elf into the good graces
of the queen dowager, that, forgetting her usual prudence and decency,
she married him immediately upon the demise of the late king; insomuch
that, had she soon proved pregnant, it might have been doubtful to
which husband the child belonged. The credit and riches of this alliance
supported the ambition of the admiral, but gave umbrage to the duchess
of Somerset, who, uneasy that the younger brother's wife should have
the precedency, employed all her credit with her husband, which was
too great, first to create, then to widen the breach between the two
brothers.[*]

* Hayward, p. 301. Heylin, p. 72. Camden. Thuanus, lib. vi.
p. 6. Haynes, p. 69.

The first symptoms of this misunderstanding appeared when the protector
commanded the army in Scotland. Secretary Paget, a man devoted to
Somerset, remarked that Seymour was forming separate intrigues among the
counsellors; was corrupting by presents the king's servants; and even
endeavoring, by improper indulgences and liberalities, to captivate the
affections of the young monarch. Paget represented to him the danger of
this conduct; desired him to reflect on the numerous enemies whom the
sudden elevation of their family had created; and warned him, that any
dissension between him and the protector would be greedily laid hold
of to effect the ruin of both. Finding his remonstrances neglected,
he conveyed intelligence of the danger to Somerset, and engaged him to
leave the enterprise upon Scotland unfinished, in order to guard against
the attempts of his domestic enemies. In the ensuing parliament, the
admiral's projects appeared still more dangerous to public tranquillity;
and as he had acquired many partisans, he made a direct attack upon
his brother's authority. He represented to his friends, that formerly,
during a minority, the office of protector of the kingdom had been
kept separate from that of governor of the king's person; and that the
present union of these two important trusts conferred on Somerset an
authority which could not safely be lodged in any subject.[*] The young
king was even prevailed on to write a letter to the parliament desiring
that Seymour might be appointed his governor; and that nobleman had
formed a party in the two houses, by which he hoped to effect his
purpose. The design was discovered before its execution; and some common
friends were sent to remonstrate with him, but had so little influence,
that he threw