By G. Poulett Scrape, Esq., M.P. 21 



said by Holingslied, to see the children of his children's children, to 

 the number of one hundred and three descendants of his own blood. 

 "A rare blessing" adds the Chronicle, "to men of his calling." 



It is related that being asked by some one "how he had so safely 

 and honourably passed through such tempestuous times, in which 

 80 many of all sorts had miscarried ? " his reply was, " By being a 

 wiUow, and not an oak." So long a career of uninterrupted pros- 

 perity and honourable employment in exalted positions was, indeed, 

 in those times unexampled, and could only have been exhibited by 

 a character such as he here gives himself, one that would yield 

 always to the storm instead of attempting to oppose it. No doubt 

 there is little of heroism, or even generosity in such a character. 

 And the facility with which Lord Winchester acted in turn as the 

 bosom friend and counsellor of both Somerset and Northumberland, 

 and in due time, when their fortunes changed, not merely deserted, 

 but took the lead in convicting and destroying them, exposes him 

 to the suspicion of treachery and selfish cowardice. But such con- 

 duct was perhaps not incompatible with a desire to pursue the 

 course most conducive to the public good. Public opinion at all 

 events seems to have been generally favourable to him. He was 

 the Ulysses of his day ; crafty, but wise and prudent, no less in his 

 country's interest than his own. He " feathered his own nest," no 

 doubt, but was no Bird of Prey. He truckled to the truciJent 

 tyranny of his master Henry; but it was in fear and trembling that 

 he executed those wrathful mandates — in many of which we must 

 remember he was associated with Cranmer. Certainly a nobleman 

 who could retain tlie confidence successively throughout the better 

 part of half a century, of Henry YIII., Mary and Elizabeth, must 

 have been a most loyal and submissive, if not a servile subject. 

 Possibly we shall make the nearest apjiroximation to his true 

 character, if we designate him as the most thorough and accom- 

 plished "Courtier" which our history can produce. The motto he 

 chose "Aymcz Loyaute," expresses probably the feeling that 

 really animated his career. 



The Marquis of Winchester was an early supporter of the Re- 

 formation. He purchased, or otherwise obtained, Church lands of 



