XIII KING EDWARD AS A STATESMAN As Edward progressed with his studies, he became more and more interested in the work that was to occupy his life, more and more desirous of mastering the details of statecraft. His tutors were still with him or near him. As Dean of Westminster Dr. Cox was close at hand. Dr. Cheke remained as a Gentleman of the Chamber and was knighted. Following Sir John Cheke's advice, the young King began to keep a regular Journal in March 1550, which has been preserved.' It ends in 1 Cottonian MSS. Nero, C. x. The Journal was printed by Bishop Burnet in his History of the Reformation, and more recently, in 1857, by J. G. Nichols. Hallam doubted whether Edward wrote it, and Froude thought that Thomas might have written part. Burnet and Nichols had no doubt that Edward wrote the Journal; and, indeed, there is not the slightest ground for any doubt. Edward may have copied notes or memoranda into it, which were furnished to him from time to time. The Journal consists of sixty-eight leaves folio. November 1552. It begins with a brief résumé of the proceedings of the previous years of his reign, including a spirited and well-written account of the campaign in Scotland. His Journal records his movements, his sports, as well as public events; and clear notices of the affairs of the Emperor and of his war with Henry II. This attention to foreign affairs shows that he read the despatches of his ambassadors with care. Edward VI. was well served by his diplomatists. Sir John Mason was an excellent linguist and a close observer, with liberal economic views. Sir Philip Hoby was a negotiator of ability. Sir Richard Morrison was a more conscientious man and not a time-server. He was at the Court of the Emperor. Sir William Pickering did good service at Paris. But the most valuable, as regards guidance in a King's duties, and not the least faithful of Edward's servants, was Master Thomas, the Clerk of the Council. William Thomas was a native of Radnorshire, and was a student at Oxford in 1529. He then passed several years in Italy, returning in 1549. He studied at Bologna and Padua, acquiring a thorough knowledge of the Italian language. He had written a 'History of Italy' and an Italian grammar and dictionary, the first of its kind. His style is always lucid and his orthography better than that of most of his contemporaries. He went to Paris in 1551 with the embassy of the new Marquis of Northampton (Parr), touching the marriage of the French Princess Elizabeth. For his years, Thomas was one of the most learned men of his time.1 As the King increased in years and knowledge, the Council, perhaps Dudley, began to show uneasiness and even jealousy. Thomas had undertaken to be Edward's political instructor, but it had to be without the knowledge of the Council. One of Edward's faithful Gentlemen of the Chamber, Sir Nicholas Throgmorton, was the confidential agent who carried papers between the King and the Clerk of the Council. Edward had copies of the Council Minutes, with notes on the decisions. "The commonplaces of State' contained a number of questions and answers respecting affairs of State, including the conduct of a campaign. Edward was The works of William Thomas were his History of Italy, 4to., 1549; his Italian Grammar and Dictionary for the Better Understanding of Dante, Petrarch, and Boccaccio, 4to., 1550; Common Places of State, MS. written for Edward VI.; Of the Vanity of the World, 8vo., 1549; Translation of Cato's Speech and Valerius's Answer from Dec. IV. of Livy, 12mo., 1551. well acquainted with the unsatisfactory condition of the people caused by former misgovernment. He asked many questions with a view to the reform of abuses, and wrote a treatise in which he compared the State and its problems with a man's body, its ailments and remedies. His essay on a Free Mart was probably based on conversations with Sir John Mason. Thomas supplied him with notes on the coinage, and on the steps for restoring its purity.' There are several notes on the subject in his Journal. He was also concerned about the crown debts. No adequate measure had been taken for their payment except the sale of chantries. The Council attempted no scheme of economy, and at length the young King himself introduced measures of retrenchment in the household expenses. The procedure of the Council itself also received his attention, and he had a scheme ready for its more efficient working by small committees for the different departments. We can now picture to ourselves the young King in his study at Westminster, engaged on 1 The King gave Thomas a special but secret order to prepare for him a note on the coinage. Legend on coins: 'Timor Domini fons vitæ vel sapientiæ.' 2 The charges for the household for a week in 1549 were £828, or £43,000 a year. |