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HENRY VIII.

Born 1491. Began to Reign April 22, 1509. Died Jan. 28, 1547. Reigned 37 Years.

Son of Henry VII. No person ever ascended the throne under more favourable circumstances. His father left the kingdom in a prosperous state ; well supplied with money and soldiers, to protect its freedom and commerce. But Henry was vain, extravagant, voluptuous, overbearing, and wasted the exchequer in frivolous pageantries. In all his excesses he was seconded by his haughty, profligate, and unprincipled minister, Wolsey ; who lived the life of a mean intriguing libertine, and after forfeiting the favour of his equally unprincipled and profligate master, died in all the pangs of horror and remorse. The most important event that took place in this reign, was the Reformation. Henry's end was fast approaching, and many were put to death for prognosticating it.

Eminent men in this reign :-Bishop Cranmer; Sir Thomas Moore ; Lord Cromwell; Bishop Gardiner.