FULHAM PALACE 
The Tradescent epitaph in Lambeth Churchyard was no isolated 
instance ; in scores of old City churches, some still existing, others 
swept away in the great fire of 1666, there were raised, on Queen 
Elizabeth’s death, genuine and voluntary testimonies to her worth. 
‘* Religion in its primitive sincerity restored,” to quote the monu- 
ment from Blackfriars Church, which epitomized the events of 
forty-five years. ‘‘ Peace thoroughly settled, Coine to the true 
value refin’d, Rebellion at home extinguished, France neere ruine 
by intestine mischifes relieved, Netherlands supported, Spaine’s 
Armada vanquished, Ireland with Spaniards’ . expulsion and 
traitors’ correction quieted, both Universities’ Revenues, by a Law 
of Provision, exceedingly augmented, Finally all England 
enriched, 45 years most prudently governed, Elizabeth, a Queene, 
_a Conqueresse, Triumpher, the most devoted to piety, the most 
happy, after 70 yeeres of her life, quietly by Death departed.” 
Elsewhere another sums up the royal virtues thus : 
“This, this was she, that in dispight of Death, 
Lives still admir’d, ador’d Elizabeth. 
‘* Spaine’s rod, Rome’s ruine, 
Netherland’s reliefe, 
Heaven’s gem, Earth’s joy, 
World’s wonder, Nature’s chiefe.” 
With quaint brevity a third epitaph informs us that : 
“ She ruled England yeeres 44, and more, 
And then returned to God 
At the age of 70 yeeres, and somewhat od.” 
And it winds up—as do all-the other memorials to Queen Elizabeth 
—with a text that in the minds of her people had clearly a literal 
meaning : 
“T have fought a good fight, 
I have kept the faith.” 
Possibly the reader may say: ‘‘ And what has all this to do with 
the story of Fulham Palace?’ Only this much, that it was the 
expression at the time of the national feeling, and goes far to explain 
the attitude of mind of Dr. Richard Fletcher, who became Bishop 
of London in 1593, and whose grief at the loss of his royal mistress’s 
favour is supposed to have shortened his life. He had previously 
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