lustration: A RELUCTANT TAX-PAYER.]

After a reign of twenty-four years he was succeeded by his second son,
Henry, in 1509, the elder son, Arthur, having died previously.

It was during the reign of Henry VII. that John and Sebastian Cabot were
fitted out and discovered North America in 1497, which paved the way
for the subsequent depopulation of Africa, Italy, and Ireland. South
America had been discovered the year before by Columbus. Henry VII. was
also the father of the English navy.

The accession of Henry VIII. was now hailed with great rejoicing. He was
but eighteen years of age, but handsome and smart. He soon married
Catherine of Aragon, the widow of his brother Arthur. She was six years
his senior, and he had been betrothed to her under duress at his
eleventh year.

A very fine snap-shot reproduction of Henry VIII. and Catherine in
holiday attire, from an old daguerreotype in the author's possession,
will be found upon the following page.

[Illustration: HENRY VIII. AND CATHERINE.]

Henry VIII. ordered his father's old lawyers, Empson and Dudley, tried
and executed for being too diligent in business. He sent an army to
recover the lost English possessions in France, but in this was
unsuccessful. He then determined to organize a larger force, and so he
sent to Calais fifty thousand men, where they were joined by Maximilian.
In the battle which soon followed with the French cavalry, they lost
their habitual _sang-froid_ and most of their hand-baggage in a wild and
impetuous flight. It is still called the Battle of the Spurs. This was
in 1513.

In the report of the engagement sent to the king, nothing was said of
the German emperor for the reason, as was said by the commander, "that
he does not desire notice, and, in fact, Maximilian objections to the
use of his name." This remark still furnishes food for thought on rainy
days at Balmoral, and makes the leaden hours go gayly by.

During the year 1513 the Scots invaded England under James, but though
their numbers were superior, they were sadly defeated at Flodden Field,
and when the battle was over their king and the flower of their nobility
lay dead upon the scene.

[Illustration: WOLSEY OUTSHINES THE KING.]

Wolsey, who was made cardinal in 1515 by the Pope, held a tremendous
influence over the young king, and indirectly ruled the country. He
ostensibly presented a humble demeanor, but in his innermost soul he was
the haughtiest human being that ever