QUESTIONS. In what year did Edward the Sixth die? Who reigned after him? What relation was queen Mary to Edward the Sixth? Did Mary encourage the Protestant religion, or not? What two bishops are particularly mentioned as having been burned to death for the sake of the Protestant religion? Had Ridley and Latimer exerted themselves greatly, by preaching and writing, to spread the Protestant religion? What other bishop soon afterwards suffered death in the same cause? Had archbishop Cranmer ever failed in shewing a firmness of resolution in support of the Protestant cause? Had he signed a declaration in which he shewed a want of courage in support of his opinion? How did he feel, after he had signed this? How did he act afterwards? Why did he thrust his right hand into the fire, and what did he say on doing so? Was a claim to the crown set up in favour of any other person, against queen Mary? Who was this person? What became of lady Jane Grey? Who was her husband, and what became of him? Was queen Mary married? Who was her husband? Did the temporal affairs of the nation go on well during Mary's reign? What town in France, belonging to the English, was lost du ring this reign? How did the queen bear this loss, and what did she say? What was the disposition of her husband? What religion did he profess? How did he behave to the queen? Was she happy? In what year did she die? How long had she reigned? LETTER XXI. MY DEAR BOY, AFTER the death of queen Mary, her sister Elizabeth became queen. The people had suffered so much under the cruel Mary, that they received Elizabeth with real delight. Elizabeth was a very thoughtful and considerate person, and she saw plainly, that her sister Mary's notions about religion had been entirely wrong; and she, therefore, determined to encourage the Protestant religion, which she well understood, and which she felt to be right. Through her means, therefore, the Roman Catholic religion was laid aside, and the Protestant religion established in its place, nearly in the same manner as we have it at present. Queen Elizabeth soon experienced, that the highest station in this life is not without its troubles. There were many persons in England who still favoured the Roman Catholic religion, and these were desirous of getting rid of Elizabeth, and of putting Mary, queen of Scots, upon the English throne. This Mary was a near relation of Elizabeth, and was in truth the rightful heiress * to the throne, in case Elizabeth should not marry, and have children. Mary was a Catholic, and she listened to the proposals of those who were plotting against Elizabeth, and she became engaged in their conspiracies. A battle was fought, which went wholly against Mary. She surrendered herself up to Elizabeth, who ordered her to be secured, that she might be prevented from en * Margaret, sister of Henry VIII. married James IV. of Scotland; their son, James V. was the father of Mary. gaging in any more schemes to disturb the kingdom. It appears, however, that, even during her confinement, she secretly encouraged those who were conspiring against the queen. She was brought to her trial, and was condemned. We are told that Elizabeth was very unwilling to sign the death warrant, and that the persons around her took great pains to persuade her to do it, knowing that they should find no favour if Mary should ever become queen. They are said to have alarmed the queen with rumours of plots and conspiracies, so that she one day signed the warrant, and sent it to the chancellor to have the seal put upon it, intending to keep it by her, and not to have it executed unless Mary should attempt to escape from Fotheringay castle *, where she was then confined. Her secretary went to the chancellor, got the warrant sealed, and, instead of bringing it back to the queen, he laid it before the council, who resolved that it should be immediately put in execution. It was accordingly directed to four noblemen, who immediately set out for Fotheringay castle, accompanied by two executioners. * In Northamptonshire. As soon as they arrived, they ordered Mary to prepare for death, by eight o'clock the next morning. She was ready at the appointed time, dressed in a rich habit of silk and velvet, with a long veil on her head, and a crucifix * in her hand. The scaffold was covered with black. The two executioners kneeled down, and asked her to forgive them. She said she forgave them, and all who were concerned in her death. She declared that she was innocent; she then repeated a psalm, and some pious expressions; and her head was then severed from her body by two strokes of the executioner. Whatever were the faults of Mary, we cannot help grieving for her tragical end, especially when we think that it was ordered by a near relation, a female, and a queen. Soon after this, Elizabeth was exposed to further troubles. Philip, king of Spain, was a bigoted Catholic, and he could not bear to see the Protestant religion flourishing in England. Accordingly, he fitted out a vast fleet of ships, and so large an army, that he thought nothing could A little image of our Saviour on the Cross, much used by Roman Catholics. |