DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.14721#0134
antiquities of england.
83
PLATE XXIL
KING HENRY THE SIXTH, AND LIDGATE.
This is from a MS. in the Bodleian library, Oxford, and represents John
Lidgate, the author, presenting it to king Henry the Sixth.1 The person standing
by the king is, without doubt, either one of the king's uncles, or some other great
lord of the court. The crown, or coronet, differs much from that of the king's,
and is perhaps the ducal coronet.
This prince, though a just, pious and worthy man, was very unfortunate in
this life, bandied about by the sudden gusts of cruel fortune, and the ambitious
designs of artful men. These mischances were, perhaps, somewhat owing to the
daring and turbulent disposition of his queen. The characters of this prince and
his consort are given below from Grafton ; and they are justly drawn, though in a
very homely phrase:
" King Henry, which raigned at this time, was a man of a meek spirit and of
a simple witte, prefering peace before warre, rest before businesse, honestie before
profite, and quietness before laboure: and to the intent that men might perceive
that there could be none more chaste, more meek, more holye, nor a better
creature, in him raigned shamefasedness, modestie, integritie, and pacience to be
marveylled at, taking and suffering all losses, chaunces, displeasures, and such
worldly tormentes, in good parte, and wyth a pacient manner, as though they had
chaunced by his own faulte, or negligent oversight ; and he was governed of them
whom he should have ruled, and brideled of such whom he sharply should have
spurred : he gaped not for honour, nor thursted for riches, but studied onlye for
the health of his soule, the saving whereof he esteemed to be the greatest wisdome,
and the losse thereof the extremest folie, that could be. But, on the other part,
the queen Margaret of Anjou was a woman of great witte, and yet of no greater
witte than of haute stomache, desirous of glorie, and covetous of honour ; and of
reason, pollicye, counsaill, and other giftes and talentes of nature, she lacked
1 This book is marked Digby, 232, Bib. Bod.
83
PLATE XXIL
KING HENRY THE SIXTH, AND LIDGATE.
This is from a MS. in the Bodleian library, Oxford, and represents John
Lidgate, the author, presenting it to king Henry the Sixth.1 The person standing
by the king is, without doubt, either one of the king's uncles, or some other great
lord of the court. The crown, or coronet, differs much from that of the king's,
and is perhaps the ducal coronet.
This prince, though a just, pious and worthy man, was very unfortunate in
this life, bandied about by the sudden gusts of cruel fortune, and the ambitious
designs of artful men. These mischances were, perhaps, somewhat owing to the
daring and turbulent disposition of his queen. The characters of this prince and
his consort are given below from Grafton ; and they are justly drawn, though in a
very homely phrase:
" King Henry, which raigned at this time, was a man of a meek spirit and of
a simple witte, prefering peace before warre, rest before businesse, honestie before
profite, and quietness before laboure: and to the intent that men might perceive
that there could be none more chaste, more meek, more holye, nor a better
creature, in him raigned shamefasedness, modestie, integritie, and pacience to be
marveylled at, taking and suffering all losses, chaunces, displeasures, and such
worldly tormentes, in good parte, and wyth a pacient manner, as though they had
chaunced by his own faulte, or negligent oversight ; and he was governed of them
whom he should have ruled, and brideled of such whom he sharply should have
spurred : he gaped not for honour, nor thursted for riches, but studied onlye for
the health of his soule, the saving whereof he esteemed to be the greatest wisdome,
and the losse thereof the extremest folie, that could be. But, on the other part,
the queen Margaret of Anjou was a woman of great witte, and yet of no greater
witte than of haute stomache, desirous of glorie, and covetous of honour ; and of
reason, pollicye, counsaill, and other giftes and talentes of nature, she lacked
1 This book is marked Digby, 232, Bib. Bod.