The Constable of the Tower by W. Harrison Ainsworth

The Constable of the Tower

The Constable of the Tower

Table of Contents

PROLOGUE — THE WILL OF HENRY VIII

How the Right High and Renowned King Henry the Eighth Waxed Grievously Sick, and was Like to Die

Of the Snare Laid by her Enemies for Queen Catherine Parr; and How she Fell into it

Of the Means of Avoiding the Peril Proposed by Sir Thomas Seymour to the Queen

How the Designs of Wriothesley and Gardiner were Foiled by the Queen’s Wit

Of the Interview Between the Earl of Surrey and Sir Thomas Seymour in the Bowyer Tower

How the King, Finding his End Approach, Took a Last Leave of the Princesses Mary and Elizabeth, and of the Prince Edward; and of the Counsel he Gave them

Of the Awful Summons Received by the King

In What Manner the King’s Will was Signed

BOOK I — THE LORD PROTECTOR

How the Earl of Hertford and Sir Anthony Brown Announced his Father’s Death to Prince Edward

How King Edward the Sixth was Proclaimed at Westminster; How he Rode from Enfield to the Tower of London; and How the Keys of the Tower were Delivered to him by the Constable

How the Earl of Hertford was Made Lord Protector of the Realm, and Governor of the King’s Person during his Nonage

How the Youthful King was Knighted by the Lord Protector; and How the Lord Mayor of London was Knighted by the King

How King Edward VI. Went Forth Betimes into the Privy-Garden of the Tower; How he There Encountered the Youthful Lady Jane Grey, and of the Profitable Discourse that Ensued Between them

Of the Difference Between the Lord Protector and Sir Thomas Seymour, and How it was Adjusted

Of the Affront Offered by Queen Catherine Parr to the Countess of Hertford; and How Ugo Harrington was Sent to Conduct the Princess Elizabeth to the Tower

How Xit was Appointed the King’s Dwarf; and How Og, Gog, and Magog Craved a Boon of the King

In What Manner Mauger, the Headsman, Foretold that Certain Lords Should Die by his Hand

How King Edward Visited the Duke of Norfolk in the Beauchamp Tower

Showing How Sir Thomas Seymour Prospered in his Suit

Of the Interview Between Sir Thomas Seymour and the Princess Elizabeth; and How it was Interrupted

How the Countess of Hertford was Balked of her Revenge; and in What Manner Xit Sought to Divert the King

Showing How Ugo Harrington was Admitted into Sir Thomas Seymour’s Confidence

Of Xit’s Perilous Flight Across the Tower Moat on Pacolet’s Horse

In What Manner the Obsequies of King Henry the Eighth were Celebrated; Showing How the Funeral Procession Set Forth from the Palace at Westminster

What was Seen and Heard at Midnight by the Watchers in the Conventual Church at Sion

How the Royal Corpse was Brought to Saint George’s Chapel

Pulvis Pulveri, Cinis Cineri

BOOK II — THE LORD HIGH ADMIRAL OF ENGLAND

How Edward Passed his Time While Left to himself Within the Tower

From which it will be Seen that the Princess Elizabeth was not Entirely Cured of her Passion

How the Earl of Hertford was Made Duke of Somerset; and How Sir Thomas Seymour was Ennobled

How Lord Seymour of Sudley was Clandestinely Married to Queen Catherine Parr, in Saint Peter’s Chapel in the Tower

How King Edward Rode from the Tower to the Palace of Whitehall

How King Edward VI. was Crowned in Westminster Abbey

Of the Royal Banquet in Westminster Hall; How the King’s Champion Made his Challenge Thereat; and How Xit Fought with a Wild Man

How the Lord Chancellor was Disgraced

In What Manner the Lord High Admiral Discharged the Duties of his Office

How Queen Catherine Parr Passed her Time at Chelsea Manor-House

Of the Fête Given at Seymour House by the Lord Admiral

In What Manner the Lord Admiral’s Marriage with the Queen was Announced

How the Admiral’s Passion for the Princess Elizabeth was Revived

How the Lord Admiral Supplied his Royal Nephew with Money

How the Admiral’s Letter was Copied by the King

How the Admiral Proposed to Lay the King’s Grievances Before Parliament

How the Protector and the Admiral were again Reconciled

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