extent
enforced.

284. Henry's Last Days.

Toward the close of his life the King seems to have thought of
reviving the Crusades for the conquest of Jerusalem (S182), where,
according to tradition, an old prediction declared that he should
die. But his Jerusalem was nearer than that of Palestine. While
praying at the tomb of Edward the Confessor in Westminster Abbey
(S66), he was seized with mortal illness. His attendants carried him
into a room near by.

When he recovered consciousness, and inquired where he was, he was
told that the apartment was called the Jerusalem Chamber. "Praise be
to God," he exclaimed, "then here I die!" There he breathed his last,
saying to his son, young Prince Henry:

"God knows, my son,
By what by-paths and indirect crook'd ways,
I met this crown; and I myself know well
How troublesome it sat upon my head;
To thee it shall descend with better quiet,
Better opinion, better confirmation;
For all the soil of the achievement[1] goes
With me into the earth."

[1] "Soil of achievement": stain or blame by which the crown was won.
Shakespeare's "Henry IV," Part II, Act IV, scene iv.

285. Summary.

At the outset of his reign Parliament showed its power by changing the
succession and making Henry King instead of young Edmund Mortimer, the
direct hereditary heir to the crown. Though successful in crushing
rebellion, Henry was obliged to submit to the guidance of a council.

Furthermore, he was made more entirely dependent on Parliament,
especially in the matter of supplies, than any previous King, for the
House of Commons now got and held control of the nation's purse. For
the first time in English history heresy was made punishable by death;
yet such was the restraining influence of the people, that but two
executions took place in Henry IV's reign.

Henry V--1413-1422

286. Lollard Outbreak at Henry's Accession.

Henry's youth had been wild and dissolute, but the weight of the crown
sobered him. He cast off poor old "Jack Falstaff"[1] (S282) and his
other roistering companions, and began his new duties in earnest.

[1] Shakespeare's "Henry IV," Part II, Act V, scene v, beginning, "I
know thee not, old man."

Sir John Oldcastle, or Lord Cobham, was at this time the most
influential man among the Lollards (SS255, 283). He was brought to
trial and convicted of heresy. The penalty was de