e he punished the instruments of past tyranny, had yet such a
deference to former engagements as to deliberate, immediately after his
accession, concerning the celebration of his marriage with the infanta
Catharine, to whom he had been affianced during his father's lifetime.
Her former marriage with his brother, and the inequality of their years
were the chief objections urged; against his espousing her but, on the
other hand, the advantages of her known virtue, modesty, and sweetness
of disposition were insisted on; the affection which she bore to the
king; the large dowry to which she was entitled as princess of Wales;
the interest of cementing a close alliance with Spain; the necessity
of finding some confederate to counterbalance the power of France; the
expediency of fulfilling the engagements of the late king When these
considerations were weighed, they determined the council, though
contrary to the opinion of the primate, to give Henry their advice for
celebrating the marriage. The countess of Richmond, who had concurred
in the same sentiments with the council, died soon after the marriage of
her grandson.

The popularity of Henry's government, his undisputed title, his
extensive authority, his large treasures, the tranquillity of his
subjects, were circumstances which rendered his domestic administration
easy and prosperous: the situation of foreign affairs was no less happy
and desirable. Italy continued still, as during the late reign, to be
the centre of all the wars and negotiations of the European princes; and
Henry's alliance was courted by all parties; at the same time that he
was not engaged by any immediate interest or necessity to take part with
any. Lewis XII. of France, after his conquest of Milan, was the only
great prince that possessed any territory in Italy; and could he have
remained in tranquillity, he was enabled by his situation to prescribe
laws to all the Italian princes and republics, and to hold the balance
among them. But the desire of making a conquest of Naples, to which he
had the same title or pretensions with his predecessor, still engaged
him in new enterprises: and. as he foresaw opposition from Ferdinand,
who was connected both by treaties and affinity with Frederick of
Naples, he endeavored by the offers of interest, to which the ears of
that monarch were ever open, to engage him in an opposite confederacy.
He settled with him a plan for the partition of the kingdom of Naples,
a