The denial of these articles of faith, subjected the offender to be burned or other punishment. Henry died in 1547, and was succeeded by his son Edward VI.

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EDWARD VI. was the son of Jane Seymour, the third wife of Henry VIII. As Edward was only nine years of age on his accession to the throne, the king's uncle, the Duke of Somerset was appointed regent. During this reign the statute giving the king's proclamation, the force of law was repealed, and the liberty of the subject promoted by an enactment requiring the evidence of two witnesses confronted with the accused, for a conviction in cases of high treason. Edward's reign is however, chiefly remarkable for the advancement of education, and the establishment of the Protestant form of religion. In many towns grammar schools were established, and liberally endowed. the establishment of Protestantism, the Articles of and the Liturgy of the Church were framed by Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, in conjunction with other divines. The Duke of Somerset at length fell a victim to the machinations of his enemies, and having been found guilty on his own confession of intending to murder three noblemen, Northumberland, Warwick, and Northampton, he was executed. The Duke of Northumberland, one of the governors of the young king, then became the principal administrator of the affairs of the nation. By Northumberland the young king was induced to devise the crown in favour of Lady Jane Grey, who had married that nobleman's son. Lady Jane was the great grand-daughter of Henry VII. being the grandchild of Mary queen of France, by the Duke of Suffolk. The lustre of Edward's reign is unfortunately somewhat dimmed by the condemnation to the stake of a woman named Joan Boucher and Van Paris, a Dutchman, for their religious opinions. The death of Edward VI. took place on the 6th July, 1553, and after a futile attempt on the part of the Duke of Northumberland to place Lady Jane Grey on the throne, Mary, Henry VIII.'s daughter by Catherine of Arragon was declared queen.

On ascending the throne MARY proceeded to restore the Popish religion. Gardiner and other eminent Roman Catholic personages were released from prison, and restored to power and favour. A statute was shortly afterwards enacted by the parliament re-establishing the form of religious services in use at the death of Henry VIII. Much discontent was caused by the proposal of the queen to marry Philip of Spain. A formidable insurrection headed by Sir Thomas Wyatt broke out, but was suppressed, and a large number of his followers executed. Shortly after this rebellion was quelled, Lady Jane Grey was executed. This was the most barbarous act of Mary's reign, for Lady Jane's crime arose more from filial obedience than ambition. In 1554 the parliament gave their assent to the queen's marriage with Philip, on condition that Mary was to be sole monarch during her life, and that her consort should have no claim to the throne after her death, in case of her leaving no issue. The wedding accordingly took place in July of that year. The remainder of Mary's reign was disgraced by numerous religious persecutions of Protestants. Among the eminent personages who perished at the stake, were Cranmer, Ridley, and Latimer. The loss of Calais, which took place at the end of Mary's reign, was deeply felt by the English, and by none more than Mary. This regard for national honour was the only redeeming feature in her character. Unlamented by her subjects, Mary died on the 17th November, 1558, and was succeeded by Elizabeth.

ELIZABETH, the daughter of Anne Boleyn, on her accession to the throne adopted a conciliatory policy. Having however, been educated in the Protestant faith, and hearing that the Papists were hostile to her, Elizabeth, immediately after her coronation proceeded vigorously to re-establish Protestantism. For this purpose, the Acts of Supremacy and of Uniformity were enacted. By the former act the queen was declared supreme head of the church, and all ecclesiastical persons, judges, justices, mayors, and persons

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holding offices, were required to take an oath acknowledging the queen's sole supremacy in all matters, ecclesiastical and temporal within the realm, and disowning the jurisdiction within the realm of any foreign prince or prelate in such matters. Power was also given to the crown to appoint commissioners to suppress heresy, which was the origin of the High Court of Commission. By the Act of Uniformity the Book of Common Prayer as ordained by Edward VI. with the order of service, administration of sacraments, rites and ceremonies, but with some additions and alterations was declared to be in full force, and its use enjoined on every minister of the church under the penalty of imprisonment and deprivation. By the same act a penalty was imposed on all who absented themselves from church on Sundays and holidays. By another act, first fruits and tenths were annexed to the crown.

In enforcing the Act of Uniformity, Elizabeth met with considerable opposition from the bishops and other ecclesiastical dignitaries. Their places were therefore vacated and supplied by persons favourable to the Protestant faith. During this reign, the religious parties were three in number-the Episcopalians, the Papists, and the Puritans. To the Puritans Elizabeth was decidedly hostile. At them was levelled the Act of Uniformity. In 1572, however, severe measures were enacted against the Roman Catholics, on the occasion of the publication in London of a bull of Pius V., excommunicating Elizabeth, the 13 Eliz., c. 2 making the publication of any bull from Rome, or the absolution and reconciliation of any one to the Romish Church, or the being so reconciled, high treason; while the importation into the realm of any crosses, pictures, or superstitious things consecrated by the Pope, or under his authority, rendered the offender liable to a premunire. Several other acts were passed during Elizabeth's reign against the Papists; but when we consider that, both on the continent and in this country, numerous plots were formed by the Romish party against her life, these

measures may be palliated, although they cannot be excused.

Elizabeth had exalted notions of her prerogative in church and state. Her arbitrary acts, the proceedings of the High Court of Commission, and the judicial murders perpetrated under the name of trials in this reign, have brought discredit on this monarch. Elizabeth's vigorous government however, her spirited conduct when the Spanish armada threatened our shores, and her advancement of the national interests, made her popular with the nation. During this reign 62 borough members were added to the House of Commons, the injurious system of monopolies attacked, and the first poor laws instituted. Elizabeth, the last of the Tudors, died in 1603, and was succeeded by James VI. of Scotland and I. of England.

The legal title of JAMES I. to the crown of England was doubtful. In his person, it is true, centered all the claims to the throne by hereditary succession, but as Henry VIII., by virtue of a statute passed in the 35th year of his reign, had made a will, leaving-in case of the death of Edward, Mary, and Elizabeth, without issue— the throne to the issue of his sister Mary, the Duchess of Suffolk, the legal title to the throne was in the House of Suffolk. That statute, however, required the will to be signed with the king's own hand; and as, according to some opinions, that document has only a stamp affixed, it may be considered inoperative. Mr. Hallam, however, considers the will as duly signed, but this supposition is quite inconsistent with the circumstance that the House of Suffolk made no effort to establish its claims to the throne. Even if we regard the will as duly executed, its provisions appear to have been superseded by a statute passed on the marriage of Mary with Philip of Spain, declaring "as touching the right of the queen's inheritance in the realm and dominions of England, the children, whether male or female, shall succeed in them, according to the known laws, statutes, and customs of the same." However, whatever may have been the reasons, all parties, on the

accession of James, appear to have regarded the will of Henry VIII. as inoperative, and to have considered the hereditary claims of James a sufficient title to the throne. James was the great grandson of Margaret, daughter of Henry VII., and wife of James IV., King of Scotland. As Margaret was the eldest daughter of Henry VII., on her issue devolved the right to the throne, when the line of Henry VIII. became extinct by the death of Queen Elizabeth without issue. The hereditary claims of James to the throne were therefore indisputable. Accordingly, immediately after the accession of James, the parliament, by statute 1 Jac. 1, c. 1, did "recognize and acknowledge that immediately upon the dissolution and decease of Elizabeth, late Queen of England, the imperial crown did, by inherent birthright, and lawful and undoubted succession, descend and come to his most excellent majesty, as being lineally, justly, and lawfully next and sole heir of the blood royal of this realm."

Early in this reign the House of Commons displayed an independent spirit. Thus, in the first parliament of James, in 1604, a remarkable document was put forth by the Commons, called A Form of Apology and Satisfaction. It protests against various arbitrary acts of James, and maintains that the privileges and liberties of the Commons are their right and inheritance, no less than their very lands and goods; that they cannot be withheld or impaired, and that the House of Commons is the sole judge of the returns of the writs for the election of its members, and of their election. Numerous other conflicts took place between James and the Commons. In 1621 a document was framed by the parliament, declaring the right of the Commons to all their privileges, as the birthright and inheritance of the subjects of England; the right of every member of the House to debate on all public matters, and freedom of speech.

Among the state trials in this reign was that of Peacham. He was apprehended on a charge of high treason, for writing a sermon strongly censuring the