ased the old manor and manor-house
of the Knights-Hospitallers of Jerusalem, to whom it then belonged, for
the purpose of building a palace suitable to his rank and splendor. He
erected a structure so magnificent, and so far surpassing any of the
royal residences, that he quite overshot his mark, and roused the
jealousy of the king, who bluntly asked him what he, a priest, and a
butcher's son, meant by building for himself a palace handsomer than
any of his king's. Then the cunning Cardinal, putting the best face he
could on the matter, said that he had only been trying to build a
residence worthy of so great and glorious a monarch, and that Hampton
Court was at King Henry's service. The king jumped at the offer, but
in return bestowed upon Wolsey the old manor of Richmond, the favorite
residence of his father, Henry VII. It was observed, when the great
Cardinal was going home, after this interview with his royal master,
that he scowled and growled at his followers, and belabored the poor
mule that he rode most unmercifully.

So, by gift from Cardinal Wolsey, Hampton Court became the property of
the crown.

Edward VI. was born in this palace, and mostly resided here, during his
short, but happy reign. Gloomy Queen Mary and her false hearted
husband, Philip of Spain, spent their honey-moon, or rather
vinegar-moon, here. Queen Elizabeth here gave several great festivals,
and her successor, the mean and pedantic James I. held a great
religious conference in the privy-chamber,--he, the most immoderate of
bigots, sitting as _moderator_. Here he entertained some great French
princes at one time, very handsomely; every thing being on a royal
scale except the host. Here he lost his wife, Anne of Denmark, a very
respectable sort of a woman, much too good for him.

Charles I., with his queen and court, sought refuge at this place from
the plague, which was ravaging London. But there was another trouble
that came upon him from which he could not escape, even here. Death,
with his scythe, passed by the healthful shades of the country palace,
but the executioner with his axe was not to be evaded.

The Lord Protector, Oliver Cromwell, resided sometimes at this palace;
but his favorite daughter, Elizabeth, a very lovely woman, died here,
and after that, it was the saddest place in all the world to him.

Charles II., with his gay court, which hardly held one honest man, or
reputable woman, used to hold revels here; and s