THE 

 HISTORY OF THE REIGN 



OF 



KING HENRY THE EIGHTH. 



AFTER the decease of that wise and fortunate King, 

 Henry the Seventh, who died in the height of his 

 prosperity, there followed, as useth to do, when the 

 sun setteth so exceeding clear, one of the fairest 

 mornings of a kingdom that hath been known in this 

 land or any where else. A young king, about 

 eighteen years of age, for stature, strength, making, 

 and beauty, one of the goodliest persons of his time. 

 And though he were given to pleasure, yet he was 

 likewise desirous of glory ; so that there was a pas 

 sage open in his mind, by glory, for virtue. Nei 

 ther was he unadorned with learning, though therein 

 he came short of his brother Arthur. He had never 

 any the least pique, difference, or jealousy with the 

 king his father, which might give any occasion of 

 altering court or council upon the change ; but all 

 things passed in a still. He was the first heir of the 

 white and red rose ; so that there was no discon 

 tented party now left in the kingdom, but all men s 

 hearts turned towards him : and not only their hearts, 

 but their eyes also ; for he was the only son of the 

 kingdom. He had no brother ; which though it be 



