Historical Portraits of the Tudor Dynasty and the Reformation Period

Preface

. To write History truly is an office little less than sacred. To indite justly the records of the bygone is a duty upon which honour and honesty impose the inevitable responsibility of faith and truths ul uess. In my long aud laborious researches I have met with many ladies and gentlemen connected with literature ; but in the course of some erudite and thoughtful observations I was specially moved by the remarks of a learned and accomplished High Church lady, who averred her strong objection to the past aud existent mode of imparting historical knowledge. Leaving to the mere chronologist the " history of England," as the many phases of that history, however illustrated and diffuse, have been designated, the writer of the present volumes has assumed the task of bringing before the English reading public the actors and the facts of a most momentous epoch in the history of Britain — the period treated of being the sons et origo of our present condition.

The lady to whom I refer has written to me : — " Weary little school girls and impatient school boys when asked if they like history, usually reply with a very sincere and unhesitating negative, and we children of a larger growth, who remember our own dreary wading through page after page of dry facts, whose connection with each other it was difficult sometimes to perceive, can easily recollect what a task it was to acquire Preface. VI sufficient knowledge of the daily lesson to repeat it to the satisfaction of tutor or governess. How eagerly we seized upon anything in the shape of an anecdote, a little oasis of freshness in the barren waste peopled by marionettes of men and women of the past ages, for as to considering them human beings, and taking an interest in their doings, that occurred to very few amongst us, and apparently never at all to the historians whose works we studied.

If it had, it would have given the Use and colour to the picture which childhood and youth so sadly miss : the little students, with this assistance, would be able to invest the various charac ters with individuality, and would thus find a wonderful variety of minds and hearts where they otherwise see but two classes — the wise and the foolish, the good and the bad ; no medium ; no light nor shade. Looking back at these outlines of men and women, which were presented to our childhood to study, they seem as silhouettes which should have been oil paintings. To render history interesting, w7hat is required is, to make the portraits so lifelike as to force us to feel that we are in presence of a brother man or a sister woman, and to inspire us with an interest in his or her doings and sayings, each individual becoming a psycho logical study on a miniature scale."

The greatest difficulty for the impartial searcher into historic truth is, to pierce the mountain of misrepresenta tion which has hitherto covered so long the real facts as to men and annals. In the course of my inquiries I was naturally desirous to ascertain the truthfulness of the previously accepted writers of different periods of English history, such as Foxe, Buchanan, Speed, Fuller, Lodge, Nichols, Birch, Forbes, Spelman, Brady, Tyrrell, Strype, Preface. VII Burnet, Rapin, Echard, Oldmixon, Carte, Hume, &c., in whose works I have been astounded at the suppression or absence of important events and characters. So that, in fact, the generations since the eventful epoch of which these volumes treat may be regarded as deprived of any fair or adequate knowledge of the characters and events of a notable turning point in the history of Great Britain.

Here I must refer, if an advocate for the fruition of my design be required, to the lament of the late Rev. Charles Kingsley, a distinguished Churchman, whose varied and genial productions have rendered his name a household word in every kindly intellectual home of England. The reverend Canon told the people of Bristol, in October, 1871, that "the chief want of England was a love of fact — that decline was the fate of every nation which lost the habit of speaking or acting the truth ; and that he himself had given up the Chair of Modern History at Cambridge, because History was so overlaid with Lies as to render it impossible for him to make anything out of her statements." It is needless to observe that Lord Beaconsfield, long before the preceding enunciation of Canon Kingsley, averred his opinion, that " the History of England has yet to be written."

Works printed within the last twenty years upon what are termed " Broken Periods of English History," are generally interesting, and great improvements on a foregone system, in which there had seemed no breathing space for tolerance or truth. Still there remains a great want of knowledge of the facts surrounding the men and women who acted in a momentous historical drama. Some clergymen of the Church of England have appeared as inditers of history — some remarkable for sectarian rancour Preface. VIII and partisan prejudice, whilst another class of clerical writers of the Established Church have been, as historians, models supremely worthy of imitation to all writers, for their truth, candour, and impartiality. Amongst the most distinguished of those clerical authors rank the names of Dr. Maitland, Dean Hooke, Thomas Hugo, J. H. Blunt, and others less noted.

The era that I have chosen to investigate teems with interest to English readers of all parties, and especially to those who study the characteristics of personages who in great measure have fashioned the destiny of the country. I hope — according to my honest and heartfelt belief — that I have done justice to the characters mentioned in the subsequent pages. They must, however, be judged according to the State records of their actions. And with this resume of the tone and inspiration with, and in, which these volumes are written, I commend the research of years to my readers, adapting to the result of my humble labours the pathetic saying of a much-maligned English Queen — " Time uuveils all Truth." S. H. Burke. London, December, 1878.

Introduction

. It is a pleasing duty to express my sincere and respectful acknowledgments to the clergy of the English Church who, in the course of this work, afforded me opportunities of consulting rare black-letter tomes, MS. documents, diaries, &c., in their possession. In such a condition of our country's history any one who brings a stone to the Temple of Truth is not without some desert ; and I cheerfully assign their full share of merit to those who have in any way assisted me. To the officials of the literary department of the British Museum I would be more diffuse in my thanks, as they one and all deserve, did not long experience prove that courtesy, kindly attention, and delicate consideration seem to be such un avoidable attributes of the gentlemen who officiate in that important department of an unrivalled institution, as to render the expression of individual gratitude superfluous.

The Author. CONTENTS. P1GI Chapter I. The Princess Catalina ..... 1 „ II. Marriage Festivities ...... 13 „ III. Death of Arthur, Prince of Wales . 17 IV. The Young Widow 20 „ V. Ferdinand and Isabel 30 „ VI. The White and Red Rose .... 37 „ VII. Accession of Henry VIII. ... 66 „ VIII. The Boleyn Family 86 „ IX. WOLSEY AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES . . 95 „ X. La Reine Blanche 127 „ XL Fall of the Duke of Buckingham . 143 ,, XII. Anna Boleyn Returns to England . 149 „ XIII. The Irish Cousin 152 „ XIV. The Border Chief 156 XV. The "First Tudor Divorce" ... 159 „ XVI. Wolsey Declares against the Love Match 163 „ XVII. Domestic Relations 173 „ XVIII. The " Royal Scruples" 177 „ XIX. The Divorce Litigation .... 197 „ XX. The Fall of Wolsey 217 „ XXI. A Fortunate Famtly 240 „ XXII. Death of Archbishop Warham . .

Contents. PAGE Chapter XXIII. Archbishop Cranmer Pronounces the Divorce 251 „ XXIV. Triumph of Anna Bolevn . . . 261 „ XXV. The Rupture with the Court of Rome 270 XXVI. Birth of Elizabeth 279 „ XXVII. The Carthusian Fathers ... 282 „ XXVIII. The Bishop of Rochester . . . 301 XXIX. Sir Thomas More ..... 337 „ XXX. Death of Katharine of Arragon 370 „ XXXI. The Observant Fathers of Greenwich 377 „ XXXII. Fall of Anna Boleyn .... 385 „ XXXIII. Lord Rochford and his Companions 419 „ XXXIV. The Queen's Death-warrant . . 432 „ XXXV. Was Anna a Lutheran or a Latin Catholic ? . 435 „ XXXVI. Incidents of the Last Day . . 448 ., XXXVIL Jane Seymour 459 „ XXXVIII. The Wyatt Family 477 ,, XXXIX. The Pilgrims of Grace . . . 481 „ XL. The King's Supremacy in Ireland 506 „ XLI. The Abbots of Glastonbury and Woburn 513 „ XLII. Dr. Gardyner ....... HISTORICAL PORTRAITS OF THE TUDOR DYNASTY AND THE REFORMATION PERIOD.

Chapter I. The Princess Cataeina

The contrast between England and Spain at the close of the fifteenth century was remarkable in many points, and especiaUy with regard to the progress of education and social feeling amongst the lower and upper classes of society. Both countries were, however, in a good social condition. But Spain was the land of romance, chivalry, and song. The grandees of old Iberia were mostly educated men. They travelled and were known in Paris, Vienna, Rome, and other continental cities, where they were always attractive and welcome from the splendour ol their retinues and the munificence of their dealings. The Spanish ladies of those times were marvellously educated, some of them speaking and writing five different languages. There were many learned women, contemporaries of Isabel, amongst the foremost of whom were the Marchioness of Monteagudo, and Dona Pocheco, sisters VOL. I. B of the learned historian, Don Diego Hurtado.

Dona Lucia de Medrana publicly lectured on the LatiD classics in the University of Salamanca ; Dona Frances de Leterija, the daughter of another Spanish historian, filled the chair of rhetoric with distinction at Alcala. " Women of learning in Spain," writes Islip, " are everywhere received with honour by the men, and chivalry extends to them all its gracious and amiable attentions." From the days of Alfonso X. history had been held in high esteem in Spain, and was more widely cultivated in Castile than in any other European State. Queen Isabel took advantage of the invention of printing.* Her large grasp of mind at once perceived the advantages which printing might bring to bear upon the diffusion of knowledge. She there fore encouraged its establishment by special privileges, and even paid the expenses of printing works of merit from her private purse, "that knowledge might be further extended."

In 1480 a law was enacted in Spain, permitting foreign books to be imported into the country free of any duty; a " very enlightened idea," writes the American biographer of Isabel, " and which might furnish a useful example to the legislative assemblies of the nineteenth century." In general intellectual progress no period has surpassed the age of Isabel and Ferdinand. In the early part of the sixteenth century, England, which hitherto occupied only the position of a third-rate The first printing press was erected at Valencia in 1474; Barcelona also contests for the honour. The " Little Book" first produced was a few hymns in honour of the Virgin Mother. By order of Queen Isabel printers were exempt from all taxes, aud enjoyed many Drivileges. Power in Europe, felt a natural pride and ambition at the prospect of a family alliance with the greatest kingdom iu the world— wealthy, brave, intelligent, and chivalrous.

Both nations were the devoted spiritual subjects of the Papal throne ; and the projected marriage of a Castilian Princess with the amiable Prince Arthur was received throughout Britain with universal joy. In Spain, where the Court and nobility approached the question with higher and more delicate sentiment than the "rough Saxon," the scene was different. The Spanish chronicles relate that during the summer and autumn of 1501 the leading topic of conversation in the great towns and cities of Spain was the Infanta's marriage with Arthur, Prince of Wales. The minstrels assumed the theme, and a spirit of romance was evolved ; ballads and sonnets were written and circulated in the old Castilian modes, and the Princess was everywhere received with affection amounting to enthusiasm. In social circles the name of Englishman was regarded as that of a friend and a brother ; all the amiable and kindly feelings of the Spanish people were displayed, and every one wished well to the union of Arthur and Catalina. - Had the Spaniards been lovers of feasting — " good eating and drinking," as Bishop Foxe remarked — the letters of King Henry's secretary would have induced them to come on the wedding party to England.

Henry was not so strange a miser at this time as he subsequently proved. The secretary wrote to the Spanish Court that " all the friends of the Princess were welcome to England," assuring them that " none would die of hunger ; or, if they died, it would rather be of eating too much. The King laid iu an b immense stock of every kind of provisions, and the merrie meetings and feastings would prove the hospitalitie and good nature of our own King Harrie, his Queen, and his loving subjects. All will be welcome." Queen Isabel frequently lectured kings and courtiers upon " economy in social life ;" " feasting a number of people cost much money. This money should be put up in strong boxes for another time, when it might be needed more." Isabel writes from Granada, in 1501, to King Henry and his Queen in these words : — " I am right heartily pleased to hear of the great pre parations making in England for the wedding of my beloved daughter.

Indeed, it shows the magnificent grandeur of my good brother, the King of England. Demonstrations of joy at the reception of my daughter are naturally agreeable to me. Nevertheless, it would be more in accordance with my feelings, and with the wishes of my lord, the King, that the expenses should be moderate. We do not wish our daughter to be the cause of any loss to England, either iu money or in any other respect. On the contrary, we desire that she should be the source of all kinds of happiness, as we hope she will be, with the help of God. We, therefore, beg of our good brother, the King of Euglaud, to moderate the expenses. Rejoicings may be held, but we ardently implore him that the substantial part of this festival should be his love ; that the Princess should be treated by him and the Queen as their daughter, and by the Prince of Wales as we feel he will treat her.

(Signed) " Isabella, the Queen." The time of departure arrived. The Iufauta received her father aud mother's blessing, standing before the great altar of the Cathedral of Granada; then followed the benediction of the Church, and the good wishes of the Spanish nation. After travelling from Granada to Corunna, amidst continued ovations, the Princess, full of hope and confidence as to the future, walked on board the royal galley, and the prayers and acclamations of twenty thousand people wished her a safe voyage and a loving husband to greet her arrival on the English shore. The highest dignitaries of the Church, and the most noted nobles of Castile and Arragon were her knight attendants, accompanied by a " bevy of maidens " as lovely and brilliant as ever graced such an occasion. In this order, Catalina bade a long adieu to her happy home — to her sunny land of romance and chivalry.

After many weeks of tempestuous weather, the royal galley, accompanied by the Spanish fleet, reached the English coast. The note of preparation had been sounded for some time previous. Each town and city was astir, and the excitement daily increased. Young and old, lad and lass, were anxious to know where or when the Spanish bride would land, and " delight all hearts by her presence." The national longing was soon agreeably satisfied. Early on an October morning in the year of grace 1501 the town of Plymouth was in a state of interesting excitement. In the grey light of morning several Spanish ships, " gaily decked and well manned," entered the then quiet harbour of England's present great naval fortress. The visitors had been expected for weeks, but were detained by the rough gales previously mentioned.

At eight of the clock, amidst " salutes of bombards and falconets, joyous music and the hearty cheers of multitudinous acclaimants," the Princess Catalina,* who was veiled from " head to foot," landed on English soil. She was accompanied by some thirty young Spanish ladies of rank, and several duennas, whose demeanour and calling seemed a needless novelty in a land of frigid propriety, such as England was in those days. The Princess had also in her train a cardinal, several bishops, confessors, and grandees. The first place the party sought was a church, to which they repaired to return thanks for their safe arrival. The local priests were promptly iu attendance, and Mass was celebrated. Four young Spanish maidens with two duennas " knelt beside the Princess ; they carried her prayer-books, and a confessor held a golden cup with holy water, in which the Royal lady occasionally put her fingers, and maidng the sign of the Cross with great devotion."

All this time, according to the Moorish custom, the bride elect remained veiled ; and the veil was not to be removed until Prince Arthur arrived — the ceremony of unveiling being left to be performed by the Prince. This was a source of disappointment to the people of Devonshire, and the surrounding counties, who had travelled all night to catch a glimpse of the Infanta. Report ran highly in favour of the Princess ; that versatile and imaginative class known in those days as " story-tellers" drew on their imagination for a glowing picture of " England's Bride ;" * The name of Katharine was unknown in Spain, unless in Latin MSS. Katharine was a favourite name with the old Saxon English, who claimed several sainted women of that appellation. Katharine, in Greek, signifies "pure, innocent, good," &c. ; and the word was set down as the derivation of the name.

The Infanta Catalina was, from her wedding day, styled " Katharine" in her adopted country. but the fame of her beauty, her learning, her love of romance, her benevolence, and, above all, her veneration for the " Virgin Mother," won the sympathies of the English women. The story-tellers praised the maids of honour as the loveliest in all Spain. They were described as graceful in the dance — musicians, painters, in fact, as excelling in all accomplishments that could charm the eye and the mind. Travelling from town to town, the story-tellers published their own version — fanciful, of course — of the Spanish beauty. Another class of eulogists were the ballad-singers, even more marvellous in description, yet not professing to be so accurate as the story-tellers. The latter frequented the " inns, road-side sheds, and ale-houses," popular places of resort, where people assembled to hear the gossip from London and other large towns of the kingdom.

In the case of the Spanish Infanta, however, the story-tellers and ballad mongers roused the most lively feeling in her favour. After two days' rest at a convent in Plymouth, the Princess commenced her journey to the metropolis. Her reception along the route was enthusiastic. " We did not expect such a hospitable reception from those churlish islanders," writes the Archbishop of Santiago to Queen Isabel. And again he says: "The English are as much attached to the Church as we are in Spain, and they abhor all heretics." The Archbishop was astonished at the social comforts enjoyed by the lower classes, and the contentment of the people, so superior to the condition of things in his own country. Ferdinand and Isabel desired to send a number of young ladies to England with the Princess, whilst the English monarch wished that few might come over, unless those who had good fortunes; then he would have them married to some of those needy nobles who were his retainers.

In Ferdinand and Isabel Henry had his match in these petty piques. The rich donas were kept at home* till grandees of a position became their suitors. So the substantial fortune-hunting English squires and lords were disappointed. The first interview between Henry VII. and the attendants of the Princess seemed likely to produce some unpleasant feeling. The commissioners from the King of Spain would not permit the English monarch to greet his daughter-in-law in the old Welsh fashion. Henry con sulted his Council quickly, and they were of opinion that no Spanish or Moorish customs could be recognised in England. The Spanish grandees reluctantly yielded, and the King entering the apartment where the Princess stood closely veiled, he threw back her ved lovingly and greeted her as his daughter.

He was " gentle and kind with the fair girl, whose honest face, blue eyes, and sunny hair were pleasant in his sight. "t Next came the meeting of Queen Elizabeth and the Infanta, which was one of much interest. " Bless your uuion," were the words of the good Queen. The bridegroom " looked confused ; he held down his head, and muttered some words to the effect that he 'loved the dear Princess, and admired her golden hair.' Catalina smiled, and spake in a similar spirit." Arthur could not speak Castilian ; his bride knew neither French nor English. They had to converse through an interpreter, an Irish * Spanish State Papers of Ferdinand and Isabel. (1502.) t Kennet, vol. i. ; Stowe, vol. i. ; Hall's Chronicle ; Queens of England, vol. ii. ; History of Two Queens, vol. i. ; State Papers of Henry VII.'s Reign.

Dominican, named Turlough O'Donnellan. The contrast between the bride and bridegroom was at once striking. " A shy-looking, small, sickly boy, with a pale face aud sad countenance, of about fifteen years of age," was presented to the tad, blooming young maiden, who, nurtured under sunnier skies, had already attained the ripeness of woman hood. The English courtiers looked upon the bride with admiration. Prince Arthur made some childish inquiries after " singing birds, cats and dogs :" " were they the same iu Spain as in England ?" During this interview the Infanta stood in a " stately form opposite the Prince and his mother. She was most gracious in her manners ; but a close observer could perceive that she felt disappointed.* The Duke of Buckingham, who was present, describes the Princess as a most pleasing young maiden, full of health and spirits."

Amongst the assembled notables there was one boy upon whose future the destinies of England turned. This was Henry, Duke of York, at that period about ten years old ; yet he was taller than his brother Arthur, and " very stout." The " merry greetings" continued for ten days along the road to London ; each town put forth its people to give a welcome, and the monastic houses were profuse in bestowing hospitality. The welcome at several abbeys was magnifi cent ; nearly one thousand men of rank and wealth — lords, bishops, abbots, knights, and squires — were present on horseback to " give a shout of welcome for England's bride," as the Infanta was styled ; in fact, every endearing * Correspondence of Dr. Foxe with Sir John More. expression found utterance. Each baron was attended by his squire and page.

Dr. Deane remarks, " Since the days of our Fourth Edward we saw no such goodly procession in our old countrie." " Old London" was determined to have a demonstration worthy of the occasion. Monks, nuns, friars, seculars — all came forward to do honour to the Infanta. It was rather novel to see the religious orders joining in the preparations for the " citie honours" to the Princess.'"" A torch-light procession of the 'Prentice Boys and young lasses sang a ballad of welcome to her under the windows of Catalina's Palace. The day before the wedding the Princess was " presented to the citizens by a public procession." She was seated on a Spanish mule with gorgeous housings, and conveyed through the gate-ways of the bridge, up Fish Street Hill by Gracechurch Street, the Duke of York on her right, and the Pope's Legate on her left ; " all London," to use the phrase, " turned out to give a right hearty welcome to the Royal lady."

Near old London Bridge a group of mummers played before her the story of St. Katharine. The King, Queen, and Prince Arthur were seated on a stage at Cornhill to greet the bride as she passed at that point ; Tudor livery floated everywhere ; in Old Cheape the Lord Mayor presented an address; a grand hymn was sung by three huudred children dressed in white ; at every porch the priests in full robes came out with acolytes and choir; from every steeple rang a peal of bells ; from every window * Hall, Polydore Vergil, Dr. Deane, Fisher, and Richard Foxe have drawn quaint pictures of the reception given by the citizens of London to the Infanta on this occasion. hung an appropriate flag ; the house-tops were covered with women and children, who seemed delighted with the scene below; from every conduit ran a stream of wine.

"In a word," writes Richard Foxe, " welcome, welcome, beamed on every honest face, like ' a May-day smile.' " The procession was some hours passing ; the number of horsemen was large and well-appointed; some eight hundred women of "different ranks of society" — all homely dames, some young, some middle age — were on horseback. " The people," observes Peacock, " were beyond themselves with joy, and wished the Princess good luck." Aud again Peacock records " that the London 'Prentices and the frisky little lasses were there in holiday attire ; noisy and laughing, they pushed forward to see the bride ; the burgesses and their wives were in the place set apart for them ; and the citie housewives were loud in their good wishes, drinking goblets of wine and ale in token of their love for England's bride."

The royal bride was " like a star, draped in gold and silk ; she wore a great round hat of Tuscan straw, rich in ribbon ornamentatiou ; her bright golden tresses floated in the sharp November wind, and added a fresh feature to the loveliness of the popular idol."* The train of Spanish maidens presented a picturesque appearance. The Donna Elvira, the first maid of honour, wore a habit, black as night, covered with golden bees. The jewels and diamonds worn by the Spanish ladies were brilliant and costly. These fair dames were seated on mules richly appointed, aud led by young boys in crimson dresses. The Infanta came near the close of the procession, preceded by a number of young * History of Two Queens, vol. i. English ladies of surpassing beauty, all on horseback. Simon Peacock states " that the Princess and her Spanish friends were affected at the burst of enthusiasm and the loving good feeling displayed by the men and women of London."

Everything was done to honour and please the Infanta, and to stimulate her love for the change which was about to take place in a few hours later, when Arthur and Catalina stood before the great altar at Old St. Paul's,* amidst a blaze of lights and incense, to exchange their marriage vows. The ancient town of London was in motion at an early hour on Sunday morning, November 14, 1501. The marriage of Catalina and Arthur, Prince of Wales, from subsequent events, became the most memorable in the history of Britain. The ceremony was performed by Deane,f Archbishop of Canterbury, assisted by a number of bishops — English and Spanish. King Henry and the " good Elizabeth," his Queen, were present. The bride was led to the high altar, and from it, by Henry, Duke of York. The Princess was attended by one hundred and twenty maidens of the highest rank belonging to England and Spain.

Lady Cecilie, the sister of Queen Elizabeth, supported the train of Catalina. The bride was attired in white satin. % All the great nobles of the land were present, in magnificent costume. * The old Cathedral of St. Paul's was two hundred and thirty feet longer than the present budding, or about half as long again as York Minster, which is the cathedral of largest area now in England. + Deane was once an Augustine monk. As a prelate, Dr. Deane was highly esteemed for his humble bearing, his charity and hospitality to all classes. X Grafton's Chronicle. Alarriage Festivities. 13

Chapter II. Marriage Festivities

The Church, the Peers, the Parliament, the Burghers — all. classes were represented on this occasion. When the marriage ceremony was concluded, London's great bells announced the fact to the multitude. The King, Queen, and nobles gave sumptuous entertainments to the Spanish grandees* Then the hospitable citizens of London, who were in a good social position, " made merrie" in the old fashion of their Saxon ancestors. The people appeared in " holiday attire ;" flags and ornamental poles were placed along the streets ; music and dancing at every corner ; a vat of ale was provided in every street ; the burghers invited their friends to a goblet of old sack wine ; tables loaded with " beef, fowl, bread, and dainties" were laid out along the leading thoroughfares; a number of persons were engaged in carving, whilst men bearing wands exclaimed aloud : " Good citizens, come forward and attack the belly cheer, and drink long life to Prince Arthur and his bride."