Page:The religious life of King Henry VI.djvu/102

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76
THE CANONIZATION OF

prelates to enquire into matters connected with the canonization of St. Anselm,[1] and the second, of the same date, to hold a full enquiry into the asserted sanctity and miracles of Henry VI. From this second letter it appears that the King had sent a formal petition for the appointment of a commission to take evidence, in view of the popularly desired canonization. "From the letters of our beloved son in Christ, Henry VII, the illustrious King of England," the Pope writes, "and also from common report, we understand that Henry VI, King of England, of illustrious memory, when he lived on this earth, was well known for the sanctity of his life, for his eminent moral qualities, for his fervent charity to his neighbours, and for every virtue and for all holiness. Moreover, he assiduously practised fasting and continency and was given to prayer and to works of mercy. Also he built, founded, and endowed two great and well-known colleges in England for the education and support of poor scholars, dedicated to the honour of God Almighty and of his glorious Mother. Further, whilst in this life and also after his death the Lord,

  1. Wilkins, Concilia, iii, 641.