but this is
undoubtedly an error, as that prelate had only just then returned from
Germany, and was not informed of the circumstance until two weeks
afterwards, as appears from the following passage in his letter to
Hawkyns, before quoted:--"Yt hath bin reported thorowte a greate parte of
the realme that I married her; which was playnly false, for I myself knew
not thereof a fortenyght after it was donne."

[12] Lingard's "History of England," vol. iv. p. 190. 4to edit.

[13] Vide Speed's "Annals," p. 1029.

[14] "Life and Raigne of Henry the Eighth," p. 341. edit. 1649.

It may not, perhaps, prove uninteresting to our readers, or quite
irrelevant to the subject, to close this brief account of the marriage of
Anne Boleyn, with the copy of a letter from that queen to "Squire
Josselin, upon ye birth of Q. Elizabth," preserved among the manuscripts
in the British Museum.[15]

[15] Harleian MSS. No. 787.

"By the Queen--Trusty and well beloved wee greet you well. And whereas it
hath pleased ye goodness of Almighty God of his infinite mercy and grace
to send unto vs at this tyme good speed in ye deliverance and bringing
forth of a Princess to ye great joye and inward comfort of my lord. Us,
and of all his good and loving subjects of this his realme ffor ye which
his inestimable beneuolence soe shewed unto vs. We have noe little cause
to give high thankes, laude and praysing unto our said Maker, like as we
doe most lowly, humbly, and wth all ye inward desire of our heart. And
inasmuch as wee undoubtedly trust yt this our good is to you great
pleasure, comfort, and consolacion; wee therefore by these our Lrs
aduertise you thereof, desiring and heartily praying you to give wth vs
unto Almighty God, high thankes, glory, laud, and praising, and to pray
for ye good health, prosperity, and continuall preservation of ye sd
Princess accordingly. Yeoven under our Signett at my Lds Manner of
Greenwch,[16] ye 7th day of September, in ye 25th yeare of my said Lds
raigne, An. Dno. 1533."

S.I.B.

[16] Queen Elizabeth was born at the ancient Palace of
Greenwich, or as it was then called, "the Manner of Plesaunce,"
one of the favourite residences of Henry VIII.

* * * * *

MEMORABLE DAYS.

* * * * *

COLLOP MONDAY.

Collop Monday is the day before Shrove Tuesday, and in many parts is made
a day of great feasting on account