CHAPTER I

ON THE ENGLISH CONSTITUTION FROM HENRY VII. TO MARY

Ancient Government of England--Limitations of Royal Authority--Difference in the Effective Operation of these--Sketch of the State of Society and Law--Henry VII.--Statute for the Security of the Subject under a King _de facto_--Statute of Fines--Discussion of its Effect and Motive--Exactions of Money under Henry VII.--Taxes demanded by Henry VIII.--Illegal Exactions of Wolsey in 1523 and 1525--Acts of Parliament releasing the King from his Debts--A Benevolence again exacted--Oppressive Treatment of Reed--Severe and unjust Executions for Treason--Earl of Warwick--Earl of Suffolk--Duke of Buckingham--New Treasons created by Statute--Executions of Fisher and More--Cromwell --Duke of Norfolk--Anne Boleyn--Fresh Statutes enacting the Penalties of Treason--Act giving Proclamations the Force of Law--Government of Edward VI.'s Counsellors--Attainder of Lord Seymour and Duke of Somerset--Violence of Mary's Reign--The House of Commons recovers part of its independent Power in these two Reigns--Attempt of the Court to strengthen itself by creating new Boroughs--Causes of the High Prerogative of the Tudors--Jurisdiction of the Council of Star-Chamber--This not the same with the Court erected by Henry VII.--Influence of the Authority of the Star-Chamber in enhancing the Royal Power--Tendency of religious Disputes to the same End Page 7