PREFACE.

In the present age of historical research, and of recorded usurpation, no apology seems necessary for bringing before the public the various events connected with the brief but eventful life and reign of an Innocent Usurper, the victim of parental ambition, and a sacrifice to filial obedience.

That period in the sixteenth century between the turbulent and tyrannic reign of the last Henry, and the glorious though despotic one of his daughter Elizabeth-a period of only twelve years-has been but slightly noticed by general historians, who have expatiated upon little beyond the precocity of the royal infant, Edward, and the gloomy yet

ferocious bigotry of his intolerant sister: the unsettled state of one reign marked by the too frequent political use of the fatal scaffold; and the religious prejudices of the other too strongly shown by the flames of the martyrs' stake.

Yet that period, though short, is replete with much of high interest to the antiquary, to the philosopher, to the man of taste, and to the Christian; for then was the infancy of our arts, our knowledge, our manners, and our reformed faith.

Impressed with this conviction, we have endeavoured to draw from the dust of antiquity every important anecdote or illustration referring to, or delineative of, that era; but more particularly as connected specifically with the life of one whose short course has hitherto been rather considered in a political than in a biographical point of view. In do

ing this, we have left no source of information untouched: and have thus been enabled to lay before our readers a series of facts, anecdotes, and documents, unknown, or, at least, yet unnoticed; most of which bear strongly upon the history of our country, and many of them tending to correct our opinions as to the characters of men, and our knowledge of manners of that day.

If strict fidelity and adherence to truth, without party bias either historical or systematic, may be a passport to approval, to that we can fearlessly lay claim. How far true taste has been consulted in the arrangement, or true judgment in the selection, we must leave for the public to appreciate.

LONDON, Dec. 1, 1821.

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