One part of this coronation service was of special interest; and to many
people it meant the fulfilment of an old prophecy. For more than eight
hundred years before these words had been roughly carved on the sacred
stone of Scone—
If Fates go right, where’er this stone is found
The Scots shall monarchs of that realm be crowned.
And now, seated on the Coronation Chair which held that stone, James VI.
of Scotland was crowned as James I. of England.
Prince Henry was still brought up away from home, first in company with
his sister, the merry and witty little Princess Elizabeth, who
afterwards married the Elector Palatine. Brother and sister were
devoted to each other: both were full of the highest spirits, ready for
any adventure; both loved riding and games, and would "mount horses of
prodigious mettle;" and it was a great grief to them when they were
parted, though, woman-like, Elizabeth fretted the longer. Prince Henry
was more of a philosopher.
"That you are displeased to be left in solitude I can well believe," he
wrote to her; "you women and damsels are sociable creatures. But you
know those who love each other best cannot always be glued together."
Meanwhile Henry took up his residence at Hampton Court. The Gunpowder
Plot left a deep impression on him, for had it succeeded he would have
lost his life, and he became still more serious and thoughtful, making
friends only with those who could teach him something about the many
things in which he took an interest, ships, guns, fortifications, books,
foreign lands, politics and so on. For Sir Walter Raleigh, that
adventurous sailor and treasure-hunter, now a prisoner in the Tower, he
had the greatest affection, and spent many hours walking up and down the
terrace with him talking of ships and the sea, to the great delight of
the old man, who found him an enthusiastic and intelligent companion and
at one with him in his opinion that a strong navy meant peace for
England. In vain Henry pleaded with his father to set free this
prisoner who had committed no crime save that of offending Spain. But
James and his son were of very different natures, and James was always
doggedly obstinate. "No one but the King would shut up such a bird in a
cage," said the boy sadly.
[Illustration: INTERIOR LOOKING EAST.]
In 1610 he was created Prince of Wales and there were great festivities
in the White Chamber of Westminster Palace, as there, in the presence of
the Lords and Commons, he knelt before the king, wearing a robe of
purple velvet, to receive the crown of Llewellyn. Once again he won all
hearts, and the members of Parliament congratulated themselves that so
worthy a prince was heir to the throne. He became more and more the
idol of the people, and indeed rarely if ever since the days of Edward,
the Black Prince, had a king’s son been so full of promise. But to the
utter grief of the nation he died two years later, after a short
illness.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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