gings, beheadings, and burnings (S358),
the result of tyranny, indifference, or caprice. A little book of
prayers which she left, soiled by constant use and stained with many
tears, tells the story of her broken and disappointed life.

375. Summary.

This reign should be looked upon as a period of reaction. The
temporary check which Mary gave to Protestantism deepened and
strengthened it. Nothing builds up a religious faith like martyrdom,
and the next reign showed that every heretic that Mary had burned
helped to make at least a hundred more.

Elizabeth--1558-1603

376. Accession of Elizabeth.

Elizabeth, the last of the Tudor family, was the daughter of Henry
VIII and Anne Boleyn (S349). At the time of Mary's death she was
living in seclusion in Hatfield House, near London, spending most of
her time in studying Greek and Latin authors. When the news was
brought to her, she was deeply moved, and exclaimed, "It is the Lord's
doings; it is marvelous in our eyes." Five days afterwards she went
up to London by that road over which the last time she had traveled it
she was being carried a prisoner to the Tower (S369).

377. Difficulty of Elizabeth's Position.

An act of Parliament declared Elizabeth to be the true and lawful heir
to the crown[1] (S355); but her position was full of difficulty, if
not absolute peril. Mary Stuart of Scotland, now by marriage Queen of
France (S363),[2] claimed the English crown through descent from Henry
VII. She based her claim on the ground that Elizabeth, the daughter
of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, was not lawfully entitled to the
throne, because the Pope had refused to recognize Henry's second
marriage (S349). Both France and Rome supported Mary Stuart's claim.

[1] See Genealogical Table, p. 207.
[2] After Elizabeth, Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots, stood next in order
of hereditary succession. See Table, p. 207.

On the other hand, Philip II of Spain (SS370, 374) favored Elizabeth,
but solely because he hoped to marry her and annex her kingdom to his
dominions. Scotland was divided between two religious factions, the
Catholics and the Protestants, and its attitude as an independent
kingdom could hardly be called friendly. The Catholics in the greater
part of Ireland were in a state bordering on rebellion, and were ready
to join in any attack on an English sovereign.

378. The Religious Problem.

But the religious problem was more dangerous than any other, for
Engla