with fewer vertues, it is as true, that few that ever fell from so high a place had lesser crimes objected against him. Though yet Polydore (for being at his first coming into England committed to prison by him, as we have said) may be suspected as a partial author. So that in all probability he might have subsisted longer, when either his pride and immense wealth had not made him obnoxious and suspected to the king, or that other than women had oppos'd him: who as they are vigilant and close enemies, so for the most part, they carry their businesses in that manner, they leave fewer advantages against themselves, than men do. In conclusion, as I cannot assent to those who thought him happy for enjoying the untimely compassion of the people a little before his end, so I cannot but account it a principal felicity, that during his favour with the king, all things succeeded better than afterwards; though yet it may be doubted whether the impressions he gave, did not occasion divers irregularities which were observ'd to follow.-Life and Reign of King Henry VIII. 5. Indulgences. PUNISHMENTS might have been left to God, but that they serve to deter others. But who would be afraid now, when he knows at what rate he may put away his crimes? Of what use would our threatenings for sins be, if they grow so contemptible as that a little sum of money would discharge them; is not this to make heaven venal? doth not this reflect so much on Christian faith, that it makes a new price for sin? Believe me, my lords, to make our faults cheap, is to multiply them, and to take away not only that reverence is due to virtue, but to dissolve those bonds which knit and hold together both civil and religious worship. For when men see what they are to pay for their faults, what will they care for other redemption? I would I could say we were not already fallen under some disesteem, when by our enjoyning of easie fasting, prayer, and some little alms, men find they suffer no more than what they would gladly endure to sin again; for who is the leaner or poorer for our penances: let us not then make the mysteries of salvation mercenary, or propose everlasting happiness on those terms, that it may be obtain'd for money, which we find so seldom yet without deceit or mischief. Let men's sins rather lie against them still than open such easie ways to remit them: and take this advice in good part, since it so much concerns us all.—Life and Reign of King Henry VIII. 6. Queen Katherine's Timely Submission. OUR king by proclamation did severely forbid the translation of the New Testament, by Tindal and Coverdale, or any other than is permitted by parliament: as also the English book of Frith, Wickliff, Tindal, etc. which our king most studiously supprest; both because he would have his subjects decline the bitter language and doctrine to be found in some of them, and that he would introduce his own, or at least a more sober reformation. Whereof also he was the more sensible, in that women began now ordinarily to dispute controversies, and urge the text: insomuch, that Anne Askew, a gentlewoman, defended herself therewith against her persecutors; though not so, but that she was burnt for it. Besides, the queen her self did this year run no little danger for as she began about this time to give ear unto those who : declaim'd against the abuses of the Roman Church, she thought herself so well instructed in religion, that she would debate with the king thereof: which yet the king did but impatiently hear; both as the anguish of a sore leg he had at this time made him very froward, and as he lov'd not to be contradicted in his opinions, especially, as he said, in his old age, and by his wife. This again was exaggerated by Stephen Gardiner, Bishop of Winchester, so far, that by representing the hazard she incurr'd by contravening the six articles, and the late proclamation, in reading of forbidden books, and teaching openly her doctrine, the king gave Winchester and Wriothesley the chancellor, and others, leave to consult about the drawing of articles against her, which they fail'd not to present unto the king, who subscrib'd them: insomuch, that her enemies expected only a warrant for carrying her by night to the Tower. Which the queen accidentally having notice of, fell into that passion, and bitter bewailing her misfortune, that the king hearing the perplexity she was in, sent his physicians, and after came himself to her chamber, where compassionating her estate, he us'd such kind words as did help to recover her. Insomuch, that the next night, being attended by the Lady Anne her sister, wife to Sir William Herbert, afterwards Earl of Pembroke, she went unto the king's bed-chamber, where he courteously welcomed her, and began to talk of religion. But she wittily excusing herself by the weakness of her sex and judgment, said, 'She would refer her self in this and all other causes to his majesty's wisdom.' 'Not so (by Saint Mary)' quoth the king, 'you are become a doctor, Kate, to instruct us (as we take it) and not to be instructed or directed by us.' But the queen replying, that 'what she said was rather to pass away the time and pain of his infirmity, than to hold argument; and that she hop'd by hearing his majesty's learned discourse, to receive some profit thereby.' The king answer'd, And is it even so (sweet-heart?) then are we perfect friends again.' Which also he confirm'd by divers testimonies. But as her maligners knew nothing of this reconcilement, they prepar'd the next day to carry her to the Tower, at a time limited by the king's warrant. This being come, and she happening to be merrily talking with him in his garden, the Lord Wriothesley, with forty of the guard, comes in; whom the king sternly beholding, and after calling to him, (at some distance from the queen) so expostulated the matter, as at last he reviled, and commanded him out of his sight and presence. Nevertheless, at the king's return, she was an humble suiter for his pardon. But the king answer'd no otherwise, than that 'she (poor soul) did not know how evil he deserv'd this grace at her hands.' And thus, by her opportune submission she escap'd: tho' yet some believe it was not so much the king's intention herein to use the rigour of the law, as to deter her from reading forbidden books. Howsoever, if he were not in earnest, it was thought a terrible jest, especially to a queen, that had the reputation of a vertuous, humble, and observant wife. But Winchester, who (it was thought) chiefly endeavoured her ruin, did himself, not long after, fall into the king's disfavour, as by his submission extant in our records doth appear. -Life and Reign of King Henry VIII. 7. A Knight of the Bath. PASSING two or three days here, it happened one evening that a daughter of the duchess, of about ten or eleven years of age, going one evening from the castle to walk in the meadows, myself, with divers French gentlemen, attended her and some gentlewomen that were with her. This young lady wearing a knot of riband on her head, a French chevalier took it suddenly, and fastened it to his hatband: the young lady, offended herewith, demands her riband, but he refusing to restore it, the young lady addressing herself to me, said, 'Monsieur, I pray get my riband from that gentleman;' hereupon going towards him, I courteously, with my hat in my hand, desired him to do me the honour, that I may deliver the lady her riband or bouquet again; but he roughly answering me, 'Do you think I will give it you, when I have refused it to her?' I replied, 'Nay then, sir, I will make you restore it by force;' whereupon also, putting on my hat and reaching at his, he to save himself ran away, and, after a long course in the meadow, finding that I had almost overtook him, he turned short, and running to the young lady, was about to put the riband on her hand, when I, seizing upon his arm, said to the young lady, 'It was I that gave it.' 'Pardon me,' quoth she, it is he that gives it me:' I said then, 'Madam, I will not contradict you, but if he dare say that I did not constrain him to give it, I will fight with him.' The French gentleman answered nothing thereunto for the present, and so conducted the young lady again to the castle. The next day I desired Mr. Aurelian Townsend to tell the French cavalier, that either he must confess that I constrained him to restore the riband, or fight with me; but the gentleman seeing him unwilling to accept of this challenge, went out from the place, whereupon I following him, some of the gentlemen that belonged to the constable taking notice hereof, acquainted him therewith, who sending for the French cavalier, checked him well for his sauciness, in taking the riband away from his grandchild, and after |