of the protestant religion, and the punishment of all who had acted a conspicuous part in its establishment, and of all, however humble, who insisted on maintaining, or even quietly believing, the protestant doctrines. The successive steps or stages of the queen's course in this fatal direction deserve particular notice. Soon after Mary's arrival at Framlingham castle, and when she was in great need of friends and supporters, a large body of Suffolk men, who, we are told, were all for the Reformation, gathered around her and inquired whether she would allow the protestant religion to remain unmolested if she succeeded in reaching the throne. She gave them the most positive assurances that she would make no innovations on the religion established during Edward's reign, but content herself with the private exercise of her own religion. Assured on this fundamental point, the nobility, gentry, and the commons of the county immediately rallied around the queen's standard, and placed her on the throne.* This was her first step.

Her second step was taken on the 12th of August, nine days after her triumphal entry into London. She then made an open declaration in council, that, "although her own conscience was staid in the matters of religion, yet she was resolved not to compel or strain others, otherwise than as God should put into their hearts a persuasion of that truth she was in; and this she hoped should be

* Fox, 111. 12; Burnet, vol. 11. pt. 1. bk. 11. p. 475; Collier, v1. 6.

done by the opening his word to them, by godly, virtuous, and learned preachers." Here we perceive that the queen Mary begins to modify, somewhat, the promise of the lady Mary. She has now concluded not to content herself with the private exercise of her own religion, but to employ "godly, virtuous, and learned preachers," to persuade her people that hers is the only true faith.

Nine days' further reflection and preparation brought the queen another step downward. On the 18th of August, an inhibition in the queen's name was put forth, declaring herself of "that religion she had professed from her infancy, and that she would maintain it during her time, and be glad that all her subjects would charitably receive it. Yet, she did not compel any of her subjects to it till public order should be taken on it by common consent." Then, as a further aid towards a charitable reception of her religion, she "straightly charges" her subjects, "that none should preach, or expound scripture, or print any books or plays without her special license." * So, then, it seemed, the queen's notion of being" content with the private exercise of her own religion" included not only proselyting her subjects by means of "godly, virtuous, and learned preachers" of Romanism, but also the absolute prohibition of all other preaching in the kingdom, and the stopping of every protes

* Burnet, ut sup. p. 490; Collier, VI. 12. Fox, III. 14, contains this "Inhibition.”

tant pen as well as mouth in the nation. And all this, bad as it was, and in open violation of her solemn engagement, was only preparatory, as was clearly intimated, to that time of promise when "public order should be taken" to suppress the established religion of the kingdom, and restore popery to its ancient stronghold. On the publication of this inhibition, some of the Suffolk men, whe had been so serviceable to the queen in the day of her extremity, ventured into her presence with a reminder of her promise to them. The only justi fication of her course which she vouchsafed to them was, first, a reprimand for their impertinence, and to one of their leaders the honor of standing for three days in the pillory, for defaming the queen by reminding her of her promise! Others were sent to prison for their presumption in supplicating a continuance of the protestant religion.

The queen is now so firmly seated on the throne, and her plans so fully matured, that further pretence and concealment are hardly deemed necessary; and the measures of the court are hurried forward with the utmost activity. Between the 15th and 18th of August, a considerable number of protestants, under various pretences, were arrested and imprisoned; among them John Rogers and John Bradford. On the 22d, a commission was issued for restoring Bonner, and probably all the other deprived prelates - Gardiner, Tunstall, Heath, and Day; and on the 29th a commission was issued to Gardiner, under the great seal, "to

license such as he thought meet to preach God's word." * Many of the Reformers, nevertheless, continued their ministerial labors, some preaching openly, and others in a more private way instructing and directing their people. Before the close of the month, Bishop Coverdale of Exeter and Bishop Hooper of Worcester were summoned before the council; and on the first of September Hooper was sent to the Fleet prison, and Coverdale placed under restraint. Images were set up in various places, and the Latin service was used by individuals, though expressly against the unrepealed laws of the kingdom.

Cranmer's friends urged him to flee from the impending storm; but, while he advised others to do this, he refused to leave his post; and on the 8th of September received his first summons before the council. On the 12th he was called again, and on the next day was sent to the Tower, together with old Latimer. About the same time, the French protestants who resided in London had orders to leave the kingdom; and John a Lasco, the superintendent of the foreign churches in London, was first silenced and then sent out of the country, as were the other foreign protestant preachers. In company with these foreigners, and in other ways, great numbers of English protestants — eight or ten hundred, it is said escaped from the kingdom. But Mary had no intention of losing her

* Fox, 111. 12-15; Burnet, vol. 11. pt. 1. bk. II. pp. 493–96.

!

prey thus; she had her injuries to revenge, as well as her religion to impose upon her subjects; and she therefore forbade any one to depart the kingdom without license. Most of the leading Reformers, bishops and divines, who had not escaped beyond the sea, were now in prison; Gardiner, the most cunning and capable priest and politician of his day, was at the head of the government, as lord chancellor; and all things were now made. ready for the coronation of the queen, and for the first parliamentary assembly of her reign. Mary was crowned on the 1st of October, by Gardiner and half a score of Romish bishops, with their mitres, copes, and crosiers, and with all the popish pomp and ceremony thought becoming the occasion.

Mary's first parliament met on the 5th of October, 1553, and continued in session — an adjournment of three days intervening- until December 6th.* The acts of this parliament with which we have special concern were, first, one declaring the lawfulness of Henry's marriage with Catharine of

* Statutes of the Realm, 1 Mary, vol. iv. p. 197; Parl. Hist., III. 289, Lond. 1762. Fox (111. 15) says this parliament met Oct. 10th, misled probably by the continuation of Fabian's Chronicle. See Strype, vol. III. pt. 1. ch. 4, p. 57. Beal, clerk of the council in Elizabeth's reign, says, that in many places men were chosen to this parliament "by force and threats; in other places those employed by the court did by violence hinder the commons from coming to choose; in many places false returns were made; and that some were violently turned out of the house of commons.". Burnet, vol. 11. pt. 1. bk. II. p. 505.