Then the royal couple proceeded to Winchester, and from there to London. A grand reception was held on the 29th of May, when Jane was presented as queen. When parliament met, a few days later, the lord-chan- {405} [Illustration: 0409] cellor {407}made a lengthy speech setting forth the king's virtues, trying to justify his vagaries in the matrimonial line by a great deal of tedious, false reasoning, and winding up with the information that Anne Boleyn's daughter was not heir to the throne of England. Part of this speech was devoted to setting forth the noble sacrifices made by Henry VIII. for the benefit of his people. The speaker chosen by the House of Commons went further, and loaded the king with the most fulsome compliments, comparing him to Samson, Solomon, and Absalom combined. Thus was Henry VIII. encouraged in his wickedness, until, as Cardinal Wolsey wisely said: "he actually forgot that there was both heaven and hell." The Princess Mary was on good terms with her stepmother, who effected a reconciliation between her and the king; but the conditions were so cruel, that there was not much to be grateful for. Perhaps Jane was not responsible for them, and as we have so little that is favorable to relate of this queen, we will give her the benefit of the doubt. She made no enemies, because she avoided expressing any decided opinions, and preserved as much as possible a placid silence, and permitted herself to be governed, in all things, by her husband. If regard for her head prompted such behavior, at least she was wise. The winter of 1537 was a remarkably cold one, and the royal couple with their entire court crossed the frozen Thames on horseback, so thick and solid was the ice. Henry's two other queens had been crowned, so he thought the same honor ought to be conferred on the third, but the continuance of the pestilence caused that ceremony to be postponed so long that death prevented it altogether, for Jane Seymour lived only eighteen months after her marriage. Meanwhile, she was living at Hampton Court, where her little son was born, who afterwards became Edward VI. vet cloth. On top of this pall was a wax figure resembling the dead queen dressed in regal robes with a crown, sceptre, and jewels. On the 12th of November the car was drawn by six horses to St. George's Chapel, where the corpse was interred. Henry VIII. wrote a letter to Francis I. rejoicing over the birth of his son and expressing considerable regret at the death of his wife. He really did put on mourning attire, and appeared depressed in spirits for several weeks. This is all that could be expected of so worldly and gay a king. [[A.D. 1537.]] This prince was baptized at midnight, and both his sisters, Mary and Elizabeth, took part in the ceremony, which was succeeded by such a blowing of trumpets as must have been very trying, indeed, to the nerves of a young infant. [Illustration: 0412]