ssors of that monarch. He himself engaged in hostilities with
the duke of Alva, viceroy of Naples; and Guise being sent with forces
to support him, the renewal of war between the two crowns seemed almost
inevitable. Philip, though less warlike than his father, was no less
ambitious; and he trusted that, by the intrigues of the cabinet,
where, he believed, his caution, and secrecy, and prudence gave him the
superiority, he should be able to subdue all his enemies, and extend his
authority and dominion. For this reason, as well as from the desire of
settling his new empire, he wished to maintain peace with France; but
when he found that, without sacrificing his honor, it was impossible for
him to overlook the hostile attempts of Henry, he prepared for war with
great industry. In order to give himself the more advantage, he was
desirous of embarking England in the quarrel; and though the queen was
of herself extremely averse to that measure, he hoped that the devoted
fondness which, notwithstanding repeated instances of his indifference,
she still bore to him, would effectually second his applications. Had
the matter indeed depended solely on her, she was incapable of resisting
her husband's commands; but she had little weight with her council,
still less with her people; and her government, which was every day
becoming more odious, seemed unable to maintain itself, even during the
most profound tranquillity, much more if a war were kindled with France,
and, what seemed an inevitable consequence, with Scotland, supported by
that powerful kingdom.

An act of barbarity was this year exercised in England, which, added to
many other instances of the same kind, tended to render the government
extremely unpopular. Cranmer had long been detained prisoner; but the
queen now determined to bring him to punishment; and in order the more
fully to satiate her vengeance, she resolved to punish him for heresy,
rather than for treason. He was cited by the pope to stand his trial at
Rome; and though he was known to be kept in close custody at Oxford, he
was, upon his not appearing, condemned as contumacious. Bonner, bishop
of London, and Thirleby of Ely, were sent to degrade him; and the former
executed the melancholy ceremony with all the joy and exultation which
suited his savage nature.[*] The implacable spirit of the queen, not
satisfied with the eternal damnation of Cranmer, which she believed
inevitable, and with the execution of that