Chapter XII: Reign of Elizabeth

Accession of Elizabeth--Sir William Cecil--The Coronation--Opening
of Parliament--Ecclesiastical Legislation--Consecration of
Parker--Elizabeth and Philip--Treaty of Cateau-Cambresis--Affairs
in Scotland--The First Covenant--Attitude of Mary of Guise--Riot
at Perth--Outbreak of Hostilities--The Lords of the Congregation
apply to England--Elizabeth hesitates--Siege of Leith--Treaty
of Edinburgh--Return of Mary to Scotland--Murray's Influence
over her--Beginning of the Religious Wars in France--Elizabeth
sends Help to the Huguenots--Peace of Amboise--English Disaster
at Havre--Peace with France--The Earl of Leicester--Project of
his Marriage with Mary--Lord Darnley--Murder of Rizzio--Birth
of Mary's Son--Murder of Darnley--Mary and Bothwell--Carberry
Hill--Mary in Lochleven--Abdicates in favour of her Infant
Son--Mary's Escape from Lochleven--Defeated at Langside--Her
Escape into England 246

CHAPTER XIII.

REIGN OF ELIZABETH (_continued_).

Elizabeth Determines to Imprison Mary--The Conference at
York--It is Moved to London--The Casket Letters--Mary is sent
Southwards--Remonstrances of the European Sovereigns--Affairs
in the Netherlands--Alva is sent Thither--Elizabeth Aids the
Insurgents--Proposed Marriage between Mary and Norfolk--The
Plot is Discovered--Rising in the North--Its Suppression--Death
of the Regent Murray--Its Consequences in Scotland--Religious
Persecutions--Execution of Norfolk--Massacre of St.
Bartholomew--Siege of Edinburgh Castle--War in France--Splendid
Defence of La Rochelle--Death of Charles IX.--Religious War in the
Netherlands--Rule of Don John--The Anjou Marriage--Deaths of Anjou
and of William the Silent 274

CHAPTER XIV.

REIGN OF ELIZABETH (_continued_).

Affairs of Ireland: Shane O'Neil's Rebellion--Plantation of
Ulster--Spanish Descent on Ireland--Desmond's Rebellion--Religious
Conformity--Campian and Parsons--The Anabaptists--Affairs
of Scotland--Death of Morton--Success of the Catholics in
Scotland--The Raid of Ruthven--Elizabeth's Position--Throgmorton's
Plot--Association to Protect Elizabeth--Mary removed
to Tutbury--Support of the Protestant Cause on the
Continent--Leicester in the Netherlands--Babington's Plot--Trial
of Mary--Her Condemnation--Hesitation of Elizabeth--Execution of
Mary 295

CHAPTER XV.

REIGN OF ELIZABETH (_concluded_).

State of Europe on the Death of Mary--Preparations of Philip
of Spain--Exploits of English Sailors--Drake Singes the King
of Spain's Beard--Preparations against the Armada--Loyalty of
the Roman Catholics--Arrival of the Armada in the Channel--Its
Disastrous Course and Complete Destruction--Elizabeth at
Tilbury--Death of Leicester--Persecution of the Puritans and
Catholics--Renewed Expeditions against Spain--Accession of Henry
of Navarre to the French Throne--He is helped by Elizabeth--Essex
takes Cadiz--His Quarrels with the Cecils--His Second Expedition
and Rupture with the Queen--Troubles in Ireland--Essex appointed
Lord-Deputy--His Failure--The Essex Rising--Execution of
Essex--Mountjoy in Ireland--The Debate on Monopolies--Victory of
Mountjoy--Weakness of Elizabeth--Her last Illness and Death 313

CHAPTER XVI.

THE PROGRESS OF THE NATION IN THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY.

The Tudors and the Nation--The Church--Population and
Wealth--Royal Prerogative--Legislation of Henry VIII.--The Star
Chamber--Beneficial Legislation--Treason Laws--Legislation
of Edward and Mary--Elizabeth's Policy--Religion and
the Church--Sketch of Ecclesiastical History under the
Tudors--Literature, Science, and Art--Greatness of the
Period--Foundation of Colleges and Schools--Revival of
Learning--Its Temporary Decay--Prose Writers of the Period--The
Poets--Scottish Bards--Music--Architecture--Painting and
Sculpture--Furniture and Decorations--Arms and Armour--Costumes,
Coins, and Coinage--Ships, Commerce, Colonies, and
Manufactures--Manners and Customs--Condition of the People 342