CHAP. XL.

Character of the puritans-Duke of Norfolk's conspiracy

-Insurrection in the north-Assassination of the earl of

Murray-A parliament-Civil wars of France-Affairs

of the Low Countries-New conspiracy of the Duke of

Norfolk Trial of Norfolk-His execution-Scotch

affairs-French affairs-Massacre of Paris-French

affairs-Civil wars of the low Countries-A parliament.

Page 149

CHAP. XLI.

Affairs of Scotland-Spanish affairs-Sir Francis Drake-

A parliament-Negotiations of marriage with the duke

of Anjou-Affairs of Scotland-Letter of queen Mary

to Elizabeth-Conspiracies in England-A parliament

-The ecclesiastical commission-Affairs of the Low

Countries-Hostilities with Spain.

CHAP. XLII.

230

Zeal of the catholics-Babington's conspiracy-Mary

assents to the conspiracy-The conspirators seized and

executed-Resolution to try the queen of Scots-The

commissioners prevail on her to submit to the trial-The

trial-Sentence against Mary-Interposition of king

James-Reasons for the execution of Mary-The exe-

cution-Mary's character-The queen's affected sorrow

-Drake destroys the Spanish fleet at Cadiz-Philip

projects the invasion of England-The invinsible armada

-Preparations in England-The armada arrives in the

channel-Defeated-A parliament-Expedition against

Portugal-Affairs of Scotland.

282

CHAP.

CHAP. XLIII.

French affairs-Murder of the duke of Guise-Murder of

Henry III.-Progress of Henry IV.-Naval enterprises

against Spain-A parliament-Henry IV. embraces the

catholic religion-Scotch affairs-Naval enterprises—A

parliament-Peace of Vervins-The earl of Essex.

Page 354

CHAP. XLIV.

State of Ireland-Tyrone's rebellion-Essex sent over to

Ireland-His ill success-Returns to England-Is dis-

graced His intrigues-His insurrection-His trial and

execution French affairs-Mountjoy's success in Ire-

land-Defeat of the Spaniards and Irish-A parliament

-Tyrone's submission-Queen's sickness-and death-

and character.

APPENDIX. II.

395

Government of England-Revenues-Commerce-Mili-

tary force-Manufactures-Learning.

451

THE

THE

HISTORY

OF

ENGLAND.

ELIZABETH.

CHAP. XXXVIII.

Queen's popularity-Re-establishment of the protestant religion-A parliament-Peace with FranceDisgust between the Queen and Mary queen of Scots-Affairs of Scotland-Reformation in Scotland-Civil wars in Scotland-Interposal of the Queen in the affairs of Scotland-Settlement of Scotland-French affairs-Arrival of Mary in Scotland-Bigotry of the Scotch reformers-Wise government of Elizabeth.

IN

XXXVIII.

1558.

N a nation so divided as the English, it could CHAP scarcely be expected that the death of one sovereign, and the accession of another, who was generally believed to have embraced opposite principles to those which prevailed, could be the object of universal satisfaction: Yet so much were men displeased VOL. V.

B

with

Queen's

popularity.

CHAP. with the present conduct of affairs, and such appreXXXVIII. hensions were entertained of futurity, that the peo1558. ple, overlooking their theological disputes, expressed a general and unfeigned joy that the sceptre had passed into the hand of Elizabeth. That princess had discovered great prudence in her conduct during the reign of her sister; and as men were sensible of the imminent danger to which she was every moment exposed, compassion towards her situation, and concern for her safety, had rendered her, to an uncommon degree, the favourite of the nation. A parliament had been assembled a few days before Mary's death; and when Heathe, archbishop of York, then chancellor, notified to them that event, scarcely an interval of regret appeared; and the two houses immediately resounded with the joyful acclamations of "God save queen Elizabeth; Long and happily 66 may she reign!" The people, less actuated by faction, and less influenced by private views, expressed a joy still more general and hearty on her proclamation; and the auspicious commencement of this reign prognosticated that felicity and glory which, during its whole course, so uniformly attended it."

ELIZABETH was at Hatfield when she heard of her sister's death; and, after a few days, she went thence to London through crowds of people, who strove with each other in giving her the strongest testimony of their affection. On her entrance into the Tower, she could not forbear reflecting on the great difference between her present fortune, and that which a few years before had attended her, when she was conducted to that place as a prisoner, and lay there exposed to all the bigotted malignity of her enemies. She fell on her knees, and expressed her thanks to Heaven for the deliverance which the Almighty had granted her from her bloody persecutors; a deliverance, she said, no less miraculous