Page:The religious life of King Henry VI.djvu/88

62 Elizabeth. He had been Archdeacon of Canterbury, and this position, till deprived of his office for his religious beliefs, enabled him to obtain first-hand information on the matters of which he treats. And the authorities he cites in the course of his narrative prove that he could deal as an historian with evidence in a masterly way. Moreover, he had access, when gathering his material, to such important documents as the Episcopal Registers of Canterbury and elsewhere.

In his general History Harpesfield writes about the life and character of the saintly King Henry as follows: "He was a man of modest, straightforward, and mild disposition. He detested war, and his true desire was to devote himself in quiet and peace to divine meditation and study. He was ever watchful and careful. He did not oppress his people by excessive taxation or by exacting tributes. His patience under overwhelming troubles was evident. He never desired to take reprisals, nor did he seek vengeance, but he accepted everything from God's hands, taking these misfortunes as sent him to punish his own sins and those of his ancestors. His life