Norwich bulletin., 1915-01-26
FAMOUS TRIALS
TRIAL OF THE NUN OF KENT.


 When Henry VII. found an ex- cuse for divocing his first wife, Cath erine of Aragon, and marrying Anne Boleyan, he did not find that tran Quuity of mind that he had expected, for visions of his sin frequently tor mented his mind, and he was haunted with superstitions so prevalent at that period. Cranmer and Cromwell tried their best to ease his peace Of mind and while they succeeded to a, cer- tain eXtent, they were not able entirely 10 eIpel his fright.
 At the tirue Of the divorce there lived at Aldingtons in Kent, a peas ant girl of the name Elizabeth Bar ton, who was subject to an affection Of the perves. with her neighbors, attributed to some supernatural in fluence. This young woman was fav- ored in her attacks with visions, and during these ecstasies. which lasted for hours, she had the gift of prophecy. Her predictions. which were carefully recorded as she gave utterance to them, were written in q which caused them to he much circu- lated among the peasantry..
 Finally copies of these predictions reached the hands Of the King. and he showed them to Sir Thomas More. The latter smiled at the incoherent
 
 Of Arlington, was selected to examine into her state, and advised her to enter the convent of St. Sepulchre, at Cambridge. Elizabeth obeved, and here she became known as the ''Nun of Kent
 Sir Thomas More visited her here. and after a, lengthy interview he pre- sented her with two ducats, recom- nending himself to her prayers and not endeavoring to conceal from the bystanders, his admiration for the wonderful things he had heard.
 Among other things Elizabeth said that one night God appeared to her in a dream, holding three swords in His han5 which He gave to His serv- ant WOlsey; the first as to the legate and spiritual Minister of England after the Pope the second, as to the Lord High Chancellor, the temporal master of the kingdom after the King; the third, as to the sovereign judge of the trial between Henry and Catherine.
 apparent, which was to the effect that if Henry divorced Catherine he would die at the end of one month and that Mary would ascend the throne. The month had elapsed and Henry was still living.
 Henry wished to prove that Eliza beth was a demoniac. Cranmer and afterward Cromwell were ordered to examine the holy maid of Kent She was taken from her convent. brought before her judges and there says Burnet, she willingly renounced the character of an inspired person which sne had cen compelled to adopt; ac- knowledged herself as guilty of fraud, and attributed her ecstasies to a de- sire of worldly praise
 Tine examination took place with out witnesses, 8 few monks, de- nounced as her accomplices, were ar rested and appeared before the star chamber; on being examined with the torture before their eyes they con- fessed their guilt, and threw them selves on the royal clenency.
 It is probable they were more culp- able in the eyes of Henry than in that of God, and they were taken one Sunday, in the month of NoveIn- = Der. 1524s with haIters around their necks, as far as St. PauPs Cross, and there heard a sermon from one of the royal chaplains, and were after ward reconducted to prison.
 It was generally believed that Henry, after having exposed the would have granted them their lives, and thus Vaunted his clemency. Cranmer had. however, discovered high treason. and a bill of attainder was accordingly brought into the House of Peers against Elizabeth No further trial was necessary, for the Peers had before them as evil derce their confessions wrenched from them by threat of the torture.
 On the second reading of the bill several of the Peers, urged by re morse Of conscience, had sufficient courage to pray the King to allow the accused to be examined personally. The state archives have not preserved Henry's reply: but shortly afterward A1- s1 death at Tyburn. Before her execu- ton the Fteligieuse acknowledged the justice of her sentence, but that she had only been an instrument in the hands og the clergy who you'd fol- low lrGc 9Ito eternity