raised her eyes to heaven aod expired.
Her devoted and early friend. Cardinal Pole, died two days later.
The queen's body was embalmed, and, after lying in state for a nonth, was interred at Westminster Abbey, on the north side of Henry VHth's Chapel.
CHAPTER III.
ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN-REGNANT OF ENGLAND AND IRELAND. (A.D. 1533-1603.)
Elizabeth was one of the most learned and distinguished queens that ever lived, and there is no other about whom so many celebrated authors have written.
[A.D. 1533.] She was the daughter of Henry VIII. and Anne Boleyn, who were living at Greenwich Palace at the time of her birth. When she was four days old her christening was conducted with great pomp and ceremony, — the lord mayor, all the aldermen and council of the city of London, besides a great number of knights and lords, being present.
Cranmer, the Archbishop of Canterbury, stood godfather on that occasion,, the Duchess of Norfolk and the Marchioness of Dorset being godmothers. The gifts to the little princess consisted of costly gold cups, bowls, and salvers.
Elizabeth did not remain with her parents; for the royal nursery was at Hunsdon, where, surrounded by every comfort and luxury that an infant could possibly need, she was lovingly tended by Lady Margaret Bryan. This lady had also taken charge of the Princess Mary, and had proved herself to be a woman of such rare sense and excellent qualities that she was eminently fitted for her post as superintendent of the household. While Anne Boleyn lived King Henry fondled and petted her little daughter; but after her head was cut off and her place supplied by an-56
QUEEN ELIZABETH.
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Elizabeth of England.
59
other wife, his petting was succeeded by neglect and even cruelty, that must have been a sore trial to the child as well as to faithful Lady Bryan.
[A.D. 1537.] Elizabeth was seen in public for the first time when her little brother, Edward VI., was christened.
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CRANMER.
She was just four years of age, and the Earl of Hertford carried her in his arms to the font; but when the procession left the chapel the two Princesses, Mary and Elizabeth, walked out hand in hand, their trains being supported by noble ladies, who followed close behind.
Fortunately for Elizabeth her early youth was passed in seclusion, which afforded opportunity for the cultivation of her mind, and thus prepared her for the exalted position she was to occupy later.
She and Prince Edward were warmly attached to each other, and he, at least, was never happier than while they were permitted to live together. It was she who gave him his earliest instruction in walking and talking, and it was to her that he turned for comfort in all his childish sorrows.
[A.D. 1539.] When only six years of age Elizabeth presented her little brother with a shirt made entirely by her own hands ; which proves that she must have learned to handle her needle at a very early age.
As they grew older these children played and studied together, and Edward relied for advice on "his sweetest sister," as he loved to call her, until he was separated from her. It was their custom to rise at daylight and devote a couple of hours to religious exercises and the reading of Scripture. After breakfast they studied languages, science, and the works of the best authors; then Edward would seek exercise in the open air, while his sister occupied herself with her music or needlework.
Edward's first real source of grief was his separation from this beloved sister when he ascended the throne. It was his desire to have her with him even then; but his selfish councillors, being jealous of any outside influence, interposed to prevent it.
His devotion to Elizabeth lasted until death: she had been his earliest playmate, and no difference in religious views had ever risen to interfere with the congeniality that marked their intercourse. It was different with Mary, who was a rigid Roman Catholic, and always opposed the Protestant
M. R. James, Darryl Jones