The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1912-06-04

I wears was mon S2
ster. He was n e N RI VII
Henry VIII. of England. Henry's Ia
ther had educated him for the priest
hood, when his elder brother, Arthur
died: thus making Henry heir to the
English throne. Arthur had been
married to Catherine Of Aragon, VINO
brought him dowry of 2OO,oOo
crowns. Sooner than to return this
large dowry, the miserly old king mar
ried Catherine to Henry. She was
some years older than her boy hus'
band and a totally unfit wife for such
youth.
In 1909 Henry VIII became king. He
was eighteen years old and the most
popular man In his kingdom, Hand
some, athletic, jolly, clever, he was
the exact opposite Of his miser father
England was weak from long civil
wars and bad rule. She had sunk al.
most to the level Of a third rate power.
Henry quickly changed all this.
With splendid craftsmanship he stead
lily lifted his country to foremost
rank among Eufope's nations. He
won victories against French and Scot.
tish foes. Education and commerce
throve. The land waxed rich and hap
py. For writing church book Henry
received from the pope the title OF
Defender of the Faith" A prosper
Gus, contented nation, daily increas.
ing in greatness. was ruled by wise,
Just and beloved king.
So much for the first Is years. Then
came the change-a change that turn
ed a hero king into blackguard. A
change no historian has been able to
explain. 1t was caused in the first
place by woman.
Hehrys wife, Catherine Of Aragon,
was growing old. He was still in his
prime. She was homely, severe, sol
emn-his opposite in all things. They
had had two sons, who had died IN
earliest infancy. Their only living
child was sickly daughter (whc
later became Queen Nary. Henry,
up to this time, had treated his elder
ly wife kindly enough. There was no
stain on his private life. His morals
were unusually good, his career free
from scandal But, after nearly a
score of years on the throne, he sud.
denly fell in love with Anne Boleyn,
one of GATHERINGS ladies.in waiting
Anne was beautiful, weak, vicious;
she was decidedly attractive in spite
of the fact that she had two thumbs
on each hand.
Henry wished to marry her. He de-
clared that his early marriage to his
brothers widow was illegal, and
sought to have it annulled.
The pope refused to sanction &C
wicked plan. Henry, thereupon
threw aside his allegiance to the Cath
olic church and to the pope, and de
clared himself the head Of all relig
ious institutions in England. Ther
he proceeded to modify his country'i
religion and to behead all who woul6
not conform to his new way OF think
ing. He also abolished England's
peaceful monasteries. Catholics wht
remained loyal to their church and tt
the pope were slain without mercy Of
! Justice. Protestants who objected t
Henry's regulations were also put t
death. Any man who crossed the mon
arch's wishes or ideas was executed
| Whole families were killed for no bet
ter reason than that they obeyed thei
own consciences rather than the un
! Just orders of a tyrant. BY Catholics
and Protestants alike Henry grew t
be loathed. His early popularity wa
drowned in oceans of innocent blood
shed at his cruel orders. Where one,
he had governed by love he now rulet
by inspiring death fears. Some writer
say that no less than $4,000 persons
were executed during the last 20 year
Of Henry's reign. This is, perhaps, al
exaggeration. But the victims coult
be numbered by thousands The ono,
genial, gracious sovereign had becom,
a monster.
Anne Boleyn proflted little by hel
marriage with Henry. Not long aftel
the birth of her daughter (afterwart
Queen Elizabeth), she was suspected
! of unfaithfulness and was beheadet
| by Henry's orders. Next day he mar
/ ried Annes lady-in-waiting, Jane Sey
mour. Jane died soon after the birth
| of her son, Edward. Henry then mar
ried Anne of Cleves, a Flemish
princess. whom he had never seen
At first sight he fell into rage. cursed
her for a hideous Flanders mare" and
divorced her. Soon aft%ward he mar
ried Catherine Howard. Doubling
her loyalty to him. he had her put tr
death and married HE sixth wife
Catherine Parr.
How much ofteneF hs might have
gone to the altar, had he lived long
enough, cannot be guessed. lll-healtb
had already begun 10 dtsnSure hh
haoA,o-,n ta,n nrf~pl~ his h,Hv oHH