown. 1. (A.D. 1763.) Tranquillity might naturally haye been expected at the conclusion of a glorious war, but this was prevented by the domestic dissensions which party spirit produced. The earl of Bute's unpopularity still con- tinued, but his influence was apparently unabated, for not- withstanding the most vigorous efforts of the opposition, he prevailed upon parliament to impose a tax upon cider, which, without producing any great revenue, gave infinite dissatisfaction to the nation. Immediately after this triumph, his lordship, to the great surprise of every one, resigned his post and retired into private life. 2. He was succeeded by Mr. George Grenville. The press soon teemed with the most virulent libels from the partisans of the several factions that divided the country. In these productions the person GEORGE in. 36? of the sovereign was not always spared, until at length the ministry was roused by the appearance of No. 45 of the North Briton, a periodical paper conducted by Mr. Wilkes, the member for Aylesbury, in which it was stated that the king had uttered a deliberate falsehood in his speech to par- liament. This was an offence which could not be passed over, and a general warrant was issued for the arrest of the author, printers, and publishers of that paper. Mr. Wilkes was arrested and sent to the Tower ; several innocent per- sons were taken into custody, and the ministry found that in their eagerness to punish a delinquent, they had unfortu- nately raised a great constitutional question, which must of necessity be decided against them. 3. The printers taken up under the warrant, brought actions against the messengers by whom they had been arrested, and recovered heavy damages. Mr. Wilkes also having been brought by habeas corpus before the court of common pleas, was liberated, the judges being unanimously of opinion, that privilege of parliament extended to the case of writing a libel. The house of commons gave a different decision. They voted that No. 45 of the North Briton was a false, scandalous, and seditious libel, and that the author of such was not protected by privilege of parliament. Soon after, Mr. Wilkes fought a duel with Mr. Martin, whom he had libelled, and was severely wounded ; he had scarcely recovered from its effects when he thought fit to retire to France. (A. D. 1764.) During his absence, he was expelled the house of commons, and driven to an outlawry in the court of king's bench for not appearing to stand his trial. The only advantage that resulted from this struggle, was the declaration of the illegality of general warrants by a resolution of both houses of parliament. 4. (A. D. 1765.) The immense expenditure incurred during the late war had involved the country in considerable difficulties, and it was considered only just that the Ame- rican colonies, whose interests had been most regarded in the treaty of peace, should bear their proportion of the public burdens ; accordingly, a bill for imposing stamp duties on all mercantile transactions in the colonies was in- troduced by Mr. Grenville, and passed into a law with but little opposition. The Americans had been for some time previously very indignant at the treatment they had received from the mother-country ; their profitable trade with the Spanish colonies had been destroyed by new fiscal regula 368 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. tions ; the Indians had harassed their back settlements, and no royal forces were sent to check the progress of the bar- barians; when, therefore, news arrived that taxes were about to be imposed on the colonies by a parliament in which they were not represented, public indignation knew no bounds, and the colonial legislatures sent remonstrances couched in very strong language to the parliament and the throne. 5. The progress of these dissensions was, however, arrested by the downfall of the Grenville administration ; the minister having omitted the name of the king's mother in the bill for providing a council of regency in case of any emergency, so displeased his majesty, that he was compelled to send in his resignation. A new ministry was formed, principally by the exertions of the duke of Cumberland, at the head of which was placed the marquis of Rockingham, a nobleman conspicuous for his public and private virtues, but not distinguished by super-eminent abilities. 6. (A. D. 1766.) The chief business of the new ministry was to undo all that their predecessors had done ; the stamp act, which had excited so much dissatisfaction in America, and the cider tax, which was equally unpopular in England, were both repealed, and these judicious measures were fol- lowed by a brief interval of tranquillity.* 7. (A. D. 1767.) The Rockingham administration was so weakened by the death of the duke of Cumberland, that it was broken up, and a new cabinet formed under the aus- pices of Mr. Pitt, who was created earl of Chatham, and the duke of Grafton was placed at its head, as first lord of the treasury. The attention of government was first directed to the affairs of the East India company, which had been thrown into confusion by the avarice and rapacity of their servants. Lord Clive was sent out to India, with full powers to remedy these evils, and under his administration the com- pany soon recovered its former prosperity, and laid the foundations of future greatness. 8. The unfortunate design of taxing America was again revived ; an act was passed for granting duties on all glass, paper, painters' colours, and tea imported into the British colonies ; which the Americans resisted by petitions, remonstrances, and agreements not to use British manufactures until the obnoxious duties were repealed. An act was also passed enjoining the colonies to provide his majesty's troops with necessaries in their quar- ters ; the colonial house of assembly, in the state of New York, peremptorily refused obedience, and another act was * The old Pretender died at Rome in this year, at the age of 76. GEORGE III. 3G9 passed restraining the assembly from making laws until they had complied with the terms of the former statute. 9. (A. D. 1768.) The natural date of the parliament having nearly expired, it was dissolved, and writs issued for the election of a new one. Wilkes embraced the op- portunity of returning from exile which a change of minis- try afforded ; he offered himself a candidate for Middlesex, and was elected by an overwhelming majority. He then surrendered himself to the court of king's bench, and pro- cured the reversal of his outlawry ; he was, however, sen- tenced to pay a fine of a thousand pounds, and to be im- prisoned for twenty-two months. As he was esteemed a martyr in the cause of liberty, a subscription was opened for paying his fine, supporting him while in prison, and compounding his debts, which amounted to more than twenty thousand pounds. 10. The disturbances in America still continued to increase, and the states of New England were particularly remarkable for their determined hostility to the new duties. Descended from the puritans and re- publicans, who had left England after the restoration of Charles II., and sought in the wilds of America the liberty of conscience denied to them at home, the New Englanders possessed in no ordinary degree the spirit of independence, and the obstinate resolution which had characterized the soldiers of Fairfax and Cromwell. In Boston the commis- sioners of customs were so severely handled, that they were forced to take refuge from the fury of the populace in fort William ; and to preserve the peace of the town, it was deemed necessary to send thither two regiments of foot from Halifax, and as many from Ireland. 11. The situation of Ireland began also to give the minister considerable uneasiness ; by Poyning's law, passed in the reign of Henry VII., and extended by several sub- sequent statutes, the legislature of that country had been made so completely dependent on the British government, that it was become a mere nullity. An unwise and unjust spirit of commercial jealousy induced the English to abuse advantages which they had obtained, and several im- politic restrictions were imposed on Irish commerce and manufactures. These measures produced little or no ad- vantage to the English, while they crushed the rising ener- gies of the sister kingdom ; but they were obstinately main tained, for the age was not yet sufficiently enlightened to discover that the prosperity of one country was intimately 370 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. connected with that of the other. A strong party had, however, been formed in Ireland to achieve the legislative independence of their country, and they gained no small part of their object, by the passing of the octennial act, which limited the duration of Irish parliaments to eight years, for they had been previously dissolved only on the demise of the crown. 12. In the East Indies, the English were assailed by an enemy more formidable than any they had hitherto met in that quarter. Hyder Ally, who had raised himself from the rank of a common sepoy to that of a sovereign prince, com- menced hostilities against the company's settlements, and for several years kept them in a state of incessant alarm. 13. When the new parliament met, the people imagined that Mr. Wilkes would be liberated to take his seat, and therefore assembled in great numbers in St. George's fields, round the king's bench prison, in order to conduct him to the house of commons. The Surry justices took the alarm, and read the riot act, but the multitude refusing to disperse, the military were called out, and unfortunately ordered to fire. One man was killed on the spot, and a great number were wounded, several mortally. It happened that a Scotch regiment had been employed in this lamentable affair, a circumstance which not a little increased the public indig- nation. Verdicts of wilful murder against the soldiery were returned by the different inquests, and on the sub- sequent trials several of the soldiers were found guilty of murder. 14. The government by no means participated in the popular feeling; not only were pardons granted to those who had been convicted, but the secretary of state, lord Weymouth, sent a letter to the justices thanking them for their spirited conduct. This document was published by Mr. Wilkes, with an indignant commentary, in which he termed the affair " a horrid massacre," and added a virulent invec- tive against the entire conduct of the government. 15. For this publication Mr. Wilkes was expelled the house of com- mons, and with strange inconsistency, the causes assigned for his expulsion included not only his late offence, but the former acts for which he had already atoned by undergoing judicial punishment. This complication of charge afforded just grounds of complaint, and not a little tended to give Wilkes a decided superiority over his opponents. (A. D. 1769.) The freeholders unanimously re-elected him, but GEORGE III. 371 the house considered the election void, and issued a new writ. The same proceedings were twice repeated ; until at length colonel Luttrell was prevailed upon to offer himself as candidate. Wilkes was once more returned by an im- mense majority, the votes for him being 1143, while those for his opponent amounted only to 269 ; the house of com- mons, notwithstanding, declared that Luttrell was and ought to be the sitting member. 16. This was considered, with some show of justice, a fatal blow to the liberties of the subject ; petitions and re- monstrances of the most daring nature poured in from all parts of the kingdom ; the press teemed with the most virulent attacks on all the constituted authorities, some went so far as to deny the legality of the present parliament, and the obligation of the people to obey its laws. An anonymous writer, named Junius, was particularly distinguished by the fierce severity of his attacks on the ministry, and by the superior brilliancy of his style, which still preserves his celebrated letters from the oblivion into which party pro- ductions usually fall. Meantime the disputes with the colonists continued to be maintained with unabated zeal; and the Irish parliament showed such a determination to throw off the yoke, that it was found necessary to elude their demands by a prorogation. Questions for Examination, 1. How was the tranquillity of the country disturbed ? 2. What circumstances took place respecting No. 45 of the North Briton ? 3. How did the affair terminate ? 4. What circumstances led to disunion between England and the American colonies ? 5. How was the Grenville ministry overthrown ? 6. By what means was tranquillity restored ? 7. What was the first measure of the Grafton administration ? 8. By what act was the discontent of the Americans revived ? 9. How did Wilkes behave on the change of ministry ? 10. In what manner did the Americans conduct themselves ? 11 . Was any important change made in the Irish legislature ? 12. Did any new power appear in the East Indies ? 13. What unfortunate event took place in St. George's fields ? 14. How was Wilkes involved in a new contest with government? 15. What was the decision of the house of commons respecting the Middlesex election ? 16 Did this decision produce any unpleasant results ? 372 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. SECTION III. No self-subjecting force of soul is theirs, lhat public toil as noblest honour bears.— Sterling. 1. (A.D. 1770.) The health of the earl of Chatham had been long in such a state as to prevent him from exerting his energies for the benefit of his country ; he had the mortification to find that his influence was lost in the cabinet, and his popularity forgotten by the nation; he therefore resigned his office, and his example was imitated by the duke of Grafton. Lord North succeeded the lattei as first lord of the treasury, and some trifling changes were made in the inferior departments of government 2. Foreign nations seemed to have lost all respect for a country whose councils were subject to such sudden vicis situdes, and the subjects of the realm were no longei willing to pay that respect to the laws which is necessary to the well-being of a state. The new ministry seemed ill calculated to retrieve the honour of the country ; they per- mitted France to acquire the island of Corsica without ven- turing to interfere, and tamely submitted to an insult offered by Spain to the British flag in the affair of the Falkland islands. The spirit of the nation however forced the ministry to make some exertions in the latter instance, and the matter was finally adjusted by a convention. 3. (A.D. 1771.) The debates in parliament had been hitherto printed surreptitiously, as their publication was deemed a breach of privilege. The interest felt by the public in the debates on the Middlesex election induced the printers to act more daringly than before, and at length a formal complaint was made in the house, and a messenger was sent into the city to arrest the most notorious of the offenders. One printer having been seized by the mes- senger, sent for a constable, who carried both before the lord mayor Mr. Crosby. That gentleman, with the alder- men Wilkes and Oliver, not only discharged the printer, 6ut threatened to send the messenger to prison unless he found bail to answer for his appearance on a charge of illegal arrest. The house of commons received the news of these proceedings with the most violent indignation ; the lord mayor and Oliver were sent to the Tower, and Wilkes was summoned to appear at the bar of the house. But an unexpected difficulty was soon raised ; Wilkes refused to appear unless permitted to take his plaee for Middlesex, GEORGE III. 373 and the house at length compromised its dignity, by ordering him to attend on the 8th of April, and then adjourning to the 9th. Since this event no attempt has been made to check the publication of the parliamentary debates, which now constitute the most important, as well as the most interesting, feature in the periodical press. 4. (A. D. 1772.) The marriage of the king's brothers, the dukes of Cumberland and Gloucester, with subjects of the realm, led to the enactment of the royal marriage act, which prohibited any of the descendants of George II. from marrying before the age of twenty-five without, the consent of the king in council. An act was also passed to abrogate the law by which felons, who refused to plead, were pressed to death ; it was enacted that, for the future, those who did not plead should be held guilty of the crimes laid to their charge. 5. The continent of Europe was the scene of an atrocious act of injustice committed by three crowned heads ; the first dismemberment of Poland was effected by an iniquitous confederacy between the emperor of Germany, the empress of Russia, and the king of Prussia ; they left the unfor- tunate monarch of the country little more than a nominal sovereignty, and even of this he was subsequently deprived by the royal robbers, and the name of Poland blotted from the list of nations. 6. About the same time the king of Sweden, in violation of the most solemn obligations, abro- gated the free constitution of his country, and made himself despotic. 7. In Denmark, on the other hand, the royal power was overthrown by a vile faction, who deprived the king of his authority, murdered his ministers, and drove his queen, Matilda, sister to the king of England, into exile, where grief soon terminated her sufferings. 8. The planters in the island of St. Vincent had grossly ill-treated the Caribbs, or native inhabitants, who had been allowed to possess their lands in quiet while the colony remained under the dominion of the French. A civil war ensued, and the planters, notwithstanding all their advan- tages, were worsted ; application for assistance against the rebellious savages, as they thought fit to designate men who refused to submit tamely to open .robbery, was made to the British parliament ; but the opposition was so strong, that the advocates of the planters were forced to yield, and peace was subsequently restored on equitable conditions. 9. (A. D. 1773.) Ireland and Scotland were, about this 21 374 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. time, drained of a large portion of their peasantry, driven to emigration by the cruel rapacity of the landlords ; the exiles sought an asylum in America, and supplied that country, at the moment it was about to commence its great struggle for independence, with a hardy population, animated by the most bitter feelings of resentment against the country which they had been forced to abandon. 10. The voyages of discovery undertaken during the early part of this reign were very creditable to the adminis- tration by which they were sent out. Captain Phipps made an ineffectual effort to discover a north-west passage to the East Indies ; Byron, Wallis, Carteret, and Cook suc- cessively navigated the globe, and discovered several new islands in the Pacific Ocean. The last named navigator was killed during his third voyage at Owhyhee, in an unfortu- nate dispute with the natives. 11. The determination of the Americans to use no articles on which a duty was levied by the British parlia- ment was still obstinately maintained, and the presence of the British troops in Boston kept alive those feelings of ani- mosity which more conciliatory conduct might have extin- guished. In resisting a violent act of aggression, a party of the military were compelled to fire on the populace, of whom three were killed and five dangerously wounded. The townsmen assembled on the following night, and were with much difficulty prevented from proceeding to extremi- ties ; but on the day that the unfortunate victims were in- terred, most of the shops in Boston were closed, the bells of all the churches in the town and neighbourhood rung muffled peals ; and the funerals were escorted by all the citizens, of every rank, in mournful procession. Captain Preston, who had commanded the party, was tried for mur- der, and it is highly creditable to the American character, that his defence was intrusted to Adams and Quincy, the most violent advocates of freedom ; and that a jury com- posed of townsmen acquitted the prisoner without hesitation. 12. These proceedings were naturally considered by the provincial governors as strong evidences of a rebellious spirit, and in themselves almost acts of treason ; they con- sequently, in their public and private letters, described them in no measured terms. Mr. Hutchinson, the governor of Massachusetts, and his lieutenant, Mr. Oliver, had written several letters, in which they severely condemned the American leaders, called for the adoption of the most vigor- GEORGE III. 375 ous measures, and even recommended the " taking off" of the most active opponents of government. Of these letters Dr. Franklin obtained possession, and he immediately laid them before the provincial assembly of Massachusetts. The perusal of these documents excited violent indignation ; it was unanimously resolved, " that the tendency of the said letters was to overthrow the constitution of this govern- ment, and to introduce arbitrary power into the province ; and it was further voted, " that a petition should be imme- diately sent to the king, to remove Hutchinson and Oliver for ever from the government of the province." The peti- tion was immediately transmitted, and Franklin came over to England to support it in person before the privy council. 13. (A.D. 1774.) On the day appointed for hearing the petition, Mr. Wedderburne, the solicitor-general, appeared on behalf of the governor, and assailed Franklin for the treachery of publishing a private correspondence, in one of the most elaborate invectives ever uttered. Less fervid elo- quence would have been sufficient to sway the determination of the council ; the petition was declared to be scandalous and vexatious, and Franklin was dismissed from the office which he held of postmaster-general of the colonies. 14. The refusal of the Americans to purchase tea had led to a vast accumulation of that article in the storehouses of the East India company ; in order to afford them some relief, a drawback of the import duty was allowed them on all tea that should be exported ; and the ministry believed that the colonists would gladly j>ay the small tax of three pence per pound on an article which they could only pro- cure by smuggling, and at an enormous expense. But those who had formed such expectations had sadly miscalculated the spirit and firmness of the Americans ; resolutions were adopted in the several provinces, declaring that all who aided or abetted in the landing or vending of the expected tea, should be deemed enemies of their country ; and the majo- rity of the consignees, terrified at these proceedings, sent back the cargoes. In ♦Boston, the agents of the company were dependants on the governor, and trusting to the pro- tection of the military, resolved to persevere : but during the night the leading patriots, disguised as Indians, boarded the vessels, and emptied the tea-chests into the w r ater. 15. The news of this proceeding was received by the British ministry with unmixed pleasure ; they thought that Boston the great focus of American sedition, having been 376 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. guilty of a flagrant delinquency, was now completely at theii mercy, and they prepared to visit it with exemplary punish- ment. A bill for shutting up the port of Boston, and anothei for annulling the charter of Massachusetts, were passed^with little opposition ; and these harsh measures were soon fol- lowed by a third, of a still more dangerous tendency ; it enacted, that "if any person were indicted for murder or any capital offence, committed in the province of Massachu- setts, in aiding the magistracy, such person or persons might be sent by the governor to some other colony or to Great Britain for trial." It was in vain that colonel Barre, and some others, showed that this measure directly tended to sanction military outrage by the hope of impunity ; it passed through both houses with overwhelming majorities, and im- mediately received the royal assent. 16. Nothing could exceed the burst of indignation with which the first intelligence of these harsh measures was re- ceived in the New England states. They sternly refused to obey laws which deprived them of their natural and chartered rights, and made active preparations to resist theii enforcement. All the other colonies, except Georgia, zeal- ously adopted the cause of the people of Massachusetts, and agreed to discontinue their commerce with Great Britain until the obnoxious statutes should be repealed. To give greater effect to their remonstrances, an assembly of delegates from the different states was organized by Franklin and other provincial leaders, which, under the name of a congress, met in Philadelphia. The congress promised every assist ance to the New Englanders, and prepared a spirited peti- tion to be laid before his majesty, soliciting a redress of grievances. They also published addresses to the British people, to the Canadians, and to the West Indian colonies vindicating the purity of their motives, and declaring theii fixed resolution not to submit to oppression. Questions for Examination, 1. Were any changes made in the ministry ? 2. Did any remarkable events occur abroad ? 3. By what train of events was the right of printing the parliamentary de- bates established ? 4. What remarkable acts of parliament were passed ? 5. Did any of the European powers combine to ruin Poland 6. What revolution took place in Sweden ? 7. Did any thing remarkable occur in Denmark 1 8. What were the circumstances of the Caribb war? 9. On what account did emigration to America increase? GEORGE III. 377 10. Were any remarkable voyages of discovery undertaken ? 11. What military outrage created a great sensation in Boston ? 12. How was the assembly of Massachusetts placed in open hostility to iU governor ? 13. How was the Massachusetts remonstrance treated by the privy council* 14. How did the Americans treat the tea exported from England ? 15. What vindictive measures were sanctioned by the British parliament ? 16. How did the Americans act in consequence ? SECTION IV. The hostile storms but rage awhile, And the tired contest ends J But ah ! how hard to reconcile The toes who once were friends. — W/iitehead. 1. (A.D. 1775.) An opportunity of retracting their steps was afforded to the British ministers by the presentation of the petition from the congress at Philadelphia ; especially as a new parliament had been summoned in the room of that which had sanctioned the late severe measures of coercion. It was reported that his majesty had received the petition most graciously, and the public consequently indulged in expectations of a reconciliation between the colonies and the mother country. These hopes were destined to be disap- pointed; the houses of parliament, in their address to the king at the opening of the session, stated that " a rebellion actually existed in the province of Massachusetts," and in the usual style offered to assist in its suppression with their lives and fortunes. A few members, justly anxious to avert the hazards of war, laboured hard to change the determina- tions of the minister ; in particular Mr. Burke proposed a plan for conciliating America, in a speech of unrivalled elo- quence ; these efforts were vain, and nothing now remained but an appeal to the sword. Franklin also, having been long employed in a kind of treaty with the ministers, finding them determined to persevere in their insane resolutions, broke off the conference, and sailed for America, resolved to share the fortunes and hazards of his fellow-citizens. 2. The New Englanders were determined to attack the royal forces as soon as ever they should march out of Bos- ton, and their adherence to this resolution was soon put to the test. On the night of the eighteenth of April, a detach- ment was sent from Boston to seize some military stores, which the insurgents had collected at Concord. In spite of every precaution, the country was alarmed, and when the advanced guard arrived early on the following morning at Lexington, they found a small body of provincials prepared 378 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. to oppose them. A brief skirmish ensued, in which the Americans were defeated with some loss, and the detach- ment, proceeding to Concord, destroyed all the stores that they found. But they were not permitted to return unmo- lested ; the militia, assembling in force, furiously assailed their flanks and rear ; a constant fire of rifles was maintained from every hedge and every wall which skirted the road, and had not a regiment under the command of lord Percy been sent from Boston to cover their retreat, the entire de- tachment would have been destroyed. It was late in the evening when the British forces arrived at last within the lines of their own fortifications, having lost 65 killed, 180 wounded, and 28 prisoners. 3. Blood having been thus drawn, the whole of the dis- contented colonies boldly prepared to maintain the inevita- ble contest. Volunteers enrolled themselves in every pro- vince, and the king's stores were everywhere seized and appropriated to the use of the insurgents. The fortress of Ticonderoga and Crown Point were surprised by a body of militia, and the Americans thus obtained possession of 100 pieces of cannon and a proportionate quantity of ammunition. The towns and villages in the neighbourhood of Boston were garrisoned, and that city thus placed under a stric* blockade. 4. General Gage, who commanded the garrison, soon re- ceived reinforcements from Great Britain, under the com- mand of generals Howe, Burgoyne, and Clinton. He resolved therefore to commence active operations ; but before com- mitting himself to the chances of war, he issued a procla- mation, offering pardon to all who should lay down their arms, except Messrs. Hancock and Adams. The Americans treated the proclamation with contempt, and soon after elected Mr. Hancock president of congress. 5. In Charlestown, a place situated to the north of Boston, is an eminence called Bunker's hill, which in some degree commands the harbour ; this post the Americans resolved to occupy; and a party was sent over from Cambridge to in- trench themselves on the height. This they effected with such rapidity and silence during one of the short nights of June, that the appearance of their works at daybreak was the first notice of their presence. The importance of dis- lodging the enemy was evident to the British generals, and a detachment under the command of Howe was sent to the peninsula in boats. A tremendous cannonade was opened GEORGE III, 379 on the provincials from the ships and floating batteries in the harbour, and from Cop's-hill in Boston, but the provincials maintained their post with undaunted resolution. They re- served their fire until the royal forces had advanced within sixty yards of their line, and then poured in so close and murderous a discharge, that the assailants were broken, and fled to the water's edge. A second assault was again de- feated by the well-aimed and steady fire of the provincials ; but when Howe rallied his men to the third attempt, the ammunition of the Americans began to fail, and after an ob- stinate resistance they were compelled to retreat. In this fierce contest the provincials lost about 450 killed, wounded, and missing ; but the victors suffered still more severely ; their loss amounted to more than a thousand killed and wounded, of whom 79 were officers. The unusual number of officers that fell is attributed to the fatal aim which the provincials took with their rifles, and to the belief generally prevalent in America, that the war was odious to the great body of the English people, and only supported by the no- bility and gentry, from which classes the British officers are generally selected. 6. Another effort to avert the horrors of war was made by the congress, and a second pathetic petition forwarded to his majesty. It was intrusted for presentation to Mr. Penn, a descendant of the great founder of Pennsylvania, and one of the chief proprietors in that province. But public and private remonstrances were equally ineffectual, the peti- tion was not even honoured with an answer. 7. The Americans were far from confining their exertions to the pacific means of petition and remonstrance ; with a happy unanimity, they elected George Washington, esquire, commander-in-chief of all their forces ; and sent two bodies of militia under generals Montgomery and Arnold to drive the English from Canada. After a brief but brilliant career, Montgomery was killed in an attempt to storm Quebec, and the cruelties perpetrated by the infamous Arnold so alien- ated the Canadians, that no hope remained of its uniting with the revolted provinces. 8. (A.D. 1776.) Boston was closely blockaded by Wash ington, and the garrison was soon reduced to the greatest distress. Howe, who had succeeded Gage in the command, though a general of great ability, found himself unequal to the difficulties of his situation. The inhabitants of Boston, as well as the garrison, had to sustain the horrors of famine 380 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. during the winter ; and early in the spring the Americans opened batteries on the neighbouring hills, which swept the town and harbour. Under these circumstances, the town was evacuated by the English, and Washington, entering it, was hailed by the citizens as their deliverer. 9. An expe- dition undertaken by the British against Charleston, *n South Carolina, signally failed. The general (Clinton) was unable to second the naval operations directed by sir Peter Parker ; and, after a useless exhibition of bravery, the ad- miral was forced to retire with the loss of a ship of war, which he burned, to prevent its falling into the hands of the enemy. 10. The Americans, and the greater part of their leaders, had hitherto entertained hopes of peacefully accommodating their disputes with England ; but the intelligence that the British minister had hired a body of German mercenaries for their subjugation wrought so powerfully on their excited feelings, that they determined to renounce their allegiance. (July 4th, 1776.) On the motion of Richard Henry Lee, member for Virginia, the congress published their declara- tion of independence, and elected the colonies into free and sovereign states. At the very time that this resolution was adopted, a British fleet was hovering round their coast, a British army was preparing to invade their territories, and symptoms of discouragement and disaffection were percep- tible in their own soldiery. Still the congress refused to despair, and prepared to support with spirit the independ- ence which they had so courageously asserted. 11. General Howe did not long remain idle at Halifax, whither he had retired after the evacuation of Boston ; he sailed for New York, and being there joined by his brother, lord Howe, with a considerable fleet, he made himself mas- ter of that city and Long Island. Following up his tri- umphs, he expelled the provincial army from the Jerseys, and compelled them to take refuge beyond the Delaware. This rapid success raised the hopes of tiie British to the highest pitch ; the immediate conquest of America was looked upon as absolutely certain, and little seemed wanting to complete so desirable a consummation. 12. But they soon found that Washington, though defeated, was not sub dued, and that his knowledge of the country in a great degree compensated for his inferiority of numbers. Cross- ing the Delaware in the middle of December, he attacked a body of Hessians at Trenton, and made 900 prisoners ; and GEORGE III. 38 i then while lord Cornwallis was advancing to recover Tren* ton, the indefatigable Americans suddenly appeared in his lordship's rear, and destroyed or captured the greater part of a detachment under colonel Mawhood. 13. A very extraordinary incident took place, about this time, in the East Indies. The council of Mgdras had plunged the company into an unjustifiable war with the rajah of Tanjore, whom they attacked and took prisoner. Lord Pigot was sent out as governor, with positive orders to re- store the rajah, but he had scarcely effected this object, when he was seized and thrown into prison by certain members of the council. This indignity worked so bitterly on his feelings that he sickened and died, leaving behind him a higher character for honour and integrity than most of those who have made fortunes in the East. His perse- cutors were subsequently brought to trial and punished, but not with severity proportioned to their deserts. 14. (A.D. 1777.) The caution of Washington prevented any decisive engagement in the early part of the new cam- paign ; but the march of Howe towards Philadelphia induced the American general to hazard a battle. The armies met near the Brandywine river, and after a long and fierce battle the English obtained a decisive victory. Philadelphia was immediately surrendered, and occupied by the English forces : a second attempt made by Washington to retrieve his losses was defeated ; and by the aid of the fleet, Howe reduced the fortifications which the Americans had con- structed on the banks of the Delaware, and opened free communication with his supplies. 15. But the successes of the English in the southern states were more than counterbalanced by the disaster they expe- rienced in the northern. Early in the year, general Bur- goyne, with an army of 7000 men, and a large body of Indians, received orders to advance from Canada into the state of New York, and co-operate with a body of troops which Howe was to send to his assistance. This plan, if successful, would cut ofT the New England states from the rest of the union, and expose them to be overrun and con quered in detail. Burgoyne's part in this expedition was executed with equal skill and intrepidity ; he marched boldly through the country, bearing down all opposition. But the Americans soon assembled an army in his front, and as he had advanced to a distance from his supplies, his situation soon became very hazardous. The operations of the 382 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. army, whose assistance he expected, were miserably con- ducted ; sir Henry Clinton did not leave New York till October, and even then, instead of hastening forward to his destination, he employed his troops in burning the unre- sisting towns and villages, and devastating the country. Whether this tardiness is to be ascribed to the weakness of the general, or to the insufficiency of the orders sent out by the ministry, is not easily ascertained, but from whatever cause, it proved the ruin of the entire expedition. On the 15th of October, general Vaughan, with the van of Clinton's army, could have rescued Burgoyne from all his difficulties, but Vaughan stopped to plunder and burn the little town of iEsopus, and before he was again prepared to advance, Burgoyne and his army were prisoners of war to the Ameri- can army under the command of general Gates. 16. Burgoyne, depending on the advance of the army from New York, had allowed himself to be cooped up in Saratoga ; his provisions were exhausted, his ammunition beginning to fail, his troops dispirited, and his lines inca- pable of long defence. He therefore surrendered on the condition that his troops, after having laid down their arms, should be sent home, provided that they should hot serve again in America during the present contest. Burgoyne returned to England on his parole only to experience greater mortifications ; the leaders of administration threw all the blame of a failure, attributable solely to themselves, on the unfortunate general ; he was refused admittance into the presence of the sovereign, denied the justice of a court martial, and subjected to a series of petty persecutions infinitely more disgraceful to the ministry than to their victim. 17. General Gates, after his victory, advanced to check the outrages committed by Clinton's soldiers ; sir Henry retreated to New York before the victorious army, and the American general was consequently enabled to send such a reinforcement to Washington's army, as made it once more a match for that of Howe, and sufficient to protect the province of Pennsylvania from the ravages of the enemy. Questions for Examination. 1. How were the hopes of the friends of peace disappointed ? 2. What were the circumstances of the affair at Lexington ? 3. Did the Americans begin the war vigorously ? 4. How was the proclamation of general Gage treated ? 5. What were the circumstances of the battle of Bunker's hill? GEORGE III. 383 6. Were any efforts made to restore peace ? 7. How did the invasion of Canada terminate ? 8. Why was Boston evacuated by the British ? 9. Did the expedition against Charleston succeed ? 10. Under what circumstances did the Americans publish the declaration oi independence ? 11. What successes did general Howe obtain ? 12. Was Washington dispirited by his losses ? 13. Did any remarkable circumstance occur in the East Indies ? 14. Where was Washington defeated ? 15. What led to the surrender of Burgoyne's army ? 16. How was Burgoyne treated ? 17. How did Gates use his victory ? SECTION V. Shall Chatham die, and be forgot? Oh no ! Warm from its source let grateful sorrow flow ; His matchless ardour tired each fear-struck mind, His genius soared when Britons droop'd and pined. — Oarrick, 1 . (A.D. 1778.) The event of which the ministers had been vainly warned from the commencement of the unfortunate contest into which they had rashly precipitated the country, at length took place. France acknowledged the independence of the United States, and entered into a close alliance with the revolted colonies. Before the news of this treaty could reach America, lord North introduced two conciliatory bills into the British parliament, granting the provincials every thing that they had demanded before their declaration of independence. In the debates that ensued, the minister found some of his former supporters more virulent antago- nists than the opposition — they taunted him for deserting the high principles of prerogative and British supremacy which he had hitherto maintained, and complained bitterly of the deception by which he had gained their support. The bills, however, passed the lower house, but their progress through the upper was marked by an incident that must Hot be carelessly passed over. It was known that the duke of Richmond was of opinion that peace should be purchased even by acknowledging the independence of America, and that he intended to propound these sentiments during the discussion. 2. The venerable earl of Chatham, sinking under the weight of years and bodily infirmities, attended in his place for the purpose of protesting against the dis- memberment of an empire to whose greatness he had so largely contributed, and deprecated such a proceeding with great warmth and eloquence. The duke of Richmond hav- ing answered this speech, the earl rose to reply, but ihe powers of nature were exhausted, he fell on the floor of t>« 384 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. house in the attempt to utter his sentiments, and being removed to his favourite country-seat, expired in a short time after. 3. The parliament paid merited honour to the memory of the most successful and able minister that Eng- land had hitherto produced ; the sum of twenty thousand pounds was granted for the payment of his debts, a pension of four thousand pounds settled on his heirs ; his remains were interred with great pomp in Westminster Abbey, and a monument erected to his memory at the public expense. 4. Commissioners had been sent out to propose measures of reconciliation to the Americans when it was too late ; of course, their mission signally failed ; the congress would not even listen to terms unless the recognition of their inde- pendence formed a preliminary article, and the commis- sioners, having made an unsuccessful attempt to bribe some of the American deputies, were dismissed with mingled contempt and indignation. 5. The first hostile collision between France and England took place at sea ; admiral Keppel attacked a French squad- ron under the command of D'Orvilliers, but, being badly supported by sir Hugh Palliser, the second in comnrmnd, obtained no decisive success. Advantage was taken of this circumstance by the ministry to crush Keppel, who had been long their political opponent, and at their instigation Palliser, preferred a charge of misconduct against his com- mander. But the verdict of the court-martial disappointed their expectations ; Keppel was honourably acquitted, and Palliser being subsequently brought to trial for disobedience to orders, was partially condemned, and but for the interpo- sition of the entire power of the ministry, would have been subjected to a more ignominious verdict.* 6. (A.D. 1779.) The Americans, having now obtained so powerful an ally as France, fondly hoped that the war would be terminated in a single campaign. Great, therefore, was * This year a bold adventurer, of the name of Paul Jones, kept all the west- ern coast of the island in alarm. He landed at Whitehaven, where he burned a ship in the harbour, and even attempted to bum the town. He afterwards landed in Scotland, and plundered the house of the earl of Selkirk. He some time after fought a bloody battle with captain Pearson, of the Serapis, whom he compelled to submit: and so shattered was his own ship in the engage- ment, that he had no sooner quitted her, in order to take possession of his prize, than she went to the bottom. Captain Farmer, too, of the Quebec, ibught a no less desperate battle with a French ship of greatly superior force. He continued the engagement, with unremitted fury, till his own ship acc : dentally took fire, and was blown into the air, together with himself ana most of the crew. GEORGE lit. 3$5 their mortification to find the English superior during the entire year. Clinton maintained his defensive position in New York, and baffled all the attempts of Washington to force an engagement; while in the southern states, Georgia was subdued by colonel Campbell, aided by admiral Parker, and the attempts made to recover it by the American general, Lineoln, and the French admiral, D'Estaing, were signally defeated. 7. But the honour of England was not similarly main- tained in other quarters ; several islands of the West Indies were captured by the French ; and the united fleets of France and Spain, for the latter eountry was now united to the ene- mies of Britain, swept the ehannel, and insulted the coasts with impunity. Lord Sandwich, the first lord of the admi- ralty, was a man notoriously unfit for his situation ; but his colleagues, with the blind obstinacy which characterized all their measures, determined to retain him in offiee ; even though they were aware, that by his neglect, Plymouth was left in such a defenceless state, that its dockyards and arsenal were only saved from destruction by the ignorance of the admirals of the combined fleet. 8. In Ireland an important revolution commenced, which though it terminated bloodlessly, threatened at one period to have caused a separation between the two countries. The greater part of the army necessary for the defence of that country had been withdrawn to assist in the subjugation of America ; and when the French and Spanish fleets menaced the island with invasion, there were no preparations made for its defence. The people, left to themselves, showed spirit worthy of the crisis; companies of volunteers were embodied in every town and district ; arms were at first cheerfully supplied by the government ; officers were chosen by election ; and the patriotic earl of Charlemont appointed commander-in-chief of the independent companies. When England recovered her wonted superiority by sea, the fear of invasion was removed, but the volunteers retained their arms and preserved their organization. They had learned the secret of their strength, and were determined to effect the regeneration of their country, by establishing the indepen- dence of her parliament and the freedom of her commerce This was a new and unexpected difficulty to the ministry ; but, pursuing consistently their steady course of narrow and illiberal policy, they refused to make any concession, and thus brought Ireland to the very brink of a revolution. 2K 385 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 9. (1780.) Holland was soon added to the enemies of England ; Mr. Laurens, who had been president of con- gress, was taken by a British cruiser, and the papers found in his possession fully proved the existence of a treaty be- tween the Dutch and the Americans. War was therefore declared, and thus was England engaged with a fourth enemy without a single ally. About the same time the northern powers of Europe joined in a confederation called the armed neutrality, which was aimed against the mari- time claims of England. Its avowed design was to pro- tect the trade of neutral vessels with the several belligerent powers. 10. But the spirit of the English nation sunk not in this apparently unequal contest. Admiral Rodney captured a Spanish convoy, defeated the enemy's fleet, though forced to engage under very disadvantageous circumstances, and relieved Gibraltar, which the Spaniards had begun to be- siege ; sailing thence to the West Indies, he dispersed a French fleet far superior to his own. In America, South Carolina was subdued by sir Henry Clinton ; and the American general Arnold, believing the independent cause almost hopeless, abandoned his country's cause, and entered into the royal service. The acquisition of this worthless deserter cost the life of one of Britain's best and bravest officers. Major Andre, adjutant-general of the royal army, having been sent to conduct the negotiation with Arnold, was seized within the American lines, and hanged as a spy, by a rigid interpretation of the laws of war. 11. The ministry had hitherto found the parliament well disposed to support their measures ; but the number of pe- titions presented from the counties and leading towns against the administration, soon raised up a formidable opposition. (April 6th.) At length Mr. Dunning moved his celebrated resolution, " that the influence of the crown has increased, is increasing, and ought to be diminished," which was car- ried by a majority of twenty-eight votes ; but a second re- solution, designed to give effect to the former, was rejected by a majority of fifty-one, and the ministry soon after re- covered their wonted superiority. 12. Some of the penal laws against the Roman catholics were wisely repealed by the parliament, but in consequence of the exertions of some misguided bigots, these measures were followed by the most formidable riots that ever dig GEORGE III. 387 graced the metropolis. June 2. An immense multitude assembled in St. George's-fields, to petition for a repeal of the laws that had been passed in favour of the Roman catholics, and after adopting several resolutions, proceeded in large parties to the avenues leading to the house of com- mons, where they insulted several of the members. Lord George Gordon, a visionary enthusiast, came out and made a violent harangue to the multitude, informing them that their petition had been rejected. The irritated mob at once proceeded to acts of violence ; they destroyed all the Romish chapels in and about town ; they burned the prisons of Newgate, the king's bench, and the fleet, together with several private houses ; they even threatened the bank, which was preserved with difficulty. At length the military were called out, and the rioters dispersed, though not until two hundred and twenty of their number had been killed or mortally wounded. 13. (1781.) The campaign which decided the question of American independence seemed at its commencement to promise a far different termination : Washington's army was so distressed that 1500 troops deserted his lines ; but though they had thus shown their resentment, they refused to listen to any offers from the British generals, and the emissaries sent to seduce them were given up and hanged. Congress, however, exerted itself so successfully, that the distresses of the army were finally relieved, and Washing- ton enabled to commence decisive operations. He at first designed to besiege New York, but being baffled by the superior forces of sir Henry Clinton, he suddenly resolved to march into the southern states, and overpower lord Cornwallis before Clinton's army could move to his as- sistance. 14. This decisive operation was crowned with complete success ; lord Cornwallis was attacked in York- town, by the combined armies of France and America ; his lordship made a gallant defence, but two redoubts in his front were carried by storm — his works ruined — his lines swept by the fire of the enemy's batteries, and the effective strength of his garrison diminished by sickness. Under these circumstances, nothing remained but to propose terms of capitulation. He accordingly surrendered to general Lincoln with the same formalities that he had pre- scribed to that officer eighteen months before at Charleston ; and it is remarkable, as a second coincidence, that the 3&Q HISTORY OF ENGLAND. articles were drawn up by lieutenant-co.onel Laurens, whose father was still detained as a close prisoner in the Tower of London. 15. These losses were in some degree compensated by the success of our arms in the East Indies, where sir Eyre Coote defeated Hyder Ally, and restored the company's ascendency. In the West Indies, the island of St. Eustatius was taken from the Dutch, but subsequently recaptured by the French. A desperate engagement also took place off the Dogger Bank between an English squadron commanded by admiral Parker, and a Dutch squadron under admiral Zoutman ; after a fierce battle which lasted three hours, the victory remained undecided, and both returned to their re- spective harbours. Questions for Examination. 1. What measure did the British ministry propose? 2. Is there any thing remarkable in the circumstances of lord Chatham's death ? 3. What honours were paid to his memory ? 4. How were lord North's commissioners treated by the Americans ? 5. In what disgraceful manner was admiral Keppel treated ? 6. Did the results of the campaign answer the expectations of the Ame- ricans ? 7. How was the English navy neglected ? 8. What important events took place in Ireland ? 9. By what new enemies was England assailed ? 10. Did the British obtain any triumphs ? 11. What remarkable resolution was carried in parliament ? 12. Did any formidable riots occur in London ? 12. How was Washington baffled in the beginning of the last campaign? 14. What great triumph did the Americans obtain ? 15. Did the English obtain any successes ? SECTION VI. For thoe, sweet peace, abundance loads along Her joyous train, and bards awake to son*. Bland's Anthology- 1. (A.D. 1782.) The American war was now virtually at an end ; all rational hopes of reducing the country again under the subjection of Great Britain were abandoned by the great majority of the nation ; but the ministry at least manifested the virtue of perseverance, and declared their resolution to carry on " a war of posts." The nation at large was opposed to this insane project; and parliament, yielding to the voice of the people, gradually withdrew its support from the administration. At length, on the motion of general Conway, the house of commons voted " that GEORGE III. 389 whoever advised his majesty to the continuation of the American war, should be considered as a public enemy." This, of course, led to the resignation of lord North, and a new ministry was formed under the auspices of Mr. Fox and the marquis of Rockingham. 2. Negotiations for peace were immediately commenced, nor were any of the belligerent powers disinclined to an accommodation. The United States, having secured their independence, had nothing to gain by a continuance of the war ; the navy of France, after being severely crippled during the contest, was at its close almost annihilated by a victory which admiral Rodney gained over count de Grasse, in the West Indies, on the 12th of April; and the Spaniards, after having besieged Gibraltar, and wasted before its walls an incredible quantity of blood and trea- sure, had the mortification to find all their efforts fail, their grand attack signally defeated, and the floating batteries, which they had deemed irresistible, burned to the water's edge, by a tremendous storm of hot balls and shells poured on them by the gallant garrison. 3. Wilkes took advantage of the altered spirit of the times, and procured the removal of all the resolutions con- cerning the Middlesex election from the journals of the house of commons ; after which this celebrated demagogue sunk into complete insignificance. In Ireland, the parliament, roused by the fervid eloquence of Mr. Grattan, obtained from the new ministry the concession of their legislative in- dependence. Immediately after which, the Irish house of commons voted a sum of ^50,000 to purchase an estate for Mr. Grattan, as a reward for the services which he had ren- dered his country. 4. But while the new administration was exerting itself for the reformation of abuses at home and the establishment of peace abroad, it was suddenly dissolved by the death of the marquis of Rockingham. The earl of Shelburne was appointed premier, which so displeased Mr. Fox and his friends that they immediately resigned. The noble lord did not long retain his place ; Mr. Fox, to the utter astonish- ment of the entire nation, entered into a coalition with lord North, whom he had so long and so bitterly opposed. Their united parliamentary influence was irresistible : and they forced themselves into the royal councils, in spite of the se- cret dislike of the king and the open disgust of the nation, 5. (A.D. 1783.) The success of the coalition was of short 2 k- 2 390 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. duration ; immediately after concluding the peace with France and America, Mr. Fox introduced a bill for regu- lating the government of India, which his influence carried through the house of commons, notwithstanding the most vigorous efforts of the company and its servants. But in the lords the opposition was more effectual, the king him- self avowed his hostility to the measure, and it was finally rejected by a considerable majority. The ministry appear- ing unwilling to resign, were summarily dismissed, and a new administration formed, of which Mr. William Pitt, the second son of the earl of Chatham, was the most conspi- cuous member. 6. (A. D. 1784.) Parliament at its meeting exhibited the unusual spectacle of ministers in a complete minority ; to carry on the public business under such circumstances was, of course, impossible, and no sooner were the supplies voted than the parliament was dissolved. The coalition had given such general offence to the nation, that the new ministry ob- tained a decisive majority in the new house of commons. Mr. Pitt's India bill, which was less violent, but also less effective than that of Mr. Fox, was passed triumphantly ; and an act for restoring the Scotch estates forfeited in 1745, went through both houses without opposition, and received the royal assent. 7. (A. D. 1785.) Mr. Pitt, pursuant to the promises he had so often made, brought forward his motion for a reform in parliament ; his plans were very judicious and well ar- ranged, but they were rejected by a considerable majority, not, as was generally suspected, without his tacit consent. 8. (1786.) The south-western coast of New Holland afford- ing several favourable spots for colonization, it was resolved to transport convicts thither, and give them an opportunity of retrieving their characters and reforming their manners in another hemisphere. About the same time a maniac, named Margaret Nicholson, made an attempt to assassinate the king, as he was alighting from his carriage ; she was imme- diately seized, and her insanity being fully proved, she was sent to Bethlehem hospital, where she remained safely guarded, but unmolested. 9. (1787.) Mr. Sheridan, aided by Mr. Burke, Mr. Fox, and several others, brought forward a motion for the im- peachment of Warren Hastings, late governor-general of India, for high crimes and misdemeanours in the execution of his office, which passed with but little opposition. Th« GEORGE III. 301 consequent trial before the house of IonJs lingered out during the seven succeeding years, and ended in the acquittal of the accused. 10. A strong party in Holland, secretly supported by the French court, violently opposed their stadtholder, the prince of Orange, and disregarded the remonstrances made by England in his favour. This dispute would probably have rekindled a general war, had not the king of Prussia, en- raged at an insult offered to his sister, sent a large army into Holland, which soon restored the authority of the stadt- holder, and crushed the power of his opponents. 11. (1788.) While the nation was enjoying profound re- pose, and silently repairing the losses incurred in the Ame- rican war, the country was suddenly astounded by the news that his majesty had been attacked by a severe illness, which incapacitated him for discharging the duties of government. Mr. Fox insisted that the regency of right belonged to the prince of Wales ; Mr. Pitt as vehemently asserted, that par- liament alone could provide for such an emergency. (1789.) After some very warm debates, it was finally resolved that the prince of Wales should be declared regent, subject how- ever to certain restrictions, and that the custody of the king's person should be intrusted to the queen, assisted by a coun- cil. The parliament of Ireland came to a very different de- cision ; they decreed the regency of their country to the prince of Wales, without any restriction whatever. This difference between the two parliaments would probably have led to fatal consequences but for the unexpected recovery of the king. His majesty's restoration to health diffused uni- versal joy through the kingdom, and was celebrated by more universal and splendid illuminations than any previously known. 12. (1790.) A dispute took place between England and Spain about the possession of Nootka Sound, on the north- west coast of America, where the English had planted a small colony, which the Spaniards had seized, and made the settlers prisoners. An armament was prepared with asto- nishing rapidity, but at the expense of three millions sterling ; Spain however was unprepared for war, and all disputes were finally adjusted by an equitable convention. 13. While the country was thus respected abroad, and enjoying profound peace at home, events were occurring in a neighbouring nation which soon involved England in a long, expensive, but not inglorious war ; and produced a i'e- 392 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. cisive change in the aspect of Europe, all whose effects are probably not even yet developed. Questions for Examination 1. How was the American war finally terminated ? 2. Why were all parties inclined to peace ? 3. What circumstances showed the altered spirit of the times f 4. How was the ministry broken up ? 5. Did the coalition ministry long continue ? 6. How was Mr. Pitt's power strengthened ? 7. What important motion made by Mr. Pitt was defeated ? 8. Wa3 any attempt made on the king's life ? 9. Is there any thing remarkable in the trial of Warren Hastings f JO. What disturbances took place in Holland ? 11. To what disputes did his majesty's illness give rise ? 12. What arrangements were made respecting Nootka Sound ? 13. What was the state of the country at this time ? SECTION VII. Religion— freedom— vengeance — what you will, A word's enough to raise mankind to kill; Some factious phrase by cunning caught and spread, That guilt may reign, and wolves and worms be fed. — Byron. 1. No event of equal importance with the French revolu- tion is recorded in history, and there is no subject which has given rise to such diversity of opinion. Its causes, its consequences, even the simple facts that occurred in its pro- gress, are to this hour matters of keen and violent debate, nor can an impartial narrative be expected while many of the actors are still alive, and while the impulse then given con- tinues to be felt in every part of Europe. It is undeniable that the form of government established in France sadly re- quired amelioration ; the privileges of the nobles were tyran- nical and oppressive, and they were exercised with strict severity ; the conduct of the clergy was far from being in accordance with the principles of that holy religion which they professed ; the prodigality of the court was extreme ; the criminal laws unjustly constituted, and worse adminis- tered ; the government placed in the hands of nobles equally ignorant and indolent ; nor was there a single office, civil or military, open to the most superior merits, unless aided by the possession of high birth and titled name. These were evils poorly compensated by the private virtues of the hap- less sovereign, who came to the throne of France at the mo- merit when the accumulated evils of centuries had nearly reached their consummation. 2. While the higher classes were sunk in luxury and sloth, the lower ranks, in a state GEORGE III. 393 of ignorance and degradation, and goaded on by misery were ready to second every movement, and to join in every excess. In the middle classes, the elements of strife were even more thickly sown ; they were irritated at the con- tempt shown them by their haughty superiors, they were in- dignant at seeing the doors of preferment closed against the exertions of honourable ambition, and their minds were de- bauched by the perusal of the speculative treatises on " the rights of man," which, despite of every restriction, daily issued from the press, and which, with very few exceptions, advocated principles subversive of all religion, and conse- quently of all gooa government. 3. The American war precipitated a revolution, which probably, could not have been much longer delayed. The French soldiers, while fighting in the cause of American freedom, naturally imbibed the principles of their allies, and diffused them over the country on their return home : the royal exchequer, which had been nearly exhausted by the profligate extravagance of the former reign, was totally ruined by an expensive war, and the country was on the very eve of a national bankruptcy. When a variety of ex- pedients, most of which made matters worse, had been tried in vain, the king determined to convoke the states-general, which had not been assembled since 1614, and they accord- ingly met at Versailles on the 5th of May, 1789. 4. After some angry debates, it was determined that the three orders of the clergy, the nobles, and the commons, should meet in one body, an arrangement which threw all the power into the hands of the popular party. They as- sumed the name of the national assembly, and immediately commenced a total change in the constitution of their coun- try. Feudal privileges and titles were abolished ; local di- visions set aside ; and the country distributed into depart- ments instead of provinces, for the purpose of adopting an uniform system of taxation ; monastic institutions were suppressed, and the English system of trial by jury sub- stituted for the administration of justice by the old provincial parliaments. 5. Such an extensive alteration naturally disgusted the court and the nobility ; unable to conceal their hostility to the new measures, they exposed themselves to popular in- dignation, and dreading the consequences, the Count d'Artois, (afterwards Charles X.) the prince of Conde, and several others, emigrated. But this flight aggravated the jealousy 394 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. of the people ; the Parisian mob stormed the fortress of the Bastile, the state prison of France, and levelled it with the ground ; they next formed a national guard, composed en- tirely of citizens, at the head of which was placed M. de la Fayette ; and at length a furious mob advanced to Ver- sailles, and brought the king and royal family in triumph to the capital. 6. (1791.) The progress of the revolution in France was anxiously watched by two powerful parties in England, who viewed it with very different feelings. While one party looked upon it as the triumph of liberty, the administration and a large portion of the aristocracy regarded it as the triumph of anarchy over all legitimate authority. Nor were such feelings confined to the higher classes, the popu- lace shared largely in the hatred to the new politics of France ; a dinner to celebrate the capture of the Bastile was adjourned in London through dread of popular resentment ; but in Birmingham a festive meeting to commemorate the same event was dispersed by a furious mob, which sub- sequently proceeded to destroy the dissenting chapels, and the houses of all who were supposed favourable to the French revolution. 7. (1792.) The principal powers on the continent having entered into a treaty, to check the progress of the French revolution, it was obvious that war could not long be de- layed ; but the interference of the monarchs precipitated the events which they wished to prevent. The duke of Bruns- wick, as commander-in-chief of the allied armies, issued an ill-judged and sanguinary manifesto, which, with some sus- picious circumstances in the conduct of the king and queen, so exasperated the French, that all the power of the state was thrown into the hands of the jacobins, as the most violent republicans were called. The consequences were dreadful : the palace of the king was stormed, his guards massacred, himself and family confined as close prisoners, and royalty finally abolished in France. Ere yet the world recovered from its astonishment at these events, it learned with equal surprise and indignation, that the unfortunate king had been brought to trial by his subjects, and con- demned to death by a majority of votes. This iniquitous sentence was executed on the 21st of January, 1793. 8. While France was thus distracted, England was quietly enjoying the blessings of peace; and the parliament engaged in the advancement of measures equally salutary GEORGE III. 395 The Duke of York at the surrender of Valenciennes. and judicious. Several taxes that pressed on commerce and industry were repealed ; a bill introduced by Mr. Fox to make juries in cases of libel judges of law as well as fact, was passed ; some further concessions were made to the Roman catholics ; but Mr. Wilberforce's motion for the abolition of the slave-trade was lost by a considerable ma- jority. 9. In the East Indies, Tippoo Saib (son of Hyder Ally), who seems to have inherited his father's hostility to England along with his dominions, was completely subdued oy lord Cornwallis, and forced to purchase peace by the cession of a large portion of his dominions, and the pay- ment of an enormous sum, for the performance of which his sons were given as hostages. 10. (1793.) The atrocities committed by the French jacobins completed the alienation of the British people from the cause of the new revolution ; and the ministry, now certain of popular support, adopted several measures which left their hostility no longer doubtful. The national con- vention immediately declared war against the king of Great Britain and the stadtholder of Holland, intimating by this artful phraseology that the people of these countries had an interest distinct from their respective sovereigns. 11. It is certain that this declaration of war, if not directly provoked, was by no means unacceptable to the British ministry, and the great body of the aristocracy by which it was supported. Immediately after its appearance, the duke 396 HISTORY OF ENGLAND of York was sent to join the allied armies in the invasion of France ; but the invaders, though at first successful, having taken Valenciennes, soon suffered some severe checks ; and at the end of the second campaign were totally defeated by the republicans. The fortified harbour of Toulon having been surrendered to the English, the French government made the most strenuous efforts for its recovery ; these proved for a time abortive, until the direction of the siege was intrusted to Napoleon Bonaparte, who now for the first time appeared on that scene where he afterwards played so conspicuous a part. By his exertions the Eng- lish were compelled to evacuate the town, leaving the greater portion of the citizens exposed to the sanguinary vengeance of the irritated republicans. 12. (1794.) To compensate for this ill success by land, the British navy established its wonted pre-eminence, in a victory gained by earl Howe over the French fleet in the West Indies ; and several of the colonies belonging to France were about the same time conquered with little trouble. 13. The domestic occurrences of this period, though not very numerous, were not deficient in import- ance : Messrs. Hardy, Home Tooke, and others, were brought to trial at the Old Bailey on a charge of high-trea- son, and acquitted, after a patient investigation, which lasted several days. That they desired to effect a great change in the constitution of the country was acknowledged by the prisoners themselves ; but it was clearly proved that they wished to obtain reform only by legal and constitutional means, and that they were opposed to violence and insur- rectionary movements. The ministers succeeded better with similar prosecutions in Ireland and Scotland, where several persons were found guilty of sedition, and sentenced to several degrees of punishment. 14. (1795.) The ill success of the war induced many of the continental sovereigns to make peace with the French republic. The grand-duke of Tuscany set the example, and was followed by the king of Spain, the Swiss cantons, and the regent of Sweden. The king of Prussia only waited until he had received the English subsidy, and then signed a treaty with the power he had been paid to oppose. The people of Holland expelled the stadtholder, and erect- ing in their country what they called a Batavian republic, became virtually a province of France. In short, England had scarcely an ally remaining but Austria, and the con GEORGE III. 397 tinued friendship of that power was never a matter of cer- tainty. 15. The English navy obtained some triumphs, especially a brilliant victory under lord Bridport, at Port l'Orient; but an expedition undertaken by the French emi- grants, under the auspices of the British ministry, was signally defeated. 16. Symptoms of discontent, almost amounting to dis- affection, began to be manifested in various parts of the empire; the successes of the war had been few and of little value ; but had they been still more decisive, they would not have compensated for the distress occasioned by un- precedented taxation. The people of London suffered se- verely from the interruption of commerce, and some of the lower class, irritated by their protracted misery, assailed the king's carriage when his majesty went in state to the house of lords. This outrage served, however, to strengthen the administration, for the parliament, indignant at the out- rage offered to the sovereign, sanctioned several bills for the suppression of sedition ; bills, perhaps, rendered necessary by the peculiar circumstances of the period, but which greatly diminished the limits of British freedom. 17. The prince of Wales, in order to procure the payment of his debts, married his cousin, the princess Caroline of Bruns- wick ; we must once again refer to this unfortunate union, it is sufficient to say here, that a daughter was born in the beginning of the following year, soon after which the parents were finally separated. 18. (1796.) The Dutch and Spaniards, having joined their forces to those of the French, were now become enemies of Great Britain ; and this country, from being an accessary, was now a principal in the war. Several of the Dutch set- tlements in the East Indies were subdued, but England lost the island of Corsica, which had been formally placed under British protection a few years previously. The Austrians were almost driven out of Italy by the French under Napo- leon Bonaparte, whose brilliant career began now to excite the attention of Europe. A fruitless effort to terminate the war by negotiation was made by the British ministry ; it failed, because probably it never was intended to succeed. 19. (1797.) The enormous expenses which Great Britain had to sustain were found to have exhausted the resources of the country so much, that at length the bank stopped payment ; and an issue of paper money was of course the consequence. Two alarming mutinies broke out in tho 2L 498 HISTORY OF ENGLANE. navy ; that at Spithead was settled by giving the seamen additional pay, but that at the Nore was not quelled without bloodshed, and the execution of some of the ringleaders. 20. But England still maintained her naval renown ; a bril- liant victory was gained by sir John Jarvis over the Spanish fleet, off Cape St. Vincent, and an equally glorious triumph was obtained over the Dutch by admiral Duncan, at Cam- perdown. 21. Our ally had not equal fortune, Austria was everywhere defeated, and to escape total ruin was obliged to submit to the terms of peace which Bonaparte dictated at Campo Formio. Questions for Examination. 1. What was the state of France at the commencement of the revolution f 2. In what dangerous circumstances were the different orders of society ? 3. How did the American war precipitate a revolution ? 4. What triumphs were gained by the popular party at the meeting of the states-general ? 5. Did these alterations produce any important results ? 6. In what manner was the French revolution regarded in England ? 7. What consequences were produced by the duke of Brunswick's procla- mation ? 8. What was the state of England at this time ? 9. Was any important advantages gained in the East Indies ? 10. How did the war commence ? 11. What reverses did the English experience? 12. By what naval triumphs were these compensated ? 13. Did any important trials occur at this time ? 14. How did the allies of England behave ? 15. Where was lord Bridport victorious ? 16. How did the people of England show their discontent ? 17. What royal marriage was contracted at this time ? 18. In what manner was the war conducted ? 19. Did any dangerous events occur in England ? 20. How did the English navy behave ? 21. Where was peace made between France and Austria ? SECTION VIII. O frantic thirBt of glory and of fame ! — Mickle. 1. (A.D. 1798.) The restoration of the legislative inde- pendence of Ireland in 1782 was far from satisfying the ex- pectations formed by a considerable party in that country. Reform in parliament, and a repeal of the remnant of the penal laws against the Roman catholics, were rather de- manded as a right than craved as a boon ; a d when the government refused to make concessions, the majority re- mained sullen and discontented, while a few wilder spirits GEORGE III. 39£ meditated a total separation from England, and the esta- blishment of an Irish republic after the example of France. The lower classes were easily induced to adopt schemes that flattered their national pride ; and though government, having received timely information, arrested the principal leaders, disaffection was too extensive to be thus checked, and several counties broke out in open insurrection. After a sanguinary struggle, disgraced by several atrocities on both sides, the revolters were everywhere defeated ; and on the surrender of a small body of French who had been sent to aid the insurgents, peace was finally restored by the judi- cious and merciful measures of lord Cornwallis. 2. In the mean time, Napoleon, with a large fleet and army, proceeded to Egypt, and on his voyage obtained pos- session of Malta by the treachery of the knights. The ca reer of the French invader was sufficiently triumphant in Egypt, but his hopes of permanent success were sadly blighted by the loss of his fleet, over which admiral Nelson obtained one of the most complete victories recorded in the annals of war. 3. This brilliant triumph was obtained in Aboukir Bay, one of the mouths of the Nile, on the first of August ; nine sail of the line were taken ; two more and a frigate either burnt or blown up during the action, and only two escaped, which, however, were subsequently captured. Soon after Bonaparte was repulsed before Acre, chiefly by the heroic exertions of sir Sidney Smith ; and having at the same time received news from France that seemed to open safer and brighter objects, he secretly returned home, and soon effected a revolution, by which he placed himself at the head of the government with the title of first consul. 4. The first measure taken by Napoleon after his eleva- tion, was to send a letter to the king of England offering peace ; this was instantly rejected, for a new and powerful coalition had been formed against France, from which the most splendid success was anticipated. But this coalition soon fell to pieces ; the Russian emperor withdrew his forces ; the duke of York was forced to quit Holland with his army on finding the population indisposed to second his efforts, and the French, under the new government, display- ed even more than their former energies. 5. In the East Indies the English waged a successful war against their old enemy Tippoo Saib ; his capital was taken by storm, himself slain, and all his treasures divided among the conquerors. Since that period the entire peninsula of 400 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. India has been virtually subjected to the authority of the English. 6. (A. D. 1800.) Austria had again commenced war against France, and was maintaining it with characteristic obstinacy, when Napoleon brought it to a sudden close by one of those master-strokes of genius which baffle ordinary calculation. He led his army across the Alps into Italy in despite of the most appalling difficulties, and obtained a complete victory at Marengo. A subsidy from England induced the Austrian emperor to continue his resistance, but ihe battle of Hohenlinden placed him completely at the mercy of the conqueror, and he was forced to solicit terms of peace. 7. The question of a legislative union with England, which had been previously negatived in the Irish house of commons, was finally carried by the minister ; it was deter- mined that from the 1st of January, 1801, there should be but one imperial parliament for the British islands, in which Ireland should be represented by four spiritual peers, taken in rotation every session, twenty-eight temporal peers chosen for life, and one hundred commoners elected in the usual manner. 8. (1801.) Paul, emperor of Russia, not satisfied with deserting the alliance of England, became her bitter enemy, and persuaded the other northern powers to revive the hostile confederation, called the armed neutrality. After negotiation had been tried ineffectually, a fleet was sent against Copenhagen, under the command of admiral Parker, assisted by lord Nelson. After having passed the Sound with little difficulty, Nelson attacked, and almost annihilated the formidable lines of the Danish defence ; but some of his own ships having grounded in a situation exposed to the fire of the hostile batteries, he took advantage of his previ- ous success to offer terms of accommodation, which were immediately accepted. It is probable that the war might have been again renewed had not intelligence beeh received of the deposition of the emperor Paul, who had been the head of the confederacy. His son and successor, Alexan- der, was anxious to be on good terms with Great Britain ; and the minor states found themselves obliged to imitate his example. 9. An expedition, under the command of sir Ralph Abercrombie, was equally successful in expelling the French from Egypt, but that distinguished officer fell in the arms of 3E0RGE III. 40! victory. The French, having been defeated at Alexandria, offered terms when general Hutchinson was preparing to besiege them in Cairo, and evacuated the country pursuant to the articles of capitulation. 10. Before the news of this success arrived in England, the country had been threatened with an invasion. Troops were collected along the coasts of France and Holland, and vessels prepared for their trans- portation in the harbours along the channel. Lord Nelson was sent with a flotilla to attack Boulogne, the enemy's principal rendezvous, but failed after two brilliant efforts. The bravery, however, displayed by the British sailors, and the manifest superiority of England by sea, convinced Na- poleon that the enterprise was hopeless, and the project was soon laid aside. 11. Both the belligerent powers were now heartily tired of a war, which exhausted their resources, and conferred advantages on neither. In deference to the general wish, a change of ministry was effected in England ; Mr. Adding- ton (afterwards lord Sidmouth) became premier in place of Mr. Pitt, and negotiations instantly commenced. (1802.) The terms were soon arranged, and a peace was concluded at Amiens, which cannot be better described than by the words of an eminent statesman, " it was a peace at which everybody rejoiced, but of which nobody could be proud." 12. From the moment in which the treaty of peace was signed, jealousies and discontents daily arose in France and England, which threatened to produce fresh hostilities at no very distant period. Bonaparte, having been appointed first consul for life, used every exertion to enlarge dominions of which he was now in all but name the sovereign ; he aggran- dized France by the annexation of Piedmont to its territories, and had given even greater offence by invading Switzer- land. On the other hand, the first consul complained that England still retained possession of Malta, which, by the terms of the late treaty, should have been restored to the knights, and remonstrated against the virulent libels on his character, which were published in the English newspapers, as he believed, with the connivance of government. (A.D. 1803.) These mutual bickerings soon produced more angry demonstrations ; lord Whitworth, the English ambassador, having been treated with unmerited indignity, withdrew from trance and war was soon after proclaimed. 13. A short time previous to the recommencement of hos- tilities, a conspiracy for the subversion of the government 2l2 402 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. was detected in England. It was formed by a colonel Des pard, who fancied that government had treated him with unjust neglect ; his associates were desperate men of the lowest ranks, and nothing could be more wild or inadequate than the means by which they proposed to execute theii insane projects. 14. The execution of the principal con- spirators restored public confidence ; but in a few months the alarm was again renewed by the account of an insur- rection having broken out in Dublin. The leader of the revolt was Robert Emmett, a young man of the most amia- ble qualities, but a wild and visionary enthusiast. The insurgents were badly armed and worse disciplined ; they were consequently subdued with little difficulty, but not before lord Kilwarden and his nephew had been murdered by the infatuated mob. 15. Napoleon recommenced the war with great vigour ; his troops overran Hanover, and compelled the princes in the north of Germany to close their ports against the English. On the other hand, the British navy blockaded the mouths of the principal rivers from which British traders were ex- cluded, and captured several French colonies. The Engli?- having made prizes of many French merchant-ships, ana treated their crews as prisoners, Bonaparte seized on all the English visiters who were travelling in France, and detained them as hostages. 16. About the same time, the French army, which had been employed to suppress the revolt of the negroes in St. Domingo, being cut off from all supplies by the British cruisers, was forced to surrender, and the island has since remained an independent state under the name of Hayti. The threats of invading Britain were re- peated, but after a vain display of force on both sides, no efforts were made to put the threats in execution. Questions for Examination. 1. What calamitous event occurred in Ireland ? 2. Whither did Napoleon lead his new armament ? 3- How was the progress of the French in Egypt checked ? 4. What was Napoleon's first attempt when appointed consul ? 5. Did the English obtain any triumph in the East Indies ? 6. Where was the power of Austria overthrown ? 7. What important change was made in the government of Ireland ? 8. How did England escape the dangers threatened by the armed neu trality ? 9. By whom were the French driven from Egypt ? 10. What events were produced by the threats of invasion'? 11. How was a peace effected ? 12. Did the peace promise to be permpn«nt ? GEORGE III. 403 13. What conspiracy was discovered in England ? 14. Was there not a new attempt at insurrection in Ireland ? 15. How did the war commence ? 16. Of what island were the French deprived ? \ SECTION IX. Aye — at the hour of utmost need Thy statesmen tall, thy warriors bleed; The vigorous mind, the valiant hand, Desert at once the mourning land. — Cooke. 1. (A.D. 1804.) The administration of Mr. Addington having failed to give satisfaction to the nation, he resigned, and was succeeded by Mr. Pitt, who immediately devoted all his energies to the formation of a new coalition against France. In this labour he was not a little assisted by the general indignation which was excited by the unprincipled murder of the duke d'Enghien. This unfortunate young prince was seized by the emissaries of Bonaparte in a neutral territory, dragged to the castle of Vincennes, sub- jected to the mockery of a trial before a military tribunal, and shot in the ditch of the castle by torch-light. Immedi- ately after the perpetration of this crime, Bonaparte was proclaimed emperor of the French and king of Italy ; but the assumption of the latter title gave great offence to Austria, whose claims on Italy were thus contemptuously disregarded. 2. One ally, however, was ensured to France by an act of questionable policy on the part of England. Spain hav- ing entered into a treaty with Napoleon, the British minister determined to intercept the treasure ships from South America, without waiting for the formality of a declaration of war. Three of these vessels were intercepted by the British squadron, two were taken, but the third unfortu- nately blew up, and the greater part of the crew perished. The Spanish court, on hearing the news, immediately pro- claimed itself the enemy of Great Britain. 3. (A.D. 1805.) The naval triumphs of England were consummated by the almost total annihilation of the hostile fleets. The French ships of war in Toulon, having baffled the vigilance of the blockading squadron, effected a junction with the Spanish fleet at Cadiz, and sailed for the West Indies ; hither they were pursued by lord Nelson; but hav- ing heard of his approach, the allied admirals returned to Europe. Nelson soon followed, and after several disap- pointments, had, at length, the satisfaction to discover the 404 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. Death of lord Nelson. French under Villeneuve, and the Spaniards under Gravina, on the morning of October 21st, drawn up in a double line of battle off Cape Trafalgar. The British navy attacked in two columns, the windward line being led by Nelson, in the Victory, the leeward by admiral Collingwood. After a terrible engagement, which lasted three hours, the English obtained a decisive victory. Nineteen sail of the line, with Villeneuve, and two other flag officers, were captured ; the remainder, under admiral Gravina, fled, but several of them were subsequently taken by a squadron under sir R. Strachan. 4. This victory was dearly purchased by the death of lord Nelson, who had long been the pride of the English navy. He was mortally wounded by a musket-ball in the middle of the action, and died a little before its close. 5. The grief of his country was shown by the honours paid to his memory ; his brother was raised to the peerage ; a liberal pension settled on his widow ; his remains were deposited in St. Paul's cathedral, accompanied by a proces- sion more splendid and magnifient than England had ever witnessed on a similar occasion, and a monument erected at the public expense as a lasting testimony of national grati tude. Rewards were also voted to the companions of his victory ; admiral Collingwood was raised to the peerage, and a liberal provision was made for the wounded, and for the families of the slain. 6. The triumphs of France by land amply compensated GEORGE III. 405 for her losses by sea. The Austrians were everywhere defeated; the archduke Charles was driven from Italy by Massena; Ulm was surrendered to Napoleon by general Mack, under circumstances that led to strong suspicions of treachery ; and, finally, Vienna itself submitted to the con- queror. The junction of the Russians gave a temporary confidence to the Austrian emperor ; but his hopes proved fallacious ; on the 2d of December Napoleon totally de- feated the allied armies at Austerlitz, and Austria was necessarily compelled to submit to whatever terms the con- queror thought fit to dictate. 7. (A.D. 1806.) The failure of a coalition which he had taken so much pains to form, and the mortification of seeing his colleague, lord Melville, impeached by the house of commons, preyed on Mr. Pitt's health, and, to use a com- mon but expressive phrase, broke his heart. He was ho- noured with a public funeral, and a monument erected to his memory at the national expense. A new administration was formed under the auspices of lord Grenville and Mr. Fox, one of whose first measures was the final abolition of the slave-trade. Mr. Fox did not long survive his great political rival ; he died in the course of the same year. 8. During the late struggle the conduct of the king of Prussia had been marked by singular indecision. Scarcely, however, had Austria been crushed, than, to the great asto- nishment of the world, it was announced, that Prussia, in a moment of chivalrous enthusiasm, had determined singly to cope with the victorious arms of France. The war was decided in a single campaign ; the Prussians were irretrieva- bly ruined at the battle of Jena ; fortress after fortress sur- rendered to Napoleon, and the unfortunate king, stripped of the greater part of his dominions, had now no hope but in the assistance of Russia. 9. (A.D. 1807.) Even this last hope failed, an indecisive battle was fought at Eylau ; but the Russians having failed in an attempt to relieve Dantzic, and suffered a total defeat at Friedland, solicited terms of peace. A treaty was concluded at Tilsit, by which the Prussian king was stripped of half his dominions, and had the further mortification to learn that the remainder was spared only in deference to the wishes of the young emperor of Russia. 10. This decisive success enabled Bonaparte to execute the projects which he had so long formed against the com- merce of England. By the celebrated Berlin decrees, all 406 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. the continental ports were closed against British manufac- turers, and Denmark, though long in alliance with England, was forced to comply with the imperious mandate. This led to the adoption of measures by the British government, which could only be justified by the most stern necessity. 11. An expedition, under the command of admiral lord Gambier, and general the earl of Cathcart, was sent to compel the surrender of the Danish fleet, in order that it might be retained as a deposite by England until the con- clusion of the war, as Napoleon notoriously designed to have employed it in restoring the navy of France. The demand was peremptorily refused; but the English having bombarded Copenhagen for three days successively, his Danish majesty, to save his capital from total destruction, agieed to the proposed terms, and the whole fleet, consisting of eighteen ships of the line, fifteen frigates, and thirty-one smaller vessels, was given up, together with an immense quantity of naval stares. 12. But the other foreign expeditions undertaken by the English were unusually unsuccessful ; Buenos Ayres, after its capture by sir Home Popham, was recovered by the inhabitants, and an armament sent out for its recovery under general Whitelocke failed signally and disgracefully : a fleet under admiral Duckworth forced the passage of the Dardanelles, but being unable to make an impression on Constantinople, was compelled to retire with loss : Alexan- dria, in Egypt, was captured by general Fraser, but he was soon compelled to evacuate his conquest ; and an expedition undertaken to assist the king of Sweden had an equally inefficient termination. 13. The Grenville administration, which had been very popular at the outset, had now declined considerably in public favour ; and it probably had never possessed the full confidence of the king. The ministers having brought for- ward some measures of concession to the Roman catholics, which his majesty disapproved, were compelled to resign, and Mr. Pitt's friends were recalled to the cabinet. 14. Portugal was now the only part of the continent open to Great Britain, and Napoleon determined that her manufactures should be excluded from this country also. The prince-regent of Portugal, alarmed by the appearance of a powerful French army on his frontiers, promised obe- dience to the demands of the French emperor ; but finding that every compliance was insufficient to conciliate the GEORGE 111 407 invaders, and that the annihilation of his kingdom was intended, he embarked on board the English fleet, and was conveyed to the Brazilian settlements in South America. Immediately after his departure the French occupied Lisbon without opposition. Questions for Examination. 1. How did Napoleon excite the resentment of the European monarchs 2. Why did the Spaniards support the French with all their might ? 3. What great naval victory did the English obtain ? 4. By what event was the joy for this victory diminished ? 5. In what manner did the English nation show its respect for JSelson and his companions ? 6. Did the French gain any advantages on land ? 7. Why was there a change made in the British ministry ? 8. What success had the Prussians in their war against France ? 9. By what events was a peace precipitated ? 10. What use did Napoleon make of his victory ? 11. How did the English act under these circumstances ? 12. In what expeditions were the English unsuccessful ? 13. What circumstances brought about a change in the British ministry ? 14. What remarkable events took place in Portugal ? SECTION X. First, from his trance the heroic Spaniard woke His chains ho brnke, And casting off his nock the treacherous yoke He called on England. — Southey. 1. (A.D. 1808.) The unprincipled occupation of Portu- gal was followed by a series of transactions still more iniqui- tous in Spain, which, though at first apparently successful, blighted for ever the character of Napoleon, and contributed not a little to his final overthrow. Seldom have the annals of any country presented such a picture of vice and imbe- cility as was displayed by the court of Spain at the period which now occupies our attention ; the king was a weak and irresolute monarch, destitute of abilities for managing the affairs of state, even in the most tranquil times ; and, consequently, wholly unfit to rule at a period when all Europe was convulsed by the consequences of the French revolution. His prime minister, and the virtual ruler of Spain, was Godoy, whom the illicit attachment of the queen had raised from the rank of a private gentleman to guide the national councils, under the proud title of the Prince of the Peace. But Godoy was by no means fitted to discharge the duties of the station to which he had been raised. Possess- ing neither talent nor principle, he pursued a selfish and 408 HISTORY OF EKGLANP. vacillating course of policy, which wasted the resources of Spain, and made the country contemptible in the eyes of all the surrounding nations. 2. Godoy was of course unpopu- lar ; the nobility despised him as an upstart ; the people regarded him as the author of all the calamities by which they were oppressed ; and, at length, reports having been circulated that he intended to remove the royal family to South America, a furious insurrection broke out, which terminated in stripping Godoy of all his authority. De- prived of his only reliance, the imbecile Charles resigned the crown to his son Ferdinand, prince of Asturias, who was at once proclaimed king, to the universal delight of the people. 3. When Napoleon received intelligence of this revolution, he immediately proceeded to Bayonne, in order to be nearer the scene of action, and directed the numerous army, which he maintained in Spain, to occupy Madrid. By means of some obscure intrigues, Charles was induced to withdraw his abdication, and claim the assistance of the French emperor against his rebellious son; while at the same time assurances were privately conveyed to Ferdinand that Napoleon was attached to his cause, and would, if an appeal was made, certainly decide in his favour. 4. By such representations the entire Spanish royal family was induced to cross the frontier ; and no sooner were they in the power of the French emperor, than they were severally compelled to abdicate their claims to the crown, which Na- poleon was determined to transfer to his brother Joseph. 5. When the iniquitous transactions at Bayonne became known, they filled the mind of every Spaniard with feelings of the deepest indignation ; one sentiment seemed to per- vade the entire nation ; a determination to maintain the independence of their country, and submit to none but their legitimate sovereign. The French were able to suppress the insurrection at Madrid after a fearful massacre, which is the deepest stain on the character of Murat, by whom the garrison was commanded ; but in the provinces, provisional juntas were formed, armies levied, and every preparation made for a vigorous resistance to the usurpers. The gar- rison of Gibraltar, and the British fleets in the Mediterra- nean, lent their assistance to the efforts of the patriots, and by their aid the important city of Cadiz was secured, and the French fleet, which lay in the harbour, forced to sur- render. 6. The armies of France also met some severe checks ; Dupont, with a force of 15,000 men, was forced GEORGE HI. 409 to surrender to the patriot general Castanos ; Moncey was compelled to retreat from Valencia ; and lastly, a Spanish army, which had been employed by Bonaparte in the north of Germany, revolted, and was conveyed by a British squad- ron to the peninsula. 7. The flame of insurrection soon spread to Portugal ; and though the French generals in that unhappy country endeavoured to suppress the revolt by cruelly massacring all suspected of having shared in the efforts for the libera- tion of their country, this detestable policy only engendered a more determined spirit of resistance, and a fiercer thirst for vengeance. 8. The news of the events in the peninsula was received in England with the greatest enthusiasm. The Spanish deputies were welcomed with the utmost warmth ; all the Spanish prisoners released, clothed, armed, and sent to aid the efforts of their countrymen ; munitions of war were supplied to the patriots from the British arsenals ; public aids and private subscriptions were liberally contributed for the supply of their exhausted resources ; and a well-appointed army under the command of sir Arthur Wellesley, sent to assist in the liberation of Portugal. 9. On the first of August the British troops landed in Mondego Bay, and soon commenced active operations. On the seventeenth, the French were defeated at Rolica; but on the twenty-first, a still more decisive battle was fought at Vimiera, and the English were completely victorious. 10. Unfortunately at this important moment, sir Arthur Welles- ley was superseded in his command by sir Harry Burrard, who gave immediate orders to stop the pursuit, thus sacri- ficing all the fruits of this brilliant victory. On the following morning, sir Hew Dalrymple arrived to take the supreme command, and he entered into negotiations with the French commander. 11. A convention for the evacuation of Portu- gal was concluded at C intra, on terms so favourable to the French that they excited universal dissatisfaction. One article provided for the security of the Russian fleet then lying in the Tagus ; but this the English admiral, sir Charles Cotton, peremptorily refused to ratify ; and the ships were surrendered to him on condition of being restored in six months after the conclusion of peace with Russia. 12. Portugal* being now free from the invader, sir John Moore, who had been appointed to the command of the British army, was directed to advance into northern Spain, 2M 410 HISTOKY OF ENGLAND. Death of sir John Moore. and aid the exertions of the patriots. The instructions sent to the gallant general had been prepared on the faith of the representations made by the Spanish deputies in London ; it was not discovered, until too late, that these were wholly unworthy of credit. 13. The resolute spirit of hostility to the French in the lower ranks of the Spaniards is indubita- ble ; but the upper ranks, at the same time ignorant and conceited, were slow to make any exertion, and thought more of securing for themselves some petty authority than joining in efforts for the liberation of their country. Like all weak and vain-glorious men, they were great boasters ; they told of countless armies and exhaustless resources ; but when the moment of trial arrived, their armies were found to be an undisciplined rabble, and even sometimes to have existed only on paper ; their magazines were discovered to be empty, and their boasted preparations to have consisted in doing nothing. Even before sir John Moore had entered Spain, the principal forces with which he had been destined to co-operate were defeated and dispersed, in a great degree by the sheer incapacity of their generals. When sir John Moore found that all the expectations which he had been led to form were utterly groundless, he resolved to return to Portugal ; the British minister to the Spanish junta, how- ever, prevailed on him to change his resolution and to hazard an advance into the heart of the country. 14. In the mean time Napoleon himself had arrived to take the direction of the invading army, and the promptitude of his movements GEORGE III. 411 soon left the British general no other choice but retreat The sufferings of the army during this retrogade movement transcend the powers of description ; discipline was for the most part at an end, and the country they had come to protect was treated by the famished soldiers as if it had belonged to an enemy. 15. (A.D. 1809.) At length, when they reached Corunna, the enemy was found to have pursued them so close that nothing but a victory or a convention could secure their embarkation. Sir John Moore at once decided to risk the chances of battle ; he obtained a victory so glorious as to shade the calamities of the retreat; but unfortunately the success of the army was purchased by the life of its gallant commander. 16. (A.D. 1809.) Taking advantage of the withdrawing of the French troops from Germany to recruit the armies in Spain, the emperor of Austria again determined to encounter the hazards of war, and endeavour to retrieve his former fortunes. But the same fatality which had hitherto attended the military operations of this power, still counteracted its efforts. Napoleon, in a brief but decisive campaign, made himself master of Vienna ; and though his army met a severe check at Asperne, he soon after obtained a decisive victory at Wagram, which prostrated the Austrian empire at his feet. 17. But while this contest remained as yet doubtful, the English were fast retrieving their tarnished honour in the peninsula. Sir Arthur Wellesley was sent again to the scenes of his former glory, and succeeded in expelling the French from Oporto, and several other acquisitions which they had made in Portugal after the retreat of sir John Moore. He even advanced into Spain, and obtained a bril- liant victory at Talavera; but being unsupported by the Spanish authorities, he was obliged to relinquish his con- quests, and terminate the campaign without obtaining any decisive advantage. For the skill and bravery, however, which had been displayed at Talavera, sir Arthur Wellesley was elevated to .the peerage with the title of viscount Wel- lington. 18. To create a diversion in favour of Austria, an expedi tion was sent to the coast of Holland, under the command of the earl of Chatham and sir Richard Strachan. The fortress of Flushing and the island of Walcheren were subdued ; but the unhealthiness of the climate forced the conquerors to evacuate these acquisitions after the sacrifice 412 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. of many valuable lives. It must be confessed that this unfortunate enterprise was badly conceived and badly exe- cuted ; the armament did not reach the coast of Holland until Austria had been irretrievably ruined ; and the main objects of the expedition, the destruction of the French fleet in the Scheldt, and the occupation of Antwerp, were scarcely attempted. 19. There were, however, some gallant exploits per- formed during the year by the British navy, which contri- buted to maintain the national courage. A French squadron lying in Basque Roads was attacked by lords Gainbier and Cochrane ; four ships of the line and three frigates were burned, and several others disabled. Lord Collingwood destroyed, in the bay of Rossa, three sail of the line, two frigates, and twenty transports. Sir James Saumarez cap- tured a Russian convoy in the Baltic ; and several important islands were wrested from the French in the West Indies. 20. At home the attention of the public was directed, in no ordinary degree, to a parliamentary investigation into the conduct of his royal highness the duke of York, as commander-in-chief. After a laborious inquiry, the royal duke was acquitted by a great majority, but he deemed it right to resign his situation immediately after. On the 25th of October, a jubilee was celebrated with great splendour through the kingdom on account of his majesty's having entered the fiftieth year of his reign. Questions for Examination. 1. What was the condition of Spain at this time ? 2. What were the consequences of Godoy's proceedings ? 3. How did Napoleon act under these circumstances ? 4. In what manner were the Spanish king and prince treated by their ally t 5. Did the Spanish people show their indignation ? 6. Were any triumphs obtained by the Spanish patriots ? 7. What was the situation of Portugal at this time ? 8. How was the intelligence of these events received in England ? 9. In what manner did sir A. Wellesley commence his victorious career ir the peninsula ? 10. How were the fruits of his victory lost ? 11. What was the convention of Cintra? 12. To what expedition was sir John Moore appointed ? 13. With what difficulties had he to struggle ? 14. How was he compelled to retreat ? 15. By what means was the embarkation of the army secured ? 16. What success had the Austrians in their new war against France ? 17. For what victory was sir A. Wellesley raised to the peerage ? 18. In what unfortunate expedition did the English engage ? 19. Was this loss compensated by any victories I 20. What delicate investigation took place in England ? GEORGE in. 413 SECTION XL United let each Briton join, Courageously advance ; We'll baffle every vain design, Arid check the pride of France. — E. Thompson. 1. (A.D. 1810.) The peace with Austria enabled Napo- leon to send fresh armies into the peninsula, and the patriots sustained a series of reverses which seemed to have decided the fate of Spain, But it was not in the regular field of battle that the hostilities of the Spaniards were most to be dreaded ; their bands of guerillas, that cut off all stragglers, intercepted convoys, and harassed every march,, were more formidable than any regular army that could be assembled. The presence of the British in Portugal was justly deemed the principal impediment to the tranquillity of the French in Spain ; and Napoleon, therefore, despatched Massena with overwhelming forces to expel the British from the entire peninsula. The French ruler deemed himself at this time secure on the side of Germany, for he had married the archdutchess Maria Louisa, the daughter of the emperor of Austria, having previously divorced Josephine, the faith- ful companion Of all his fortunes. 2. On the approach of Massena, lord Wellington deter- mined to act on the defensive, and resisted every temptation to abandon this cautious line of policy. He retreated lei- surely before the enemy until attacked at Busaco, when he turned on his pursuers, and inflicted on them a severe de- feat. His lordship then continued his retreat to the impreg- nable lines of Torres Vedras, where he determined to remain until famine should compel Massena to retire. Nothing could exceed the astonishment of the French marshal, who firmly believed that the British were retreating to their ships, when he found them halted in a position which it would have been madness to attack : he was at once reduced to inactivity, and forced to spend the rest of the campaign in watching the English lines. 3. While the war thus lingered, the death of the princess Amelia, the favourite daughter of the king, spread a gloom over the royal family, and brought on a return of that ma- lady by which his majesty had been previously attacked. The remainder of his life was spent in a state of mental imbecility, and the government of the country was thence- forth intrusted to the prince of Wales, who acted as regent 4. A little before this event, a strange revolution took place Ferdinand VII... tSOb King of Sweden and Norway. Charles XIV 1818 Grand Seignior of Turkey. MahrnoudH 1808 King of Wirtemberg Frederic William. 1816 CHAPTER XXXVIII. WILLIAM IV. Born 1765. Began to reign 1830. Pied June 20, 1837. SECTION I. The love of liberty with life is given. And life itself the inferior gift of heaven. — Dryden. 1. Rarely has the accession of a new sovereign afforded such general satisfaction, as was manifested by all classes, when the duke of Clarence ascended the throne with the title of William IV. Unlike his predecessors, his habits were economical and his manners familiar ; he exhibited himself to his people, conversed with them, and shared in their tastes and amusements ; within a few weeks he attained an unpre- cedented degree of popularity, and was reverenced by his subjects as a father, and loved by them as a friend. 2. No change was made in the ministry ,* but as his majesty was connected by marriage with some of the leading whigs, it was generally believed that the policy which rigidly excluded that party from office during the two preceding reigns, would not be maintained in full force. The hopes of a coali- tion between the Wellington administration and the whigs were, however, soon dispelled ; the opposition to the minis- try, which had been almost nominal during the preceding sessions, was more than usually violent in the debate on the address ; and though the formal business of both houses was hurried through with all possible despatch, the whigs were pledged to a virtual declaration of war against the cabinet before the prorogation of parliament. 3. The parliament was dissolved on the 24th of July, but before it could be again convened, a revolution in a neigh- WILLIAM IV. 439 bouring country produced important effects on the public mind, and in some degree convulsed all Europe. Charles X., in defiance of the wishes and feelings of the great majority of the French people, was eager to restore the royal and so- cerdotal power to the eminence which both possessed before the revolution. He found in prince Polignac, a minister able and willing to second his projects, and he placed him at the head of the cabinet. Polignac thought that, by gratifying the national vanity of the French, and indulging their pas- sion for military glory, he might be able to divert their atten- tion from domestic exploits : previously to dissolving the chamber of deputies, he therefore proclaimed war against the dey of Algiers, who had committed several outrages on the subjects of France. But the expectations of the prince were miserably disappointed. His cabinet was assailed with a ferocity and violence to which the annals of constitutional warfare furnish no parallel ; and as the actions of its mem- bers afforded no opportunity for crimination, their opponents made amends by attacking their presumed designs and inten- tions. When the chamber of deputies met, an address, hos- tile to the ministry, was carried by a large majority. 4. The king instantly prorogued the chambers ; and when the reduc- tion of Algiers had, as he fondly hoped, gratified the nation, and restored his popularity, he once more hazarded the perilous experiment of a dissolution. The new chamber of deputies was still more hostile than the preceding. Polignac and his colleagues saw that they could not hope to retain their power by constitutional means, and in an evil hour they prepared three ordinances by which the French charter was virtually annihilated. The first dissolved the chambers before they assembled, the second disfranchised the great body of electors ; and the third imposed a rigid censorship on the press. 5. AVhen these ordinances first appeared on Monday, the 28th of July, they excited astonishment rather than indigna- tion ; a number of persons, however, connected with the journals of Paris, assembled, and issued a manifesto, in which they declared their resolution to resist, by all the means in their power, the enforcement of the ordinance im- posing restrictions on the press. Several of the daily jour- nals were not published on the following morning, and the printers and compositors, engaged in their preparation, being left without employment, formed a body of active rioters. They were joined by the workmen from several manufac- 440 HISTORY OP ENGLAND. tories, the proprietors of which had agreed to suspend their business during the crisis, thus throwing into the streets an insurrectionary force, whose ferocity was more formidable than military discipline. Some disturbances took place at the offices of two journals, the proprietors of which persisted in publishing appeals to the populace , but they seemed to be of so little importance, that Charles went to enjoy his favourite amusement of hunting, and his ministers, with similar in- fatuation, neglected to strengthen the garrison of Paris. 6. In the evening of Tuesday, the appearance of the military to reinforce the police, became the signal for the commence- ment of a contest. Several lives were lost, but the soldiers succeeded in dispersing the riotous mobs ; and when they re- turned to their barracks, Marshal Marmont, the military commander of Paris, wrote a letter to the king, congratula- ting him on the restoration of tranquillity; and the ministers prepared their last ordinance, declaring the capital to be in a state of siege. 7. But the apparent triumph of the royalists was delusive ; scarcely were the troops withdrawn when all the lamps in Paris were broken, and the citizens, protected by darkness, made energetic preparations for the struggle of the ensuing day ; barricades were erected, arms were procured. from the shops, the theatres, and the police-stations, and the arsenal and powder magazine were seized by the populace. When the morning of Wednesday dawned, Marmont beheld with alarm the tri-coloured flag, the banner of insurrection, waiv- ing from the towers of the cathedral, and the preparations made on all sides for an obstinate struggle. He instantly wrote to the king, recommending conciliatory measures, but receiving no answer, he prepared to act on his previous in- structions. Dividing his troops into four columns, he direct- ed them to move in different directions, and make circuits through the principal streets occupied by the insurgents. A series of sanguinary conflicts took place, in all of which the royalists were worsted ; the troops of the line manifested the greatest reluctance to fire upon their countrymen ; some of them disobeyed orders, and others went over to the insur- gents. When evening closed, the soldiers had been beaten at every point, and they returned to their barracks wearied and disappointed. No provision was made for their refresh- ment after the toils of the day, while all the houses in Paris were freely opened to the insurgents, and the citizens vied WILLIAM IV. 441 with each other in supplying them with every thing that they needed. 8. The struggle was renewed with great fury on the morning of the third day ; Marmont and the ministers, now convinced of their danger, proposed a suspension of arms; but before anything decisive could be effected, two regiments of the line unfixed their bayonets, and went over to the in- surgents in a body. The populace reinforced by these, rushed through the gap thus opened, carried the Louvre by storm, and opened from this position a terrible fire on the column of the royal army. Under this new attack the sol- diers reeled; their assailants saw them waver, and charging with resistless impetuosity, drove them to a precipitate re- treat. Marmont and his staff escaped with great difficulty, his scattered detachments were taken or cut to pieces ; before three o'clock Paris was tranquil, and the victory of the peo- ple complete. 9. The members of the chamber of deputies, who hap- pened to be in Paris, met at the house of M. Lafltte, and orga- nized a provisional government ; and on the following Friday they proclaimed the duke of Orleans lieutenant-general of the kingdom. On the 3d of August the chambers met, pur- suant to the original writs of convocation, and the national representatives raised the duke of Orleans to the throne, under the title of Louis Philippe I., king of the French. Charles X. was dismissed to exile with contemptuous hu- manity ; but the efforts of the new government to protect the obnoxious ministers almost produced a new civil war. Four of these unfortunate men, arrested by individual zeal, were brought to trial ; an infuriated mob clamoured for their blood, but their judges had the firmness to sentence them to per- petual imprisonment ; and soon after their removal to their destined place of confinement, public tranquillity was restored. 10. The revolution of Paris was closely followed by that of Brussels. The union of Belgium with Holland by the treaty of Vienna was an arrangement which contained no elements of stability, for the Belgians and the Dutch were aliens to each other in language, religion, and blood. The arbitrary measures of the king of Holland's prime minister provoked a formidable riot in Brussels, on the night of the 25th of August, which the indecision, cowardice, and stu- pidity of the Dutch authorities, fostered into a revolutionary war. The prince of Orange made some efforts to mediate between the contending parties, but he only exposed himself 442 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. to the suspicions of both ; and, after a brief struggle, Bel- gium was severed from the dominions of the house of Nassau. 11. Several insurrectionary movements took place in Ger- many ; the duke of Brunswick was deposed, and replaced by his brother ; the king of Saxony was forced to resign in favour of his nephew, and the elector of Hesse was compelled to grant a constitutional charter to his subjects. Poland next became the theatre of war ; its Russian governor, the archduke Constantine, was expelled, and the independence of the country proclaimed ; but after a long and sanguinary struggle, the gallant Poles were forced to yield to the gigan- tic power of Russia. 12. In England, the rural districts, especially Kent and the northern counties, exhibited alarming signs of popular discontent ; but the agitation in Ireland was of a still more dangerous character, and seemed to threaten the dismember- ment of the empire. Great anxiety was felt for the opening of parliament, and the developement of the line of policy which the ministers would adopt at such a crisis. It was with surprise that the people learned from the premier, on the very first night of the session, that not only he was un- prepared to bring forward any measure of reform, but that he would strenuously oppose any change in parliamentary representation. 13. The unpopularity which the duke of Wellington seemed almost to have courted by this declara- tion, was studiously aggravated by the arts of his opponents ; and when the king had accepted the invitation of the Lord Mayor to dine with the citizens on the 9th of November, a letter was sent to the duke of Wellington by a city magis- trate, warning him that he would be insulted, perhaps in- jured, by the mob, if he did not come protected by a military escort. The ministers in alarm resolved to put a stop to the entire proceedings, and on the 8th of November, to the great astonishment of the public, it was announced, not only that the king's visit would be postponed, but that there would be neither the usual civic procession in honour of the new Lord Mayor, nor the dinner in the Guild-hall, for which great preparations had been made, in consequence, as was alleged, of some seditious conspiracy. The first effect of the an- nouncement was a general panic; the funds fell four per cent, in one day, and the whole country was filled with anxiety and alarm. But when it was discovered that no serious grounds existed for the apprehensions which had WILLIAM IV. 443 been excited, all who had a share in exciting it were assailed with a tempest of indignant ridicule, which even a stronger cabinet than that of the duke of Wellington could not have resisted. 14. When the ministerial measure for the arrange- ment for the civil list was introduced, Sir Henry Parnell moved a resolution which implied that the ministers no longer possessed the confidence of parliament. After a calm de- bate, marked by unusual moderation on both sides, the reso- lution was carried in a full house by a majority of twenty- nine votes ; the duke of Wellington and his colleagues instantly resigned, and earl Grey received his majesty's com- mands to form a new administration. 15. Earl Grey's ministry was formed of the leaders of the old whig party and the friends of the late Mr. Canning ; the most remarkable appointment was that of Mr. Brougham to the office of Lord Chancellor, as a very few days before his elevation, he had declared " no change that may take place in the administration can by any possibility affect me." His immediate acceptance of a peerage and office consequently excited surprise, and provoked harsh comments. Parliament adjourned for a short time to give the new minis- ters an opportunity for maturing their plans, which were stated by the premier to include economy and retrenchment at home, non-interference in the affairs of foreign states, and a reform in the commons' house of parliament. 16. Great anxiety was felt about the nature of the reform which the ministers would propose. Their measure was developed to the house of commons by lord John Russell, on the 1st of March, 1831, and it was found to include a greater amount of change than had been anticipated either by friends or enemies. All boroughs not containing two thousand inhabitants were totally disfranchised, those that had less than four thousand were restricted to returning one member, and the rights of representation of which these were deprived, were given to large manufacturing towns, four districts of the metropolis, and to divisions of the large counties. Similar changes were proposed in the representa- tion of Scotland and Ireland. 17. A measure which involved so important a change in the constitution, was one which necessarily provoked pro- tracted discussions. The debate on its introduction lasted seven nights ; the second reading of the bill was only carried by a majority of one. The ministers were subsequently de- feated on two divisions, and were compelled either to resign 444 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. v heir situations or dissolve the parliament. His majesty carried his resolution into effect to support the cabinet by dissolving the parliament in person, and an appeal was then nade to the people, on the most important constitutional question that had been raised since the accession of the house of Hanover. 18'. The event of the elections more than answered the expectations of the most ardent reformer. When the new parliament met, it appeared that fully two-thirds of the repre- sentatives were pledged to support the minister. The pro- gress of the Reform Bill through the house of commons though slow was certain, and on the 22d of September it was sent up to the lords. Its fate in the upper house was very different ; it was rejected on a second reading by a majority of forty-one. This decision produced violent and even dan- gerous excitement : but the promptitude with which the house of commons, on the motion of lord Ebrington, pledged itself to the support of the ministers and their measure, calmed the agitation in the metropolis and the greater part of the coun- try. Serious riots, however, took place at Derby and Not- ingham, which were not quelled until considerable mischief had been perpetrated ; Bristol suffered still more severely from the excesses of an infuriate mob, and the disturbances were not suppressed until an immense quantity of public and private property had been wantonly destroyed. 19. In the midst of this political excitement the country was visited by a pestilential disease, called the Asiastic cho- lera, which proved very destructive, though its ravages were not so great in England as in some parts of the continent. This must, under Providence, be attributed to the judicious measures adopted by the government, and to the zealous ex- ertions of all the gentlemen connected with the medical pro- fession throughout the empire. In Ireland agrarian insur- rections were added to the horrors of pestilence ; the peas- ants, driven to desperation by famine and oppression on the one hand, and stimulated by the violent harangues of itiner- ent demagogues on the other, committed several atrocious outrages, which could not be restrained by the ordinary operations of constitutional law. France and Italy were also disturbed by insurrectionary movements, which were, however, soon suppressed ; and the revolution of Belgium was completed, by its being formed into a monarchy under prince Leopold of Saxe Coburg, whose chief recommenda* tion was his connection with the royal family of England, WILLIAM IV. 445 20. These circumstances induced the ministers to convene parliament for the third time within the year ; the Reform Bill was again introduced, and after the second reading had been carried by a decisive majority, the houses adjourned till the commencement of the following year. When they re- assembled, the Reform Bill was carried steadily through its remaining stages in the lower house, and once more brought into the house of peers, where its fate was regarded with great anxiety. Several of its former opponents, called wa- yerers, had resolved to vote for the second reading, with the hope that the measure might be greatly modified in com- mittee, and by their aid the bill passed this important stage by a majority of nine. But the ministers had no reason to boast of this success ; more than twenty of those who had supported the second reading were pledged to resist the most important clauses, and by their aid, a motion for instruction to the committee on the bill, which virtually took all control over the measure out of the hands of its proposers, was carried by a majority of thirty-five. Lord Grey, in con- junction with his colleagues, proposed to the king a new creation of peers ; his majesty refused his assent to so ex- treme a measure, and alt the members of the cabinet in- stantly resigned. The king then applied to the duke of Wellington to form a new administration, and his grace un- dertook the task under circumstances of greater difficulty than had yet been encountered by a British statesman. Op- posed by the bulk of the nation and by a large majority of the house of commons, the duke soon discovered that it would be out of his power to form a ministry ; he therefore resigned the commission, and advised the king to recall his former advisers. Lord Grey returned to power, having se- cured the success of the Reform Bill by a compromise with its opponents. It was agreed that the ministers should not create peers, but that the leaders of the opposition should secede from the house until the Reform Bill became the law of the land. Under these circumstances the measure was passed without any impediment through its remaining stages, and on the 7th of June it received the royal assent. Questions for Examination. 1. How was the accession of William IV. received ? 2. What was the state of parties at the commencement of the new reign ? 3. With what design did the French ministers declare war against Algiers ? 2P 446 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 4. What ordinances were issued by Polignac ? 5. How were they received in Paris ? 6. "When did the contest between the citizens of Paris and the royal troops begin ? 7. In what condition was the royal cause after the second day's struggle in Paris ? 8. How was the contest in Paris terminated ? 9. Was any change made in the government of France ? 10. Did the French revolution produce any effect in Belgium ? 11. Were there any insurrectionary movements in other parts of the con- tinent ? 12. What remarkable declaration was made by the duke of Wellington ? 13. Why was the king's visit to the city postponed ? 14. How was the Wellington administration dissolved ? 15. On what principle was lord Grey's ministry constructed ? 16. What was the general nature of the Reform Bill ? 17. How was it received on its first introduction into the house of com- mons ? 18. What was the fate of the Reform Bill in the new parliament ? 19. In what condition were Great Britain and the continent at this crisis? 20. How was the Reform Bill ultimately carried ? SECTION II. The palace sounds with wail, The courtly dames are pale, A widow o'er the purple bows, and weeps its splendour dim : And we who clasp the boon, A king for freedom won. Do feel eternity rise up between our thanks and him. — Anon. 1. (A. D. 1833— 7.) The revolution in France, the ex- citement attending the agitation of the Reform Bill in Eng- land, the difficulty which impeded the arrangement of the affairs of Belgium, and the war in Poland, threatened con- sequences fatal to the peace of Europe ; it was only by slow degrees that the agitated waves were stilled, and appearances more than once seemed to threaten a renewal of the storm. Louis was zealously supported by the middle classes in France, but he was exposed to the plots of the Carlists and republicans, who were equally hostile to the continuance of a government so adverse to their favourite schemes. A Car- list insurrection in the south of France, and a republican riot at the funeral of General Lamarque in Paris, threatened to involve the nation in the perils of a civil war ; but the re- publicans were unable to withstand the firmness of the na- tional guard, and the capture of the duchess of Berri put an end to the war in the south of France. 2. Don Pedro had resigned the crown of Portugal when he was chosen emperor of Brazil ; but when he was deposed by his South American subjects, he resolved to support his WILLIAM IV. 447 daughter's claims to the throne of Portugal. Having se- cretly organized a considerable force of English and French adventurers, he effected a landing near Oporto, and took possession of that city. He expected an insurrection, but none took place ; and he was closely besieged in the city by the usurper Miguel. A desultory war ensued, distinguished by no remarkable events, until Miguel's fleet was captured by Admiral Napier with a very inferior force ; after which Lisbon was surprised by the constitutional forces, and the usurper driven into exile. Don Pedro's death, which soon followed his victory, did no injury to the constitutional cause, and his daughter, Donna Maria de Gloria, remains in undis- turbed possession of the crown of Portugal. 3. The influence of Russia was exercised in resisting the progress of liberal opinion in Germany, but was more alarm- ingly displayed in the east of Europe. Mohammed Ali, the pacha of Egypt, threw off his allegiance to the sultan, and sent his son Ibrahim to invade Syria. The superior disci- pline of the Egyptian troops rendered their victories easy, and Ibrahim might have advanced to the suburbs of Constan- tinople, and perhaps have taken that city, had not the sultan sought protection from the Czar. A Russian armament de- livered the Ottoman empire from the impending peril, but the acceptance of such aid rendered the sultan a dependant on the court of St. Petersburg. 4. Such was the state of Europe when the British parlia- ment was dissolved, and a new election held pursuant to the provisions of the Reform Bill. In England and Scotland the ministers had very large majorities, but in Ireland a new party mustered in considerable force, consisting of members pledged to support the repeal of the union. 5. One of the earliest measures which engaged the attention of the re- formed parliament, was a coercion bill for suppressing the agrarian disturbances in Ireland, and checking the political agitation by which these tumults were in some measure en- couraged. The bill passed the lords without difficulty ; but in the lower house it encountered so fierce an opposition, that the ministers were compelled to abandon some of the most obnoxious clauses. With the coercion bill a measure for the regulation of the Irish church was very closely connected. The Irish church stands in the unpopular predicament of possessing a wealthy national establishment, while the great majority of the people belong not merely to a different, but to a hostile faith ; impediments have consequently been of- 448 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. fered to the collection of its revenues, and there has scarcely been any popular disturbance in Ireland during the greater part of a century, which has not been more or less remotely connected with the tithe-question. Under these circum- stances, the conservative party generally supported the claims of the church in their full efficiency ; the moderate reformers proposed, that after provision had been made for all neces- sary ecclesiastical uses, the surplus should be applied to some object of public utility, such as national education ; and a third party, stronger in zeal than numbers, regarded the pro- perty of the church as a fund that might be seized for the purposes of the state. The ministers steered a middle course between the extreme parties, and of course gave perfect satis- faction to neither; they abolished ten bishoprics, but they abandoned the clause for applying the surplus to purposes not purely ecclesiastical, in order to facilitate the passage of the bill through the house of lords. The motion was ren- dered more agreeable to the Irish clergy, than it would other- wise have been, by the grant of a million sterling as a loan, in lieu of the arrears of tithes which they were unable to collect. 6. The renewal of the charter of the bank of England, led to some important discussions on the financial state of the country ; but much more important was the change made in the constitution of the East India Company. While that body was secured in its political rights over the vast empire which it had acquired in Hindostan, it was deprived of its exclusive privileges of commerce, and the trade with India and China was freely opened to all the subjects of the British crown. Equally great was the change made in the constitu- tion of the British West India colonies by the total abolition of negro slavery ; the service of the negro was changed into a compulsory apprenticeship for a limited time, and a com- pensation of twenty millions sterling was granted to the pro- prietors of the slaves. 7. Notwithstanding the importance and value of these changes, the reformed parliament was far from satisfying the expectations which had been rather too sanguinely formed by the people. Some dissatisfaction was expressed at the limited amount of the reductions of taxation, the continuance of the corn laws, and of military flogging, and the impress- ment of seamen. It was also suspected that the cabinet was itself divided on more than one question of public policy. 8. In the United States some discussions arose, in which WILLIAM IV. 449 the interests of England, as a commercial country, were ma* terially involved. The tariff sanctioned by congress, im- posing heavy duties on the import of manufactured goods, was strenuously opposed by the southern states, especially the Carolinas, and an appeal to arms was' threatened. With some difficulty a compromise was effected, but the attack thus made on the permanance of the union is still felt in America. The hostility of the American president to the banking system, induced him to withdraw the public de- posites from the bank of the United States, and a violent shock was thus given to commercial credit, which produced injurious results on both sides of the Atlantic. 9. The agitation in Ireland for the repeal of the union was continued during the recess ,* and soon after the meeting of parliament, Mr. O'Connell introduced the subject into the house of commons. His motion was rejected by a majority of five hundred and twenty against fifty-eight, but at the same time parliament pledged itself " to remove all just cause of complaint, to promote all well-considered measures of improvement." But on the nature of these measures the cabinet was divided, and the majority having evinced a dis- position to appropriate the surplus ecclesiastical revenues to secular purposes of general utility, the earl of Ripon, the duke of Richmond, Mr. Stanley, and sir James Graham, re* signed their offices. Their places were soon supplied, bu the changes were very distasteful to the house of lords, and the new Irish tithe-bill was rejected by a decisive majority. 10. Another Irish question led to further changes in the ministry. In the discussion on the renewal of the coercion bill, it appeared that some members had agreed to certain compromises with its opponents of which their colleagues were ignorant. The disclosure of these negotiations led to the resignation of lords Althorp and Grey, the former of whom, however, returned to the office when lord Melbourne was appointed premier. These ministerial dissensions and the opposite views of the majorities in the houses of lords and commorfs, greatly impeded the progress of legislation ; almost the only important measure of the session was a bill for the reform of the poor-laws, which, though it effected very great changes, was not much connected with party politics. 11. The anomalous position of the government gave general dissatisfaction ; the cabinet was assailed with equal violence by the conservatives and the extreme section of the 2p2 450 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. reformers, and the king soon began to show that he was by no means satisfied with the conduct of his ministers, espe- cially the lord chancellor, who, during a tour in Scotland, had made some inconsistent and extraordinary speeches at various public meetings. On the death of earl Spencer, lord Althorp was obliged to vacate his office of chancellor of the exchequer, and the king took this opportunity of dismissing the Melbourne administration. Sir Robert Peel was appoint- ed premier, but as he was absent on the continent, the duke of Wellington undertook the management of public affairs till his return. 12. After sir Robert Peel's return, and the formation of his cabinet, the parliament was dissolved, and a new election brought the strength of parties to a very severe test. In England the partizans of sir Robert Peel's administration had a small majority ; but in Ireland, an unfortunate affray at Rathcormack, arising from an attempt to enforce the pay- ment of tithes, so exasperated the catholic population, that the ministerial candidates were almost everywhere unsuc- cessful. When the parliament assembled, the ministers were beaten at the very outset in the choice of a speaker ; Mr. Abercromby, the opposition candidate, having been preferred to the ministerial candidate, sir Charles Sutton, by a majority of ten. Several other motions were decided against the ministers, but none that involved a necessity for resignation, until lord John Russell proposed a resolution, that any mea- sure introduced regarding Irish tithes should be founded on the principle of appropriating the surplus revenue to purposes of general utility. The motion was carried by a majority of twenty-three ; sir Robert Peel and his colleagues immediately resigned, and the Melbourne cabinet was restored, with the remarkable exception of lord Brougham, whose place, as chancellor, was supplied by lord Cottenham. 13. A bill for reforming the corporations of England, founded on the report of commissioners appointed to investi- gate the condition of these bodies, was immediately intro- duced by the Melbourne administration, and passed without difficulty through the house of commons. Some important changes were made in the measure during its progress through the house of lords, but the ministers deemed it better to accept these modifications than to risk the loss of the bill. A law for regulating the marriages of dissenters was also passed by both houses, but the ministerial measures for regu- lating the Irish church were again rejected by the house of lords. WILLIAM IV. 451 14. The state of Canada began to occupy a large share of public attention during the latter part of the session ; the colonial house of assembly opposed the measures of govern- ment, and went to the extreme of withholding the supplies. Commissioners were sent to arrange these differences, but the Canadians of French descent made claims, not only in- consistent with the continuance of British dominion, but with the fair claims to protection of the British emigrants who had settled in the country, and their demands were conse- quently rejected. 15. During the struggle between the nicely balanced par- ties in England, the aspect of continental affairs was favour- able to the continuance of peace. An attempt was made on the life of the king of the French, and various plots were formed by enthusiastic republicans to effect a revolution, but the friends of order rallied round the throne, and the only re- sult of these attacks was to increase the strength of the government. Spain was distracted by the horrors of a dis- puted succession. A little before the death of Ferdinand VII., the Salic law, which had been introduced by the Bour- bon dynasty, was set aside in favour of that monarch's infant daughter ; and she succeeded to the throne after her father's decease (1833). Don Carlos and his partizans protested against this arrangement, and they took advantage of the unpopularity of the regent to kindle the flames of civil war. To prevent the necessity of again returning to this subject, we may mention here that this war still continues ; that the queen regent, though aided by a British auxiliary legion, has failed to establish her authority over the northern provinces, and that so completely disorganized is the entire condition of society in the peninsula, that there is no present prospect of its being speedily restored to a state of order and settled gov- ernment. Though the civil war in Portugal has not been renewed, the country continues to be distracted by contests between rival parties, whose struggles are too often decided by open force rather than constitutional means. 16. The commencement of the parliamentary session in 1836, showed that the differences between the majority of the lords and the majority of the commons were far from being reconciled. They were at issue principally on the line of policy that ought to be pursued towards Ireland, and on the measures for regulating the established church in Eng- land and Ireland. It was proposed that the Irish corporations should be reformed according to the plan which, in the pre- 452 HISTORY OP ENGLAND. ceding year, had been adopted for similar bodies in England, and a bill embodying this principle received the sanction of the lower house ; the lords, however, insisted that the state of society in Ireland was such that municipal institutions were not adapted to that country, and resolved that the cor- porations should be altogether abolished : to this amendment the commons refused to agree, and the bill was consequently lost. A similar fate awaited the Irish tithe-bill; the lords rejected the appropriation clause, and the commons would not accept the measure without it. Laws, however, were passed for the commutation of tithes in England, for the re- gistration of births, deaths, and marriages, and for regula- ting episcopal sees, the opposing parties having each yielded a little to ensure unanimity. 17. In Upper Canada the refractory house of assembly was dissolved, and at the new election a majority of members favourable to the British government was returned. But in Lower Canada the demands of the French party were not only renewed but increased, and the governor, after a vain effort to conciliate the house of assembly, put an end to the session. 18. In America the progress of the contest between Presi- dent Jackson and the Bank of the United States, greatly em- barrassed all commercial transactions. In spite of all legis- lative prohibitions, the country was inundated by an over issue of paper money, and the government, to check the evil, decreed that specie alone should be received in payment for public lands. The small notes were immediately depre- ciated ; several banks failed, and many of the leading mer- chants and traders were unable to discharge their engage- ments. The crisis was sensibly felt in England, where it greatly checked the speculation in rail-roads, which were beginning to be carried to a perilous extent ; the manufac- turing districts suffered most severely from the temporary pressure; but the crisis was soon over, and trade again flowed in its accustomed channels. 19. The parliamentary session of 1837 produced few measures of importance ; on Irish measures the houses maintained their opposite opinions, and of course nothing was done ; in matters of ecclesiastical policy the result was precisely the same ; the only matter in which there was any appearance of unanimity, was in the adoption of resolutions for administering the government of Lower Canada in oppo- sition to the refractory house of assembly. A gloom was VICTORIA. 453 thrown over these and other discussions by the increasing illness of the king, whose disease at an early period prog- nosticated its fatal termination. His majesty died on the morning of the 20th of June, sincerely regretted by every class of his subjects. During his reign of nearly seven years, the nation enjoyed tranquillity both at home and abroad ; it was the only reign in the annals of England during which there was no execution for treason and no foreign war. Questions for Examination. 1. What was the condition of France after the Revolution ? 2. Did any civil war arise in Portugal ? 3. How was Turkey forced into dependence on Russia ? 4. What was the state of parties in the first reformed parliament ? 5. To what measure of domestic policy was the attention of parliament directed ? 6. What change was made in the East and West India colonies ? • 7. Did the reformed parliament satisfy expectations ? 8. To what dangers was the American union exposed ? 9. On what questions was lord Grey's cabinet divided ? 10. What circumstances led to further changes in the ministry? 11. On what occasion was the Melbourne cabinet dissolved? 12. How was sir Robert Peel compelled to resign ? 13._ With what measures did the Melbourne ministry succeed? 14. In what condition was Canada ? 15. Can you state the circumstances of the civil war in Spain ? 16. On what subjects were the majorities of the lords and commons at variance ? 17. What was the progress of Canadian discontent ? 18. What commercial crisis occurred in America ? 19. Why was the session of 1837 unproductive of important events? CHAPTER XXXIX. VICTORIA. Born 1819. Began to reign 1837. They decked her courtly halls — They reined her hundred steeds ;- They shouted at her palace gate, A noble queen succeeds. - Anon. Victoria, the only daugher of Edward, duke of Kent, succeeded her late uncle, and her accession to the throne was hailed with more than ordinary enthusiasm. All parties vied with each other in testifying their affectionate allegiance to their youthful sovereign, called at the early age of eigh- 454 HISTORY OP ENGLAND. teen to rule over the destinies of a mighty empire. The formal business of parliament was completed with all possi- ble despatch, and at the close of the session the parliament was dissolved. Although there was a keen trial of strength between the rival political parties, the elections were un- usually tranquil ; and at their close it appeared that the triumphs of the opposing parties were very nearly balanced. Public attention was next directed to the preparations made for entertaining her majesty at a civic banquet on the 9th of November. They were on a scale of unrivalled magnifi- cence, and her majesty's procession to the Guild-hall was one of the most pleasing pageants ever displayed in England. No change was made in the cabinet ; and when parliament assembled towards the close of the year, it appeared that the ministers retained their majority in the house of commons, and that the opposition to them in the house of lords had become more moderate. The state of Lower Canada was one of the most pressing subjects for the consideration of the legislature ; the opponents of the government had taken up arms, and raised the standard of rebellion. But it soon ap- peared that their measures were ill-concerted ; after a brief struggle, most of the leaders abandoned their followers and sought shelter in the United States. Immediately after the reassembling of parliament in January, 1838, measures were introduced for the temporary government of Canada, its constitution having been suspended by the revolt ; and the earl of Durham was appointed governor of all the British colonies in North America, with power, as lord commissioner, to arrange the differences between her majesty's government and her discontented subjects. At present everything seems to promise a long and prosperous reign. The desultory war in Spain does not seem likely to disturb the general tranquil- lity of Europe, and the increasing facilities of national in- tercourse, together with the growing diffusion of intelligence, have led the rulers and the people on the continent to set a higher value on the blessings of peace. At home, the rancour of party violence has sensibly abated ; the internal improve- ments of the country, especially its rail-roads, are making rapid progress ; manufactories are springing up, which would astonish our ancestors, could they return to the places which were once their homes ; and our ships in constantly increas- ing numbers visit every region, spreading civilization wher- ever they go, and making us more and more acquainted with the features and products of our planet. PROGRESS OF LITERATURE, SCIENCE, ETC. 455 CHAPTER XL. SKETCH OF THE PROGRESS OF LITERATURE, SCIENCE, AND THE ARTS, DURING THE PRESENT CENTURY. Calmly they show us mankind victorious O'er all that 'b aimless, blind, and base ; Their presence has made our nature glorious, Unveiling our night's illumined face. — Sterling. 1. In the middle of the last century, science and literature in England were fast losing all traces of originality ; inven- tion was discouraged, research unvalued, and the examina- tion of nature proscribed ; it seemed to be generally estab- lished, that the treasures accumulated in the preceding age, were quite sufficient for all national purposes, and that the only duty which authors had to perform, was to reproduce what had been thus accumulated, in a more elegant shape, adorned with all the graces of polished style. Tameness and monotony naturally result from a slavish adherence to es- tablished rules, and every branch of literature felt this blight- ing influence : history, perhaps, was in some degree an ex- ception ; for Hume, Robertson, but more especially Gibbon, exhibited a spirit of original investigation which found no parallel amongst their contemporaries. 2. The American war first broke the chains that had thus fettered the public mind ; passions were excited, party zeal kindled, and in the keen encounters of rival statesmen, an example was set of bidding defiance to all arbitrary rules. Parliamentary elo- quence was the first result of the change, and the principal cause of its further extension. While Burke, Fox, Sheridan, and at a later period, Pitt, spoke as their peculiar habits of thought prompted them, not as the rhetoric of schools taught, Cowper and Burns made vigorous efforts for the emancipa- tion of poetry, and substituted the suggestions of nature for the dictates of art. Their success, however, would scarcely have been decisive, had not the American war been followed by a still more terrible convulsion. 3. The French revolu- tion shook everything that had been morally as well as poli- tically established in Europe, to the very foundation. There was no principle, however sacred — no institution, however sanctioned by long experience — no rule of conduct, however' tried and proved — that was not rudely questioned and fiercely assailed. Hopes were entertained by some, that a new era of social happiness was about, to dawn upon the world ; others feared that society was about to be rent in sunder, and 456 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. every sign of civilization destroyed. It is not our purpose to say anything of the political effects produced by the French revolution ; its literary consequences, as has been the case with every period of great excitement, were de- cidedly beneficial. A total change was wrought in every branch of literature, a change which demanded from every writer vigorous thought instead of elegant expression. 4. Oabbe, the poet of rustic life in England, derived his im- pulse from the American war ; but it is to the struggle with France that we owe Coleridge, Wordsworth, and Southey — men alike in their devotion to nature, but different in their modes of testifying that homage, because each has followed the bent of his own mode of thought. The enthusiasm with which these eminent poets hailed the dawn of freedom in France, embittered their disappointment, when they saw the evil uses to which the name of liberty was perverted ; they became vehement opponents of the political developement of the French revolution, but they clung fondly to its intellec- tual principles, and maintained the right of genius to explore untravelled paths, though its course might not be that pointed out by critics. Their example was followed by Montgomery, Byron, Scott, and Campbell ; and by a host of other writers whose works have enriched modern literature. The female mind also felt the influence of this mighty revolution, and some of the noblest productions in modern poetry have been written by ladies. We may mention the names of Miss Joanna Bailie, and Mrs. Hemans. 5. There was, however, one species of poetry, the drama, which had little or no share in the success which we have described ; in fact, it was almost destroyed by that very means. It is at the moment when a nation is wakening into intellectual life, that the drama most flourishes ; men are then eager to receive instruction, and the theatre affords it in the most pleasing as well as the most forcible form. But as civilization advances, other and more efficient means of in- struction are provided ; the drama loses its influence over the improved generation, just as the picture-books of childhood cease to be valued in youth ; it sinks into a mere means of entertainment, and its strength is lost with its high purpose. The periodical press now holds the position that the stage did in the time of queen Elizabeth : that the drama might ad- vance, it would be necessary for civilization to retrograde, and that would be far too high a price to pay even for ano- ther Shakspeare. PROGRESS OF LITERATURE, SCIENCE, ETC. 457 6. The great extension and excellence of our periodical press, both literary and political, is one of the most striking characteristics of the age. Not merely the Reviews and Magazines, but even the common newspapers, display literary merits of a very high order. Men of the most eminent abilities and exalted stations, contribute to our journals ; and they consequently hold a high rank in the literature of the age. Reviews, especially, have risen into unexampled emi- nence, and have maintained their stations by a succession of articles that tend at once to improve the taste and enlarge the understanding. Some of the periodicals have a circulation which, in a past age, would not have been credited ; this is owing to the more general diffusion of education among all classes. 7. The importance of affording useful instruction to every class of the community, is now universally acknowledged ; and the progress of education has become so rapid, that there is every prospect that its blessings will soon become univer- sal. And not only is the quantity of instruction increased, but its quality is greatly improved, as might easily be shown by a comparison of our present school-books with those of the last century. It is no exaggeration to state, that the ele- ments of a really useful education, may be more easily at- tained by the poor of the present day, than by the richest of past generations. 8. History, which used to be a mere repetition of what had been previously narrated by others, has called criticism to its aid. Instead of a slavish adherence to authority, we now see writers carefully examine facts, compare evidence, and investigate the motives which might have led original authors to conceal or disguise the truth. Lingard, Hallarn, Turner, Southey, and Sir James Mackintosh, have been especially conspicuous for their critical sagacity, in eliciting the truth from conflicting statements ; but, notwithstanding their exer- tions, the English school of historical criticism may still be regarded as in its infancy. 9. Perhaps we may ascribe this deficiency in our histories to the unexampled progress and popularity of romantic litera- ture, owing chiefly to the labours of Sir Walter Scott, who was among the first to unite, in works of fiction, the highest flights of imagination with the realities of life. Novels and romances have ceased to be dangerous and absurd, though they were both, in a period not very remote. Historical ro- mances are to this age, what the historical plays of Shaks- 2a 458 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. peare were to a former period : — vivid pictures of our ances- tors; representing them, if not exactly as they thought and acted, yet so nearly what they might have been, that they become to us a kind of acquaintances, and seem brought within the sphere of our personal knowledge. 10. Periodical criticism supplies the place of what used to be termed general literature : hence formal works on mental and moral philosophy and the belles lettres are rare. Blair and lord Karnes were the guides of our fathers in matters of taste ; we have rejected their authority, and defer more to the principles maintained by the leading Reviews. These princi- ples, however, are scattered in different essays over a multi- tude of volumes, and no one has yet appeared of sufficient authority to be entrusted with the task of collecting them into a new code. 11. Reid, Stewart, and Brown, were th* last great writers on metaphysics ; their fame will probably long remain uneclipsed, for the science of mind seems to hava lost its hold on public attention, as indeed have almost al\ merely speculative studies. What is chiefly desired in the present day, is something practical and immediately useful. 12. Political economy and statistics have occupied the po- sition which was once held by metaphysics. Adam Smith was in some measure the founder of the former science, from his investigating the nature and causes of a nation's wealth. Since his day, the subject has engaged the atten- tion of several eminent writers, especially Ricardo, Malthus, and Macculloch. The cultivation of statistics must be the source of all future improvement in the science of political economy, because it is to the table of the statistician that the economist must look for his facts ; and all speculations not founded upon facts, though they may be admired and ap- plauded when first propounded, will, in the end, assuredly be forgotten. 13. The abstract sciences have made great progress in England during the last few years ; principally owing to the great exertions of Airy, Ivory, Peacock, and Hamilton, who have greatly extended the domain of mathematical calcula- tion. In the mixed and applied sciences, also, much has been done, though no very conspicuous discovery can be mentioned. 14. Astronomy owes much to the great im- pulse it has received from the discovery of a new planet by Sir William Herschell, and it has not been less benefitted by the labours of his son and successor, Sir John Herschell, whose investigations into the nature of the displacements PROGRESS OP LITERATURE, SCIENCE, ETC. 459 observed among the fixed stars, have led to many, and will lead to more important results. The science of optics has become almost wholly new, from the improvements effected by Sir David Brewster and Dr. Young. But above all, dy- namics have been enriched by a series of discoveries, amount- ing to a complete revolution in our knowledge of motive powers ; it will be sufficient to mention one of these, the ap- plication of steam to machinery. 15. Chemistry, electricity, and electro-magnetism, may be almost regarded as new sciences, in consequence of the numerous discoveries of Davy, Dalton, and Farraday. It would be impossible to enumerate all the practical advan- tages that have resulted from the improvements in chemical science ; but we may mention the use of gas to light our cities and public buildings, and the invention of the safety- lamp, by which the dangers to be dreaded from the explosion of the fire-damp in mines have been in a great degree averted. 16. The progress of maritime and inland discovery was very great during the early part of ihe reign of George III. ; it has since made less advance, because the first navigators left little for their successors to explore. The interior of Africa has, however, at length been penetrated by the Lan- ders, and Burnes has found a practicable route from the Bri- tish possessions in Northern India to central Asia. The value of these researches has been fully proved by the fact that many of the places discovered in the reign of George III. by Cooke, Wallis, Carteret, Vancouver, &c, have al- ready become colonies, or valuable dep6ts of British com- merce. 17. Only one speculative science, it seems, has enjoyed popularity — we mean geology ; perhaps part of its success is owing to its connection with the practical science of min- eralogy. Geology makes us acquainted with so many sin- gular facts tending to prove that the world was once tenanted by a race of beings different from those now found in it, that we cannot be surprised at the delight with which it is studied. Indeed a much less agreeable subject might become popular, if recommended by men of such ability as Cony- beare, Smith, Buckland, Sedgwick, Mantell, and Lyell. 18. Physiology, anatomy, and natural history, have re- ceived very remarkable improvements. Hunter's example has stimulated many to exert themselves in the same field of science ; and the result has been a perceptible increase of 460 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. the average duration of human life. The investigation of the nervous system by Sir Charles Bell, is among the most recent and brilliant of the additions that have been made to the medical science. 19. Statistical science may almost be regarded as the creation of this age. The word statistics was invented in the middle of the last century by a German professor, to ex- press a summary view of the physical, moral, and social condition of states ; he justly remarked, that a numerical statement of the extent, density of population, imports, ex- ports, revenues, &c, of a country, more perfectly explained its social condition than general statements, however graphic or however accurate. When such statements began to be collected, and exhibited in a popular form, it was soon dis- covered that the political and economical sciences were likely to gain the position of physical sciences ; that is to say, they were about to obtain records of observation, which would test the accuracy of recognized principles, and lead to the discovery of new modes of action. But the great object of this new science is to lead to the knowledge of human na- ture ; that is, to ascertain the general course of operation of man's mental and moral faculties, and to furnish us with a correct standard of judgment, by enabling us to determine the average amount of the past as a guide to the average probabilities of the future. This science is yet in its infancy, but has already produced the most beneficial effects. The accuracy of the tables of life have rendered the calculations of rates of insurance a matter of much greater certainty than they were heretofore ; the system of keeping the public accounts has been simplified and improved ; and finally, the experimental sciences of medicine and political economy, have been fixed on a firmer foundation than could be antici- pated in the last century. Even in private life this science is likely to prove of immense advantage, by directing atten- tion to the collection and registration of facts, and thus pre- venting the formation of hasty judgments and erroneous con- clusions. 20. Political economy, though an older science than sta- tistics, must be regarded as intimately connected with that branch of knowledge. Its object is to ascertain the laws which regulate the distribution of wealth, and the relation of demand and supply in the production and consumption of both natural and artificial commodities. Such a science is consequently of the highest importance to a commercial and PROGRESS OF LITERATURE, SCIENCE, ETC. 461 manufacturing community ; and the increased attention paid to it of late years has led to a removal of many severe re- strictions, which, under a false notion of protection, were imposed on British trade. At first political economy was regarded with great suspicion, being looked upon as one of those idle speculations which, under the false designation of social sciences, were broached in France during the frenzy of the revolution, at the close of the last century. But its importance is now so fully recognized, that professorships of the new science have been established in the principal uni- versities. 21. Even in this slight sketch it would be unpardonable not to mention the great, the almost miraculous increase of machinery in our manufactories; an increase consequent upon the cultivation of the sciences and their practical application. The use of steamboats, of locomotive engines, and of count- less machines for superseding manual labour, has placed Bri- tain far in advance of all other manufacturing countries, and proportionably increased the comforts of every class of the community. 22. Great as the progress of British industry, arts, and sciences was, under the three preceding reigns, it has recently received a new impulse by the formation of the British Asso- ciation for the promotion of science, which promises to pro- duce the most beneficial results. The meetings of this society are held annually at some one or other of the great towns of the empire : its objects are, to give a stronger impulse and more systematic direction to scientific enquiry; to promote the intercourse of those who cultivate science in the different parts of the British empire, with each other, and with foreign philosophers ; to obtain a more general attention to the objects of science, and a removal of any disadvantages of a public kind which might impede its progress. The Association has had a meeting in each of the following places : York, Oxford, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Dublin, Bristol, and Liver- pool. It is divided into seven sections : 1 , Mathematics and Physics; 2, Chemistry and Mineralogy; 3, Zoology and Botany ; 4, Anatomy and Physiology ; 5, Geology ; 6, Sta- tistics; and 7, Mechanical Science. In all these departments, but especially the two last, the greatest benefits have resulted from bringing practical men into immediate contact with the theoretical cultivators of science. Magnetical observatories have been established in consequence in various parts of the empire, and several series of observations have been made, 2q2 462 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. to determine the direction and intensity of the magnetic force. The attention of the Association has also been directed to experiments tending to illustrate the nature of the connexion between electricity and magnetism ; and since its formation meteorology has been so extended as to become a new science. The attention of the statistical section has been recently directed to the state of public education, and to the condition of the working classes, both in the manufacturing and agri- cultural districts. It is to be hoped that these investigations will point out the evils which require to be remedied, and the means by which the constitution of society in Great Britain may be elevated and improved. 23. Turning from the useful to the elegant arts, we must first remark the great revival of architectural taste during the last two reigns, especially as displayed in the many im- provements of the metropolis. Inconvenient and narrow passages have been removed to make room for Regent Street, one of the finest lines of communication in Europe; the Regent's Park and the new squares in Pimlico, occupy spaces which were recently unsightly wastes ; and the Strand, from being an inconvenient thoroughfare, has been widened into a street which for its beauty, combined with its adaptation to business, has few, if any rivals. The erection of those two magnificent structures, Waterloo and London bridges, has led to the opening of new lines of communication, which promise to be equally ornamental and useful. Recent cala- mities have also given an impulse to architectural skill ; the destruction of both houses of Parliament and the Royal Ex- change by fire, have rendered the erection of new edifices necessary ; and judging from the excellence of the designs which have been tendered for the erection of new houses for the legislature, there is every reason to believe that the new building will be worthy of an enlightened age and nation. 24. Though painting and sculpture have not been unpa- tronized, it must be confessed that they have not advanced with the same rapidity and steadiness as the other arts, though England possesses professors of both who deserve to be ranked among the ornaments of their country. Many causes may be assigned for this inferiority, but the principal is the dis- continuance of the use of pictures and statues for religious pur- poses since the time of the Reformation. Notwithstanding this disadvantage, however, the English school of art has recently made such great advances, that it bids fair at no distant day to rank as the first in Europe. The National Gallery, which PROGRESS OF LITERATURE, SCIENCE, ETC. 463 has been recently completed in Trafalgar Square, will pro- bably be found one of the best aids to the encouragement of excellence in statuary and painting, and to the formation of the public taste for appreciating the beauties of art. 25. The great additions made to the British Museum, and the freedom with which its treasures are opened to the public, must tend greatly to inspire a taste for contemplating the wonders of nature and art. The department of Natural History must be taken in connexion with the Zoological Gardens, which have been recently established, not only in the metropolis, but in the various parts of the empire : thus viewed, it is unrivalled in the world. The Elgin marbles contain specimens of Athenian sculpture, belonging to an age when that art had attained the summit of its glory, and though unfortunately mutilated, they furnish models to the young aspirants, which cannot be studied without the most advanta- geous results. In the gallery of Egyptian antiquities, the historical student has an opportunity of seeing the advances made in civilization by a powerful nation three thousand years ago, and for consulting the strongest evidences of the truth of Biblical History. 26. In this rapid view of literature, science, and the arts, space has only allowed the mention of a few leading features ; but there is one circumstance more, too important to be omitted : the growing and marked connexion between reli- gion and every department in which human intelligence is exercised. The discoveries of the traveller are combined with the labours of the missionary ; the studies of the natu- ralist are directed to elucidate the wonders of creative power; our best poets have dedicated no small portion of their works to celebrating the praises of their God ; and in other depart- ments of literature few traces can be found of the levity, the profaneness, and the sneers at things sacred, which so often sullied the writings of the past generation. It is now deeply felt and strongly enforced, that all researches, whether mental or material, directly tend to give new proofs of the power, the wisdom, and the beneficence of that Almighty Being who has called into existence, and so wonderfully adapted to each other, the universe of matter and the universe of mind. 27. But it is not in reference to England alone that this beneficial change in the character of our national literature, demands our thankfulness and admiration. The language of England girdles the globe ; it is spoken in every climate and 464 HISTORY OP ENGLAND. every quarter of the earth ; her colonies are laying the foun* dations of future states ; the descendants of her colonies have already become one of the foremost nations in rank and influence. England has thus obtained great influence in the future progress of civilization, and on her is thrown the responsibility of moulding the character of countless gene- rations. While we thus perceive that she has been called by the dispensation of Providence to fulfil a high destiny, we should at the same time feel how important is the trust, and earnestly desire that its performance should be such as to promote the honour of God and the welfare of mankind, establishing everywhere the principles announced at the ad- vent of our blessed Redeemer, " Peace on earth, good will towards men." Questions for Examination. 1. In what state was British literature about the middle of the last century ? 2. By what political event was a change effected ? 3. What consequences resulted from the French revolution f 4. Were these effects exhibited in our poetical literature ? 5. How did the drama fail to share in the general improvement ? 6. What circumstances connected with the periodical press are pecu- liarly characteristic of the present age ? 7. Has much been effected for the cause of national education ? 8. Are histories written in the present day remarkable for anything that was rare in the last century ? 9. What branch of literature has flourished to the probable injury of history ? 10. Why are works on general literature rare ? 11. Have metaphysics received much attention ? 12. What advantages may result from the cultivation of political economy and statistics ? 13. Have any advances been made in the mathematical sciences ? 14. What improvements have been effected in the physical sciences ? 15. Have any sciences been so much improved that they may almost be regarded as new ? 16. What advantages have resulted from the progress of maritime and inland discovery ? 17. Why has geology become popular ? 18. Did the medical sciences share in the general improvement ? 19. What are the nature and objects of Statistical Science ? 20. In what condition is the new science of Political Economy ? 21. What great inventions have been made in the useful arts? 22. What is the design of the British Association ? 23. Have any improvements been made in architecture ? 24. What are the present state and future prospects of painting and sculpture ? 25. What benefits result from the British Museum ? 26. Is there any circumstance peculiarly gratifying in the view of mod- ern literature ? 27. What is there peculiarly important in the present condition of England ? THE BRITISH CONSTITUTION. 465 CHAPTER XLI. THE BRITISH CONSTITUTION. 1. Every government is instituted to secure the general happiness of the community, and especially to protect the person and property of every individual. Constitutions are established to ensure the good administration of the govern- ment, by giving the people some direct or indirect control over their rulers, and also a share in the formation of the laws. 2. The British constitution differs from most others in its formation ; it was formed very gradually, checks against the abuses of power were not devised until the evils were actually felt, and consequently its details, though some- times cumbrous, and perhaps inconsistent, are the results of long experience, and have been rendered by old habits ex- actly suited to the peculiar circumstances of the nation. 3. The government established in England by the Nor- man conqueror was a feudal despotism ; the land was divi- ded into fiefs, which were for the most part given to 'the Nor- man lords or barons, who were invested with absolute power over the lives and fortunes of their vassals. There were no written limitations to the power of the king over the barons ; but, Henry I., eager to secure partizans in his usurpation of the crown from his brother Robert, granted a charter of pri- vileges to his nobility, which contained also a few stipula- tions in favour of the great body of the people. 4. The conditions of this charter were flagrantly violated, until at length, in the reign of John, the barons, with a powerful body of their adherents, appeared in arms against the king, and forced him to sign Magna Charta, the great foundation of English liberty. Though this charter was principally de- signed to protect the nobles from the encroachments of royal power, it contained some important provisions in favour of general liberty ; a clear proof of the growing power of the commons. 5. When the importance of commerce began to be under- stood, it was found necessary to secure the trading towns and communities from the exactions of their powerful neighbours, for in the middle ages piracy and highway robbery were deemed honourable professions by most of the feudal nobles in Europe. To protect trade, charters of incorporations were 466 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. granted to several cities and towns, by which they were re- leased from dependence on a feudal, lord, and permitted to enjoy a government of their own choosing. A gradual change took place through the country in consequence of the adventurous and reckless spirits of the Norman barons ; some sold their # fiefs to raise money for joining the crusades, others wasted them by piecemeal to support their riot and dissipation, and thus from various causes a body of small landholders began to be formed, independent of the great barons, and looking to the crown for protection against them. 6. When the earl of Leicester took up arms to re- strain the capricious tyranny of Henry III., he summoned a parliament to sanction his designs, and that the voice of the nation might be more clearly expressed, he invited the coun- ties to elect knights of the shire, and the cities and towns to send deputies, to aid in these consultations. This appears to have been the first attempt to form a house of commons ; but the origin and early progress of that branch of the legis- lature is involved in great, not to say hopeless obscurity. 7. The commons were generally courted by the king as a counterbalance to the power of the nobility ; until the civil wars between the rival nouses of York and Lancaster, hav- ing thinned the ranks of the barons, extinguished many noble houses, and almost annihilated the influence of the rest, the royal power became supreme, and so continued during the reigns of the four sovereigns of the house of Tudor. 8. But the commons during this period had been silently collecting their strength, and on the accession of James I. they insisted on their privileges with a pertinacy, which led to a long struggle between the king and the parlia- ment. In this contest the majority of the house of lords, which had been reinforced by the elevation to the peerage of some of the heads of the old English families, espoused the cause of the commons. At length Charles I. was coerced into granting the petition of right, which secured many valu- able constitutional privileges to the people. But passions had been excited in the struggle which brought on a civil war, that ended in the overthrow of the monarchy. 9. During the reign of Charles II. the celebrated habeas corpus was passed, by which personal liberty is secured to the subject ; but the perfection of the British constitution was completed in 1688, when James II. was hurled from the throne for his arbitrary principles, the right of parliament to regulate the succession to the crown established, and the THE BRITISH CONSTITUTION. 467 liberties of the people secured by the Bill of Rights, and the Act of Settlement. 10. Since that period no important change was made in the constitution until the passing of the recent Reform Bill, by which the decayed and deserted boroughs have lost their right of sending members to parlia- ment, and the privilege has been transferred to the larger counties and more important towns. 11. The legislative power of England is placed in the par- liament, which consists of three parts, the king, (or queen), the lords, and the commons. 12. The crown of England is hereditary, but parliament has a right to alter the line of succession. After the abdi- cation of James II., the right of succession was limited to protestants, and on the impending failure of protestant heirs to Charles I., the settlement was extended to the protestant line of James I., viz. to the princess Sophia of Hanover, and the heirs of her body being protestants. The present reign- ing family is descended from the princess Sophia, and holds the throne in right of her parliamentary title. 13. The duties of the sovereign are described in the coro- nation oath ; they are, first, to govern according to law ; secondly, to execute judgment in mercy ; and thirdly, to maintain the established religion. 14. The prerogatives of the king, by which is meant those privileges which belong to him in consequence of his high station and dignity, are either direct or incidental. The chief of his direct prerogatives are, the power of making war and peace ; of sending and receiving ambassadors ; of pardoning offences ; of conferring honours and titles of dignity ; of appointing judges and sub- ordinate magistrates ; of giving or revoking commissions in the army or navy ; and of rejecting bills proffered to him by the other branches of the legislature. He is the head of the national church, and nominates to vacant bishoprics and other ecclesiastical preferments. 15. But the king can only exercise his prerogatives through ministers, who are responsible to the nation for every act emanating from royal authority. Hence arises the aphorism that " the king can do no wrong," his ministers being alone answerable. 16. The incidental prerogatives of the king are various ; a few alone need be mentioned : no costs can be recovered against him ; his debt shall be preferred before that of a subject ; no suit or action can be brought against, but any 468 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. person having a claim in point of property on the king must petition him in chancery. 17. There are certain privileges also conceded to the royal family : the queen retains her title and dignity even after the death of her husband : she has authority to buy and sell in her own name, and to remove any suit in which she is con- cerned to whatever court she pleases, without any of the usual legal formalities. The king's eldest son is by his birth prince of Wales, and by creation, duke of Cornwall and earl of Chester. All the king's children receive the title of royal highness. "18. The house of lords is sometimes called the upper house of parliament ; its members are either temporal peers, whose dignities are hereditary, or spiritual peers, who sit only for life. The Scottish representative peers sit only for one parliament, the Irish representative peers sit for life. A peer may vote by proxy; but each peer can only hold the proxy for one absent peer. The house of lords can alone originate any bills that affect the rights or privileges of the peerage and the commons are not permitted to make any al- terations in them. Peers can only be tried by the house of lords, and this house constitutes the court in which officers of state are tried on impeachment by the house of commons ; it is also the last court of appeal from inferior jurisdictions. Each peer may enter his protest on the journals when a vote passes contrary to his sentiments, and assign the reasons of his dissent in writing. When sitting in judgment his verdict is given " on his honour ;" the same form is observed in his answers on bills in chancery, but in civil and criminal cases he must be sworn. 19. The house of lords (A. D. 1836) consists of— Peers of Scotland 16 Princes of the blood royal, (all dukes) 4 Other dukes* 21 Marquesses 19 Earls 110 Viscounts 18 Barons 180 Peers of Ireland 28 English bishops 26 Irish bishops 4 Making in all . . 426 * The origin and other particulars relative to the different classes of the noYility. — Duke. — This title was unknown in England till the reign of Edward III., who, in 1335, created his son, Edward the Black prince, duke of Cornwall, (as before mentioned). Marquis. — Richard II., in 1835, conferred the title of marquis on Robert de Vere, earl of Oxford, by making him marquis of Dublin. This is supposed to be the origin of the title in England. Earl. — This is a very ancient title, having been in use among our Saxon ancestors. In those times it was an official dignity, having a THE BRITISH CONSTITUTION. 469 20. The house of commons consists of members chosen by counties, cities, boroughs, and universities. The mem- bers for counties, commonly called knights of the shire, must possess a real estate of 6001. a year, and members for cities or boroughs of 300Z. a year. The sons of peers and mem- bers for the universities are not required to produce these qualifications. 21. Aliens, clergymen, judges, returning officers in their respective jurisdictions, officers of the excise, &c, those who hold pensions of limited duration, contractors with gov- ernment, and some others exposed to external influence, are uneligible to parliament. 22. The right of voting for members of parliament is given by the late reform act to leaseholders in counties seised of lands or tenements worth ten pounds a year, to tenants at will, farming lands at a rent of fifty pounds a year, and to holders in fee-simple of lands or tenements of the yearly value of forty shillings. In cities and boroughs the right of voting is given to resident householders whose tenements are worth an annual rent of 10Z., but the rights of freemen in the old constituency are preserved for the term of their natural lives. 23. The house of commons contains — Irish county members . 64^ Universities . . . 2M05 Cities and boroughs . . 393 Making in all ... 658 English county members . 143"^ Universities 4 >471 Cities and boroughs . . 324J Welsh county members . 15? 2 q cities and boroughs 14 5 Scotch county members . 30 ) «« Cities and boroughs . .235 24. In order to understand the manner in which the public business is transacted in parliament, we insert a brief ac- count of the usual forms, and an explanation of the terms generally used. Discussions generally arise on a motion jurisdiction over the place from which the title took its name. Soon after the Norman conquest, we find that William created several earls, allot- ting to each the third penny arising from the pleas in their respective dis- tricts. That grant has, however, long since ceased, and in lieu of it the earls now receive a small annuity from the exchequer. Viscount. — The title of viscount is of much more recent date ; the first we read of being John Beaumont, who was created viscount Beau- mont by Henry VI. in the year 1439. Baron. — In English history we often find the word baron used to de- nominate the whole collective body of the nobility. When, after the Norman conquest, the Saxon title of Thane was disused, that of baron succeeded ; and being the lowest title among the nobles, was very gene- rally applied as the term lord is now ; with which, indeed, it appears to be synonymous. 2b 470 HISTORY OP ENGLAND. being made by a member, seconded by another, and then put from the chair in the shape of a question ; on each of these, every member is entitled to be heard once, but he may rise again to explain, and the member who originates a mo- tion is allowed to reply. 25. Committees are, first, those of the whole House, which may be to consider of certain resolutions, in respect to the nature of which considerable latitude prevails ; or the house resolves itself into such committee to consider the de- tails of a bill, the principle of which is never discussed unless on its several readings ; or there may be committees for financial purposes, as those of " supply," or " ways and means." Secondly, there are select committees, chosen by ballot or otherwise, for some specific purpose — the numbers composing such bodies seldom exceed twenty or thirty mem- bers : occasionally these are declared committees of secrecy. Thirdly, election committees, which are strictly judicial tri- bunals, and whose duty it is to try the merits of controverted elections — these are always chosen by ballot. Fourthly, committees on private bills. 26. When the whole house is in committee, the speaker vacates the chair, some other member is called on to preside, and he sits in the seat of the senior clerk. The mace is then placed under the table. For committees of supply and ways and means, there is a chairman, who receives a salary. 27. The prorogation of parliament is an act of the crown ; but either house may adjourn its sittings to the next or any future day, as of course it may adjourn any debate. Mo- tions of adjournment may be made at any time, and repeated at the pleasure of any member. 28. When a motion has been made upon which the House happens to be unwilling to come to a vote, there are formal modes of avoiding a decision, among which are passing " to the other orders," or moving " the previous question." The former means, that the house should — casting aside and taking no further notice of the matter then before it — pro- ceed to the other business appointed for that day ; the latter, that a vote be previously taken as to the expediency of their coming to any decision on the question raised. If " the pre- vious question" be decided in the negative, the motion on which it bears is only gotten rid of for the time, whereas a direct negative to the motion itself would be a proscription of it for the remainder of the session, as well as a denial of its principle. THE BRITISH CONSTITUTION. 471 29. With respect to a bill, moving that it " be read this day six months," is a mode of throwing it out without coming to an express declaration against the principle of the measure. 30. An acceptance of " the Chiltern hundreds" is a form which has now no other meaning than that the member ac- cepting resigns his seat. By an express act of parliament, no office having emolument attached, can be conferred by the crown on a member of the house of commons without his thereby vacating his seat, and it is only thus that a mem- ber can rid himself of the duties which any body of consti- tuents may impose even without his consent; the crown, therefore, as an accommodation to the house at large, is always ready to confer on any member " the stewardship of his majesty's Chiltern hundreds," which office, when it has served his purpose, he immediately resigns. 31. The king, we have already said, is the fountain of executive justice. Law, whether criminal or civil, however, is administered by the judges, who, with the exception of the lord chancellor, hold their places during good behaviour. No man can be tried for any offence until the grand jurors of his country have decided that there is reasonable ground for the accusation ; he is then given in charge to a jury of his equals, and their verdict is final. No man can be tried twice for the same offence, and when a person is convicted by a jury, there is no appeal but to the mercy of the king. 32. The administration of civil law could not be described within our narrow limits ; it must suffice therefore to state, that the civil and common law courts are open to every suitor, and that justice is freely administered to all, whatever may be their rank or station. Questions for Examination. 1. What is the use of a constitution ? 2. Whence arises the peculiar excellence of the British constitution ? 3. By whom was the first charter granted to the English people ? 4. What circumstances led to the concession of Magna Charta ? 5. Why were corporations established ? 6. What was the origin of the house of commons ? 7. Did the kings favour the house of commons ? 8. When did the authority of the king come into collision with the au- thority of parliament ? 9. What led to the revolution of 1688 ? 10. What change was made by the Reform Bill ? 11. Into what branches is the British legislature divided t 12. How is the inheritance of the crown regulated ? 13. Where are the king's duties prescribed ? 472 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 14. What are the king's direct prerogatives ? 15. How are these prerogatives exercised ? 16. What are the king's incidental prerogatives? 17. Are any privileges conceded to the royal family ? 18. Can you describe the privileges of the peerage ? 19. How are the members of the house of lords classed ? 20. What are the qualifications for a member of parliament ? 21. Are any persons excluded from the lower house of parliament ? 22. How is the right of voting for members of parliament regulated ? 23. How are the members of the house of commons classed ? 24. In what manner do discussions arise ? 25. Can you describe the committees of the house of commons ? 26. What form is used on going into committee ? 27. How does prorogation of parliament differ from adjournment ? 28. How does the house avoid coming to a decision ? 29. How may a bill be rejected without prejudice to the principle it in- volves ? 30. What is meant by accepting the Chiltern hundreds? 31. How is the criminal law administered ? 32. Has due provision been made for the administration of common and civil law ? APPENDIX. The following Tables are extracted from a very ingenious and valuable Engraving, entitled " HISTORY MADE EASY, or a Genealogical Chart of the Kings of England," by E. Reynard : to which we beg to refer the reader for further useful information. MONARCHS BEFORE THE CONQUEST. «5 No. MONARCHS. Egbert* Ethel wolf. ." Ethelbald Ethelbert Et helred 1. 1 Alfred! Edward the Elder Athelstan Edmund I. § Edred Edwy Edgar Edward IF Ethelred IF.|| Edmund Ironside II Sweyn Canute Harold I Hardicanute Edward III. or the Confessor Harold II., son of Godwin, earl of Kent Began to Reign. A. D. 827 857 872 901 925 940 946 955 959 975 978 1016 1014 1017 1036 1041 1066 Reigned Years. * Egbert descended from Cerdic, the first king of Wessex, a Saxon general, who, in the year A. D. 495, arrived in Britain. It is said in the Saxon annals, that he was descended from Woden, the root of the Saxon families ; and by his conquest which he made in Britain, he may be considered as one of the first founders of the English monarchy : the kings of England descend from him in the male line to Edward the Confessor, and in the female line to the illustrious princess who now site upon the throne. t Killed in battle against the Danes, in 871. X Introduced trial by jury, divided England into shires and hundreds, and founded the University of Oxford. § Was killed by Leolf, a notorious robber. J In 1014, Sweyn, king of Denmark, made himself master of England, and was crowned king: and Ethelred fled into Normandy. On the death of Sweyn, which happened in 1015, the crown was contested by Edmund Ironside, (the lawful suc- cessor of Ethelred), and Canute, the descendant of Sweyn, who at length agreed to divide the kingdom among them; but Edmund being murdered shortly after this treaty was entered into, Canute, (surnamed the Great) was declared king of all England in 1017. 2r2 ' 473 ) 474 APPENDIX MONARCHS SINCE THE CONQUEST. Ill V-5 §! ll £g 1 MONARCHS. William 1.4 William II. Henry I. .. . Stephenf • • Henry II. J Richard I. . John Henry III. Edward I. Edward II. Edward III. Richard II. Henry IV.§ Henry V. . Henry VI. Edward IV.||. Edward V. . . Richard III. . Henry VII.TT- Henry VIII. . Edward VI. Mary I. Elizabeth.., James I.** Charles I Charles II James II Will. III. & Mary II Anne 30 George I-tt 31 George II. . 32 George III. 33 George IV. 34 William IV. 35 I Victoria Began to Reign 1068 1087 1100 1135 1155 1189 1199 1216 1272 1307 1327 1377 1399 1413 1422 1461 1483 1483 1485 1509 1546 1553 1558 1603 1625 1661 1685 1689 1702 1714 1727 1760 1820 1830 1837 To whom married. When mar- ried. Matilda of Flanders (Never married) Matilda of Scotland Matilda of Bologne Eleanor of Guienne . . . Berengnella of Navarre. Earl Montague's daughter Avisa of Gloucester Isabella of Angouleme. . . Eleanor of Provence Eleanor of Castile Mary of France Isabella of France Philippa of Hainault .... Ann of Luxemburgh Isabella of France Mary Bohun , Joanna of Navarre . Catharine of France Margaret of Anjou . Elizabeth Woodville (Never married) .... Ann Nevill Elizabeth of York Catharine of Arragon . . A. Boleyn 31, J. Seymour Ann of Cleves, C. Howard Catharine Parr (Died young) Philip, king of Spain . . (Never married) Ann of Denmark Henrietta of France , Catharine of Portugal A. Hyde 1660, Mary Mod Mary, daugh. of James II. Geo. prince of Denmark Sophia of Zell Wilhelmina of Anspach . Charlotte of Meek. Strel. Caroline of Brunswick. ■ Adelaide of Saxe Mein . Albert of Saxe Gotha... Reign ed Years 1053 1135 1151 1191 1185 1189 1200 1236 1253 1299 1308 1328 1382 1317 1403 1420 1444 1465 1471 1486 1509 1536 1540 1543 1554 1589 1625 1662 1673 1683 1683 1681 1705 1761 1795 1818 1840 * Son of Robert, duke of Normandy. f Son of Adela and count of Blois : hence the House of Blois. + Son of Matilda and Geoffrey Plantagenet: hence the Plantagenet race. I Son of John of Gaunt, duke of Lancaster : hence the House of Lancaster. || Son of Richard, duke of York, lineally descended from Lionel, duke of Cla- rence, the second son of Edward the Third : hence the House of York. IT Was the son of Margaret and Edward Tudor. Margaret was a lineal de- scendant from John of Gaunt, duke of Lancaster : Edmund Tudor was the son of Owen Tudor, who married the widow of Henry V. : hence the House of Tudor. ** Son of Mary, queen of Scots, and Henry Stuart, lord Darnley : hence the race of Stuarts. ft Elector of Hanover : hence the race of Brunswick: APPENDIX. 475 DIVISION OF ENGLAND At the time of the Roman invasion. England, including Wales, was, at the invasion of the Romans, divided into the following seventeen states : Called by the Romans Consisting of 1. The Dammonii . . . .Cornwall and Devon. 2. Durotriges Dorsetshire. 3. Belg*: Somersetshire, Wilts, and part of Hants. 4 Attrebatii Berkshire. 5. Regni Surrey, Sussex, and remaining part of Hants. 6. Cantii Kent. 7. Dobuni Gloucester and Oxfordshire. 8. Cattieuchlani . . . Bucks, Bedford, and Herts. 9. Trinobantes Essex and Middlesex. 10. Iceni Suffolk, Norfolk, Huntingdon, aud Cambridge. 11. Coritani Northampton, Leicester, Rutland, Lincoln, Not- tingham and Derby. 12. Corn a vi Warwick, Worcester, Stafford, Chester, and Shropshire. 13. The Silures Radnor, Brecon, Glamorgan, Monmouth, and Hereford. 14. Demet^e Pembroke, Cardigan, and Caermarthen. 15. Ordovices Montgomery, Merioneth, Caernarvon, Flint, and Denbigh. 16. The Brigantes. . .York, Durham, Lancashire, Westmoreland, and Cumberland. 17. Ottadini .Northumberland to the Tweed. KINGS OF ENGLAND, From the invasion of Julius Ccesar to the departure of the Romans. anno, a c. 1. Cassi velaunus 83 2. Theomantius 50 3. Cymbeline 24 A.D. 4. Guiderius 45 5. Arviragus 73 A. D. 6. Marius 125 7. Coilua 179 8. Lucius 207 9. Severus (em.) .... 211 10. Bassianus 218 11. Carausius 225 12. Alectus 232 13. Asclepiodorus .... 262 14. Coilusll 289 15. Constantiusfem.). 310 16. Constantine (em.) 329 From the departure of the Romans till the introduction of the Saxons by Vortigern. A. D. 1 A. D. I A. D. Octavius 383 Gratian 431 Constantius 446 Maximinianus 391 1 Constantine 1 4461 Vortigern 450 476 APPENDIX. INTRODUCTION OF CHRISTIANITY. According to Bede, and other authentic historians, the kingdoms of the Heptarchy embraced Christianity in about the following order : A. D. Kent 593 East Saxons 604 Northumberland 628 East Angila....' 636 Began. The kingdom of Kent 457 East Saxons, or Essex 527 Northumberland 547 East Anglia 575 West Saxons, or Wessex 519 Mercia 582 SouthSaxons 490 A. D. Wessex 636 Mercia 669 South Saxons 686 Ended. Capital. 823 Canterbury. 746 London. 792 York. 783 Dunwich. 1066 Winchester. 847 Leicester. 600 Chichester. THE BRITISH MINISTRY. September, 1841. Salary. Sir Robert Peel, Bart First Lord of the Treasury £5,000 Lord Lyndhurst Lord High Chancellor 14,000 Lord Whakncliffe Lord President of the Council. 2,000 Duke of Buccleuch Lord Privy Seal 2,000 Sir James R. G. Graham Secretary of State— Home Dep 5,000 Earl of Aberdeen Secretary of State— Foreign Dep 5,000 Lord Stanley Secretary of State— Colonial Dep 5,000 Rt. Hon. Henry Goulbourn Chancellor of the Exchequer 5,000 Earl of Haddington First Lord of the Admiralty 4,500 Sir Edward Knatchbull Paymaster-General 2,500 Earl of Ripon President of Board of Control :. 2,000 Rt. Hon. W. E. Gladstone President of the Board of Trade Sir Thomas Freemantle Secretary at War 2,580 Duke of Wellington Commander of the Forces THE ARCHBISHOPS. William Howley, D. D., Primate Edward Harcoort, D. C. L Income. ..Canterbury .£129,946 ..York 223,220 REVENUE. The total income of the year ending January 5, 1844, was je50,071,943 THE END. YB 30277 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRAHY