espousals were at length, by means of
the pope's dispensation, contracted between the parties; an event which
was afterwards attended with the most important consequences.

The same year another marriage was celebrated, which was also, in the
next age, productive of great events; the marriage of Margaret, the
king's eldest daughter, with James, king of Scotland. This alliance
had been negotiated during three years, though interrupted by several
broils; and Henry hoped, from the completion of it, to remove all source
of discord with that neighboring kingdom, by whose animosity England
had so often been infested. When this marriage was deliberated on in
the English council, some objected, that England might, by means of
that alliance, fall under the dominion of Scotland. "No," replied Henry,
"Scotland, in that event, will only become an accession to England."

{1503.} Amidst these prosperous incidents, the king met with a domestic
calamity, which made not such impression on him as it merited: his queen
died in childbed; and the infant did not long survive her. This princess
was deservedly a favorite of the nation; and the general affection for
her increased, on account of the harsh treatment which it was thought
she met with from her consort.

The situation of the king's affairs, both at home and abroad, was now in
every respect very fortunate. All the efforts of the European princes,
both in war and negotiation, were turned to the side of Italy; and the
various events which there arose, made Henry's alliance be courted by
every party, yet interested him so little as never to touch him with
concern or anxiety. His close connections with-Spain and Scotland
insured his tranquillity; and his continued successes over domestic
enemies, owing to the prudence and vigor of his conduct, had reduced the
people to entire submission and obedience. Uncontrolled, therefore,
by apprehension or opposition of any kind, he gave full scope to his
natural propensity; and avarice, which had ever been his ruling passion
being increased by age and encouraged by absolute authority broke all
restraints of shame or justice. He had found two ministers Empson and
Dudley, perfectly qualified to second his rapacious and tyrannical
inclinations, and to prey upon his defenceless people. These instruments
of oppression were both lawyers; the first of mean birth, of brutal
manners, of an unrelenting temper; the second better born, better
educated, and b