Henry of Monmouth, Volume 1 | Page 3

that he has been guided by the Apostolical
maxim of "SPEAKING THE TRUTH IN LOVE." He has not willingly
advanced a single sentiment which should unnecessarily (p. x) cause
pain to any individual or to any class of men; he has not been tempted
by morbid delicacy or fear to suppress or disguise his view of the very
TRUTH.
The reader will readily perceive that, with reference to the foreign and
domestic policy of our country,--the advances of civilization,--the
manners of private life, as well in the higher as in the more humble
grades of society,--the state of literature,--the progress of the English
constitution,--the condition and discipline of the army, which Henry
greatly improved,--and the rise and progress of the royal navy, of which
he was virtually the founder, many topics are either purposely avoided,
or only incidentally and cursorily noticed. To one point especially (a
subject in itself most animating and uplifting, and intimately
interwoven with the period embraced by these Memoirs,) he would
have rejoiced to devote a far greater portion of his book, had it been
compatible with the immediate design of his undertaking;--THE
PROMISE AND THE DAWN OF THE REFORMATION.
* * * * *
However the value of his labours may be ultimately appreciated, the
Author confidently trusts that their publication can do no disservice to
the cause of truth, of sound morality, and of pure religion. He would
hope, indeed, that in one point at least the power of an (p. xi) example
of pernicious tendency might be weakened by the issue of his
investigation. If the results of these inquiries be acquiesced in as sound

and just, no young man can be encouraged by Henry's example (as it is
feared many, especially in the higher classes, have been encouraged,) in
early habits of moral delinquency, with the intention of extricating
himself in time from the dominion of his passions, and of becoming,
like Henry, in after-life a pattern of religion and virtue, "the mirror of
every grace and excellence." The divine, the moralist, and the historian
know that authenticated instances of such sudden moral revolutions in
character are very rare,--exceptions to the general rule; and among
those exceptions we cannot be justified in numbering Henry of
Monmouth.
He was bold and merciful and kind, but he was no libertine, in his
youth; he was brave and generous and just, but he was no persecutor, in
his manhood. On the throne he upheld the royal authority with mingled
energy and mildness, and he approved himself to his subjects as a wise
and beneficent King; in his private individual capacity he was a
bountiful and considerate, though strict and firm master, a warm and
sincere friend, a faithful and loving husband. He passed through life
under the habitual sense of an overruling Providence; and, in his
premature death, he left us the example of a Christian's patient and
pious resignation to the Divine Will. As long as he lived, he was (p. xii)
an object of the most ardent and enthusiastic admiration, confidence,
and love; and, whilst the English monarchy shall remain among the
unforgotten things on earth, his memory will be honoured, and his
name will be enrolled among the NOBLE and the GOOD.

TABLE OF THE PRINCIPAL EVENTS, (p. xiii)
IN THEIR CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER.
[*] Those years, months, or days, respectively, to which an asterisk is
attached, are not considered to have been so fully ascertained as the
other dates.
1340* Feb.* John of Gaunt born. 1340} Earl of Northumberland,
Hotspur's father, born, 1341} before Nov. 19, 1341. 1359 May 19, John

of Gaunt married to Blanche. 1358} Owyn Glyndowr born, before Sept.
3, 1359. 1359} 1366 April 6, Henry Bolinbroke born. 1365} May 20,*
Henry Percy (Hotspur) born before 30th Oct. 1366. 1366} 1367 Jan.
Richard II. born at Bourdeaux. 1369* Blanche, wife of John of Gaunt
died. 1371* John of Gaunt married Constance. 1376 June 8, Edward
the Black Prince died. 1377 June 21, King Edward III. died. 1378 Nov.
Hotspur first bore arms at Berwick. 1381 Bolinbroke nearly slain by the
rioters. 1382 Richard II. married to Queen Anne. 1384 Dec. 31,
Wickliffe's death. 1386* Bolinbroke married Mary Bohun. 1387 John
of Gaunt went to Spain. 1387* Aug. 9,* HENRY born at
MONMOUTH. 1388 Hotspur taken prisoner by the Scots. 1388
Thomas Duke of Clarence born. 1389 Nov. 9, Isabel, Richard II.'s wife,
born. 1389* Nov.* John of Gaunt returned from Spain. (p. xiv) 1389*
John Duke of Bedford born. 1390* Humfrey Duke of Gloucester born.
1390} Bolinbroke visited Barbary. 1391} 1392} Bolinbroke visited
Prussia and the Holy Sepulchre. 1393} 1394* Mary, HENRY's mother,
died. 1394* Constance, John of Gaunt's wife, died. 1394 June 7, Anne,
Richard II.'s Queen, died. 1396 John of Gaunt recalled from Acquitaine
by Richard II. 1396