England, after their eclipse in the Middle Ages. He has traced the effects of such studies in creating that freedom of thought, to which the human mind had long been a stranger, and which was intimately connected with the establishment of the Reformation,-minor links and secondary causes assuredly, yet not the less powerful in the hand of that Sovereign Architect, whose pleasure it was, in the history of this great moral revolution, to connect the light of reviving letters with the recovery of Revealed Truth.

It may be necessary to say a few words regarding the collections of papers and MSS., upon which, in addition to the more common authorities, much of the following Life is founded. Of these, the first and most important is a volume, put forth in 1830 by his Majesty's Commissioners for the Publication of State-papers, including the Original Correspondence of Henry the Eighth from 1518 to the time of his death,—a work edited with exemplary care and accuracy, and forming a valuable present to the critical reader of English history.* From this source, hitherto little known, much interesting information has been derived. Various original Manuscript-letters, relating to Scottish affairs, have also been consulted, which are preserved in that noble depository of our national muniments, the State-paper Office, to which the Author has at pre

* It is to be regretted that the price of this volume is so high as to throw it out of the reach of most literary men.

sent daily access in collecting materials for his History of Scotland. Lastly, some particulars have been derived from a Manuscript-catalogue of the Hamilton Papers, containing occasional extracts from the valuable MSS. in the collection of his Grace the Duke, kindly communicated to the writer by his friend Mr James Chalmers.

It will be seen by those who have studied the history of this period, that the Author has differed in some important points from Dr Lingard; and, in the estimate of the character of Henry, has dissented still more widely from Mr Sharon Turner. But, in so doing, he is desirous to acknowledge his obligations to the former learned and acute writer, as well as to the benevolent historian of the AngloSaxons, and to profess that high respect for their labours to which both are entitled.

The Portrait which accompanies the volume, and does honour to the well-known talent of Mr Horsburgh, is taken from the fine head of Henry engraved by Houbraken,—an artist whose exquisite line-engravings remain unrivalled even by the advanced art of the present day. Houbraken's print, it is scarcely necessary to add, is itself taken from an original picture by Holbein.

LONDON, March 15, 1836.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

BIRTH, EDUCATION, AND COURT OF THE KING.

Birth of Henry the Eighth-His early Education-His Accession
to the Crown-His Privy-council-His Marriage-State of Eu-
rope-Henry's Favour for Classical Literature-Erasmus-Colet
-Grocyn-Linacre,.....

.Page 9

CHAPTER II.

POLITICAL STATE OF EUROPE AT THE COMMENCEMENT OF
HENRY'S REIGN.

War with France-State of Italy-State of Scotland-Siege of
Terouenne-Battle of Spurs-Taking of Tournay-Battle of
Flodden Death of Louis the Twelfth,....

CHAPTER III.

.45

HENRY'S FOREIGN POLICY-RISE OF THE REFORMATION—
FIELD OF THE CLOTH OF GOLD-ASCENDENCY OF CHARLES
THE FIFTH.

Accession of Francis the First-Renewal of the League with Eng-
land-Cardinal Wolsey-Death of Ferdinand of Arragon-Re-
formation-Rise of Luther-Charles the Fifth-His vast Ambi-
tion-Death of the Emperor Maximilian-Charles' Election to
the Empire-Interview between Francis and Henry-Field of
the Cloth of Gold-Fall of the Duke of Buckingham,........................

CHAPTER IV.

.75

HENRY'S BOOK AGAINST LUTHER-VISIT OF CHARLES THE
FIFTH TO ENGLAND-INVASION OF FRANCE-CAPTIVITY
OF FRANCIS THE FIRST.

Henry's Animosity to Luther-His Work against him-He is
named Defender of the Faith-He deserts Francis-Alliance
with the Emperor-Death of Leo the Tenth-Charles the
Fifth's Visit to England-House of Commons-Debate on Sup-
plies-Invasion of France-Constable Bourbon-Battle of Pavia
-Captivity of Francis the First,...

HENRY RECONCILED WITH FRANCIS-ROME TAKEN-DEATH
OF BOURBON-ANNE BOLEYN AND THE DIVORCE.

Vacillating Policy of Henry-Reconciliation with Francis-En-
courages Learning-Wolsey's Colleges-Rome taken Death
of Constable Bourbon-Wolsey's Mission to France-King's
Love for Anne Boleyn-His meditated Divorce-Campegio in
England The Pope revokes the Cause to be tried before him-
self,...

..Page 188

CHAPTER VI.

FALL OF WOLSEY-CRANMER-PROGRESS OF THE REFOR-
MATION-ENGLAND SEPARATES FROM ROME-DEATH OF
SIR THOMAS MORE.

Fall of Cardinal Wolsey-His Illness and Death-Promotion of
Sir Thomas More-Rise of Cranmer-Difficulties as to the Di-
vorce-Rise of Cromwell-King's Supremacy-Henry excom-
municated-Cranmer made Archbishop of Canterbury-Marriage
of the King to Anne Boleyn-Coronation of the Queen-Cause of
the Divorce heard at Rome-Sentence against the King-Par-
liament assembled-Separation of the Church of England from
Rome-Execution of Bishop Fisher-Execution of Sir Thomas
More,.
...270

CHAPTER VII.

MONAS-

HENRY EXCOMMUNICATED SUPPRESSION OF
TERIES-FALL OF ANNE BOLEYN-WAR WITH FRANCE-
TYRANNY, CAPRICE, AND DEATH OF THE KING.
Henry publicly excommunicated-Kingdom laid under an Inter-
dict-Suppression of Monasteries-Appropriation of their Re-
venues-Death of Queen Catherine-Fall of Anne Boleyn-
Marriage of the King to Jane Seymour-Articles of Religion-
Death of the Queen-Henry's Tyranny-He marries Anne of
Cleves-Fall of Cromwell-Henry marries Catherine Howard—
Her Execution-War with France, and with Scotland-Murder
of Beaton-Henry marries Catherine Parr-Ascendency of the
Romish Party-Execution of the Earl of Surrey-Trial and Con-
demnation of the Duke of Norfolk-Death of Henry the Eighth
-His Character-Reflections on his Reign,...

..355