The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-26
CHRISTMAS IN HISTORY-By Dr. W. E. Evans

I street men ran to arouse the sleeping, conveying thus the startling tidings. It was not long before the whole city was awake. Those who came forth into the streets had seldom seen a blacker night; torches were essential to guide them in the terrible gloom. In every direction there were blasts of trumpets, and from every befry came piercing peals of mournful. tolling tones, as If the pope were dead. The clergy excitedly appeal ed to the people to find and rescue the pope; they flew to arms, but knew not the popes whereabouts. Therefore, men wildly rushed from one part of the city to another in futile search, their red torches the while glaring through the darkness, and flaring in every direction | In the morning the Christmas bells ! trembled as If telling a tale of horror The pope was gone, stolen from the sanctity of the high altar at Santa Maria , Maggiore, ruthlessly treated and humili- ated in sight of the tabernacle, and by unholy hands thrust out Into the dark ness and storm of the cold night No wonder men thought the bells of that Christmas morning rang more sadly than ever, lacking the merry note that afore- time called the faithful to worship the Babe of Bethlehem in his manager.
 When day dawned all Rome was on the streets, and still In ignorance of the fate of the stolen pope. The morning wore oil Later there rose a report that Cencfus had not appeared among the anxious people; his hostility to the pope was then recollected, and soon there was q mighty but irregular army of citizen- soldiers rushing away upon their horses for the region of Parione. where Cencius had hls stronghold. A terrific assault was made upon the castle and Cencius. l-x1 4l.~A IL else, fell at the feet of the imprisoned pope and begged forgiveness This saved him from the hands of the popes friends. Gregory was brought out of his prison all stained with blood, and was conveyed to Rome by his enthusiastic friends. Cencius made his escape.
 The House of Tudor.
 The last Christmas Day spent by the brutal Henry VIII fell in 154s. Henry was i'll with an ulcer in his thigh which had been of long duration. He was now feyerish and approaching his end. Yet, the same determination that had charac- terized his reign through his stormy life was distinctly observable. On the Christ mas Day of the year stated the King spent his time, though dying man, in devising plans whereby his enemies might be discounted and the reign of his son Edward be assured The result of his Christmas musings was that the house of Norfolk must be destroyed before his own death. Christmastide was spent in concocting vicious plans looking to this end, and after the holidays these plans were executed. The Earl of Surrv was arrested and beheaded by Henry's order The Duke of Norfolk, father to the Earl or Surry. was also arrested and commit- ted to the tower. The death of the King however, prevented Surry's execution. The plots and intrigues of Henry's last days were in perfect accord with the afrocious villainies of his reign in the days of his health. Ten years before this last Christmas Day of his life, at Christi mastide, he had received a letter from queen Catherine. his heartbroken wife. The letter seemed to have impressed his mind. and he wrote her fin reply. Cath erine. however, never saw the answer to her letter, for she died before 1t camA to her. Now, at this Chrtstmastide death had come to summons the King to bis long home, and while he outliyed the holidays, in the month of January he gasped his last breath.
 The last Christmas day spent by Queen Elizabeth. daughter of Henry VIII wac one or sorrow and lonely unpopufarity. She. had outlived her time; her favor,tes
 
 become old. ugly and bitter, and had the ftal acouirement of ''the tongue of a serpent Sir John Harrington was per mitted to see her on this Christmas day of which I write. It was in 1902. Sir John says, "I found her in a most pitia- ble state. She dropped a tear and smote upon her bosom" The dead Earl of Essex seemed to be ever in her mind. and conscience seemed intent upon un- hfnging her reason. The end of her long career began at this time Though i'll she would not stay in her bed. The lord ad- miral begged her to go to her couch but Elizabeth replied; 'If you had seen what I have seen there you would never make the request of me-"
 Thero was one pre-eminent factor that added to the mental torture of the Queen at this time Sixteen years before at Christmas Elizabeth had received let ter from Mary Queen of Scots. The let ter was written by Mary fin prison to her royal cousin Elizabeth. It was calm letter. futt of dignity and pathoa.