Page:The religious life of King Henry VI.djvu/43

Rh He was ever faithful in his worship, in his reception of the Sacraments, and in all the holy practices of the Christian religion. Whilst at his devotions, he was wont to sit in a reverent attitude with his head uncovered. Even on a journey when riding on horseback, whilst making his wonted reverence to some wayside cross, he would often have fallen to the ground but for his attendants. He preferred to have crosses on his royal crown rather than leaves and flowers. He was accustomed to be at the Divine service early, and always before the beginning; and he never wearied at the length of the offices, even when they were protracted after midday. He would never allow swords to be worn in church, nor did he permit talking or the discussion of any business in the sacred places, but he strictly bade all his nobles and attendants to devote the time of prayer to prayer, in accordance with the word of our Lord: Domus mea domus orationis est. This he did himself with great and manifest devotion.

From his earliest childhood King Henry showed himself modest and pure. As a youth he carefully abstained from any word or act contrary to the virtue of chastity, and he lived