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After Henry's death his widow married Owen Tudor, a Welsh gentleman. They had three sons, one of whom was the father of Henry VII.

Chronicle.-2. Henry renounced his old associates when he ascended the throne; and chose for his ministers the faithful councillors of his father. He also released the Earl of March from his long confinement, and restored the son of Hotspur to the honours and estates of his ancestors. These prudent and generous measures won him the affections of his subjects and the friendship of his old opponents.

3. The persecution of the Lollards was resumed in the first year of his reign; and one of the principal of them, Sir John Oldcastle, otherwise called Lord Cobham, was burnt as a heretic.

He was a brave and distinguished knight, and had formerly been a companion of the king. When first seized he was committed to the Tower; but he contrived to escape, and fled into Wales, where he concealed himself for several years. In 1417 he was again captured, brought back to London, and put to death on the former charge. At his execution he was offered the assistance of a confessor; but he replied, "God is here present; to Him alone will I acknowledge my sins, from Him alone ask or expect pardon." Henry would probably have mitigated the sentence of Cobham, had it not been for the false charge of treason laid against him by the priests.

4. In 1414 Henry renewed the claim to the throne of France, first put forward by Edward III.

This claim was most unjust; but the English nobles, like their sovereign, were anxious for war, and cared little for the right of the case. The state of France at this period was well suited for an invasion. Charles VI. was insane, and the French court was divided into two factions, the Orleanists and the Burgundians, who were perpetually at strife with each other. Opposed to both of these factions was the Dauphin, who hoped to become sole master by their common downfall.

Henry was warmly supported by the clergy, and was thus addressed by the primate on the subject in Parliament:"Advance your standard into France, and, with assured hopes of victory, march to conquer those dominions which are your

own by inheritance. There is no true Englishman but is ready to devote his life to so glorious a service; and in full persuasion of the justness of the war, we, the clergy, have granted such a sum of money to maintain it as was never given to any of your predecessors, and will join all our prayers for the success of your arms.

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There is a tradition that the Dauphin replied to Henry's demand by sending him a load of tennis-balls, implying that he was fitter for such sports than for the art of war.

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Finding that his claim was not recognised, Henry then demanded that Charles should cede all those territories in France which had formerly belonged to Henry II., and should give him his daughter Catherine in marriage, with a dowry of 2,000,000 crowns. French agreed to the latter demands; but Henry was anxious for war, and rejected his own proposals. In 1415 he collected an army of 30,000 men at Southampton, and passed over to France, leaving the Duke of Bedford at the head of affairs in England.

Shortly before starting a conspiracy was discovered, the object of which was to murder Henry and his brothers, and to place the Earl of March on the throne. The Earl of Cambridge, Lord Grey, and Lord Scrope were found implicated in it, and suffered death in consequence.

5. Henry opened the campaign by laying siege to Harfleur, which, after a defence of five weeks, was obliged to surrender. Whilst here the English suffered so terribly from illness, that the effective army was reduced by more than a half. This misfortune induced Henry to retreat to Calais. On the way the troops underwent great hardships, and were perpetually harassed by the enemy. At length the march was completely stopped; and it was resolved that a pitched battle should be fought. The French were greatly superior in numbers; but, in spite of this, the English gained a most decisive victory.

In this battle, which was called Agincourt, from the name of an adjoining castle, the French lost above 10,000 men, 8000 of whom were knights; the English about 1600, among whom were the Duke of York and the Earl of Suffolk. Amongst the French slain were the Constable, the Duke d'Alençon, and

seven princes of the royal blood. The Dukes of Orleans and Bourbon were taken prisoners.

The night previous to the fight the French gave themselves up to merriment and feasting, fully calculating on victory. The English occupied themselves in religious exercises; and before commencing the battle, each soldier placed a small piece of earth in his mouth, in remembrance that he was mortal and formed out of dust.

Henry fought in the thickest of the combat, and on several occasions narrowly escaped death. In one encounter a blow aimed at him actually cut off a part of his crown.

Henry then returned to England, where he was most joyfully received.

6. Two years afterwards he again invaded France and reduced Normandy. The rival factions still continued to weaken each other; and the Burgundians in 1419 called in the protection of Henry. A treaty was then concluded at Troyes, by the terms of which Catherine, the daughter of Charles VI., was to be given him in marriage; the regency of the kingdom was to be intrusted to him during the king's life, and he was to succeed to the throne as soon as it should become vacant. After being formally installed into the regency, Henry and his wife returned to England: but he was soon compelled to return to France on account of an attempt of the Dauphin to overthrow the government he had left behind him. He was again successful; but in the midst of his successes his health gave way, and in 1422 he died. His body was brought to England, and buried with great magnificence in Westminster Abbey. Henry was of middle stature, handsome, and engaging. He was brave, politic, affable, and clement; and not only a valiant warrior, but also an able statesman.

In this reign several additional statutes were passed against the Lollards. According to one, whoever read the Bible in English was liable to the forfeiture of life and property. The ordinary revenue of the crown at this period did not amount to 60,000l. a year; and, after the expenses of government were paid, Henry had not more than about 13,000%. left. He was, consequently, frequently in debt, and was often obliged to pawn his crown and jewels.

Contemporaries.-7. Scotland, James I.; France, Charles VI.; Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury, and Thomas, Earl of Salisbury, two illustrious English warriors; John Huss and Jerome of Prague, the two great reformers and martyrs of Bohemia; Walsingham, a historian; Thomas à Kempis, a famous theologian, born at Cologne, A.D. 1380, author of The Imitation of Jesus Christ,' a book which is said to have been printed 1800 times.

HENRY VI., OF WINDSOR.

Born A.D. 1421; Reigned 39 Years (1422-1461). Family.-1. Henry was the only son of the late king. He married Margaret of Anjou and had one child, Edward, Prince of Wales.

Margaret was the daughter of René, titular King of Sicily and Jerusalem and Duke of Anjou and Maine. She was a courageous and enterprising woman, and, during a life of great adversity, never succumbed to her ill fortune.

Chronicle.-2. At the time of his accession, Henry was only nine months old. A council was therefore appointed to manage the affairs of the kingdom; and the king's uncles, the Dukes of Bedford and Gloucester, were made, respectively, Regent of France and Protector of England. These appointments being completed, Bedford returned to France, where the Dauphin still held out against the English. On the death of Charles VI., his son assumed the title of Charles VII.; and his claim was recognised by every province to the south of the Loire except Gascony. Bedford main

tained the struggle with great vigour; and, in 1424, gave Charles a terrible defeat at Verneuil. But the ambition and misconduct of the Duke of Gloucester prevented him from following up his advantage.

Gloucester had married the Countess of Hainault, and, in order to gain possession of her provinces, employed those troops which ought to have been sent to the assistance of Bedford.

This claim of Gloucester's estranged the Burgundians from

the English cause; and the Duke of Bretagne followed their example. The Protector quarrelled also with his uncle, Cardinal Beaufort, Bishop of Winchester; and thus further contributed to weaken Bedford's hands.

In 1428 the English laid siege to Orleans, a city of great importance. During the blockade the French attempted to intercept a convoy of provisions which Bedford had sent to the English army; but they were totally defeated in an engagement called the Battle of Herrings.

It was so named from the salted herrings with which the convoy was laden, the season being Lent.

This disaster so disheartened the French that they proposed to render up the city; but, just at this juncture, an incident occurred which completely changed the fortunes of the war. A poor country girl, about nineteen years of age, named Joan of Arc, appeared at the French court, and declared that she had received a commission from Heaven to raise the siege of Orleans, and to cause Charles to be crowned at Rheims. She was at first supposed to be mad; but her conduct proved that she was actuated by a pious enthusiasm rather than by insanity, and Charles gave credence to her story. She was then provided with a suit of armour, a charger, and attendants. Her appearance in the army infused new courage into the soldiers, who looked upon her as sent by Heaven; and, seven days after her arrival, the English were obliged to raise the siege.

In the sallies made on the besiegers, Joan took an active part, and incurred the greatest dangers. She was several times wounded, and, on one occasion, was pierced by an arrow in the neck. She drew it out with her own hand, and, after having the wound dressed, immediately hastened back to her place in the fight. In these encounters she carried with her a banner of white silk, bearing on it the figure of the Saviour and the inscription "Jesus Maria."

The Earl of Suffolk, who was now at the head of the English army, was taken prisoner shortly after; and Charles then marched on to Rheims, where he was crowned.

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