Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 11.djvu/421

 AT PETERBOROUGH. 357 answered, she would yn no wyes have any other Fesytion, but onely comrayt herselfe to the pleasour of God/' ^ In a letter from Sir Edward Clianiberleyn and Sir Edmund Bedyngfcld to Crumwell, we learn that on the 7th day of January, "about 10 of the clock before none, the Lady Dowager w^as aneled with the IIol}^ Oyntment, Mayster Chamberlein and I called to the same * * '•' '•• *. Syr, the Grome of the Chaundry here can sere her, zoo shall do that fete ; and fiu-der I shall send for a plummer, to close the body yn lede, the whych must iiedys shortly be done, for that may not tary."- In the preceding observations, which do not profess to invite attention on the score of originality, it has been equally difficult to compress what is essential to a clear and succinct understanding of this memorable history, as it is to restrain the expression of sympathy for the defenceless and persecuted lady who was its object. We have reached the last scene of the royal victim's life, and it now devolves upon us to describe the royal funeral. And in narrating the solemn pageantry that marked it, I shall avail m^^self of the use of a document which, up to the present moment, has remained unconsulted amongst the records in the custody of the Master of the Rolls. Immediately Henry was apprised of the Queen's decease, he addressed a letter to Lady Bedingfield, wife of Sir Edmund, her guardian, stating his intention to have the body of " our dearest sister, the Lady Katharine, relict of our natural brother. Prince Arthur," interred according to her honour and estate. Lady Bedingfield herself being appointed one of the principal mourners. The monarch has been censured for not complying with his consort's 'uishes as to the place of her interment ; but when its vicinity to Kimbolton is considered, and the beauty of the solemn edifice itself, he may be fairly acquitted of blame in ordering her remains to be carried to the Cathedral of Peterborough. The ensuing particulars will also show that, as far as a grand and empty ceremonial was concerned, her remains were treated with the utmost consideration and respect. Indeed, it is a fact rather remarkable, as tending to vindicate Henry VIII. from any neglect, that the arrange- ments of Katharine's funeral were so like some of those adopted at that of Elizabeth of York, his mother, that they would seem to have been ordered in imitation. She died on ' State Papers, i., p. 4.52. - State Papers, i.. p. 4.51.