QUEEN CATHARINE PARR,

WHOSE

HOSE beauty raised her to a throne, and whose merit deserved a better fate, than to be linked to two men, one of whom was near putting her to death for her attachment to a religion which he himself had introduced; and the latter3 of whom is suspected of removing her, to promote his marriage with the lady Elizabeth. The king indeed was so bounteous as to leave her a legacy of about 4000%. besides her jointure! Each of his children, even after his death, showed her the greatest respect, as is evident from their letters to her still extant.

2 [Catharine, the daughter of sir Thomas Parr, had two husbands before her marriage with the king, though she was distinguished by her maiden-name. She first married Edward Burghe, and secondly, John Neville, Lord Latimer. Though neither young, nor exquisitely handsome, says Mr. Andrews, when called to the perilous partnership of Henry's throne and bed, she was a prudent amiable woman, and found means to gain more influence with her capricious mate, than either of the young beauties who had preceded her. Hist. of G. B. vol. ii. p. 290.]

3 [Sir Thomas Seymour, brother to the protector; created baron Seymoure, and constituted lord high admiral, by king' Edward the sixth. See his article in the present work.]

Strawberry Hill.

Pub Feb.1.1806. by J. Scott No 442.Strand.

She was not only learned, but a patroness of learning, interceding for, and saving the university of Cambridge, when an act had passed to throw all colleges, &c. into the king's disposal. 5

Nicholas Udal, master of Eton school (whom Bale calls the most elegant master of all good letters), and who was employed by this princess in translating and publishing Erasmus's paraphrase on the four gospels, gives this simple and natural account of the learning of the women of quality in that age. In his dedication to her majesty, he observes," the great number of noble women at that time in England, given to the studie of human sciences, and of strange tongues." And he adds, "It was a common thyng to see young virgins so nouzled and trained in the studie of letters, that thei willyngly set all other vain pastymes at naught for learnynge's sake. It was now no news at all to see queens and ladies of most high estate and progenie, instede of courtly daliaunce, to embrace vertuous exercises, readyng and wryting,

⚫ [Burnet inferred that she understood Latin, because Edward the sixth wrote to her in that language. Hist. of Reform. vol. ii. p. 2. But Strype printed an epistle in Latin, from her to the princess Mary. Ballard points out many of her English letters.]

Vide Ballard's Memoirs of celebrated ladies, p. 88. 4to.

and with most erneste studie, both erlye and late, to apply themselves to the acquiryng of knowledge, as well in all other liberal arts and disciplines, as also most specially of God and his most holy word. And in this behalf," says he, "lyke as to your highnesse, as well for composyng and settyng forth many godly psalmes and divers other contemplative meditations, as also for causyng these paraphrases to be translated into our vulgare language, England can never be able to render thankes sufficient."

Her majesty wrote,

"Queen Catherine Parr's Lamentation of a Sinner bewailing the Ignorance of her blind Life."7

years

This was a contrite meditation on the she had passed in popery, in fasts and pilgrimages; and being found among her

papers after

6 Vide Lewis's History of the Translations of the Bible, pp. 159. 163, 164.

7 [This was twice printed, in 1548 and 1563, with the following title: "The Lamentation of a Sinner: made by the most vertuous lady, queen Katherin; bewailing the ignorance of her blinde life. Set foorth and put in print, at the instaunt desire of the right gratious lady Katherin, duches of Suffolke, and the ernest request of the right honourable lord William Parre, marquesse of Northamton." Part of this work, and of queen Katherine's prayers, or meditations, appear to have been transferred into Bentley's Second Lampe of Virginitie, 1582.]