e of Norfolk and his father, during this
whole reign, and even a part of the foregoing, had been regarded as the
greatest subjects in the kingdom, and had rendered considerable service
to the crown. The duke himself had in his youth acquired reputation by
naval enterprises: he had much contributed to the victory gained over
the Scots at Flouden: he had suppressed a dangerous rebellion in the
north; and he had always done his part with honor in all the expeditions
against France. Fortune seemed to conspire with his own industry in
raising him to the greatest elevation. From the favors heaped on him by
the crown he had acquired an immense estate: the king had successively
been married to two of his nieces; and the king's natural son, the duke
of Richmond, had married his daughter; besides his descent, from the
ancient family of the Moubrays, by which he was allied to the throne,
he had espoused a daughter of the duke of Buckingham, who was descended
by a female from Edward III.; and as he was believed still to adhere
secretly to the ancient religion, he was regarded, both abroad and at
home, as the head of the Catholic party. But all these circumstances, in
proportion as they exalted the duke, provoked the jealousy of Henry;
and he foresaw danger, during his son's minority, both to the public
tranquillity, and to the new ecclesiastical system, from the attempts
of so potent a subject. But nothing tended more to expose Norfolk to
the king's displeasure, than the prejudices which Henry had entertained
against the earl of Surrey, son of that nobleman.

Surrey was a young man of the most promising hopes, and had
distinguished himself by every accomplishment which became a scholar, a
courtier, and a soldier. He excelled in all the military exercises which
were then in request: he encouraged the fine arts by his patronage
and example: he had made some successful attempts in poetry; and being
smitten with the romantic gallantry of the age, he celebrated the
praises of his mistress by his pen and his lance, in every masque and
tournament. His spirit and ambition were equal to his talents and his
quality; and he did not always regulate his conduct by the caution
and reserve which his situation required. He had been left governor
of Boulogne when that town was taken by Henry; but though his
personal bravery was unquestioned, he had been unfortunate in some
rencounters[**misspelling] with the French. The king, somewhat
displeased wi