Tudor ideals

Preface

An early book by the writer on the Italian Renaissance in England had been intended as a partial introduction to a future history of English Sixteenth Century Ideals. But a diplomatic career spent mainly in distant parts, had interfered with its pursuit, and the shadow of a great war has been little conducive to the concentration required for such a study. Like those architects who with vast plans in mind rear only a small wing of their edifice, the writer has been obliged to restrict his scope and his material till no one is more conscious than he of its fragmentary and imperfect nature.

In attempting to reduce into words the multiple activities of a nation, it is no easy task to weigh their relative importance or to feel convinced that one's individual sense of perspective is either the correct or the only one. Historical perceptions are largely personal. One searches fixed points from which to measure distances. But such measurements at best are incomplete, and often other deductions might be drawn from the same range of facts. Especially, when the search is for ideals rather than for a chronological sequence, and the goal is the inner spirit of a nation at a rich moment of its evolution, the method utilized, which aims to find the expression of ideas in letters, and in acts, must be haphazard and the result elusive.

It is easy to discolour history by over-blackening its shadows. It is as easy to bring out its drabness by reducing all to one dull plane. This study is only an incomplete essay which se'eks to discover if under the vast maze of facts, can be found the rational beginnings of a structure of life in Sixteenth Century England.

vi PREFACE

If, as a fragmentary work it is now published, it is because of the hope that an interest in ideals, and not in events, in currents of opinion, and not in annals, may, perhaps, stimulate a closer inquiry into a period embracing the formative elements in the life of all Englishspeaking nations.

It has still another aim to justify the apology for its appearance. Dimly conscious as we are of the significance of currents which are now carrying us forward, it is impossible not to realize that the great war has marked the end of an epoch, and that we stand to-day at the threshold of a new era toward which we are both groping and drifting. Still unshaped in its revelation, we can discern enough to feel the decay of an old world structure crumbling on its foundations and dragging down in its ruins many of the adornments and amenities of life. We are entering into a new age still in its rough-hewn aspect, ushered in amid violence and disorder as was the period we are leaving behind.

The Renaissance also, came only after the disintegration of medieval society had left feudalism, no longer possessed of inherent vitality and unable to prevent an anarchy out of which the new world was born. In this sense our era presents a curious resemblance to the age which forms the subject of this study. Its setting is different, its direction is opposite, but in many respects it is not unlike. We, too, are on the eve of great events. If we are wise in the measure of our force we will study our traditions the better to guide future hopes.

Contents

Page

Preface v

Introduction

The Spirit of the Sixteenth Century. Importance of the Prince. Tendencies of the Age xi

Part I. The Crown

I. The Sanction of Power 3

Transformation of royalty. Illegitimacy in succession. Title rests on power. Renaissance theory of the prince.

II. The Theory of Majesty 11

New power of the Crown. The prince above the law. Servility before the. king. Divine Right.

III. The Royal Authority 20

The Crown represents order. The evolution of the State. The prince's personality. Royal supremacy.

^^ IV. The Prince and His Subjects 26

Facility of approach. Ceremonial occasions and pageantry. The feeling of power. Elizabeth's love of popularity.

— V. The Court 37

Importance of the Court in the State. The scramble for riches. The art of pleasing. Miseries of court life.

VI. The Training for Authority 47

The Tudor education. The purpose of culture. Incongruous choice of officials. Preparation for State service.

- VII. Office and Corruption 56

Disorder in Government. The prince's favour. Explanation of corruption. Official honesty.

VIII. Political Morality 63

Crime in the 15th Century. Assassination and morals. Elizabeth's hypocrisy.

IX. The Idea of the State 76

Slight importance of theory in England. Rational basis of statecraft. Edward the Sixth's ideas. Classical origin of political •-» philosophy.

X. Public Opinion 84

Apathy of opinion. Henry VIII's efforts to conciliate opinion. Early use of the press. Growing interest in pubHc questions. vii viii CONTENTS

Page

XI. The Spirit of Revolt 94

Opposition to the Crown. Motives for rebellion. The Coup d'Etat. Apology for revolution.

Part II. The Individual

I. The New Individualism 103

Collapse of the medieval structure. The Tudor Monarchy and the individual. Excess of individualism.

II. The Growth of Personality 109

Circumstances and life. Liberation of the individual.

III. The Vicissitudes of Fortune 115

The adventurer. The rise and fall of men. The reaction to danger.

IV. Violence in Private Life 121

Survivals of lawlessness. Crime in the drama.

V. The Evolution of Woman 124

Contemporary opinion misleading. Upper classes respond to the new learning. The evolution of feminine ideals.

VI. The Shuffling of Classes 131

Disintegration of the old order. Class distinctions and hatred. The compromise of English life.

VII. Traditional Survivals 140

Political expediency of tradition. Gradual transformation of life. Deliberate reversions to the Middle Ages.

VIII. The Social Fabric 150

Influence of the Crown on the social structure. Reconstruction of society. The new conservatism.

IX. The TiIeory of Aristocracy 157

Divergence between theory and practice. Ethical considerations. Influence of antiquity. Ideal of nobiUty.

X. The Preparation for Life 163

Cultivated personality in the 15th Century. Physical training. Gilbert's Academy.

XI. The Art of War 168

Military structure of Medieval Society. Use of mercenaries. Standards of professional honor. Influence of war in English life.

Part III. Ideals Of Life And Thought

I. Ideals in English Life 177

The reflection of life on ideals. Growth of new ideals.

CONTENTS ix

Page

II. Democratic Tendencies i8i

The discovery of the lower classes. Religious foundation for democratic ideas. Puritans and Democracy.

III. Patriotism as an Ideal 187

The Medieval ideal of patriotism. Growth of nationalism in the Renaissance. English Catholics and divided allegiance. Exaltation of the National Spirit.

IV. Religion in the State 197

Medieval .inheritance in religion. Spirit of martyrdom. Attitude of the Catholics. Political aspects of religion.

V. Tolerance and Persecution 211

Early tolerance. Popularity of persecution. Elizabeth's views on conformity.

VI. Puritanism 220

Puritan beginnings. Puritanism and Democracy.

VII. Free Thought 225

Doubt in the Middle Ages. Queen Elizabeth's French marriage and religion. Diffusion of free thought.

VIII. Pacifism and War 230

Relation of the age to ideals. Savagery of warfare. English desire for humanity.

IX. • The Feeling of Compassion 234

Benevolent institutions. Edward VI's charitable interests.

X. Morality ' 240

Church morals. Morality at court.

XL The Family 244

Love and the growth of personal freedom. Free choice in respect to marriage.