Page:A new and general biographical dictionary; containing an historical and critical account of the lives and writings of the most eminent persons in every nation v1.djvu/63

Rh opposing the divorce of the queen, and was a violent enemy to the king in an his unlawful proceedings. He wrote a treatise, De non dissolvendo Henrici et Catherinæ matri- "monio." In the year 1534, he was attainted of misprision, for taking part and being active in the affair of Elizabeth Barton, the holy maid of Kent. He was afterwards sentenced to die for denying the king's supremacy, and was accordingly executed July 30, 1540. It is thought that he wrote several pieces: but they have been lost. When in prison he was confined very closely; and the keeper of Newgate was once sent to the Marshalsea for allowing him and Dr. Powel to go out upon bail.

ABRABANEL (ISAAC), a famous rabbi, born at Lisbon in 1437, of a family who boasted their descent from king David. He raised himself considerably at the court of Alphonso V. king of Portugal, and was honoured with very high offices, which he enjoyed till this prince's death; but, upon his decease, he felt a strange reverse of fortune under the new king. Abrabanel was in his 45th year, when John II. succeeded his father Alphonso. All those, who had any share in the administration in the preceding reign, were discarded: and, if we give credit to our rabbi, their death was secretly resolved, under the pretext of their having formed a design to give up the crown of Portugal to the king of Spain. Abrabanel, however, suspecting nothing, in obedience to the order he received to attend his majesty, set out for Lisbon with all expedition; but having, on his journey, heard of what was plotting against his life, he fled immediately to his Castilian majesty's dominions. A party of soldiers were dispatched after him, with orders to bring him dead or alive: however he made his escape, but all his possessions were confiscated. On this