THE HISTORY OF THE REIGN KING HENRY THE EIGHTH AFTER the decease of that wise and fortunate King, Henry the Seventh, who died in the height of his prosperity, there followed, as useth to do, when the sun setteth so exceeding clear, one of the fairest mornings of a kingdom that hath been known in this land or anywhere else. A young king, about eighteen years of age, for stature, strength, making, and beauty, one of the goodliest persons of his time. And though he were given to pleasure, yet he was likewise desirous of glory ; so that there was a passage open in his mind, by glory, for virtue. Neither was he unadorned with learning, though therein he came short of his brother Arthur. He had never any the least pique, difference, or jealousy with the king his father, which might give any occasion of altering court or council upon the change; but all things passed in a still. He was the first heir of the white and red rose ; so that there was no discon tented party now left in the kingdom, but all men s hearts turned towards him: and not only their hearts, but their eyes also; for he was the only son of the kingdom. He had no brother; which though it be a comfortable thing for kings to have, yet it draweth the subjects eyes a little aside. And yet being a married man in those young years, it promised hope of speedy issue to succeed in the crown. Neither was there any queen- mother, who might share any way in the govern ment, or clash with his counsellors for authority, while the king intended his pleasure. No such thing as any great and mighty subject, who might anywise eclipse or overshade the imperial power. And for the people and stato in general, they were in such lowness of obedience, as sub jects were like to yield, who had lived almost four-and-twenty years under so politic n king as his father; being also one who came parlly by the sword ; and had so high courage in all points of regality ; and was ever victorious in rebellions and seditions of the people. The crown extreme ly rich, and full of treasure, and the kingdom like to be so in a short time. For there was no war, no dearth, no stop of trade, or commerce : it was only the crown which had sucked too hard, and now being full, and upon the head of a younr king, was like to draw less. Lastly, he was in heritor of his father s reputation, which was great throughout the world. He had strait alliance with the two neighbour states, an ancient enemy in former times, and an ancient friend, Scotland and Burgundy. He had peace and amity with France, under the assurance, not only of treaty and league, but of necessity and inability in the French to do him hurt, in respect that the French king s designs where wholly bent upon Italy : so that it may be truly said, there had scarcely been seen, or known, in many ages, such a rare con currence of signs and promises, of a happy and nourishing reign to ensue, as were now met in this young king, called after his father s name, Henry the Eighth VOL. I. 49 K
