ing a cathedral at Newcastle, its dismemberment will appear likely to have afforded but moderate pecuniary spoils for distribution among the courtly circle. It is, indeed, probable, that a principal object proposed in making this arrangement, was the acquisition by Northumberland of the temporalities attached to the see of Durham; as that ambitious peer received a grant of them in May. For the see itself Bishop Ridley was intended; a design which gave him reason to hope, that the part of England which reared his youth would receive the benefit of his talents and experience in the full maturity of his age. After sitting a month only the Parliament was dissolved, having first passed, though with much difficulty, a bill of indemnity comprising a condemnation of Somerset's measures. By this ungracious insertion, it was perhaps hoped, that some satisfaction might be given to the King, who had been heard to speak of his uncle with regret'.

In the course of the spring, Archbishop Cranmer obtained a royal order, enjoining the bishops to obtain subscriptions from the clergy to the forty-two articles. Early in June, accordingly, there was an attendance of the London incumbents for this purpose, in the great hall at Lambeth. To what extent, however, such signa

f Burnet, Hist. Ref. II. 347.

Strype Mem. Cranm. 421. Eccl. Mem. II. Pt. II. 104.

tures were thus affixed is unknown, but it is certain that no compulsion was used. All who subscribed, afforded this authentication of their own free wills, or by the Archbishop's arguments and persuasions. These articles were now generally circulated in print, and to them was often appended a catechism, recommended at this time by royal authority to schoolmasters for the use of their pupils. This piece of elementary religious instruction is more full than that in the book of Common Prayer, and it was intended for young persons of liberal education. Its author is not certainly known', but there is reason to believe him to have been Bishop Poynet, of Winchester *.

* Cranmer was charged, at Oxford, with having compelled many, against their wills, to subscribe the articles. He answered: “ I exhorted such as were willing to subscribe: but aust their wils, I compelled none." Foxe, 1704.

The King, in his royal letter prefixed to it, says nothing more, than that, when there was presented unto us to be perused a short and piza order of catechism written by a certain godly ani kurtai man; we committed the debating and diligent examinacon cheron a certain bishops and other learned men, whose judgement we have a great estimation. And because it seemed agreeaje euch zur Srpcures, and the ordinances of our realm, we have comenzatiei si 24 de published, and to be taught by all schoolmasswing aer the other brief catechism, which we have avach set_irth Charton's Life of Nowell, 156.

Among the works, which are not very numerous, of Poynet. Radep of Winchester, Bale reckons A Catechism to the Ăng, and so identify the book, he quotes, as his manner is, the Sist words of Edward the Sixth's letter, prefixed to what is called Ya catam." Ibid. 181.

Of this catechism, Nowell subsequently made very free use in the one compiled by himself'.

To Cranmer's influence, undoubtedly, must be ascribed the constant succession of projects for grounding the nation in evangelical truth, which distinguishes this reign. The Archbishop, indeed, attended the meetings of the privy council with great regularity, and was thus ever at hand to watch over the best interests of England. In the June of this year, he took his seat at the board, on the 2d, 3d, 6th, and 8th days: but never afterwards". Of his absence upon subsequent occasions, repugnance to an intrigue then in progress was probably the cause. Edward had struggled with pulmonary consumption through the winter and spring. As is usual in that treacherous malady, his recovery, at intervals, had been confidently expected, but as the year ad

"Nowell has transcribed from this catechism, more than it would be supposed, on the first view of the question, he would copy from any book not written by himself, without acknowledging it. It was not from penury of matter, or poverty of style, and certainly not to spare his own labour, that Nowell consolidated so much of Poynet's catechism with his own, but for another reason, honourable to both. It was a principle with our Reformers, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, not to frame a new liturgy, but to revise and retain what was already well done, in the liturgy and articles of Edward VI.; and Nowell, one of those Reformers, thought himself bound to pay similar deference to the catechism of that reign; which in point of authority was only inferior to the established liturgy, and homilies, and articles of the Church." Churton's Life of Nowell, 162.

vanced, it became evident to all about his person, that a premature grave must shortly close over him. He was not himself unaware of his danger, and being anxious for the permanence of his religious policy, he readily listened to arguments upon the propriety of preventing the Lady Mary from succeeding him. But Cranmer opposed this measure. The Princess possessed a statutable and testamentary claim to the succession: she was also the daughter of the Primate's friend and benefactor, and he had sworn to observe that disposition of the crown which had been established throughout the present reign. To Northumberland's ambitious hopes, these objections, however, offered no impediment, and his resolution to settle the crown upon his own daughter-in-law remained unshaken. Accordingly, a letter was addressed, on the 11th of June, to Sir Edward Montague, Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, desiring his attendance before the council, at Greenwich, on the following day, together with the Judges Baker and Bromley, and the Attorney and Solicitor General. These distinguished lawyers, on arrival at the palace, were ushered into their sovereign's presence. Edward then informed them, that his illness having impelled

n

" Signed by the Duke of Northumberland, the Earls of Bedford, Shrewsbury, and Pembroke, the Lords Clinton and Darcy, Sir John Gates, Sir William Petre, Sir William Cecil, and Sir John Cheke. Statement of the Lord Chief Justice Montague. Fuller, 2.

him to consider the evils which his sister Mary might bring upon England by marrying a foreigner, and overthrowing his own ecclesiastical arrangements, he had resolved upon excluding her from the succession; and that he wished them to prepare a new devise of the crown according to a plan which he placed in their hands. He was answered, that an act of Parliament opposed his intentions, and that consequently the desired instrument would not be valid. Unmoved by this reply, the King persisted in his former order, and the legal officers intreated time for deliberation. Being met together for this purpose, they found that in executing the royal mandate, they should expose both themselves and the members of the council to the penalties of treason. When, accordingly, Sir William Petre sent for Montague to Ely House, and urged him to use despatch in preparing the proposed devise, the Chief Justice endeavoured to decline the business altogether, on account of its illegality and danger. A formal report to this effect was soon afterwards made to the council; Northumberland being then out of the room. He entered it, however, at the end of no long interval, trembling with rage; when he called the Chief Justice traitor, and said, "I will fight in my shirt with any man in this quarrel.” The lawyers being unprepared for such an ebullition of intemperance, at first were apprehensive of personal violence; but they stood their ground, and left the court without undertaking to pro