land, Winchester, Northampton, Pembroke, and some other persons of distinction, with a splendid muster of their armed men. Youth is generally captivated by military parade, and fine horses. These attractions, accordingly, seem to have taken fully as much hold upon the royal boy's mind as could have been desired by the artful contrivers of the shew. His imagination was then set to work upon the festivities of Christmas. For the first time it was determined, that he should open his hall at that jovial season, and keep up the round of mirth and revelry which had then usually prevailed in the English court *. For this exhilarating purpose he removed to Greenwich, on the 23d of December. He there found a gentleman of Lincoln's Inn installed as Lord of Misrule, and this laughter-inciting personage exerted himself with great success, during the holidays, to make all the younger, and the more thoughtless members of the royal Christmas party forget every thing save the sports around them'. These pastimes were diversified by tilting-matches and a masque. A youth of Edward's grave and conscientious habits would not, however, have been satisfied if all his time had been dissipated in these amusements. His mirth, accordingly, was interrupted by a few intervals of business; but this, excepting only a

i King Edward's Journal, 60.

"I began to keep holy this Christmas, and continued till Twelve-tide." Ibid. 62.

Grafton. Stow.

wrangle with the imperial ambassador about the Lady Mary's mass, was merely routine. It is, indeed, obvious from the King's journal, that his thoughts were thoroughly engrossed by the festivities and amusements which crowded upon his notice. Nor when, on the 7th of January, he broke up the joyous hall, was he permitted quietly to recruit his spirits for any duties of importance. On the 17th of that month another tilting-match was run before him ", and thus an indisposition for graver subjects, the natural result of any considerable relaxation, continued to enervate the royal mind.

The 22nd of January, 1552, was appointed for executing the Duke of Somerset, by decapitation, upon Tower Hill. As that unfortunate nobleman's popularity was well known, orders were issued to the different householders in London, that they should keep their several dependants within doors until ten o'clock in the morning of that day. But it being understood, that the people's favourite was to suffer at an earlier hour, Tower Hill was crowded with anxious spectators before seven o'clock, and every window commanding a view of the fatal spot was occupied ". At eight, the noble prisoner appeared, cheerful in countenance, firm in voice, and treading the scaffold with unfaltering step. He then knelt down, lifted up his hands to heaven, and remained awhile engaged in prayer. After this he arose,

m King Edward's Journal, 64.

n

Hayward, 324.

turned himself to the eastern side of the platform, and thas addressed the pitying multitude. "Dearly beloved friends, I am brought hither to sufer death, although I never offended against the King either in word or deed, and I have been always faithful and true to this realm, as ever was any man. But forasmuch as I am by a law condemned to die, I do acknowledge myself, as well as others, to be subject thereunto. I therefore willingly offer myself to suffer death, in testimony of the obedience due from me to the laws; and I thank God most heartily, that he hath not called me away by sudden death, but hath allowed me mercifully time for repentance before my departure hence. As to one thing, dearly beloved friends, I feel no cause for repentance. While in authority, I constantly and diligently set forth and furthered the Christian religion, to the utmost of my power. In these my doings, I now rejoice, having the satisfaction to know, that the state of Christ's Church among us is very closely conformable to that of the primitive Church. This I esteem a great benefit conferred by God, both upon you and me. Therefore, I most heartily beseech you all, that this religion, now so purely set forth among you, may be accepted and embraced by you with becoming thankfulness; producing that effect upon your lives, which must flow from it, if you would escape the wrath of God." At the conclusion of these words, a violent movement among the people arrested the speaker's attention. A sudden noise had been heard, which

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appeared to the excited imaginations of the populace, as if caused by an explosion of gunpowder. The desire of self-preservation immediately overpowered in many of the spectators an anxiety to witness the consummation of their favourite's melancholy fate, and several streets leading from the Tower were filled at once by a tumultuous rush. The panic, it soon appeared, arose from the noise caused by a troop of horse, which, having been summoned on duty that day, and finding itself too late, came galloping towards the place of execution. No sooner were the horsemen discerned, than they were hailed on every side as the bearers of a reprieve. Caps were exultingly tossed in the air, and "A pardon, A pardon; God save the King;" resounded through the assembled populace. Somerset, however, himself appears to have entertained little or no expectation of escaping his doom. His position, during the tumult, continued unchanged, and his countenance lost nothing of its grave composure. At length, order being restored among the crowd, he waved with his hand for silence, and thus resumed. 66 Dearly beloved friends, there is no such matter here in hand as you vainly hope and believe. It seemeth good to Almighty God, whose ordinances require absolute submission from us all, that I should suffer. Wherefore, I pray you, look on in quietness, and be contented with my death; which I am most willing to undergo. First, however, let us join in prayer to God for the preservation of the King's Majesty, to whom

I have ever shewn myself a true and faithful subject. In his affairs both at home and abroad, I have always been most diligent. Nor have I been less industrious in seeking to benefit all the realm." The people all around, in mournful attestation of these words, exclaimed: "It is most true." Somerset then proceeded to invoke blessings upon his royal nephew, and upon the council, to inculcate the duty of obedience to constituted authorities, to entreat the pardon of any who might have cause to complain of him, to express his own forgiveness of all who might have injured himself, to declare that he died in the faith of Jesus Christ, and to intreat that all who heard him would assist him with their prayers. After this address, he knelt again, and while in this posture, Dr. Cox, who attended as his religious adviser, put into his hand a brief confession of faith in writing. This being read, the Duke arose once more, still retaining full possession of his firmness and serenity. He then shook hands with the two sheriffs, the lieutenant of the Tower, and all others upon the scaffold, bidding them an affectionate farewell. His last touching offices of courtesy were concluded by a pecuniary present to the executioner. He then threw off his gown, and kneeling, untied the strings of his shirt. The executioner now advanced, and turned his collar down, with such other parts of his dress as appeared likely to impede the fatal blow. The Duke, being thus prepared, after once more lifting up his eyes to heaven, with his own hands fastened