CHAPTER L

bacon's history or king henry vii.

De Connuhio Rosarum.

Septimus Henricus non aere et marmore Wvit ;
Yivit at in chartis, magne Bacone, tiiis.
lunge duas, Henrice, rosas ; dat mille Baconus ■;
Quot verba in libro, tot reor esse rosas. — T. P.

The omission of the History of King Henry VH. in the succes-
sion of the Chronicle pi-ays is excessively striking and curious,
because this period, of all others, Avas full of incident, full of
discovery, and, in the union of the Eoses, marks an epoch and
period in the history of England. Bacon Avrote only one complete
prose history,* that is the perfect one of King Henry VH., which,
for some purpose unexplained, we do not find in the 1623 Folio.
Examination of the succession of the Chronicle plays betrays the
seeming intention to take the chief reigns from King John in
order, and thus carry History up to Henry the Eighth. We have
King John, Richard H., Henry IV., Henry V., Henry VL,
Richard IH., each legitimately following on each other's heels ;
but after Richard HI., Henry VHI. follows, and the one History
(perhaps of all the most important) is, as it were, ''ripped out" of
the chronological succession of kings or reigns. It has occurred
to us if Bacon wanted to prove his claim to the authorship of the
plays, that such an omission might be made an instrument of
extraordinary use as evidence, external and internal^ for the dis-
covery of truth by posterity ; because there is, of course, much

* The " History of King Heniy YIIL," by Bacon, is only a fragment, just
commenced. The Memorials of Queen Elizabeth's reign, entitled the
" Felicities of Queen Elizabeth," is not a history, but a general survey of her
times and character,

A

2 BACON'S HISTORY OF KING HENRY VII

in the history of King Henry VII. interwoven with the history
of his predecessor Richard III., and his successor Henry VIII. ;
these connections might be reflected from Bacon's History to the
plays in question as links of evidence, by parallels of treatment.

The claims of Perkin AVarbeck arose from his personating the
Duke of York, one of the two princes murdered in the Tower by
Richard III. Now, in Bacon's account of this incident of rebel-
lion and imposture in his history of the reign of King Henry VII.,
he A\Tites : —

" To detect the abuse (Perkin Warbeck's claims of legitimacy)
there were but two ways ; the first to make it manifest to the
world, that the Duke of Yorke was indeed murdered : the other to
prove that were he dead or alive Perkin was a counterfeit. For
the fii'st thus it stood. There were but four persons, that could
speak upon knotvledge to the murder of the Duke of Yoi-k, viz. : Sir
James Tyrrell (the employed man from King Richard), John
DiGHTON and Miles Forrest, his servants (the two butchers or
tormentors), and the Priest of the Tower, that buried them. Of
which four Miles Forrest and the Priest were dead, and there
remained alive only Sir James Tyrrell and John Dighton. These
two the King caused to be committed to the Tower, and examined
touching the manner of the death of the two innocent Princes.
They agreed both in a tale (as the King gave out) to this effect :
That King Richard having directed his warrant for the putting
of them to death to Brackenbury, the Lieutenant of the Tower,
was by him refused. Whereupon the King directed his warrant
to Sir James Tyrrell, to receive the keys of the lower
from the Lieidenani (for the space of a night) for the King's
special service. That Sir James Tyrrell accordingly repaired
to the Tower by nighty attended by his two servants afore-
named, whom he had chosen for that purpose. That himself
stood at the stair-foot, and sent these two rilluins to execute
the murder. That they smothered them in their bed, and that
done called up their master to see their naked dead bodies, which
they had laid forth. That they were buried under the stairs, and

BACON'S HISTORY OF KING HENRY VII 3

some stones cast upon them. That when the report was made to
King Richard, that his will was done, he gave Sir James Ttjrrdl
great thanks, bnt took exception to the place of their burial,
because too base for them that were King's children. "Whereupon
another night, by the King's warrant renewed, their bodies were
removed by the Priest of the Tuwer, and buried by him in some
place, which (by means of the Priest's death soon after) could
not be known" (" History, King Henry VH.," p. 123, 1622).

If we now turn to the Life and Death of King Eichard HI. in
the 1623 Folio, we find an extraordinary parallel in some of the
details to this passage just cited.

K. Fuch. Sliall we hear from tliee, Tyrrel, ere we sleep ?

Tyr. Ye shall, my lord. [Exit.

Scene III.
Enter Tyrrel.
Tyr. The tyrannous and bloody deed is done.
The most arch act of piteous massacre
That ever yet this land was guilty of.
Dighton and Forrest, whom I did suborn
To do this ruthless piece of butchery,
Although they were flesh'd villains, bloody dogs,
Melting with tenderness and kind compassion
Wept like two children in their deaths' sad stories.
" Lo, thus," quoth Dighton, "lay those tender babes :"
"Thus, thus," (|Uoth Fon-est, "girdling one another
"Within their innocent alalaaster arms :
Their lips were four red roses on a stalk,
"Which in their summer beauty kiss'd each other.
A book of prayers on their pillow lay :
AVhich once," quoth Forrest, "almost changed my mind ;
But 0 ! the devil " — there the villain stopp'd ;
Whilst Dighton thus told on : " We smothered
The most replenished sweet work of nature,
That from the prime creation e'er she framed."
Thus both are gone with conscience and remorse ;
They could not speak ; and so I left them both,
To bring this tidings to the bloody king.
And here he comes.

Enter King Richard.

All hail, my sovereign liege !
K. Eich. Kind Tyrrel, am I hapjiy in thy news ?

4 BACON'S HISTORY OF KING HENRY VII.

Tyr. If to liave done the tiling you gave in cliarge
Beget your happiness, be happy then,
For it is done, my lord.

K. Rich.. But didst thou see them dead ?

Tyr. I did, my lord.

K. Rich. And buried, gentle Tyrvel ?

Tyr. The chaplain of the l^ower hath buried them ;
But how or in what place I do not Jcnoiv.

K. Rich. Come to me, Tyrrel, soon at after supper.
And thou shalt tell the process of their death.
Meantime, but think how I may do thee good,
And be inheritor of thy desire.
Farewell till soon. [Exit Tyrrel.

Tyrrell, Dightov, Forrest, and the Chaplain of the Tower are all
introdviced as by "Bacon in his history. Brackenbury is intro-
duced in the play, but omitted from playing any privy part to
the murders. Bacon's ^' Priest of the 2'oiver" is the ^^ Chaplain of
the Toiver " in the play, and btmes the bodies of the Princes, as Bacon
relates, but where (Bacon states again) " could not be known."

The chaplain of the Tower hath buried them ;
But hoiv or in what place I do not knw.v.

This trifling parallel goes far to prove who wrote Richard III,
But we have far more convincing evidence to adduce that this
" History of Hing Henry the Seventh " was w^ritten by Bacon ex-
pressly to furnish evidence of connection with the preceding reign
of King Richard the Tliird, in its play form. Bacon writes : —
" As for conquest notwithstanding Sir William Stanley, after some
acclamations of the soldiers in the field, had put a crown of orna-
ment (which Richard wore in the battle, and was found amongst
the spoils) upon King Henry's head as if there were his chief
title" (page 5, "History King Henry YH.," 1622, 1641). Now
compare this scene at the conclusion of the battle of Bosworth
("King Richard IIL") and of the play : —

ScKNE V. Another 2>art of tlic field.

Alarum. Enter Richard and Richmond ; they fight. Richard is slain.
Retreat and flourish. Re-enter Richmond, Dkruy hearing the croivn,
with divers other Lords.

Richm. God and youi' arms be pi-aised, victorious friends ;
The day is ours, the bloody dog is dead.

BACON'S HISTORY OF KING HENRY VII 5

Dcr. Courageous Kiclimond, well hast thou acc^uit thee.
Lo, here, this loiig-usuriied royalty
From the dead temples of this bloody wretch
Have I pluck'd off, to grace thy brows withal :
Wear it, enjoy it, and make much of it.

The Earl of Derby * was called also Lord Stanley, and is so
described in the list of Dramatis Persons attached to the play.

It is remarkable that Racon's " History of King Henry the
Seventh " takes up almost immediately the cue of the text con-
cluding the play of " King Richard the Third " : —

0 now, let Riclimond and EUzabethy
The true succeeders of each Royal House,
By God's fair ordinance conjoin together :
And let their heirs (God if thy will be so)
Enrich the time to come with smooth-fac'd peace.

(End of Play.)

Upon page 3, " The first the title of the Lady Elizabeth with
whom by precedent ^jad with the party that brought him in he was
to marry." This was one of Henry the Seventh's claims to the
throne, through union to the House of Yorke. Bacon dwells page
after i>age upon Lady Elizabeth, and finally upon page 16 gives us
the marriage itself. Many historians would have commenced the
history after the union of the two Roses. But Bacon betrays m
every line of this work a familiarity with the history of the pre-
ceding reigns, which every now and then gives as it were a thread
out of the texture of the plays : — " About this time the King
called unto his privy council John Morton and Pdchard Fox, the one
bishop of Ely, the other bishop of Exeter, vigilant men, and
secret." In the play of Richard the Third Ave meet with this
Morton, Bishop of Ely. " They had been both versed in his affairs
before be came to the Crown, and were partakers of his adverse
fortune" (p. 16, " History of King Henry VIL"). " But whatsoever
else was in the man, he deserveth a most happy memory, in that
he was the principal mean of joining the two Roses" (p. 199).

* The poet is not correct in calling Stanley Derby on the field of Bosworth.
Stanley was not created Earl of Derby till some weeks after the battle, by
Henry VIL, viz., upon 27th October 1485.

6 BACON'S HISTORY OF KING HENRY VI 1.

Morton is fled to Rit-hiuoud.

("Richard III.," iv. 3.)

And King Richard exclaims : —

Ely with Riclimond troubles me more near.

Than Buckingham and his rash levied strength. {Ih. )

Some writers consider that Cardinal Morton was the author of
Richard III., written in Latin, and which was translated by Sir
Thomas JNlore. It is from this work that the account of Richard
has been taken by succeeding chroniclers, to whom the Poet
seems indebted for his materials.

In the fourth act the first news of the apj>earance of Richmond
(afterwards Henry VII.) is brought by Ratcliffe and Lord
Stanley : —

Rat. Most mighty Sovereign on the western coast
Rideth a puissant navy : to our shores
Throng many doubtful hollow-hearted friends,
Unarm'd and unresolv'd to beat them back,
'Tis thought that Richmond is their admiral.

Stan. Stin-'d uj) by Dorset, BiKlcingJiam, and Morton
He makes for England, here to claim the crown.

(Act iv. sc. 4.)

This is upon page 199 of the Folio, and upon page 199 also of
Bacon's " History of King Henry the Seventh " is the passage
cited about Morton, Bishop of Ely : " He had been by Richard
the Third committed (as in custody) to the Duke of Buckingham,
Avhom he did secretly incite to revolt from King lUchard. But after
the Duke was engaged and thought the bishop should have been
his chief pilot in the tempest, the bishop was gotten into the
cock-boat, and fled over beyond seas. But whatsoever else was
in the man, he deserveth a most happy memory, in that he tvas
the principal mean of joining the two roses" (p. 199, "History of
King Henry the Seventh," 1G22, first edition, and also p. 199,
1641).

Ratcliffe and Catesl)y, who play a considcral)le part in the play,
are mentioned by Bacon upon page 13, together with Lord Lovel

BACON'S HISTORY OF KING HENRY VIL 7

and the Duke of Norfolk (also both characters in the Tragedy),
as " attainted by parliament " as enemies to the King. Upon
page 15 Bacon mentions Dorset. " The King sent forthwith
money to redeem the Marquess of Dorset and Sir John Bourchier."
All this, of course, is history, but history may be treated many
ways, and it is striking to find Bacon, as it were, dwelling upon
small points, and upon people introduced in the play. Bacon
dwells a great deal upon the relations of the King to Brittany in
this history : —

I know the Brdagne-Riclimond aims.

(''Richard III.," act iv. sc. 3.)

Upon page 47 Bacon says : " All things were directed by the
Duke of Orleans, who gave audience to the chaplain UrsAvick."
If we look at the list of Dramatis Fersonce prefixed to the
" Tragedy of King Richard the Third," we find one " Christopher
Urswick, a priest." These are details which two writers not
acting in collaboration (or not identical) would hardly both repeat
in this way. The affairs of this Duke of Orleans are again men-
tioned in the play of " King Henry the Eighth." Upon page
62 Bacon Avrites of a battle of Saint Alban fought in Brittany,
Avhere " the Duke of Orleans and the Prince of Orange were
taken prisoners."

The play of " King Henry the Eighth " commences upon page
205 of the 1623 Folio (Histories). Upon page 205 also of this
" History of King Henry the Seventh," Bacon "writes : " There
was a doubt ripped up in the times following when the divorce
of King Henry the Eighth from the Lady Katharine did so much
busy the Avorld, whether Arthur was bedded with his lady or no,
whereby that matter in fact (of airnal hioicledge) might be made
part of the case." This is a hint-worthy note, because the play
of King Henry the Eighth almost entirely revolves upon the
divorce of Katharine of Arragon from the King. Even Wolsey's
fall is involved in the secret opposition he set in motion wath
regard to the King's marriage Avith Anne Boleyn.

At the commencement of the " History of King Henry the

8 BACON'S HISTORY OF KING HENRY VII.

Seventh," Bacon reviews the life and cvimes of Eichard the Third.
It is very striking to find almost everything repeated that we
find in the "Tragedy of King Richard the Third." "The exe-
cutioner of King Henry the Sixth (that innocent prince) with his
oivn hands ; the contriver of the Duke of Clarence, his brother ;
the murdei'er of his two nephews (one of them his lawful king in
the present, the other in the future failing of him), and vehe-
mently suspected to have been the importuner of his wife, therehij
to make vacant his bed afore marriage within the degrees forbidden."
Again, "He was not without secret trains and mines to turn
Envy and Hatred upon his brother's government ; as having an
expectation and a kind of Divination, that the King, by reason
of h.is many disorders, could not be of long life, but was like to
leave his sons of tender years ; and then he knew well how easy
a step it was from the place of a Protector and first Prince of the
Blood to the Crown." The words ^'^ degrees forbidden" are placed
in italics. Now all these points are prominently brought forward
in the play of " King Richard the Third." In the fourth act
(scene 4) Richard j^roposes to Queen Elizabeth he should Aved her
daughter, who was niece to King Richard, and therefore the
union was ^'"within the degi-ees forbidden." Elizabeth was Queen to
Edward the Fourth, the brother to Richard the Third, who there-
fore stood as uncle to her issue.

Queen Eliz. What were I best to say ? her father's brother,
Would be her Lord ? or shall I say her uncle?

(Act iv. sc. 4.)

But we even find the same charge laid by the Queen against
Richard as by Bacon, and for the same motive, viz., the making
away of his wife Anne to make room for the daughter of Queen
Elizabeth : —

Tell her thou inadest away her uncle Clarence,

Her uncle Rivers ; yea and_/br her sake,

Maclcst quick conveyance with her good Aunt Anne.

(Act iv. sc. 3. )

This parallel is not explained away by ascribing these facts to
history. For how many Dramatists put to work to write a play

BACON'S HISTORY OF KING HENRY VII. 9

of King Richard the Third's life, would repeat exactly by chance
what some Historian was writing upon the same reign ? It is
evident Bacon introduces these points on purpose to present
proofs of his authorship of the play in question, hy means ofidentitt/
of treatment. These points are only details of History, not
important or leading events, and yet the parallelism is complete,
and the play is treated in action, as the History of Richard's life
is recorded by Bacon.

I say again give out
Tliat Anne my queen is sick, and like to die.
About it, for it stands me mucli upon
To stop all hopes, whose growth may damage me.
I must be married to my brother's daughter,
Or else my kingdom stands on brittle glass.

(Act iv. sc. 2.)

In the play of " King Henry the Eighth " we find the Duke of
Buckingham on his way to execution speaking as follows : —

Henry the Seventh succeeding truly ])itying.
My father's loss ; like a most royal prince
Hestor'd me to my honours : and out of ruins
Made my name once more noble.

(Act ii. sc. 1.)

In Bacon's " History of King Heiuy the Seventh " : — " The
King did also with great nobleness and bounty (which Vertues at
that time had their turns in his nature) restore Edward Stafford
(eldest son to Henry, Duke of Buckingham, attainted in the time
of King Richard) not only to his dignities, but to his fortunes and
possessions, which were great, to which he was moved also by a
kind of gratitude, for that the Duke was the man that moved the
first stone against the tyranny of King Richard, and, indeed, made
the King a bridge to the Crown upon his own ruins" (p. 15).
Compare Buckingham's words ("King Henry VIII.," act ii. sc. 1).

My noble father Henry of Buckingham,

Who first raised head against usurping Richard.

In the play of " Richard the Third " we find Buckingham pre-
sented playing exactly such a part as Bacon ascribes to him, —
that is in the second scene of the fourth act — where, after learn

10 B A coirs HISTORY OF KING HENRY VII

ing Dorset has fled to Richmond, and being threatened (on account
of his Avife's son Stanley) by Richard the Third, exclaims ; —

Buck. And is it thus ? repays he my deep service
With such contempt ? made I him king for this ?

0 let me think on Hastings and be gone
To Brecknock, while my fearful head is on.

Every point j^rominent in the play is prominently alluded to by
Bacon, and it seems most palpably evident these parallels are pur-
posely introduced to furnish proofs of authorship.

Bacon Avrites that Richard, when Duke of Gloucester, " was not
without secret trains and mines to turn envy and hatred upon his
brother's government," and that he reflected upon the King's
" vuluptuoiis life and mean marriage." .

Glo^i. Ay, Edward will use women honouralily.
"Would he were wasted, marrow, bones and all,
That from his loins no hopeful branch may spring.

(Act iii. sc. 2, Third "King Henry Sixth.")

A postscript to a letter (dated September 5th, 1621) addressed
to James the First by Bacon, runs as follows : —

"Cardinal Wolsey said, that if he had pleased God as he
pleased the King, he had not been ruined. My conscience saith
no such thing j for I know not but in serving you, I have served
God in one. But it may be, if I had pleased God, as I had pleased
you, it Avould have been better with me."

This is repeated in the play of " King Henry the Eighth," act
the third, final scene, where Cardinal Wolsey* exclaims : —

0 Cromwell, Cromwell !
Had I but served my God with half the zeal

1 served my king, he would not in mine age
Have left me naked to mine enemies.

One month later Bacon writes again to the King, this time
mentioning his intention to write this " History of King Henry
the Seventh " :—

* Cardinal Wolsey held the revenues of several bishoprics and of the rich
Abbey of St Albans.

BACON'S HISTORY OF KING HENRY VII. ii

" To the King.

" It may please your most excellent Majesty,

" I do very humbly thank your Majesty for yonr gracious re-
mission of my fine. I can now, I thank God and you, die, and
make a will.

" I desire to do, for the little time God shall send me life, like
the merchants of London, which, when they give over trade, lay
out their money upon land. So, being freed from civil business,
I lay forth my poor talent upon those things, which may be per-
petual, still having relation to do you honour with those powers
I have left.

"I have therefore chosen to write the reign of King Henry the
Vllth, who was in a sort your forerunner, and whose spirit, as
well as his blood, is doubled upon your Majesty.

" I durst not have presumed to intreat your Majesty to look
over the book, and correct it, or at least to signify what you
would have amended. But since you are pleased to send for the
book, I will hope for it.

" [God knoweth, whether ever I shall see you again ; but I
pray for you to the last gasp, resting.]

" The same, your true beadsman,

"Fr. St Alban."

"Octobers, 1621."

" One day when King Henry the Sixth (whose innocence gave
him holiness) was washing his hands at a great feast, and cast his
eye upon King Henry, then a young youth, he said, ' Tim is the
lad that shall possess quietly that that we now strive for ' " (p. 247,
" History of King Henry the Seventh,' 1641). This is i^epeated
in the essay of " Prophecies." And in the third part of the play
of King Henry the Sixth, the King says to Eichmond : —

Come hither England's hope. [Lmjs his hand on his head.]

If secret powers
Suggest but truth to my divining thoughts,
This pretty lad will prove our country's bliss.
His looks are full of peaceful majesty,
His head by nature framed to wear a crown,

12 BACON'S HISTORY OF KING HENRY VI L

His hand to wield a sceptre, and himself
Likely in time to bless a regal throne.
!Make much of him, my lords, for this is he
Must help you more than you are hurt by me.

(Act iv. sc. 6.)

This parallel already has been noticed by some other Avriters ;

but it cannot be omitted, seeing evidence of this kind is not worth

much detached or single. In the play of " Richard the Third,"

the King says : —

rdch. I do remember me Henry the Sixth
Did -prophesy, that Richard should be king,
"VVlien Richmond was a little peevish boy,
A king perhaps. (Act iv. sc. 2.)

It may be seen that Bacon places this prediction in his Essay
of " Propliecies" as Richard terms it.

Bacon says of King Henry VII. : " He resteth on the title of
Lancaster in the main, using the marriage and victory as sup-
porters." In the third part of " King Henry the Sixth," act iv.
scene 6, the Earl of Richmond is introduced under the " tender
care " of the Duke of Somerset, the last male of the Beauforts, the
King's near kinsman, through whom Henry Tudor founded his
claims to the throne. Henry VII. adopted for one of his chief
badges the cognizance of the Beauforts, a portcullis, with the
motto " Altera securitas."* This proves how exactly the study of
minute points of History reflected in the plays are reflected
again by Bacon. There was no need of introducing the Earl of
Richmond in this play at all unless for the sake of the prophecy
of King Henry VI. This prophecy, Bacon, as we have said,
repeats in his Essay of " Prophecies." It is quite an out-of-the-
way study. Dugdale, quoting from Polydore Virgil, says :
" Finding Henry, Earl of Richmond, in the custody of William
Herbert's widow, he brought him from her, and carried him to
King Henry, who, looking upon him prophetically, said, ' This is
he who shall quietly jposscss what we and our adversaries do now contend
or.

* See page 195, "Notes on the Characters in Shakespeare's Plays."
(Trench, 18(59.)

BACON'S HISTORY OF KING HENRY VI I. 13

The received opinion that the supposed author of the plays
drew his materials entirely and only from Holinshed, Stow, and
Grafton is erroneous. The study devoted to the composition of
these chronicle plays in by-paths of history is a powerful argu-
ment against Shakespeare's authorship; that is, if we are to
accept Avhat little we know of his life as correct. Because the
more extensive the evidence of wide research and reading, the
more difficult is it- to reconcile these facts with Shakespeare's life,
which Avas more or less an active struggle for money. For ex-
ample, the dream of Richard I IT. before the battle of Bos worth
is recounted by the old writers Polydore Virgil, Croyland
Chronicle, Hall, &c., that the night before the battle "he had a
dreadful and terrible dream."

The whole of the play of " King Henry the Eighth " may be
said to comprise the rise of Anne Boleyn, and the divorce of
Queen Katharine by the King. We mean, this is the epoch
embraced. For in the third scene of the second act Anne Boleyn
is created Marchioness, and the play terminates with the birth of
Elizabeth, and Cranmer's prophecy of her future reign. The
Divorce of Queen Katharine and the Coronation of her rival
form not only distinguishing features of the play, but the fall of
Wolsey really turns ujion his opposing secretly the advancement
of Anne Boleyn. In Bacon's "History of King Henry the
Seventh'' he writes: "The February following, Henry Duke of
Yorke was created Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester and
Flint. For the Dukedom of Cornwall devolved to him by
statute. The King also being fast handed, and loath to part with
a second dowry, but chiefly being affectionate both by his nature
and out of politic considerations to continue the alliance with
Spain, prevailed with the Prince (though not without some
reluctation ; such as could be in those years, for he was not
twelve years of age) to he contracted with the Princess Katharine.
The secret providence of God ordaining that marriage to he the occasion
of great events and changes." ("Hist., King Henry VII.," p. 207).

It is evident the author of the play of " Henry the Eighth "

14 BACON'S HISTORY OF KING HENRY VII.

thought the same thing (the -words we place in italics), for
although Cardinal Wolsey's rise and fall stand prominently out ia
the play, nevertheless Queen Katherine and her divorce are really
the springs and motives upon which the intriguing of parties and
the pleasure and displeasure of the King revolves. Directly
Henry the Eighth finds Wolsey opposing his marriage with Anne
Boleyn, he disgraces him.

The Dukes of Norfolk and Suffolk, both envious of Wolsey's
power, thus converse :

Nor. Believe it. this is true.
In the Divorce, his contrary proceedings
Are all unfolded ; wherein he ap[iears
As I would wish mine enemy.

Sur. How came

His practices to light ?

Snf. Most strangely.

Sur. Oh how ? how ?

Sxif. The Cardinal's letters to the Pope miscarried,
And came to th' eye o' th' king, wherein was read'
How that the Cardinal did entreat his Holiness
To stay the judgment o' th' Divorce, &c.

(Act iii. scene 2.)

The foil of Wolsey almost immediately follows in this act.
Upon page 227 Bacon introduces Wolsey into his history thus :
"The same year likewise there proceeded a treaty of marriage
between the King and the Lady Margaret, Duchess Dowager of
Savoy, only daughter to Maximilian, and sister to the King of
Castile, and therein was employed for his first piece the King's
then Chaplain, and after the great Prelate, Thomas Wolsey." It is
very curious Bacon should introduce Wolsey like this, and no
more be found written upon his career.

King Henry the Eighth is presented in the jjlay as questioning
the kgitimacij of his daughter Mary (in scene 4, act ii.), and on
the grounds that he had married his brother's wife Katharine :

Now, wliat moved me
I will he bold with time and your attention :
Then mark the inducement. Thus it came ; give heed to 't :
My conscience first received a tenderness,

BACON'S HISTORY OF KING HENRY VII. 15

Scniplo, and prick on ccvtaiii sjiccclios utter'd

By the Bi.shop of Bayoiine, then Frencli ambassador :

Who had been hither sent on the debating

A marriage 'twixt tlie Duke of Orleans and

Our danglitor Mary : i' tlic progress of this business,

Ere a determinate resolution, he,

I mean the bishop, did require a resjute :

Wliereiu he might the king his lord advertise

Whether our daughter were legitimate,

Respecting this our marriage with the dowager,

Sometimes our brother's wife.

Bacon devotes an entire page to this subject, and writes npon
page 205 (King Henry VIII. commences also page 205, "His-
tories ") : " There Avas a donht ripped np in the times following,
when the divorce of King Henry VIII. from the Lady Katharine
did so much busy the world, whether Arthiu* was bedded with
his lady or no, whereby that matter in fact (of carnal know-
ledge) might be made part of the case. And it is true that the
lady herself denied it, or at least her counsel stood upon it, and
Avould not blanch that advantage, although the plenitude of the
Pope's power of dispensing was the main question. And this doubt
was kept long open, in respect of the two Queens that succeeded
Mary and Elizabeth, whose legitimations were incompatible one
with another, though their succession was settled by Act of
Parliament" (p. 206).

In a letter to James the First (dated Feb. 11, 1614, p. 72,
"Letters," 1702) Bacon writes: — "And I put the Duke of
Buckingham's case, who said, That if the King (Henry the Eighth)
caused him to he arrested of treason he would stab him." This
incident is introduced in the play of King Henry the Eighth.

Surv. After " tlie Dtike his father," with " the knife,"
He stretched him, and with one hand on his dagger,
Another spread on 's breast, mounting liis eyes,
He did discharge a horrible oath ; whose tenor
"Was, — were he evil used, he would outgo
His fathei' by as much ais a performance
Does an irresolute purpose.

King There's his period,

To sheathe his knife in us. He is attach'd

1 6 BACON'S HISTORY OF KING HENRY VI 1.

Call liini to present trial : if he may-
Find mercy in the law, 'tis his ; if none,
Let him not seek 't of us : by day and night,
He's traitor to the height. \Excunt.

("Henry VIII.," act i. sc. 2.)

It seems to us the reign of Henry the Seventh suggests some
strong parallels to explain its fitness to play the part of evidence
for the real authorship of Shakespeare's plays. In the first place,
it follows the reign of Richard the Third, an umr]^e.r. And wq
must concede the point, if Bacon wrote these plays, and holds a
lawful claim to the crown of immortality connected with them,
the example, or parallel, presented by the usurpation of the
throne by Eichard the Third, and his deposition by Henry the
Seventh, is a strong one. The impostors or pretenders, Lambert
Simnel and Perkin Warbeclc, supply fresh samples of the same
kind. And it is noteworthy this reign presents not only a
remarkable moment in English history, as uniting the Roses, but
in the discovery of America and voyages of Columbus is an epoch
in the world's civilisation. The impression this event made on
Bacon's mind may be estimated by the fact that he adopted the
simile of this memorable voyage as an emblem of his own intel-
lectual voyage of discovery. And let no one think it was a
casual simile, for it dominates not onty the " De Augmentis " and
"Novum Organum," but also the "New Atlantis" located across
the ocean. The title page engravings of the two former works
bear the ship emblem, the tw^o columns of Hercules, and the
motto of the perlustration of the globe from Daniel.

Bacon's admiration for Henry the Seventh is luibounded : —
" For that Louis the Eleventh, Ferdinando, and Henry, may be
esteemed for the Tre8 Magi of those ages." " He was a prince,
sad, serious, and fxiU of tJunujlUs and secret obserrafions, and full
of notes and rnemwials of his own hand, especially touching
persons." Bacon resembled him in these details. The first
edition of this "History of King Heiuy VH." (1622) contains
a portrait of the King. In the edition of 1C41, Bacon's portrait
(by Marshall) has taken its place. In his preface Bacon writes :

BA CON'S niSTOR V OF KING HENR Y VI I. 1 7

" For he Avas a tvise man and an exceUod ki7ig. He was of an high
mind — one that revered himself, and would reign indeed" (p.
238). " This king (to speak of him in terms equal to his deserv-
ing) was one of the best sort of wonders, a wonder for wise men.
He had parts (both in his virtues and his fortunes) not so fit
for a common-place as for observation, Certjxinly he was religious,
both in his aftection and observance. But as he could see clear
(for those times) through superstition, so (now and then) ho
would be blinded by human policy. He built and endowed many
religious foundations, besides his memorable hosjjital of the
Savoy. And yet was he a great almsgiver in secret, Avhich showed
that his works in public were dedicated rather to God's glory than
his own. He professed always to love and seek Peace ; and it was
his usual preface in his treaties. That when Christ came into the
world Peace was sung ; and when He went out of the world.
Peace was bequeathed" ("Hist.," p. 233).

The play of " Richard the Third " concludes with the prayer of
Henry the Seventh for Peace : —

0 now let Richmond and Elizabetli,
Tlie true siTCceeders of each Royal House,
By God's fair ordinance conjoin together :
And let thy heirs (God if thy will be so)
Enrich the time to come with smooth-faced Peace,
With smiling plenty, and fair prosperous days.

(" Richard III.," act v. sc. 3.)

Bacon represents him exactly as he is here porti-ayed as a God-
fearing king. " His works in public were dedicated rather to
God's glory than his own " (p. 233, " Hist."). See Eichmond's
prayer before the battle : —

0 Thou ! whose captain I account myself,
Look on my forces with a gracious eye ;
Put in their hands thy bruising irons of wrath,
That they may crush down with a heavy fall
The usurping helmets of our adversaries !
!Make us thy ministers of chastisement,
That we may praise Thee in thy victory !
To Thee I do commend my watchful soul,
B

i8 BACON'S HISTORY OF KING HENRY VIL

Ere I let fall the windows of mine eyes ;
Sleeping and waking, 0 defend me still !

('' Richard III.," act v. sc. 3.)

It was during the reign of King Henry the Seventh that the
expedition to Naples under King Charles the Eighth took place,
and England entered into a league with the Italian 2~)otentates
against France. This league consisted of King Henry of England,
Ferdinand and Isabella (King and Queen of Spain), the Duke of
Venice, and Ludovko Sforza, Duke of Milan. Ferdinand of Naples
was also included tacitly in this confederation. Bacon constantly
refers to this period, which exercised some peculiar fascination or
influence upon him. In the 1671 " Eesuscitatio " he frequently
introduces this epoch as an example of the happiness of leagues.
In the "Advertisement of a Holy War " he introduces Naples and
Milan together, and it seems to me that it cannot he entirely
accidental that the first play standing in the Folio 1623 (and
probably the last Avritten) should point at Milan and Naples,
Prospero being presented as the rightful Duke of Milan. It is
very curious to find at the period we refer to the names of
Prospero Colonna, Ludo\aco Sforza, Duke of Milan (who usurped,
like Prospero's brother, the title), Alphonso H., King of Naples,
Ferdinand, Sebastian King of Portugal (expedition to Africa)—
heinrj names also in the play of " The Tempest." This is a ^oeriod in
the History of Europe of extraordinary import, inasmuch as it
embraced the Eeformation. The Papacy attained the ne plus ultra
of its infamy under Pope Alexander the Sixth, and it was just at
this midnight hour, so to speak, Savonarola began to preach at
Florence and foreshadow Luther. This also is the great joeriod
of discovery of America by Cabot, Columbus, and of the voyages
of Vasco de Gama. It was the period of Lorenzo di Medici, of
the revival of learning, and the recovery of the lost world of the
classics. No period covild possibly better sitggest a starting point
for modern history, and it is my humble belief the 1623 Folio
commences, as it Averc, Avith this Aurora hour of light, reforma-
tion, and letters.

BACON'S HISTORY OF KING HENRY VII. 19

In Bacon's "Felicities of Queen Elizabeth," which is to be re-
found in the " Resuscitatio " (1671), we find him describing the
advancement of Elizabeth's mother, Anne Boleyn, in these words :
"For first, from the estate of a gentlewoman only, and no way
pretending to noble titles, he (Henry VIII.) raised her to tJie honour
of a marchioness." This is repeated in the play of "King Henry the
Eighth." In the second act (scene 3) the Lord Chamberlain is
introduced : —

Cham. You bear a gentle mind, and heavenly blessings
Follow such creatures. Tliat you may, fan' lady.
Perceive I speak sincerely, and high note's
Ta'en of your many virtues, the king's majesty
Commends his good opinion -of you, and
Does purpose honour to you no less flowing
Than Marchioness of Pembroke ; to which title
A thousand pound a year, annual support,
Out of his grace he adds.

How is it all these small historical trifles known to Bacon
are prominent points also in the plays 1 And in the concluding
passage spoken by Cranmer upon the birth of Queen Elizabeth we
find a prophecy, and many points repeated by Bacon in his memoir
uj)on the great Queen's life.

We present the reader * witb a fcocsimile 'Copy of pages twenty-
one and twenty- three of Lord Bacon's "History of King Henry
the Seventh," published in 1622, the year preceding the Great
Folio Shakespeare, 1623. It is for the expert and critic to decide
whether the mathematical connection (or cipher) we are about to
point out between these pages and page 53, " Merry Wives of
Windsor" is accidental or the result of design. It will be seen that
upon page 53 (col. 106), "Merry Wives of Windsor," we find the
Avord "Bacon" the 268th word down the column from the top of
the page, and the 95th up from the bottom. Directly we tiirn
to page 21 of the "History of King Henry the Seventh,"
we find the words " stage-jplay " (in italics) are the 268th and
269th words (counting them as tAvo words) down the page, like-

* See Appendix.

20 BACON'S HISTORY OF KING HENRY VII

wise counted from the top. They are the 52nd and 53rd words
counted up from the bottom of the page, and thus the word
^' stage" agrees with the paging of the "Merry Wives of "Wind-
sor," 53, on which we find the word "Bacon" also the 268th word
counted doAvn. I should hardly be at the trouble of wasting time
and ink publishing this discovery if it was not certainly a remark-
able coincidence of figures in more ways than one. Upon the
Stratford monument to Shakespeare's memory, we read he died
in his 53rd year (cetatis). And not only is it striking to find
the word " Bacon " upon page 53, " Merry Wives of Windsor," but
this word '^stage-play" giving us the figures 268, 269, 53, 52;
Shakespeare being 52 years old (full years), and in his 53rd year,
1616, when he died.

Page 21, "Hist. ( stage 268 down, 53 up. f Bacon, 268, page 53.
K. H. VII." t play 269 down, 25 up. 1 /. 269, "M. W. W."

If the reader will turn to the table of this page 21 of Bacon's
" History of King Henry the Seventh," he will find the first
column giving the figures 22, 23, which are the nimibers of the
words in italics and Roman type down the page. Now, the play
of " King Richard the Third " is the twenty-third play in the 1623
Folio, and does it not seem as if 22 and 23 refer to 1622, 1623,
which are the dates of publication of this "History of King
Henry the Seventh " and the Great Folio first collected edition 'I
The play of "Richard the Thii'd" commences upon page 173 of
the Folio Histories.

Bacon, 268 down, 95 up, p. 53, "Merry Wives of Windsor."
Deduct 268-95 = 173!

Now the striking point has to come. Upon page 56, or column
107, of the "Histories" {that is the sequent column), the same
number 268 gives

heart, 268 down, 173 up.
Which if we deduct 268-173 = 95! The reader will see how
curious it is to find the deduction of the numbers in these two
cases giving us the up number of the other, proving some cipher

BACON'S HISTORY OF KING HENRY VII 21

connection. It is worthy of note in 1595 the third part of the
reign of King Henry the Sixth was written, and possibly 95 may
stand for this date. At anyrate it is curious that the next play,
"King Richard the Third," commences upon page 173 of the
1623 Folio, and is the 23rd play.

Richard the Third was a usurper, and it is quite possible
Bacon selected the reign of King Henry the Seventh to represent
himself by analogy as the rightful successor to the usurper William
Shakespeare. There is much to bear this theory out. Henry the
Seventh's accession brought the wars of the Roses to an end. As
a conqueror by might, and king by right of his Lancastrian
claim, he supplanted the unlawful usurper Richard the Third.
The reader may see that if we count the plays in succession,
" Richard the Third " is the twenty-third play in order from the com-
mencement of the catalogue. The reign of King Henry the Seventh,
if it had been written, would have formed the twenty-fourth
play, therefore there is something singularly striking to find upon
page 23 of the " History of King Henry the Seventh," the intro-
duction of the words " Stage Plays " and " Masks "/ Not only this,
but (16)23 was the date of the first Folio edition of Shakespeare's
supposed plays ; and as the omitted play of " King Henry the
Seventh " would have followed had there been one the play of
"Richard the Third," this introduction upon page 23 is very
curious.

Upon page 26 of Bacon's "History of King Henry the
Seventh " we read of the Queen Dowager : " After her husband's
death she was matter of Tragedy, having lived to see her brother
beheaded, and her two sons deposed from the crown, bastarded in
their blood, and cruelly murdered." Is there not reference here
to the Tragedy play of "Richard the Third" in which all this is
portrayed ? The word " Tragedy " is the twenty -second word in
italics from the top of the page, and the play of the third part of
" King Henry the Sixth," in which this Queen plays so large a
part, is the twenty-second play in the Folio 1623. If we count the
word " Hastings " (in Roman type), then the word " Tragedy "

2 2 BACOJSrS n IS TOR Y OF KING HENR Y VII

is the twenty-third word from the top of page 26, in extra-
ordinary letterpress, and the "Tragedy of Richard III." is the
twenty-third play in order in the Folio. This word " Tragedy " is
the 267th, 268th, 269th, or 270th word, all counted down from
the tojD of the page, according as we count hyphenated words
(" marriage-bed," " bachelor-king," " issue-male ") as single or
double words. Upon page 53, "Merry Wives of Windsor," these
numbers give " Fm' Bacon, I warrant." Upon page 36 of this
"History of King Henry the Seventh" there are fifty-two or fifty-
three words in italics {^^ Fore-fight" hyphenated), according as we
count the hyphenated word singly or double. This was Shake-
speare's age, 1616, Avhen he died.

^ 52 years old, and in his 53rd yeai\
\ 36 plays in the 1623 Folio.

"A Tragedy" are the 225th and 224th words all counted up the
page. Upon page 53, "Merry Wives of Windsor," the 225th,
224th words (up and down) are : —

Page 53, j in 225 r the 224

"Merry Wives of Windsor" } nouns 224 \ pronoun 225.

This "pronoun," or name standing in place of another name, is
identified in the accusative case with the word Bacon.

Hang hog is Latin for Bacon, I warrant you.

Upon page 23, Bacon's "History of King Henry the Seventh,"
we read : — "But yet doubting that there would be too near look-
ing and too much Perspective into his disguise, if he should show it
here in England, he thought good (after the manner of scenes in
Stage-Plays and Masks) to show it afar off." The words Stage-Plays
are the 84th and 85th words down from the top of this page 23.
Now the time of action comprehending the play of "King Richard
in." is from A.D. 1471 to 1485, and if there had been a piny of
King Richard VII. it would have commenced from the last date.
The numbers of these words are as follows, and we give the cor-
responding figures from page 53, " Merry Wives of Windsor " : —

In

83 down

225 up

Stage

84

))

22-i „

Plays

85

jj

223 „

and

86

)j

990

Masques

mi -

87

>>

221
1 ■

BACON'S HISTORY OF KING HENR Y VII 23

P. 5 3, "M. \V. W.," pronoun 225 down.

col. 106, the 224 „

of 223 „

borrowed 222 „

are 221 „

The ifironoim stands in the ^jlace of a }yi-oper name. And if we
add the paging 23 to 83 and 84 ("In Stage "), we get 106 and 107,
which are the numljers of the columns of page 53, " Merry Wives
of Windsor," from which we take oiu" figures.

Elizabeth^ Queen to King Edward IV.

Fuller says of this lady: — "She got more greatness than joy,
height than happiness, by her marriage, for she lived to see the
death of her husband, murder of her two sons, and restraint of
herself and rest of her children." This agrees with her foreboding
language in the play : —

Small joy have I in being England's queeu.

Miss Strickland says of her : " There never was a woman
who contrived to make more personal enemies." After Eichard's
usiu-pation she was styled by him, " Dame Elizabeth Grey, late
calling herself Queen of England." She retired to the IMonastery
of Bermondsey, where she died in the reign of her son-in-law,
much neglected by him, June 8, 1492. In only one instance has
the compiler met with the time of Elizabeth Woodvile's death,
and then it was merely stated to have occurred the Eriday before
Whitsuntide. As Easter Day in 1492 fell on the 22nd of April,
the exact date of her decease was the 8th of June. Her will,
dated April 10, 1492, exhibits a touching picture of her maternal
affection and her poverty, having nothing but her blessing to
bequeath to her children, for " I have no worldly goods " is her
mournful confession. She was buried in St George's Chapel,
Windsor, where on a flat stone, at the foot of her royal husband's
tomb, is inscribeo : —

^ing ^btDitrii xwxb his Qitcni Sli^iibith cSlilibiU.

24 BACON'S HISTORY OF KING HENRY VII

Southey's lines "woiild form an appropriate epitaph : —

Thou, Elizabeth, art here,

Thou ! to whom all griefs were known,

Who wert placed upon the bier,

In happier hour than on a throne.

This is the Queen Bivcon refers to as the Queen Doicagcr. We
find her in the play urging the Marquis of Dorset to fly to
Eichmond, and this agrees with Bacon's words, "And in her
withdraAving chamber had the fortunate conspiracy for the King
against Eichard the Third been hatched" (p. 21, "History of
King Henry VU."). Compare —

Queen. 0 Dorset, speak not to me, get thee gone.
Death and destruction dogs thee at thy heels.
Thy mother's name is ominous to children.
If thou wilt out-sti"ip death, go cross the seas,
And live with Eichmond, from the reach of hell.

("Richard III.," act i. sc. 3.)

" The Marquis of Dorset was Thomas Grey, eldest son of
Elizabeth's first marriage. After the death of King Edward,
Dorset, attainted by Eichard the Third, escaped to the Earl
of Eichmond, and assisted in raising him to the throne " (" Notes
on the Characters of Shakespeare's Plays," p. 224, by G. E.
French, 1868). Tlie reader may see how exactly acquainted
Bacon is with the details of the reign of King Eichard the Third
as they are presented by the supposed Shakespeare.