1515. CHA P. ment, than maintain an unequal contest with the' XXVIII. haughty cardinal. He resigned his office of chancellor; and the great seal was immediately delivered to Wolsey. If this new accumulation of dignity increased his enemies, it also served to exalt his personal character, and prove the extent of his capacity. A strict administration of justice took place during his enjoyment of this high office; and no chancellor ever discovered greater impartiality in his decisions, deeper penetration of judgment, or more enlarged knowledge of law and equity." THE Duke of Norfolk, finding the King's money almost entirely exhausted by projects and pleasures, while his inclination for expence still continued, was glad to resign his office of treasurer, and retire from court. His rival, Fox, Bishop of Winchester, reaped no advantage from his absence; but partly overcome by years and infirmities, partly disgusted at the ascendant acquired by Wolsey, withdrew himself wholly to the care of his diocese. The Duke of Suffolk had also taken offence that the King, by the cardinal's persuasion, had refused to pay a debt which he had contracted during his residence in France; and he thenceforth affected to live in privacy. These incidents left Wolsey to enjoy, without a rival, the whole power and favour of the King; and they put into his hands every kind of authority. In vain did Fox, before his retirement, warn the King "not to suffer the servant to be "greater than his master:" Henry replied,." that "he well knew how to retain all his subjects in "obedience;" but he continued still an unlimited deference in every thing to the directions and counsels of the cardinal. THE public tranquillity was so well established in England, the obedience of the people so entire, the d Sir Thomas More. Stowe, p. 504. general e XXVIII. 1515. general administration of justice by the cardinal's CHA P. means so exact, that no domestic occurrence happened considerable enough to disturb the repose of the King and his minister: They might even have dispensed with giving any strict attention to foreign affairs, were it possible for men to to enjoy any situation in absolute tranquillity, or abstain from projects and enterprises, however fruitless and unnecessary. THE will of the late King of Scotland, who left Scotch his widow regent of the kingdom, and the vote of affairs. the convention of states, which confirmed the destination, had expressly limited her authority to the condition of her remaining unmarried: But notwithstanding this limitation, a few months after her husband's death, she espoused the Earl of Angus, of the name of Douglas, a young nobleman of great family and promising hopes. Some of the nobility now proposed the electing of Angus to the regency, and recommended this choice as the most likely means of preserving peace with England: But the jealousy of the great families, and the fear of exalting the Douglasses, begat opposition to the measure. Lord Hume in particular, the most powerful chieftain in the kingdom, insisted on recalling the Duke of Albany, son to a brother of James III., who had been banished into France, and who, having there married, had left posterity that were the next heirs to the crown, and the nearest relations to their young sovereign. Albany, though first Prince of the blood, had never been in Scotland, was totally unacquainted with the manners of the people, ignorant of their situation, unpractised in their language; yet such was the favour attending the French alliance, and so great the authority of Hume, that this Prince was invited to accept the e Erasm. lib. 2. epist. 1. Cavendish. Hall. reins 1515. CHA P. reins of government. Francis, careful not to give XXVIII. offence to the King of England, detained Albany some time in France; but at length sensible how important it was to keep Scotland in his interests, he permitted him to go over and take possession of the regency: He even renewed the ancient league with that kingdom, though it implied such a close connection as might be thought somewhat to intrench on his alliance with England. WHEN the regent arrived in Scotland, he made inquiries concerning the state of the country, and character of the people; and he discovered a scene with which he was hitherto but little acquainted. That turbulent kingdom, he found, was rather to be considered as a confederacy, and that not a close one, of petty princes, than a regular system of civil polity; and even the King, much more a regent, possessed an authority very uncertain and precarious. Arms more than laws prevailed; and courage, preferably to equity or justice, was the virtue most valued and respected. The nobility, in whom the whole power resided, were so connected by hereditary alliances, or so divided by inveterate enmities, that it was impossible, without employing an armed force, either to punish the most flagrant guilt, or give security to the most entire innocence. Rapine and violence, when exercised on a hostile tribe, instead of making a person odious among his own clan, rather recommended him to their esteem and approbation; and by rendering him useful to the chieftain, entitled him to a preference above his fellows. And though the necessity of mutual support served as a close cement of amity among those of the same kindred, the spirit of revenge against enemies, and the desire of prosecuting the deadly feuds (so they were called) still appeared to be passions the most predominant among that uncultivated people. THE 1515. THE persons to whom Albany on his arrival first CHA P. applied for information with regard to the state of XXVIII. the country, happened to be inveterate enemies of Hume; and they represented that powerful nobleman as the chief source of public disorders, and the great obstacle to the execution of the laws and the administration of justice. Before the authority of the magistrate could be established, it was neces-. sary, they said, to make an example of this great offender; and by the terror of his punishment, teach all lesser criminals to pay respect to the power of their sovereign. Albany, moved by these reasons, was induced to forget Hume's past services, to which he had in a great measure been indebted for the regency; and he no longer bore towards him that favourable countenance with which he was wont to receive him. Hume perceived the alteration, and was incited, both by regard to his own safety, and from motives of revenge, to take measures in opposition to the regent. He applied himself to Angus and the Queen-dowager, and represented to them the danger to which the infant Prince was exposed from the ambition of Albany, next heir to the crown, to whom the states had imprudently entrusted the whole authority of government. By his persuasion Margaret formed the design of carrying off the young King, and putting him under the protection of her brother; and when that conspiracy was detected, she herself, attended by Hume and Angus, withdrew into England, where she was soon after delivered of a daughter. HENRY, in order to check the authority of Albany and the French party, gave encouragement to these malcontents, and assured them of his support. Matters being afterwards in appearance accommo dated between Hume and the regent, that noble 1515. CHA P. man returned into his own country; but mutual XXVIII. suspicions and jealousies still prevailed. He was committed to custody, under the care of the Earl of Arran his brother-in-law; and was for some time detained prisoner in his castle. But having persuaded Arran to enter into the conspiracy with him, he was allowed to make his escape; and he openly levied war upon the regent. A new accommodation ensued, not more sincere than the foregoing, and Hume was so imprudent as to entrust himself, together with his brother, into the hands of that Prince. They were immediately seized, committed to custody, brought to trial, condemned and executed. No legal crime was proved against these brothers: It was only alleged, that at the battle of Flouden they had not done their duty in supporting the King; and as this backwardness could not, from the course of their past life, be ascribed to cowardice, it was commonly imputed to a more criminal motive. The evidence, however, of guilt produced against them was far from being valid or convincing; and the people, who hated them while living, were much dissatisfied with their execution. SUCH violent remedies often produce, for some time, a deceitful tranquillity; but as they destroy mutual confidence, and beget the most inveterate animosities, their consequences are commonly fatal, both to the public and to those who have recourse to them. The regent, however, took advantage of the present calm_which prevailed; and being invited over by the French King, who was at that time willing to gratify Henry, he went into France; and was engaged to remain there for some years. During the absence of the regent some confusions prevailed in Scotland, and such mutual enmity, rapine, and violence among the great families, that that kingdom was for a long time utterly disabled, both from offending its enemies and assisting its friends. We |