A Museum for Young Gentlemen and Ladies | Page 8

home than abroad; and though he was crowned at Paris King of France, in the year 1423, yet he lost all that his predecessors had acquired in that kingdom, Calais only excepted. The crown of England was disputed between him and the house of York; which occasioned such civil wars in England as made her bleed for 84 years, when all the Princes of York and Lancaster were either killed in battle or beheaded. The French laying hold of this favourable opportunity, shook off the English yoke, and recovering their liberty in five years, placed the young Dauphin upon the throne, who was then Charles VII. The crown of England was now settled by Parliament upon the House of York and their heirs, after the death of King Henry, whose heirs were excluded for ever. This Prince passed through various changes of life, and was at last stabbed to the heart by Richard Duke of Gloucester, who had before murdered Edward, the only son of this unfortunate King.
The House of York, called the WHITE ROSE.
EDWARD IV. who had dispossessed Henry VI. in 1460, was the first King of the line of York, and nobly maintained his right to the crown by mere dint of arms; till at last subduing the party which opposed him, he was crowned at Westminster June 28, 1461. In this King's reign the ART OF PRINTING was first brought into England. At this time also the King of Spain was presented with some Cotswold sheep, from whose breed, 'tis said, came the fine Spanish wool, to the prejudice of England. Edward reigned 22 years, and was buried at Windsor in 1483.
EDWARD V. eldest son of Edward IV. succeeded his father when only twelve years old; but his bloody uncle, Richard Duke of Gloucester, caused both him and his brother to be smothered in their beds in the Tower of London, in the second month of his reign, and before his coronation.
RICHARD III. having dispatched his two nephews, succeeded to the crown, and was the last King of the House of York. He was an usurper, and his cruelty had incensed the Duke of Buckingham, his favourite, to such a degree, that he contrived his ruin, and offered the crown to Henry Earl of Richmond, the only surviving Prince of the House of Lancaster, then at the court of France, on condition that he would marry Elizabeth, the eldest daughter of Edward IV. in order to unite the Houses of York and Lancaster -- Richard being informed of the affair, ordered the Duke to be instantly beheaded without a trial. However, this did not discourage Henry, who had accepted the offer. He came over with a small force, and landed in Wales, where he was born, his army increasing as he advanced. At length having collected a body of 5000 men, he attacked King Richard in Bosworth field, in Leicestershire, in 1485. Richard fought bravely till he was killed in the engagement, which made way for Henry to the crown of England.

THE MODERN HISTORY OF ENGLAND. CHAP. IV.
We shall divide this branch of English history into four periods, namely: 1. The Kings of the House of Tudor. 2. The Kings of the Stuart family. 3. King William of the House of Orange, and Queen Anne. 4. The Kings of the House of Hanover.
The House of TUDOR.
HENRY VII. succeeded Richard III. in 1485: he obtained the crown by force of arms, tho' he pretended a tight to it by birth; being of the House of Lancaster. The name of his father was Edmund Tudor, Earl of Richmond; and he married Elizabeth, the daughter of King Edward IV. by which marriage the Houses of York and Lancaster were united. This Prince had great sagacity, but was very cruel and unjust. Edward Plantagenet, Earl of Warwick, and the last Prince of the House of York, was beheaded by him for attempting his escape, after being imprisoned from nine years old; for which cruel act Henry's name will be hated for ever. As he grew old, he grew covetous, and to increase his treasure, he caused all penal laws to be put in execution. His chief instruments herein were Empsom and Dudley, who afterwards paid dear for their extortion. He built the chapel at Westminster which is at this day called Henry the Seventh's. The 48 gentlemen of the privy chamber, and the band of gentlemen pensioners, were first settled in his reign. He died at the palace of Richmond, which he built, and left in ready money to his successor 1,800,000l. having reigned 24 years.
HENRY VIII. born at Greenwich, in 1491, the only surviving son of Henry VII. came to the crown in the 18th year of his age, and in 1509. He reigned for some years with great applause;