Concise History of England in Epochs

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1859 edition. Excerpt: ... A.D. 1509.] Henry's Character. 103 FIFTH EPOCH. A.d. 1509-1603. The Reformation Begun Under Henry Viii., Completed Under Elizabeth The Monarchy Firmly And Finally EstabLished On The Ruins Of Feudalism Parliament, The Only Check On The Crown, Maintains Its Rights With Some Fluctuations, But Makes Little Progress--The Epoch Of Maritime Discovery, Of Commercial Enterprise, And Of The Progress Of The Middle Classes. [Spenser, Shakspere, and Bacon flourished.] 1. Henry VIII. A.d. 1509-1549. Henry's Character And Views Op His Relation To The Church--Wolsey-- Alliance Against France Klodden Field--The Field Op The Cloth Of Gold The Reformation Tyndale's New Testament--Divorce Of Catharine Of Areaoon, And Wolsey's Fall Henry, Supreme Head Of The Church Thomas Cromwell Roman Catholics Rkoain Influence Henry's Death And Character. Henry was eighteen years of .age when he ascended the throne. He had been carefully educated, and was well versed in theology, classical literature, history, and music, besides being accomplished in all warlike exercises. The value attached to an alliance with 104 CARDINAL WOLSEY. [a.d. 1510. Spain had induced Henry vu., as we said in the last chapter, to obtain from Pope Julius n. a dispensation, permitting his son Henry to marry Catherine of Arragon, his brother Arthur's widow. The betrothal had taken place in the previous reign, and immediately after Henry's accession, the marriage was solemnized. The festivities that followed quickly exhausted the well-filled coffers his father had left him. Empson and Dudley, the two lawyers by whose skill and subtlety Henry vu. had been enabled to accumulate these vast treasures, became the victims of the hatred which they had aroused, and were executed soon after. However odious...