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The History of Modern Europe, From the Commencement of the Sixteenth Century
The History of Modern Europe From the Commencement of the Sixteenth Century Author:Robert Stewart General Books publication date: 2009 Original publication date: 1851 Notes: This is a black and white OCR reprint of the original. It has no illustrations and there may be typos or missing text. When you buy the General Books edition of this book you get free trial access to Million-Books.com where you can select from more than a million book... more »s for free. Excerpt: CHAPTER IV. England During The Reigns Of James i. And Charles i. Thb English throne being vacant by the death of queen Elizabeth, James the VI. of Scotland was immediately proclaimed king of England under the title of James I. He was great grandson of Margaret, eldest daughter of Henry VII. so that his hereditary title was unquestionable. The people saw greater advantages resulting from a perpetual alliance with Scotland, than inconveniences from submitting to a sovereign of that kingdom, therefore James was cordially welcomed by his new subjects. James used every means foi securing tranquility both foreign and domestic; but a conspiracy to subvert the government, and to place on the throne Arabella Stuart, his cousin-german, was discovered soon after his accession. Two Catholic priests were accused of hatching the plot, and executed. But there were several other conspirators among whom was Sir Walter Raleigh, who was confined in the Tower for several years. Soon after surmounting this danger James was engaged in a way more suitable to his temper, and in which he was ambitious of making a figure. The most predominant feeling in his character was the vanity of being thought to excel in learning. This vanity was much heightened by flattery, and be was eager for displaying his theological talents ; and such an opportunity was now offered him by a petition from the Puritans for reforming certain tenets of the established church. He appointed a conference to be held, when from being arbiter he turned principal disputant, and frequently repeated the episcopal maxim " No Bishop, no King!" which the bishop...« less