ESTIMATES OF THE ENGLISH KINGS.
XXI.—MAR Y.
IF popular reputation were to be the sole guide of our estimate of a sovereign, Mary Tudor's character would be soon depicted, and in the most uninviting colours. The name of no English sovereign has inspired in the minds of generations of Englishmen a greater feeling of horror and aversion. It is only in the present age that any attempt to discriminate between a deep and deserved censure of several of her public acts, and a wholesale condemnation of the woman herself, has been at all widely accepted and that the terrible memories of Smithfield have
been at all softened by any mitigated view of the character and motives of the author of those tragedies. Now, however, Protestant and Catholic opinion seem to be gravitating to much the same modified estimate of this unhappy Queen, and there is something like a common and harmonious recognition of her merits and her faults.
We cannot introduce Mary better than in the description given. of her person and characteristics by the Venetian Michele, the year before her death. " Queen Mary," he writes, " the daughter of Henry VIII. and of his Queen Catherine, daughter of Ferdinand the Catholic, King of Aragon, is a princess of great worth. In her youth she was rendered unhappy by the events of her mother's divorce; by the ignominy and threats to which she was exposed after the change of religion in England, she being unwilling to bend to the new one ; and by the dangers to which she was exposed by the Duke of Northumberland, and the riots among the people when she ascended the throne. She is of short stature, well made, thin and delicate, and moderately pretty ; her eyes are so lively that she inspires reverence and respect, and even fear, wherever she turns them ; nevertheless, she is very short-sighted. Her voice is deep, almost like that of a man. She understands five languages, English, Latin, French, Spanish, and Italian, in which last, however, she does not venture to discourse. She is also- much skilled in ladies' work, such as producing all sorts of embroidery with the needle. She has a knowledge of music, chiefly on the lute, on which she 'plays exceedingly well. As to the qualities of her mind, it may be said of her that she is rash, disdainful, and parsimonious rather than liberal. She is endowed with great humility and patience, but withal high- spirited, courageous, and resolute, having during the whole course of her adversity been guiltless of any the least approach to mean- ness of comportment ; she is, moreover, devout and staunch in the defence of her religion. Some personal infirmities under which she labours are the causes to her of both public and private affliction. To remedy these recourse is had to frequent blood- letting, and this is the real cause of her paleness, and the general weakness of her frame. The cabals she has been exposed to, the evil disposition of the people towards her, the present poverty and the debt of the Crown, and her passion for King Philip, from whom she is doomed to live separate, are so many other causes of the grief by which she is overwhelmed. She is, moreover, a prey to the hatred she bears to my Lady Elizabeth, and which has its source in the recollection of the wrongs she experienced on account of her mother, and in the fact that all eyes and hearts are turned towards. my Lady Elizabeth, as successor to the throne."
Such did Mary seem to a calm observer, who was uninfluenced by feelings of either Catholic or Protestant fanaticism, and though_ the portrait is not quite distinct or consistent on some points, such in the main, there can be little doubt, she actually was._ The general mould of her character was Spanish rather than English, though some of the Tudor characteristics are still very patent. She had all their undaunted courage, all their uncon- querable persistence, much of their kingly self-respect and their. feeling of moral responsibility as rulers, and of duty towards the Nation, apart from any responsibility to class or individual within that Nation. Her natural disposition, so far as we can separate it from the attitudes into which she was forced by considerations of duty to the Church and to God, was milder than that of her father, and more accessible to warm and sympathetic feel- ings than that of her brother. But in her demeanour she was less graceful than the latter, and she had few of the social and popular qualities of the former. Her mind and her manners- were alike stiff and formal, her courtesy was too ceremonial to be really engaging, and her dignity of bearing, though it might inspire awe and fear, failed to excite admiration, while her rigid and morbid devoteeism was quite as likely to rouse con- tempt for her intellect as respect for her conscientiousness. But whatever unconciliatory rigidity there may have been in her original temperament was intensified by the peculiar circumstances of her life. Her very conscientiousness was in this respect most unfavourable to her in a social point of view. Too honest as well as too obstinate to conform to the spirit of the age, and only yielding pious obedience to the personal commands of her father, Mary shut herself up in her own mind, or in a world of her own, excluding all sympathies except such as might come recommended by community of religious opinions and aspirations; and from these resources even she was almost entirely debarred by the anxious bigotry of the triumphant creed. All that seemed left to her was the patience and endurance of a martyr, and the cultivation of the virtues of a religious recluse. Mean- while a new generation grew up in the world without, of which siasm of the avowed Catholics of the rising generation was more than the nation, for it seemed to her a condemnation also coloured to some extent by the altered tone of the age, and had of her own cherished and self-willed policy. Her health as well little really in harmony with the ancient religious type in which as her spirits gave way more and more, and still the hateful spectre Mary's mind had been moulded. Still Mary waited and of heresy haunted the land, and a still more appalling prospect for watched, more perhaps in despair than in hope, and with the future presented itself in the succession of her sister Eliza- anticipations of the glories of martyrdom rather than those beth. The vain hope of being succeeded by a child of het own of the rebuilder of the faith. Suddenly a door opened to her faded away, and the daughter of Anne Boleyn as constantly in the national reaction against the personal ambition of weighed on the mind of Mary, as she was constantly present to the Dudley and Grey. The accredited leaders of the Reformation heart and the hopes of the English people. As all around her in England, in their desperation at the imminent death of darkened, the mind of the Queen became more and more Edward and the accession of a Roman Catholic Queen, had over- fanatic, and instead of faltering in her purpose, she only sought shot the feelings of the nation, and had identified the interests of to precipitate its accomplishment. She would have removed Protestantism with those of a political faction and two or three Elizabeth herself from her path by violent means, but the policy powerful families. The will of Henry VIII., in which the nation, of Philip as a Spanish King interposed to prevent the destruction with its curious disposition to compromise, had recognized some of the great obstacle to the accession to the throne of England of atonement for the wrongs of Catherine of Aragon and her the betrothed wife of the heir to the Crown of France. So all daughter, was set aside by a political manoeuvre, and the nation was that was left to Mary of England was to continue with increased called upon to assent to Queen Jane Grey as the first article of and unremitting severity her war of extermination on the other the Protestant creed. This—Catholic and Protestant alike—it leaders of English Protestantism, and on its most devoted ad- revolted against. A feeling of loyalty to the immediate herents. " After every allowance," says the Catholic historian family of Henry VIII., blended with one of compassion for the Lingard, " it will be found that iu the space of four yearti almost persecuted daughter of Catherine, and a really national movement two hundred persons perished in the flames for religious opinions; placed Mary on the throne, and gave her the opportunity of a number at the contemplation of which the mind is struck with vindicating her new authority by the manner in which she em- horror." The natural compassion of Mary, which had stayed her ployed it. But while the nation saw in her accession merely the hand for some time from proceeding to extremities against Jane defeat of an ambitious party, the new Queen saw in it a Grey and the chiefs of the Dudley-Grey faction, and which displayed leading of Providence to a royal work of Religious Restoration. itself in other cases, where the interests of religion were not The role of a constant martyr seemed to be suddenly changed for supposed to be concerned, was entirely deadened in her relation that of an apostle. Compared with this duty, all other considera- with these hateful heretics. Faith and a Church had achieved one tions became nothing in her eyes. Her mind was naturally intense more victory over Charity and human nature. For these persecu- rather than wide, and events had narrowed its scope still more. tions to the death Mary seems to be herself responsible, for the in- She understood nothing of the nation she was about to lead again stigators and approvers of her detestable course were comparatively into the true fold, but she had unbounded faith in the will of Provi- obscure men. Neither Gardiner nor Pole, though they had both deuce, and no little confidence in herself. By her Tudor decision and lent themselves to the persecution, is personally responsible for the courage she had ensured the success of the movement that placed her extent to which it was actually carried. The Catholic world on the throne ; by the same courage and decision she maintained her- viewed the proceeding with aversion, and the Pope himself became self in the dangerous crisis of the Wyat insurrection, when her own a counsellor of moderation. But Mary's zeal for religion over- adherents were on the point of abandoning her. Every act of per- leapt the bounds of ecclesiastical, as well as of civil policy, and severing boldness in her course seemed crowned with success, and ardent defender of the Catholic Church as she was, she still was against these signs of the will and purpose of God, all counsels of Tudor enough to assert her authority against Papal dictation. The prudence from Catholic subjects and princely allies availed prohibition of the publication of a Papal Bull within England by nothing. The self-will of her father was heightened by the this champion of Catholicism is the strongest and strangest proof zeal of a proselyte and the enthusiasm of a prophet. As her that the pride of a sovereign and the strong-will of a family obstinacy raised fresh dangers around her, and alienated more and cannot be suppressed by the most imperative claims of a formal more the sympathies of her people, so her undaunted perseverance creed.
seemed to render her almost independent of national sympathies It is difficult to think of Mary in herself, and apart from the and of popular support. The English people had welcomed her fanaticism which absorbed her mind and her heart. Yet it seems accession in no spirit of national penitence for past religious evident that she had not the power of subordinating her own heresy, though it had begun to entertain some distrust and impulses to wider considerations of public policy. Not only did alarm at Dudley's ultra-Protestant policy. But Mary ordered it she reduce a national government to the character of a branch of to humble itself in abject contrition at the feet of an offended the Inquisition, but she allowed England to sink into a secondary but forgiving Sovereign Pontiff, and the Nation obeyed. The power in Europe, in obedience to her personal inclination for Philip old alliances of England with the Spanish Kingdoms and with and for Spain. No feeling that this humiliation was unintentional Burgundy, which once had a considerable bold on the feelings of on the part of the Queen could save her from a growing unpopu- the English middle-class, from considerations of commercial larity among the English people. Nor did her domestic politics advantage, had been discredited in their opinions by becoming in redeem her reputation. She had succeeded, indeed, to an im- the persons of Charles and Philip identified with the interests of an poverished kingdom, but she entirely failed in recruiting its wasted aggressive Papal ascendancy. Yet when the long unloved and resources, while lavish in her benefactions and restitutions to her unloving Mary, under the influence of a natural predilection for own Church at the national expense. Even her highest acts of
her mother's native land, as much, perhaps, as of strong Catholic statesmanship were unappreciated. Her attempts to foster the sympathies, fixed her mind on a Spanish marriage, the nation, interests of commerce were chiefly prospectively advantageous, though it displayed many signs of dislike and consequent dis- being dependent on the opening of fresh channels of enterprise, affection, did not rouse itself to secure the success of an insurrection and the merchants felt during her reign only the exactions to which against the Queen, and the marriage took place, and Philip they were subjected. Poverty of the Exchequer and heavy taxes became joint-sovereign of England. But this very success proved without glory were not a programme likely to conciliateEnglishmen, fatal to Mary's own peace of mind, while in its ultimate con- who preferred a Sovereign that could make the kingdom wealthy sequences it entailed a terrible addition to the unpopularity of and great, to one who tried to do right and was very compas- her reign. The Queen's passions, though constrained by circum- sionate to the poor. Even the higher morality and decorum of her stances and concealed under a cover of formal decorum, were Court were robbed of their popularity by being associated with stiff- intensely strong, and her love for Philip became as blindly fanatical ness and gloom. Although, except on the great point of religious as her zeal for theCatholic faith. Her unplastic nature was shattered persecution, her errors were venial compared with those of many by a passion to which it could not quietly assimilate itself, and there of her predecessors, and although she had instincts of right which ensued the unseemlyspectacle of a careworn middle-aged woman ex- none of them displayed, Mary seemed to be haunted by continual
hibiting the love-sick fancies and jealousies of a young girl. Philip, ill-luck. The secret perhaps lay in this, that with good inten- who had shrunk with aversion from the marriage, afterwardsendured tions and fair abilities, she failed absolutely in one essential of a it with the proper courtesy of a Castilian gentleman ; but he only great Sovereign. She understood nothing of the people over whom endured it, and however the Queen might endeavour to deceive she ruled, or of the times in which she was called upon to be their herself, she soon was only too conscious of the fact. Then came ruler.
national disaster and dishonour in the train of this unhappy she knew nothing, and which could less and less sympathize with alliance. Her last hold on the soil of France was lost to England the antiquated form of her stereotyped ideas. Even the enthu- for ever, and the Queen, like a true Tudor, felt the disgrace even
siasm of the avowed Catholics of the rising generation was more than the nation, for it seemed to her a condemnation also coloured to some extent by the altered tone of the age, and had of her own cherished and self-willed policy. Her health as well little really in harmony with the ancient religious type in which as her spirits gave way more and more, and still the hateful spectre Mary's mind had been moulded. Still Mary waited and of heresy haunted the land, and a still more appalling prospect for watched, more perhaps in despair than in hope, and with the future presented itself in the succession of her sister Eliza- anticipations of the glories of martyrdom rather than those beth. The vain hope of being succeeded by a child of het own of the rebuilder of the faith. Suddenly a door opened to her faded away, and the daughter of Anne Boleyn as constantly in the national reaction against the personal ambition of weighed on the mind of Mary, as she was constantly present to the Dudley and Grey. The accredited leaders of the Reformation heart and the hopes of the English people. As all around her in England, in their desperation at the imminent death of darkened, the mind of the Queen became more and more Edward and the accession of a Roman Catholic Queen, had over- fanatic, and instead of faltering in her purpose, she only sought shot the feelings of the nation, and had identified the interests of to precipitate its accomplishment. She would have removed Protestantism with those of a political faction and two or three Elizabeth herself from her path by violent means, but the policy powerful families. The will of Henry VIII., in which the nation, of Philip as a Spanish King interposed to prevent the destruction with its curious disposition to compromise, had recognized some of the great obstacle to the accession to the throne of England of atonement for the wrongs of Catherine of Aragon and her the betrothed wife of the heir to the Crown of France. So all daughter, was set aside by a political manoeuvre, and the nation was that was left to Mary of England was to continue with increased called upon to assent to Queen Jane Grey as the first article of and unremitting severity her war of extermination on the other the Protestant creed. This—Catholic and Protestant alike—it leaders of English Protestantism, and on its most devoted ad- revolted against. A feeling of loyalty to the immediate herents. " After every allowance," says the Catholic historian family of Henry VIII., blended with one of compassion for the Lingard, " it will be found that iu the space of four yearti almost persecuted daughter of Catherine, and a really national movement two hundred persons perished in the flames for religious opinions; placed Mary on the throne, and gave her the opportunity of a number at the contemplation of which the mind is struck with vindicating her new authority by the manner in which she em- horror." The natural compassion of Mary, which had stayed her ployed it. But while the nation saw in her accession merely the hand for some time from proceeding to extremities against Jane defeat of an ambitious party, the new Queen saw in it a Grey and the chiefs of the Dudley-Grey faction, and which displayed leading of Providence to a royal work of Religious Restoration. itself in other cases, where the interests of religion were not The role of a constant martyr seemed to be suddenly changed for supposed to be concerned, was entirely deadened in her relation that of an apostle. Compared with this duty, all other considera- with these hateful heretics. Faith and a Church had achieved one tions became nothing in her eyes. Her mind was naturally intense more victory over Charity and human nature. For these persecu- rather than wide, and events had narrowed its scope still more. tions to the death Mary seems to be herself responsible, for the in- She understood nothing of the nation she was about to lead again stigators and approvers of her detestable course were comparatively into the true fold, but she had unbounded faith in the will of Provi- obscure men. Neither Gardiner nor Pole, though they had both deuce, and no little confidence in herself. By her Tudor decision and lent themselves to the persecution, is personally responsible for the courage she had ensured the success of the movement that placed her extent to which it was actually carried. The Catholic world on the throne ; by the same courage and decision she maintained her- viewed the proceeding with aversion, and the Pope himself became self in the dangerous crisis of the Wyat insurrection, when her own a counsellor of moderation. But Mary's zeal for religion over- adherents were on the point of abandoning her. Every act of per- leapt the bounds of ecclesiastical, as well as of civil policy, and severing boldness in her course seemed crowned with success, and ardent defender of the Catholic Church as she was, she still was against these signs of the will and purpose of God, all counsels of Tudor enough to assert her authority against Papal dictation. The prudence from Catholic subjects and princely allies availed prohibition of the publication of a Papal Bull within England by nothing. The self-will of her father was heightened by the this champion of Catholicism is the strongest and strangest proof zeal of a proselyte and the enthusiasm of a prophet. As her that the pride of a sovereign and the strong-will of a family obstinacy raised fresh dangers around her, and alienated more and cannot be suppressed by the most imperative claims of a formal more the sympathies of her people, so her undaunted perseverance creed.
Previous page
